bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a Rotary Laser Body Scanner for Body Volume and Fat Assessment
Authors: Pepper M. Reese , Freeland-Graves Jeanne H. , Yu Wurong , Stanforth Philip R. , Xu Bugao
Published: July 2010

This paper reports the evaluation tests on the reliability and validity of a three-dimensional (3D) laser body scanner for the estimation of body volume and percent fat. Repeated measures of body imaging were performed for reproducibility analysis. The validity of the instrument was assessed by the comparison of the measures of body volume by imaging to hydrodensitometry, and body fat was compared to hydrodensitometry and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Reproducibility analysis showed little difference between within-subjects measurements of volume (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)≥0.99 and p<0.01). Body volume estimations by laser body scanner and hydrodensitometry were strongly related (r=0.99 and p<0.01), and agreement was high (ICC=0.99 and p<0.01). Measurements of percent body fat also agreed strongly with each other between methods (ICC=0.86 and p<0.01), and mean percent fat estimates by body imaging did not differ from criterion methods (p>0.05). These findings indicate that the 3D laser body scanner is a reliable and valid technique for the estimation of body volume. Furthermore, body imaging is an accurate measure of body fat, as compared to dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. This new instrument is promising as a quick, simple to use, and inexpensive method of body composition analysis.
A novel method for radiochemical separation of radioyttrium from Sr targets using precipitation technique
Authors: Sadeghi Mahdi , Zali Akram , Avila Mario
Published: July 2010

A method is described for separating radioyttrium from strontium within 30−40 min. The yield of radioyttrium amounts to 97% and the strontium impurity occurs at 8.2 ppm level. Radioyttrium (containing 86Y, 87Y and 88Y) was produced by proton-induced nuclear reactions on natSrCO3 deposited on Cu backing. Irradiated target material was removed with acetone and 8 M HCl solution from copper substrate, followed by ethyl cellulose (EC) filter removal. Optimal radioyttrium separations from Cu and 65Zn activities were obtained by loading the mixture on Dowex-1×8 anion exchange resin and eluting with 8 M HCl, followed by precipitation of natSr as SrSO4 while radioyttrium passed through the filter paper.
Accidental Amplification and Inactivation of a Methyltransferase Gene Eliminates Cytosine Methylation inMycosphaerella graminicola
Authors: Dhillon Braham , Cavaletto Jessica R , Wood Karl V , Goodwin Stephen B
Published: July 2010

A de novo search for repetitive elements in the genome sequence of the wheat pathogen Mycosphaerella graminicola identified a family of repeats containing a DNA cytosine methyltransferase sequence (MgDNMT). All 23 MgDNMT sequences identified carried signatures of repeat induced point mutation (RIP). All copies were subtelomeric in location except for one on chromosome 6. Synteny with M. fijiensis implied that the nontelomeric copy on chromosome 6 served as a template for subsequent amplifications. Southern analysis revealed that the MgDNMT sequence also was amplified in 15 additional M. graminicola isolates from various geographical regions. However, this amplification event was specific to M. graminicola; a search for MgDNMT homologs identified only a single, unmutated copy in the genomes of 11 other ascomycetes. A genome-wide methylation assay revealed that M. graminicola lacks cytosine methylation, as expected if its MgDNMT gene is inactivated. Methylation was present in several other species tested, including the closest known relatives of M. graminicola, species S1 and S2. Therefore, the observed changes most likely occurred within the past 10,500 years since the divergence between M. graminicola and S1. Our data indicate that the recent amplification of a single-copy MgDNMT gene made it susceptible to RIP, resulting in complete loss of cytosine methylation in M. graminicola.
Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn content of the riparian zone of the Tisza River (Hungary) after heavy metal pollution
Authors: Győri Z. , Alapi K. , Prokisch J. , Németh T. , Adriano D. , Sipos P.
Published: July 2010

At the beginning of the year 2000 two considerable waves of pollution occurred on the river Tisza. With the second wave, in a simultaneous flood, a huge amount of mud contaminated with heavy metals settled on the floodplains. As most of the contaminated areas are under agricultural use, the study of the heavy metal charge of soils and herbaceous plants of the floodplain has great importance. Along the Tisza four sampling sites were established and 300 cm deep drill cores were taken. The results of analytical examinations show that the heavy metal content of the topsoil is higher than that of the earlier formed lower layers, although contamination is also present there. This suggests that pollutions like this are not unknown in the Tisza Valley. It is greatly important to take cadmium pollution into consideration, as this element is extremely toxic and easily taken up by plants, and is likely to be a serious problem in the floodplain. The risk of contamination in the topsoil of the floodplain soils were examined in detail. The soils’ heavy metal content was the highest where the two pollution waves can be measured first at the same site. For determining the amount of heavy metals bound to other compounds sequential extractions were carried out. The proportion of the water soluble and exchangeable fraction – that is bioavailable to plants – is negligible in respect of Cu, Pb, and Zn, while it is considerable in the case of Cd, showing the risk of contamination. The gained data show that the high proportion of cadmium results in a remarkable environmental risk, while other heavy metals turn into a bioavailable form only after intensive acidification. The proportion of the heavy metal fraction bound to humus materials was expected to be low due to the exogenous origin and freshness of the topsoil.
Soil analysis (for plant nutrition) in Hungary: Practice and results
Authors: Kovács B. , Horváth J. , Pálmai O. , Németh T. , Győri Z.
Published: July 2010

Agricultural goods obtained and produced in Hungary have played an important role in the markets of Western Europe. By utilizing the ecological potentials of the Carpathian Basin, local inhabitants are in the position to produce considerable food surpluses in addition to meeting their own demands. With agricultural production becoming more and more intensive in Hungary, the application of mineral fertilizers also started to increase slowly from the 1960’s. From the mid-1970’s a uniform sampling, soil testing and fertilization extension system was created together with its own institutional and laboratory testing network. The intensive use of mineral fertilizers in Hungary lasted from the mid-1970’s to the last quarter of the 1980’s, during which an average amount of 230 kg·ha
-1
NPK fertilizer was applied. In this period the so-called “build-up” fertilization was applied in conformity with the improvement of all other elements involved in the production technology, which was also clearly expressed in the agro-political objectives of those days aiming to obtain higher yields. At that time the nutrient supply and nutrient base of soils in Hungary increased clearly, so the production technology could no longer limit higher yields. In 1990 agriculture changed fundamentally and radically in Hungary, and the same was valid for nutrient supplies as well. At the beginning of the 1990’s there was a sudden decrease in the level of mineral fertilizer application (to below 40 kg NPK active ingredients·ha
-1
), followed by a slow increase, which has reached the level of almost 70 kg·ha
-1
by today. In the meantime the animal stock in Hungary has decreased and consequently the amount of manure has also fallen. All in all, the nutrient balance of Hungarian soils has always been negative since 1989. Due to the changes in its structure and ownership over the past twenty years or so, it has become very difficult to obtain reliable information about Hungarian agriculture. The Soil Resources Management General Partnership (in Hungarian: Talajerőgazdálkodás Kkt.) conducts extension work based on soil sampling and has a continuous flow of data on over thirty thousand hectares, beginning at the end of the 1970’s. Based on the analyses of these data it can be stated that the extra amount of nutrients over balance, applied during the period of replenishment (until the change in regimes) has been „removed” from the soil over the past fifteen years, consequently the Hungarian nutrient balance has become negative again. This kind of fertilization practice cannot be sustained in Hungary, as the maintenance of the production potential of Hungarian soils is far from being resolved at the moment; it poses risks to and questions sustainability, as well as it may cause a very serious competitive disadvantage to the country.
Introduction of the Hungarian Detailed Soil Hydrophysical Database (MARTHA) and its use to test external pedotransfer functions
Authors: Makó A. , Tóth B. , Hernádi H. , Farkas Cs. , Marth P.
Published: July 2010

The Hungarian Detailed Soil Hydrophysical Database, called MARTHA ver2.0 has been developed to collect information on measured soil hydraulic and physical characteristics in Hungary. Recently this is the largest detailed national hydrophysical database, containing controlled information from a total of 15,005 soil horizons. Two commonly used pedotransfer functions were tested to evaluate the accuracy of the predictions on the MARTHA data set, representative for Hungarian soils. In general, the application of both examined pedotransfer functions (Rajkai,
1988; Wösten
et al., 1999) was not very successful, because these PTFs are representative for other soil groups. The classification tree method was used to evaluate the effect of soil structure on the goodness of estimations. It was found that using the soil structure data the inaccuracies of soil water retention predictions are more explainable and the structure may serve as a grouping variable for the development of class PTFs.
A 23‐in. full‐panel‐resolution autostereoscopic LCD with a novel directional backlight system
Authors: Hayashi Akinori , Kometani Tomohiro , Sakai Akira , Ito Hiroshi
Published: July 2010

Abstract— An autostereoscopic display that shows stereoscopic images with full‐panel resolution has been developed,1 but it has a problem in terms of unit size. To resolve this problem, a new directional backlight system was developed, and it was applied to a prototype autostereoscopic LCD. The backlight system has two light sources — one for the right eye and the another for the left eye — and an elliptically shaped mirror that controls the direction of light from the light sources. The LCD uses a field‐sequential method which re‐writes an image for one eye and one for the other eye at a frame rate of 120 Hz, and the light sources alternately blink in synchronization with each frame so that the LCD shows full‐panel‐resolution stereoscopic images without flicker. In this paper, the new backlight system is described. The backlight system is effective for large screen such as 23 in. on the diagonal. By using this backlight system, the prototype LCD achieved practible unit size, brightness over the entire screen, and cross‐talk.
360°‐viewable cylindrical integral imaging system using a 3‐D/2‐D switchable and flexible backlight
Authors: Jung Jae‐Hyun , Hong Keehoon , Park Gilbae , Chung Indeok , Lee Byoungho
Published: July 2010

Abstract— A 360°‐viewable cylindrical three‐dimensional (3‐D) display system based on integral imaging has been implemented. The proposed system is composed of a cylindrically arranged electroluminescent (EL) pinhole film, an EL film backlight, a barrier structure, and a transmission‐type flexible display panel. The cylindrically arranged point‐light‐source array, which is generated by the EL pinhole film reconstructs 360°‐viewable virtual 3‐D images at the center of the cylinder. In addition, the proposed system provides 3‐D/2‐D convertibility using the switching of EL pinhole film from a point light source to a surface light source. In this paper, the principle of operation, analysis of the viewing parameters, and the experimental results are presented.
Actual Role of Platelet Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Receptor Inhibitors as Adjunctive Pharmacological Therapy to Primary Angioplasty in Acute Myocardial Infarction: In the Light of Recent Randomized Trials and Observational Studies with Bivalirudin
Authors: Centurión Osmar Antonio
Published: July 2010

Strategies for preventing ischemic complications during percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in the setting of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have focused on the platelet surface-membrane glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor. The platelet GP IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors, by blocking the final common pathway of platelet aggregation, have become a breakthrough in the management of acute coronary syndromes. Current adjuvant pharmacological therapy of AMI with aspirin, clopidogrel, unfractionated heparin (UH), and platelet GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors provides useful therapeutic benefits. Although the use of more potent antithrombin and antiplatelet agents during PCI in AMI has reduced the rate of ischemic complications, in parallel, the rate of bleeding has increased. Several studies have reported an association between bleeding after PCI and an increase in morbidity and mortality. Therefore, investigational studies have focused in pharmacological agents that would reduce bleeding complications without compromising the rate of major adverse cardiovascular events. Based on the results of several randomized trials, abciximab with UH, aspirin and clopidogrel have become a standard adjunctive therapy with primary PCI for AMI. However, some of the trials were done before the use of stents and the widespread use of thienopyridines. In addition, GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors use have been associated with thrombocytopenia, high rates of bleeding, and the need for transfusions, which increase costs, length of hospital stay, and mortality. On the other hand, in the stent era, bivalirudin, a semi-synthetic direct thrombin inhibitor, has recently been shown to provide similar efficacy with less bleeding compared with unfractionated heparin plus platelet GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors in AMI patients treated with primary PCI. The impressive results of this recent randomized trial and other observational studies make a strong argument for the use of bivalirudin rather than heparin plus GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors for the great majority of patients with AMI treated with primary PCI. However, some controversial results and limitations in the studies with bivalirudin exert some doubts in the future widespread use of this drug.
Aminaphtone for Light Bleeding in Patients Under Oral Anticoagulation
Authors: Pereira de Godoy José Maria , Paludetto Gustavo , Testoni Bianca R , Sano Priscilla Yukiko
Published: July 2010

Background:

Bleeding is a common complication of oral anticoagulation therapy.

Objective:

The present study evaluated the use of aminaphtone in patients with minor bleeding while taking warfarin.

Methods:

Seven patients suffering from bleeding of the nose and gums, who were taking therapeutic doses of warfarin, were included in the study.

Results:

The patients were prescribed 75 mg aminaphtone twice daily. For 5 of these patients the bleeding was controlled within 48 h, for 1, within 96 h and for the other, a satisfactory reduction was obtained.

Conclusion:

Patients with minor bleeding during treatment using oral anticoagulation, who are free from risk of other complications, can benefit from the use of aminaphtone as an initial therapeutic option.
A Dutch Survey on Circumpatellar Electrocautery in Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: van Jonbergen Hans-Peter W. , Barnaart Alexander F.W. , Verheyen Cees C.P.M.
Published: July 2010

Introduction:

Anterior knee pain following total knee arthroplasty is estimated to occur in 4-49% of patients. Some orthopedic surgeons use circumpatellar electrocautery (diathermy) to reduce the prevalence of postsurgical anterior knee pain; however, the extent of its use is unknown.

Materials and Methodology:

In April 2009, a postal questionnaire was sent to all 98 departments of orthopedic surgery in The Netherlands. The questions focused on the frequency of total knee arthroplasties, patellar resurfacing, and the use of circumpatellar electrocautery.

Results:

The response rate was 92%. A total of 18,876 TKAs, 2,096 unicompartmental knee arthroplasties, and 215 patellofemoral arthroplasties are performed yearly in The Netherlands by the responding orthopedic surgeons. Of the orthopedic surgeons performing TKA, 13% always use patellar resurfacing in total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis, 49% use selective patellar resurfacing, and 38% never use it. Fifty-six percent of orthopedic surgeons use circumpatellar electrocautery when not resurfacing the patella, and 32% use electrocautery when resurfacing the patella.

Conclusion:

There is no consensus among Dutch orthopedic surgeons on the use of patellar resurfacing or circumpatellar electrocautery in total knee replacement performed for osteoarthritis. A prospective clinical trial is currently underway to fully evaluate the effect of circumpatellar electrocautery on the prevalence of anterior knee pain following total knee arthroplasty.
Application of Autologous Bone Marrow Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells to an Ovine Model of Growth Plate Cartilage Injury
Authors: McCarty Rosa C , Xian Cory J , Gronthos Stan , Zannettino Andrew C.W , Foster Bruce K
Published: July 2010

Injury to growth plate cartilage in children can lead to bone bridge formation and result in bone growth deformities, a significant clinical problem currently lacking biological treatment. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSC) offer a promising therapeutic option for regeneration of damaged cartilage, due to their self renewing and multi-lineage differentiation attributes. Although some small animal model studies highlight the therapeutic potential of MSC for growth plate repair, translational research in large animal models, which more closely resemble the human condition, are lacking. Our laboratory has recently characterised MSCs derived from ovine bone marrow, and demonstrated these cells form cartilage-like tissue when transplanted within the gelatin sponge, Gelfoam,in vivo. In the current study, autologous bone marrow MSC were seeded into Gelfoam scaffold containing TGF-β1, and transplanted into a surgically created defect of the proximal ovine tibial growth plate. Examination of implants at 5 week post-operatively revealed transplanted autologous MSC failed to form new cartilage structure at the defect site, but contributed to an increase in formation of a dense fibrous tissue. Importantly, the extent of osteogenesis was diminished, and bone bridge formation was not accelerated due to transplantation of MSCs or the gelatin scaffold. The current study represents the first work that has utilised this ovine large animal model to investigate whether autologous bone marrow derived MSC can be used to initiate regeneration at the injured growth plate.
The initial meadows
Authors: Bethke Inge , Rodenburg Piet
Published: July 2010

Ameadowis a commutative ring with an inverse operator satisfying 0−1= 0. We determine the initial algebra of the meadows of characteristic 0 and prove a normal form theorem for it. As an immediate consequence we obtain the decidability of the closed term problem for meadows and the computability of their initial object.
A characterization of the 0-basis homogeneous bounding degrees
Authors: Lange Karen
Published: July 2010

We say a countable model has a 0-basis if the types realized in are uniformly computable. We say has a (d-)decidable copy if there exists a model ≅ such that the elementary diagram of is (d-)computable. Goncharov, Millar, and Peretyat'kin independently showed there exists a homogeneous model with a 0-basis but no decidable copy. We extend this result here. Let d ≤ 0′ be any low2 degree. We show that there exists a homogeneous model with a 0-basis but no d-decidable copy. A degree d is 0-basis homogeneous bounding if any homogenous with a 0-basis has a d-decidable copy. In previous work, we showed that the non low2 Δ20 degrees are 0-basis homogeneous bounding. The result of this paper shows that this is an exact characterization of the 0-basis homogeneous bounding Δ20 degrees.
Stability and stable groups in continuous logic
Authors: Ben Yaacov Itaï
Published: July 2010

We develop several aspects of local and global stability in continuous first order logic. In particular, we study type-definable groups and genericity.
Spirituality and Well-Being Among Persons with Diabetes and Other Chronic Disabling Conditions: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Harris Susie T , Wong Daniel , Musick David
Published: July 2010

This paper examines the theoretical literature on the influence of spirituality on general health and relevance to patient care. The literature suggests that the recognition of spirituality as the basis of meaning in life can lead to fruitful insights for the care and support of many patients who suffer from a variety of health conditions.
Labor markets as a transmission channel from growth to poverty reduction: Evidence from Vietnam and Burkina Faso, 1993-2003
Authors: Bernab Sabine , Krstic Gorana
Published: July 2010

Employment is widely perceived as being amongst the most important channels for translating growth into poverty reduction. This paper focuses on two countries, Burkina Faso and Vietnam, with very distinct patterns of growth and poverty reduction between 1993-2003. We use household survey data to examine how employment transmitted growth to the poor in these two countries and find that there are two important factors that maximize the effectiveness of this transmission channel: (1) an increase in labor productivity that is (a) broad based and (b) concentrated in sectors where the poor are disproportionately employed or to which they have access, and (2) strong (domestic and foreign) demand for the goods and services produced by the poor, and access to these markets.
The development of the system for termining the pro­duction of wooden chairs
Authors: Cvetkovic Slavica
Published: July 2010

This paper establishes the system for termining the production of wooden chairs which is the consisting part of the system for production planning. It particularly discusses the termination of the production according to the structural components of the product in thermic units. It defines the simulation programme for the solution of the problem, which is projected in the way that it provides a continuous realization of the logistic chain from the moment of the purchase of repromaterial, through the realization of the working errand in the workshop, to the delivery of the product to the buyer. The simulation experiment starts with the assumption that the necessary repromaterial is opportunely accessible in the entrance storehouse. The programme, which is managed by the automatically calculated priorities of the working errands, completely describes what happens in the workshop.
Consistent force field for metalloporphyrins
Authors: Andjelkovic Ljubica , Grubisic Sonja , Djordjevic Ivana , Zlatar Matija , Niketic Svetozar , Gruden-Pavlovic Maja
Published: July 2010

Molecular mechanics (MM) calculations to analyze the puckering of metalloporphyrins isolated and adsorpted on a graphite layer (0001) as a function of metal ion size and the peripheral substitution are presented. The Consistent Force Field (CFF) program was used with new parameters for metalloporphyrins, which included an out-of-plane bending function. Normal-coordinate Structural Decomposition (NSD) analysis was performed on the equilibrium structures obtained by MM calculations. The conformers were also stereochemically characterized and compared with available experimental data and with conformers obtained in a previous MM study.
CO2 reduction options in cement industry: The Novi Popovac case
Authors: Stefanovic Gordana , Vuckovic Goran , Stojiljkovic Mirko , Trifunovic Milan
Published: July 2010

The cement industry contributes about 5% to global anthropogenic CO2 emissions, and is thus an important sector in CO2-emission mitigation strategies. Carbon dioxide is emitted from the calcination process of limestone, from combustion of fuels in the kiln, and from the coal combustion during power generation. Strategies to reduce these CO2 emissions include energy efficiency improvement, new processes, shift to low carbon fuels or waste fuels in cement production, increased use of additives in cement production, alternative cements, and CO2 removal from flue gases in clinker kilns. Increased use of fly ash as an additive to cement and concrete has a number of advantages, the primary being reduction of costs of fly ash disposal, resource conservation, and cost reduction of the product. Since the production of cement requires a large amount of energy (about 2.9-3.2 GJt-1), the substitution of cement by fly ash saves not only energy but also reduces the associated greenhouse gas emissions. The paper evaluates the reduction of CO2 emissions that can be achieved by these mitigation strategies, as well as by partial substitution of cement by fly ash. The latter is important because the quality of the produced concrete depends on the physical-chemical properties of the fly ash and thus partial substitution as well as the type of fly ash (e.g., the content of CaO) has an effect not only on energy consumption and emissions, but also on the produced concrete quality.
Assessment of plastic flows and stocks in Serbia using material flow analysis
Authors: Vujic Goran , Jovicic Nebojsa , Babic Milun , Stanisavljevic Nemanja , Batinic Bojan , Pavlovic Aleksandar
Published: July 2010

Material flow analysis (MFA) was used to assess the amounts of plastic materials flows and stocks that are annually produced, consumed, imported, exported, collected, recycled, and disposed in the landfills in Serbia. The analysis revealed that approximatelly 269,000 tons of plastic materials are directly disposed in uncontrolled landfills in Serbia without any preatretment, and that siginificant amounts of these materials have already accumulated in the landfills. The substantial amounts of landfilled plastics represent not only a loss of valuable recourses, but also pose a seriuos treath to the environment and human health, and if the trend of direct plastic landfilling is continued, Serbia will face with grave consecequnces.
Ecumenical Dialogue in Slovakia in the Context of Ecumenism of the Catholic Church
Authors: Slodička Andrej
Published: July 2010

Ecumenical Dialogue in Slovakia in the Context of Ecumenism of the Catholic Church

This contribution describes basic moments of ecumenical dialogue. It desribes short history of ecumenical dialogue from the side of Catholic Church. Main scope is to point on the relationships between Catholic Church and Orthodox church. This contribution decribes prognosis of the ecumenical perspectives in Slovakia in the dogmatic field and how looks practical ecumenism in Slovakia and in general also. In common proclamation with Athenian archbishop Christolodoulos, pope Benedict XVI expressed his desire to travel together along the arduous route of a dialogue in truth with a view to re-establish the full communion of faith.
Perfusion CT scanning and CT angiography in the evaluation of extracranial-intracranial bypass grafts
Authors: Langner Soenke , Fleck Steffen , Seipel Rebecca , Schroeder Henry W. S. , Hosten Norbert , Kirsch Michael
Published: July 2010

Object

Extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass surgery remains an important treatment alternative for patients with occlusive cerebrovascular disease. The aim of the present study was to use perfusion CT and CT angiography (CTA) to evaluate cerebral hemodynamics and bypass patency in patients with occlusive cerebrovascular disease before and after EC-IC bypass surgery.

Methods

Ten patients underwent perfusion CT and CTA before and after bypass surgery. Preoperative and postoperative digital subtraction angiography served as the diagnostic gold standard. An artery bypass was established from the superficial temporal artery to a cortical branch of the middle cerebral artery. Perfusion CT scanning was performed at the level of the basal ganglia. Color-coded perfusion maps of cerebral blood volume, cerebral blood flow, and time to peak were calculated.

Results

Preoperative perfusion CT showed significant prolonged time to peak and reduced cerebral blood flow of the affected hemisphere. Postoperative neurological deterioration did not develop in any patient. Computed tomography angiography provided adequate evaluation of the anastomoses as well as the course and caliber of the bypass and confirmed bypass patency in all patients. Postoperative perfusion CT showed improved cerebral hemodynamics with a return to nearly normal perfusion parameters.

Conclusions

Computed tomography angiography is a noninvasive and reliable tool for evaluating patients with EC-IC bypass. Perfusion CT allows monitoring of hemodynamic changes after bypass surgery. The combination of both modalities enables noninvasive anatomical and functional analysis of superficial temporal artery–middle cerebral artery anastomoses using a single CT protocol. Hemodynamic evaluation of patients with occlusive cerebrovascular disease before and after surgery may improve the prediction of outcome and may help identify patients in whom a bypass procedure can be performed.
Synthesis and Structural Characterisation of 2,4-Bis(5-Aryl-1,3,4-Oxdiazol-2-yl) Pyridine Derivatives
Authors: Wang XiaoQing , Zhao ZhiGang , Liu XingLi , Li WeiJie
Published: July 2010

A convenient synthesis of 2,4-bis (5-aryl-1,3,4-oxdiazol-2-yl) derivatives of pyridine by the POCl3-mediated cyclo-dehydration of a variety of pyridine-2,4-dicarboxylic dihydrazides has been developed. The 20 novel intermediates and target molecules were characterised by IR, 1H NMR, MS and elemental analysis.
One-Pot Three-Component Access to Pyranocyclopentendiones
Authors: Teimouri Mohammad Bagher , Mansouri Farideh
Published: July 2010

An efficient synthesis of dialkyl 2-(alkylamino)-5,6-dioxo-4a,7-diphenyl-4,4a,5,6-tetrahydrocyclopenta[b]pyran-3,4-dicarboxylates from one-pot three-component reaction of the zwitterions generated from dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates and alkyl isocyanides with 3,5-diphenylcyclopentane-1,2,4-trione is described.
TBAF-Catalysed Facile Synthesis of Unsymmetrical Diaryl Thioethers via Mild SNAr Reactions
Authors: Yu Baohua , Zang Xufeng , Yu Xiaochun , Xu Qing
Published: July 2010

By using tetrabutylammonium fluoride as the catalyst, the synthesis of unsymmetrical diaryl thioethers could be easily achieved in high yields via a mild nucleopilic aromatic substitution reaction of aryl fluorides and phenylthiotrimethylsilane.
The Aesthetics of Sky and Space1
Authors: Hepburn Ronald W.
Published: July 2010

How can we best understand our aesthetic appreciation of sky and space? This essay begins by outlining the nature of spatial experience through some examples. Then it examines how our responses can be shaped by art and myth. Here we see how themes, such as ascension, that were current in prehistory and developed religions, can be reappropriated as components of a justifiable aesthetic experience. However, the task of finding defensible aesthetic responses to space as both experience and abstract idea does present paradoxes. For example, how are we to respond to scientific updates about the ever greater vastness of space? The way forward presented here is to endorse, but not with any sense of uniqueness of misplaced grandeur, our freedom to contemplate with due seriousness both the near and the far and our own capacities, such as imagination and love, as also part of the wonder and mystery of the universe.
Contemporary Environmental Aesthetics and the Requirements of Environmentalism
Authors: Carlson Allen
Published: July 2010

Since aesthetic experience is vital for the protection of nature, I address the relationship between environmental aesthetics and environmentalism. I first review two traditional positions, the picturesque approach and formalism. Some environmentalists fault the modes of aesthetic appreciation associated with these views, charging they are anthropocentric, scenery-obsessed, superficial, subjective, and/or morally vacuous. In light of these apparent failings of traditional aesthetics of nature, I suggest five requirements of environmentalism: that aesthetic appreciation of nature should be acentric, environment-focused, serious, objective and morally engaged. I then examine two contemporary positions concerning appropriate aesthetic appreciation of nature, the aesthetics of engagement and scientific cognitivism, assessing each in terms of the requirements of environmentalism.
Future Directions for Environmental Aesthetics
Authors: Saito Yuriko
Published: July 2010

After half a century, environmental aesthetics successfully expanded the scope of modern art-centred Western aesthetic discourse. I argue that further expansion is in order. First, we should explore the aesthetics of the constituents of the environment, namely artefacts, human activities and social relationships, which determine the quality of life and the state of the world. Second, we need to cultivate aesthetic literacy as well as a normative discourse to steer our aesthetic practice toward a better world-making. Finally, environmental aesthetics needs to be globalised to include rich aesthetic traditions of nature and environment from diverse cultures.
From Theoretical to Applied Environmental Aesthetics: Academic Aesthetics Meets Real-World Demands
Authors: Sepänmaa Yrjö
Published: July 2010

I see two important turning points in environmental aesthetics. In a definitive article, ‘Contemporary aesthetics and the neglect of natural beauty’, R.W. Hepburn in 1966 laid out the field and its tasks; Harold Osborne demonstrated the problem of externality and its solution in his 1979 paper ‘An intellectual crisis in aesthetics’. Within this framework, a dynamic and innovative field of research has developed and grown, the future of which lies in the interaction between theory and practice and co-operation between the various parties involved.
Design and Characterization of a High Resolution Microfluidic Heat Flux Sensor with Thermal Modulation
Authors: Nam Sung-Ki , Kim Jung-Kyun , Cho Sung-Cheon , Lee Sun-Kyu
Published: July 2010

A complementary metal-oxide semiconductor-compatible process was used in the design and fabrication of a suspended membrane microfluidic heat flux sensor with a thermopile for the purpose of measuring the heat flow rate. The combination of a thirty-junction gold and nickel thermoelectric sensor with an ultralow noise preamplifier, a low pass filter, and a lock-in amplifier can yield a resolution 20 nW with a sensitivity of 461 V/W. The thermal modulation method is used to eliminate low-frequency noise from the sensor output, and various amounts of fluidic heat were applied to the sensor to investigate its suitability for microfluidic applications. For sensor design and analysis of signal output, a method of modeling and simulating electro-thermal behavior in a microfluidic heat flux sensor with an integrated electronic circuit is presented and validated. The electro-thermal domain model was constructed by using system dynamics, particularly the bond graph. The electro-thermal domain system model in which the thermal and the electrical domains are coupled expresses the heat generation of samples and converts thermal input to electrical output. The proposed electro-thermal domain system model is in good agreement with the measured output voltage response in both the transient and the steady state.
Possible Physical Mechanisms in the Galaxy to Cause Homochiral Biomaterials for Life
Authors: Cline David B.
Published: July 2010

The origin of homochirality in life remains a mystery that some believe is essential for life, and which may result from chiral symmetry breaking interactions with galactic organic material.
Response to Anti-HCV Therapy in HIV–HCV-Coinfected Patients: Does the Lipid Profile Really have an Effect?
Authors: Petit Jean-Michel , Carrat Fabrice , Duong Michel , Halfon Philippe , Duvillard Laurence , Bani-Sadr Firouzé , Chavanet Pascal , Cacoub Patrice , Piroth Lionel
Published: July 2010

Background

Because high serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and total cholesterol concentrations before treatment have been found to be significant positive prognostic factors for a sustained virological response to HCV therapy in monoinfected patients, the aim of this study was to assess this relationship in HIV–HCV-coinfected patients.

Methods

Pretreatment fasting lipid parameters (in particular total cholesterol, LDL, high-density lipoprotein [HDL], apolipoprotein B [apoB] and triglycerides [TG]) were assessed in 315 patients from the French National Agency for Research on AIDS and Viral Hepatitis (ANRS) HC02-Ribavic therapeutic trial.

Results

There was a significant correlation between pretreatment lipid parameters and steatosis (total cholesterol r=-0.23, P<0.0001; LDL r=-0.23, P<0.0001; HDL r=-0.28, P<0.0001; and TG r=0.18, P=0.002), but not with fibrosis. None of these lipid parameters were significant predictors of a sustained virological response to HCV therapy, even after adjustment for the type of interferon treatment and for the main known prognostic factors for a response to HCV therapy.

Conclusions

The possible effect of lipid metabolism on virological response is outweighed by other prognostic factors that affect response to HCV therapy in the ANRS HC02-Ribavic study.
Empathy in the Play of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Authors: Cordier Reinie , Bundy Anita , Hocking Clare , Einfeld Stewart
Published: July 2010

Many children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have serious social and peer difficulties that can lead to adverse outcomes in adolescence and adulthood. Play provides a natural context to explore those interactional problems. This study aimed to examine the similarities and differences in play behavior of children as having ADHD and typically developing children. Participants were children (aged 5 to 11 years) diagnosed as having ADHD ( n = 112) and typically developing peers ( n = 126) who were matched based on age, ethnicity, and gender. The Test of Playfulness (ToP) was used to measure play. Children with ADHD performed similarly to typically developing peers on ToP items that related most directly to the primary symptoms of ADHD but scored significantly lower on several ToP social items; however, they also scored higher on one difficult social item and no differently on two others, suggesting that the problems may be developmentally inappropriate lack of empathy rather than simply poor social skills.
“Los tónicos de la voluntad”: Sobre la regeneración y la revitalización de las naciones
Authors: Fernandez McClintock James W.
Published: July 2010

El proceder por el camino de la vida necesita de una cierta voluntad de participar socialmente con los demás y tomar parte activa en proyectos comunes; al menos en proyectos que lleven hacia un futuro mejor. Pero la voluntad no es una constante y, frecuentemente, el ánimo se afloja y el camino se pierde. La “riqueza de las naciones” —que decía Adam Smith— suponemos que es consecuencia de la realización y el éxito de los proyectos de esas naciones, de lo que se sigue lógicamente que tales proyectos dependen del ánimo y la voluntad de los ciudadanos que participan en ellos. En ese proceso, cuestiones de identidad pueden llegar a ser preocupantes y, como respuesta, tanto las personas como la sociedad de la que forman parte buscan “revitalizarse”. La “revitalización” es todo un concepto en la antropología estadounidense, aplicado sobre todo al estudio de sociedades y culturas colonizadas. Pero recuerda mucho la centenaria preocupación en España por la “regeneración” de la nación y la obra resultante del “regeneracionismo”. El significado de ambos conceptos —“revitalización” y “regeneración”— y los movimientos asociados a uno u otro van estrechamente vinculados al contexto político, social y personal al que tales movimientos pertenecen.
Redescubriendo la Gran Chichimeca: Revalorización regional y antropología social en la recuperación de una pluralidad étnica mexicana
Authors: Tomé Pedro
Published: July 2010

Durante siglos el término “chichimeca” ha sido utilizado por los mexicanos como sinónimo de “bárbaro” o “salvaje”. Sin embargo, en las últimas décadas una profundización en el conocimiento de los grupos chichimecas —a la que no ha sido ajena una re-valorización política de las regiones en México— ha propiciado una nueva reconstrucción de la memoria de la conquista española que, en parte, ofrece una visión distinta de estos grupos humanos. En un grado no previsto, la antropología social —y, en particular, el “Seminario Permanente de Estudios de la Gran Chichimeca” (SPECH), en el que diferentes disciplinas académicas dialogan sobre un mismo tema y un mismo territorio— está contribuyendo a la misma revisión, con el resultado convergente de sacar a los pueblos chichimecas del ostracismo al que la historia oficial en México los había confinado, mientras se genera, entre otros habitantes de esa parte del país, un cierto orgullo de ser del mismo lugar que ellos.
Medios nuevos de comunicación y disidencia política en Egipto
Authors: Hirschkind Charles
Published: July 2010

El autor explora algunos de los modos como Internet, en particular el escribir y publicar en un blog, ha abierto nuevas posibilidades políticas en Egipto. El estudio revela que los blogueros políticos en este país (que incluye tanto a islamistas como a laicistas) han creado nuevas formas de lenguaje y nuevos estilos de vídeo con los que vertebrar un espacio de vida política al que se refieren como “la calle”. Los blogueros egipcios hacen visibles y motivo de debate público acciones violentas del Estado que otros medios informativos no pueden divulgar con la misma facilidad. El autor se detiene especialmente en el modo como los blogueros políticos más sobresalientes del país recurren y adaptan las tradiciones relativas a la sonoridad de la lengua árabe y a la conexión que existe en ella entre las formas habladas y las escritas. Asimismo, examina el modo como estas prácticas lingüisticas guardan una similitud visual y oral con las grabaciones de vídeo, de baja resolución, que se hacen con teléfonos móviles y que aparecen después en los blogs políticos. Todas estas nuevas prácticas revelan formas emergentes de acción política y de disidencia en el Egipto actual.
Soluble and Transmembrane TNF-Like Weak Inducer of Apoptosis Differentially Activate the Classical and Noncanonical NF-κB Pathway
Authors: Roos Claudia , Wicovsky Andreas , Müller Nicole , Salzmann Steffen , Rosenthal Tina , Kalthoff Holger , Trauzold Anna , Seher Axel , Henkler Frank , Kneitz Christian , Wajant Harald
Published: July 2010

TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis, TWEAK, is a typical member of the TNF ligand family. Thus, it is initially expressed as a type II transmembrane protein from which a soluble variant can be released by proteolytic processing. In this study, we show that membrane TWEAK is superior to soluble variant of TWEAK (sTWEAK) with respect to the activation of the classical NF-κB pathway, whereas both TWEAK variants are potent inducers of TNFR-associated factor-2 depletion, NF-κB–inducing kinase accumulation and p100 processing, hallmarks of activation of the noncanonical NF-κB pathway. Like other soluble TNF ligands with a poor capability to activate their corresponding receptor, sTWEAK acquires an activity resembling those of the transmembrane ligand by oligomerization or cell surface-immobilization. Blockade of the Fn14 receptor inhibited NF-κB signaling irrespective of the TWEAK form used for stimulation, indicating that the differential activities of the two TWEAK variants on classical and noncanonical NF-κB signaling is not related to the use of different receptors.
PET-CT in oncology
Authors: Purandare NC , Rangarajan V
Published: July 2010

Diagnostic imaging plays a pivotal role in cancer management. Imaging has made rapid strides in the past few years with new modalities and new indications getting added all the time. Molecular and metabolic imaging with 18F Flurodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (FDG PET) and other non-FDG isotopes have revolutionized oncologic imaging and changed our approach towards cancer diagnosis, staging and imaging surveillance. The evidence for the use of FDG PET is mounting every day with newer indications getting added to the literature. The main focus of our discussion will be to understand the basic principles of FDG PET imaging and to study a few of its clinical applications in oncology.
Posaconazole
Authors: Bhattacharya M , Rajeshwari K , Dhingra B
Published: July 2010

Posaconazole is a novel second-generation Triazole oral antifungal agent. It is highly effective in the prophylaxis of invasive fungal infections in immunocompromised patients. It is used as a first-line agent as well as for salvage therapy in invasive fungal infections including aspergillosis, oropharyngeal and esophageal candidiasis. It has a good adverse effect profile. With the rising incidence of invasive fungal infections due to the HIV pandemic and medical advancements in transplantation and cancer therapy, these features make posaconazole a valuable addition in the family of antifungal agents.
Genitourinary imaging
Authors: O′ Donoghue PM , McSweeney SE , Jhaveri K
Published: July 2010

This review discusses the current and emerging techniques in urinary tract imaging. Recent technical advances and novel discoveries make this an exciting but challenging time for urinary tract imaging. The first section describes the imaging of the adrenal gland which has made great strides in the last decade, the current major adrenal imaging modalities as well as new applications are discussed with particular attention to the role of imaging in the incidentally detected adrenal lesion. In the second section the role of ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) in evaluation of the renal tract are discussed with the new technical advances leading to earlier detection and characterization of renal lesions. Complementary to this is the emerging role of CT and MR urography in assessment of the urinary tract and bladder in contrast to the demise of plain film studies/intravenous urography. The role of CT angiography in assessment of the renal vasculature is also discussed. The third section discusses the role of prostate imaging in the diagnosis, staging and management of prostate cancer. Transrectal ultrasonography, can be used to guide biopsy, CT is frequently used in staging, with bone scintigraphy and positron emission tomography having roles in advanced disease. Currently, all imaging modalities, especially MR are evolving to improve disease detection and staging. The final section discusses the recently encountered adverse reaction of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis in patients post gadolinium-enhanced MRI and how to help prevent this adverse reaction.