bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Superior articulating facet violation: percutaneous versus open techniques
Authors: Jones-Quaidoo Sean M. , Djurasovic Mladen , Owens R. Kirk , Carreon Leah Y.
Published: April 2013

Object

Recent studies have reported the incidence of superior facet joint violation using percutaneous techniques. These techniques have not been compared with the open midline approach. An increased incidence of superior facet violation may lead to adjacent-segment disease. In this paper, the authors' goal is to compare the rate of superior facet violation with the use of percutaneously placed pedicle screws versus midline approach open placement.

Methods

Patients who underwent a single-level fusion using a percutaneous approach from L-1 to S-1 who had undergone CT scanning within 1 year after surgery were identified. A cohort who underwent open fusion matched by level of surgery was identified. All CT scans were reviewed by 3 fellowship-trained spine surgeons to determine the degree of facet violation. The final categorization for each screw was based on the most frequent reading among the 6 evaluations. The Fisher test was used to determine the association of facet violation with approach.

Results

There were 66 patients in each group. Patients in the Percutaneous group were younger (mean 42.5 years) than those in the Open group (mean 57.8 years, p = 0.000). There was no statistically significant difference in sex distribution, surgical levels fused, or time between surgery and CT scan between the groups. Thirty-six (13.6%) of 264 screws in the percutaneous and 16 (6%) of 263 screws in the Open group were in the facet joint (p = 0.005). Of these, 17 (12%) of the 132 proximal screws in the percutaneous and 7 (5%) of the 131 proximal screws in the Open group were in the facet joint (p = 0.052).

Conclusions

The use of a percutaneous method to insert pedicle screws results in a statistically significantly higher incidence of facet joint violation, even if only proximal screws are considered. Further studies are needed to determine if this leads to a higher incidence of symptomatic adjacent-level disease.
Onyx injection by direct puncture for the treatment of hypervascular spinal metastases close to the anterior spinal artery: initial experience
Authors: Clarençon Frédéric , Di Maria Federico , Cormier Evelyne , Sourour Nader-Antoine , Enkaoua Eric , Sailhan Frédéric , Iosif Christina , Le Jean Lise , Chiras Jacques
Published: April 2013

Presurgical devascularization of hypervascular spinal metastases has been shown to be effective in preventing major blood loss during open surgery. Most often, embolization can be performed using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) microparticles. However, in some cases, the close relationship between the feeders of the metastases and the feeders of the anterior spinal artery (ASA) poses a risk of spinal cord ischemia when PVA microparticle embolization is performed.

The authors present their early experience in the treatment of spinal metastases close to the ASA; in 2 cases they injected Onyx-18, by direct puncture, into hypervascular posterior arch spinal metastases situated close to the ASA.

Two women, one 36 and the other 55 years of age, who presented with spinal lesions (at the posterior arch of C-4 and T-6, respectively) from thyroid and a kidney tumors, were sent to the authors' department to undergo presurgical embolization. After having performed a complete spinal digital subtraction angiography study, a regular angiography catheter was positioned at the ostium of the artery that mainly supplied the lesion. Then, with the patient in the left lateral decubitus position, direct puncture with 18-gauge needles of the lesion was performed using roadmap guidance. Onyx-18 was injected through the needles under biplanar fluoroscopy.

Satisfactory devascularization of the lesions was obtained; the ASA remained patent in both cases. The metastases were surgically removed in both cases within the 48 hours after the embolization and major blood loss did not occur.

Presurgical devascularization of hypervascular spinal metastases close the ASA by direct puncture with Onyx-18 seems to be an effective technique and appears to be safe in terms of the preserving the ASA's patency.
Different surgical treatment techniques used by neurosurgeons and orthopedists for syringomyelia caused by Chiari I malformation in Japan
Authors: Sakushima Ken , Hida Kazutoshi , Yabe Ichiro , Tsuboi Satoshi , Uehara Ritei , Sasaki Hidenao
Published: April 2013

Object

Syringomyelia is a rare disease commonly caused by Chiari I malformation. Surgery by neurosurgeons and orthopedists is a critical treatment for symptomatic patients, and surgical techniques are associated with improved symptoms for these patients. The aim of this study was to determine the different surgical techniques used by neurosurgeons and orthopedists in Japan to treat syringomyelia caused by Chiari I malformation.

Methods

Patients who had undergone a surgical treatment were identified from a 2-stage postal survey conducted in late 2009. The authors compared the type of surgery performed and its association with cavity size reduction, on the basis of whether patients were receiving care in a neurosurgery or orthopedics department.

Results

A total of 232 patients with syringomyelia caused by Chiari I malformation were included in this study. Two-thirds of patients were treated in a neurosurgery department and the other third in an orthopedics department. Neurosurgeons preferred foramen magnum decompression (FMD) with dural patch grafting, and orthopedists preferred FMD with dural dissection. Foramen magnum decompression with dural patch grafting was associated with better outcomes than was dural dissection with regard to the following: motor impairment (66% vs 39%, p < 0.05), sensory disturbance (60% vs 43%, p = 0.051), pain (67% vs 47%, p < 0.05), and cavity size (74% vs 58%, p < 0.05). Improved motor function was associated more with cavity size reduction than with sensory disturbance and pain.

Conclusions

Surgical procedures and outcomes differed, depending on whether the patient's care was managed in a neurosurgery or orthopedics department. Outcomes were better after FMD with dural patch grafting.
Incorporation of satellite-derived snow-cover area in spatial snowmelt modeling for a large area: determination of a gridded degree-day factor
Authors: Asaoka Yoshihiro , Kominami Yuji
Published: April 2013

Spatial degree-day factors (DDFs) are required for spatial snowmelt modeling over large areas by the degree-day method. We propose a method to obtain DDFs by incorporating snow disappearance dates (SDDs), derived from 10 day composites of Satellite Pour l’Observation de la Terre (SPOT)/VEGETATION data, into the degree-day method. This approach allowed determination of DDFs for each gridpoint so as to better reflect regional characteristics than use of spatially constant DDFs obtained from point measurements. Simulations at six observation sites successfully accounted for variations in snow water equivalent (SWE), even at elevations different from the closest measurement site. These results suggest that incorporating satellite-derived SDDs into the degree-day method decreases spatial uncertainty compared with the use of spatially constant DDFs. Application of our method to Japanese cold regions revealed that gridded DDFs were negatively correlated with accumulated positive degree-days (APDDs) and were high only when APDDs were low. These results imply that high DDFs resulted from the dominant contribution of solar radiation to snowmelt at low temperatures and that low DDFs resulted from a relatively high contribution of sensible heat flux at high temperatures. The proposed method seems to adequately account for the main energetic components of snowmelt during the snow-cover season over large areas.
Interannual fluctuations of the relationship between winter precipitation and air temperature in the heavy-snowfall zone of Japan
Authors: Yamaguchi Satoru , Iwamoto Katsushi , Nakai Sento
Published: April 2013

Regions of Japan facing the Sea of Japan have some of the world’s deepest seasonal snowpack, although air temperatures averaged over the coldest winter months (January-February) are above 0°C in this mid-altitude zone (35–40˚ N). Therefore, even a slight temperature increase is likely to drastically decrease the snow depth in this area by changing the precipitation form from snow to rain. In this study, to enhance understanding of winter precipitation conditions, we introduce the winter precipitation curve (WPC), which plots the distribution of winter precipitation (December-February) against the corresponding air temperature using hourly data. We then examine the relationship between the WPC and regional climate conditions. The WPC was classified into two types in the study: the single-peak (SP) type, having one sharp peak near 0°C, and the multiple-peaks (MP) type, having several small peaks. Here ‘peak’ indicates that precipitation frequently occurs at a certain temperature. Peaks of the MP type changed position with fluctuations in mean winter temperature, but the peak of the SP type moved only slightly despite annual fluctuations in winter mean temperature. One of the multiple peaks of the MP type appeared at ∼0°C and this peak also remained nearly stationary with fluctuations in winter mean temperature. The peak of the WPC appearing near 0°C in both the SP and MP types likely resulted from the development of the 0°C isothermal layer due to the cooling effect of melting snow particles.
Spatial Distribution, Changes, Uses and Water Quality of Small Water Bodies in Ghiduari Mouza
Authors: Hoque Md Al-Amin , Saika Ummeh , Huda Khondaker Mohammod Shariful
Published: April 2013

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jueb.v1i0.14542Jahangirnagar University Environmental Bulletin, Vol.1, 1-14, 2012
Textural Analyses of the Bar Sands of Gorai River: Implication for Depositional Phase and Environment
Authors: Bari Zahidul , Rajib Mohammad , Majid Monira , Sayem Hossain Md
Published: April 2013

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jueb.v1i0.14544 Jahangirnagar University Environmental Bulletin, Vol.1, 25-34, 2012
Monoclonal Antibody-Based Sandwich ELISA for the Detection of Staphylococcal Enterotoxin A
Authors: Kuang Hua , Wang Wenbing , Xu Liguang , Ma Wei , Liu Liqiang , Wang Libing , Xu Chuanlai
Published: April 2013

A sensitive and specific monoclonal antibody-based sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was established and validated for the detection of staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA). After routine fusion and selection, 10 monoclonal antibodies showed high affinity for SEA. An optimal pair for sandwich ELISA was selected by pairwise interaction analysis. After optimization, the limit of detection (LOD) and linear dynamic range of the method were established, and were found to be 0.0282 ng/mL and 0.06–2 ng/mL, respectively. The recovery in pure milk ranged from 82.67% to 111.95% and the intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation ranged from 3.16% to 6.05% and from 5.16% to 10.79%, respectively. Cross-reactivity with staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), staphylococcal enterotoxin C (SEC), staphylococcal enterotoxin D (SED), and staphylococcal enterotoxin E (SEE) in this method were insignificant. These results indicate that the sandwich ELISA method developed in our study is effective for routine identification of SEA in food samples.
Integrated Environmental Risk Assessment and Whole-Process Management System in Chemical Industry Parks
Authors: Shao Chaofeng , Yang Juan , Tian Xiaogang , Ju Meiting , Huang Lei
Published: April 2013

Chemical industry parks in China are considered high-risk areas because they present numerous risks that can damage the environment, such as pollution incidents. In order to identify the environmental risks and the principal risk factors in these areas, we have developed a simple physical model of a regional environmental risk field (ERF) using existing dispersal patterns and migration models. The regional ERF zoning was also conducted and a reference value for diagnostic methods was developed to determine risk-acceptable, risk-warning, and risk-mitigation zones, which can provide a risk source layout for chemical industry parks. In accordance with the environmental risk control requirements, this study focused on the three stages of control and management of environmental risk and established an environmental risk management system including risk source identification and assessment, environmental safety planning, early risk warning, emergency management, assessment of environmental effects, and environmental remediation of pollution accidents. By using this model, the environmental risks in Tianjin Binhai New Area, the largest chemical industry park in China, were assessed and the environmental risk zoning map was drawn, which suggested the existence of many unacceptable environmental risks in this area. Thus, relevant suggestions have been proposed from the perspective of the adjustment of risk source layout, intensified management of environmental risk control and so on.
Remotely Triggered Scaffolds for Controlled Release of Pharmaceuticals
Authors: Roach Paul , McGarvey David , Lees Martin , Hoskins Clare
Published: April 2013

Fe3O4-Au hybrid nanoparticles (HNPs) have shown increasing potential for biomedical applications such as image guided stimuli responsive drug delivery. Incorporation of the unique properties of HNPs into thermally responsive scaffolds holds great potential for future biomedical applications. Here we successfully fabricated smart scaffolds based on thermo-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNiPAM). Nanoparticles providing localized trigger of heating when irradiated with a short laser burst were found to give rise to remote control of bulk polymer shrinkage. Gold-coated iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized using wet chemical precipitation methods followed by electrochemical coating. After subsequent functionalization of particles with allyl methyl sulfide, mercaptodecane, cysteamine and poly(ethylene glycol) thiol to enhance stability, detailed biological safety was determined using live/dead staining and cell membrane integrity studies through lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) quantification. The PEG coated HNPs did not show significant cytotoxic effect or adverse cellular response on exposure to 7F2 cells (p < 0.05) and were carried forward for scaffold incorporation. The pNiPAM-HNP composite scaffolds were investigated for their potential as thermally triggered systems using a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. These studies show that incorporation of HNPs resulted in scaffold deformation after very short irradiation times (seconds) due to internal structural heating. Our data highlights the potential of these hybrid-scaffold constructs for exploitation in drug delivery, using methylene blue as a model drug being released during remote structural change of the scaffold.
Evaluation of Biological Value and Appraisal of Polyphenols and Glucosinolates from Organic Baby-Leaf Salads as Antioxidants and Antimicrobials against Important Human Pathogenic Bacteria
Authors: Aires Alfredo , Marques Esperança , Carvalho Rosa , Rosa Eduardo , Saavedra Maria
Published: April 2013

The present investigation has been carried out to investigate the biological role of four different types of baby-leaf salads and to study their potential as natural sources of antioxidants and antimicrobials against several isolates from important human pathogenic bacteria. Four single types of salads (green lettuce, red lettuce, rucola and watercress) and two mixtures [(1) red lettuce+green lettuce; (2) green lettuce + red lettuce + watercress + rucola] were assayed. The HPLC analysis revealed interesting levels of polyphenols and glucosinolates. The results showed a significant variation (p < 0.05) of polyphenols and glucosinolates with plant material. Nine different types of polyphenols grouped in three major classes were found: gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and dicaffeoyltartaric acid (phenolic acids); quercitin-3-O-rutinoside, quercitin-3-O-rhamnoside, luteolin-7-O-glucoside and isorhamnetin (flavonoids); and cyanidin-3-glucoside (anthocyanins). Only three different glucosinolates were found: glucoraphanin; gluconasturtiin and 4-methoxy-glucobrassicin. A positive correlation was detected between polyphenol contents and antioxidant activity. Red lettuce and mixture 1 were the baby-leaf salads with the highest antioxidant potential. As for the antimicrobial activity, the results showed a selective effect of chemicals against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus were the bacteria most affected by the phytochemicals. Based on the results achieved baby-leaf salads represent an important source of natural antioxidants and antimicrobial substances.
Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of New Selenazole Derivatives with Antiproliferative Activity
Authors: Grozav Ignat Adriana , Gaina Luiza , Kuete Victor , Silaghi-Dumitrescu Luminita , Efferth Thomas , Zaharia Valentin
Published: April 2013

New aryl-hydrazinyl-1,3-selenazole and aroyl-hydrazonyl-1,3-selenazoles were synthesized via Hantzsch type condensation reactions of selenosemicarbazides with α-halogenocarbonyl derivatives, under classical versus microwave heating conditions. Excellent yields and shorter reaction times were obtained under irradiation conditions. The structures of the synthesized compounds were assigned based on spectroscopic data (FT-IR, 1H-NMR), MS and elemental analysis. Selenazole derivatives were screened for their anti-proliferative effects against two leukemia cell lines (CCRF-CEM and HL60) and three carcinoma cell lines (MDA-MB231, HCT116 and U87MG).
Applications of Biomaterials to Liquid Crystals
Authors: Iwabata Kazuki , Sugai Urara , Seki Yasutaka , Furue Hirokazu , Sakaguchi Kengo
Published: April 2013

Nowadays, chemically synthesized proteins and peptides are attractive building blocks and have potential in many important applications as biomaterials. In this review, applications of biomaterials to thermotropic liquid crystals are discussed. The review covers the improvement of the performance of liquid crystal displays using liquid crystal physical gels consisting of a liquid crystal and amino acid-based gelators, and also new functionalization of liquid crystals. Moreover, the influence of DNA, which is one of the more attractive biomaterials, dispersed in thermotropic liquid crystals and its potential use in the liquid crystal industry is described. In addition, we found interesting results during electrooptical measurements of liquid crystals doped with DNA, and explain them from the point of view of biological applications. These recent approaches suggest that these biomaterials may be applicable in the electronic device industry and should be considered as an interesting material with their physical properties having the potential to create or refine an industrial product.
Esterification of Condensed Tannins and Their Impact on the Properties of Poly(Lactic Acid)
Authors: Grigsby Warren , Bridson James , Lomas Cole , Elliot Jaime-Anne
Published: April 2013

Reported is a study evaluating the potential of esterified tannins as plastic additives in poly(lactic acid) (PLA). Tannin esterification using anhydrides was investigated as a route to synthesize tannin esters possessing varying ester chain length and degree of substitution (DS). Esterification decreased the tannin UV absorbance, predominately in the UVB region. However, tannin materials with longer ester chain lengths exhibited melt behaviors suitable for processing in plastics. On compounding into PLA, tannin hexanoate esters lowered the PLA glass transition by 5–6 °C. Shorter chain length tannin esters had a reduced effect on PLA polymer properties. The PLA flexural properties were significantly altered with stiffness decreases of up to 15% depending on ester chain length and loading. Artificial weathering of modified the PLA samples suggests the presence of tannin esters may confer a protection role to PLA on extended exposure. Overall, results suggest scope for the use of tannin esters possessing longer ester chain length as plastic additives.
Using Physically-Modeled Synthetic Data to Assess Hyperspectral Unmixing Approaches
Authors: Stites Matthew , Gunther Jacob , Moon Todd , Williams Gustavious
Published: April 2013

This paper considers an experimental approach for assessing algorithms used to exploit remotely sensed data. The approach employs synthetic images that are generated using physical models to make them more realistic while still providing ground truth data for quantitative evaluation. This approach complements the common approach of using real data and/or simple model-generated data. To demonstrate the value of such an approach, the behavior of the FastICA algorithm as a hyperspectral unmixing technique is evaluated using such data. This exploration leads to a number of useful insights such as: (1) the need to retain more dimensions than indicated by eigenvalue analysis to obtain near-optimal results; (2) conditions in which orthogonalization of unmixing vectors is detrimental to the exploitation results; and (3) a means for improving FastICA unmixing results by recognizing and compensating for materials that have been split into multiple abundance maps.
Identifying the Key Factors Affecting Warning Message Dissemination in VANET Real Urban Scenarios
Authors: Fogue Manuel , Garrido Piedad , Martinez Francisco , Cano Juan-Carlos , Calafate Carlos , Manzoni Pietro
Published: April 2013

In recent years, new architectures and technologies have been proposed for Vehicular Ad Hoc networks (VANETs). Due to the cost and complexity of deploying such networks, most of these proposals rely on simulation. However, we find that most of the experiments made to validate these proposals tend to overlook the most important and representative factors. Moreover, the scenarios simulated tend to be very simplistic (highways or Manhattan-based layouts), which could seriously affect the validity of the obtained results. In this paper, we present a statistical analysis based on the 2k factorial methodology to determine the most representative factors affecting traffic safety applications under real roadmaps. Our purpose is to determine which are the key factors affecting Warning Message Dissemination in order to concentrate research tests on such parameters, thus avoiding unnecessary simulations and reducing the amount of simulation time required. Simulation results show that the key factors affecting warning messages delivery are the density of vehicles and the roadmap used. Based on this statistical analysis, we consider that VANET researchers must evaluate the benefits of their proposals using different vehicle densities and city scenarios, to obtain a broad perspective on the effectiveness of their solution. Finally, since city maps can be quite heterogeneous, we propose a roadmap profile classification to further reduce the number of cities evaluated.
Amperometric Immunosensor for Carbofuran Detection Based on MWCNTs/GS-PEI-Au and AuNPs-Antibody Conjugate
Authors: Zhu Ying , Cao Yaoyao , Sun Xia , Wang Xiangyou
Published: April 2013

In this paper, an amperometric immunosensor for the detection of carbofuran was developed. Firstly, multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphene sheets-ethyleneimine polymer-Au (GS-PEI-Au) nanocomposites were modified onto the surface of a glass carbon electrode (GCE) via self-assembly. The nanocomposites can increase the surface area of the GCE to capture a large amount of antibody, as well as produce a synergistic effect in the electrochemical performance. Then the modified electrode was coated with gold nanoparticles-antibody conjugate (AuNPs-Ab) and blocked with BSA. The monoclonal antibody against carbofuran was covalently immobilized on the AuNPs with glutathione as a spacer arm. The morphologies of the GS-PEI-Au nanocomposites and the fabrication process of the immunosensor were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet and visible absorption spectroscopy (UV-vis) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. Under optimal conditions, the immunosensor showed a wide linear range, from 0.5 to 500 ng/mL, with a detection limit of 0.03 ng/mL (S/N = 3). The as-constructed immunosensor exhibited notable performance features such as high specificity, good reproducibility, acceptable stability and regeneration performance. The results are mainly due to the excellent properties of MWCNTs, GS-PEI-Au nanocomposites and the covalent immobilization of Ab with free hapten binding sites for further immunoreaction. It provides a new avenue for amperometric immunosensor fabrication.
Open-Source Colorimeter
Authors: Anzalone Gerald , Glover Alexandra , Pearce Joshua
Published: April 2013

The high cost of what have historically been sophisticated research-related sensors and tools has limited their adoption to a relatively small group of well-funded researchers. This paper provides a methodology for applying an open-source approach to design and development of a colorimeter. A 3-D printable, open-source colorimeter utilizing only open-source hardware and software solutions and readily available discrete components is discussed and its performance compared to a commercial portable colorimeter. Performance is evaluated with commercial vials prepared for the closed reflux chemical oxygen demand (COD) method. This approach reduced the cost of reliable closed reflux COD by two orders of magnitude making it an economic alternative for the vast majority of potential users. The open-source colorimeter demonstrated good reproducibility and serves as a platform for further development and derivation of the design for other, similar purposes such as nephelometry. This approach promises unprecedented access to sophisticated instrumentation based on low-cost sensors by those most in need of it, under-developed and developing world laboratories.
Phylogenetic Study of Polyketide Synthases and Nonribosomal Peptide Synthetases Involved in the Biosynthesis of Mycotoxins
Authors: Gallo Antonia , Ferrara Massimo , Perrone Giancarlo
Published: April 2013

Polyketide synthase (PKSs) and nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPSs) are large multimodular enzymes involved in biosynthesis of polyketide and peptide toxins produced by fungi. Furthermore, hybrid enzymes, in which a reducing PKS region is fused to a single NRPS module, are also responsible of the synthesis of peptide-polyketide metabolites in fungi. The genes encoding for PKSs and NRPSs have been exposed to complex evolutionary mechanisms, which have determined the great number and diversity of metabolites. In this study, we considered the most important polyketide and peptide mycotoxins and, for the first time, a phylogenetic analysis of both PKSs and NRPSs involved in their biosynthesis was assessed using two domains for each enzyme: β-ketosynthase (KS) and acyl-transferase (AT) for PKSs; adenylation (A) and condensation (C) for NRPSs. The analysis of both KS and AT domains confirmed the differentiation of the three classes of highly, partially and non-reducing PKSs. Hybrid PKS-NRPSs involved in mycotoxins biosynthesis grouped together in the phylogenetic trees of all the domains analyzed. For most mycotoxins, the corresponding biosynthetic enzymes from distinct fungal species grouped together, except for PKS and NRPS involved in ochratoxin A biosynthesis, for which an unlike process of evolution could be hypothesized in different species.
Induction of Partial Protection against Foot and Mouth Disease Virus in Guinea Pigs by Neutralization with the Integrin β6-1 Subunit
Authors: Zhang Yan , Sun Yingjun , Yang Fan , Guo Jianhong , He Jijun , Wu Qiong , Cao Weijun , Lv Lv , Zheng Haixue , Zhang Zhidong
Published: April 2013

The mechanism by which the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) initiates infection of cells is thought to involve the attachment of the viral capsid to host integrins on the surface of target cells. However, the role of integrins in FMDV infection still needs to be fully understood, although it has been demonstrated that integrin αvβ6 interferes with FMDV in vitro and results in neutralization of its infectivity. In the present study, we describe the cloning and sequencing of suckling mouse integrin β6 and the subsequent expression of two segments of integrin β6 extracellular domains: β6-1 (which contains the ligand-binding domain) and β6-2. Sequencing of the mouse integrin β6 subunit revealed close homology (~90%) with its human counterpart. When recombinant integrin extracellular domains β6-1 and β6-2 formulated with adjuvant were inoculated into guinea pigs, anti-integrin antibody expression was high before FMDV challenge. Interestingly, guinea pigs (50%) inoculated with integrin β6-1 were protected from FMDV infection; in contrast, none of the animals inoculated with integrin β6-2 were protected. This result indicates that an integrin blockade may be able to interfere with FMDV infection in vivo, which raises the possibility that targeting integrin in vivo may be the basis for a new strategy to control FMDV infection.
A Combined Radio- and Stable-Isotopic Study of a California Coastal Aquifer System
Authors: Swarzenski Peter , Baskaran Mark , Rosenbauer Robert , Edwards Brian , Land Michael
Published: April 2013

Stable and radioactive tracers were utilized in concert to characterize geochemical processes in a complex coastal groundwater system and to provide constraints on the kinetics of rock/water interactions. Groundwater samples from wells within the Dominguez Gap region of Los Angeles County, California were analyzed for a suite of major cations (Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+) and anions (Cl−, SO42−), silica, alkalinity, select trace elements (Ba, B, Sr), dissolved oxygen, stable isotopes of hydrogen (δD), oxygen (δ18O), dissolved inorganic carbon (δ13CDIC), and radioactive isotopes (3H, 222Rn and 223,224,226,228Ra). In the study area, groundwater may consist of a complex mixture of native groundwater, intruded seawater, non-native injected water, and oil-field brine water. In some wells, Cl− concentrations attained seawater-like values and in conjunction with isotopically heavier δ18O values, these tracers provide information on the extent of seawater intrusion and/or mixing with oil-field brines. Groundwater 3H above 1 tritium unit (TU) was observed only in a few select wells close to the Dominguez Gap area and most other well groundwater was aged pre-1952. Based on an initial 14C value for the study site of 90 percent modern carbon (pmc), groundwater age estimates likely extend beyond 20 kyr before present and confirm deep circulation of some native groundwater through multiple aquifers. Enriched values of groundwater δ13CDIC in the absence of SO42− imply enhanced anaerobic microbial methanogenesis. While secular equilibrium was observed for 234U/238U (activity ratios ~1) in host matrices, strong isotopic fractionation in these groundwater samples can be used to obtain information of adsorption/desorption kinetics. Calculated Ra residence times are short, and the associated desorption rate constant is about three orders of magnitude slower than that of the adsorption rate constant. Combined stable- and radio-isotopic results provide unique insights into aquifer characteristics, such as geochemical cycling, rock/water interactions, and subsurface transport and mixing.
Ring-opening reaction of 2,5-dioctyldithieno[2,3-b:3',2'-d]thiophene in the presence of aryllithium reagents
Authors: Zhong Hao , Shi Jianwu , Kang Jianxun , Wang Shaomin , Liu Xinming , Wang Hua
Published: April 2013

In this paper, the ring-opening reaction of 2,5-dioctyldithieno[2,3-b:3',2'-d]thiophene with aryllithium in THF at low temperature to generate 2'-arylthio-3,3'-bithiophene-2-carbaldehydes is studied. Nine examples are explored and all the products are characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and HRMS. The relative relationship between the structures of aryl groups and the efficiency of ring-opening reactions are discussed.
Les collocations lexicales : une relation essentiellement binaire définie par la relation prédicat-argument
Authors: Tutin Agnès
Published: April 2013

Les collocations lexicales, définies comme des associations lexicales privilégiées et sémantiquement compositionnelles (ex : tristesse infinie , pertes abyssales , jouer un rôle , etc.) constituent désormais une notion essentielle dans les approches contemporaines de la phraséologie. Nous revenons ici sur une propriété qui nous paraît constitutive de ce sous-ensemble d’expressions, la binarité catégorielle et fonctionnelle, dont nous montrons qu’elle n’est nullement le fruit du hasard, mais déterminée par le fonctionnement sémantique sous-jacent, analysable en termes de structure prédicat-argument. On observe, en outre, que certaines relations sémantiques « primitives » (l’intensité, la cause, par exemple) sont particulièrement susceptibles de donner lieu à des lexicalisations souvent idiosyncrasiques qui répondent toutefois à des schémas sémantiques et syntaxiques productifs.
A Standalone RFID and NFC Based Healthcare
Authors: Potgantwar Amol Dnyaneshwar
Published: April 2013

NFC is a standards-based, short-range wireless

connectivity technology that enables simple and safe two-way

interactions between electronic devices. The concept is based

on combination of smartcard and contactless interconnection

technologies; NFC is compatible with todays field proven RFIDtechnology.

If this technology is used for identification of patient

in hospital, it will be very useful. Patients have different illness.

When doctors operate patients or exanimate patients, if the doctor

confuses the disease of patient, a fatal medical circumstance

may occur. If RFID and NFC technology is used for this case, we

can easily protect patients from fatal medical mistakes. It has the

potential to make almost all wireless technologies and also the

applications on these technologies easy enough so that everyone,

even the non-technical can use them.

Technological development and modern medicine practices are

amongst the outstanding factors triggering this shift. This trend is

resulting in a greater demand for health care-related services and

greater competition among health care providers. Achieving a

high operational efficiency in the health care sector is an essential

goal for organizational performance evaluation. Efficiency uses to

be considered as the primary indicator of hospital performance.

In order to bring down the cost and improve efficiency, intelligent

systems can play a significant role in providing intelligently

processed and personalized information about patients to doctors,

their health care staff (i.e. nurses) and health care administrators
The Implications of Mobile Notifications for User Experience of a Social Network Service
Authors: Vihavainen Sami , Vä�¤nänen-Vainio-Mattila Kaisa
Published: April 2013

Smartphones enable an always-on connection to Social Network Services (SNS). A typical way of interacting with SNSs is to access them when the user has a suitable situation to check the status of her social networks or to write an update. One way to enhance the usage of SNSs is to have the service automatically push notifications about events to the smartphone user interface. However, there is no research on how users experience such SNS notifications. We present an explorative field study with 11 participants to assess how users experience mobile notifications compared to reading SNS content manually, initiated by the user. The participants first used Facebook for a month without notifications and then for a month with an application called Socially that sends frequent notifications about Facebook events to the userâ??s smartphone desktop. The participants who kept the notification feature on reported increased reading of Facebook. However, after a while, many were unwilling to receive the notifications, mainly because of lack of control. We report the qualitative findings on user experience, which reveal for example, that the use of mobile notifications decreases interest in Facebook. Notifications limit user control, and using Facebook feels more meaningful when accessed manually. Implications for design are discussed.
Evolving Payment Platform for Developing Countries
Authors: Nana Mbinkeu Rodrigue Carlos
Published: April 2013

This article shows the impact of the growing adoption of mobile phones in the field of money transfer in Africa but also their uses in the field of retail payments or micropayments that is financial transaction from person to person (P2P) for small amounts. We show how these innovations will continue to improve the quality of life of Africans especially those in rural areas. We present M-Pesa as a mobile payment system which has had great success in Kenya. We identify the fundamental principles of success thus this enabled us to create an ECOPAY platform which is an innovative mobile payment system. Our platform provides different types of m-payment like as B2C, B2B or P2P using the mobile phone or others devices. Each transaction is secure by using encrypted message and encrypted connection between the devices and the ECOPAY servers.
Highly configurable low cost remote laboratory with integrated support for learning â?? Assessment of acquisition equipment
Authors: Samuelsen Dag A. H. , Graven Olaf H.
Published: April 2013

One of the activities when designing a remote laboratory is the action of selecting the data acquisition system. The hardware solutions available range from companies created high-quality components to self-designed solutions using discreet components in order to reduce the cost and gain full control over the specifications for the solution chosen. In the last few years the option of using open source, low-cost microcontroller board layouts based on microcontrollers have become available. The topic of this paper is the assessment of the quality of the data acquisition solution made available by the use of the internal analogue to digital converters (ADCs) of such low-cost solutions. The quality of the hardware is analyzed both in terms of measurement errors obtained through experimentation and comparison of quantitative data from the datasheets. The analysis presented serve as a basis for assessing whether the low-cost solutions are sufficient for running some or most of the remote laboratories, or if the increased cost of the budget solutions from professional acquisition modules can be defended.
JAVA Implementation of the Batched iLab Shared Architecture
Authors: Payne Lenard , Schulz Mark
Published: April 2013

The MIT iLab Shared Architecture is limited currently to running on the Microsoft Windows platform. A JAVA implementation of the Batched iLab Shared Architecture has been developed that can be used on other operating systems and still interoperate with the existing Microsoft .NET web services of MITâ??s iLab ServiceBroker. The Batched iLab Shared Architecture has been revised and separates the Labserver into a LabServer that handles experiment management and a LabEquipment that handles experiment execution. The JAVA implementation provides a 3-tier code development model that allows code to be reused and to develop only the code that is specific to each experiment.
Providing Equivalent Learning Activities with Software-Based Remote Access Laboratories
Authors: Kist Alexander A. , Basnet Badri
Published: April 2013

Laboratory-based learning activities are important components of engineering and surveying education and it is difficult to offering practical activities to distance education students. Remote Access Laboratory (RAL) systems are widely discussed as learning tools to offer students remote access to rigs or hardware. In some disciplines laboratory activities are purely software based and RAL systems can be used to provide access to software. As part of a larger study into the transferability of the remote laboratory concept to non-engineering disciplines this project evaluates the effectiveness of RAL based software activities in supporting student learning is investigated. In the discipline of Surveying and Spatial Science, RAL technology is used to provide Geographic Information System software access to distance students. The key research question discussed in this paper is whether RAL-based software activities can address the same learning outcomes as face-to-face practical classes for software activities. Data was collected from studentsâ?? discussion forums, teaching staff diaries and teaching staff interviews. The project demonstrates that students undertaking learning activities remotely achieve similar learning outcomes than student in practice classes using the same software. Ease of system access and usability are critical and the learning activity needs to be supported by comprehensive learning materials. This research provides a clear case in which the use of RAL technology has provided inclusive educational opportunities more efficiently and these general results are also applicable to experiments that involve physical hardware.
A FPGA Approach in a Motorised Linear Stage Remote Controlled Experiment
Authors: Gadzhanov Stamen , Nafalski Andrew , Nedic Zorica
Published: April 2013

In recent years, an advanced motion control software for rapid development has been introduced by National Instruments, accompanied by innovative and improved FPGA-based hardware platforms. Compared to the well-known standard NI DAQ PCI/USB board solutions, this new approach offers robust stability in a deterministic real-time environment combined with the highest possible performance and re-configurability of the FPGA core. The NI Compact RIO (cRIO) Real Time Controller utilises two distinctive interface modes of functionality: Scan and FPGA modes. This paper presents an application of a motion control flexible workbench based on the FPGA module, and analyses the advantages and disadvantages in comparison to another approach - the LabVIEW NI SoftMotion module run in scan interface mode. The workbench replicates real industrial applications and is very useful for experimentation with Brushless DC/ Permanent Magnet Synchronous motors and drives, and feedback devices.
Glans reconstruction with the use of an inverted urethral flap after distal penile amputation for carcinoma
Authors: Sansalone Salvatore , Garaffa Giulio , Vespasiani Giuseppe , Zucchi Alessandro , Kuehhas Franklin Emmanuel , Herwig Ralf , Silvani Mauro , Pecoraro Stefano , Loreto Carla , Leonardi Rosario
Published: April 2013

Restoration of adequate cosmesis and preservation of sexual and urinary function are the main goals of penile reconstructive surgery following amputation for carcinoma. Split thickness skin grafts and oral mucosa grafts have been widely used for the creation of a pseudoglans with excellent cosmetic and functional results. The main drawbacks associated with the use of grafts are donor site morbidity, the lack of engorgement of the pseudoglans and the risk of poor graft take, which may lead to contracture and poor cosmetic results. In the present series the long term cosmetic and functional outcomes of glans reconstruction with an inverted distal urethral flap are described.
Inguinal polypropylene plug: A cause of unusual testicular tumor pelvic metastasis
Authors: Grasso Marco , Blanco Salvatore , Grasso Angelica Anna Chiara , Nespoli Luca
Published: April 2013

We report the case of a patient who had undergone polypropylene plug placement 3 years before and referred to our institution with testicular tumor. CT scan demonstrated an enlargement of pelvic lymph nodes on the tumor side while retroperitoneal nodes were normal. Orchifunicolectomy was performed and histopathological examination showed a mixed germ cell tumor involving the tunica vaginalis, rete testis, epididymis and spermatic cord. After surgery the patient was addressed to adjuvant chemotherapy according to PEB scheme. Clinical re-staging showed a decrease of the pelvic bulk disease whereas retroperitoneal nodes were still normal and tumor markers were negative. Left external, internal and common iliac lymphadenectomy as well as left modified template nervesparing retroperitoneal lymph node dissection was performed. Intraoperatively the node bulk was firmly adherent to the external iliac artery and extended until the common iliac bifurcation. In the deeper part of this enlarged and firm lymphatic chain the polypropylene plug placed at the time of hernioplasty was found. Behind the plug all retroperitoneal nodes appeared normal and resulted negative on histopathologic examination. The patient had an unusual metastatization, probably due to the plug.
Henoch-Schönlein purpura without systemic involvement beginning with acute scrotum and mimicking torsion of testis
Authors: Verim Levent , Cebeci Filiz , Erdem M. Remzi , Somay Adnan
Published: April 2013

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is the most common systemic vasculitis in children. Typical presentations of HSP are palpable purpura of the small vessels in the hips and lower limbs, abdominal pain, arthritis, and hematuria. Scrotal involvement manifested by the presence of scrotal pain and swelling during the course of the disease is rarely seen. HSP without systemic involvement with acute scrotum mimicking testicular torsion is even rare in the medical literature. In most cases, patients with this disease achieve complete recovery. Herein, we report an interesting HSP case with skin symptoms but without systemic involvement and then progression to acute scrotum resembling torsion of testis.
The study of spermatic DNA fragmentation and sperm motility in infertile subjects
Authors: Peluso Giuseppina , Palmieri Alessandro , Cozza Pietro Paolo , Morrone Giancarlo , Verze Paolo , Longo Nicola , Mirone Vincenzo
Published: April 2013

Introduction: Although the pathophysiology of the testicular damage associated with varicocele remains unclear, sperm DNA damage has been identified as a potential explanation for this cause of male infertility. The current study was designed to determine the extent of sperm nuclear DNA damage in patients with varicocele, and to examine its relationship with parameters of seminal motility. Materials and method: Semen samples from 60 patients with clinical varicocele and 90 infertile men without varicocele were examined. Varicocele sperm samples were classified as normal or pathological according to the 1999 World Health Organizzation guidelines. Sperm DNA damage was evalutated using the Halosperm kit, an improved Sperm Chromatin Dispersion (SCD) test. Results: The DNA fragmentation index (DFI: percentage of sperm with denatured nuclei) values was significantly higher in patients with varicocele, either with normal or abnormal (DFI 25.8 ± 3.2 vs 17.4 ± 2.8 - P < 0,01) semen profiles. In addition, an inverse correlation was found between spermatic motility and the degree of spermatic DNA fragmentation in patients with clinical varicocele. Conclusions: Varicocele is associated with high levels of DNA-damage in spermatozoa. In addition, in subjects with varicocele, abnormal spermatozoa motility is associated with higher levels of sperm DNA fragmentation. DNA fragmentation may therefore be an essential additional diagnostic test that should be recommended for patients with clinical varicocele.