bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydrocephalus associated with childhood nonaccidental head trauma
Authors: Vadivelu Sudhakar , Rekate Harold L. , Esernio-Jenssen Debra , Mittler Mark A. , Schneider Steven J.
Published: November 2016

OBJECTIVE

The incidence of posttraumatic ventriculomegaly (PTV) and shunt-dependent hydrocephalus after nonaccidental head trauma (NAHT) is unknown. In the present study, the authors assessed the timing of PTV development, the relationship between PTV and decompressive craniectomy (DC), and whether PTV necessitated placement of a permanent shunt. Also, NAHT/PTV cases were categorized into a temporal profile of delay in admission and evaluated for association with outcomes at discharge.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively reviewed the cases of patients diagnosed with NAHT throughout a 10-year period. Cases in which sequential CT scans had been obtained (n = 28) were evaluated for Evans' index to determine the earliest time ventricular dilation was observed. Discharge outcomes were assessed using the King's Outcome Scale for Childhood Head Injury score.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine percent (11 of 28) of the patients developed PTV. A low admission Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score predicted early PTV presentation (within < 3 days) versus a high GCS score (> 1 week). A majority of PTV/NAHT patients presented with a subdural hematoma (both convexity and interhemispheric) and ischemic stroke, but subarachnoid hemorrhage was significantly associated with PTV/NAHT (p = 0.011). Of 6 patients undergoing a DC for intractable intracranial pressure, 4 (67%) developed PTV (p = 0.0366). These patients tended to present with lower GCS scores and develop ventriculomegaly early. Only 2 patients developed hydrocephalus requiring shunt placement.

CONCLUSIONS

PTV presents early after NAHT, particularly after a DC has been performed. However, the authors found that only a few PTV/NAHT patients developed shunt-dependent hydrocephalus.
Late pediatric ventriculoperitoneal shunt failures: a Singapore tertiary institution's experience
Authors: Lee Lester , Low Sharon , Low David , Ng Lee Ping , Nolan Colum , Seow Wan Tew
Published: November 2016

OBJECTIVE

The introduction of ventriculoperitoneal shunts changed the way hydrocephalus was treated. Whereas much is known about the causes of shunt failure in the first few years, there is a paucity of data in the literature regarding the cause of late shunt failures. The authors conducted a study to find out the different causes of late shunt failures in their institution.

METHODS

A 10-year retrospective study of all the patients who were treated in the authors' hospital between 2006 and 2015 was conducted. Late shunt failures included those in patients who had to undergo shunt revision more than 5 years after their initial shunt insertion. The patient's notes and scans were reviewed to obtain the age and sex of the patient, the time it took for the shunt to fail, the reason for failure, and the patient's follow-up.

RESULTS

Forty-six patients in the authors' institution experienced 48 late shunt failures in the last 10 years. Their ages ranged from 7 to 26 years (12.23 ± 4.459 years [mean ± SD]). The time it took for the shunts to fail was between 6 and 24 years (mean 10.25 ± 3.77 years). Reasons for failure resulting in shunt revision include shunt fracture in 24 patients (50%), shunt blockage in 14 patients (29.2%), tract fibrosis in 6 patients (12.5%), shunt dislodgement in 2 patients (4.2%), and shunt erosion in 2 patients (4.2%). Postoperative follow-up for the patients ranged from 6 to 138 months (mean 45.15 ± 33.26 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Late shunt failure is caused by the effects of aging on the shunt, and the complications are different from early shunt failure. A large proportion are complications associated with shunt calcification. The authors advocate a long follow-up for pediatric patients with shunts in situ to monitor them for various causes of late shunt failure.
Cerebrospinal fluid hypersecretion in pediatric hydrocephalus
Authors: Karimy Jason K. , Duran Daniel , Hu Jamie K. , Gavankar Charuta , Gaillard Jonathan R. , Bayri Yasar , Rice Hunter , DiLuna Michael L. , Gerzanich Volodymyr , Marc Simard J. , Kahle Kristopher T.
Published: November 2016

Hydrocephalus, despite its heterogeneous causes, is ultimately a disease of disordered CSF homeostasis that results in pathological expansion of the cerebral ventricles. Our current understanding of the pathophysiology of hydrocephalus is inadequate but evolving. Over this past century, the majority of hydrocephalus cases has been explained by functional or anatomical obstructions to bulk CSF flow. More recently, hydrodynamic models of hydrocephalus have emphasized the role of abnormal intracranial pulsations in disease pathogenesis. Here, the authors review the molecular mechanisms of CSF secretion by the choroid plexus epithelium, the most efficient and actively secreting epithelium in the human body, and provide experimental and clinical evidence for the role of increased CSF production in hydrocephalus. Although the choroid plexus epithelium might have only an indirect influence on the pathogenesis of many types of pediatric hydrocephalus, the ability to modify CSF secretion with drugs newer than acetazolamide or furosemide would be an invaluable component of future therapies to alleviate permanent shunt dependence. Investigation into the human genetics of developmental hydrocephalus and choroid plexus hyperplasia, and the molecular physiology of the ion channels and transporters responsible for CSF secretion, might yield novel targets that could be exploited for pharmacotherapeutic intervention.
Maternal environmental risk factors for congenital hydrocephalus: a systematic review
Authors: Kalyvas Aristotelis V. , Kalamatianos Theodosis , Pantazi Mantha , Lianos Georgios D. , Stranjalis George , Alexiou George A.
Published: November 2016

OBJECTIVE

Congenital hydrocephalus (CH) is one of the most frequent CNS congenital malformations, representing an entity with serious pathological consequences. Although several studies have previously assessed child-related risk factors associated with CH development, there is a gap of knowledge on maternal environmental risk factors related to CH. The authors have systematically assessed extrinsic factors in the maternal environment that potentially confer an increased risk of CH development.

METHODS

The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, and EMBASE were systematically searched for works published between 1966 and December 2015 to identify all relevant articles published in English. Only studies that investigated environmental risk factors concerning the mother—either during gestation or pregestationally—were included.

RESULTS

In total, 13 studies (5 cohorts, 3 case series, 3 case-control studies, 1 meta-analysis, and 1 case report) meeting the inclusion criteria were identified. Maternal medication or alcohol use during gestation; lifestyle modifiable maternal pathologies such as obesity, diabetes, or hypertension; lack of prenatal care; and a low socioeconomic status were identified as significant maternal environmental risk factors for CH development. Maternal infections and trauma to the mother during pregnancy have also been highlighted as potential mother-related risk factors for CH.

CONCLUSIONS

Congenital hydrocephalus is an important cause of serious infant health disability that can lead to health inequalities among adults. The present study identified several maternal environmental risk factors for CH, thus yielding important scientific information relevant to prevention of some CH cases. However, further research is warranted to confirm the impact of the identified factors and examine their underlying behavioral and/or biological basis, leading to the generation of suitable prevention strategies.
On the electron density localization in HF cyclic clusters
Authors: Seijas Luis E. , Lunar Angel , Rincón Luis , Almeida Rafael
Published: November 2016

In this work we study the electron density localization/delocalization in HF clusters. In order to do this, we have employed two methods, the electron localization function (ELF) and the quantum mechanics local moment representation. The first one is the most widely used method to study electronic localization/delocalization in molecular systems; whereas, the local moment representation provides a tridimensional representation of the volumes in the molecular space where electronic localization occurs. Our results show the existence of correlation between both, ELF and local moment representation results. Also, it is found that at the HB critical point, the electron density localization increases with the cluster size, which is associated with the cooperative effects observed in the cyclic HF clusters. The set of results discussed in this work lead us to conclude that the enlargement in the intermolecular electronic localization goes along with an increase in the HB covalency and in the electronic delocalization throughout the HB cluster, which leads to larger system stabilization: Larger the intermolecular electronic localization, greater the cooperative effects observed in the HB clusters.
Optimal pre-sulfidation of the β-Mo2C surface (001) in the chlorobencene hydrodechlorination: An electrostatic potential study
Authors: Velásquez M. , Rodríguez J. , Bastardo A. , Añez R. , Coll D.S.
Published: November 2016

A DFT study of the presulfidation conditions of the (001) Mo2C surface was performed in this work. For this purpose 4 different sulphur coverages were considered, 0.00, 0.11, 0.33 and 1.00 and analyzed by means of the electrostatic potential. Results show how the 0.11 sulfur coverage leads to an increment of the Lewis acidity on the metallic sites, which is related with the σ-coordination of the chlorobencene on the surface, which is associated to optimal adsorption energy for the catalytic cycle.
Compliance of Parenting Magazines Advertisements with American Academy of Pediatrics Recommendations
Authors: Pitt Michael , Berger Jennifer , Sheehan Karen
Published: November 2016

This study examined 3218 advertisements from the two parenting magazines with highest circulation in the United States. The authors compared each advertisement for a product for use by children, against all the published recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on topics such as toy safety, helmet use, age-defined choking hazards, infant sleep safety, and others. Any advertisement with images or products which went against a published AAP recommendation was deemed as non-adherence and was categorized according to the statement it contradicted. Nearly one in six (15.7%) of the advertisements contained example(s) of non-adherence to AAP recommendations, with twelve categories of offense represented. Categories ranked by overall share from most to least include: non-Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medical treatments, age-defined choking hazards, vitamins, cold medicine, formula, oral care, screen time, toy/playground safety, infant sleep, nutrition, water safety, and fall risk. Given that repeated exposure to messages in advertisements has been associated with changes in health decision-making, and parents often turn to parenting magazines for advice and ideas regarding their children, the publishers might consider screening the content in order to prevent confusing and potentially dangerous messages from being disseminated in the media.
Introduction to Advanced X-ray Diffraction Techniques for Polymeric Thin Films
Authors: Widjonarko Nicodemus
Published: November 2016

X-ray diffraction has been a standard technique for investigating structural properties of materials. However, most common applications in the organic materials community have been restricted to either chemical identification or qualitative strain analysis. Moreover, its use for polymeric thin films has been challenging because of the low structure factor of carbon and the thin film nature of the sample. Here, we provide a short review of advanced X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques suitable for polymeric thin films, including the type of analysis that can be done and measurement geometries that would compensate low signals due to low carbon structure factor and the thin film nature of the sample. We will also briefly cover the χ -pole figure for texture analysis of ultra-thin film that has recently become commonly used. A brief review of XRD theory is also presented.
A Rest Time-Based Prognostic Framework for State of Health Estimation of Lithium-Ion Batteries with Regeneration Phenomena
Authors: Qin Taichun , Zeng Shengkui , Guo Jianbin , Skaf Zakwan
Published: November 2016

State of health (SOH) prognostics is significant for safe and reliable usage of lithium-ion batteries. To accurately predict regeneration phenomena and improve long-term prediction performance of battery SOH, this paper proposes a rest time-based prognostic framework (RTPF) in which the beginning time interval of two adjacent cycles is adopted to reflect the rest time. In this framework, SOH values of regeneration cycles, the number of cycles in regeneration regions and global degradation trends are extracted from raw SOH time series and predicted respectively, and then the three sets of prediction results are integrated to calculate the final overall SOH prediction values. Regeneration phenomena can be found by support vector machine and hyperplane shift (SVM-HS) model by detecting long beginning time intervals. Gaussian process (GP) model is utilized to predict the global degradation trend, and nonlinear models are utilized to predict the regeneration amplitude and the cycle number of each regeneration region. The proposed framework is validated through experimental data from the degradation tests of lithium-ion batteries. The results demonstrate that both the global degradation trend and the regeneration phenomena of the testing batteries can be well predicted. Moreover, compared with the published methods, more accurate SOH prediction results can be obtained under this framework.
Carbon Auction Revenue and Market Power: An Experimental Analysis
Authors: Dormady Noah
Published: November 2016

State and regional governments in the U.S. and abroad are looking to market-based approaches to mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from the electric sector, and in the U.S. as a compliance approach to meeting the aggressive targets of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Clean Power Plan. Auction-based approaches, like those used in the Northeast U.S. and California, are both recommended strategies under the Plan and attractive to state governments because they can generate significant revenue from the sale of emissions permits. However, given the nature of imperfect competition in existing electricity markets, particularly at the state and regional level, the issue of market power is a concern at the forefront. This paper provides the results from a controlled laboratory experiment of an auction-based emissions market in the electricity sector. The results show that government revenue from auctioning emissions permits is substantially lower when market concentration is only moderately increased. The results hold significant implications for states and other subnational governments that have high revenue expectations from the auctioning of emissions permits.
A Generalized SOC-OCV Model for Lithium-Ion Batteries and the SOC Estimation for LNMCO Battery
Authors: Zhang Caiping , Jiang Jiuchun , Zhang Linjing , Liu Sijia , Wang Leyi , Loh Poh
Published: November 2016

A state-of-charge (SOC) versus open-circuit-voltage (OCV) model developed for batteries should preferably be simple, especially for real-time SOC estimation. It should also be capable of representing different types of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), regardless of temperature change and battery degradation. It must therefore be generic, robust and adaptive, in addition to being accurate. These challenges have now been addressed by proposing a generalized SOC-OCV model for representing a few most widely used LIBs. The model is developed from analyzing electrochemical processes of the LIBs, before arriving at the sum of a logarithmic, a linear and an exponential function with six parameters. Values for these parameters are determined by a nonlinear estimation algorithm, which progressively shows that only four parameters need to be updated in real time. The remaining two parameters can be kept constant, regardless of temperature change and aging. Fitting errors demonstrated with different types of LIBs have been found to be within 0.5%. The proposed model is thus accurate, and can be flexibly applied to different LIBs, as verified by hardware-in-the-loop simulation designed for real-time SOC estimation.
The Impact and Determinants of Environmental Taxation on Economic Growth Communities in Romania
Authors: Andrei Jean , Mieila Mihai , Popescu Gheorghe , Nica Elvira , Cristina Manole
Published: November 2016

Environmental taxation represents a key influence on sustainable development in post-transition countries. Romania has experienced important transformations of environmental policy, including taxation, due to sustained reliance on traditional energy sources to satisfy its energy needs. The aim of this paper is to show a possible causal relationship between the Romanian GDP and several explanatory variables related to taxation of environmental damage and energy generation and consumption in the country. In order to do this, the authors make use of several statistical tests to verify the existence of a meaningful relationship between economic variables expressed in time series. The study has also attempted to identify the influence of environmental taxation on ensuring green economic development, starting from the premise that for emergent economies these taxes provide both a GDP increase and prevent environmental degradation by decreasing the pollution and environmentally harmful supplies and practices.
Association between Suicide Ideation and Attempts and Being an Immigrant among Adolescents, and the Role of Socioeconomic Factors and School, Behavior, and Health-Related Difficulties
Authors: Chau Kénora , Kabuth Bernard , Chau Nearkasen
Published: November 2016

The risk of suicide behaviors in immigrant adolescents varies across countries and remains partly understood. We conducted a study in France to examine immigrant adolescents’ likelihood of experiencing suicide ideation in the last 12 months (SI) and lifetime suicide attempts (SA) compared with their native counterparts, and the contribution of socioeconomic factors and school, behavior, and health-related difficulties. Questionnaires were completed by 1559 middle-school adolescents from north-eastern France including various risk factors, SI, SA, and their first occurrence over adolescent’s life course (except SI). Data were analyzed using logistic regression models for SI and Cox regression models for SA (retaining only school, behavior, and health-related difficulties that started before SA). Immigrant adolescents had a two-time higher risk of SI and SA than their native counterparts. Using nested models, the excess SI risk was highly explained by socioeconomic factors (27%) and additional school, behavior, and health-related difficulties (24%) but remained significant. The excess SA risk was more highly explained by these issues (40% and 85%, respectively) and became non-significant. These findings demonstrate the risk patterns of SI and SA and the prominent confounding roles of socioeconomic factors and school, behavior, and health-related difficulties. They may be provided to policy makers, schools, carers, and various organizations interested in immigrant, adolescent, and suicide-behavior problems.
Evaluating the Governing Factors of Variability in Nocturnal Boundary Layer Height Based on Elastic Lidar in Wuhan
Authors: Wang Wei , Mao Feiyue , Gong Wei , Pan Zengxin , Du Lin
Published: November 2016

The atmospheric boundary layer (ABL), an atmospheric region near the Earth’s surface, is affected by surface forcing and is important for studying air quality, climate, and weather forecasts. In this study, long-term urban nocturnal boundary layers (NBLs) were estimated by an elastic backscatter light detection and ranging (LiDAR) with various methods in Wuhan (30.5° N, 114.4° E), a city in Central China. This study aims to explore two ABL research topics: (1) the relationship between NBL height (NBLH) and near-surface parameters (e.g., sensible heat flux, temperature, wind speed, and relative humidity) to elucidate meteorological processes governing NBL variability; and (2) the influence of NBLH variations in surface particulate matter (PM) in Wuhan. We analyzed the nocturnal ABL-dilution/ABL-accumulation effect on surface particle concentration by using a typical case. A long-term analysis was then performed from 5 December 2012–17 June 2016. Results reveal that the seasonal averages of nocturnal (from 20:00 to 05:00 next day, Chinese standard time) NBLHs are 386 ± 161 m in spring, 473 ± 154 m in summer, 383 ± 137 m in autumn, and 309 ± 94 m in winter. The seasonal variations in NBLH, AOD, and PM2.5 display a deep (shallow) seasonal mean NBL, consistent with a small (larger) seasonal mean PM2.5 near the surface. Seasonal variability of NBLH is partly linearly correlated with sensible heat flux at the surface (R = 0.72). Linear regression analyses between NBLH and other parameters show the following: (1) the positive correlation (R = 0.68) between NBLH and surface temperature indicates high (low) NBLH corresponding to warm (cool) conditions; (2) the slight positive correlation (R = 0.52) between NBLH and surface relative humidity in Wuhan; and (3) the weak positive correlation (R = 0.38) between NBLH and wind speed inside the NBL may imply that the latter is not an important direct driver that governs the seasonal variability of NBLH.
Pine Defensive Monoterpene α-Pinene Influences the Feeding Behavior of Dendroctonus valens and Its Gut Bacterial Community Structure
Authors: Xu Letian , Shi Zhanghong , Wang Bo , Lu Min , Sun Jianghua
Published: November 2016

The exposure to plant defense chemicals has negative effects on insect feeding activity and modifies insect gut microbial community composition. Dendroctonus valens is a very destructive forest pest in China, and harbors a large diversity and abundance of gut microorganisms. Host pine defensive chemicals can protect the pines from attack by the holobiont. In this study, boring length of D. valens feeding on 0 mg/g α-pinene and 9 mg/g α-pinene concentration in phloem media for 6 and 48 h were recorded, and their gut bacterial communities were analyzed in parallel. Nine milligram per gram α-pinene concentration significantly inhibited boring length of D. valens and altered its gut microbial community structure after 6 h. The inhibition of boring length from 9 mg/g α-pinene in diets ceased after 48 h. No significant differences of the bacterial communities were observed between the beetles in 0 and 9 mg/g α-pinene concentration in phloem media after 48 h. Our results showed that the inhibition of the feeding behavior of D. valens and the disturbance to its gut bacterial communities in 9 mg/g α-pinene concentration in phloem media after 6 h were eliminated after 48 h. The resilience of gut bacterial community of D. valens may help the beetle catabolize pine defense chemical.
Expression of Carbonic Anhydrase I in Motor Neurons and Alterations in ALS
Authors: Liu Xiaochen , Lu Deyi , Bowser Robert , Liu Jian
Published: November 2016

Carbonic anhydrase I (CA1) is the cytosolic isoform of mammalian α-CA family members which are responsible for maintaining pH homeostasis in the physiology and pathology of organisms. A subset of CA isoforms are known to be expressed and function in the central nervous system (CNS). CA1 has not been extensively characterized in the CNS. In this study, we demonstrate that CA1 is expressed in the motor neurons in human spinal cord. Unexpectedly, a subpopulation of CA1 appears to be associated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes. In addition, the membrane-associated CA1s are preferentially upregulated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and exhibit altered distribution in motor neurons. Furthermore, long-term expression of CA1 in mammalian cells activates apoptosis. Our results suggest a previously unknown role for CA1 function in the CNS and its potential involvement in motor neuron degeneration in ALS.
The Effect of Everolimus in an In Vitro Model of Triple Negative Breast Cancer and Osteoclasts
Authors: Mercatali Laura , Spadazzi Chiara , Miserocchi Giacomo , Liverani Chiara , De Vita Alessandro , Bongiovanni Alberto , Recine Federica , Amadori Dino , Ibrahim Toni
Published: November 2016

Metastatic bone disease has a major impact on morbidity of breast cancer (BC) patients. Alterations in mTOR signaling are involved both in cancer progression and in osteoclast differentiation. The purpose of this study was to assess the role of mTOR inhibitor Everolimus (Eve) on osteoclastogenesis induced by triple negative BC cells. To this aim, we developed an in vitro human model of osteoclastogenesis from peripheral blood monocytes co-cultured with the triple negative SCP2 and the hormonal receptor positive MCF7 cell lines. Osteoclastogenesis was evaluated by TRAP staining, evaluation of F actin rings and Calcitonin Receptor expression. Eve significantly reduced differentiation induced by cancer cells and resulted more effective when evaluated in combination with Denosumab and Zoledronic Acid (Zol). Combination with Zol showed a total abrogation of osteoclast differentiation induced by the triple negative cell line, not by MCF7. Finally, we observed that Eve was active in the inhibition of the crosstalk between cancer cells and osteoclasts reproduced by our model, highlighting a new therapeutic choice for the subsetting of triple negative BC patients. We observed a difference in the response to bone-targeted therapy with respect to BC subtypes. Our model may represent a valid platform for preclinical trials on bone-targeted drugs and for the study of the interplay of BC with bone stromal cells.
Relationship between Spinal Alignment and Glenohumeral Joint Elevation in Kyphotic Elderly Women
Authors: Yamamoto Manami , Kubo Yumi , Yamakado Kotaro
Published: November 2016

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between spine alignment and shoulder elevation in a kyphotic elderly population. Twenty-three consecutive female patients who underwent balloon kyphoplasty for spinal compression fractures without shoulder symptoms were examined (mean age, 76 ± 6.3 years). Thoracic kyphosis angle (TK), lumbar lordosis angle (LL), and pelvic tilt angle (PT) were measured on standing true lateral radiographs of the whole spine. The shoulder active range of motion with or without scapular fixation was measured in the sitting position. The University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Shoulder Score was recorded as the functional evaluation. The total elevation angle was 128.9° ± 22°, the glenohumeral angle was 80.7° ± 10.9°, and the UCLA Shoulder Score was 32.4 ± 2.1. The TK was 36.7°, the LL was −29.1°, and the PT was 30.5°. The total elevation angle was significantly negatively correlated with LL. TK and PT were not significantly correlated with any parameter. The total shoulder elevation angle was limited in the kyphotic elderly women in this study, and kyphotic change appeared to interfere with spinal extension and reduced the total elevation arc with no glenohumeral motion deficit. A reduction in total shoulder elevation was negatively correlated with LL.
Treatment of Oil Wastewater and Electricity Generation by Integrating Constructed Wetland with Microbial Fuel Cell
Authors: Yang Qiao , Wu Zhenxing , Liu Lifen , Zhang Fengxiang , Liang Shengna
Published: November 2016

Conventional oil sewage treatment methods can achieve satisfactory removal efficiency, but energy consumption problems during the process of oil sewage treatment are worth attention. The integration of a constructed wetland reactor and a microbial fuel cell reactor (CW-MFC) to treat oil-contaminated wastewater, compared with a microbial fuel cell reactor (MFC) alone and a constructed wetland reactor (CW) alone, was explored in this research. Performances of the three reactors including chemical oxygen demand (COD), oil removal, and output voltage generation were continuously monitored. The COD removals of three reactors were between 73% and 75%, and oil removals were over 95.7%. Compared with MFC, the CW-MFC with a MnO2 modified cathode produced higher power density and output voltage. Maximum power densities of CW-MFC and MFC were 3868 mW/m3 (102 mW/m2) and 3044 mW/m3 (80 mW/m2), respectively. The plants in CW-MFC play a positive role for reactor cathode potential. Both plants and cathode modification can improve reactor performance of electricity generation.
Fabrication of Cell-Loaded Two-Phase 3D Constructs for Tissue Engineering
Authors: Zehnder Tobias , Freund Tim , Demir Merve , Detsch Rainer , Boccaccini Aldo
Published: November 2016

Hydrogel optimisation for biofabrication considering shape stability/mechanical properties and cell response is challenging. One approach to tackle this issue is to combine different additive manufacturing techniques, e.g., hot-melt extruded thermoplastics together with bioplotted cell loaded hydrogels in a sequential plotting process. This method enables the fabrication of 3D constructs mechanically supported by the thermoplastic structure and biologically functionalised by the hydrogel phase. In this study, polycaprolactone (PCL) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) blend (PCL-PEG) together with alginate dialdehyde gelatine hydrogel (ADA-GEL) loaded with stromal cell line (ST2) were investigated. PCL-PEG blends were evaluated concerning plotting properties to fabricate 3D scaffolds, namely miscibility, wetting behaviour and in terms of cell response. Scaffolds were characterised considering pore size, porosity, strut width, degradation behaviour and mechanical stability. Blends showed improved hydrophilicity and cell response with PEG blending increasing the degradation and decreasing the mechanical properties of the scaffolds. Hybrid constructs with PCL-PEG blend and ADA-GEL were fabricated. Cell viability, distribution, morphology and interaction of cells with the support structure were analysed. Increased degradation of the thermoplastic support structure and proliferation of the cells not only in the hydrogel, but also on the thermoplastic phase, indicates the potential of this novel material combination for biofabricating 3D tissue engineering scaffolds.
Red Light Activation of Ru(II) Polypyridyl Prodrugs via Triplet-Triplet Annihilation Upconversion: Feasibility in Air and through Meat
Authors: Askes Sven , Meijer Michael , Bouwens Tessel , Landman Iris , Bonnet Sylvestre
Published: November 2016

Triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion (TTA-UC) is a promising photophysical tool to shift the activation wavelength of photopharmacological compounds to the red or near-infrared wavelength domain, in which light penetrates human tissue optimally. However, TTA-UC is sensitive to dioxygen, which quenches the triplet states needed for upconversion. Here, we demonstrate not only that the sensitivity of TTA-UC liposomes to dioxygen can be circumvented by adding antioxidants, but also that this strategy is compatible with the activation of ruthenium-based chemotherapeutic compounds. First, red-to-blue upconverting liposomes were functionalized with a blue-light sensitive, membrane-anchored ruthenium polypyridyl complex, and put in solution in presence of a cocktail of antioxidants composed of ascorbic acid and glutathione. Upon red light irradiation with a medical grade 630 nm PDT laser, enough blue light was produced by TTA-UC liposomes under air to efficiently trigger full activation of the Ru-based prodrug. Then, the blue light generated by TTA-UC liposomes under red light irradiation (630 nm, 0.57 W/cm2) through different thicknesses of pork or chicken meat was measured, showing that TTA-UC still occurred even beyond 10 mm of biological tissue. Overall, the rate of activation of the ruthenium compound in TTA-UC liposomes using either blue or red light (1.6 W/cm2) through 7 mm of pork fillet were found comparable, but the blue light caused significant tissue damage, whereas red light did not. Finally, full activation of the ruthenium prodrug in TTA-UC liposomes was obtained under red light irradiation through 7 mm of pork fillet, thereby underlining the in vivo applicability of the activation-by-upconversion strategy.
Estimation of Anonymous Email Network Characteristics through Statistical Disclosure Attacks
Authors: Portela Javier , García Villalba Luis , Silva Trujillo Alejandra , Sandoval Orozco Ana , Kim Tai-Hoon
Published: November 2016

Social network analysis aims to obtain relational data from social systems to identify leaders, roles, and communities in order to model profiles or predict a specific behavior in users’ network. Preserving anonymity in social networks is a subject of major concern. Anonymity can be compromised by disclosing senders’ or receivers’ identity, message content, or sender-receiver relationships. Under strongly incomplete information, a statistical disclosure attack is used to estimate the network and node characteristics such as centrality and clustering measures, degree distribution, and small-world-ness. A database of email networks in 29 university faculties is used to study the method. A research on the small-world-ness and Power law characteristics of these email networks is also developed, helping to understand the behavior of small email networks.
Preference Construction Processes for Renewable Energies: Assessing the Influence of Sustainability Information and Decision Support Methods
Authors: Hayashi Kiyotada , Hondo Hiroki , Moriizumi Yue
Published: November 2016

Sustainability information and decision support can be two important driving forces for making sustainable transitions in society. However, not enough knowledge is available on the effectiveness of these two factors. Here, we conducted an experimental study to support the hypotheses that acquisition of sustainability information and use of decision support methods consistently construct preferences for renewable power generation technologies that use solar power, wind power, small-scale hydroelectric power, geothermal power, wood biomass, or biogas as energy sources. The sustainability information was prepared using a renewable energy-focused input-output model of Japan and contained life cycle greenhouse gas emissions, electricity generation costs, and job creation. We measured rank-ordered preferences in the following four steps in experimental workshops conducted for municipal officials: provision of (1) energy-source names; (2) sustainability information; (3) additional explanation of public value; and (4) knowledge and techniques about multi-attribute value functions. The degree of changes in preference orders was evaluated using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. The consistency of rank-ordered preferences among participants was determined by using the maximum eigenvalue for the coefficient matrix. The results show: (1) the individual preferences evolved drastically in response to the sustainability information and the decision support method; and (2) the rank-ordered preferences were more consistent during the preference construction processes. These results indicate that provision of sustainability information, coupled with decision support methods, is effective for decision making regarding renewable energies.
Variation in Cropping Intensity in Northern China from 1982 to 2012 Based on GIMMS-NDVI Data
Authors: Ding Mingjun , Chen Qian , Xiao Xiangming , Xin Liangjie , Zhang Geli , Li Lanhui
Published: November 2016

Cropping intensity is an important indicator of the intensity of cropland use and plays a very important role in food security. In this study, we reconstructed a normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) time-series from 1982 to 2012 using the Savitzky-Golay (S-G) technique and used it to derive a multiple cropping index (MCI) combined with land use data. Spatial–temporal patterns of variation in the MCI of northern China were as follows: (1) The MCI in northern China increased gradually from north-west to south-east; from 1982 to 2012, the mean cropping index across grid-cells over the study area increased by 4.36% per 10 years (p < 0.001) with fluctuations throughout the study period; (2) The mean MCI across grid-cells over the whole of northern China increased from 107% to 115% with all provinces showing an increasing trend throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Aside from Tianjin, Hebei, Beijing, and Shandong, all provinces also displayed an increasing trend between the 1990s and 2000s. Arable slope played an important role in the variation of the MCI; regions with slope ≤3° and the regions with slope >3° were characterized by inverse temporal MCI trends; (3) Drivers of change in the MCI were diverse and varied across different spatial and temporal scales; the MCI was affected by the changing agricultural population, deployment of food policies, and methods introduced for maximizing farmer benefits. For the protection of national food security, measures are needed to improve the MCI. However, more attention should also be given to the negative impacts that these measures may have on agricultural sustainability, such as soil pollution by chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
The Importance of Physiologically Relevant Cell Lines for Studying Virus–Host Interactions
Authors: Hare David , Collins Susan , Cuddington Breanne , Mossman Karen
Published: November 2016

Viruses interact intimately with the host cell at nearly every stage of replication, and the cell model that is chosen to study virus infection is critically important. Although primary cells reflect the phenotype of healthy cells in vivo better than cell lines, their limited lifespan makes experimental manipulation challenging. However, many tumor-derived and artificially immortalized cell lines have defects in induction of interferon-stimulated genes and other antiviral defenses. These defects can affect virus replication, especially when cells are infected at lower, more physiologically relevant, multiplicities of infection. Understanding the selective pressures and mechanisms underlying the loss of innate signaling pathways is helpful to choose immortalized cell lines without impaired antiviral defense. We describe the trials and tribulations we encountered while searching for an immortalized cell line with intact innate signaling, and how directed immortalization of primary cells avoids many of the pitfalls of spontaneous immortalization.
A Simple and Robust Method for Simultaneous Consideration of Overland and Underground Space in Urban Flood Modeling
Authors: Son Ah-Long , Kim Byunghyun , Han Kun-Yeun
Published: November 2016

This study proposed two methods, boundary-type and pond-type, to link overland and underground space in urban flood modeling. The boundary-type treats the exit of underground space as an interface for inflow of floodwater by imposing open boundary condition and pond-type considers underground space as an underground pond by configuring pond terrain. The effect of underground space in urban flood inundation was examined by coupling one-dimensional (1D) stormwater management model (SWMM) and two-dimensional (2D) overland flood model. The models were applied to the Hyoja drainage basin, Seoul, Korea where urban flood occurred due to heavy rainfall in 21 September 2010. The conduit roughness coefficient of SWMM was calibrated to minimize the difference between observed and predicted water depth of pipe. In addition, the surface roughness coefficient of 2D model was calibrated by comparing observed and predicted flood extent. Then, urban flood analysis was performed on three different scenarios involving a case not considering underground (Case 1) and cases considering underground, boundary-type (Case 2) and pond-type (Case 3). The simulation results have shown that the boundary-type is simple but robust method with high computational efficiency to link overland and underground space in urban flood modeling.
Brachiopoda of Greece: an annotated checklist
Authors: Gerovasileiou Vasilis , Bailly Nicolas
Published: November 2016

Until today, only scattered species records of Brachiopoda from Greece have been included in publications on the Mediterranean brachiopod fauna. These records were mostly based on material collected during marine expeditions in the eastern Mediterranean decades ago, while few recent additional records appear in ecological studies. The aim of this paper was to give the first checklist of brachiopod species of Greece, in the framework of the Greek Taxon Information System (GTIS) initiative of the LifeWatchGreece Research Infrastructure (ESFRI), by reviewing the existing literature.

Twelve brachiopod species have been found in Greek waters so far. The nomenclature, distribution, fossil records, ecology, and literature sources are discussed for each species.
Mysida and Lophogastrida of Greece: a preliminary checklist
Authors: Koulouri Panayota , Gerovasileiou Vasilis , Bailly Nicolas
Published: November 2016

The checklist of Mysida and Lophogastrida of Greece was created within the framework of the Greek Taxon Information System (GTIS), which is one of the applications of the LifeWatchGreece Research Infrastructure (ESFRI) resuming efforts to develop a complete checklist of species recorded and reported from Greek waters. The objectives of the present study were to update and cross-check taxonomically all records of Mysida and Lophogastrida species known to occur in Greek waters in order to search for inaccuracies and omissions.

The up-to-date checklist of Mysida and Lophogastrida of Greece comprises 49 species, classified to 25 genera.
Macrobenthic molluscs from a marine - lagoonal environmental transition in Lesvos Island (Greece)
Authors: Evagelopoulos Athanasios , Koutsoubas Drosos , Gerovasileiou Vasilis , Katsiaras Nikolaos
Published: November 2016

This paper describes an occurence dataset, also including numerical abundance and biomass data, pertaining to the macrobenthic molluscan assemblages from a marine - lagoonal environmental transition. The study system was the soft-substrate benthoscape of the area of the Kalloni solar saltworks (Lesvos Island, Greece). Specifically, the study area extended from the infralittoral zone of the inner Kalloni Gulf (marine habitat) to the bottoms of the first two evaporation ponds of the Kalloni solar saltworks (lagoonal habitat). Bottom sediment samples (3 replicates) were collected with a Van Veen grab sampler (0.1 m2) at four sampling sites, along a 1.5 km long line transect that spanned the marine - lagoonal environmental transition. A total of four surveys were carried out seasonally in 2004. A total of 39,345 molluscan individuals were sorted out of the sediment samples and were identified to 71 species, belonging to the Gastropoda (36), Bivalvia (34) and Scaphopoda (1) classes. Numerical abundance and wet biomass (with shells) data are included in the dataset.

The dataset described in the present paper partially fills a significant gap in the scientific literature: Because ecological research of coastal lagoons has seldom explicitly considered the marine - lagoonal habitats interface, there are no openly accessible datasets pertaining to the particular structural component of the transitional waters benthoscapes of the Mediterranean Sea. Such datasets could prove valuable in the research of the structure and functioning of transitional waters benthoscapes. The present dataset is available as a supplementary file (Suppl. material 1) and can also be accessed at http://ipt.medobis.eu/resource?r=kalloni_saltworks_phd.
Les enjeux urbains et patrimoniaux de la reconstruction après la guerre franco-prussienne à Strasbourg
Authors: Eberhardt Sophie
Published: November 2016

Lors du conflit franco-prussien de 1870, les quartiers nord-ouest et plusieurs édifices publics de Strasbourg sont sévèrement endommagés par les canonnades. La reconstruction de la nouvelle capitale du Reichsland d’Alsace-Lorraine dans l’Empire allemand est lancée dès les lendemains du siège, bien avant que l’ambitieux projet d’extension urbaine – la Neustadt (1880) – soit conçu. Le nouveau plan d’alignement du secteur situé autour de l’ancienne gare entre le faubourg de Saverne et le faubourg de Pierre est entériné en 1871 et les principaux édifices publics sont restaurés dès 1872. Ces reconstructions constitueront-elles des ruptures dans l’urbanisme et l’architecture de la ville ? Le changement d’appartenance nationale se répercutera-t-il sur les projets et les réalisations conduits par la municipalité et, conséquemment, sur l’héritage bâti et le paysage strasbourgeois ?L’article examine la restructuration des quartiers nord-ouest et la restauration des bâtiments tels que la cathédrale, l’ancien hôtel de Klinglin et l’ancien théâtre municipal, sous l’angle des enjeux urbains et patrimoniaux.
L’Ancienne Douane de Strasbourg
Authors: Rivière Cécile
Published: November 2016

Suite aux lourdes destructions subies par l’Ancienne Douane de Strasbourg pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale, un projet de reconstruction et de reconversion est élaboré pendant deux décennies (1945-1963). Dès l’origine, apparaît une dissociation entre l’enveloppe et les fonctions, traitées par différents acteurs. Le lien formel est assuré par l’architecte Robert Will. L’évolution dans les deux domaines (contenant/contenu) montre la prédominance de deux facteurs communs : l’identité du lieu et le tourisme. Du point de vue des fonctions, le restaurant-brasserie et les salles d’exposition attirent un public local mais aussi touristique. Du point de vue architectural, il s’agit de reconstituer un paysage urbain « historique » servant d’avant-plan à la cathédrale depuis les quais. Ainsi, la façade sur l’Ill et les toitures font l’objet d’une reconstitution intégrale d’un état historique (1780-1819), avec quelques modifications dues aux fonctions et à la structure en béton armé. Vient également s’y adjoindre une terrasse sans antécédent historique, illustration de la politique touristique de la Ville. Jugées peu importantes, les façades sur rue et latérale, non classées, sont extrêmement simplifiées, y perdant leur pittoresque. Enfin, l’architecture des espaces intérieurs est de style moderne, sans lien avec l’histoire ou l’enveloppe du bâtiment. Cette dernière a alors pour seul rôle d’être un objet urbain. Cette conception du patrimoine est proche du façadisme : à elles seules, la façade sur l’Ill et les toitures sont sensées représenter l’identité du bâtiment entier. Ce projet de recréation d’une perspective « historique » peut être apparentée à du pastiche : la stratification historique réelle de l’édifice n’est que très peu lisible.
La nuit des assises du Guirbaden
Authors: Kern Laura
Published: November 2016

En 1852, l’archéologue et folkloriste alsacien Auguste Stoeber publia ses Sagen des Elsasses, ouvrage dans lequel ont été répertoriées plus de 300 légendes alsaciennes, issues de la tradition orale, extraites d’ouvrages savants du XVIIe et XVIIIe siècles et de chroniques médiévales et modernes. Dans cet article, nous avons pour objectif d’analyser une légende narrant l’origine d’une vengeance éternelle se tenant sous la forme d’assises de justice, menées par les habitants du château de Guirbaden, château situé près de Mollkirch dans le Bas-Rhin.Pour cette étude, il nous a fallu retracer la généalogie des sources littéraires de la légende ainsi que le contexte historique de sa réception au XIXe siècle mais également du récit légendaire lui-même. La particularité de ce récit réside dans le fait que l’archéologue et facteur d’orgues Jean-André Silbermann (1712-1783) entendit la légende de la bouche de vieillards résidant à Dorlisheim, qui connurent dans leur jeunesse l’un des acteurs de ladite légende. Ainsi, nous pouvons nous interroger : ce récit est-il uniquement une construction imaginaire ou bien est-il fondé sur des réalités historiques ?