bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two-Year Outcome of Repeat Trabeculectomy with Mitomycin C in Primary Open-Angle and PEX Glaucoma
Authors: Meyer Linda M. , Graf Natascha E. , Philipp Sebastian , Fischer Marie T. , Haller Katharina , Distelmaier Peter , Schönfeld Carl-Ludwig
Published: December 2014

Purpose

To evaluate the effectiveness of repeat trabeculectomy with risk factor–adjusted mitomycin C (MMC) application in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG) over 2 years.

Methods

A total of 58 patients (43 with POAG, 15 with PEXG) who had undergone repeat trabeculectomy with MMC were included in this retrospective study. Exposure time of MMC 0.3 mg/mL was adjusted according to a standardized protocol. Main outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction, surgical success rate (criteria were defined as A: IOP ≤21 mm Hg and a reduction of IOP ≥20%; B: IOP ≤18 mm Hg and a reduction of IOP of ≥30%; C: IOP ≤15 mm Hg and a reduction of IOP of ≥40% from baseline), and number of medications at baseline, 3 months, and 2 years postoperatively.

Results

The BCVA remained stable for 2 years after surgery (0.47 ± 0.47 at baseline, 0.49 ± 0.64 logMAR units after 2 years, respectively). Mean IOP decreased from 22.2 ± 7.0 mm Hg at baseline to 12.7 ± 3.1 mm Hg at 3 months and 12.9 ± 4.3 mm Hg 2 years after surgery. The qualified success rate for criterion A was 75.4%, for criterion B 66.6%, and for criterion C45.6%. Complete success rates were 42.9%, 37.5%, and 32.1%, respectively. Two years after repeat trabeculectomy, the mean IOP was reduced by 38.8%, and the number of medications was reduced significantly.

Conclusions

Repeat trabeculectomy with MMC is successful at lowering IOP in POAG and PEXG and permits a significant and safe reduction of antiglaucomatous medication for at least 2 years after surgery.
Corneal Thickness of Eyes with Unilateral Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Arikan Sedat , Ersan Ismail , Kara Selcuk , Gencer Baran , Korkmaz Safak , Vural Azer Sara
Published: December 2014

Purpose

To compare the central corneal thicknesses (CCT), peripheral corneal thicknesses, and corneal volumes (CV) of the 2 eyes of patients with unilateral age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods

Twenty patients who were diagnosed with unilateral AMD were included in this prospective study for the purpose of making comparison between the diseased and healthy eyes. Optical coherence tomography and fundus fluorescein angiography imaging were applied to all patients in order to confirm and reveal the presence of unilateral AMD. Then, the measurements of CCT, peripheral corneal thickness measured 4 mm distant from the center of the cornea (4 mm CT), and CV of each eye of these patients were obtained through the rotating Scheimpflug corneal topographer.

Results

Wilcoxon signed-rank test did not demonstrate a statistically sig nificant difference between the 2 eyes of patients with unilateral AMD when we compared the CCT and CV of diseased and healthy eyes (p>0.05). However, 4 mm CT of the diseased eyes of these patients were statistically significantly thicker than the healthy eyes (p<0.05).

Conclusions

The significant difference in terms of 4 mm CT between the diseased and healthy eyes of patients with unilateral AMD may demonstrate the possible effect of peripheral corneal thickness on the development of AMD.
Two Week, OCT-Based follow-up as Guidance for Retreatment with Ranibizumab for CNV Apparently Refractory to Therapy
Authors: Manousaridis Kleanthis , Talks James
Published: December 2014

Purpose

To assess the value of 2-week optical coherence tomography (OCT) follow-up for re-treatment decision-making in patients receiving monthly ranibizumab injections for choroidal neovascular membrane (CNV), which was apparently refractory to treatment.

Methods

A total of 25 eyes of 25 consecutive patients with refractory CNV were included. Patients were classified as having refractory disease if no visual acuity (VA) change and no change in the pattern of macular fluid was noticed on OCT after at least 3 consecutive monthly injections, excluding the loading doses. Repeat injection was given and reassessment with VA and OCT was undertaken at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks.

Results

Complete resolution or marked reduction of macular fluid was noted in 19 patients at 2 weeks (responders). In 18 responders, the fluid increased on 4- and persisted on 8- and 12-week follow-ups, so that further injections were given at these time points. In 6 patients, no significant change was noted at 2 weeks (nonresponders). In all of them, VA and OCT were stable on 4-, 8-, and 12-week follow-ups, without further injections.

Conclusions

As some patients are responding for at least part of the month, injections may be worth continuing or possibly more frequent injections, tailored to the individual's response, may need to be considered. Alternative therapies such as aflibercept may also need to be considered. In nonresponding eyes, other cytokines except for vascular endothelial growth factor are probably involved in the pathogenesis or such cases may have structural damage that will not respond to therapy.
Cataract Surgery under Topical Anesthesia in a Patient with Parkinson Disease and Deep Brain Stimulation: A Report of Feasibility
Authors: Posarelli Chiara , Del Prete Eleonora , Ceravolo Roberto , Nardi Marco , Figus Michele
Published: December 2014

Purpose

Deep brain stimulation provides benefits for people with Parkinson disease by managing some of their complications. None of the few reports in the current literature establishes the functionality of deep brain stimulation when activated during phacoemulsification.

Methods

A 70-year-old woman with subthalamic deep brain stimulator (DBS) for advanced Parkinson disease was referred to our center for cataract surgery. To evaluate any possible interference between ultrasounds and the DBS, we registered the impedance of the electrodes before and after surgery.

Results

The patient underwent uneventful phacoemulsification of her right eye under topical anesthesia with her internal pulse generator device activated. During the surgical procedure, all potential variations of the impedance of the electrodes were recorded.

Conclusions

This report demonstrates that phacoemulsification under topical anesthesia is a feasible procedure in patients with DBS, showing no interference between the ultrasounds and the internal pulse generator.
Effect of Rotary Blood Pump Pulsatility on Potential Parameters of Blood Compatibility and Thrombosis in Inflow Cannula Tips
Authors: Wong Kai Chun , Büsen Martin , Benzinger Carrie , Gäng René , Bezema Mirko , Greatrex Nicholas , Schmitz-Rode Thomas , Steinseifer Ulrich
Published: December 2014

Purpose

Rotary Blood Pump (RBP) pulsatile strategies relative to the native cardiac cycle have been widely studied because of their benefits to hemodynamics. However, the effects that inducing pulses has on the blood compatibility of ventricular assist device (VAD) support have not yet been understood. Inflow cannulae have been found to be associated with thrombosis under conventional constant speed support of RBPs. To prevent further risks to blood compatibility, it is necessary to understand the relationship between cannula tip design and the induced pulsatility. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the flow field of 5 different tip geometries under RBP pulsatile support using stereo-particle image velocimetry (PIV).

Methods

Inflow cannulae with conventional tip geometries (blunt, blunt with 4 side ports, beveled with 3 side ports, and cage) and a custom designed crown tip were studied. All cannulae were interposed between a mixed-flow RBP and a silicone left ventricle. The contractile function and hemodynamics were reproduced in a mock circulation loop (MCL). The RBP was configured to induce synchronous and counter-synchronous pulses relative to cardiac cycles while supporting the failing ventricle.

Results

Between both pulsing strategies, low shear volume ([Formula: see text], potential parameter of thrombus formation) showed no significant difference. However, counter-synchronous pulsatile mode induced less increase of both high shear volume ([Formula: see text], potential parameter of platelet activation) and recirculation volume (Vz>0, potential parameter of thrombus formation).

Conclusions

Although the clinical relationship cannot be inferred from this measurement, when considering the inflow tips only, a necessary trade-off should be made between adverse effects on blood compatibility and benefits for hemodynamics during RBP pulsatile mode.
New Option for the Treatment of Hyperbilirubinemia: In Vitro Direct Hemoperfusion with the Lixelle S-35
Authors: Sartori Marco , Sharma Aashish , Neri Mauro , Garzotto Francesco , Nalesso Federico , Giavarina Davide , Zancato Mirella , Ronco Claudio
Published: December 2014

Purpose

Limited options are available to treat critically ill patients with acute liver failure (ALF) and acute-on-chronic liver failure (AoCLF), therefore we set up an in vitro study in order to test the bilirubin adsorption capacity of the Lixelle S-35 cartridge by direct hemoperfusion (DHP).

Methods

Mock DHP was performed for 120 min using hyperbilirubinic human plasma and blood obtained from a plasmapheresis and exchange transfusion, respectively. The total bilirubin (TBIL) and direct bilirubin (DBIL) baseline concentrations were 17.57 ± 0.53, 12.57 ± 0.23 mg/dl for plasma and 23.10 ± 0.47, 15.37 ± 0.24 mg/dl for blood. Plasma and blood were separately circulated in a closed circuit simulating DHP using an adsorption column (Lixelle S-35) at flow rate of 100 ml/min. TBIL and DBIL levels were measured at 10, 30, 60, and 120 min from arterial and venous ports and assessed with the Jendrassik-Grof method. All tests were performed in triplicate.

Results

The total removal subsequent to DHP (120 min) was seen as TBIL in plasma 55.60%, TBIL in blood 62.16%, DBIL plasma 58.87%, DBIL in blood 64.41%, respectively. The estimated mass adsorption of TBIL in plasma 958.20 ± 5.72 mg, TBIL in blood 1233.60 ± 10.22 mg, DBIL in plasma 680.70 ± 10.68, DBIL in blood 818.10 ± 4.68, respectively.

Conclusions

The bilirubin adsorption rates after DHP were very promising for both hyperbilirubinic plasma and blood. Although further in vitro investigations are required, including comparisons with other techniques, these findings have shown that the Lexille S-35 should represent an option for the management of hyperbilirubinemia in ALF or AoCLF.
Clinical Evaluation of An Expert System for Arteriovenous Fistula Assessment
Authors: Chanliau Jacques , Charasse Christophe , Rose Cédric , Béné Bernard
Published: December 2014

The monitoring of ionic dialysance in hemodialysis allows early detection of arterio-venous fistula stenosis. One limitation to the practical use of ionic dialysance is that the analysis is very time consuming on a majority of normal cases.

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the utility of an expert system reproducing a human analysis and allowing continuous monitoring of the ionic dialysance by helping the physician to focus his or her expertise on the abnormal cases.

The method is based on a Bayesian model that analyzes the blood flow rate, the ionic dialysance, and the venous and arterial pressures measured on the extra corporeal circuit.

The clinical evaluation was performed on 90 dialysis patients at the hospital dialysis center of Saint Brieux in France with a history of at least four consecutive months of validated recording. The retrospective automated analysis was evaluated in comparison to vascular access problems identified from invasive investigation or treatment. The sensitivity of the automated analysis is 92% with a specificity of 75%.

As a conclusion we suggest that this expert system could be used in a continuous vascular access monitoring procedure consisting in a weekly review of the patient population at the dialysis center. The patients with the highest risk score need a further investigation of their historical data and their medical history in order to decide whether or not to perform an invasive intervention.
A Modeling Tool to Study the Combined Effects of Drug Administration and Lvad Assistance in Pathophysiological Circulatory Conditions
Authors: Mahmood Mohammad Nauzef , Fresiello Libera , Di Molfetta Arianna , Ferrari Gianfranco
Published: December 2014

The aim of this work is to develop a tool to study the effect of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) on hemodynamics in conjunction with baroreflex and mechanical circulatory assistance. To this aim, a numerical model of the pharmacodynamic effect of SNP was developed and inserted into a cardiovascular circulatory model integrated with baroreflex and LVAD (continuous flow pump with atrio-aortic connection) sub-models.

The experiments were carried out in two steps. In the first step the model was verified comparing simulations with experimental data acquired from mongrel dogs on mean arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac output (CO), heart rate (HR), peripheral resistance, and left ventricular properties.

In the second step, the combined action of SNP and mechanical circulatory assistance was studied. Data were measured at pump off and at pump on (20000 rpm and 24000 rpm). At pump off, with a 2.5 μg/kg per min SNP infusion in heart failure condition, the MAP was reduced by approximately 8%, CO and HR increased by about 16% and 18%, respectively. In contrast, during assistance (24000 rpm) the changes in MAP, CO and HR were around −9%, +12%, and +20%, respectively. Furthermore, the effects of the drug on hemodynamic parameters at different heart conditions were significantly different. Thus, the model provides insight into the complex interactions between baroreflex, drug infusion, and LVAD and could be a support for clinical decision-making in cardiovascular pathologies.
Correlation between LDH levels and response to sorafenib in HCC patients: an analysis of the ITA.LI.CA database
Authors: Sacco Rodolfo , Mismas Valeria , Granito Alessandro , Musettini Gianna , Masi Gianluca , Caparello Chiara , Vivaldi Caterina , Felder Martina , Bresci Giampaolo , Fornaro Lorenzo
Published: December 2014

Background

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is a predictor of clinical outcome in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. However, its predictive role in the clinical outcomes of sorafenib treatment has been poorly documented. The correlation between LDH levels and clinical outcomes in HCC patients treated with sorafenib and included in the nationwide Italian database ITA.LI.CA was investigated here.

Patients and Methods

 The ITA.LI.CA database contains data for 5,136 HCC patients. All patients treated with sorafenib treatment and with available LDH values were considered. Overall survival (OS) and time to progression (TTP) were compared in patients with LDH levels above and below a defined threshold, determined through an ROC analysis. An explorative analysis investigated the relationship between the variation of LDH levels during treatment and response to sorafenib.

Results

Baseline LDH levels were available for 97 patients. The most accurate cutoff value for LDH concentration was 297 U/L. Patients with LDH values above (n=45) and below (n=52) this threshold showed equal OS (12.0 months) and TTP (4.0 months) values. Data on LDH levels during sorafenib treatment were reported for 10 patients. LDH values decreased in 3 patients (mean difference = -219 U/L) who also reported a prolonged OS and TTP versus those with unmodified/increased LDH (OS: NE (not evaluated) vs. 8.0 months, p=0.0083; TTP: 19.0 vs. 3.0 months, p=0.008).

Conclusions

 The clinical benefits of sorafenib do not seem to be influenced by baseline LDH. According to the results of an explorative analysis, however, a decreased LDH concentration during sorafenib might be associated with improved clinical outcomes.
Serological tumor markers of hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis
Authors: Hussein Tarek D.
Published: December 2014

Background

The clinical value of serum α-fetoprotein (AFP) to detect hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been questioned due to its low sensitivity and specificity. Other than AFP, several new serum biomarkers including glypican-3 (GPC3), des-γ-carboxy prothrombin (DCP), α-L-fucosidase enzyme (AFU) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have been identified as useful HCC markers.

Material and methods

A systematic search on PubMed, Web of Science and others was performed. Twenty-six case-control studies on HCC-related biomarkers published from 2000 to 2014 were included in this analysis. Data on sensitivity and specificity of tests were extracted and analyzed using the Meta-DiSc 1.4 statistical program. Fixed or random-effects models were used depending on the absence or presence of significant heterogeneity. Summary receiver operating characteristic (sROC) curves were obtained to evaluate the accuracy of the studied markers.

Results

The areas under the sROC curve of AFP, GPC3, DCP, AFU, VEGF and the combination of each of the last 4 markers with AFP were 0.869, 0.928, 0.832, 0.851, 0.834, 0.964, 0.972, 0.873 and 0.948, respectively. A combination of AFP+GPC3, AFP+DCP or AFP+VEGF was superior to AFP alone in detecting HCC. The area under the sROC curve of GPC3 alone was significantly higher than that of AFP, whereas the areas of DCP, AFU and VEGF were comparable to that of AFP.

Conclusions

GPC3, DCP, AFU and VEGF are suitable markers for HCC, and their determination with AFP may prove to be useful in the diagnosis and screening of HCC.
Prognostic effect of high pretreatment neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio on survival of patients with gastric adenocarcinoma in China
Authors: Qiu Miaozhen , Zhou Yixin , Jin Ying , Wei Xiao-li , Wang De-shen , Ren Chao , Bai Long , Yang Da-jun , Xu Rui-hua
Published: December 2014

Background

A high neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a strong predictor of poor survival in patients with colorectal, breast, pancreatic and lung cancers, while the prognostic value of NLR in gastric cancer is still controversial. The aim of our study was to determine the prognostic value of pretreatment NLR in a Chinese population of patients with gastric adenocarcinoma.

Methods

Our retrospective study used an unselected cohort of gastric adenocarcinoma patients treated in the Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University between January 2001 and December 2008. We used the data from 341 healthy individuals as controls to understand the difference of NLR between the gastric cancer patients and normal individuals. A total of 706 patients had a complete blood count (CBC) record prior to treatment. Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the prognostic value of NLR.

Results

Gastric adenocarcinoma patients had a significantly higher NLR as well as neutrophilic granulocyte and lower lymphocyte counts compared with healthy individuals. By combining the nearby groups of NLR whose survival had no significant difference, we got a cutoff value for NLR of 3. Patients with a high NLR had a significantly lower survival rate than patients with a low NLR. On multivariate analysis, after adjusting for tumor stage and other clinicopathologic factors, high NLR turned out to be an independent risk factor for poor survival (p=0.016).

Conclusions

Gastric cancer patients had a significantly higher incidence rate of high NLR compared with healthy individuals. High pretreatment NLR in gastric cancer was an independent prognostic factor.
The role of circulating adiponectin in prostate cancer: a meta-analysis
Authors: Liao Qiaofang , Long Chan , Deng Zhuojuan , Bi Xiaoxia , Hu Jun
Published: December 2014

Purpose

Emerging evidence suggests that adiponectin may play a protective role in tumor progression and prognosis. However, available evidence in prostate cancer is conflicting. Therefore, we carried out a meta-analysis to evaluate the role of circulating adiponectin and prostate cancer.

Methods and results

An extensive search was performed on Google, PubMed, Elsevier Science and Springer from the date of the inception of those services to December 2013. Eleven studies with 2,504 patients and 3,565 controls concerning this association were included in our analysis. Standard mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) was used to estimate this association. The pooled analysis showed that circulating adiponectin concentrations were lower in patients with prostate cancer than controls, with a pooled SMD of -0.893 μg/mL (95% CI, -1.345 to -0.440, p=0.000). Dose-response relationships between concentrations of adiponectin and risk of prostate cancer were evaluated. We found that decreased concentrations of adiponectin were associated with a significantly greater risk of prostate cancer (p for nonlinearity = 0.043).

Conclusions

The results of our analysis indicated that concentration of adiponectin in cancer patients was significantly lower than in controls. Thus, adiponectin may serve as a potential biomarker for early diagnosis of this disease. We also found that decreased concentration of adiponectin was associated with a significantly greater risk of prostate cancer. However, more studies in future, especially larger, prospective studies, are needed to confirm this association with underlying biological mechanisms.
FBXW7 Mutation Analysis and its Correlation with Clinicopathological Features and Prognosis in Colorectal Cancer Patients
Authors: Chang Chia-Chu , Lin Hung-Hsin , Lin Jen-Kou , Lin Chun-Chi , Lan Yuan-Tzu , Wang Huann-Sheng , Yang Shung-Haur , Chen Wei-Shone , Lin Tzu-Chen , Jiang Jeng-Kai , Chang Shih-Ching
Published: December 2014

Purpose

This study aimed to determine the prognostic value of mutations in the tumor suppressor gene FBXW7 for clinical outcomes in colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods

Between January 2000 and December 2009, FBXW7 mutations in tumor tissues from 1,519 CRC patients at Taipei Veterans General Hospital were assessed using a MassArray system. We compared the clinicopathological variables and prognosis between the wild-type and mutant tumor tissue groups.

Results

FBXW7 mutations were present in 114/1,519 CRC patients (7.5%). In stage I/II CRC patients, mutant FBXW7 was more common than wild-type FBXW7 (62.3% vs. 50.8%). CRC patients with FBXW7 mutations did not differ significantly in their 5-year overall survival (OS). Stage I/II CRC patients with FBXW7 mutations had lower OS, but this difference was not significant (71.6% vs. 78.2%). Among FBXW7 tumors, S582L was the most frequent mutation type (19.3%), followed by R465H (16.6%), R505C (14.9%) and R479Q (14.9%). Subgroup analysis of FBXW7 mutants showed that R465H/R465C/R479Q had better 5-year OS than other mutant types (76.9% vs. 56.0%; p=0.012).

Conclusions

There was no strong association between patient prognosis and FBXW7 mutations in our large-scale study.
Urologist 2.0: How to Lead the Change
Authors: Mirone Vincenzo , Franco Marco , Verze Paolo
Published: December 2014

Modern urology started about 150 years ago in France, with a strong contribution made by other European countries including Italy. The figure of the modern urologist is linked to a technological evolution but also to the contribution made by great men who have played a crucial role in the evolution of the surgical technique and in the clinical approach to the discipline. An analysis of the evolution of the surgical technique of radical prostatectomy can be paradigmatic in describing the development and, above all, the direction of the hyper-specialization concerning the urologic discipline. To this kind of centrifugal fragmentation is associated a fragmentation at the scientific level which can be defined as centripetal, with a multiplicity of national societies that ultimately complicate the management of the urology discipline. This pathway, made up of divisions and hyper-specializations, contrasts with another less travelled one, which foresees a drastic revision of the figure of the urologist and of the urological discipline in its totality. One which places the patient at the center of the scene, and not only his pathology. Urology cannot become the mere execution of surgical acts, and the objective of our National Residency Programmes should not be solely to form the “perfect surgeon”, but to produce a complete specialist able to manage prevention and a correct diagnosis and to guarantee a therapeutic approach including the uroandrological follow-up of the patient. It is necessary that both basic research and translational research become an integral part of the formative baggage of the young urologist.
Pain in Urology: Pathophysiological Aspects of Pain and Chronicity
Authors: Bonezzi Cesare , Demartini Laura , Angelini Lucia , Armiento Luciana , Jallous Hussein
Published: December 2014

Chronic pain has been traditionally defined by pain duration, but this approach has limited empirical support and does not account for chronic pain multidimensionality. Defining chronic pain solely by duration is based on the view that acute pain signals potential tissue damage, whereas chronic pain results from central sensitization in which pain is sustained after nociceptive inputs have diminished. Chronic urological pain is a prevalent condition, which can represent a major challenge to health care providers due to its complex aetiology and poor response to therapy. In most cases, clear signs of on-going tissue trauma, inflammation or infection are not present. Despite this, more underhanded pathophysiological mechanisms, affecting the urinary system or other pelvic organ systems (musculoskeletal, neurologic, urologic, gynaecologic) and some psychological aspects may be present. In this article, some pathophysiological aspects of visceral pain are discussed; the definition of ‘chronic pain’, the mechanism of action of drugs used in the treatment of pain and the rationale for association therapy are also reviewed.
Bilateral Metachronous Adrenal Metastases of Operated Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Ozturk Hakan , Karapolat Inanç , Saklamaz Ali
Published: December 2014

Background

The adrenal glands are among the target metastatic organs due to the potential of systemic metastasis from renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The number of cases with bilateral metachronous metastases from RCC is about twenty.

Patients and Methods

A sixty-one-year-old man presented for routine checks due to an operated left renal tumor (clear cell carcinoma, PT2N0M0, Fuhrman grade III). The patient underwent 18FDG-PET/CT in order to restage the disease upon observation of bilateral adrenal masses on ultrasound and CT. A bilateral metachronous metastasis was found, whose SUVmax was 6.7 × 50 × 38 × 20 cm on the left adrenal gland, and another metastasis whose SUVmax was 5.5 40 × 29 × 20 on the right adrenal gland.

Results

The patient underwent a CT-guided biopsy and diagnosis of adrenal metastasis was made by pathological and immunohistochemical examination. The laparoscopic treatment was performed.

Conclusions

There is no standard approach for the treatment of these patients in the literature. But metastasectomy is the most realistic part of the treatment. Making definitive diagnosis with biopsy, following hormonal examination and treatment with minimally invasive adrenal sparing surgical procedure containing frozen-section are strongly recommended. Cancer specific survival significantly increases with metastasectomy.
Soil: Threshold Spaces of Subjectivity, Pedagogy, and Place in Landscape Art
Authors: Pente Patti
Published: December 2014

Through intersections of place, art, and pedagogy, normative ways of understanding landscape art and subjectivity are opened to other possibilities. With the creation of eight pieces of art, and the various activities related to them, I offer alternatives to the metaphor of wilderness that informs nationalism. With this a/r/tographical inquiry into elements of the land that serve as structural and heuristic supports, interwoven with the philosophy of Jean-Luc Nancy and Jacques Derrida, I draw on understandings of subjectivity theorized and performed from the premise that it, like learning, is an unpredictable, relational activity of emergence that exists as a threshold space. In the early spring, the Boreal is brown beneath and above me: the colour of nature’s sleep. By burying a piece of cloth, I foresee that I will initiate a drawing, making an arc of soil and dead grass. It will be a brown, gestural line cracking the future uniformity of the lawn. But that is not what happens. It all turns green and weeks later I have to move blades of grass and search carefully to find the thin scar that is the only evidence of my art. The grass covers and erases the art, laughing in silent chorus.
Thermodynamic evidence for a dual transport mechanism in a POT peptide transporter
Authors: Parker Joanne L , Mindell Joseph A , Newstead Simon
Published: December 2014

Peptide transport plays an important role in cellular homeostasis as a key route for nitrogen acquisition in mammalian cells. PepT1 and PepT2, the mammalian proton coupled peptide transporters (POTs), function to assimilate and retain diet-derived peptides and play important roles in drug pharmacokinetics. A key characteristic of the POT family is the mechanism of peptide selectivity, with members able to recognise and transport >8000 different peptides. In this study, we present thermodynamic evidence that in the bacterial POT family transporter PepTSt, from Streptococcus thermophilus, at least two alternative transport mechanisms operate to move peptides into the cell. Whilst tri-peptides are transported with a proton:peptide stoichiometry of 3:1, di-peptides are co-transported with either 4 or 5 protons. This is the first thermodynamic study of proton:peptide stoichiometry in the POT family and reveals that secondary active transporters can evolve different coupling mechanisms to accommodate and transport chemically and physically diverse ligands across the membrane.
Economic impacts of open access in Europe and the United States
Authors: Houghton John
Published: December 2014

The release of the UK Joint Information Systems Committee report Economic implications of alternative scholarly publishing models (Houghton and Oppenheim et al. 2009) generated considerable interest, particularly in the methods used to explore the benefits of open access publishing models, as well as their costs. During 2009, there were a number of follow-on studies. These included national studies in The Netherlands and Denmark, and a three-country comparison, which explored the impacts of alternative scholarly publishing models on one of the larger (United Kingdom), a mid-sized (Netherlands), and one of the smaller European countries (Denmark). This year there have been three further projects. The first focuses on Germany, and brings the German National Licensing Program (NLP) into the mix of alternative scholarly communication models. The second focuses on the United Kingdom, and uses the JISC EI-ASPM model to examine the cost impacts of alternative scholarly publishing models for a sample of UK universities. The third involved further application of some of the underlying methods to exploring the cost-benefit implications of the proposed US Federal Public Research Access Act (FRPAA). This presentation will examine what the methods developed, studies conducted and debate engendered tell us about the viability and sustainability of alternative publishing models, and their potential impacts on research, research infrastructure and the communication and application of publicly funded research findings.
Dissemination 2.0 - the role of social media in research dissemination
Authors: Brandtzæg Petter Bae
Published: December 2014

Dissemination is defined as "the act of diffusing knowledge".  The traditional ways of research dissemination, is through the publications of papers and to attend conferences. Traditional dissemination is important, but not very accessible, transparent or visible.  However,  the principles and possibilities of disseminating research have changed with the introduction of social media – dissemination 2.0. Dissemination 2.0. is about researchers taking control over the dissemination process by the exploitation of social media. Social media is allowing new forms to present research, in conversation, networking and engagement with different audiences, through various media. Over 2 million research scientist are currently using social media (research) tools like Research Gate and Academia.edu, some are also using more broader social media tools such as blogs, SlideShare,  Twitter and Facebook.  This talk illuminates dissemination 2.0. by presenting some central examples in ways researchers can use social media to disseminate their research.
Open Access for books - OAPEN pilot projects
Authors: Ferwerda Eelco
Published: December 2014

(Abstract missing)
Polar Research: reflections two years after the journal’s transition to open access
Authors: Goldman Helle
Published: December 2014

Established in 1982, Polar Research is the English-language, peer-reviewed, scientific journal of the Norwegian Polar Institute (part of the Ministry of the Environment). Until the end of 2007, it was published by the institute on its own. From 2008 through 2010 it was published in partnership with Blackwell as a toll-access journal. At the beginning of 2011 Polar Research became an all open-access, electronic-only journal, published in partnership with the specialized open-access publisher, Co-Action Publishing. Polar Research is the first (to our knowledge, still the only) important international polar journal to become completely open access. Aimed particularly at the editors and managers of other journals considering making a similar transition, this presentation reflects on Polar Research’s conversion to open access, sharing practical lessons learned during the process and outlining the benefits incurred so far.
Article-level metrics and what they tell us about the impact of PLOS publications
Authors: Pattinson Damian
Published: December 2014

PLOS launched its Article-Level Metrics (ALMs) programme in 2009 as an alternative to the crude journal-level metrics that scientists have relied upon for so long to identify important research. ALMs allow readers to see how many views, downloads, citations and shares an individual paper has received, and thus to determine its impact on a field. Over the past year, the ALMs programme has been expanded to include social media information, such as Facebook likes and Tweets, and novel web tools such as Mendeley and Citeulike. Researchers are now using this information to examine the links between early activity indicators and long-term citation data, and to identify what tools best predict truly impactful research. In this session I will present the latest additions to PLOS's ALMs suite, and show some data on what these metrics tell us about the impact of papers published in PLOS journals.
Open access policy guidelines by the MedOANet project: Facilitating open access policy development in Mediterranean Europe
Authors: Nafpliotis Alexandros , Tsoukala Victoria , Kalatizi Vasso
Published: December 2014

See video of the presentation.Toward the end of the two-year EC-funded project Mediterranean Open Access Network (MedOANet; www.medoanet.eu) this presentation offers a summary of its activities and specifically focuses on the culminating outcome of the project,  the guidelines for policy development, directed to research performing organizations and research funders in six countries: Greece, Italy, Turkey, France, Spain and Portugal. The guidelines are to be released in English in all six languages of the project partners in September 2013.Purpose of the project is to support and strengthen coordinated policy development among funders and research organizations of the six countries (www.medoanet.eu). For two years the project has enabled open access policy developments through activities at the national level, such as the development of task forces and national conferences that brought together major stakeholders and policymakers, as well as regional developments through a European workshop in Braga, Portugal in early spring 2013. The project has, further, mapped the open access policy situation in the six countries, the results of which are to be published in the early fall 2013. Three surveys carried in six countries among research funders, research performing organizations and publishers demonstrate that the momentum towards open access requires specific policy actions to actually render publicly funded research openly accessible to all.The guidelines under preparation by the project discuss the key principles and processes to be followed by funding and research performing organizations in establishing open access policies, highlighting the most important steps necessary in defining and implementing effective policies. Significantly, they also offer model policies for research funders and research performing organizations. The model policies have been elaborated on the basis of current models and recent relevant developments, and emphasize mandatory green open access. The proposed presentation will discuss their components in detail. The effect of the guidelines and model policies are eagerly awaited and already expected to be significant as a number of institutions in Greece and other countries are discussing adopting them together.
Open Access in Humanities and Social Sciences
Authors: Ferwerda Eelco
Published: December 2014

See video of the presentation.Ferwerda will talk about the various ways in which the transition to OA is taking place within HSS and STEM disciplines. He will discuss the specific features of many HSS disciplines that need to be taken into account for a successful transition to OA. HSS has different publishing profiles, in some disciplines monographs are still the dominant format. Authors in HSS have different values and a different perspective on Creative Commons licenses. A key driver in the current publication culture is the reputation and reward system. In many countries the way research is funded is also an important issue. Ferwerda will also look at business models for OA publishing and discuss the models that may work for HSS. These and other issues will lead him to the conclusion that a successful transition to OA will require the involvement of all stakeholders in scholarly communication.
The Making of a Mandate: A Regional Approach to Open Access.
Authors: Stern Niels
Published: December 2014

See video of the presentation.The Nordic co-operation is one of the world’s most extensive forms of regional collaboration involving Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Åland. The co-operation is realized through the Nordic Council of Ministers (NCM) and the Nordic Council with a yearly budget of approx. $ 175,000,000.The NCM has recently initiated an Open Access project which aims at defining an OA mandating policy and developing an open repository for all publications either published or funded by the NCM.In order to widen the scope of the NCM initiative and to align with international OA discussions the NCM has entered into dialogue with the research councils of the Nordic countries as well as with the European Commission (the NCM signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the EC about the implementation of the ERA in July 2012) and UNESCO. Alongside this dialogue the NCM is part of a network of intergovernmental organizations (IGO) where OA is high on the agenda (e.g. The World Bank and UNESCO already have published policies).The NCM wears at least three different hats in its OA mandate defining process: One as an institutional publisher, another as a research funder, and a third as an IGO. This split role gives several strengths and opportunities but also some weaknesses – and perhaps there are even some threats involved! For sure, it makes the discussion about the content of the mandate, the objectives of the NCM, and compliance measures more complex and interesting.The presentation will share with the audience:* a SWOT analysis of the NCM regional approach to formulating an OA mandate,* concrete examples and insight into the making of an OA mandate – the discussions, dilemmas, and dangers that arise during the process,* considerations on how to ensure compliance with the mandate.
Qualitative gas temperature distribution in positive DC glow corona using spectral image processing in atmospheric air
Authors: Matsumoto Takao , Inada Yoichi , Shimizu Daisuke , Izawa Yasuji , Nishijima Kiyoto
Published: December 2014

An experimental method of determining a qualitative two-dimensional image of the gas temperature in stationary atmospheric nonthermal plasma by spectral image processing was presented. In the experiment, a steady-state glow corona discharge was generated by applying a positive DC voltage to a rod-plane electrode in synthetic air. The changes in the gas temperature distribution due to the amplitude of applied voltage and the ambient gas pressure were investigated. Spectral images of a positive DC glow corona were taken using a gated ICCD camera with ultranarrow band-pass filters, corresponding to the head and tail of a N2 second positive system band (0–2). The qualitative gas temperature was obtained from the emission intensity ratio between the head and tail of the N2 second positive system band (0–2). From the results, we confirmed that the gas temperature and its distribution of a positive DC glow corona increased with increasing applied voltage. In particular, just before the sparkover voltage, a distinctly high temperature region was formed in the positive DC glow at the tip of the rod electrode. In addition, the gas temperature decreased and its distribution spread diffusely with decreasing ambient gas pressure.
The Ifugao Rice Terraces Tourism: Status, Problems and Concerns
Authors: DULNUAN EULALIE D.
Published: December 2014

This paper presents the status, problems and future direction of tourism inIfugao, along with the complexities that result from the dichotomy of doing tourism and conservation at the same time. Tourism in Ifugao has the rice terraces and/or culture as its resource base. While there are five rice terraces cluster whichare cited as World Heritage sites, tourism is unevenly spread in the province. Itis concentrated in the municipality of Banaue and barely starting in the otherHeritage areas. Thus the benefits of tourism are not yet felt in the other Heritagesites. A way forward is to make the tourism master plan that will direct tourismin Ifugao towards sustainable tourism development. This paper concludes thattourism could be a means to maintain tourism and to conserve the culture.Keywords: Ifugao tourism, conservation, sustainable tourism development, descriptivedesign, Philippines
Evaluation of Municipal Solid Wastes Utilization in Organic Fertilizer Production Using Bioreactor-Vermi Technology
Authors: RONQUILLO ARISTON O. , ASUFRE GEMMA A.
Published: December 2014

Surigao del Sur State University has been utilizing the Bioreactor-VermiTechnology through accelerated composting processes in response to theincreasing concern about the amount and management of Municipal Solid Wastes(MSW) and sustainable farming in the municipalities of Tagbina and Barobo,Surigao del Sur, Philippines. The major focus was to evaluate the potential ofBioreactor-Vermi Technology to reduce municipal solid wastes and the potentialof the organic fertilizer produced from these wastes for sustainable farming. Adescriptive research design was utilized in this study employing multiple datacollection techniques which include characterization of compostable solidwastes, their sources, amount of wastes utilized for composting and the amountand quality of organic fertilizer produced. Results revealed that using bioreactor-vermi technology; the biodegradable MSW in the two municipalities is reducedto 6.68% producing 300 tons of organic fertilizers in five years operation utilizedby 200 farmers for the cultivation of various crops within and outside the twomunicipalities. Organic fertilizer produced is in acceptable level for sustainablefarming. As the major composition of waste is organic, waste treatment optionslike bioreactor-vermi composting is effective in reducing municipal solidwastes and producing organic fertilizer for sustainable farming not only in thePhilippines but all over the world.Keywords: Environmental Education, emerging technologies, solid waste utilization,descriptive-evaluative design, Philippines
Ecological Assessment of Mangroves in Enclaro, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, Philippines
Authors: Cari-an Daisy G. , Malo Rosebella L.
Published: December 2014

Mangroves play a crucial role in marine ecosystem since it supports vital elements in the food chain. This study was a descriptive survey on the assessment of mangroves conducted to identify the mangrove structures in the coastal areas of Enclaro, Binalbagan. There were four sampling sites namely: Sitio Serena, Sitio Vietnam Rose, Sitio Alo and Sitio Tap-ok. The mangroves were assessed in terms of species, diversity, abundance, density and stages of life cycle, economic and environmental values. The quadrat method and the transect plots were used to perform floristic inventory of mangrove stands. There were 10, 4, 6 and 6 species of mangroves in Serena, Vietnam Rose, Alo and Tapok sites, respectively. Rhizophora mucronata comprised 55.22% of the total stands in Serena and Avicennia marina which covered 72.21% in Vietnam Rose, 81.19% in Alo and 40% in Tap-ok. Serena had the most diverse mangrove species. Avicennia marina was the most abundant and dominant mangrove species which covered 66.47% of the total population. The mangroves in Vietnam Rose had the highest density of 15.94 mangroves per square meter. The stages of mangroves’ life cycle were 50.67% seedlings, samplings comprised 25.20% and mature mangroves composed 24.13% of the total population. Sitio Alo had the least mangrove stand and the results of this study would serve as baseline information for the Local Government Units for mangroves and coastal ecosystems’ conservation, management and development.   Keywords - Ecological mangroves assessment, species, abundance, density, diversity, stages of life cycle, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, Philippines
Awareness of the Nearby Residents on the Presence of Plants in a Landfill in the Philippines and Their Perception on the Uses and Role of the Plants Particularly in Pollution Mitigation
Authors: Nazareno Patricia Anne G. , Buot Jr. Inocencio , Briones Nicomedes D. , Rebancos Carmelita
Published: December 2014

Plants and trees have significant value in maintaining the balance cycle of the environment. The purpose of this study was to describe the awareness of the nearby residents on the presence of plants in a landfill and their perception on the uses and role of these plants particularly in pollution mitigation. A survey questionnaire composed of three main topics, namely on: [a] the operation of the landfill; [b] the awareness and perception of the residents on plants growing in the landfill and [c] their perception on the role of plants on the uptake of pollutants, was developed. Majority of the respondents agreed that the waste materials thrown to the landfill were pollutive, hazardous to human health and can contaminate the surrounding areas. The respondents were not aware that the pollution problem can also be mitigated with the application of chemicals, and they deemed that they did not get any benefits from the plants, except for the medicinal value of some plants. The majority of the respondents were not aware that plants can help mitigate the pollution problem. However, they agreed that plants and trees should be planted in the landfill to absorb excess water or the pollutants. Keywords - Ecology, plants in landfill, awareness of residents, pollution mitigation, Laguna, Philippines