bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection of kindergarten children
Authors: Maharjan R , Timilshina M , Shakya R , Bhattarai S , Bhattarai S , Gurung P
Published: October 2013

INTRODUCTION: Intestinal parasitic infections are the major public health problems of Nepal. Apart from causing mortality and morbidity, infection with intestinal parasites has been associated with stunting of linear growth, physical weakness and low educational achievement in school children. The drinking water is considered as the major cause for parasitic infection. This study aims to determine the prevalence of parasitic infection among the children visiting kindergarten of the Kathmandu, Khusibhu area. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross sectional study was done in randomly selected Kindergarten of Khusibhu area. A total of 101 samples were examined. The study was focused in isolating intestinal parasites using normal saline and iodine wet mount method. Both macroscopic and microscopic studies were performed. RESULTS: Among the samples 45.5% (n=46) showed parasitic infection in which the Giardia lambia infection was found the highest 56.5% (n=26) and infection with Ascaris lumbricoides was found lowest 8.7% (n=4). Infection rate was found to be high in children drinking filtered water than among those drinking boiled and filtered water. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of parasitic infection in children is mainly associated with hygiene and food habit of the children. Hence good education about the hygienic practice helps in the prevention of the infection. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijim.v2i3.8205 Int J Infect Microbiol 2013;2(3):111-113
Comparison of hypertonic saline-sodium hydroxide method with modified Petroff’s method for the decontamination and concentration of sputum samples
Authors: Chaudhary SK , Mishra B
Published: October 2013

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis is one of the major health problems particularly in developing countries. For definitive diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis identification of tubercle bacilli in sputum by microscopy and culture is essential. For decontamination and concentration of sputum, the commonly used method in the laboratory is Modified Petroff’s method but the Hypertonic saline–sodium hydroxide (HS-SH) method is known to be better for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by culture. This study was aimed to compare a novel method for the improvement of decontamination and concentration of sputum samples. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 50 confirmed smear positive sputum samples from pulmonary TB patients who visited at St. John’s Medical College and Hospital during 2009 to 2010, were processed for the decontamination process. Each sample was decontaminated by Modified Petroff’s and HS-SH method separately. Treated samples were cultured in Lowenstein-Jensen media in microbiology laboratory. RESULTS: The culture positive percents of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the L-J medium treated with HS-SH and Modified Petroff’s method were 84.0% and 70.0%, respectively. A notable feature is that by HS-SH method more samples were positive by 4th week, statistically significant (Chi- square value-11.26 with p-value < 0.05) compare to Modified Petroff’s method. The difference for 3+ grades of L-J growths found slightly higher by Modified Petroff’s method but at lower grades of growths HS-SH method performed better. CONCLUSIONS: HS-SH method is better for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by culture when compared with the Modified Petroff’s method. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijim.v2i3.8664   Int J Infect Microbiol 2013;2(3):78-81
Occurrence of urinary tract infection among children attending Gandaki Medical College Teaching Hospital and Research Center, Pokhara, Nepal
Authors: Gautam G , Regmi S , Magar NT , Subedi B , Sharma T , Regmi SM
Published: October 2013

INTRODUCTION: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is considered as the most common bacterial infectious disease seen among the pediatric patients. Most commonly, members of Enterobacteriaceae, particularly uropathogenic strains of E. coli and Enterobacter spp. are the primary causative pathogens of UTI in the different part of the world. Emergence of antimicrobial resistance rates among pathogens recovered from urinary tract infections is an increasing problem in the specific region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prevalence and anti microbial susceptibility pattern of the bacterial uropathogens isolated from the children attending Gandaki Medical College Teaching Hospital and Reserch Center (GMC) Nepal. A total of 155 children aged upto 15 years were included in this study. Urine cultures were carried out and the isolates were identified by Gram staining and conventional biochemical methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by disk diffusion method according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). RESULTS: In the present study 21.3 % of the sample size, showed significant bacterial growth. E. coli was the most frequently occurring pathogen (39.40%), followed by Proteus spp. 21.2%, Citrobacter spp. and Streptococcus faecalis (12.1%) Klebsiella spp. (9.1%), and Staphylococcus aureus and Enterobacter (3.0%). Susceptibility rate of E. coli were 69.2% to Gentamycin and Amikacin, 53.8% to Norfloxacin, 38.4% to Nalidixic acid and Norfloxacin. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric urine culture isolates were becoming increasingly resistant to commonly used antibiotics. Finally, we suggest that empirical antibiotic selection should be based on knowledge of the local prevalence of bacterial organisms and antibiotic sensitivities rather than on universal guidelines. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijim.v2i3.8665   Int J Infect Microbiol 2013;2(3):82-86
Why Re-open the Debate on the Preliminary Inquiry? Some Preliminary Empirical Observations
Authors: Webster Cheryl Marie , Bebbington Howard H.
Published: October 2013

The preliminary inquiry has existed as a procedural protection in our criminal justice system for well over a century. Despite its longevity, this procedural option has not been without controversy. Particularly over the last several decades, there has been considerable debate surrounding its continuing value. Recently, a 2012 press release by the federal, provincial, and territorial ministers responsible for justice and public safety suggests that reform (and quite possibly abolition) of the preliminary inquiry is again being considered. The present article provides an empirical context in which to think about preliminary inquiry reform. Using a detailed and comprehensive national data set, developed in 2003 and specifically tailored to examine this criminal procedure, we do not find a clear case for re-opening the debate. The preliminary inquiry appears to have value in reducing the use of expensive court resources, either by altering the course of cases destined for Superior Court or by eliminating weak charges. Its costs in terms of court delay and valuable resources are significantly limited by its infrequent use and few court appearances. At a minimum, this article suggests that a more detailed empirical examination is justified (if not required) before any changes are made to the preliminary inquiry.
Canadian Jury Research: The Contributions of Anthony N. Doob
Authors: Hans Valerie P.
Published: October 2013

In the 1970s, when the Law Reform Commission of Canada undertook a comprehensive project on the Canadian jury, there was a dearth of empirical research on the topic. Anthony N. Doob's research studies on juror decision making, among the first to be conducted on questions of relevance to the Canadian jury, were innovative, legally astute, and valuable sources of information. They have served as important models for subsequent jury research in Canada.
Service Learning: Priority 4 Paws Mobile Surgical Service for Shelter Animals
Authors: Freeman Lynetta J. , Ferguson Nancy , Litster Annette , Arighi Mimi
Published: October 2013

The increasing attention given to competencies needed to enter the workforce has revealed a need for veterinary students to gain more experience in performing small-animal elective surgery before graduation. In addition, guidelines for standards of care for shelter animals recommend that all dogs and cats should be spayed or neutered before adoption. Teaching surgical skills while serving the needs of local animal shelters represents an ideal service-learning opportunity. Following a pilot study and the benchmarking of other programs, an elective course in shelter medicine and surgery was created at Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine (PVM) to allow senior DVM students an opportunity to spend 2 weeks on a mobile surgery unit (Priority 4 Paws) and 1 week at an animal shelter. With financial assistance from sponsors and donors, PVM purchased and equipped a mobile surgery unit, hired a full-time veterinarian and a registered veterinary technician, and established relationships with 12 animal shelters. From July 30, 2012, to March 22, 2013, 1,941 spays and neuters were performed with excellent postsurgical outcomes while training 33 veterinary students on rotation and 26 veterinary technician students. The program was well accepted by both students and the shelters being served. The Priority 4 Paws program is an example of an integrated, community-based service-learning opportunity that not only helps to improve the surgical skills of veterinary students but also helps to meet an identified community need.
Misdirection and guidance of regenerating axons after experimental nerve injury and repair
Authors: de Ruiter Godard C. W. , Spinner Robert J. , Verhaagen Joost , Malessy Martijn J. A.
Published: October 2013

Misdirection of regenerating axons is one of the factors that can explain the limited results often found after nerve injury and repair. In the repair of mixed nerves innervating different distal targets (skin and muscle), misdirection may, for example, lead to motor axons projecting toward skin, and vice versa—that is, sensory axons projecting toward muscle. In the repair of motor nerves innervating different distal targets, misdirection may result in reinnervation of the wrong target muscle, which might function antagonistically. In sensory nerve repair, misdirection might give an increased perceptual territory. After median nerve repair, for example, this might lead to a dysfunctional hand.

Different factors may be involved in the misdirection of regenerating axons, and there may be various mechanisms that can later correct for misdirection. In this review the authors discuss these different factors and mechanisms that act along the pathway of the regenerating axon. The authors review recently developed evaluation methods that can be used to investigate the accuracy of regeneration after nerve injury and repair (including the use of transgenic fluorescent mice, retrograde tracing techniques, and motion analysis). In addition, the authors discuss new strategies that can improve in vivo guidance of regenerating axons (including physical guidance with multichannel nerve tubes and biological guidance accomplished using gene therapy).
Surgical management and clinical outcomes of multiple-level symptomatic herniated thoracic discs
Authors: Oppenlander Mark E. , Clark Justin C. , Kalyvas James , Dickman Curtis A.
Published: October 2013

Object

Symptomatic herniated thoracic discs (HTDs) are rare, and patients infrequently require treatment of 2 or more disc levels. The authors assess the surgical management and outcomes of patients with multiple-level symptomatic HTDs.

Methods

A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database was performed of 220 consecutive patients treated surgically for symptomatic HTDs. Clinical and surgical results were compared between patients with single-level disease and patients with multiple-level disease and also among the different approaches used for surgical decompression.

Results

Between 1992 and 2012, 56 patients (mean age 48 years; 26 male, 30 female) underwent 62 procedures for 130 HTDs. Forty-six patients (82%) had myelopathy, and 36 (64%) had thoracic radiculopathy; 24 patients had both conditions in varying degree. Symptom duration averaged 28 months. The surgical approach was dictated by disc size, consistency, and location. Twenty-three thoracotomy, 26 thoracoscopy, and 13 posterolateral procedures were performed. Five patients required a combination of approaches. Patients underwent 2-level (n = 44), 3-level (n = 7), 4-level (n = 4), or 5-level (n = 1) discectomies. Instrumented fusion was performed in 36 patients (64%). Thirteen patients harbored 19 additional discs, which were deemed asymptomatic/nonoperative.

The mean hospital stay was 6.5 days. Complete disc resection was verified with postoperative imaging in every patient. The procedural complication rate was 23%, and the nature of complications differed based on approach. No patients had surgery-related spinal cord injury or new myelopathy.

At a mean follow-up of 48 months, myelopathy and radiculopathy had resolved or improved at a rate of 85% and 92%, respectively. Using a general linear model, preoperative symptom duration (p = 0.037) and perioperative hospital length of stay (p = 0.004) emerged as negative predictors of myelopathy improvement. Most patients (96%) were satisfied with the surgical results.

Compared with 164 patients who underwent single-level HTD decompression, patients requiring surgery for multiple-level HTDs were more often myelopathic (p = 0.012). Surgery for multiple-level HTDs was more likely to require a thoracotomy approach (p = 0.00055) and instrumented fusion (p < 0.0001) and resulted in greater blood loss (p = 0.0036) and higher complication rates (p = 0.0069). The rates of resolution for myelopathy (p = 0.24) and radiculopathy (p = 1.0), however, were similar between the 2 patient groups.

Conclusions

The management of multiple-level symptomatic HTDs is complex, requiring individualized clinical decision making. The surgical approaches must be selected to minimize manipulation of the compressed thoracic spinal cord, and a patient may require a combination of approaches. Excellent surgical results can be achieved in this unique and challenging patient population.
A Framework to Evaluate Wildlife Feeding in Research, Wildlife Management, Tourism and Recreation
Authors: Dubois Sara , Fraser David
Published: October 2013

Feeding of wildlife occurs in the context of research, wildlife management, tourism and in opportunistic ways. A review of examples shows that although feeding is often motivated by good intentions, it can lead to problems of public safety and conservation and be detrimental to the welfare of the animals. Examples from British Columbia illustrate the problems (nuisance animal activity, public safety risk) and consequences (culling, translocation) that often arise from uncontrolled feeding. Three features of wildlife feeding can be distinguished: the feasibility of control, the effects on conservation and the effects on animal welfare. An evaluative framework incorporating these three features was applied to examples of feeding from the literature. The cases of feeding for research and management purposes were generally found to be acceptable, while cases of feeding for tourism or opportunistic feeding were generally unacceptable. The framework should allow managers and policy-makers to distinguish acceptable from unacceptable forms of wildlife feeding as a basis for policy, public education and enforcement. Many harmful forms of wildlife feeding seem unlikely to change until they come to be seen as socially unacceptable.
Systems Biology as an Integrated Platform for Bioinformatics, Systems Synthetic Biology, and Systems Metabolic Engineering
Authors: Chen Bor-Sen , Wu Chia-Chou
Published: October 2013

Systems biology aims at achieving a system-level understanding of living organisms and applying this knowledge to various fields such as synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, and medicine. System-level understanding of living organisms can be derived from insight into: (i) system structure and the mechanism of biological networks such as gene regulation, protein interactions, signaling, and metabolic pathways; (ii) system dynamics of biological networks, which provides an understanding of stability, robustness, and transduction ability through system identification, and through system analysis methods; (iii) system control methods at different levels of biological networks, which provide an understanding of systematic mechanisms to robustly control system states, minimize malfunctions, and provide potential therapeutic targets in disease treatment; (iv) systematic design methods for the modification and construction of biological networks with desired behaviors, which provide system design principles and system simulations for synthetic biology designs and systems metabolic engineering. This review describes current developments in systems biology, systems synthetic biology, and systems metabolic engineering for engineering and biology researchers. We also discuss challenges and future prospects for systems biology and the concept of systems biology as an integrated platform for bioinformatics, systems synthetic biology, and systems metabolic engineering.
Global Food Safety—International Consumers’ Rights?
Authors: Hussain Malik
Published: October 2013

Your submissions to this Special Issue “Food Microbiology and Safety” of Foods—a new open access journal—are welcome. We understand there are no foodborne illness-free zones in the world. Therefore, a proper understanding of foodborne pathogens and the factors that impact their growth, survival and pathogenesis would equip us with tools to ensure global food safety. This Special Issue publishes articles on different aspects of food microbiology and safety. [...]
“We Made the Rule, We Have to Stick to It”: Towards Effective Management of Environmental Tobacco Smoke in Remote Australian Aboriginal Communities
Authors: Robertson Jan , Pointing Boris , Stevenson Leah , Clough Alan
Published: October 2013

Smoking prevalence in remote Australian Aboriginal communities remains extraordinarily high, with rates reported of up to 82%. Widespread exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is exacerbated by overcrowded housing. Implementation of existing smoke-free policies is challenged by the normalization of smoking and a lack of appropriate regulation resources. This paper celebrates a grassroots approach to control of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in these settings. We report on selected findings from a tobacco intervention study in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory in 2007–2012. In community-level tobacco use surveys at baseline (n = 400 ≥ 16 years), participants reported concern about the constant exposure of non-smokers to tobacco smoke. Suggestions for action included restricting smoking in private and public spaces. We selected three case studies illustrating management of ETS from observational data during the study’s intervention phase. Using a critical realist approach, the context and mechanisms that contributed to specific strategies, or outcomes, were examined in order to develop a hypothesis regarding more effective management of ETS in these environments. Our results suggest that in discrete, disadvantaged communities, enhanced local ownership of smoke-free policies and development of implementation strategies at the grassroots level that acknowledge and incorporate cultural contexts can contribute to more effective management of ETS.
The Rise of Collaborative Mapping: Trends and Future Directions
Authors: See Linda , Fritz Steffen , Leeuw Jan
Published: October 2013

The nature of map production and the dissemination of spatially referenced information have changed radically over the last decade. This change has been marked by an explosion of user generated spatial content via Web 2.0, access to a rising tide of big data streams from remotely-sensed and public data archives, and the use of mobile phones and other sensors as mapping devices. All of these developments have facilitated a much wider use of geodata, transforming ordinary citizens into neogeographers. This increase in user-generated content has resulted in a blurring of the boundaries between the traditional map producer, i.e., national mapping agencies and local authorities, and citizens as consumers of this information. Citizens now take an active role in mapping different types of features on the Earth’s surface as volunteers, either by providing observations on the ground or tracing data from other sources, such as aerial photographs or satellite imagery. OpenStreetMap (OSM) and Ushahidi are two well-known examples of a growing collection of collaborative mapping communities that are building rich spatial datasets, which are openly accessible. [...]
HuR-Regulated mRNAs Associated with Nuclear hnRNP A1-RNP Complexes
Authors: Papadodima Olga , Chatziioannou Aristotelis , Patrinou-Georgoula Meropi , Kolisis Fragiskos , Pletsa Vasiliki , Guialis Apostolia
Published: October 2013

Post-transcriptional regulatory networks are dependent on the interplay of many RNA-binding proteins having a major role in mRNA processing events in mammals. We have been interested in the concerted action of the two RNA-binding proteins hnRNP A1 and HuR, both stable components of immunoselected hnRNP complexes and having a major nuclear localization. Specifically, we present here the application of the RNA-immunoprecipitation (RIP)-Chip technology to identify a population of nuclear transcripts associated with hnRNP A1-RNPs as isolated from the nuclear extract of either HuR WT or HuR-depleted (KO) mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells. The outcome of this analysis was a list of target genes regulated via HuR for their association (either increased or reduced) with the nuclear hnRNP A1-RNP complexes. Real time PCR analysis was applied to validate a selected number of nuclear mRNA transcripts, as well as to identify pre-spliced transcripts (in addition to their mature mRNA counterpart) within the isolated nuclear hnRNP A1-RNPs. The differentially enriched mRNAs were found to belong to GO categories relevant to biological processes anticipated for hnRNP A1 and HuR (such as transport, transcription, translation, apoptosis and cell cycle) indicating their concerted function in mRNA metabolism.
Vanadium Pentoxide-Based Composite Synthesized Using Microwave Water Plasma for Cathode Material in Rechargeable Magnesium Batteries
Authors: Inamoto Masashi , Kurihara Hideki , Yajima Tatsuhiko
Published: October 2013

Multivalent cation rechargeable batteries are expected to perform well as high-capacity storage devices. Rechargeable magnesium batteries have an advantage in terms of resource utilization and safety. Here, we report on sulfur-doped vanadium pentoxide (S-V2O5) as a potential material for the cathodes of such a battery; S-V2O5 showed a specific capacity of 300 mAh·g−1. S-V2O5 was prepared by a method using a low-temperature plasma generated by carbon felt and a 2.45 GHz microwave generator. This study investigates the ability of S-V2O5 to achieve high capacity when added to metal oxide. The highest recorded capacity (420 mAh·g−1) was reached with MnO2 added to composite SMn-V2O5, which has a higher proportion of included sulfur than found in S-V2O5. Results from transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Micro-Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy show that the bulk of the SMn-V2O5 was the orthorhombic V2O5 structure; the surface was a xerogel-like V2O5 and a solid solution of MnO2 and sulfur.
Performance Modeling and Cost Analysis of a Pilot-Scale Reverse Osmosis Process for the Final Purification of Olive Mill Wastewater
Authors: Ochando-Pulido Javier , Hodaifa Gassan , Victor-Ortega Maria , Martinez-Ferez Antonio
Published: October 2013

A secondary treatment for olive mill wastewater coming from factories working with the two-phase olive oil production process (OMW-2) has been set-up on an industrial scale in an olive oil mill in the premises of Jaén (Spain). The secondary treatment comprises Fenton-like oxidation followed by flocculation-sedimentation and filtration through olive stones. In this work, performance modelization and preliminary cost analysis of a final reverse osmosis (RO) process was examined on pilot scale for ulterior purification of OMW-2 with the goal of closing the loop of the industrial production process. Reduction of concentration polarization on the RO membrane equal to 26.3% was provided upon increment of the turbulence over the membrane to values of Reynolds number equal to 2.6 × 104. Medium operating pressure (25 bar) should be chosen to achieve significant steady state permeate flux (21.1 L h−1 m−2) and minimize membrane fouling, ensuring less than 14.7% flux drop and up to 90% feed recovery. Under these conditions, irreversible fouling below 0.08 L h−2 m−2 bar−1 helped increase the longevity of the membrane and reduce the costs of the treatment. For 10 m3 day−1 OMW-2 on average, 47.4 m2 required membrane area and 0.87 € m−3 total costs for the RO process were estimated.
Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) Sub-Micron Traps for Single-Cell Analysis of Bacteria
Authors: Probst Christopher , Grünberger Alexander , Wiechert Wolfgang , Kohlheyer Dietrich
Published: October 2013

Microfluidics has become an essential tool in single-cell analysis assays for gaining more accurate insights into cell behavior. Various microfluidics methods have been introduced facilitating single-cell analysis of a broad range of cell types. However, the study of prokaryotic cells such as Escherichia coli and others still faces the challenge of achieving proper single-cell immobilization simply due to their small size and often fast growth rates. Recently, new approaches were presented to investigate bacteria growing in monolayers and single-cell tracks under environmental control. This allows for high-resolution time-lapse observation of cell proliferation, cell morphology and fluorescence-coupled bioreporters. Inside microcolonies, interactions between nearby cells are likely and may cause interference during perturbation studies. In this paper, we present a microfluidic device containing hundred sub-micron sized trapping barrier structures for single E. coli cells. Descendant cells are rapidly washed away as well as components secreted by growing cells. Experiments show excellent growth rates, indicating high cell viability. Analyses of elongation and growth rates as well as morphology were successfully performed. This device will find application in prokaryotic single-cell studies under constant environment where by-product interference is undesired.
Assessment of the Anti-Protozoal Activity of Crude Carica papaya Seed Extract against Trypanosoma cruzi
Authors: Jiménez-Coello Matilde , Guzman-Marín Eugenia , Ortega-Pacheco Antonio , Perez-Gutiérrez Salud , Acosta-Viana Karla
Published: October 2013

In order to determine the in vivo activity against the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, two doses (50 and 75 mg/kg) of a chloroform extract of Carica papaya seeds were evaluated compared with a control group of allopurinol. The activity of a mixture of the three main compounds (oleic, palmitic and stearic acids in a proportion of 45.9% of oleic acid, 24.1% of palmitic and 8.52% of stearic acid previously identified in the crude extract of C. papaya was evaluated at doses of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg. Both doses of the extracts were orally administered for 28 days. A significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the number of blood trypomastigotes was observed in animals treated with the evaluated doses of the C. papaya extract in comparison with the positive control group (allopurinol 8.5 mg/kg). Parasitemia in animals treated with the fatty acids mixture was also significantly reduced (p < 0.05), compared to negative control animals. These results demonstrate that the fatty acids identified in the seed extracts of C. papaya (from ripe fruit) are able to reduce the number of parasites from both parasite stages, blood trypomastigote and amastigote (intracellular stage).
The Importance of Dose, Frequency and Duration of Vitamin D Supplementation for Plasma 25-Hydroxyvitamin D
Authors: Chao Yi-Sheng , Brunel Ludovic , Faris Peter , Veugelers Paul
Published: October 2013

The importance of dose, frequency and duration of vitamin D supplementation for plasma 25(OH)D levels is not well described and rarely reported for supplementation that exceeds 2000 IU per day. The objective is to examine dose, frequency and duration of supplementation in relation to plasma 25(OH)D in a large population-based sample. We accessed data on 2714 volunteers that contributed to 4224 visits and applied multilevel regression. Compared to not using supplements, a minimum regimen of 1000–2000 IU once or twice per week for one month was not effective in raising 25(OH)D. Compared to this minimum regimen, higher doses of 2000–3000, 3000–4000, and 5000 IU or more were associated with a 7.49, 13.19 and 30.22 nmol/L 25(OH)D increase, respectively; frequencies of three to four, five to six and seven times/week were associated with a 5.44, 16.52 and 30.69 nmol/L increase, respectively; and supplementation of five months or longer was associated with an increase of 6.68 nmol/L (p < 0.01 for all). Age, body weight, physical activity, smoking, and self-rated health were significantly associated with 25(OH)D. Whereas dose, frequency and duration of supplementation are important to healthy subjects committed to optimizing their nutritional status, to the design of clinical trials, individual characteristics and lifestyle contribute substantially to 25(OH)D.
Glibenclamide for the Treatment of Acute CNS Injury
Authors: Kurland David , Tosun Cigdem , Pampori Adam , Karimy Jason , Caffes Nicholas , Gerzanich Volodymyr , Simard J.
Published: October 2013

First introduced into clinical practice in 1969, glibenclamide (US adopted name, glyburide) is known best for its use in the treatment of diabetes mellitus type 2, where it is used to promote the release of insulin by blocking pancreatic KATP [sulfonylurea receptor 1 (Sur1)-Kir6.2] channels. During the last decade, glibenclamide has received renewed attention due to its pleiotropic protective effects in acute CNS injury. Acting via inhibition of the recently characterized Sur1-Trpm4 channel (formerly, the Sur1-regulated NCCa-ATP channel) and, in some cases, via brain KATP channels, glibenclamide has been shown to be beneficial in several clinically relevant rodent models of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, neonatal encephalopathy of prematurity, and metastatic brain tumor. Glibenclamide acts on microvessels to reduce edema formation and secondary hemorrhage, it inhibits necrotic cell death, it exerts potent anti-inflammatory effects and it promotes neurogenesis—all via inhibition of Sur1. Two clinical trials, one in TBI and one in stroke, currently are underway. These recent findings, which implicate Sur1 in a number of acute pathological conditions involving the CNS, present new opportunities to use glibenclamide, a well-known, safe pharmaceutical agent, for medical conditions that heretofore had few or no treatment options.
Flexible Design and Operation of Multi-Stage Flash (MSF) Desalination Process Subject to Variable Fouling and Variable Freshwater Demand
Authors: Said Said , Emtir Mansour , Mujtaba Iqbal
Published: October 2013

This work describes how the design and operation parameters of the Multi-Stage Flash (MSF) desalination process are optimised when the process is subject to variation in seawater temperature, fouling and freshwater demand throughout the day. A simple polynomial based dynamic seawater temperature and variable freshwater demand correlations are developed based on actual data which are incorporated in the MSF mathematical model using gPROMS models builder 3.0.3. In addition, a fouling model based on stage temperature is considered. The fouling and the effect of noncondensable gases are incorporated into the calculation of overall heat transfer co-efficient for condensers. Finally, an optimisation problem is developed where the total daily operating cost of the MSF process is minimised by optimising the design (no of stages) and the operating (seawater rejected flowrate and brine recycle flowrate) parameters.
Comparative and Quantitative Global Proteomics Approaches: An Overview
Authors: Deracinois Barbara , Flahaut Christophe , Duban-Deweer Sophie , Karamanos Yannis
Published: October 2013

Proteomics became a key tool for the study of biological systems. The comparison between two different physiological states allows unravelling the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in a biological process. Proteomics can confirm the presence of proteins suggested by their mRNA content and provides a direct measure of the quantity present in a cell. Global and targeted proteomics strategies can be applied. Targeted proteomics strategies limit the number of features that will be monitored and then optimise the methods to obtain the highest sensitivity and throughput for a huge amount of samples. The advantage of global proteomics strategies is that no hypothesis is required, other than a measurable difference in one or more protein species between the samples. Global proteomics methods attempt to separate quantify and identify all the proteins from a given sample. This review highlights only the different techniques of separation and quantification of proteins and peptides, in view of a comparative and quantitative global proteomics analysis. The in-gel and off-gel quantification of proteins will be discussed as well as the corresponding mass spectrometry technology. The overview is focused on the widespread techniques while keeping in mind that each approach is modular and often recovers the other.
Une idée sur le déclin ?
Authors: Pellizzoni Luigi , Vannini Laurent
Published: October 2013

La démocratie délibérative s’est répandue à toute vitesse, sans distinction de tradition politique ou étatique. Un débat s’est développé tout aussi rapidement à propos de ses vertus et limites ; il s’est orienté progressivement de la théorie vers la pratique ; son centre de gravité s’est déplacé des arènes de la délibération vers leur contexte politique et institutionnel ; mais il n’a pas remis en question la nature et les implications fondamentalement bénéfiques de la délibération publique. Néanmoins, il semble que nous soyons aujourd’hui à un tournant. Un nombre grandissant de travaux académiques développe un autre type de critique, plus virulente, au centre de laquelle se trouvent non pas la revitalisation de la démocratie et le rôle joué par les forums délibératifs dans la « nouvelle ère » de la gouvernance, mais la « néolibéralisation de la société », et l’intégration, à l’œuvre dans ce processus, de la démocratie délibérative dans une rationalité de gouvernement. Par conséquent, certaines questions posées depuis longtemps y sont interprétées ou hiérarchisées différemment, tandis que d’autres sont soulevées avec plus d’insistance, notamment celles qui traitent de la politique et « du politique ». Cet article analyse les principaux arguments propres à cette seconde catégorie de travaux, qui font voir « faiblesses » et « désavantages » non pas comme des éléments fortuits et corrigibles, mais comme des qualités en grande partie intentionnelles, et responsables du succès même de la délibération. Néanmoins, plutôt que de souligner le destin tragique auquel serait vouée par nature la démocratie délibérative, cette étude suggère une refonte du programme de recherche qui en a fait son objet.
Les reconversions dans l'associatif de militants politiques marocains
Authors: Cheynis Éric
Published: October 2013

Cette contribution propose de revenir sur les trajectoires d’anciens militants politiques marocains de gauche aujourd’hui investis dans l’associatif. Dans un premier temps, l’article étudie des processus de reconversion et articule une analyse des trajectoires militantes à celle des transformations du champ politique. Il éclaire ainsi la production d’une nouvelle offre d’engagement. Pour les acteurs étudiés, l’associatif apparaît comme un lieu d’actualisation de dispositions politiques mais aussi de reconversion de compétences professionnelles et de ressources internationales. Loin des explications en termes de reniements ou de trahisons, l’article adopte dans un second temps une approche compréhensive. Il souligne combien ces investissements dans l’associatif sont vécus sur le mode de la continuité, le passé politique justifiant les engagements associatifs présents. Les mises en récit donnent à voir le caractère incrémental des repositionnements. Au final, les reconversions que supposent ces redéploiements dans l’associatif ne peuvent être pensées et vécues que collectivement.
Soros' Theory of Reflexivity: a critical comment
Authors: Lawson Tony
Published: October 2013

Résumé La recherche économique contemporaine a perdu (de) sa puissance explicative. Bien que cela transparaisse déjà depuis un bon moment, ce n’est que depuis la récente crise économique que cet état de fait est reconnu de manière plus générale. Cependant, plusieurs initiatives ont étés lancées dans l’espoir d’améliorer la situation. Une initiative phare fut celle qu’a lancée George Soros, à partir du constat suivant: si la réflexivité est une composante majeure de la réalité sociale, les contributions dominantes actuelles en économie n’intègrent pas cette dimension. Le propos de mon article est de montrer que si Soros nous donne un éclairage pertinent, il ne pousse pas assez loin son raisonnement. L’essence de son message risque de se perdre en conséquence de certains propos qu’il faut mettre en doute et qui ne sont peut-être pas nécessaires à son argumentation centrale – des propos que l’on peut retrouver ailleurs dans la quête d’alternatives, et qui méritent à ce titre une attention particulière.
Avatars in E- and U-Learning
Authors: Szmigiel Raymond , Lee Doris
Published: October 2013

Avatars are virtual agents or characters that graphically represent users within virtual environments. Avatars can be implemented in three-dimensional (3-D) virtual environments for training purposes. While there are promising findings indicating that avatars can enhance the learning experience, conclusive and generalized evaluations cannot be made at this time. The effectiveness of these virtual agents in a learning context remains an open question. The purpose of this chapter is to present background information on the definitions and use of avatars in e-based, virtual learning environments and to address the applicability of avatars to ubiquitous learning (u-learning). This chapter examines the available empirical research on the effectiveness of avatars in facilitating social interactivity, motivation, and collaborative learning in 3-D environments. Finally, this chapter provides suggestions for future studies on the design of avatars in both e- and u-learning.
CRS
Authors: Taha Kamal
Published: October 2013

Most problems facing Distance Education (DE) academic advising can be overcome using a course recommender system. Such a system can overcome the problem of students who do not know their interest in courses from merely their titles or descriptions provided in course catalogues. The authors introduce in this chapter an XML user-based Collaborative Filtering (CF) system called CRS. The system aims at predicting a DE student’s academic performance and interest on a course based on a collection of profiles of students who have similar interests and academic performance in prior courses. The system advises a student to take courses that were taken successfully by students who have the same interests and academic performance as the active student. The framework of CRS identifies a set of course features for every academic major. The authors experimentally evaluate CRS. Results show marked improvement.
Multiformalism Modeling Compositionality in SIMTHESys
Authors: Barbierato Enrico
Published: October 2013

Multiformalism has emerged as a sound technique to define a complex system as the composition of a set of sub-components, each one modeled according to the best-suited formalism. Existing literature offers a wide choice of frameworks and tools that exploit model composition following different approaches. This chapter provides an insight into the composition approach used by SIMTHESys (a framework for the development of modeling languages and the solution of multiformalism models) in order to compose easily and consistently primitives belonging to different (custom) modeling languages. A case study is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed composition formalism.
GPA
Authors: Bradley Jeremy T. , Guenther Marcel C. , Hayden Richard A. , Stefanek Anton
Published: October 2013

This chapter discusses the latest trends and developments in performance analysis research of large population models. In particular, it reviews GPA, a state-of-the-art Multiformalism, Multisolution (MFMS) tool that provides a framework for the implementation of various population modelling formalisms and solution methods.
A Soft Computing-Based Idea Applied to the Truck and Trailer Routing Problem
Authors: Pérez Isis Torres , Suárez Alejandro Rosete , Cruz-Corona Carlos , Verdegay José L.
Published: October 2013

Techniques based on Soft Computing are useful to model and solve real-world problems where decision makers use subjective knowledge or linguistic information when making decisions, measuring parameters, objectives, and constraints, and even when modeling the problem. In many problems in transport and logistics, it is necessary to take into account that the available knowledge about some data and parameters of the problem model is imprecise or uncertain. Truck and Trailer Routing Problem, TTRP, is one of most recent and interesting problems in transport routing planning. TTRP is a combinatorial optimization problem, and it is computationally more difficult to solve than the known Vehicle Routing Problem, VRP. Most of models used in the literature assume that the data available is accurate; but this consideration does not correspond with reality. For this reason, it is appropriate to focus research toward defining TTRP models for incorporating the uncertainty present in their data. The aims of the present chapter are: a) to provide a study on the Truck and Trailer Routing Problem that serves as help to researchers interested on this topic and b) to present an approach using techniques of Soft Computing to solve this problem.
An Effective Methodology for Road Accident Data Collection in Developing Countries
Authors: Adnan Muhammad , Ali Mir Shabbar
Published: October 2013

Underreporting of road accidents has been widely accepted as a common phenomenon. In many developing countries this remains a critical problem as inappropriate information regarding road accidents does not provide a base to analyse its root causes. Therefore, effectiveness of implemented interventions are always questionable. In Pakistan, responsibility of collecting initial information regarding road accidents lies with the Police Department; however, reported figures are reflecting underestimation of the situation. This chapter reports the effectiveness of prevailing approaches for recording accident information in developing countries like Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, etc. Furthermore, it presents a unique methodology that has been adopted in Karachi for recording road accident information through an institute established on the notions of public-private partnership. Various features of that unique data collection mechanism are presented along with the discussion of some success stories, where the collected data has contributed significantly in improving road safety conditions.
The Evolution from Electric Grid to Smart Grid
Authors: Fraile-Ardanuy Jesus , Ramirez Dionisio , Martinez Sergio , Gonzalez Jairo , Alvaro Roberto
Published: October 2013

In this chapter, an overview of electric power systems is presented. The purpose is to describe the structure and operation of the power system and its evolution to the new smart grids. The first section gives an introduction about the electric grid and its evolution. Then, there is a section with a brief description of the different components of the electric power system: generation, transmission, distribution, and consumption. The third section is related to power system control, explaining why control actions are necessary in the power system to maintain the balance between supply and consumption and to keep constant the system frequency (at 50 or 60 Hz). In order to understand future applications of electric vehicles, it is important to present a fourth section related to fundamentals of the electricity markets. The chapter finishes with a description of the future power systems with high penetration of intermittent renewable energies, energy storage capacity, active demand management, and integration with telecommunication infrastructure.
Internet Advertising
Authors: Jakab Radomír
Published: October 2013

As can be derived from its name, Internet advertising means any form of promoting products or services through the Internet. This form of advertising can be distinguished into more forms such as e-mail advertising, on-line advertisements, corporate and marketing websites. Such differentiation is important from a legal point of view as well. Besides the definition and classification of Internet advertising, this chapter is mainly aimed at an analysis of the applicable European law regulating this area: such as general requirements for advertising, including its Internet form or rules relating to unsolicited commercial communications (spam). Further, when advertising through the Internet, rules designed for the protection against unfair commercial practices or prohibited comparative advertisements may be challenged. The objective of this chapter is not only to analyze some relevant provision of the European law but also to submit proposals for its improvement if needed.
Vibration and Sound Radiation Characteristics of Composite Flat-Panel Sound Radiator
Authors: Jiang C.H. , Kam T.Y.
Published: October 2013

The vibration and sound radiation characteristics of laminated composite flat-panel sound radiators are studied via both theoretical and experimental approaches. In the theoretical study, a finite element model is presented to formulate the forced vibration of the sound radiators. The first Rayleigh integral is used to construct the sound pressure level curve of the sound radiators. In the experimental study, a laminated composite sound radiator was subjected to sweep sine excitation to determine the frequency response spectrum from which the natural frequencies of the sound radiator were identified. The sound radiator with salt powder distributed on its top surface was excited to generate the vibration shapes of the sound radiator at several selected frequencies. The SPL curve of the sound radiator was also measured experimentally. The experimental results are then used to verify the feasibility and accuracy of the proposed finite element model.
Prediction Modeling for Moisture Sorption Isotherms of Rice Starch/Carboxymethyl Cellulose from Durian Rind Blend Films
Authors: Suriyatem Rungsiri , Rachtanapun Pornchai
Published: October 2013

Rice starch/carboxymethyl cellulose from durian rind (RS/CMCd) blend films were prepared by solution casting. The effect of different ratios between rice starch and CMCd (100:0, 88:12, 67:33, 50:50, 33:67, 12:88 and 0:100) on moisture sorption isotherm of blend films was investigated. The sorption isotherm of RS/CMCd blend films was determined at various relative humidity (RH) at 25°C. The isotherm curves revealed that the highest equilibrium moisture content (EMC) was obtained from CMCd film, at aw=85. Knowledge of sorption isotherms is important to predict the moisture sorption properties of the filmsviamoisture sorption empirical models. The Lewicki, Peleg, Guggenheim-Anderson-deBoer (GAB), BrunauerEmmettTeller (BET), and Oswin models were tested to fit the experimental data. The root mean squares percentage error (%RMS) of Lewicki, Peleg, GAB, BET and Oswin was in the range of 5.3-83.1, 2.2-20.0, 6.9-20.2, 3.4-26.4 and 4.7-41.2, respectively. The Peleg model was found to be the best fitted model for RS/CMCd blend films.