bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of nano-TiO2 addition on the properties of mullite-zirconia composites prepared by slip casting
Authors: Badiee S.H. , Otroj S. , Rahmani M.
Published: December 2012

The mullite-zirconia composites were prepared by reaction-sintering of
alumina and zircon powder. Besides, the slip casting method was employed for
fabrication of these composites. Then, the effect of nano-TiO2 addition on
the properties of these composites was investigated and the results were
compared with micro-sized TiO2. Hence, the physical properties, phase
composition, flexural strength and microstructure of these composites after
firing at 1600?C were studied. The results showed that the flexural strength
of composite tends to increase with the addition of 0.5 wt.% nano-TiO2. It is
attributed to the formation of larger size rod-like ZrO2 and enhanced ceramic
bonding between them.
Parenting the ‘Millennium Child’: Choice, Responsibility and Playing it Safe in Uncertain Times
Authors: Barr Jenny , De Souza Marian , Harrison Cathie , Hyde Brendan , Van Vliet Helen , Saltmarsh Sue
Published: December 2012

This article considers a range of issues confronting parents of children growing up in the new millennium. The authors frame their discussion with concerns raised by scholars in a diverse range of fields that notions of risk, uncertainty and anxiety play a critical role in what parents today understand as comprising their parental responsibilities. A review of literature in the areas of education, media and technology, health and well-being, and family and work leads the authors to argue that parenting in the new millennium is broadly constituted within normalising discourses of consumer choice, individual responsibility and risk management strategies that combine innovation, entrepreneurialism and embracing challenges, on the one hand, with ‘playing it safe’ and protecting perceived childhood vulnerabilities, on the other. Here, the authors read the persistence in the media and popular culture of nostalgic appeals to childhood innocence as being under intensified threat as a technique of governmentality, through which a population governs itself. However, the authors also consider how the research literature highlights complexities and ambiguities associated with rapid technological and social changes, and the impact of these on contemporary parenting practices. The authors conclude that the seeming discursive dichotomies of parenting that embraces and confronts change, while simultaneously preventing and ameliorating risks both real and imagined, make parenting the ‘millennium child’ a complicated and contradictory task.
Recuperating Democratic Spaces in an Age of Militarisation and a ‘New Fascism’
Authors: Mayo Peter
Published: December 2012

This essay provides a comprehensive overview of Henry Giroux's contribution over the years to critical thinking in education and beyond. It focuses primarily on Giroux's recent works concerning the changing nature of the State (from the social to the carceral and neoliberal state), the war against youth and children, the culture of militarisation, torture, the emergence of a ‘new fascism’, the corporatisation of schools and higher education and the need for intellectuals to extend their work beyond the confines of academia to engage as public intellectuals, as well as the roles of critical pedagogy and cultural studies in this regard. The article draws on a range of writings, including both academic and more ‘public’ writings from such outlets as Truthout and Counterpunch. While much of what is written presents a bleak picture of the current international socio-economic scenario, Giroux's work is infused with a sense of hope and agency. It is inspired by a view of a world not as it is now but as it can and should be.
Do Donors Discount Low-Quality Accounting Information?
Authors: Yetman Michelle H. , Yetman Robert J.
Published: December 2012

Prior research finds that donors reward nonprofits that report larger program ratios with more donations and that program ratios frequently are subject to intentional manipulation as well as unintentional errors. We examine how donors react to low-quality ratios. We find that the average donor discounts ratios that are inflated by only the simplest and most observable of methods. We then examine the effect of financial data availability on the average donor's ability to unravel inflated ratios by using the historical shift in data availability that occurred in 1997 and 1998. We find that donors began to discount ratios only after 1998. Finally, we examine whether the discount applied to program ratios varies across donor sophistication (measured as the percentage of fund balances with restrictions) and find that sophisticated donors apply incrementally larger discounts to inflated ratios and discount ratios that are inflated by more complex methods.

JEL Classifications: G1; G18; G3; G38; L3; L30; L31; M4; M41; M43; M48

Data Availability: The data are available from public sources identified in this study.
The cryosphere and glacial permafrost as its integral component
Authors: Dobiński Wojciech
Published: December 2012

Since Earth sciences have undertaken studies of other celestial bodies, its various fields have moved beyond the scope of study assigned to them by name. Interest in space makes it necessary to abandon research geocentrism and reverse relations when comparing the structure of the Earth with other celestial bodies. As an exceptional place in the universe, it should not be the Earth which constitutes a reference point, especially in cryospheric research, but rather the other celestial bodies of our planetary system. This approach, referred to as “Spatial Uniformitarianism,” is the basis for determining the place of ice in the environment and for assigning it to the lithosphere. Ice can be penetrated by frost just as other minerals and rocks, so the occurrence of permafrost may yet be attributed to glaciers and ice-caps. In the article, the occurrence of glacial permafrost has been worked out on the basis of a thermal classification of glaciers with a thorough understanding of the phenomenon. This allows us to specify permafrost’s presence beneath glaciers and ice-caps, a concept which had been needlessly vague. Further, by considering rock glaciers as a mixture of two types of rocks, and by understanding the importance of movement in their evolution, we are now closer to fruitfully determining their role in the environment, their geomorphological significance.
Metallic mineral resources of Greece
Authors: Tsirambides Ananias , Filippidis Anestis
Published: December 2012

Today Greece produces and exports raw bauxite and alumina, concentrates of galena and sphalerite and ferronickel. The indicated reserves of bauxite, located in the Mt Helikon-Mt Parnassus-Mt Giona-Mt Iti zone, are estimated at approximately 100 mt and those of aluminum 2.5 mt. The probable and indicated reserves of lead and zinc from Chalkidiki are approximately 3.125 mt. The total production of concentrates of galena and sphalerite is approximately 220,000 tpa. The proven reserves of nickel are approximately 1.392 mt and the production of ferronickel is approximately 18,500 tpa. Production of copper, silver and gold is pending in 2015. The probable and indicated reserves of copper from Skouries Chalkidiki are approximately 1.943 mt. In the Prefecture Units of Chalkidiki and Evros the probable and indicated reserves of gold are approximately 19.37 million ounces and those of silver 131.6 million ounces. Chromium, manganese and molybdenum present good prospects of exploitation. Calculated at current prices, the total gross value of the probable and indicated reserves of the metallic minerals of Greece is €79.4 billion.
Does Socioeconomic Diversity Make a Difference? Examining the Effects of Racial and Socioeconomic Diversity on the Campus Climate for Diversity
Authors: Park Julie J. , Denson Nida , Bowman Nicholas A.
Published: December 2012

This article considers whether the socioeconomic diversity of the undergraduate student body and experiences with cross-class interaction (CCI) are significantly related to cross-racial interaction (CRI) and engagement with curricular/co-curricular diversity (CCD) activities. Individual students who reported higher levels of CCI had significantly higher levels of CRI and CCD. While the socioeconomic diversity of the student body had no direct effect on student involvement in CCD activities or CRI, it had an indirect effect on these activities via CCI. In other words, a socioeconomically diverse institution is associated with more frequent interactions across class lines, which is associated both with more frequent interactions across race and greater involvement in CCD activities. Findings indicate that both socioeconomic and racial diversity are essential to promoting a positive campus racial climate and that racial and socioeconomic diversity, while interrelated, are not interchangeable. Implications for the campus climate for diversity are discussed.
Transmantle sign in focal cortical dysplasia: a unique radiological entity with excellent prognosis for seizure control
Authors: Wang Doris D. , Deans Abby E. , Barkovich A. James , Tihan Tarik , Barbaro Nicholas M. , Garcia Paul A. , Chang Edward F.
Published: December 2012

Object

Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) represents a spectrum of developmental cortical abnormalities and is one of the most common causes of intractable epilepsy in children and young adults. Outcomes after surgery for FCD are highly variable, and prognosticators of seizure freedom are unclear. In a subset of FCDs, a transmantle sign is observed on imaging that focally spans the entire cerebral mantle from the ventricle to the cortical surface. The aim of this study was to characterize seizure control outcomes and prognostic significance of the transmantle sign in FCD epilepsy.

Methods

Fourteen patients with the transmantle sign underwent epilepsy surgery for medically refractory epilepsy. Thirteen patients underwent resective surgery and 1 underwent multiple subpial transections with vagus nerve stimulator placement. Patient demographics, MRI, electroencephalography, intraoperative electrocorticography (ECoG), and pathology were reviewed. The results of this series were compared with those of 114 previously reported patients with FCD without the transmantle sign.

Results

All patients were found to have childhood seizure onset and concordant MRI and ECoG findings. The primary MRI findings associated with transmantle sign included gray-white junction blurring, appearance of cortical thickening, T2 or FLAIR abnormality, and bottom-of-the-sulcus dysplasia. The transmantle sign was usually a focal finding, typically confined to 1 or several gyri with well-circumscribed epileptic tissue. Correlation of the transmantle sign with FCD histopathological subtypes was highly variable. Patients who underwent complete resection of MRI and ECoG abnormalities (12 of 13 patients) became seizure free. When compared with 114 FCD patients without the transmantle sign, patients with the transmantle sign showed significantly improved seizure-free outcomes after complete resections (p = 0.04).

Conclusions

The presence of the transmantle sign in patients with medically refractory partial epilepsy is associated with highly favorable seizure control outcomes after surgical treatment.
Seizure outcome of surgical treatment of focal epilepsy associated with low-grade tumors in children
Authors: Babini Micol , Giulioni Marco , Galassi Ercole , Marucci Gianluca , Martinoni Matteo , Rubboli Guido , Volpi Lilia , Zucchelli Mino , Nicolini Francesca , Marliani Anna Federica , Michelucci Roberto , Calbucci Fabio
Published: December 2012

Object

Low-grade tumor (LGT) is an increasingly recognized cause of focal epilepsies, particularly in children and young adults, and is frequently associated with cortical dysplasia. The optimal surgical treatment of epileptogenic LGTs in pediatric patients has not been fully established.

Methods

In the present study, the authors retrospectively reviewed 30 patients (age range 3–18 years) who underwent surgery for histopathologically confirmed LGTs, in which seizures were the only clinical manifestation. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the type of surgical treatment: patients in Group A (20 cases) underwent only tumor removal (lesionectomy), whereas patients in Group B (11 cases) underwent removal of the tumor and the adjacent epileptogenic zone (tailored surgery). One of the patients, who underwent 2 operations, is included in both groups. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 17 years.

Results

Sixteen (80%) of 20 patients in Group A had an Engel Class I outcome. In this group, 3 of 4 patients who were in Engel Classes II and III had temporomesial lesions. All patients in Group B had temporomesial tumors and were seizure free (Engel Class I). In this series, in temporolateral and extratemporal tumor locations, lesionectomy yielded a good seizure outcome. In addition, a young age at seizure onset (in particular < 4 years) was associated with a poor seizure outcome.

Conclusions

Tailored resection in temporomesial LGTs was associated with excellent seizure outcome, indicating that an adequate presurgical evaluation including extensive neurophysiological evaluation (long-term videoelectroencephalography monitoring) to plan appropriate surgical strategy is advised.
Theories of cerebrospinal fluid dynamics and hydrocephalus: historical trend
Authors: Symss Nigel Peter , Oi Shizuo
Published: December 2012

According to the CSF bulk flow theory, hydrocephalus is caused by an imbalance between CSF formation and absorption, or a block at various locations in the major CSF pathway. New theories, however, have been proposed in which minor CSF pathways may play a significant role in the development of congenital hydrocephalus. The authors review major contributions to the literature and analyze the evolution of theories of CSF dynamics in relation to hydrocephalus, dividing their development into 4 stages on the basis of historical trends.

In Stage I (prior to 1950), 2 systems of classifying hydrocephalus were proposed, namely Dandy's classifications of communicating and noncommunicating hydrocephalus and Russell's nonobstructive and obstructive hydrocephalus. In Stage II (1950–1974), based on these theories of major CSF pathway dynamics, treatment focused on ventriculostomy as an alternative to reduction of CSF production by choroid plexus coagulation. In Stage III (1975–1999), some of the specific forms of hydrocephalus, especially in premature infants, were found to be unsuitable for ventriculostomy. In Stage IV (2000–2008), selection of treatment modalities evolved further, with a focus on analysis of the chronological changes in CSF dynamics and the differences in absorption pathways in the developing and mature brains. The authors focus on “minor pathway hydrocephalus” in the immature brain, differentiating it from the conventional classification of obstructive and nonobstructive “major pathway hydrocephalus.”
Studies on the Biodiversity of Aseptate Gregarine Parasite From the Oligochaete Host of Bangladesh
Authors: Sarkar Sutapa , Bandyopadhyay Probir K
Published: December 2012

Biodiversity studies in search of endoparasitic acephaline gregarines of the earthworms of Dhaka, Bangladesh, revealed a new species under the genus Nematocystis Hesse, 1909. The species was obtained from the seminal vesicles of the earthworm Metaphire peguana Rasa, 1890. It is a perfectly ribbon like organism, solitary, cylindrical, with several bulges and foldings in the middle portion of the body, especially in mature forms. Mature gamont measures 1955.85-1989.0 (1970.215 ± 13.830) ?m in length and 48.62-53.04 (51.714 ± 2.135) ?m in width. Nucleus small and rounded, measures 26.52-33.15 (29.835 ± 2.992) ?m in length and 17.68-22.01 (19.448 ± 2.282) ?m in width. Gametocysts spherical with two approximately equal sized gametocytes. It measures 110.05- 121.55 (116.24 ± 4.908) ?m in length and 88.04-99.45 (93.925 ± 5.823) ?m in  width. Oocysts biconical, measuring 22.1-30.94 (26.962 ± 3.870) ?m × 11.05- 15.47 (13.26 ± 2.08) ?m. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjz.v40i1.12894 Bangladesh J. Zool. 40(1): 51-58, 2012
Toxicological Properties of Achras Zapota (Linn) Plant Parts on the Predatory Fishes Heteropneustes Fossilis (Bloch) and Channa Punctatus (Bloch)
Authors: Nasiruddin Munira , Azadi Mohammad Ali , Chakma Diana
Published: December 2012

Toxicological properties of the indigeneous plant Achras zapota (Linn) (Family: Sapotaceae) (locally known as 'Safeda' in Bangla) were assessed on two  predatory fishes, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) and Channa punctatus (Bloch), after  24 h exposure under normal laboratory conditions (25 ± 3ºC). Distilled water, 50% and absolute ethyl alcohol solvent extrarcts of the dry seed, leaf, bark and root of A. zapota were tested upon the fishes. Exposed fishes showed hyperactivity with increased opercular movement and accumulation of mucus on the body surface. Increase in the concentration of the extracts caused an increase in the fish mortality. The LC50 values of the distilled water, 50% ethyl alcohol and absolute ethyl alcohol extracts of A.  zapota plant parts for H. fossilis were 320.80, 222.26, 98.49 ppms, respectively in seed; 480.91, 279.37, 235.76 ppms, respectively in leaf; 630.86, 151.39, 85.21 ppms, respectively in bark and 218.12, 122.89, 111.62 ppms, respectively in root. Whereas, the LC50 values of the corresponding plant parts for C. punctatus were 218.12, 146.84, 88.83 ppms, respectively in seed; 279.35, 175.89, 125.69 ppms, respectively in leaf; 132.36, 102.91, 78.11 ppms, respectively in bark and 63.87, 39.46, 33.27 ppms, respectively in root. On the basis of the LC50 values of absolute ethyl alcohol extracts, for H. fossilis, the order of toxicity was found to be: bark > seed > root > leaf and for C. punctatus it was: root > bark > seed > leaf. Of the two test fishes H. fossilis was more tolerant and less sensitive to the effects of the plant part extracts than C. punctatus. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjz.v40i1.12900 Bangladesh J. Zool. 40(1): 109-119, 2012
Feeding Ecology Of Chironomus Larvae (Insecta: Diptera) Collected From Different Habitat of Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Naser M Niamul , Roy Dulon
Published: December 2012

Chironomid larvae are frequently available in the muddy habitats of Curzon Hall campus of University of Dhaka. The larvae of single species of  Chironomus (Insecta: Diptera) were collected from the drains and pond of the campus. Algae, fungi, diatoms, protozoans, rotifers, animal parts (crustacean appendages, ostracodan shell, insect appendages), and detritus were found as the  main food items of the larvae. Gut content analysis showed a change in their  feeding habits with seasons. The feeding intensity was maximum in spring just after winter. The feeding activity was lowest in winter. The variation in the diet  may suggest that these groups showed a low degree of selectivity, having more  generalist food selection habit. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjz.v40i1.12902 Bangladesh J. Zool. 40(1): 129-133, 2012
One size doesn’t fit all
Authors: Hicks Diana
Published: December 2012

Not Available.
Ash Deposition in Biomass Combustion or Co-Firing for Power/Heat Generation
Authors: Shao Yuanyuan , Wang Jinsheng , Preto Fernando , Zhu Jesse , Xu Chunbao
Published: December 2012

This paper presents a concise overview of ash deposition in combustion or co-firing of biomass (woody biomass, agricultural residues, peat, etc.) with other fuels for power/heat generation. In this article, the following five research aspects on biomass combustion ash deposition are reviewed and discussed: influence of biomass fuel characteristics, deposit-related challenges, ash deposition monitoring and analysis of ash deposits, mechanisms and chemistry of fly ash deposition, and key technologies for reducing ash deposition and corrosion in biomass-involved combustion.
The Consequences of Human Behavior
Authors: Hodgson Derek
Published: December 2012

Human behavior is founded on a complex interaction of influences that derive from sources both extraneous and intrinsic to the brain. It is the ways these various influences worked together in the past to fashion modern human cognition that can help elucidate the probable course of future human endeavor. A particular concern of this chapter is the way cognition has been shaped and continues to depend on prevailing environmental and ecological conditions. Whether the human predicament can be regarded simply as another response to such conditions similar to that of other organisms or something special will also be addressed. More specifically, it will be shown that, although the highly artificial niche in which most humans now live has had profound effects on ways of thinking, constraints deriving from a shared evolutionary heritage continue to have substantial effects on behavior. The way these exigencies interact will be explored in order to understand the implications for the future wellbeing of humanity.
Hepatitis A Virus Infection and the Waste Handling Industry: A Seroprevalence Study
Authors: Rachiotis George , Papagiannis Dimitrios , Thanasias Efthimios , Dounias George , Hadjichristodoulou Christos
Published: December 2012

Waste collectors have a theoretical risk of Hepatitis A virus infection. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis A virus infection (HAV) among municipal solid waste workers (MSWWs) in a municipality of central Greece. A seroprevalence study of HAV was conducted among 208 employees (100 waste collectors and 108 municipal gardeners) of a municipality in central Greece. Total antibodies against HAV were measured and information regarding potential risk factors was collected through a face to face interview. The prevalence of HAV infection among the municipal waste collectors was 61% vs. 27% among municipal gardeners. Logistic regression analysis showed that exposure to waste (OR = 2.87; 95% CI = 1.24–6.62) and age (OR = 22.57; 95% CI = 7.29–69.88) were independently associated with the anti-HAV positivity. Moreover, waste collectors who reported smoking/drinking/eating during waste collection were at higher risk of HAV infection (RR = 2.84; 95% CI = 1.73–4.63). Stratified analysis among municipal waste collectors indicated an independent association between eating/smoking/ drinking during waste collection and anti-HAV (+) (OR = 3.85; 95% CI = 1.34–11.06). Occupational exposure to waste is a potential risk factor for HAV infection. Smoking/eating/drinking during waste collection could be the mode of hepatitis A virus transmission among municipal waste collectors.
The Role of Dicer in DNA Damage Repair
Authors: Tang Kai-Fu , Ren Hong
Published: December 2012

Dicer is the key component of the RNA interference pathway. Our group and others have reported that knockdown or knockout of Dicer leads to DNA damage in mammalian cells. Two groups recently showed that efficiency of DNA damage repair was greatly reduced in Dicer-deficient cells and that Dicer-dependent small RNAs (~21 nucleotides) produced from the sequences in the vicinity of DNA double-strand break sites were essential for DNA damage repair. Moreover, accumulating data have suggested that miroRNAs play pivotal roles in DNA damage repair. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms by which loss of Dicer leads to DNA damage, as well as the role of Dicer in tumorigenesis.
Actinopyga lecanora Hydrolysates as Natural Antibacterial Agents
Authors: Ghanbari Raheleh , Ebrahimpour Afshin , Abdul-Hamid Azizah , Ismail Amin , Saari Nazamid
Published: December 2012

Actinopyga lecanora, a type of sea cucumber commonly known as stone fish with relatively high protein content, was explored as raw material for bioactive peptides production. Six proteolytic enzymes, namely alcalase, papain, pepsin, trypsin, bromelain and flavourzyme were used to hydrolyze A. lecanora at different times and their respective degrees of hydrolysis (DH) were calculated. Subsequently, antibacterial activity of the A. lecanora hydrolysates, against some common pathogenic Gram positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Pseudomonas sp.) were evaluated. Papain hydrolysis showed the highest DH value (89.44%), followed by alcalase hydrolysis (83.35%). Bromelain hydrolysate after one and seven hours of hydrolysis exhibited the highest antibacterial activities against Pseudomonas sp., P. aeruginosa and E. coli at 51.85%, 30.07% and 30.45%, respectively compared to the other hydrolysates. Protein hydrolysate generated by papain after 8 h hydrolysis showed maximum antibacterial activity against S. aureus at 20.19%. The potent hydrolysates were further fractionated using RP-HPLC and antibacterial activity of the collected fractions from each hydrolysate were evaluated, wherein among them only three fractions from the bromelain hydrolysates exhibited inhibitory activities against Pseudomonas sp., P. aeruginosa and E. coli at 24%, 25.5% and 27.1%, respectively and one fraction of papain hydrolysate showed antibacterial activity of 33.1% against S. aureus. The evaluation of the relationship between DH and antibacterial activities of papain and bromelain hydrolysates revealed a meaningful correlation of four and six order functions.
Organic and Inorganic Dyes in Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Films
Authors: Ball Vincent
Published: December 2012

Polyelectrolyte multilayer films are a versatile functionalization method of surfaces and rely on the alternated adsorption of oppositely charged species. Among such species, charged dyes can also be alternated with oppositely charged polymers, which is challenging from a fundamental point of view, because polyelectrolytes require a minimal number of charges, whereas even monovalent dyes can be incorporated during the alternated adsorption process. We will not only focus on organic dyes but also on their inorganic counterparts and on metal complexes. Such films offer plenty of possible applications in dye sensitized solar cells. In addition, dyes are massively used in the textile industry and in histology to stain textile fibers or tissues. However, the excess of non bound dyes poses serious environmental problems. It is hence of the highest interest to design materials able to adsorb such dyes in an almost irreversible manner. Polyelectrolyte multilayer films, owing to their ion exchange behavior can be useful for such a task allowing for impressive overconcentration of dyes with respect to the dye in solution. The actual state of knowledge of the interactions between charged dyes and adsorbed polyelectrolytes is the focus of this review article.
Synthesis and Antiviral Activity of Conformational Analogues of Leucamide A
Authors: Wang Wen-Long , Chen Hai-Jun , Ma Wei-Ping , Gu Min , Fan Min-Zhi , Li Jing-Ya , Feng Bainian , Nan Fa-Jun
Published: December 2012

In order to study the effect of heterocyclic core conformational state of leucamide A on its anti-influenza virus A activity, five conformational analogues were prepared by replacing the Pro-Leu dipeptide in the molecule with various amino acids. The amino acids used were of 2 to 6 carbons. The results showed that these replacements not only changed the conformational relationship between the 4,2-bisheterocycle tandem pair and the third heterocycle, but also had dramatic effect on its activity against influenza virus A.
Parenteral Nutrition Additive Shortages: The Short-Term, Long-Term and Potential Epigenetic Implications in Premature and Hospitalized Infants
Authors: Hanson Corrine , Thoene Melissa , Wagner Julie , Collier Dean , Lecci Kassandra , Anderson-Berry Ann
Published: December 2012

Nutrition support practitioners are currently dealing with shortages of parenteral nutrition micronutrients, including multivitamins (MVI), selenium and zinc. A recent survey from the American Society of Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition (ASPEN) indicates that this shortage is having a profound effect on clinical practice. A majority of respondents reported taking some aggressive measures to ration existing supplies. Most premature infants and many infants with congenital anomalies are dependent on parenteral nutrition for the first weeks of life to meet nutritional needs. Because of fragile health and poor reserves, they are uniquely susceptible to this problem. It should be understood that shortages and rationing have been associated with adverse outcomes, such as lactic acidosis and Wernicke encephalopathy from thiamine deficiency or pulmonary and skeletal development concerns related to inadequate stores of Vitamin A and D. In this review, we will discuss the current parenteral shortages and the possible impact on a population of very low birth weight infants. This review will also present a case study of a neonate who was impacted by these current shortages.
Abelard: Celebrity and Charisma—A Response to Dickson
Authors: Clanchy Michael
Published: December 2012

One might think that Peter Abelard (1079?–1144?) would be the best example of a medieval charismatic teacher. But his rival and prosecutor St Bernard of Clairvaux (1090?–1153) fits the criteria rather better. Unlike Bernard, Abelard denied that he had sought out disciples. Nevertheless, he can be shown to have had student followers, even though some of them repudiated him. Abelard is most important as a public intellectual who depended on public institutions (the incipient university of Paris) rather than on private or monastic patronage.
Arctic Ecological Classifications Derived from Vegetation Community and Satellite Spectral Data
Authors: Atkinson David , Treitz Paul
Published: December 2012

As a result of the warming observed at high latitudes, there is significant potential for the balance of ecosystem processes to change, i.e., the balance between carbon sequestration and respiration may be altered, giving rise to the release of soil carbon through elevated ecosystem respiration. Gross ecosystem productivity and ecosystem respiration vary in relation to the pattern of vegetation community type and associated biophysical traits (e.g., percent cover, biomass, chlorophyll concentration, etc.). In an arctic environment where vegetation is highly variable across the landscape, the use of high spatial resolution imagery can assist in discerning complex patterns of vegetation and biophysical variables. The research presented here examines the relationship between ecological and spectral variables in order to generate an ecologically meaningful vegetation classification from high spatial resolution remote sensing data. Our methodology integrates ordination and image classifications techniques for two non-overlapping Arctic sites across a 5° latitudinal gradient (approximately 70° to 75°N). Ordination techniques were applied to determine the arrangement of sample sites, in relation to environmental variables, followed by cluster analysis to create ecological classes. The derived classes were then used to classify high spatial resolution IKONOS multispectral data. The results demonstrate moderate levels of success. Classifications had overall accuracies between 69%–79% and Kappa values of 0.54–0.69. Vegetation classes were generally distinct at each site with the exception of sedge wetlands. Based on the results presented here, the combination of ecological and remote sensing techniques can produce classifications that have ecological meaning and are spectrally separable in an arctic environment. These classification schemes are critical for modeling ecosystem processes.
Human Metapneumovirus Antagonism of Innate Immune Responses
Authors: Kolli Deepthi , Bao Xiaoyong , Casola Antonella
Published: December 2012

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a recently identified RNA virus belonging to the Paramyxoviridae family, which includes several major human and animal pathogens. Epidemiological studies indicate that hMPV is a significant human respiratory pathogen with worldwide distribution. It is associated with respiratory illnesses in children, adults, and immunocompromised patients, ranging from upper respiratory tract infections to severe bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Interferon (IFN) represents a major line of defense against virus infection, and in response, viruses have evolved countermeasures to inhibit IFN production as well as IFN signaling. Although the strategies of IFN evasion are similar, the specific mechanisms by which paramyxoviruses inhibit IFN responses are quite diverse. In this review, we will present an overview of the strategies that hMPV uses to subvert cellular signaling in airway epithelial cells, the major target of infection, as well as in primary immune cells.
Large Animal Models for Foamy Virus Vector Gene Therapy
Authors: Trobridge Grant , Horn Peter , Beard Brian , Kiem Hans-Peter
Published: December 2012

Foamy virus (FV) vectors have shown great promise for hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) gene therapy. Their ability to efficiently deliver transgenes to multi-lineage long-term repopulating cells in large animal models suggests they will be effective for several human hematopoietic diseases. Here, we review FV vector studies in large animal models, including the use of FV vectors with the mutant O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase, MGMTP140K to increase the number of genetically modified cells after transplantation. In these studies, FV vectors have mediated efficient gene transfer to polyclonal repopulating cells using short ex vivo transduction protocols designed to minimize the negative effects of ex vivo culture on stem cell engraftment. In this regard, FV vectors appear superior to gammaretroviral vectors, which require longer ex vivo culture to effect efficient transduction. FV vectors have also compared favorably with lentiviral vectors when directly compared in the dog model. FV vectors have corrected leukocyte adhesion deficiency and pyruvate kinase deficiency in the dog large animal model. FV vectors also appear safer than gammaretroviral vectors based on a reduced frequency of integrants near promoters and also near proto-oncogenes in canine repopulating cells. Together, these studies suggest that FV vectors should be highly effective for several human hematopoietic diseases, including those that will require relatively high percentages of gene-modified cells to achieve clinical benefit.
Development of Live-Attenuated Influenza Vaccines against Outbreaks of H5N1 Influenza
Authors: Zheng Dan , Yi Yinglei , Chen Ze
Published: December 2012

Several global outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus have increased the urgency of developing effective and safe vaccines against H5N1. Compared with H5N1 inactivated vaccines used widely, H5N1 live-attenuated influenza vaccines (LAIVs) have advantages in vaccine efficacy, dose-saving formula, long-lasting effect, ease of administration and some cross-protective immunity. Furthermore, H5N1 LAIVs induce both humoral and cellular immune responses, especially including improved IgA production at the mucosa. The current trend of H5N1 LAIVs development is toward cold-adapted, temperature-sensitive or replication-defective vaccines, and moreover, H5N1 LAIVs plus mucosal adjuvants are promising candidates. This review provides an update on the advantages and development of H5N1 live-attenuated influenza vaccines.
Exploiting Parallel R in the Cloud with SPRINT
Authors: Piotrowski M. , McGilvary G. A. , Mewissen M. , Lloyd A. D. , Forster T. , Mitchell L. , Ghazal P. , Hill J. , Sloan T. M.
Published: December 2012

Background: Advances in DNA Microarray devices and next-generation massively parallel DNA sequencing platforms have led to an exponential growth in data availability but the arising opportunities require adequate computing resources. High Performance Computing (HPC) in the Cloud offers an affordable way of meeting this need.

Objectives: Bioconductor, a popular tool for high-throughput genomic data analysis, is distributed as add-on modules for the R statistical programming language but R has no native capabilities for exploiting multiprocessor architectures. SPRINT is an R package that enables easy access to HPC for genomics researchers. This paper investigates: setting up and running SPRINT-enabled genomic analyses on Amazon’s Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2), the advantages of submitting applications to EC2 from different parts of the world and, if resource underutilization can improve application performance.

Methods: The SPRINT parallel implementations of correlation, permutation testing, partitioning around medoids and the multi-purpose papply have been benchmarked on data sets of various size on Amazon EC2. Jobs have been submitted from both the UK and Thailand to investigate monetary differences.

Results: It is possible to obtain good, scalable performance but the level of improvement is dependent upon the nature of the algorithm. Resource underutilization can further improve the time to result. End-user’s location impacts on costs due to factors such as local taxation.

Conclusions: Although not designed to satisfy HPC requirements, Amazon EC2 and cloud computing in general provides an interesting alternative and provides new possibilities for smaller organisations with limited funds.
Cost-effective GPU-Grid for Genome-wide Epistasis Calculations
Authors: Kam-Thong T. , Karbalai N. , Altmann A. , Müller-Myhsok B. , Pütz B.
Published: December 2012

Background: Until recently, genotype stud -ies were limited to the investigation of single SNP effects due to the computational burden incurred when studying pairwise interactions of SNPs. However, some genetic effects as simple as coloring (in plants and animals) cannot be ascribed to a single locus but only understood when epistasis is taken into account [1]. It is expected that such effects are also found in complex diseases where many genes contribute to the clinical outcome of affected individuals. Only recently have such problems become feasible computationally.

Objectives: The inherently parallel structure of the problem makes it a perfect candidate for massive parallelization on either grid or cloud architectures. Since we are also dealing with confidential patient data, we were not able to consider a cloud-based solution but had to find a way to process the data in-house and aimed to build a local GPU-based grid structure.

Methods: Sequential epistatsis calculations were ported to GPU using CUDA at various levels. Parallelization on the CPU was compared to corresponding GPU counterparts with regards to performance and cost.

Results: A cost-effective solution was created by combining custom-built nodes equipped with relatively inexpensive consumer-level graphics cards with highly parallel GPUs in a local grid. The GPU method outperforms current cluster-based systems on a price/performance criterion, as a single GPU shows speed performance comparable up to 200 CPU cores.

Conclusion: The outlined approach will work for problems that easily lend themselves to massive parallelization. Code for various tasks has been made available and ongoing development of tools will further ease the transition from sequential to parallel algorithms.
A Proof of Concept for Assessing Emergency Room Use with Primary Care Data and Natural Language Processing
Authors: Kuo M.-H. , Gooch P. , St-Maurice J.
Published: December 2012

Objective: The objective of this study was to undertake a proof of concept that demonstrated the use of primary care data and natural language processing and term extraction to assess emergency room use. The study extracted biopsychosocial concepts from primary care free text and related them to inappropriate emergency room use through the use of odds ratios.

Methods: De-identified free text notes were extracted from a primary care clinic in Guelph, Ontario and analyzed with a software toolkit that incorporated General Architecture for Text Engineering (GATE) and MetaMap components for natural language processing and term extraction.

Results: Over 10 million concepts were extracted from 13,836 patient records. Codes found in at least 1% percent of the sample were regressed against inappropriate emergency room use. 77 codes fell within the realm of biopsychosocial, were very statistically significant (p < 0.001) and had an OR > 2.0. Thematically, these codes involved mental health and pain related concepts.

Conclusions: Analyzed thematically, mental health issues and pain are important themes; we have concluded that pain and mental health problems are primary drivers for inappropriate emergency room use. Age and sex were not significant. This proof of concept demonstrates the feasibly of combining natural language processing and primary care data to analyze a system use question. As a first work it supports further research and could be applied to investigate other, more complex problems.
Appropriateness of ICD-coded Diagnostic Inpatient Hospital Discharge Data for Medical Practice Assessment
Authors: Hasman A. , Prins H.
Published: December 2012

Objectives: We performed a systematic review to investigate the quality of diagnostic hospital discharge data (DHDD) in order to gain insight in the usefulness of these data for medical practice assessment. We investigated the methods used to evaluate data quality, factors that determine data quality and its consequences for medical practice assessment.

Methods: We selected studies in which both completeness (or sensitivity: SENS) and correctness (or positive predictive value: PPV) were measured. We used the random-effects model to calculate mean SENS and PPV and to explore the effect of a number of covariates.

Results: The 101 included studies were very heterogeneous. We distinguished six typical study designs. We found a mean SENS of 0.67 (95%CI: 0.62– 0.73) and PPV of 0.76 (95%CI: 0.73– 0.79); SENS was significantly lower for comorbidity and complication studies than for some single disease studies. PPV was significantly higher for Scandinavian countries than for other countries. Recoding compared to re-abstracting of the medical record as a gold standard gave a significantly lower PPV. Diagnostic data were considered appropriate by the authors of the studies for quality of care purposes when both SENS and PPV were at least 0.85. Only 13% of the studies fulfilled this criterion.

Conclusions: Variability in quality of care between settings can easily be overshadowed by variability in data quality. However, the use of DHDD by physicians to evaluate their own medical practice may be useful. But only if physicians are willing to critically interpret the meaning of the information for their medical practice assessment.
Synthesis of a derivative of α-D-Glcp(1->2)-D-Galf suitable for further glycosylation and of α-D-Glcp(1->2)-D-Gal, a disaccharide fragment obtained from varianose
Authors: Marino Carla , Lima Carlos , Mariño Karina , de Lederkremer Rosa M
Published: December 2012

The presence of galactofuranoyl units in infectious microorganisms has prompted the study of the metabolic pathways involved in their incorporation in glycans. Although much progress has been made with respect to the biosynthesis of β-D-Galf-containing glycoconjugates, the mechanisms by which α-D-Galf units are incorporated remain unclear. Penicillium varians is a non-pathogenic fungus that produces varianose, a polysaccharide containing both α- and β-D-Galf units, which can be used as a model for biosynthetic studies on α-D-Galf incorporation. Synthetic oligosaccharide fragments related to varianose are useful as potential substrates or standards for characterization of the α-galactofuranosyl transferases. In this paper we report a straightforward procedure for the synthesis of α-D-Glcp(1→2)-D-Gal (1) and the use of this compound to monitor the natural disaccharide released from varianose by mild acid degradation. The synthesis, performed by the glycosylaldonolactone approach, involved a glucosylgalactofuranose derivative, suitable for the synthesis of higher oligosaccharides with an internal D-Galf.
Antiretroviral-Based HIV-1 Prevention: Antiretroviral Treatment and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis
Authors: Celum Connie , Baeten Jared M
Published: December 2012

Antiretroviral-based HIV-1 prevention strategies – including antiretroviral treatment (ART) to reduce the infectiousness of individuals with HIV-1 and oral and topical pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for uninfected individuals to prevent HIV-1 acquisition – are the most promising new approaches for decreasing HIV-1 spread. Observational studies among HIV-1 serodiscordant couples have associated ART initiation with a reduction in HIV-1 transmission risk of 80–92%, and a recent randomized trial demonstrated that earlier initiation of ART (that is, at CD4+ T-cell counts between 350 and 550 cells/mm3), in the context of virological monitoring and adherence support, resulted in a 96% reduction in HIV-1 transmission. A number of ongoing and recently-completed clinical trials have assessed the efficacy of PrEP for HIV-1 prevention as pericoitally administered or daily-administered 1% tenofovir gel and daily oral tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and combination emtricitabine (FTC)/TDF. Completed studies have demonstrated HIV-1 protection efficacies ranging from 39% to 75%. However, two trials in African women have shown no HIV-1 protection with TDF and FTC/TDF PrEP; the reasons for lack of efficacy in those trials are being investigated. Adherence is likely the key to efficacy of antiretrovirals for HIV-1 prevention, both as ART and PrEP. Critical unanswered questions for successful delivery of antiretroviral-based HIV-1 prevention include how to target ART and PrEP to realize maximum population benefits, whether HIV-1-infected individuals at earlier stages of infection would accept ART to reduce their risk for transmitting HIV-1 and whether highest-risk HIV-1- negative persons would use PrEP, and whether high adherence could be sustained to achieve high effectiveness.
Article Commentary: Antiretroviral Therapy in Resource-Limited Settings: Is There Still a Role for Stavudine?
Authors: Gallant Joel E
Published: December 2012

Phanuphak et al. compared three strategies for first-line antiretroviral therapy in 150 Thai patients: initiating therapy with zidovudine (AZT), tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), or a 24-week lead-in phase with stavudine (d4T) followed by a switch to AZT. Those taking d4T had higher haemoglobin levels and CD4+ T-cell counts without an increase in neuropathic symptoms, peripheral neuropathy or lipoatrophy compared with those on AZT. Because AZT is associated with more short-term side effects and toxicity than d4T, and because most d4T toxicity occurs only after long-term use, this approach may have advantages over initial use of AZT. However, TDF-based regimens, while more expensive, are more effective, better tolerated, less toxic, less likely to lead to cross-resistance, and possibly more cost-effective. The goal in resource-limited settings should be to move away from use of thymidine analogues in first-line regimens.
La petite production d'ananas en Côte-d'Ivoire : d'une crise à l'autre
Authors: Colin Jean-Philippe
Published: December 2012

Résumé La petite production d’ananas émerge en Côte-d’Ivoire dans les années soixante, comme culture destinée à la conserverie, et disparaît sous cette forme au début des années 1980. Elle ré-émerge à la même époque, mais destinée à l’exportation de fruits frais, avant de s’effondrer à nouveau au milieu des années 2000. Une première partie de l’article présente les dispositifs organisationnels et institutionnels qui ont permis l’essor d’une culture d’exportation non traditionnelle aussi intensive en travail et en intrants chez les petits producteurs : agriculture contractuelle à l’époque « ananas de conserve », jeu de relations contractuelles multiplexes avec l’amont et l’aval de la production, à l’époque « ananas pour l’exportation en frais ». Une seconde partie identifie les acteurs de cette production : essentiellement des petits planteurs burkinabè accédant à la terre par un contrat de location. La dernière partie questionne la durabilité de cette production à travers l’analyse de la crise de la production pour la conserverie, puis de l’effondrement de la production de fruits frais pour l’exportation.