bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Material Investigations on Highly Irradiated Aluminum Magnesium Alloys for Lifetime Assessment of a Neutron Beam Tube in the BER II Research Reactor
Authors: Hein Hieronymus , Schnabel Hilmar , Welzel Stephan
Published: February 2013

For the research reactor BER II operated in Berlin, Germany material investigations on irradiated and unirradiated AlMg3 specimens were performed in order to assess the allowable operation time of a conic neutron beam tube. For this purpose, tensile specimens have been manufactured from archived material and from a highly irradiated decommissioned component of the same material. The uniform elongations obtained in this way were used for the proof of the remaining ductility of the neutron beam tube with respect to the neutron fluence accumulated. The irradiation history, the essential steps of the neutron fluence determination, of the manufacturing process and of the testing procedure are described. The results of the tensile tests are discussed in detail and with respect to the remaining lifetime of the component. The measured tensile data shows reasonable agreement with existing test data for similar materials and comparable conditions. Below the designed end of life fluence of 1 × 1022 n/cm2 (E > 0.1 MeV) a uniform elongation of at least 5 % was confirmed which is the minimum to ensure sufficient ductility during operation.

It can be concluded that the use of representative material from decommissioned components is an appropriate measure to monitor the irradiation behavior of research reactor components made by aluminum magnesia alloy. Finally, an approach for fracture toughness testing is introduced in order to complement tensile testing in dedicated surveillance programs for research reactors.
Androgen activates β-catenin signaling in bladder cancer cells
Authors: Li Yi , Zheng Yichun , Izumi Koji , Ishiguro Hitoshi , Ye Bo , Li Faqian , Miyamoto Hiroshi
Published: February 2013

Androgen receptor (AR) signals have been implicated in bladder carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling has also been reported to correlate with bladder cancer progression and poor patients' outcomes. However, cross talk between AR and β-catenin pathways in bladder cancer remains uncharacterized. In radical cystectomy specimens, we immunohistochemically confirmed aberrant expression of β-catenin especially in aggressive tumors. There was a strong association between nuclear expressions of AR and β-catenin in bladder tumors (P=0.0215). Kaplan–Meier and log-rank tests further revealed that reduced membranous β-catenin expression (P=0.0276), nuclear β-catenin expression (P=0.0802), and co-expression of nuclear AR and β-catenin (P=0.0043) correlated with tumor progression after cystectomy. We then assessed the effects of androgen on β-catenin in AR-positive and AR-negative bladder cancer cell lines. A synthetic androgen R1881 increased the expression of an active form of β-catenin and its downstream target c-myc only in AR-positive lines. R1881 also enhanced the activity of β-catenin-mediated transcription, which was abolished by an AR antagonist hydroxyflutamide. Using western blotting and immunofluorescence, R1881 was found to induce nuclear translocation of β-catenin when co-localized with AR. Finally, co-immunoprecipitation revealed androgen-induced associations of AR with β-catenin or T-cell factor (TCF) in bladder cancer cells. Thus, it was likely that androgen was able to activate β-catenin signaling through the AR pathway in bladder cancer cells. Our results also suggest that activation of β-catenin signaling possibly via formation of AR/β-catenin/TCF complex contributes to the progression of bladder cancer, which may enhance the feasibility of androgen deprivation as a potential therapeutic approach.
Rising incidence, no change in survival and decreasing mortality from thyroid cancer in The Netherlands since 1989
Authors: Husson Olga , Haak Harm R , van Steenbergen Liza N , Nieuwlaat Willy-Anne , van Dijk Boukje A C , Nieuwenhuijzen Grard A P , Karim-Kos Henrike , Kuijpens Johannes L , van de Poll-Franse Lonneke V , Coebergh Jan Willem W
Published: February 2013

The incidence of thyroid cancer (TC) is increasing worldwide, partly due to increased detection. We therefore assessed combined trends in incidence, survival and mortality of the various types of TC in The Netherlands between 1989 and 2009. We included all patients ≥15 years with TC, diagnosed in the period 1989–2009 and recorded in The Netherlands Cancer Registry (n=8021). Information on age, gender, date of diagnosis, histological type of tumour and tumour–node–metastasis classification was recorded. Mortality data (up to 1st January 2010) were derived from Statistics Netherlands. Annual percentages of change in incidence, mortality and relative survival were calculated. Since 1989 the incidence of TC increased significantly in The Netherlands (estimated annual percentage change (EAPC)=+1.7%). The incidence rates increased for all age groups (except for females >60 years), papillary tumours (EAPC=+3.5%), T1 and T3 TC (EAPC=+7.9 and +5.8% respectively). Incidence rates decreased for T4 TC (−2.3%) and remained stable for follicular, medullary anaplastic and T2 TC. Five-year relative survival rates remained stable for papillary (88%) and follicular (77%) TC, all age groups and T1–T3 TC (96, 94 and 80% respectively) and somewhat lower for T4 (53%), medullary (65%) and anaplastic TC (5%) in the 2004–2009 period compared with earlier periods. Mortality due to TC decreased (EAPC=−1.9%). TC detection and incidence has been rising in The Netherlands, while mortality rates are decreasing and survival rates remained stable or slightly decreasing.
The spectrum of myopathies in the city of São Paulo
Authors: Levy José A. , Topczewski Abram , Mendonça Lucia Iracema Z. de , Zatz Mayana , Levisky Ruth Blay
Published: February 2013

A review of all myopathic patients treated at the Neurologic Clinic of the Medical School of the University of São Paulo during the past 15 years is reported. A total of 466 cases were examined and distributed as follows: 56% of progressive muscular dystrophy; 31% of myasthenia gravis; 6% of polymyositis; 4% of myotonic dystrophy; and the remainder of several different diseases (central core disease, Kearns-syndrome, myotonia congenita, adynamia episodica hereditaria, diabetic myopathy and Eaton-Lambert syndrome). Enzymatic dosages, electromyography, muscle biopsy, electrocardiography and genetic counselling are also reported.
Espiguetas de dois grãos no milho
Authors: Cutler H. C.
Published: February 2013

A morfologia, ocorrência, utilidade e genética das flores funcionais inferiores em espiguetas de milho, são examinadas ligeiramente. Em regra, somente a flor superior em cada espigueta numa espiga de milho se desenvolve e contém um grão, porém nos exemplos em foco a flor inferior se desenvolve tão bem como a superior. O embrião no milho geralmente se acha voltado na mesma direção que a ponta da espiga, ao passo que o embrião do grão proveniente da flor inferior se volta na direção da base. São raras, não só na América do Norte e Central, como na maior parte da América do Sul, as espigas nas quais os grãos provêm da flor inferior das espiguetas, constituindo uma exceção o milho doce Country Gentleman, no qual se encontram grãos em ambas as flores na maioria das espiguetas. No Brasil e na Bolívia, entretanto, são mais comuns as espigas com espiguetas de dois grãos. Sendo o milho proveniente da América do Sul, é de esperar-se que se encontrem mais variedades e tipos mais primitivos próximo do centro de origem. No milho Pipoca Pontudo Paulista, o Dr. BRIEGER encontrou espigas com ambas as flores funcionais em algumas espiguetas. Em alguns casos, ambos os grãos eram de tamanho normal, porém, mais comumente, um dos dois grãos era bem menor que o outro. Em espigas encontradas pelo Dr. MARTIN CARDENAS, algumas espiguetas apresentam grãos provindos somente das flores inferiores, uma circunstância característica do grupo "Poaceae", e não do "Panicaceae" a que pertence o milho. Muitos gens que influenciam os característicos do pendão, também influenciam os das espigas. Alguns destes controlam a formação de grãos na flor inferior da espigueta-fêmea. A maioria dos gens conhecidos como afetando as espiguetas inferiores, são recessivos, tal como no caso das espigas brasileira e boliviana estudadas, e no Country Gentleman. Um exemplo de espiguetas gêmeas foi encontrado entre o material tunicata do Dr. BRIEGER. Aí, em vez de uma só espi-gueta, o que é o normal, havia duas espiguetas completas, simétricas, sendo uma em posição oposta ao normal. Os grãos, em ambas, achavam-se na flor superior. Prosseguem os estudos sobre a espigueta do milho. O Dr. GONÇALVES DRUMOND, da Escola Superior de Viçosa, Minas Gerais, encontrou recentemente algumas espigas de "Cateto", nas quais a flor inferior é funcional e está estudando as mesmas. Parece que o mais interessante material para os novos estudos é o que o Dr. BRIEGER encontrou no seu milho "Pipoca Pontudo Paulista, pois há ai graus variáveis de desenvolvimento tanto superiores como inferiores.
Variação do número e da distribuição dos espinhos nos frutos da Mamoneira (Ricinus communis, L)
Authors: Gurgel J. T. A.
Published: February 2013

1) O caráter presença de espinhos nos frutos da mamoneira é determinado por um par de fatores dominantes SS, sendo a forma recessiva ss, inerme. A interação alélica nao é bem intermediária, havendo uma predominância do fator S. Êste resultado foi anteriormente constatado por HARLAND (7), PEAT (8), DOMINGO (2), GURGEL (4) e FERNANDES (3). 2) A constatação da segregação 1 SS : 2 Ss : 1 ss foi feita após extensivas contagens de espinhos, tanto na forma paternal, como também no Fl, F2 e "back-cross". Por essas contagens foi verificado que existem variedades com números diferentes de espinhos, podendo-se distinguir dois tipos: variedades que têm muitos espinhos, com uma média aproximada de 170 espinhos por fruto e variedades que têm um número médio de espinhos, com uma média aproximada de 113 espinhos por fruto. 3) Embora a segregação dos fatores S e s seja monofatorial, todavia foi constadada por uma análise estatística detalhada, a presença de gens modificadores agindo na geração F2, introduzidos pelos tipos paternais. Assim, o segregante SS no F2, tem mais espinhos do que o pai homozigoto da mesma constituição. 4) Foram encontrados dois novos gens cal e ca2, com interação não alélica do tipo de polimeria complementar duplo-recessiva, dando no F2 uma segregação de 15 com espinhos uniformes : 1 com espinho careca, no "back-cross" uma segregação de 3 com espinhos uniformes : 1 com espinho careca. Estes gens determinaram, nos frutos com espinhos, a formação de zonas sem espinhos, ou como denominamos, "carecas". Estes novos fatores foram encontrados numa única variedade, de n.° 51, conhecida por laciniada, em virtude da for- ma especial de suas fôlhas. Esta variedade é de côr verde, apresenta cera na haste e possui numerosos cachos, porém pequenos. Ê tida como planta ornamental e foi originalmente importada de Erfurt, Alemanha. 5) Mesmo nas variedades inermes foi constatada a presença dos gens Cal e Ca2, para distribuição uniforme de espinhos, embora nas ditas variedades não se possa identificar a sua presença, em virtude do gen s ser epistático recessivo sobre Cal e Ca2. 6) Uma vez que os fatores S e CalCa2 sao independentes, isto é, possivelmente situados em cromosômios diferentes, fazendo-se o cruzamento de variedades com espinho careca x variedades sem espinho, obtem-se o PI com número de espinhos intermediário e distribuição uniforme. No F2 obtém-se a segregação de 45 com espinho uniforme : 3 com espinho careca : 16 sem espinho e no "back-cross" a segregação de 3 com espinho uniforme : 1 com espinho careca : 4 sem espinho.
Estudo comparativo para avaliação das falhas técnicas em radiografias convencionais de tórax
Authors: Silva Wender Cardoso da , Marques Márcio Alexandre , Nascimento Augusto Voltaire do
Published: February 2013

OBJETIVO: Especificar e quantificar as principais falhas técnicas, sejam elas eletrônicas ou mecânicas, presentes em radiografias convencionais de tórax, com o intuito de melhorar a sua qualidade e reduzir a necessidade da repetição dos exames e, consequentemente, a dose recebida pelo paciente. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram selecionadas e avaliadas por um pneumologista 897 radiografias convencionais realizadas ou em projeção posteroanterior ou lateral em cinco instituições de saúde da cidade de São Paulo. Em cada uma delas foram feitas análises das falhas técnicas presentes, as quais foram classificadas de acordo com o erro técnico radiográfico pré-definido e que levou à repetição do exame. RESULTADOS: Os resultados obtidos mostraram que o posicionamento incorreto do paciente (27%), a subexposição (23%) e a superexposição (15%) foram as principais falhas que contribuíram para a repetição dos exames e que apresentaram, na matriz de coeficiente de correlação Pearson, um erro acima de 0,7%, ocasionando aumento da dose recebida pelos pacientes. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados observados indicaram a necessidade da realização de controle de qualidade dos aparelhos de raios X, a atenção do operador do equipamento, bem como outras abordagens para esclarecer o impacto da necessidade de repetição do exame.
Displasia epifisária hemimélica (doença de Trevor-Fairbank): relato de caso
Authors: Silveira Regina Bosenbecker da , Lopes Felipe Augusto Rozales , Reis Ana Luiza Behrensdorf , Granzotto Enrico , Oliveira André Guimarães de
Published: February 2013

A displasia epifisária hemimélica é uma doença benigna rara (incidência de 1:1.000.000), caracterizada por um crescimento osteocondral decorrente de uma ou mais epífises. Em geral a idade de início é entre 2 e 14 anos. Os achados característicos dos exames de imagem são suficientes para o diagnóstico. A excisão cirúrgica da lesão só é indicada caso haja limitação funcional.
A constituição do perito psicólogo em varas de família à luz da análise institucional de discurso
Authors: Ortiz Marta Cristina Meirelles
Published: February 2013

O processo judicial impõe ao conflito familiar uma forma triangular, constituída de duas partes litigantes que demandam a decisão de um terceiro, o juiz. A análise institucional do discurso, por meio de suas concepções de discurso, de sujeito, de instituição e de transferência, contribui para melhor compreensão do lugar do perito-psicólogo na cena processual configurada pela instituição judiciária e para um debate mais consistente sobre os diversos fatores implicados em suas ações. Por meio dela, podemos compreender como se constitui o perito psicólogo a partir da triangulação configurada no processo e a importância da análise da transferência processual. A leitura crítica dos autos é o primeiro passo dessa análise, e contribui para posicionar o perito em relação à demanda da instituição. A entrevista, que coloca o perito em contato direto com os litigantes, evidencia a relação de exterioridade que, não obstante demandado pelo processo, o saber psicológico mantém em relação ao Direito. Expectativas e afetos, bem como possíveis efeitos subjetivos da relação com o perito, devem ser considerados. O laudo é o momento em que o perito psicólogo toma a palavra no processo judicial e tem um caráter interventivo. A perícia, como prova judicial, afirma-se em uma certa vontade de verdade característica da instituição jurídica e, ao mesmo tempo, na intenção do perito de, como coadjuvante da cena processual, nela produzir efeitos singulares. É importante que se reconheça que o que se produz na perícia judicial não é a Verdade, mas uma verdade relativa, a atribuição de um sentido possível ao conflito configurado no processo.
Processos clínicos em Núcleos de Apoio à Saúde da Família / NASF: estágio supervisionado
Authors: Santeiro Tales Vilela
Published: February 2013

Os diálogos entre a Psicologia e a saúde pública têm se estreitado nos últimos anos, visando à consolidação da profissão em seus compromissos com a realidade brasileira. Este artigo objetiva discutir o papel da Psicologia clínica integrada a Núcleos de Apoio à Saúde da Família (NASF), equipamentos do Sistema Único de Saúde. As discussões enfocadas resultam de estágios desenvolvidos por estudantes de universidade pública federal, de cidade de pequeno porte do interior do Centro-Oeste. As atividades ocorrem em cinco NASF e perfazem, por semestre, 16 semanas de estudos teóricos e de intervenção supervisionada, em andamento desde 2011. Na realidade retratada, atividades de ensino e aprendizado em Psicologia clínica em suas interfaces com a saúde pública têm ocorrido entre distintas demandas: as dos usuários, compreendidos como singulares e representantes do entorno social, e as da formação em Psicologia, comprimidas entre imperativos vinculados às políticas públicas de ensino superior e de saúde pública. Há ponderações sobre o custo emocional que se coloca aos estagiários em busca de identidade profissional nesse contexto. Articular distintas necessidades permanece como desafio a ser vivido e constantemente refletido por profissionais e estudantes de Psicologia clínica.
Interpretação - reprodução musical - teoria da performance: reunindo-se os elementos para uma reformulação conceitual da(s) prática(s) interpretativa(s)
Authors: Kuehn Frank Michael Carlos
Published: February 2013

Notam-se nas ciências humanas enormes dificuldades na definição e no emprego dos conceitos que designam fenômenos culturais. Isso vale também para a área da música, onde costuma se notar certa confusão quando se passa para o entendimento do que designam os termos interpretação e performance. O presente ensaio quer responder a essa tarefa, urgente tanto do ponto de vista teórico quanto científico. Como a análise envolve a tradução e a transliteração de conceitos fundamentais de um idioma para outro, abordam-se primeiramente os critérios que norteiam a sua aplicação no contexto histórico da tradição musical clássico-romântica vienense. O objetivo central é demonstrar como esses conceitos diferem em sentido e fim. O próximo passo consiste numa análise criteriosa do conceito de reprodução musical. Por fim, propõe-se o trinômio reprodução musical, interpretação e performance como arcabouço conceitual para o ensino e a pesquisa da(s) prática(s) interpretativa(s). Ao mesmo tempo, o campo teórico da disciplina aumenta em sua abrangência migrando de uma noção embasada quase que unicamente na interpretação para a de um processo artístico multiforme de grande potencial produtivo e transformador que inclui também os elementos extramusicais da reprodução.
A livre improvisação musical e a filosofia de Gilles Deleuze
Authors: Costa Rogério Luiz Moraes
Published: February 2013

Nos últimos anos a improvisação passou a figurar como um tema cada vez mais presente nos ambientes acadêmicos e hoje é considerada uma importante linha de pesquisa. A nossa reflexão sobre a livre improvisação, além de se apoiar em nossas experiências práticas, tem como uma das suas principais referências a obra do filósofo francês Gilles Deleuze de quem são emprestados conceitos fundamentais tais como, estratificação, território, plano de consistência, molaridade e molecularidade, corpo sem órgãos, ritmo, meios e ritornelo. Neste artigo, originalmente publicado no número 49, vol. 1 da revista Perspectives of New Music, trataremos de mostrar de que forma estes conceitos nos auxiliam a pensar e fundamentar a livre improvisação musical conforme a concebemos em nossos trabalhos práticos e teóricos.
A complexidade rítmica no Estudo Percussivo II de Arthur Kampela
Authors: Vargas Daniel
Published: February 2013

Este artigo discute o uso das estruturas rítmicas complexas, tais como quiálteras dentro de quiálteras na obra Estudo Percussivo II, de 1993, do compositor brasileiro Arthur Kampela. Em alguns casos, serão demonstrados procedimentos de notação da escrita complexa do compositor britânico Brian Ferneyhoug. Isso se dá pelo fato de ao transformar uma semínima em uma quiáltera de cinco, Ferneyhough utiliza uma simbologia acima da quiáltera, indicando que são cinco semicolcheias no lugar de quatro semicolcheias, desta forma, o compositor britânico faz a indicação da mesma figura rítmica ao utilizar a semicolcheia. Diferentemente, Arthur Kampela no Estudo Percussivo II, utiliza uma escrita peculiar na qual ele não faz a mesma indicação das figuras rítmicas como Brian Ferneyhough. Este artigo propõe uma discussão a respeito desta escrita peculiar no Estudo Percussivo II. Para finalizar será abordada a escrita complexa sobre a ótica de outros compositores como Pierre Boulez para que a partir desta visão sejam propostas outras possibilidades de escrita rítmica no Estudo Percussivo II.
Ética na pesquisa em música: definições e implicações na contemporaneidade
Authors: Queiroz Luis Ricardo Silva
Published: February 2013

Os debates acerca da pesquisa em música na atualidade contemplam uma diversidade de questões que se inter-relacionam à complexidade e à amplitude do universo de abordagens da área. Entre as importantes discussões que permeiam a pesquisa em música, a ética na produção do conhecimento científico musical tem ocupado lugar de destaque. Com foco nessa realidade, este artigo tem como objetivo refletir sobre de aspectos éticos na prática investigativa e suas implicações para a pesquisa em música, apontando perspectivas e diretrizes gerais que podem embasar a atuação dos estudiosos da área em seus diferentes campos de investigação. O trabalho tem como base pesquisa bibliográfica e experiências consolidadas do autor como pesquisador e orientador de trabalhos de pesquisa em diferentes subáreas da música. A partir das discussões realizadas, o texto aponta aspectos conceituais que fundamentam as definições de ética no campo da música, bem como destaca questões que devem ser consideradas na produção e divulgação do conhecimento científico musical.
O Estilo indígena de Villa Lobos (Parte II): aspectos rítmicos, texturais, potencial significante e tópicas indígenas
Authors: Moreira Gabriel Ferrão
Published: February 2013

Segunda parte do artigo resultante de minha dissertação de mestrado, que trata da representação musical do índio brasileiro na composição de Heitor Villa-Lobos. Nessa segunda parte, continuo defendendo a existência de um "estilo indígena" coerente e autoreferente na música de Heitor Villa-Lobos. Analiso aspectos rítmicos e texturais desse estilo e, numa abordagem hermenêutica, seu potencial significante. Ao fim, apresento alguns modelos de tópicas indígenas em Villa-Lobos.
Dissemination and implementation of comparative effectiveness evidence: key informant interviews with Clinical and Translational Science Award institutions
Authors: Morrato Elaine H , Concannon Thomas W , Meissner Paul , Shah Nilay D , Turner Barbara J
Published: February 2013

Aim:
To identify ongoing practices and opportunities for improving national comparative effectiveness research (CER) translation through dissemination and implementation (D&I) via NIH-funded Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) institutions.
Materials & methods:
Key informant interviews were conducted with 18 CTSA grantees sampled to represent a range of D&I efforts.
Results & conclusions:
The institutional representatives endorsed fostering CER translation nationally via the CTSA Consortium. However, five themes emerged from the interviews as barriers to CER D&I: lack of institutional awareness, insufficient capacity, lack of established D&I methods, confusion among stakeholders about what CER actually is and limited funding opportunities. Interviewees offered two key recommendations to improve CER translation: development of a centralized clearing house to facilitate the diffusion of CER D&I resources and methods across CTSA institutions; and formalization of the national CTSA network to leverage existing community engagement relationships and resources for the purpose of adapting and disseminating robust CER evidence locally with providers, patients and healthcare systems.
Interview: Access to richer data promises to usher in a new era of insight into patient heterogeneity
Authors: Berger Marc L
Published: February 2013

Marc L Berger
, MD is Vice President of Real World Data and Analytics at Pfizer, Inc. During his career, he has held a variety of leadership positions at OptumInsight, Eli Lilly and Company, and Merck and Co., Inc. His professional activities have included serving on the Medicare Evidence Development and Coverage Advisory Committee, the board of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR), and the steering committee for the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ) Centers for Research and Education on Therapeutics. He also co-chaired the ISPOR Taskforce on Prospective Observational Studies for Comparative Effectiveness Research and currently chairs the Comparative Effectiveness Research Collaborative Initiative Taskforce for the Interpreting Prospective Observational Studies for Health Care Decisions. Dr Berger has written or cowritten more than 100 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters and other publications on a range of topics including health services research, outcomes research, health economics and health policy.
Unresolved tensions in consumer engagement in CER: a US research perspective
Authors: Workman Thomas , Maurer Maureen , Carman Kristin
Published: February 2013

Efforts to engage patients and consumers in comparative effectiveness research (CER) in the USA are still in the early stages, and the outcomes of these partnerships have yet to be fully understood or realized. Our work assisting federal agencies and national organizations who engage patients and consumers in CER reveal three unresolved tensions around the representation of the patient experience in the research process, the culture of research and capacity to partner with patients and consumers, and the conflict between the methodological approaches to CER and the outcomes of interest to patients and caregivers. Several approaches to address these tensions have emerged, yet resolving these tensions will require addressing many system-level challenges and building an evidence base for consumer engagement in CER.
Study design elements for rigorous quasi-experimental comparative effectiveness research
Authors: Maciejewski Matthew L , Curtis Lesley H , Dowd Bryan
Published: February 2013

Quasi-experiments are likely to be the workhorse study design used to generate evidence about the comparative effectiveness of alternative treatments, because of their feasibility, timeliness, affordability and external validity compared with randomized trials. In this review, we outline potential sources of discordance in results between quasi-experiments and experiments, review study design choices that can improve the internal validity of quasi-experiments, and outline innovative data linkage strategies that may be particularly useful in quasi-experimental comparative effectiveness research. There is an urgent need to resolve the debate about the evidentiary value of quasi-experiments since equal consideration of rigorous quasi-experiments will broaden the base of evidence that can be brought to bear in clinical decision-making and governmental policy-making.
Braking News
Authors: Kaplan Sigal , Prato Carlo Giacomo
Published: February 2013

This study focused on the link between crash severity and crash avoidance maneuvers. Various emergency lateral and speed control maneuvers were considered in response to different critical events that made the crash imminent. Partial proportional odds models that allowed for changes in effects across severity levels were estimated to accommodate the ordered-response nature of severity. The sample used for estimation consisted of data for single-vehicle crashes extracted from the General Estimates System crash database for the period from 2005 to 2009. Results showed the correlation between crash avoidance maneuvers and crash severity, with differences emerging for different critical events. Moreover, results showed two trends: (a) most drivers failed to act when facing critical events and (b) drivers rarely performed crash avoidance maneuvers that were correlated with a higher probability of lower crash severity. These trends suggest that efforts to understand the mechanisms of reactions to different critical events should be made to improve in-vehicle warning systems, promote responsible driving behavior, and design forgiving infrastructures.
Macrolevel Model Development for Safety Assessment of Road Network Structures
Authors: Wang Xuesong , Jin Yu , Abdel-Aty Mohamed , Tremont Paul J. , Chen Xiaohong
Published: February 2013

Traffic safety is beginning to receive increasing attention at the stage of transportation planning. Although the features of road networks are an essential aspect of transportation planning, studies of the safety effects of network patterns remain limited. In this study, macrolevel safety models were developed to explore the relationship between crash occurrence and several underlying variables, including demographic, land use, and road network variables. Different indices (e.g., the meshedness coefficient and closeness centrality) of network structures were developed to examine the effects of the network structure on safety at the zonal level. In many cases, a large percentage of the crash locations (especially for arterial crashes) was not related to the traffic analysis zones (TAZs) where drivers lived. To link crashes and features properly at the zonal level, crashes of each TAZ were modeled separately for non-state-maintained arterials (i.e., off-system roadways) and state-maintained arterials (i.e., on-system roadways). Several conditional autoregressive Bayesian models that incorporated the spatial correlation of nearby zones were developed. Estimation results showed that crashes occurring on non-state-maintained roads correlated more closely with the zonal network structure and the demographic characteristics inside the TAZ than did crashes occurring on state-maintained arterials; crashes on state-maintained arterials correlated more closely with the traffic and features of the major roads. The categorical variable generated from the meshedness coefficient captured well the nature of the relationship of network patterns to off-system road crashes. The results of this study indicate that both the roadway type and the structure of the road network should be considered when TAZ-level safety models are developed.
Biomass Burning Aerosols Observed in Northern Finland during the 2010 Wildfires in Russia
Authors: Mielonen Tero , Aaltonen Veijo , Lihavainen Heikki , Hyvärinen Antti-Pekka , Arola Antti , Komppula Mika , Kivi Rigel
Published: February 2013

A smoke plume originating from the massive wildfires near Moscow was clearly detected in northern Finland on 30 July 2010. Measurements made with remote sensing instruments demonstrated how the biomass burning aerosols affected the chemical and optical characteristics of the atmosphere in regions hundreds of kilometers away from the actual fires. In this study, we used MODIS, AIRS, CALIOP, PFR, ceilometers, FTS and Brewer data to quantify the properties of the transported smoke plume. In addition, in situ measurements of aerosol concentration (DMPS), absorption (aethalometer) and scattering (nephelometer) are presented. We found that due to the smoke plume in northern Finland, the daily averaged optical thickness of aerosols increased fourfold, and MODIS retrieved AOD as high as 4.5 for the thickest part of the plume. FTS measurements showed that CO concentration increased by 100% during the plume. CALIOP and ceilometer measurements revealed that the smoke plume was located close to the surface, below 3 km, and that the plume was not homogeneously mixed. In addition, in situ measurements showed that the scattering and absorption coefficients were almost 20 times larger in the smoke plume than on average, and that the number of particles larger than 320 nm increased 14-fold. Moreover, a comparison with in situ measurements recorded in eastern Finland on the previous day showed that the transport from eastern to northern Finland decreased the scattering coefficient, black carbon concentration, and total number concentration 0.5%/h, 1.5%/h and 2.0%/h, respectively.
Potential Changes in Rat Spermatogenesis and Sperm Parameters after Inhalation of Boswellia papyrifera and Boswellia carterii Incense
Authors: Ahmed Mukhtar , Al-Daghri Nasser , Alokail Majed , Hussain Tajamul
Published: February 2013

In this study the effect of Boswellia papyrifera (B. papyrifera) and Boswellia carterii (B. carterii) smoke exposure on spermatogenesis and sperm parameters in male albino rats was investigated. Rats (n = 11) were exposed daily in smoking chambers to smoke emanated by burning 4 g each of either B. papyrifera or B. carterii for 48 days. At the end of exposure duration rats were killed, and the testes were excised and analysed for histopathological and ultrastructural changes. Sperm analysis including total sperm count, motility, velocity and relative percentage of abnormal sperms were recorded. Rats exposed to B. papyrifera and B. carterii showed significant disturbances in spermatogenetic patterns and changes in sperm kinetics compared to unexposed rats. Atrophied seminiferous tubules with dynamic changes were also noticed. The boundaries of intercellular and intracellular vacuoles were seen in the Sertoli cells. Furthermore, in spermatids acrosomal vesicles were not fully formed. Degenerating spermatids were devoid of their nuclear membrane with electron dense matrix and vacuolization. Structural changes in Leydig cells were observed. Sperm analysis in exposed rats exhibited significant decrease in the sperm count, motility, speed and an increase in sperm anomalies when compare to controls. These findings demonstrate that the B. papyrifera and B. carterii smoke affects the process of spermatogenesis and sperm parameters and indicate the detrimental effects of these incense materials on human reproductive system.
Gonadotropins Activate Oncogenic Pathways to Enhance Proliferation in Normal Mouse Ovarian Surface Epithelium
Authors: Hilliard Tyvette , Modi Dimple , Burdette Joanna
Published: February 2013

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological malignancy affecting American women. The gonadotropins, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), have been implicated as growth factors in ovarian cancer. In the present study, pathways activated by FSH and LH in normal ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) grown in their microenvironment were investigated. Gonadotropins increased proliferation in both three-dimensional (3D) ovarian organ culture and in a two-dimensional (2D) normal mouse cell line. A mouse cancer pathway qPCR array using mRNA collected from 3D organ cultures identified Akt as a transcriptionally upregulated target following stimulation with FSH, LH and the combination of FSH and LH. Activation of additional pathways, such as Birc5, Cdk2, Cdk4, and Cdkn2a identified in the 3D organ cultures, were validated by western blot using the 2D cell line. Akt and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors blocked gonadotropin-induced cell proliferation in 3D organ and 2D cell culture. OSE isolated from 3D organ cultures stimulated with LH or hydrogen peroxide initiated growth in soft agar. Hydrogen peroxide stimulated colonies were further enhanced when supplemented with FSH. LH colony formation and FSH promotion were blocked by Akt and EGFR inhibitors. These data suggest that the gonadotropins stimulate some of the same proliferative pathways in normal OSE that are activated in ovarian cancers.
Analysis of Epithelial Growth Factor-Receptor (EGFR) Phosphorylation in Uterine Smooth Muscle Tumors: Correlation to Mucin-1 and Galectin-3 Expression
Authors: Weissenbacher Tobias , Vrekoussis Thomas , Roeder David , Makrigiannakis Antonis , Mayr Doris , Ditsch Nina , Friese Klaus , Jeschke Udo , Dian Darius
Published: February 2013

Uterine fibroids are the commonest uterine benign tumors. A potential mechanism of malignant transformation from leiomyomas to leiomyosarcomas has been described. Tyrosine phosphorylation is a key mechanism that controls biological functions, such as proliferation and cell differentiation. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the phosphorylation of epithelial growth factor-receptor (EGFR) in normal myometrium, uterine myomas and uterine leiomyosarcomas. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples from normal myometrium, leiomyomas and leiomyosarcomas were studied. Samples were immunohistochemically (IHC) assessed using the anti-EGFR phosphorylation of Y845 (pEGFR-Y845) and anti-pEGFR-Y1173 phosphorylation-specific antibodies. IHC staining was evaluated using a semiquantitative score. The expression of pEGFR-Y845 was significantly upregulated in leiomyosarcomas (p < 0.001) compared to leiomyomas and normal myometrium. In contrast, pEGFR-Y1173 did not differ significantly between the three groups of the study. Correlation analysis revealed an overall positive correlation between pEGFR Y845 and mucin 1 (MUC1). Further subgroup analysis within the tumoral group (myomas and leiomyosarcomas) revealed an additional negative correlation between pEGFR Y845 and galectin-3 (gal-3) staining. On the contrary no significant correlation was noted within the non-tumoral group. An upregulated EGFR phosphorylation of Y845 in leiomyosarcomas compared to leiomyomas implicates EGFR activation at this special receptor site. Due to these pEGFR-Y845 variations, it can be postulated that MUC1 interacts with it, whereas gal-3 seems to be cleaved from Y845 phosphorylated EGFR. Further research on this field could focus on differences in EGFR pathways as a potentially advantageous diagnostic tool for investigation of benign and malignant signal transduction processes.
Fully Integrated Solar Energy Harvester and Sensor Interface Circuits for Energy-Efficient Wireless Sensing Applications
Authors: Khosro Pour Naser , Krummenacher François , Kayal Maher
Published: February 2013

This paper presents an energy-efficient solar energy harvesting and sensing microsystem that harvests solar energy from a micro-power photovoltaic module for autonomous operation of a gas sensor. A fully integrated solar energy harvester stores the harvested energy in a rechargeable NiMH microbattery. Hydrogen concentration and temperature are measured and converted to a digital value with 12-bit resolution using a fully integrated sensor interface circuit, and a wireless transceiver is used to transmit the measurement results to a base station. As the harvested solar energy varies considerably in different lighting conditions, in order to guarantee autonomous operation of the sensor, the proposed area- and energy-efficient circuit scales the power consumption and performance of the sensor. The power management circuit dynamically decreases the operating frequency of digital circuits and bias currents of analog circuits in the sensor interface circuit and increases the idle time of the transceiver under reduced light intensity. The proposed microsystem has been implemented in a 0.18 µm complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) process and occupies a core area of only 0.25 mm2. This circuit features a low power consumption of 2.1 µW when operating at its highest performance. It operates with low power supply voltage in the 0.8V to 1.6 V range.
An Automatic Weighting System for Wild Animals Based in an Artificial Neural Network: How to Weigh Wild Animals without Causing Stress
Authors: Larios Diego , Rodríguez Carlos , Barbancho Julio , Baena Manuel , Leal Miguel , Marín Jesús , León Carlos , Bustamante Javier
Published: February 2013

This paper proposes a novel and autonomous weighing system for wild animals. It allows evaluating changes in the body weight of animals in their natural environment without causing stress. The proposed system comprises a smart scale designed to estimate individual body weights and their temporal evolution in a bird colony. The system is based on computational intelligence, and offers valuable large amount of data to evaluate the relationship between long-term changes in the behavior of individuals and global change. The real deployment of this system has been for monitoring a breeding colony of lesser kestrels (Falco naumanni) in southern Spain. The results show that it is possible to monitor individual weight changes during the breeding season and to compare the weight evolution in males and females.
Trapping and Propelling Microparticles at Long Range by Using an Entirely Stripped and Slightly Tapered No-Core Optical Fiber
Authors: Sheu Fang-Wen , Huang Yen-Si
Published: February 2013

A stripped no-core optical fiber with a 125 µm diameter was transformed into a symmetric and unbroken optical fiber that tapers slightly to a 45-µm-diameter waist. The laser light can be easily launched into the no-core optical fiber. The enhanced evanescent wave of the slightly tapered no-core optical fiber can attract nearby 5-µm-diameter polystyrene microparticles onto the surface of the tapered multimode optical fiber within fast flowing fluid and propel the trapped particles in the direction of the light propagation to longer delivery range than is possible using a slightly tapered telecom single-mode optical fiber.
Wheat Cultivar Performance and Stability between No-Till and Conventional Tillage Systems in the Pacific Northwest of the United States
Authors: Higginbotham Ryan , Jones Stephen , Carter Arron
Published: February 2013

In Washington, over fifty percent of the wheat produced under rainfed conditions receives less than 300 mm of annual precipitation. Hence, a winter wheat-summer fallow cropping system has been established to obtain adequate moisture for winter wheat production. Current tilled fallow systems receive significant soil erosion through both wind and water. As a result, no-till chemical fallow systems are being adopted to mitigate erosion concerns. The objective of this study was to evaluate current Pacific Northwest cultivars under no-till chemical fallow and tilled fallow systems to identify cultivars adapted to a late-planted no-till system. Twenty-one cultivars were planted in a split-plot design with fallow type as the main plot and genotype as the sub-plot. Four replications were planted at two locations over three years. Data was collected on heading date, grain yield and grain volume weight. Analysis of variance was conducted on data from each year and location. Results were significant for all traits. Cultivars in the late-planted no-till system yielded an average of 39% less than the tilled fallow system. It is evident that cultivars vary in their adaptability and yield stability across production systems. Chukar and Eltan displayed the highest levels of yield stability, and growers who wish to plant winter wheat in a late-planted no-till system may benefit from choosing these cultivars.
Polymerization of novel methacrylated anthraquinone dyes
Authors: Dollendorf Christian , Kreth Susanne Katharina , Choi Soo Whan , Ritter Helmut
Published: February 2013

A new series of polymerizable methacrylated anthraquinone dyes has been synthesized by nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions and subsequent methacrylation. Thereby, green 5,8-bis(4-(2-methacryloxyethyl)phenylamino)-1,4-dihydroxyanthraquinone (2), blue 1,4-bis(4-((2-methacryloxyethyl)oxy)phenylamino)anthraquinone (6) and red 1-((2-methacryloxy-1,1-dimethylethyl)amino)anthraquinone (12), as well as 1-((1,3-dimethacryloxy-2-methylpropan-2-yl)amino)anthraquinone (15) were obtained. By mixing of these brilliant dyes in different ratios and concentrations, a broad color spectrum can be generated. After methacrylation, the monomeric dyes can be covalently emplaced into several copolymers. Due to two polymerizable functionalities, they can act as cross-linking agents. Thus, diffusion out of the polymer can be avoided, which increases the physiological compatibility and makes the dyes promising compounds for medical applications, such as iris implants.
One-Year Safety and Efficacy Results of a Hydrogel Inlay to Improve Near Vision in Patients With Emmetropic Presbyopia
Authors: Garza Enrique Barragan , Gomez Sandra , Chayet Arturo , Dishler Jon
Published: February 2013

PURPOSE:

To conduct a feasibility study of the safety and efficacy of a corneal contouring inlay as a treatment for emmetropic presbyopia.

METHODS:

The Raindrop corneal inlay (ReVision Optics, Inc., Lake Forest, CA) was implanted on the corneal stromal bed beneath a keratotomy flap in 20 nondominant eyes of 20 patients. The implant is designed to cause a change in the curvature of the overlying cornea, with a subsequent multifocal change in refractive power. Efficacy outcome was defined as at least 75% of eyes with uncorrected near visual acuity of 0.3 logMAR (20/40 Snellen) or better at 6 months. Main safety outcomes were retention of preoperative best-corrected distance visual acuity and reports of adverse events. Other outcome measures included contrast sensitivity; near, intermediate, and distance visual acuities; patient satisfaction; spectacle use; and complications.

RESULTS:

All implanted eyes achieved uncorrected near visual acuity of 0.3 logMAR (20/40 Snellen) or better by the 1-week postoperative examination and remained so throughout the 1-year follow-up period, also averaging less than 0.1 logMAR (20/25 Snellen) monocularly and binocularly throughout that period. Mean binocular uncorrected distance visual acuity remained within 0.02 logMAR of the preoperative mean throughout the study. One patient who was dissatisfied with the resulting vision underwent explantation. At 1 year, 16 of 19 patients seldom or never wore glasses and all 19 were satisfied or very satisfied with their overall vision.

CONCLUSIONS:

The hydrogel corneal inlay improved uncorrected near and intermediate visual acuity in patients with emmetropic presbyopia, with high patient satisfaction and little effect on distance visual acuity.
Efficacy and Stability of AT TORBI 709 M Toric IOL
Authors: Bascaran Lucia , Mendicute Javier , Macias-Murelaga Beatriz , Arbelaitz Nagore , Martinez-Soroa Itziar
Published: February 2013

PURPOSE:

To describe the intraocular rotational stability and refractive results of the toric AT TORBI 709 M (former AT.Comfort 464 TLC) intraocular lens (IOL) (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Jena, Germany).

METHODS:

Forty-eight eyes of 32 consecutive patients with cataract and greater than 1 diopter of corneal astigmatism were included. Implantation of the toric IOL was performed after phacoemulsification. Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), residual refractive sphere, residual keratometric and refractive cylinders, and toric IOL axis were measured before and 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery.

RESULTS:

Mean logMAR UDVA and CDVA improved significantly after surgery (
P
< .05). UDVA was 20/40 or better in 88.1% of eyes and 20/25 or better in 61.9%. CDVA was 20/40 or better in 100% of eyes and 20/25 or better in 90.2%. Mean refractive cylinder decreased significantly from −2.23 ± 1.72 before to −0.43 ± 0.53 after surgery (
P
< .05). Vector analysis of attempted versus achieved correction showed 100% of eyes within ± 1.00 D and 95.2% within ± 0.50 D for J
0
and 100% of eyes were within ± 1.00 D and 95.2% within ± 0.50 D for J
45
. Mean toric IOL axis rotation was 4.42 ± 4.31 degrees (range: 0 to 16 degrees) and 86% of the lenses rotated less than 10 degrees.

CONCLUSIONS:

The AT TORBI 709 M IOL has proved to be a predictable and effective device with good rotational stability for the correction of preexisting astigmatism during cataract surgery.