bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy: Review and Graduated Approach to Surgical Management
Authors: Brunworth Joseph , Holmes Janalee , Sindwani Raj
Published: October 2013

Background

Surgical techniques for managing inferior turbinate hypertrophy (ITH) vary widely and have evolved substantially in the past four decades as new technologies have emerged.

Methods

Literature review.

Results

Inferior turbinate (IT) procedures can be categorized as: simple turbinate outfracture; turbinoplasty techniques such as extramucosal destruction, and submucosal tissue removal; and extramural turbinate resection (partial or complete). Each of these approaches has advantages and drawbacks. Considerations for technique selection include clinical setting (in-office versus operating room), cost of the devices used, efficacy of the procedure to relieve nasal obstruction, and minimizing postoperative complications such as nuisance bleeding, adhesion formation, and crusting.

Conclusion

There are a variety of contemporary surgical techniques used for IT reduction. This article highlights the available literature and gaps in current knowledge. A graduated approach to the management of ITH will be presented.
Cystic Fibrosis Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Chaaban Mohamad R. , Kejner Alexandra , Rowe Steven M. , Woodworth Bradford A.
Published: October 2013

Background

Advances in the care of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) have improved pulmonary outcomes and survival. In addition, rapid developments regarding the underlying genetic and molecular basis of the disease have led to numerous novel targets for treatment. However, clinical and basic scientific research focusing on therapeutic strategies for CF-associated chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) lags behind the evidence-based approaches currently used for pulmonary disease.

Methods

This review evaluates the available literature and provides an update concerning the pathophysiology, current treatment approaches, and future pharmaceutical tactics in the management of CRS in patients with CF.

Results

Optimal medical and surgical strategies for CF CRS are lacking because of a dearth of well-performed clinical trials. Medical and surgical interventions are supported primarily by level 2 or 3 evidence and are aimed at improving clearance of mucus, infection, and inflammation. A number of novel therapeutics that target the basic defect in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator channel are currently under investigation. Ivacaftor, a corrector of the G551D mutation, was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration. However, sinonasal outcomes using this and other novel drugs are pending.

Conclusion

CRS is a lifelong disease in CF patients that can lead to substantial morbidity and decreased quality of life. A multidisciplinary approach will be necessary to develop consistent and evidence-based treatment paradigms.
Systemic Effects and Safety of Triamcinolone-Impregnated Nasal Packing after Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Study
Authors: Hong Sang Duk , Kim Joon Ho , Dhong Hun-Jong , Kim Hyo Yeol , Chung Seung-Kyu , Chang Young Soo , Sohn Jung Heob
Published: October 2013

Background

Steroid-infused absorbable nasal dressings after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) have been used to improve wound healing and to reduce the recurrence of polyps. However, their systemic effects are not well known. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the systemic effects and safety of steroid-impregnated absorbable nasal packing after ESS.

Methods

Patients who underwent bilateral ESS for chronic rhinosinusitis were recruited and randomized into two groups. Ten patients in the triamcinolone (TA) group received a TA (20 mg)-soaked bioabsorbable dressing in both nasal cavities while 10 patients in the control group took saline-impregnated dressing in both nasal cavities. Nasal dressings were not removed until postoperative day 10. Serum cortisol, 12-hour urine cortisol, serum adrenal-corticotropic hormone (ACTH), and serum osteocalcin were measured preoperatively and on postoperative days 2 and 10. Serum cortisol levels were checked 1 day after surgery additionally, while urine cortisol levels were not checked at postoperative day 10.

Results

All 20 patients completed this study. The serum cortisol levels were significantly suppressed at postoperative days 1 and 2 in the TA group. Serum ACTH and 12-hour urine cortisol levels were lower 2 days after surgery in the TA group, although these changes were not statistically significant. There were no differences in all other parameters between the TA and control groups on postoperative day 10.

Conclusions

TA-impregnated nasal dressings suppress serum cortisol levels during the early postoperative period. This systemic effect was recovered gradually and normalized 10 days after the operation.
Expanded Endonasal Approach using Vascularized Septal Flap Reconstruction for Skull Base Tumors has a Negative Impact on Sinonasal Symptoms and Quality of Life
Authors: Alobid Isam , Enseñat Joaquim , Mariño-Sánchez Franklin , Rioja Elena , de Notaris Matteo , Mullol Joaquim , Bernal-Sprekelsen Manuel
Published: October 2013

Background

Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery is currently the optimal treatment for skull base tumors. This study was designed to assess patient's sinonasal symptoms and quality of life (QoL) after resection of pituitary adenoma or skull base tumors using vascularized septal flap (VSF) reconstruction.

Methods

Patients with pituitary adenoma underwent the transnasal transsphenoidal endoscopic approach (TTEA; n = 38), and patients with other benign parasellar tumors underwent the expanded endonasal approach (EEA; n = 17) with VSF. Assessment of sinonasal symptoms and QoL by the 36-item Short-Form (SF-36) and the 31-item Rhinosinusitis Outcome Measure (RSOM-31) were performed before and 3 months after surgery.

Results

At baseline, the total seven-sinonasal symptom score (T7SSS) was similar between both groups. After surgery, T7SSS significantly increased in EEA but not in TTEA patients. EEA patients reported more smell loss (40.1 ± 26.2; p < 0.05) and posterior nasal discharge (49.3 ± 30.1; p < 0.05) than TTEA patients (21.6 ± 30.9 and 22.5 ± 27.5, respectively). At baseline, both groups had poorer SF-36 compared with the general population. TTEA patients had poorer QoL (on general health, vitality, and mental health) than EEA patients. After surgery, TTEA patients showed impaired physical role and bodily pain compared with baseline, and EEA patients showed impaired physical role and mental health. At baseline, RSOM scores were similar in TTEA and EEA groups. After surgery, EEA but not TTEA patients reported poorer nasal and general symptoms.

Conclusion

The EEA with VSF produces more sinonasal symptoms than pituitary surgery, surgery for skull base and pituitary tumors has negative impact on QoL, and functioning tumors have no further negative effect on sinonasal symptoms and QoL.
Prevalence of Ocular Symptoms in Patients with Allergic Rhinitis: Korean Multicenter Study
Authors: Lee Ji-Eun , Kim Kyong Rae , Rha Ki-Sang , Dhong Hun-Jong , Roh Hwan Jung , Rhee Chae-Seo , Kim Kyung-Su , Park Dong-Joon , Kim Sung Wan , Kim Yong-Dae , Lim Sang-Chul , Ahn Byung-Hoon , Kang Jun Myung , Lee Jae-Hoon , Kim Chang-Hoon , Kim Soo-Hwan , Kim Hyun Jun , Lee Kun-Hee , Cho Kyu-Sub , Jung Young-Ho , Lee Tae-Hoon , Shim Woo Sub , Kim Eun-Joong , Park Ji-Sang , Lee Yil-Seob , Kim Dong-Young
Published: October 2013

Background

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is often accompanied by multiple ocular symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of ocular symptoms and the impact of ocular symptoms on the quality of life in patients with AR.

Methods

One thousand one hundred seventy-four patients with AR were enrolled from 24 centers in Korea. They were classified into four groups according to the Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) guideline and also classified into perennial AR (PAR) and seasonal AR groups. All patients were asked to complete the questionnaire regarding the presence of ocular symptoms, such as eye itching, watery eyes, and red eyes. The correlation between ocular symptoms and the rest of the quality-of-life areas in the Mini-Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (Mini-RQLQ) was also asked.

Results

Seven hundred nineteen (61.2%) of 1174 patients had ocular symptoms. In detail, the numbers of patients with eye itching, watery eyes, red eyes, and other ocular symptoms were 605 (51.5%), 313 (26.7%), 207 (17.6%), and 66 (5.6%), respectively. Female patients (72.5%) complained of ocular symptoms more commonly than male patients (55.1%). The patients with moderate–severe persistent AR showed the highest prevalence of ocular symptoms. The correlation coefficients between ocular symptoms and the rest of the quality-of-life areas in the Mini-RQLQ were statistically significant (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Sixty-one percent of Korean AR patients experienced ocular symptoms. The patients who were women and had PAR and more severe AR showed higher prevalence of ocular symptoms. The ocular symptoms might have a significant impact on the quality of life in patients with AR.
Multivariate Conditional Granger Causality Analysis for Lagged Response of Soil Respiration in a Temperate Forest
Authors: Detto Matteo , Bohrer Gil , Nietz Jennifer , Maurer Kyle , Vogel Chris , Gough Chris , Curtis Peter
Published: October 2013

Ecological multivariate systems offer a suitable data set on which to apply recent advances in information theory and causality detection. These systems are driven by the interplay of various environmental factors: meteorological and hydrological forcing, which are often correlated with each other at different time lags; and biological factors, primary producers and decomposers with both autonomous and coupled dynamics. Here, using conditional spectral Granger causality, we quantify directional causalities in a complex atmosphere-plant-soil system involving the carbon cycle. Granger causality is a statistical approach, originating in econometrics, used to identify the presence of linear causal interactions between time series of data, based on prediction theory. We first test to see if there was a significant difference in the causal structure among two treatments where carbon allocation to roots was interrupted by girdling. We then expanded the analysis, introducing radiation and soil moisture. The results showed a complex pattern of multilevel interactions, with some of these interactions depending upon the number of variables in the system. However, no significant differences emerged in the causal structure of above and below ground carbon cycle among the two treatments.
Non-Coding RNAs: The “Dark Matter” of Cardiovascular Pathophysiology
Authors: Iaconetti Claudio , Gareri Clarice , Polimeni Alberto , Indolfi Ciro
Published: October 2013

Large-scale analyses of mammalian transcriptomes have identified a significant number of different RNA molecules that are not translated into protein. In fact, the use of new sequencing technologies has identified that most of the genome is transcribed, producing a heterogeneous population of RNAs which do not encode for proteins (ncRNAs). Emerging data suggest that these transcripts influence the development of cardiovascular disease. The best characterized non-coding RNA family is represented by short highly conserved RNA molecules, termed microRNAs (miRNAs), which mediate a process of mRNA silencing through transcript degradation or translational repression. These microRNAs (miRNAs) are expressed in cardiovascular tissues and play key roles in many cardiovascular pathologies, such as coronary artery disease (CAD) and heart failure (HF). Potential links between other ncRNAs, like long non-coding RNA, and cardiovascular disease are intriguing but the functions of these transcripts are largely unknown. Thus, the functional characterization of ncRNAs is essential to improve the overall understanding of cellular processes involved in cardiovascular diseases in order to define new therapeutic strategies. This review outlines the current knowledge of the different ncRNA classes and summarizes their role in cardiovascular development and disease.
New Insights in the Pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis—Role of Acrolein in Neuronal and Myelin Damage
Authors: Tully Melissa , Shi Riyi
Published: October 2013

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by an inappropriate inflammatory reaction resulting in widespread myelin injury along white matter tracts. Neurological impairment as a result of the disease can be attributed to immune-mediated injury to myelin, axons and mitochondria, but the molecular mechanisms underlying the neuropathy remain incompletely understood. Incomplete mechanistic knowledge hinders the development of therapies capable of alleviating symptoms and slowing disease progression in the long-term. Recently, oxidative stress has been implicated as a key component of neural tissue damage prompting investigation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers as a potential therapeutic option. Despite the establishment of oxidative stress as a crucial process in MS development and progression, ROS scavengers have had limited success in animal studies which has prompted pursuit of an alternative target capable of curtailing oxidative stress. Acrolein, a toxic β-unsaturated aldehyde capable of initiating and perpetuating oxidative stress, has been suggested as a viable point of intervention to guide the development of new treatments. Sequestering acrolein using an FDA-approved compound, hydralazine, offers neuroprotection resulting in dampened symptom severity and slowed disease progression in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice. These results provide promise for therapeutic development, indicating the possible utility of neutralizing acrolein to preserve and improve neurological function in MS patients.
Marine Polysaccharide Networks and Diatoms at the Nanometric Scale
Authors: Svetličić Vesna , Žutić Vera , Pletikapić Galja , Radić Tea
Published: October 2013

Despite many advances in research on photosynthetic carbon fixation in marine diatoms, the biophysical and biochemical mechanisms of extracellular polysaccharide production remain significant challenges to be resolved at the molecular scale in order to proceed toward an understanding of their functions at the cellular level, as well as their interactions and fate in the ocean. This review covers studies of diatom extracellular polysaccharides using atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging and the quantification of physical forces. Following a brief summary of the basic principle of the AFM experiment and the first AFM studies of diatom extracellular polymeric substance (EPS), we focus on the detection of supramolecular structures in polysaccharide systems produced by marine diatoms. Extracellular polysaccharide fibrils, attached to the diatom cell wall or released into the surrounding seawater, form distinct supramolecular assemblies best described as gel networks. AFM makes characterization of the diatom polysaccharide networks at the micro and nanometric scales and a clear distinction between the self-assembly and self-organization of these complex systems in marine environments possible.
Role of Hepatic Progenitor Cells in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Development: Cellular Cross-Talks and Molecular Networks
Authors: Carpino Guido , Renzi Anastasia , Onori Paolo , Gaudio Eugenio
Published: October 2013

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) includes a spectrum of diseases ranging from simple fatty liver to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, (NASH) which may progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. NASH has been independently correlated with atherosclerosis progression and cardiovascular risk. NASH development is characterized by intricate interactions between resident and recruited cells that enable liver damage progression. The increasing general agreement is that the cross-talk between hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and macrophages in NAFLD has a main role in the derangement of lipid homeostasis, insulin resistance, danger recognition, immune tolerance response and fibrogenesis. Moreover, several evidences have suggested that hepatic stem/progenitor cell (HPCs) activation is a component of the adaptive response of the liver to oxidative stress in NAFLD. HPC activation determines the appearance of a ductular reaction. In NASH, ductular reaction is independently correlated with progressive portal fibrosis raising the possibility of a periportal fibrogenetic pathway for fibrogenesis that is parallel to the deposition of subsinusoidal collagen in zone 3 by HSCs. Recent evidences indicated that adipokines, a class of circulating factors, have a key role in the cross-talk among HSCs, HPCs and liver macrophages. This review will be focused on cellular cross-talk and the relative molecular networks which are at the base of NASH progression and fibrosis.
Characterization of Apoptosis Induced by Emodin and Related Regulatory Mechanisms in Human Neuroblastoma Cells
Authors: Huang Fu-Jen , Hsuuw Yan-Der , Chan Wen-Hsiung
Published: October 2013

Emodin (1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methylanthraquinone), a major constituent of rhubarb, has a wide range of therapeutic applications. Recent studies have shown that emodin can induce or prevent cell apoptosis, although the precise molecular mechanisms underlying these effects are unknown. Experiments from the current study revealed that emodin (10–20 μM) induces apoptotic processes in the human neuroblastoma cell line, IMR-32, but exerts no injury effects at treatment doses below 10 μM. Treatment with emodin at concentrations of 10–20 μM led to a direct increase in the reactive oxygen species (ROS) content in IMR-32 cells, along with significant elevation of cytoplasmic free calcium and nitric oxide (NO) levels, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), activation of caspases-9 and -3, and cell death. Pretreatment with nitric oxide (NO) scavengers suppressed the apoptotic biochemical changes induced by 20 μM emodin, and attenuated emodin-induced p53 and p21 expression involved in apoptotic signaling. Our results collectively indicate that emodin at concentrations of 10–20 μM triggers apoptosis of IMR-32 cells via a mechanism involving both ROS and NO. Based on the collective results, we propose a model for an emodin-triggered apoptotic signaling cascade that sequentially involves ROS, Ca2+, NO, p53, caspase-9 and caspase-3.
Suborganizations of Institutions in Library and Information Science Journals
Authors: Fiala Dalibor
Published: October 2013

In this paper, we analyze Web of Science data records of articles published from 1991 to 2010 in library and information science (LIS) journals. We focus on addresses of these articles’ authors and create citation and collaboration networks of departments which we define as the first suborganization of an institution. We present various rankings of departments (e.g., by citations, times cited, PageRank, publications, etc.) and highlight the most influential of them. The correlations between the individual departments are also shown. Furthermore, we visualize the most intense citation and collaboration relationships between “LIS” departments (many of which are not genuine LIS departments but merely affiliations of authors publishing in journals covered by the specific Web of Science category) and give examples of two basic research performance distributions across departments of the leading universities in the field.
iMASKO: A Genetic Algorithm Based Optimization Framework for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Zhu Nanhao , O'Connor Ian
Published: October 2013

In this paper we present the design and implementation of a generic GA-based optimization framework iMASKO (iNL@MATLAB Genetic Algorithm-based Sensor NetworK Optimizer) to optimize the performance metrics of wireless sensor networks. Due to the global search property of genetic algorithms, the framework is able to automatically and quickly fine tune hundreds of possible solutions for the given task to find the best suitable tradeoff. We test and evaluate the framework by using it to explore a SystemC-based simulation process to tune the configuration of the unslotted CSMA/CA algorithm of IEEE 802.15.4, aiming to discover the most available tradeoff solutions for the required performance metrics. In particular, in the test cases different sensor node platforms are under investigation. A weighted sum based cost function is used to measure the optimization effectiveness and capability of the framework. In the meantime, another experiment is performed to test the framework’s optimization characteristic in multi-scenario and multi-objectives conditions.
Mechanical and Microstructural Evaluations of Lightweight Aggregate Geopolymer Concrete before and after Exposed to Elevated Temperatures
Authors: Abdulkareem Omar , Abdullah Mohd , Hussin Kamarudin , Ismail Khairul , Binhussain Mohammed
Published: October 2013

This paper presents the mechanical and microstructural characteristics of a lightweight aggregate geopolymer concrete (LWAGC) synthesized by the alkali-activation of a fly ash source (FA) before and after being exposed to elevated temperatures, ranging from 100 to 800 °C. The results show that the LWAGC unexposed to the elevated temperatures possesses a good strength-to-weight ratio compared with other LWAGCs available in the published literature. The unexposed LWAGC also shows an excellent strength development versus aging times, up to 365 days. For the exposed LWAGC to the elevated temperatures of 100 to 800 °C, the results illustrate that the concretes gain compressive strength after being exposed to elevated temperatures of 100, 200 and 300 °C. Afterward, the strength of the LWAGC started to deteriorate and decrease after being exposed to elevated temperatures of 400 °C, and up to 800 °C. Based on the mechanical strength results of the exposed LWAGCs to elevated temperatures of 100 °C to 800 °C, the relationship between the exposure temperature and the obtained residual compressive strength is statistically analyzed and achieved. In addition, the microstructure investigation of the unexposed LWAGC shows a good bonding between aggregate and mortar at the interface transition zone (ITZ). However, this bonding is subjected to deterioration as the LWAGC is exposed to elevated temperatures of 400, 600 and 800 °C by increasing the microcrack content and swelling of the unreacted silicates.
Preparation and Optoelectronic Characteristics of ZnO/CuO-Cu2O Complex Inverse Heterostructure with GaP Buffer for Solar Cell Applications
Authors: Hsu Chih-Hung , Chen Lung-Chien , Lin Yi-Feng
Published: October 2013

This study reports the optoelectronic characteristics of ZnO/GaP buffer/CuO-Cu2O complex (COC) inverse heterostructure for solar cell applications. The GaP and COC layers were used as buffer and absorber in the cell structure, respectively. An energy gap widening effect and CuO whiskers were observed as the copper (Cu) layer was exerted under heat treatment for oxidation at 500 °C for 10 min, and arose from the center of the Cu2O rods. For preparation of the 30 nm-thick GaP buffer by sputtering from GaP target, as the nitrogen gas flow rate increased from 0 to 2 sccm, the transmittance edge of the spectra demonstrated a blueshift form 2.24 to 3.25 eV. Therefore, the layer can be either GaP, GaNP, or GaN by changing the flow rate of nitrogen gas.
Epoxy/Polycaprolactone Systems with Triple-Shape Memory Effect: Electrospun Nanoweb with and without Graphene Versus Co-Continuous Morphology
Authors: Fejős Márta , Molnár Kolos , Karger-Kocsis József
Published: October 2013

Triple-shape memory epoxy (EP)/polycaprolactone (PCL) systems (PCL content: 23 wt %) with different structures (PCL nanoweb embedded in EP matrix and EP/PCL with co-continuous phase structure) were produced. To set the two temporary shapes, the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the EP and the melting temperature (Tm) of PCL served during the shape memory cycle. An attempt was made to reinforce the PCL nanoweb by graphene nanoplatelets prior to infiltrating the nanoweb with EP through vacuum assisted resin transfer molding. Morphology was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectrometry. Triple-shape memory characteristics were determined by dynamic mechanical analysis in tension mode. Graphene was supposed to act also as spacer between the nanofibers, improving the quality of impregnation with EP. The EP phase related shape memory properties were similar for all systems, while those belonging to PCL phase depended on the structure. Shape fixity of PCL was better without than with graphene reinforcement. The best shape memory performance was shown by the EP/PCL with co-continuous structure. Based on Raman spectrometry results, the characteristic dimension of the related co-continuous network was below 900 nm.
Antioxidant and Photoprotective Effects of Blanch Water, a Byproduct of the Almond Processing Industry
Authors: Mandalari Giuseppina , Arcoraci Teresita , Martorana Maria , Bisignano Carlo , Rizza Luisa , Bonina Francesco , Trombetta Domenico , Tomaino Antonio
Published: October 2013

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the antioxidant and photoprotective effect of blanch water (BW), a byproduct of the almond processing industry. The polyphenolic content of a BW extract, the level of proanthocyanidins and the vanillin index determination were determined. The antioxidant activity and the radical scavenging activity of the BW were evaluated by a range of in vitro tests. The in vivo photoprotective effect was investigated using a formulation containing 2% of the BW extract on skin erythema induced by acute UV-B exposure in twelve volunteers. Results confirmed the presence of added-value antioxidant compounds in the industrial BW extract, and the most representative compounds were naringenin-7-O-glucoside and kaempferol-7-O-rutinoside. The proanthocyanidin content was 71.84 ± 5.21 cyanidin equivalents/g of BW extract. The good antiradical activity of the BW extract was demonstrated in both the DPPH• test and in the Reducing Power test. The percentage inhibition of erythema obtained using a formulation of BW was 50.48, value clearly demonstrating an effect against photooxidative damage in vivo.
A Perfect Chord: Trinity in Music, Music in the Trinity
Authors: Bertoglio Chiara
Published: October 2013

The doctrine of God’s Triunity is at the core of Christian faith; this article presents a theological survey of how it has been understood in a musical way during the Christian era. The role of music as a participation in the liturgy of mutual love eternally experienced in the Trinity is first analyzed, with references to the Church Fathers and to modern/contemporary theologians. Later, the three main forms of congregational singing are taken into account (i.e., monody, polyphony and harmony), pointing out how each has been seen in turn as a symbol of the Trinity’s love.
Monitoring Volumetric Surface Soil Moisture Content at the La Grande Basin Boreal Wetland by Radar Multi Polarization Data
Authors: Jacome Andres , Bernier Monique , Chokmani Karem , Gauthier Yves , Poulin Jimmy , De Sève Danielle
Published: October 2013

Understanding the hydrological dynamics of boreal wetland ecosystems (peatlands) is essential in order to better manage hydropower inter-annual productivity at the La Grande basin (Northern Quebec, QC, Canada). Given the remoteness and the huge dimension of the La Grande basin, it is imperative to develop remote sensing monitoring techniques to retrieve hydrological parameters. The main objective of this study is to find out if multi-date and multi-polarization Radar Satellite 2 (RADARSAT-2) (C-band) image analysis could detect seasonal variations of surface soil moisture conditions of the acrotelm. A change detection approach through the use of multi temporal indexes was chosen based on the assumption that the temporal variability of surface roughness and natural vegetation biomass is generally at a much longer time scale than that of surface soil moisture (Δ-Index is based on a reference image that represents dry soil, in order to maximize the sensitivity of σ° to changes in soil moisture with respect to the same location when soil is wet). The Δ-Index approach was tested with each polarization: σ° for fully polarimetric mode (HH, HV, VV) and the cross-polarization coefficient (HV/HH). Results show that the best regression adjustment with regard to surface soil moisture content in boreal wetlands was obtained with the cross-polarization coefficient. The cross-polarization multi-temporal index enables precise volumetric surface soil moisture estimation and monitoring on boreal wetlands, regardless of the influence of vegetation cover and surface roughness conditions (bias was under 1%, standard deviation and RMSE were under 10% for almost all estimation errors). Surface soil moisture estimation was more precise over permanently flooded areas than seasonally flooded ones (standard deviation is systematically greater for the seasonally flooded areas, at all analyzed scales), although the overall quality of the estimation is still precise. Cross-polarization ratio image analysis appears to be a useful mean to exploit radar data spatially, as we were able to relate changes in wetland eco-hydrological dynamics to variations in the intensity of the ratio.
Harmful Gas Recognition Exploiting a CTL Sensor Array
Authors: Wang Qihui , Xie Lijun , Zhu Bo , Zheng Yao , Cao Shihua
Published: October 2013

In this paper, a novel cataluminescence (CTL)-based sensor array consisting of nine types of catalytic materials is developed for the recognition of several harmful gases, namely carbon monoxide, acetone, chloroform and toluene. First, the experimental setup is constructed by using sensing nanomaterials, a heating plate, a pneumatic pump, a gas flow meter, a digital temperature device, a camera and a BPCL Ultra Weak Chemiluminescence Analyzer. Then, unique CTL patterns for the four types of harmful gas are obtained from the sensor array. The harmful gases are successful recognized by the PCA method. The optimal conditions are also investigated. Finally, experimental results show high sensitivity, long-term stability and good linearity of the sensor array, which combined with simplicity, make our system a promising application in this field.
Improving Electronic Sensor Reliability by Robust Outlier Screening
Authors: Moreno-Lizaranzu Manuel , Cuesta Federico
Published: October 2013

Electronic sensors are widely used in different application areas, and in some of them, such as automotive or medical equipment, they must perform with an extremely low defect rate. Increasing reliability is paramount. Outlier detection algorithms are a key component in screening latent defects and decreasing the number of customer quality incidents (CQIs). This paper focuses on new spatial algorithms (Good Die in a Bad Cluster with Statistical Bins (GDBC SB) and Bad Bin in a Bad Cluster (BBBC)) and an advanced outlier screening method, called Robust Dynamic Part Averaging Testing (RDPAT), as well as two practical improvements, which significantly enhance existing algorithms. Those methods have been used in production in Freescale® Semiconductor probe factories around the world for several years. Moreover, a study was conducted with production data of 289,080 dice with 26 CQIs to determine and compare the efficiency and effectiveness of all these algorithms in identifying CQIs.
A Spherically-Shaped PZT Thin Film Ultrasonic Transducer with an Acoustic Impedance Gradient Matching Layer Based on a Micromachined Periodically Structured Flexible Substrate
Authors: Feng Guo-Hua , Liu Wei-Fan
Published: October 2013

This paper presents the microfabrication of an acoustic impedance gradient matching layer on a spherically-shaped piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer. The acoustic matching layer can be designed to achieve higher acoustic energy transmission and operating bandwidth. Also included in this paper are a theoretical analysis of the device design and a micromachining technique to produce the novel transducer. Based on a design of a lead titanium zirconium (PZT) micropillar array, the constructed gradient acoustic matching layer has much better acoustic transmission efficiency within a 20–50 MHz operation range compared to a matching layer with a conventional quarter-wavelength thickness Parylene deposition. To construct the transducer, periodic microcavities are built on a flexible copper sheet, and then the sheet forms a designed curvature with a ball shaping. After PZT slurry deposition, the constructed PZT micropillar array is released onto a curved thin PZT layer. Following Parylene conformal coating on the processed PZT micropillars, the PZT micropillars and the surrounding Parylene comprise a matching layer with gradient acoustic impedance. By using the proposed technique, the fabricated transducer achieves a center frequency of 26 MHz and a −6 dB bandwidth of approximately 65%.
Silicon Carbide-Based Hydrogen Gas Sensors for High-Temperature Applications
Authors: Kim Seongjeen , Choi Jehoon , Jung Minsoo , Joo Sungjae , Kim Sangchoel
Published: October 2013

We investigated SiC-based hydrogen gas sensors with metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) structure for high temperature process monitoring and leak detection applications in fields such as the automotive, chemical and petroleum industries. In this work, a thin tantalum oxide (Ta2O5) layer was exploited with the purpose of sensitivity improvement, because tantalum oxide has good stability at high temperature with high permeability for hydrogen gas. Silicon carbide (SiC) was used as a substrate for high-temperature applications. We fabricated Pd/Ta2O5/SiC-based hydrogen gas sensors, and the dependence of their I-V characteristics and capacitance response properties on hydrogen concentrations were analyzed in the temperature range from room temperature to 500 °C. According to the results, our sensor shows promising performance for hydrogen gas detection at high temperatures.
Un « Athénien » à Sparte ou Plutarque lecteur de Xénophon.
Authors: Bresson Alain
Published: October 2013

En 395/394, Agésilas rencontre Pharnabaze, satrape de Phrygie hellespontique. À la fin de l'entrevue, un jeune fils de Pharnabaze noue un rapport de xenia avec le roi. Quelques années plus tard, exilé à Sparte, il entretient une relation avec un jeune garçon et, pour cette raison, Agésilas est amené à faire une intervention pour une admission aux concours d'Olympie. L'épisode est rapporté par Xénophon (Hell., IV 1, 39-40) et repris par Plutarque (Agésilas, 13, 1-4). Il est montré que, à trois reprises, Plutarque et, à sa suite, la critique moderne ont manqué le propos de Xénophon. Le jeune homme dont s'était épris le protégé d'Agésilas n'était pas un Athénien mais un garçon du nom d'Athènaios, qui appartenait à la fine fleur de l'élite Spartiate. Ensuite, Agésilas n'a pas cherché à tricher pour faire admettre l'ami de son protégé à la course des « enfants » malgré sa taille : en réalité, c'est son jeune hôte perse lui-même qu'il a réussi à faire admettre à Olympie. Enfin, Plutarque a interprété en termes d'oikos la succession de Pharnabaze, quand c'est du contrôle de la satrapie de Phrygie hellespontique qu'il s'agissait. Ces analyses permettent de réévaluer les rapports entre aristocrates perses et Spartiates. Elles illustrent aussi les erreurs qu'il pouvait arriver à Plutarque de commettre, mais ne conduisent pas à un rejet systématique de son témoignage.
Une citation d'Aristote en Ennéade II, 1, 6, 25
Authors: Dufour Richard
Published: October 2013

En II, 1, 6, 25-26, Plotin expose la thèse de certaines gens, non-identifiées, qui prétendent que la terre n'a pas de consistance si elle ne contient pas une part d'humidité. D'aucuns ont cru y voir une allusion à une doctrine stoïcienne, relevant peut-être de Posidonius, ou une réminiscence d'un traité de Plutarque. Mais il s'agirait plutôt du traité De la Génération et de la Corruption d'Aristote. La comparaison du texte de Plotin avec celui du Stagirite semble confirmer cette hypothèse.
La mémoire des pierres à Sparte. Mourir au féminin : couches tragiques ou femmes hiérai (Plutarque, Vie de Lycurgue, 27,3) ?
Authors: Brulé Pierre , Piolot Laurent
Published: October 2013

Since a century, it is agreed that, at Sparta, only the name of « a man who has died in war or a of a woman who has died in childbirth » could be inscribed on their tombs. That is in any case the sense conferred by Kurt Latte on the text of Plutarch (Life of Lycrugus, 27, 3), considering that it was impossible to make any sense with the words giving by the manuscripts. However, although seldom contested, this « reading » arises from a bold philological conjecture which consists in putting a word in place of another (hierôn by lekhous) and in athetising one third (ton). Extending the investigation to the file of hierai of Laconia and of Messania, it seems possible to leave the alternative in which criticism get entagle, namely to correct a text to understand it. We must not argue from our relative ignorance of what were herai for accept this alterration of the text.
Le protreptique en philosophie : essai de définition d'un genre
Authors: Van der Meeren Sophie
Published: October 2013

Les protreptiques — discours ou ouvrages d'exhortation — à la philosophie étaient très en vigueur dans l'Antiquité (le corpus s'étend des Socratiques à Thémistius) et représentaient un véritable genre autonome, ce qui est notre thèse principale. L'unité du genre repose sur des critères de forme et de contenu : ce sont des discours introductifs — soit à une pratique personnelle, soit à un cursus théorique — présentant la philosophie par sa finalité et centrés sur la personne de l'auditeur ou du lecteur, appelé à se convertir. Leur usage est de fait intimement lié aux formes de la philosophie ancienne entendue comme mode de vie qui est à embrasser dans son ampleur. Mais l'unité du genre tient aussi à une problématique commune aux protreptiques : ils donnent en effet de l'objet de la philosophie

— présenté fomellement comme le bonheur — une détermination qui est souvent problématique (au terme du protreptique on ne sait pas toujours quel est le contenu concret de cet objet ni comment l'atteindre). Pour préciser les particularités du protreptique philosophique nous le comparons enfin à deux genres de discours apparentés : le discours de propagande et l'épideixis.
Residual activity after radioembolization of liver tumours with 90Y resin microspheres
Authors: Haslerud T. , Reichmann K. , Meyer C. , Habibi E. , Fimmers R. , Muckle M. , Sabet A. , Biersack H.J. , Ezziddin S. , Ahmadzadehfar H.
Published: October 2013

The actual number of resin microspheres is approximately 30-60 times higher than glass microspheres per 3 GBq vial. Thus, radioembolization (RE) with resin microspheres exerts an embolization effect besides the radiation effect. This embolization effect can occasionally cause early back flow of the microspheres before application of the entire calculated dose. To avoid these adverse side effects, RE has to be terminated at an earlier time point. Measurement of the residual activity in the delivery box, which includes the v-vial, tube and catheter, to calculate the achieved target dose is often challenging. The aim of the current study was to establish a post-RE measurement method comparable to the glass microspheres method without unnecessary radiation exposure to the staff and risk of contamination. Methods: Two different measurements were performed. First, total radioactivity in the shipping vial was measured in an ion chamber and then it was put in the delivery box and the radiation was measured from a 30 cm distance from the centre of the box with a dosimeter. The required radioactivity was then transferred to the v-vial, and the shipping vial was measured again. After that, the v-vial was measured from the same distance from the centre of the box with dosimeter. Results: Altogether 62 times the shipping vial with different activities were measured with a significant positive correlation between the amount of the activity measured in the iron chamber and the radiation dose, measured with dosimeter (r2 = 0.98; p < 0.001). There was also a strong positive correlation between these measurements of the v-vial (r2 = 0.98; p < 0.001). Conclusion: With measurement of the residual activity in the delivery box using a dosimeter the percentage of the whole injected activity can be easily calculated. This facilitates the calculation of the actual, achieved target and non-target dose in those cases, where therapy had to be stopped because of eminent flow reversal or obstruction.
Controlling the near-field excitation of nano-antennas with phase-change materials
Authors: Kao Tsung Sheng , Chen Yi Guo , Hong Ming Hui
Published: October 2013

By utilizing the strongly induced plasmon coupling between discrete nano-antennas and quantitatively controlling the crystalline proportions of an underlying Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST) phase-change thin layer, we show that nanoscale light localizations in the immediate proximity of plasmonic nano-antennas can be spatially positioned. Isolated energy hot-spots at a subwavelength scale can be created and adjusted across the landscape of the plasmonic system at a step resolution of λ/20. These findings introduce a new approach for nano-circuitry, bio-assay addressing and imaging applications.
Electronic Performance Support System (EPSS) Tools to Support Teachers and Students
Authors: Mitchem Katherine , Fitzgerald Gail , Koury Kevin
Published: October 2013

This chapter describes the use of a family of Electronic Performance Support Systems (EPSS) to support teachers and students with mild disabilities, especially those with special learning and behavioral needs. This approach uses technology to support students in educational environments. In this chapter, the authors provide a brief overview of the family of tools and describe the need, rationale, and technical development process of the latest tools in the family, PictureTools™ and PictureTools-Mobile™. These tools are designed to support positive behaviors of young children, incorporate both images and video, and in the case of PT-Mobile, the capacity to run on iPod and iPad. In addition, they report the results from two federally funded projects related to development, usability, and feasibility testing of these tools. Future research directions are discussed.
Apple’s iBooks Author
Authors: Kim Jackie HeeYoung
Published: October 2013

This chapter discusses Apple’s iBooks Author, a brand-new Mac application intended for textbook writers and publishers to create e-textbooks. This chapter provides insight on why IBA holds a prominent place in the field of education and will change our classroom landscape, that is, how we teach and learn. The main purpose of this chapter is to explore IBA’s potential, possible controversial issues, pedagogical meanings, and implementation challenges of using it as a classroom textbook. The chapter includes lessons learned from the leading countries in implementing e-textbooks in the classroom, such as South Korea and Malaysia.
A Collaborative Skills Training Program Utilizing Information and Communications Technology for 21st-Century Children
Authors: Saito Nagayuki
Published: October 2013

Research into “21st-century skills” has emphasized collaborative skills as a requirement for success in our future society. This chapter investigates the development of educational programs designed to foster collaborative skills among students and analyzes students’ self-efficacy for training. The analysis showed that students’ self-efficacy is higher in “collaborative skills” than in other areas. On the other hand, logical-thinking skills and relationship-building skills maintain low scores. These findings suggest that students follow a learning process in which they have to recognize collaborative behavior as an early step, and this behavior is re-recognized by the reaction of other students as the next step. Therefore, it is suggested that educators incorporate opportunities to recognize successful experiences through relationships with other students into the learning process.
Modeling Digital Work and Learning
Authors: Hoyt Mei Wu
Published: October 2013

This chapter compares preservice teachers’ knowledge, skills, and their pedagogical use of digital technologies in the areas of Web 2.0, multimedia production, and online collaboration. Preservice teachers in a large public university participated in the survey; the results show mixed findings and significant correlations between their pedagogical uses in the three research areas. In-depth interviews were conducted to examine these subjects' knowledge, digital production, and online collaboration both in and out of the classroom in order to identify the digital tools and resources they applied during their student teaching, as well as to understand how they perceived their teacher preparation coursework's impact on their digital competence and proficiency. Recommendations for educating 21st-century teachers and modeling digital-age teaching practices are provided in this chapter.
Facilitating Perspective Taking in Groups
Authors: Hayashi Yugo
Published: October 2013

The present study investigates the nature of egocentric biases in a situation where a speaker is surrounded by social actors with different perspectives. In this context, the author investigated how communication channels function to ease egocentric bias during collaborative activities. To investigate this point, the author used conversational agents as social actors. The present study therefore created a virtual situation where a speaker was surrounded by several speakers. The author hypothesized that the diversity of communication channels available to the audience would increase the awareness of others and facilitate the adoption of an exocentric perspective. The results of the analysis show that participants who engaged in the collaboration task with various communication channels used fewer egocentric perspectives. Studies in egocentrism and communication have not yet investigated the conversational dynamics of multiple speakers. This study therefore provides a new perspective about the kinds of factors that may ease such biases.
The Cognitive Process and Formal Models of Human Attentions
Authors: Wang Yingxu , Patel Shushma , Patel Dilip
Published: October 2013

Attention is a complex mental function of humans in order to capture and serve the basic senses of vision, hearing, touch, smell, and taste, as well as internal motivations and perceptions. This paper presents a formal model and a cognitive process for rigorously explaining human attentions. Cognitive foundations of attentions and their relationships with consciousness and other perception processes are explored. The closed loop of attentions is identified that encompasses event capture and behavior reaction. Events for attention are classified into the categories of external stimuli and internal motivations. Behaviors as corresponding responses of attentions encompass recurrent, temporary, and reflex actions. Mathematical models of attentions are created as a foundation for rigorously describing the cognitive process of attentions in denotational mathematics. A wide range of applications of the unified attention model are identified in cognitive informatics, cognitive computing, and computational intelligence toward the mimic and simulation of human attention and perception in cognitive computers, cognitive robotics, and cognitive systems.