bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
E-Vitamin Infused Highly Cross-Linked Polyethylene: RSA Results from a Randomised Controlled Trial Using 32 mm and 36 mm Ceramic Heads
Authors: Lindalen Einar , Nordsletten Lars , Høvik Øystein , Röhrl Stephan M
Published: January 2015

Background

Polyethylene wear has been a major cause of revision of cementless total hip replacements. Highly cross-linked polyethylene has been developed to increase mechanical resistance to wear. However, cross-linking from irradiation of the polyethylene generates free radicals and these can oxidise in vivo and might over time alter the initial mechanical properties. Vitamin-E infused highly cross-linked polyethylene has been developed to reduce the amount of free radicals without compromising the mechanical properties.

Purpose

To measure wear of vitamin E infused highly cross-linked polyethylene and compare wear between 2 different head sizes.

Methods

In a prospective randomised study between 32 mm and 36 mm Biolox® delta heads in 50 hips we analysed the in vivo wear of the E-poly™ with markerless radiostereometry.

Results

Mean (95% CI) wear for the total material was 0.041 mm (0.015-0.066) in the vertical direction and 0.177 mm (0.155-0.200) in the total 3D direction. After the anticipated period of bedding-in we found no statistically significant differences in wear from three months to 2 years in vertical and total 3D directions. Although statistical significant differences between 32 mm and 36 mm heads were found in the total 3D direction we cannot conclude that there are significant clinical important differences in wear comparing these head sizes.

Conclusions

This study shows promising early results with very low wear, even for 36 mm heads, but long term follow-up is necessary to evaluate if this polyethylene will provide low wear and good mechanical properties in the long-term.
Finding the Right Hip Implant for Patient and Surgeon: The Dutch Strategy – Empowering Patients
Authors: Poolman Rudolf W , Verhaar Jan A.N , Schreurs B. Willem , Bom L. Paul A , Nelissen Rob G.H.H , Koot Henk W.J , Goosen Jon H.M , Verheyen Cees C.P.M
Published: January 2015

We describe the implementation process of hip prostheses selection in the Netherlands. The recent problems with large head metal-on-metal hip prostheses resulted in substantial damage to the surgeons’ credibility and reputation in the media. This led to a true sense of urgency among orthopaedic surgeons to increase their activities to secure patient safety. The board of the Dutch Orthopaedic Association (NOV) in the Netherlands established a Dutch Hip Task Force (DHTF) with the explicit assignment of formulating criteria to classify the quality of total hip implants on the Dutch market based on survivorship. The aim was to offer unequivocal information enabling a balanced choice of total hip prosthesis. The ultimate goal of the NOV is that all implanted total hip prostheses implanted in the Netherlands are based on reliable clinical evidence. The DHTF decided to adapt the principles of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, UK) ( www.nice.org.uk ). The taskforce uses data from the registries as well as the Orthopaedic Data Evaluation Panel (ODEP). If the ODEP guidelines had been chosen as standard alone, one quarter of our listed hip components would not have been included. In our view this underlines the strength in the Dutch approach where high quality registry data and ODEP ratings are complementary and result in a list of reliable hip prostheses. Most importantly we offer patients insights into the known quality of the implants by sharing the results of our implant review. This will facilitate shared decision making by empowering patients in their knowledge on available hip arthroplasties.
Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus in Dialysis Units: A Systematic Review of Reports on Outbreaks
Authors: Fabrizi Fabrizio , Dixit Vivek , Messa Piergiorgio , Martin Paul
Published: January 2015

Background

Changes in the delivery of healthcare in the developed world have resulted in frequent reporting of outbreaks of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in nonhospital healthcare settings, including hemodialysis units.

Aim

We performed a systematic review of HBV outbreaks in dialysis units of developed and less-developed countries published between 1992 and 2014 to elucidate the most frequent mechanisms of patient-to-patient transmission of HBV in this setting.

Methods

The research was performed using the PubMed Database and the Outbreak Database; studies were selected according to the PRISMA algorithm. Inclusion criteria were established before the papers were retrieved in order to avoid selection biases.

Results

12 papers reported on 16 outbreaks that involved 118 patients on maintenance dialysis; 10 fatal cases occurred. European outbreaks were smaller compared with the others (P = 0.0046). Information on specific transmission pathways was given in many outbreaks (n = 10; 62%); multiple deficiencies in standard or hemodialysis-specific procedures was the most common route of patient-to-patient transmission of HBV (80%, 8/10). De novo HBV from HBsAg negative/HBV DNA positive blood donors was found in 2 (20%) oubreaks. Sharing of contaminated HD machines was mentioned in 1 report.

Conclusions

Our systematic review of HBV outbreaks shows that incomplete adherence to standard and dialysis-specific infection control precautions was the most important cause of patient-to-patient transmission of HBV in dialysis units. This review should serve as a reminder to HD providers that the risk of HBV infection is still present among patients undergoing dialysis and that HBV may be easily transmitted in the dialysis setting whenever appropriate infection control practices are not strictly applied.
Anti-Infective Drugs during Continuous Hemodialysis –Using the Bench to Learn What to do at the Bedside
Authors: Roehr Anka C. , Frey Otto R. , Koeberer Andreas , Fuchs Thomas , Roberts Jason A. , Brinkmann Alexander
Published: January 2015

Purpose

The main objective of this study was to investigate the clearance of 11 selected anti-infectives in an in vitro model of continuous veno-venous hemodialysis (CVVHD), in order to suggest rational dosing strategies for clinical practice.

Methods

Ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, flucloxacillin, gentamicin, linezolid, meropenem, metronidazole, piperacillin, rifampicin, vancomycin and voriconazole were studied in two different solvents (sodium chloride 0.9% and HSA 5%) using a multifiltrate dialysis device by Fresenius Medical Care (Bad Homburg, Germany). For each solution, prefilter, postfilter, and dialysate samples were drawn simultaneously during one hour of dialysis and were assayed.

Results

The clearance of all drugs except rifampicin in sodium chloride 0.9% was comparable (mean 1.76 ± 0.11 l/h). The clearance of these agents in human serum albumin solution 5% was reduced by between 5.3% and 72.2%. The unbound drug fraction correlated with a lower clearance in HSA 5% (Pearson correlation coefficient r = 0.933; p = 0.00008). No correlation between clearance in HSA 5% and the drugs' molecular weight was found (Pearson correlation coefficient r = 0.388; p = 0.268). Rifampicin was detected to bind to the surface of the polysulfone filter used. Dialysis clearance of ceftazidime, gentamicin, linezolid, meropenem, metronidazole, piperacillin and vancomycin during CVVHD accounted for over 25% of the total body clearance of population pharmacokinetic data for renally impaired patients.

Conclusions

The results from this study highlight that dose adaptations are needed for most of the drugs under investigation for patients undergoing CVVHD. In combination with polysulfone filters, rifampicin should be used with care in this setting.
Fluids for Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy – an Evaluation of Microbial Integrity
Authors: Kanagasundaram Nigel S. , Perry John D. , Hoenich Nicholas A. , Clark Rauri A. , Fraser Rachel A. , Walton Katherine E.
Published: January 2015

Purpose

We have previously demonstrated widespread microbial contamination in the dialysis and replacement fluid circuits of bicarbonate-buffered, continuous renal replacement therapies (CRRTs). It is not known whether different CRRT fluids have an impact on bacterial activity.

Methods

In this study the in vitro growth and biofilm formation associated with seven strains of bacteria ( Burkholderia cepacia, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Staphylococcus epidermidis) in five CRRT fluids (Prismocitrate, Monosol S, Accusol 35, tri-sodium citrate and Ci-Ca K2) were studied. The fluids were each inoculated with light and heavy concentrations of each of the bacterial strains and incubated at 22 or 37°C for up to 72 h with and without bacterial growth medium. Bacterial growth was assessed by spectrophotometry. Biofilm formation was assessed by a standard microtiter plate assay.

Results

Unsupplemented fluids did not support bacterial growth or biofilm formation after 72 h incubation. When supplemented with bacterial growth medium, some fluids, in particular Accusol 35, Ci-Ca K2, and tri-sodium citrate, had an inhibitory effect on bacterial growth, although none suppressed growths across the panel of tested organisms.

Conclusions

Different CRRT fluids have different impacts on bacterial growth and biofilm formation, but all remain susceptible to extrinsic contamination.
Anterior Gradient 2 is Correlated with EGFR Mutation in Lung Adenocarcinoma Tissues
Authors: Narumi Sodai , Miki Yasuhiro , Hata Shuko , Ebina Masahito , Saito Mikiyoshi , Mori Kazushige , Kobayashi Makoto , Suzuki Takashi , Iwabuchi Erina , Sato Ikuro , Maemondo Makoto , Endo Chiaki , Inoue Akira , Kondo Takashi , Yamada-Okabe Hisafumi , Ichinose Masakazu , Sasano Hironobu
Published: January 2015

Background

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)–tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) has demonstrated a promising therapeutic response in lung adenocarcinoma patients with EGFR gene mutations. However, the predictive factors for this therapy have not been established, except for the EGFR gene mutation status of carcinoma cells.

Methods

We first performed microarray analysis in EGFR-TKI–sensitive lung adenocarcinoma cell lines. The results indicated anterior gradient 2 (AGR2) as a potential surrogate marker of EGFR-TKI. Therefore, we then evaluated the correlation between the status of AGR2 immunoreactivity and clinicopathological factors including overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and clinical response to EGFR-TKI, in 147 cases of surgically resected lung adenocarcinoma. The biological significance of AGR2 was further evaluated by transfecting small interfering RNA (siRNA) against AGR2 in these cells.

Results

The status of AGR2 immunoreactivity was significantly higher in lung adenocarcinoma cases with EGFR gene mutations than in those with the wild type (p<0.0001), but there were no significant differences in OS, PFS and response of EGFR-TKI between the AGR2 high and low carcinoma cases. Knockdown of AGR2 gene expression following siRNA transfection resulted in a significantly lower response to EGFR-TKI in EGFR-mutated PC-3.

Conclusions

AGR2 could serve as an adjunctive surrogate protein marker possibly reflecting EGFR gene mutations in lung adenocarcinoma patients. Results from in vitro analysis indicated that AGR2 could be a potential clinical biomarker of EGFR-TKI therapeutic sensitivity in lung adenocarcinoma cells.
Cardiovascular changes occurring with occlusion of a mature arteriovenous fistula
Authors: Aitken Emma , Kerr Daniele , Geddes Colin , Berry Colin , Kingsmore David
Published: January 2015

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between Qa, cardiovascular parameters and symptomatic cardiac disease.

Methods

A prospective cohort study of 100 patients dialysing via an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) was performed. Qa was measured using pulsed Doppler ultrasound. Cardiovascular parameters were measured using thoracic bioimpedance technique (Medis, GmbH). Measurement of cardiovascular parameters was undertaken pre- and post-occlusion of the AVF.

Results

Mean age was 57.1 years (range: 19-83); 51% male. Mean values pre-occlusion: mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) 89.6 ± 16.9 mmHg; stroke volume index (SVI) 39.3 ± 4.6 mL; cardiac index (CI) 3.7 ± 0.8 L/min/m2; systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) 585.5 ± 67.8 dyn/sec/cm−5/m2; oxygen delivery (DO2I) 607.1 ± 116.8 mL/min/m2. A total of 12% of patients had CI>4.5 L/min/m2 pre-occlusion. There was no difference in heart rate (HR), MABP and SVI following occlusion of AVF. Mean CI reduced post-AVF occlusion (∆CI: -0.42 L/min/m2; p<0.001), as did DO2I (∆ DO2I: 45.5 mL/min/m2; p<0.001). SVRI increased (∆SVRI: 170.1 dyn/sec/cm−5/m2; p<0.001). The drop in CI which occurred post-AVF occlusion was greater in patients with Qa >2000 mL/min (-2.79 ± 0.34 vs. -0.24 ± 0.48 L/min/m2; p<0.001). There was a non-significant trend towards symptomatic heart failure in those patients with a greater ∆CI following AVF occlusion (NYHA 1: -0.1 ± 0.1 L/min/m2; NHYA 2: -0.3 ± 0.7 L/min/m2; NYHA 3: -0.7 ± 1.0 L/min/m2; p = 0.06).

Conclusions

The relationship between AVF blood flow, cardiac output and symptomatic cardiac disease is complex. Occlusion of an AVF leads to reduced cardiac output and improved oxygen delivery, even in asymptomatic patients. This difference is most marked in patients with high-flow AVF (>2000 mL/min). High-flow AVF with large ∆CI may lead to high cardiac output state, which is reversible on occlusion of the AVF.
Inpatient Venous access Practices: PICC Culture and the Kidney Patient
Authors: McGill Rita L. , Tsukahara Tomoki , Bhardwaj Rahul , Kapetanos Anastasios T. , Marcus Richard J.
Published: January 2015

Purpose

Depleted venous access is frequently cited as a reason for low fistula achievement. These quality assurance studies were designed to clarify the interactions between kidney disease, acuity of care and vascular access practices, and define the impact of nephrology intervention.

Methods

The inpatient population at an urban teaching hospital was surveyed three times between May 2010 and May 2012. Data were collected on limb protection and vascular access practices, as well as level of kidney function and level of care.

Results

Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) insertion consistently exceeded 30% in patients with chronic kidney disease; reasons for insertion were often poorly defined. More than 50% of patients had devices in the nondominant arm; use of limb protection bracelets was rare. An educational intervention designed to increase nephrologist awareness increased limb protection slightly, but did not affect the distribution of vascular access devices.

Conclusions

PICC placement and invasion of the nondominant arm are both frequent in patients with abnormal kidney function, in spite of guidelines discouraging their use. The rate of PICC is higher than that of patients with normal kidney function. Current vascular access practices have substantial potential to affect future fistula rates. Effective vein protection may require participation of the entire medical community.
Falta de Conciencia ... Incendios forestales
Authors: Nuñez Moncada Sahira Karine , Fonseca Yenna , Suarez José , Menjivar Luis , Torres Ramon , Rivera Hortensia
Published: January 2015

Gran número de los incendios forestales no se pueden evitar, como los incendios forestales provocados por la naturaleza.Otros en cambio, podrían ser evitados pero por el grado de indiferencia por parte de la mayoría de la población, no ha sido posible. Esta indiferencia no obedece más que a la falta de conciencia de las personas sobre las consecuencias negativas de los incendios forestales inmediatos en el medio ambiente y por ende en la economía de Honduras.El 95% de los incendios, son producto del hombre.Los incendios forestales afectan no solo a nuestro ambiente físico, sino también, nuestra realidad nacional, en todas sus áreas. Es pues, necesaria, una concientización masiva, agresiva y constante para lograr de manera efectiva, moldear el pensamiento de los habitantes y del Gobierno; de manera que éstos utilicen parte de sus recursos económicos e intelectuales para la proteccion, fortale-cimiento y equilibrio del ecosistema y desarrollo del país. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/lrd.v35i0.1783 Revista de Derecho, Vol. 34, Nº 1, Año 2013: 51-73
Informe sobre los Artículos de acuerdo a las Prioridades de la U.N.A.H.
Authors: Editora La
Published: January 2015

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/lrd.v35i0.1788 Revista de Derecho, Vol. 34, Nº 1, Año 2013: 162-163
More New Evidence on Asymmetric Gasoline Price Responses
Authors: Faber Riemer P.
Published: January 2015

There exist two possible aggregation issues in studies to asymmetric price responses: (i) an issue due to aggregation over time, and (ii) an issue due to aggregation over space. Empirical studies already confirm the existence of the first issue. This paper confirms the existence of the second issue by studying daily retail prices of individual gasoline stations. I find that 38% of the stations respond asymmetrically to changes in the gasoline spot market price. Hence, asymmetric pricing is a feature of individual firms.
Unintended Consequences of Carbon Policies: Transportation Fuels, Land-Use, Emissions, and Innovation
Authors: Holland Stephen P , Hughes Jonathan E. , Knitted Christopher R. , Parker Nathan C.
Published: January 2015

Renewable fuel standards, low carbon fuel standards, and ethanol subsidies are popular policies to incentivize ethanol production and reduce emissions from transportation. Compared to carbon trading, these policies lead to large shifts in agricultural activity and unexpected social costs. We simulate the 2022 Federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and find that energy crop production increases by 39 million acres. Land-use costs from erosion and habitat loss are between $277 and $693 million. A low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) and ethanol subsidies have similar effects while costs under an equivalent cap and trade (CAT) system are essentially zero. In addition, the alternatives to CAT magnify errors in assigning emissions rates to fuels and can over or under-incentivize innovation. These results highlight the potential negative effects of the RFS, LCFS and subsidies, effects that would be less severe under a CAT policy.
Shale Gas Boom Affecting the Relationship Between LPG and Oil Prices
Authors: Oglend Atle , Lindback Morten E. , Osmundsen Petter
Published: January 2015

Liquefied petroleum gases (LPGs) together with other natural gas liquids (NGLs) have played an important role in the current U.S. shale gas boom. Depressed gas prices in recent years have made pure natural gas operations less profitable. The result is that liquids components in gas production have become increasingly important in ensuring the profitability of shale gas operations. In this paper we investigate whether the shale gas expansion, which has led to an increase in associated LPG production, has also affected the historically strong relationship between LPG and oil prices. Revealing the strength and stability of the LPG/oil relationship is relevant when it comes to the future profitability and development of the U.S. natural gas sector. Our results suggest that the LPG/oil relationship has weakened in recent years with a move towards cheaper liquids relative to oil. This is consistent with developments in the natural gas sector with increased liquids production. A consequence is that U.S. natural gas operations cannot automatically rely on high liquids prices to ensure profitability.
Market Power in the Norwegian Electricity Market: Are the Transmission Bottlenecks Truly Exogenous?
Authors: Mirza Faisal Mehmood , Bergland Olvar
Published: January 2015

In this paper, we test whether producers in the southern Norway price zone utilize information on available transmission capacity to induce transmission congestion in their price zone to exercise market power or not. Endogeneity results for import congestion suggest that congestion is endogenous during late night and morning hours implying that producers in southern Norway restrict their output to induce transmission congestion into their price zone. We find an average markup of about 19.5 percent above the marginal cost during these hours. These results point that NordPool’s policy of making transmission capacity information public to ensure market transparency is not welfare maximizing as strategic producers can use this information to anticipate and induce transmission congestion into their price zone for driving prices away from the competitive levels.
A New Perspective: Investment and Efficiency under Incentive Regulation
Authors: Poudineh Rahmatallah , Jamasb Tooraj
Published: January 2015

Following the liberalisation of the electricity industry since the early 1990s, many sector regulators have adopted incentive regulation aided by benchmarking and productivity analysis. This approach has often resulted in efficiency and quality of service improvement. However, there remains a growing concern as to whether the utilities invest sufficiently and efficiently in maintaining and modernising their networks. This paper studies the relationship between investments and cost efficiency in the context of incentive regulation with ex-post regulatory treatment of investments using a panel dataset of 129 Norwegian distribution companies from 2004 to 2010. We introduce the concept of “no impact efficiency” as a revenue-neutral efficiency effect of investment under incentive regulation that makes a firm “investment efficient” in cost benchmarking. Also, we estimate the observed efficiency effect of investments and compare these with the no impact efficiency. Finally, we discuss the implications of cost benchmarking for investment behaviour of network companies.
Did the EU ETS Make a Difference? An Empirical Assessment Using Lithuanian Firm-Level Data
Authors: Jaraitė Jūratė , Maria Corrado Di
Published: January 2015

We use a panel dataset of about 5,000 Lithuanian firms between 2003 and 2010, to assess the impact of the EU ETS on the environmental and economic performance of participating firms. Using a matching methodology, we are able to estimate the causal impact of EU ETS participation on CO2 emissions, CO2 intensity, investment behaviour and profitability of participating firms. Our results show that ETS participation did not lead to a reduction in CO2 emissions, while we identify a slight improvement in CO2 intensity. ETS participants are shown to have retired part of their less efficient capital stock, and to have made modest additional investments from 2010. We also show that the EU ETS did not represent a drag on the profitability of participating firms.
Hoe beleidsmedewerkers zelf leren evalueren
Authors: van der Veen Zwaantina , Meijneken Dymphna , Boekenoogen Marieke
Published: January 2015

Hoe beleidsmedewerkers zelf leren evalueren

Onderzoekers van de gemeente Amersfoort geven workshops aan beleidsmedewerkers over hoe zij zelf hun projecten met inwoners kunnen evalueren. Waarom doen de onderzoekers dit en hoe ziet zo'n workshop eruit? Daarnaast wordt dieper ingegaan op de meerwaarde van zelf evalueren door beleidsmedewerkers, maar ook op de kanttekeningen die hierbij te maken zijn.
Monitoren en evalueren van integraal gezondheidsbeleid
Authors: Storm Ilse , van Koperen Marije , van der Lucht Fons , van Oers Hans , Schuit Jantine
Published: January 2015

Monitoren en evalueren van integraal gezondheidsbeleid

Integraal gezondheidsbeleid (IGB) kent in de lokale praktijk diverse verschijningsvormen en kenmerken waardoor het lastig is dit beleid te monitoren en evalueren. In een kennissynthese van Nederlandse kernpublicaties over IGB is gekeken wat op basis van ervaringen in de IGB-praktijk tot nu toe gezegd kan worden over monitoring en evaluatie. Bij deze practice-based verkenning naar IGB-kenmerken en bijbehorende praktische instrumenten is een indeling in drie categorieën gebruikt: context, processen en impact. Voorbeelden van relevante kenmerken zijn: type IGB en setting (context), verbinden beleid en activiteiten (proces), samenwerking sectoren (proces), draagvlak en verankering in organisatie (proces), en effecten op gezondheid of determinanten (impact). Op basis van de huidige IGB-praktijk lijkt het vooral haalbaar kennis te genereren over context en procesmaten, en minder over impactmaten. Uiteindelijk is een set kenmerken die meetbaar zijn met gevalideerde instrumenten wenselijk om grip te krijgen op de voortgang van IGB. Meer theoretische onderbouwing is dan wel noodzakelijk.
Terugblik op de Raad voor Werk en Inkomen (RWI)
Authors: van Hoesel Peter
Published: January 2015

Terugblik op de Raad voor Werk en Inkomen (RWI)

Je kunt natuurlijk wel verwachten dat Jan van Zijl, die tegenwoordig voorzitter is van de MBO Raad, positieve herinneringen heeft aan wat je zou kunnen noemen ‘zijn RWI’, maar misschien niet dat hij een paar jaar na dato nog zo uitdrukkelijk betreurt dat de RWI is opgeheven. Het was indertijd bij de oprichting wel zo dat de RWI door sommigen gezien werd als een doekje voor het bloeden voor de sociale partners in verband met het feit dat zij macht gingen verliezen na invoering van de SUWI-structuur, maar Van Zijl ging bepaald niet uit van een korte levensloop van de nieuwe raad. Dat hij de taak van de RWI serieus nam, blijkt trouwens ook uit het grote aantal indringende adviezen en rapportages dat de RWI heeft weten te produceren.
Real Time Decoding of Color Symbol for Optical Positioning System
Authors: Malik Abdul Waheed , Thörnberg Benny , Anwar Qaisar , Johanson Tor Arne , Shahzad Khurram
Published: January 2015

This paper presents the design and real-time decoding of a color symbol that can be used as a reference marker for optical navigation. The designed symbol has a circular shape and is printed on paper using two distinct colors. This pair of colors is selected based on the highest achievable signal to noise ratio. The symbol is designed to carry eight bit information. Real time decoding of this symbol is performed using a heterogeneous combination of Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and a microcontroller. An image sensor having a resolution of 1600 by 1200 pixels is used to capture images of symbols in complex backgrounds. Dynamic image segmentation, component labeling and feature extraction was performed on the FPGA. The region of interest was further computed from the extracted features. Feature data belonging to the symbol was sent from the FPGA to the microcontroller. Image processing tasks are partitioned between the FPGA and microcontroller based on data intensity. Experiments were performed to verify the rotational independence of the symbols. The maximum distance between camera and symbol allowing for correct detection and decoding was analyzed. Experiments were also performed to analyze the number of generated image components and sub-pixel precision versus different light sources and intensities. The proposed hardware architecture can process up to 55 frames per second for accurate detection and decoding of symbols at two Megapixels resolution. The power consumption of the complete system is 342mw.
Polarimetric Detection of Enantioselective Adsorption by Chiral Au Nanoparticles — Effects of Temperature, Wavelength and Size
Authors: Shukla Nisha , Ondeck Nathaniel , Khosla Nathan , Klara Steven , Petti Alexander , Gellman Andrew
Published: January 2015

R- and S-propylene oxide (PO) have been shown to interact enantiospecifically with the chiral surfaces of Au nanoparticles (NPs) modified with D- or L-cysteine (cys). This enantiospecific interaction has been detected using optical polarimetry measurements made on solutions of the D- or L-cys modified Au (cys/Au) NPs during addition of racemic PO. The selective adsorption of one enantiomer of the PO onto the cys/Au NP surfaces results in a net rotation of light during addition of the racemic PO to the solution. In order to optimize the conditions used for making these measurements and to quantify enantiospecific adsorption onto chiral NPs, this work has measured the effect of temperature, wavelength and Au NP size on optical rotation by solutions containing D- or L-cys/Au NPs and racemic PO. Increasing temperature, decreasing wavelength and decreasing NP size result in larger optical rotations.
Nice Finish to 2014 and Looking Forward to 2015
Authors: Dettenhofer Markus , Kuo Winston Patrick
Published: January 2015

This editorial article summarizes last year's achievements and current plans for 2015 that focuses on attracting a high quality, variety of articles with more emphasis in engaging with academia and industry in the field of nanotechnology and biomedical research.
Early Art in North America: Clovis and Later Paleoindian Incised Artifacts from the Gault Site, Texas (41BL323)
Authors: Lemke Ashley K. , Wernecke D. Clark , Collins Michael B.
Published: January 2015

Engraved and carved bone and stone artifacts capture our imaginations and are known worldwide from archaeological contexts, but they are seemingly rare and oftentimes difficult to recognize. While preservation issues play a role in the limited recovery of early art objects, research on incised stones and bone from the Gault site in Texas demonstrates that an expectation to find such artifacts plays a key role in their identification and recovery. The presence of incised stones found by collectors at Gault alerted archaeologists to the potential for finding early art in systematic excavations. To date, 11 incised stones and one engraved bone of Paleoindian age (13,000–9,000 calibrated years before present) have been recovered and of these, the Clovis artifacts are among the earliest portable art objects from secure context in North America. The presence of incised stone and bone at Gault led to the development of an examination protocol for identifying and analyzing engraved and incised artifacts that can be applied to a wide variety of archaeological contexts.
On the Inferred Age and Origin of Lithic Bi-Points from the Eastern Seaboard and their Relevance to the Pleistocene Peopling of North America
Authors: Boulanger Matthew T. , Eren Metin I.
Published: January 2015

Recently, advocates of an “older -than- Clovis” occupation of eastern North America have suggested that bi-pointed leaf-shaped lanceolate stone bifaces provide definitive evidence of human culture on the eastern seaboard prior to the Late Glacial Maximum. This argument hinges on two suppositions : first, that points of this form are exceedingly rare in the East and second, that all known occurrences of these point forms are from landforms or depositionaI environments dating to some time before the late Pleistocene. Neither of these suppositions is supported by the archaeological record. Bi-pointed leaf shaped blades have been recoveredfrom throughout the Middle Atlantic and Northeast, where they have been repeatedly dated, either radiometrically or by association with diagnostic artifacts, to between the Late Archaic and the Early Woodland. Statistical analysis of supposed “older-than-Clovis” leaf-shaped blades demonstrates that there are no significant differences in morphology between them and unequivocally Middle Holocene leaf-shaped blades. Until such time as evidence demonstrates otherwise, there is no reason to accept that these leaf-shaped bifaces are diagnostic of a Pleistocene, much less pre-Late Glacial Maximum, occupation in eastern North America.
Skeletal Fat, Processing Intensity, and the Late Holocene Bison from Baker Cave, Southern Idaho
Authors: Breslawski Ryan P. , Byers David A.
Published: January 2015

Although Idaho’s Snake River Plain contains a trans-Holocene record of bison exploitation, archaeologists have rarely investigated carcass butchery strategies in the region. We fill this knowledge gap with a study of bison remains from Baker Cave, a late Holocene processing site on the eastern Snake River Plain. We hypothesize that these remains resulted from fat-seeking behavior in response to winter fat scarcity. We explore this hypothesis with a series of variables designed to measure processing intensity: Impacts per Element, Percent Complete, and Number of Identified Specimens/Minimum Number of Elements. All three variables generate similarly strong correlations with skeletal fat utility, suggesting that Baker Cave’s inhabitants organized processing efforts around winter fat scarcity.
Bone Surface Modifications, Reasonable Certainty, and Human Antiquity in the Americas: The Case of the Arroyo Del Vizcaίno Site
Authors: Fariña Richard A.
Published: January 2015

Modifications on bone surfaces are taphonomic features that allow, among other aspects of environmental reconstruction, the assessment of human presence. The agents that cause such marks are diverse and of both biotic and abiotic origin. Among the former, marks made by human tools are of paramount importance for archaeologists and paleontologists to identify. Although it is possible to erroneously assign trampling marks to cut marks, several criteria have been recently developed so as to avoid such risks. These methods are applied here to the 30,000-year-old site of Arroyo del Vizcaíno (Uruguay), where over one thousand megafaunal remains have been collected. Some of them show marks that have been interpreted to be the result of the action of human tools. Using a database built up from previous studies of experimentally made marks as an actualistic model, it was concluded that the marks in the Arroyo del Vizcaíno site are unlikely to have been made by trampling, hence leaving human agency as the most feasible cause. This has important consequences for the debate on the human peopling of the Americas and on the process of extinction of the Pleistocene megafauna.
Multiscalar Perspectives on Social Networks in the Late Prehispanic Southwest
Authors: Mills Barbara J. , Peeples Matthew A. , Haas W. Randall , Borck Lewis , Clark Jeffery J. , Roberts John M.
Published: January 2015

Analyzing historical trajectories of social interactions at varying scales can lead to complementary interpretations of relationships among archaeological settlements. We use social network analysis combined with geographic information systems at three spatial scales over time in the western U.S. Southwest to show how the same social processes affected network dynamics at each scale. The period we address, A.D. 1200–1450, was characterized by migration and demographic upheaval. The tumultuous late thirteenth-century interval was followed by population coalescence and the development of widespread religious movements in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. In the southern Southwest these processes resulted in a highly connected network that drew in members of different settlements within and between different valleys that had previously been distinct. In the northern Southwest networks were initially highly connected followed by a more fragmented social landscape. We examine how different network textures emerged at each scale through 50-year snapshots. The results demonstrate the usefulness of applying a multiscalar approach to complex historical trajectories and the potential for social network analysis as applied to archaeological data.
How Animals Create Human History: Relational Ecology and the Dorset–Polar Bear Connection
Authors: Betts Matthew w. , Hardenberg Mari , Stirling Ian
Published: January 2015

Carvings that represent polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are commonly found in Dorset Paleo-Eskimo archaeological sites across the eastern Arctic. Relational ecology, combined with Amerindian perspectivism, provides an integrated framework within which to comprehensively assess the connections between Dorset and polar bears. By considering the representational aspects of the objects, we reveal an ethology of polar bears encoded within the carvings’ various forms. Reconstructing the experiences and perceptions of Dorset as they routinely interacted with these creatures, and placing these interactions in socioeconomic, environmental, and historical context, permits us to decode a symbolic ecology inherent in the effigies. To the Dorset, these carvings were simultaneously tools and mnemonics (symbols). As tools, they were used to directly access the predatory and spiritual abilities of bears or, more prosaically, to teach and remind of the variety of proper hunting techniques available for capturing seals. As symbols, however, they were far more powerful, signaling how Dorset people conceptualized themselves and their place in the universe. Symbolic of an ice-edge way of life, the effigies expose the role that this special relationship with polar bears played in the creation of Dorset histories and identities.
Cambios tecnológicos en el contexto publicitario: Dinámicas y tendencias en investigación Presentación
Authors: Amorós Pons Anna , García González Aurora
Published: January 2015

El presente monográfico abarca el estado de la investigación desde distintos enfoques (teórico, histórico-social, periodístico, creativo, redes sociales, producción, recepción y públicos) para ofertar una panorámica amplia del estado de la cuestión, a través de distintas líneas de investigación: Teorías de la comunicación en el contexto transmedia; nuevas formas publicitarias, en escenarios cross-media; personal branding y la estrategia de la figura del periodista como marca personal; innovación estratégica 360º en la producción; diseños creativos para las nuevas plataformas; diseño social y plataformas cooperativas (movimientos sociales); investigación de mercado y públicos (audiencias y consumidores) en el contexto transmedia; estrategias innovadoras de negocio y nuevos modelos; redes sociales como reguladoras de los mass media.
Une illustration particulière de l’utilisation de la méthodologie de la théorisation enracinée (MTE) dans le but de mieux comprendre le sentiment de filiation chez les parents qui accueillent un enfant en vue de l’adopter
Authors: Pagé Geneviève
Published: January 2015

Devenir parent en accueillant un enfant dans le contexte du programme Banque-mixte est une expérience singulière. Elle exige que le parent s’occupe d’un enfant comme s’il était le sien, même si légalement son statut de parent d’accueil ne lui accorde aucun droit sur l’enfant. De plus, il doit gérer le stress lié à l’incertitude de pouvoir adopter ou non cet enfant. Ainsi, comment les parents se lançant dans cette aventure réussissent-ils à développer le sentiment qu’ils sont LE parent de l’enfant qu’ils accueillent? Cette question a guidé la réalisation de la présente étude. L’article expose la démarche méthodologique utilisée, soit la méthodologie de la théorisation enracinée (MTE), afin de décrire le processus et les principes de la MTE qui ont guidé la réalisation de la recherche.
De l’utilisation de la circularité en MTE : vers un dépassement de la tension entre créativité et rigueur méthodologique
Authors: Garreau Lionel
Published: January 2015

La méthodologie de la théorisation enracinée est une approche devant permettre de générer des théories innovantes et légitimes d’un point de vue scientifique. Elle peut toutefois faillir à atteindre ces deux objectifs, en particulier à cause de la tension vécue par le chercheur entre créativité et rigueur méthodologique, deux aspects nécessaires pour y parvenir. Nous montrons que cette tension provient du caractère synchrone des processus visant la créativité et la rigueur méthodologique. Cet article expose comment utiliser le caractère circulaire – et non seulement itératif – de la méthodologie de la théorisation enracinée pour rendre asynchrones les processus visant la créativité et ceux visant la rigueur méthodologique et ainsi améliorer la qualité des recherches en MTE.
Phylogenetic Relationships within Uvularia (Colchicaceae) Based on Morphology
Authors: Boyd Amy E. , Thalmayer Isaiah M.
Published: January 2015

The five species of bellworts in the genus Uvularia are common woodland herbs endemic to eastern North America. Two previous studies conducted phylogenetic analyses of Uvularia based on matK and rbcL gene sequences. The objective of this study was to create a phylogeny for Uvularia based on 18 qualitative morphological characters and 14 quantitative characters. Two phylogenetic analyses were performed, one including all 32 characters and one excluding the 14 quantitative characters. Strict consensus trees from the two analyses had the same topology and were congruent with published molecular phylogenies, supporting two sections of the genus.
Lectotypification of the name Impatiens toppinii Dunn, a new addition of the species for flora of India
Authors: Borah Souravjyoti , Gogoi Rajib , Satyanarayana P. , Yu Sheng-Xiang
Published: January 2015

Impatiens toppinii Dunn (Balsaminaceae) was re-collected after a century from Arunachal Pradesh, India. The species was earlier known only from Kachin hills, Myanmar. A lectotype is designated, a detailed description from live material and coloured illustrations for easy identification are provided.
Analysis of Protein Stability and Ligand Interactions by Thermal Shift Assay
Authors: Huynh Kathy , Partch Carrie L.
Published: February 2015

Purification of recombinant proteins for biochemical assays and structural studies is time‐consuming and presents inherent difficulties that depend on the optimization of protein stability. The use of dyes to monitor thermal denaturation of proteins with sensitive fluorescence detection enables rapid and inexpensive determination of protein stability using real‐time PCR instruments. By screening a wide range of solution conditions and additives in a 96‐well format, the thermal shift assay easily identifies conditions that significantly enhance the stability of recombinant proteins. The same approach can be used as an initial low‐cost screen to discover new protein‐ligand interactions by capitalizing on increases in protein stability that typically occur upon ligand binding. This unit presents a methodological workflow for small‐scale, high‐throughput thermal denaturation of recombinant proteins in the presence of SYPRO Orange dye. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The impact of historical biases on the XBT‐derived meridional overturning circulation estimates at 34°S
Authors: Goes Marlos , Baringer Molly , Goni Gustavo
Published: January 2015

An observational system based on high‐density expendable bathythermograph (XBT) data has provided the longest record of the South Atlantic meridional overturning and heat transport estimates across 34°S. Measurement biases are a point of concern for the capability of an XBT system to capture long‐term trends in volume and heat transports, and the impact of such biases on the meridional overturning estimates has never been quantified. In the present study, the sensitivity of the meridional overturning circulation and heat transport to uncertainties in XBT measurements is quantified under the framework of an eddy‐resolving model simulation. Results show that XBT measurement biases after 2010 can translate into small meridional overturning errors on the order of 3% or 0.38 Sv (1Sv = 106 m3 s−1), and 0.025 PW (1 PW = 1015 W) or 8% of the meridional heat transport in the model. Historical XBT‐derived trends in transport estimates across 34°S are stronger and statistically significant after the late 1990s, 0.3 Sv decade−1 and 0.02 PW decade−1. These trends are mostly due to the XBT linear depth bias, with smaller contributions associated with temperature and depth offsets from the historical record. Long‐term trends calculated from Simple Ocean Data Assimilation reanalysis, estimated as 0.1 Sv/decade and 0.006 PW/decade, are 3 times smaller than the XBT‐derived historical trends. Therefore, an adequate correction of historical XBT data is necessary for an early detection of trends in the meridional overturning circulation and heat transport.
Detection of moving human micro‐Doppler signature in forest environments with swaying tree components by wind
Authors: Kilic Ozlem , Garcia‐Rubia Jose M. , Tran Nghia , Dang Vinh , Nguyen Quang
Published: January 2015

The objective of this paper is to investigate human motion in forest medium with swaying tree components due to time‐varying wind effects and to observe the characteristics of the received Doppler signature from the scene. We provide the results of an accurate model accounting for the key contributions to the Doppler signature in this scenario. A realistic walking motion is generated using an analytical model extracted from empirical data. The swaying canopy motion is modeled by employing a spring response mechanism to the wind force. The backscattered field calculations from the scene comprise of contributions from the forest (including trunks, branches, and the ground) and human, and the interactions between them. An analytical forest scattering model, which accounts for the ground effects, is used to calculate the contribution from the forest. The attenuation effects due to the vegetation are accounted for. In order to characterize the effects of human motion accurately, a full wave technique, namely, method of moments (MOM) enhanced with fast multipole method (FMM), is employed for the human scattering calculations. A parallel version of MOM‐FMM is implemented on a graphics processing unit based cluster to handle the large problem size. The human walking signatures created by the model are analyzed for different winds.
Acute myeloid leukemia: 2014 Update on risk‐stratification and management
Authors: Estey Elihu H.
Published: January 2015

Overview: Evidence suggest that even patients aged 70 or above benefit from specific AML therapy. The fundamental decision in AML then becomes whether to recommend standard or investigational treatment. This decision must rest on the likely outcome of standard treatment. Hence we review factors that predict treatment related mortality and resistance to therapy, the latter the principal cause of failure even in patients aged 70 or above. We emphasize the limitations of prediction of resistance based only on pre‐treatment factors and stress the need to incorporate post‐treatment factors, for example indicators of minimal residual disease. We review various newer therapeutic options and considerations that underlie the decision to recommend allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant. Am. J. Hematol. 89:1064–1081, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Selective and Potent Proteomimetic Inhibitors of Intracellular Protein–Protein Interactions
Authors: Barnard Anna , Long Kérya , Martin Heather L. , Miles Jennifer A. , Edwards Thomas A. , Tomlinson Darren C. , Macdonald Andrew , Wilson Andrew J.
Published: January 2015

Inhibition of protein–protein interactions (PPIs) represents a major challenge in chemical biology and drug discovery. α‐Helix mediated PPIs may be amenable to modulation using generic chemotypes, termed “proteomimetics”, which can be assembled in a modular manner to reproduce the vectoral presentation of key side chains found on a helical motif from one partner within the PPI. In this work, it is demonstrated that by using a library of N‐alkylated aromatic oligoamide helix mimetics, potent helix mimetics which reproduce their biophysical binding selectivity in a cellular context can be identified.
Condensed‐Phase, Halogen‐Bonded CF3I and C2F5I Adducts for Perfluoroalkylation Reactions
Authors: Sladojevich Filippo , McNeill Eric , Börgel Jonas , Zheng Shao‐Liang , Ritter Tobias
Published: January 2015

A family of practical, liquid trifluoromethylation and pentafluoroethylation reagents is described. We show how halogen bonding can be used to obtain easily handled liquid reagents from gaseous CF3I and CF3CF2I. The synthetic utility of the new reagents is exemplified by a novel direct arene trifluoromethylation reaction as well as adaptations of other perfluoroalkylation reactions.