bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nitrogen and Light Responses of Cotton Photosynthesis and Implications for Crop Growth
Authors: Milroy Stephen P. , Bange Michael P.
Published: February 2014

Leaf nitrogen content and light intensity affect leaf photosynthesis. Responses of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) leaf photosynthesis to nitrogen and light were developed and used in a framework that scales from leaf photosynthesis to canopy radiation use efficiency (RUE). This was then used to explore the impact of nitrogen and light dynamics on RUE of cotton canopies. Photosynthetic rate and nitrogen concentration of leaves (specific leaf nitrogen, SLN) were measured from two field experiments in which the rate of nitrogen application was varied. The overall shape of the relationship between photosynthesis and SLN of individual leaves was consistent with that for other species, being described by an exponential rise to a maximum of 32.49 ± 1.08 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1 Incorporating the influence of age improved the relationship, showing an impact of leaf age independent of SLN. The photosynthesis relationship developed should be appropriate for use in simulating cotton crops. The approach used to scale from leaf photosynthesis to canopy RUE was effective in capturing the variation in the RUE of cotton as observed in three field experiments. There appeared to be little impact of the ontogenetic changes in light extinction coefficient and vertical gradients of SLN within the canopy on the variation in RUE. For crop simulation purposes, this simplifies the process of modulating RUE in growth models.
Silk Elongation in Maize
Authors: Cárcova J. , Andrieu B. , Otegui M. E.
Published: February 2014

In maize (Zea mays L.), the gradient in floret development and silk length along the ear at silking determines a time lag between early‐ and late‐appearing silks, which results in pollination asynchrony between them. This asynchrony is partially responsible of reduced kernel set at the ear tip, and hybrids differ in this trait. The objective of this work was to analyze the pattern of floret and silk differentiation and elongation at different spikelet positions (Sn) along the apical ear of two hybrids of contrasting ear size (DEA ≅ 500 spikelets ear−1; DK696 ≅ 800 spikelets ear−1). At silking, both hybrids had reached approximately the same proportion of final ear length (about 44%), but DK696 had differentiated a greater number of spikelets row−1 (46 spikelets) than DEA (33 spikelets). Silk initiation rate was always faster than spikelet initiation rate, and silk extension dynamics was similar for all spikelet positions. Silks from the base of the ear were always longer than those from the tip (S25 in DEA or S35 in DK696). Before pollination, silks experienced an early phase of exponential elongation followed by a phase of linear growth. A drastic reduction in elongation rate followed silk emergence, which did not occur when ears were bagged and pollination was prevented. Convergence in silking among spikelets along the ear could be attained by (i) synchronous silk initiation among spikelet positions, followed by a similar pattern of silk elongation in all florets (hybrid DEA), or (ii) increased silk elongation rate in apical florets (hybrid DK696).
Technical Efficiency in Shackled Actions after A Short Audiovisual Training Session
Authors: Ramos Domingo Jesús Campo , Sánchez Peraza Antonio A. , Robles-Pérez José Juan. , Montañez-Toledo Pedro , Clemente-Suárez Vicente Javier
Published: February 2014

Introduction:

Shackled maneuver was poorly studied in specific literature despite being a technique used every day for security and police forces. The use of new technologies had reported important benefits in learning process and could improve shackled learning process. Therefore, the objectives of the present research were: (i) to analyze the effect of an audiovisual training on the efficiency in shackled technique in three different stress situations and (ii) to study the week point in the shackled maneuver to know how to improve the audiovisual training.

Methods:

Technical procedures in shackle techniques in 3 different situations of 26 male soldiers were analyzed after an audiovisual session. The situations were normal, alert and danger. All the shackle interventions were filmed by a video camera and were analyzed later. Shackle maneuver was divided in approach to the subject, subject control, placing the first shackle, limb immobilization, placing the second shackle, frisk and transfer. Every part of the shackle maneuver was evaluated with 10, 5 or 0 point.

Results:

Maneuver efficiency decreased with the stress. There was significant difference in the placement of the second phase shackle between the normal and alert situations and in all the situations the limb immobilization phase obtained the lower values. Furthermore, the execution time was lower in normal (40.30 s) than in alert (120.08 s) and danger situations (180.36 s).

Conclusion:

A short audiovisual training was enough to learn the proper shackled procedure in non experimented soldiers with a low technical level in the limb immobilization phase and differences between the stress situation in the placing the second shackle phase. Also, the increase in stress caused an increase in the maneuver time, and an increase in number of the video reproductions.
Digital analyses of cartometric Fruska Gora guidelines
Authors: Zivkovic Dragica , Valjarevic Aleksandar
Published: February 2014

Modern geo morphological topography research have been using quantity
statistic and cartographic methods for topographic relief features, mutual
relief features, mutual connection analyses on the grounds of good quality
numeric parameters etc. Topographic features are important for topographic
activities are important for important natural activities. Important
morphological characteristics are precisely at the angle of topography,
hypsometry, and topography exposition and so on. Small yet unknown relief
slants can deeply affect land configuration, hypsometry, topographic
exposition etc. Expositions modify the light and heat of interconnected
phenomena: soil and air temperature, soil disintegration, the length of
vegetation period, the complexity of photosynthesis, the fruitfulness of
agricultural crops, the height of snow limit etc.
Possibilities and limitations of territorial cooperation among Serbian and European towns
Authors: Tosic Branka , Zivanovic Zora
Published: February 2014

This paper deals with the significant European aims of the process of
intra-continental integration, as well as the role of the urban centers in
its transregional cooperation. Although the process of transborder
cooperation of towns exists also in other parts of the world, the roots of
that complex form of cooperation appeared rather early in Western Europe. The
area of Central Europe, especially the politically unstable southeastern part
of the continent, are considerably late in this process. Serbia, especially
its western and southern parts, is even more late in transborder regional
cooperation of towns. The paper emphasizes that towns of Serbia, as
development carriers with their intellectual potentials, have to express the
ideas on starting the international actions. The possibilities are extensive:
activation of neglected cooperation relations, improvement of technological
and economical development, modernization of infrastructural systems,
cooperation in culture, education, sports and recreation, environmental
protection, etc. Towns need to find the ways for all kinds of cooperation
with surrounding towns, if such cooperation gives the results which are
favourable for both parties. Isolation from the world courses would lead to
long-term stagnation.
Decade of the New Charter of Athens and unsustainable 2D visions of cities
Authors: Cerimovic Velimir
Published: February 2014

This 2013 marks a decade of unsustainable 2D combinatorics and 3D visions of
21st century cities sublimation by the New Charter of Athens created in 2003.
This is a good occasion to review some of its outdated and unsustainable 2D
principles, the ones that have failed for entire decade to create better
cities of tomorrow and are now far away from achieving it. The problem is
seen in the fact that the New Charter of Athens, through unsustainable
implementation of the outdated 2D terminology, sees the physical structure of
a city in a proselytical and unsustainable way and accepts only high-built
objects or artifacts, regarding them to be only built space and structures
since they do possess walls. Therefore, the so-called visionary charter
perceives the vision of the European cities of the 21st century, and the
implementation of 2D terminology and 2D quasy-knowledge shows its unawareness
of the fact that apart from social (local) communities and high-built
physical structures, cities consist of two more types of physical (3D)
structures, objects or artifacts having no walls. That is why its 3D vision
has not been completed yet, ever since the day it was adopted in 2003,
because it does not perceive and recognize low and landscape built 3D objects
and artifacts. Moreover, it regards them to be the so-called non-built, the
so-called free, the so-called open space. Therefore, it is certainly not
unusual to note that the charter does not even mention a significant
eco-reciprocity and eco-urban continuity between immanent, integrative,
compatible and complementary high, low and landscape built objects or
artifacts within the physical structure of cities.
Bronchial obstruction in the active tuberculosis with reference to our experiences
Authors: Radovic Milan , Ristic Lidija , Rancic Milan , Golubovic Slavica , Djordjevic Snezana , Radjenovic-Petkovic Tatjana
Published: February 2014

The association of active pulmonary tuberculosis and bronchial obstruction
prolongs further parnechymal destruction, while its detection and treatment
on time prevent irreversible changes in the airways and consecutive
significant functional limitations of the respiratory system, which are very
similar to those in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; however, despite
some analogies in the pathogenesis, clinical and functional manifestations,
these two entities can not be equated, but should be differentiated in time.
Risk factors for development of bronchial obstruction in active pulmonary
tuberculosis are of the multifactor nature, and the matrix
metalloproteinase-system could be a key to the future solutions of
etiopathogenic and therapeutic models. Bronchial obstruction in active
pulmonary tuberculosis is often the initial manifestation of an unrecognized
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and a consequent, significant,
functional impairment of the respiratory system that has developed on the
site of extensive parenchymal destruction and intense systemic inflammatory
response during reparative processes, which, in the absence of risk factors
for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, change the normal architecture of
respiratory system and its proper function. The administration of
bronchodilators by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease
strategy represents a good way in systemic and objective therapeutic approach
to these patients, while the results in the application of current
questionnaires on life quality of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease and asthma indicate positive experience, as well as conventional
indicator of treatment outcomes. Therefore, the existing strategies for
control and treatment of tuberculosis should consider the fact that only
microbiological cure of patients with concomitant airway obstruction is not a
sufficient and effective approach to the prevention of further potential,
chronic disruption of their health.
Predictors of deterioration of symptoms and quality of life in patients with sarcoidosis
Authors: Gvozdenovic Branislav , Mihailovic-Vucinic Violeta , Vukovic Mira , Gvozdenovic Aleksandar , Dudvarski-Ilic Aleksandra , Stjepanovic Mihailo
Published: February 2014

Introduction. The most frequent clinical outcomes in sarcoidosis patients are
typically focused on the objective measurements of functions of the involved
organs, but, generally, they do not take into account the individual
perception of patients? everyday functioning. The aim of this study was to
determine the type of association between the subjective disease outcomes and
other objective conventional parameters in patients with sarcoidosis.
Material and Methods. In the cross-sectional study including 172 sarcoidosis
patients (122 females), quality of life was measured by a generic instrument,
i.e. fifteen-dimensional measure of health-related quality of life together
with a respiratory specific instrument, i.e. St George?s Respiratory
Questionnaire; symptoms of fatigue were measured by Fatigue Scale and dyspnea
was measured by the Basal Dyspnea Index. Body-mass index and the course of
the disease (acute vs. chronic) were also evaluated. Pulmonary function was
assessed by spirometry. Results. Acute sarcoidosis was present in 48 (28%)
patients. Mean body mass index was 27.01?5.2. Only 20 (12%) patients had
lower forced expiratory volume in one second values (<80%) that indicated the
existance of obstructive ventilatory impairment. Multivariate linear
regression analysis revealed that body mass index, clinical course of disease
and spirometric parameter forced expiratory volume in one second were the
significant predictors (R2=0.929, p<0.01) of sarcoidosis related fatigue
(B=0.061, B=0.406, B=0.452; respectively). Body mass index and forced
expiratory volume in one second were the only parameters that significantly
predicted both patients? quality of life (R2=0.932; B=0.017, B=0.263) and
dyspnea (R2=0.847; B=0.025, B=0.668). Conclusions. It is important to measure
both subjective patient-reported outcomes and objective disease parameters in
sarcoidosis since they represent different aspects of the disease. All
applied measuring instruments for the examined subjective outcomes
demonstrated good measuring properties.
Nosocomial infections in the Intesive care unit, University hospital for infectious and tropical diseases, Belgrade, Serbia
Authors: Milosevic Ivana , Korac Milos , Stevanovic Goran , Jevtovic Djordje , Milosevic Branko , Jovanovic Milica , Dulovic Olga , Pavlovic Milorad
Published: February 2014

Bacground/Aim. Nosocomial infections (NIs) are an important cause of
morbidity, mortality and prolonged hospitalizations. Fifty percent of NIs
have been reported in Intensive Care Units. The aim of this study was to
determine the frequency and type of NIs among critically ill patients
treated in the University Hospital for Infectious and Tropical Diseases,
Clinical Centre of Serbia, as well as risk factors for acquiring them.
Methods. This prospective cohort study included 52 patients treated in the
Intensive Care Unit from January to June 2004. The diagnosis of NI was
established according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) definition, based on clinical presentation, radiological and
microbiological findings, etc. Statistical data processing was done by using
the electronic data base organized in SPSS for Windows version 10.0. The
level of statistical significance was defined as p < 0. 05. Results. NIs
were found in 33 (63.4%) of 52 inpatients. Urinary tract infections (UTIs),
pneumonia, and soft tissue infections, the most common nosocomial infections
in our setting, were recorded in 41.0%, 25.6%, and 23.1%, of patients,
respectively. Several factors contributed to a high incidence of these
infections: chronic comorbidities (p < 0.01), the presence of indwelling
devices such as urinary tract catheters (p < 0.01), endotracheal tubes (p <
0.05) along with mechanical ventilation (p < 0.05). Conclusion. The majority
of patients with NIs had chronic underlying comorbidities. All the patients
with UTIs had urinary catheters. The most important risk factors for the
development of nosocomial pneumonias were endotracheal intubation and
mechanical ventilation. The patients with pneumonia had the highest
mortality.
Blunt chest trauma: An audit of injuries diagnosed by the MDCT examination
Authors: Turkalj Ivan , Petrovic Kosta , Stojanovic Sanja , Petrovic Djordje , Brakus Alma , Ristic Jelena
Published: February 2014

Background/Aim. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) characterized by
speed and precision is increasingly accessible in emergency wards. The aim of
our study was to determine the most common injuries to the chest region, as
well as type associated extrathoracic injuries, and the treatment outcome.
Methods. This prospective study included 61 patients with blunt trauma who
were submitted to computed tomography (CT) of the thorax. The number of
injuries was evaluated by organs and organ systems of the chest. The cause of
the injury, the length and the outcome of the treatment, and the presence of
injuries in other regions were assessed. Results. Chest injuries were
associated with injuries to other regions in 80.3% cases, predominantly
injuries to extremities or pelvic bones in 54.1% cases, followed by head
injuries in 39.3% patients. Associated thoracic injuries were present in
90.9% of patients with lethal outcome. Lung parenchymal lesions, pleural
effusions and rib fractures were the most common injuries affecting 77.1%,
65.6% and 63.9% of the cases, respectively. Conclusion. Blunt chest trauma is
a significant problem affecting predominantly males in their forties and it
is usually caused by a motor vehicle accident. In case of pneumomediastinum
or mediastinal haematoma, the use of 3D reconstructions is advised for
diagnosing possible tracheobronchial ruptures and thoracic aorta injuries.
Increased resolution of CT scanners yielded a large number of findings that
are occult on radiography, especially in the event of lung parenchymal and
pleural injuries. However, none imaging modality can replace surgical
judgement.
Transference patterns and working alliance during the early phase of psychodynamic psychotherapy
Authors: Samardzic Ljiljana , Nikolic Gordana
Published: February 2014

Background/Aim. Working alliance, as a collaborative part of the therapeutic
relationship has been proven to be one of the most powerful therapeutic
factors in psychotherapy in general, regardless many technical differences
between numerous psychotherapeutic modalities. On the other hand,
transference is the basic concept of psychodynamic psychotherapy, and,
according to the psychoanalytic theory and practice, it forms a major part of
the therapeutic relationship. The aim of our paper was to determine the
differences between the groups of patients with low, middle, and high working
alliance scores and the dropout group in transference patterns,
sociodemographic and clinical parameters, during the early phase of
psychodynamic psychotherapy. Methods. Our sample consisted of 61
non-psychotic patients, randomly selected by the method of consecutive
admissions and treated with psychoanalytic psychotherapy in the outpatient
clinical setting. The patients were prospectively followed during 5 initial
sessions of the therapeutic process. The working alliance inventory and Core
conflictual relationship theme method were used for the estimation of working
alliance and transference patterns, respectively. According to the Working
Alliance Inventory scores, four groups of patients were formed and than
compared. Results. Our results show a significant difference between the
groups of patients with low, middle, and high working alliance inventory
scores and the dropout group on the variable - transference patterns in the
therapeutic relationship. Conclusion. Disharmonious transference patterns are
more frequent in patients who form poor quality working alliance in the early
phase of psychotherapy, or early dropout psychotherapy. It is of great
importance to recognize transference patterns of a patient at the beginning
of the psychotherapeutic process, because of their potentially harmful
influence on the quality of working alliance.
Human case of fasciolosis in Serbia treated with triclabendazole
Authors: Pavlovic Milorad , Dakic Zorica , Milosevic Branko , Korac Milos , Brmbolic Branko , Dzamic Aleksandar
Published: February 2014

Introduction. The number of humans infected by Fasciola hepatica is
increasing worldwide. Humans can become accidental hosts by ingesting
drinking water or plants contaminated with metacercariae. Case report. We
reported a case of a 68-year-old Serbian woman, in which the diagnosis of
acute fasciolosis had been established after serious diagnostic concerns.
Based on clinical picture (episodic right upper quadrant abdominal pain,
febrility and generalized body pain) and biochemical analyses (high
eosinophilia and high activity of alkaline phosphatase), she was appointed as
suspected to the acute fasciolosis. Stool and duodenal aspirate exams were
negative for Fasciola ova. In the absence of adequate serologic diagnostic
for fasciolosis in Serbia, the diagnosis was confirmed using enzyme
immunoassays and immunoblot at the Institute for Tropical Diseases in
Hamburg, Germany. Soon after triclabendazole was administered, the symptoms
disappeared and biochemical values returned to normal. Conclusion. The
diagnosis of human fasciolosis may be problematic and delayed, especially in
non endemic areas, because physicians rarely encounter this disease and a
long list of other diseases must be considered in the differential diagnosis.
The syndrome of eosinophilia, fever, and right upper quadrant abdominal pain
suggest acute fasciolosis. Unclear source does not rule out fasciolosis.
Inclusive Intervention to Enhance the Fundamental Movement Skills of Children without Hearing: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Gursel Ferda
Published: February 2014

The purpose of this study was to assess an intervention program on the fundamental movement skill of students with and without hearing impairment, using the Test of Gross Motor Development–2 (TGMD–2) standardized Turkish norm. Preschool children with and without hearing impairment participated in this study. At the beginning of the study, most of the children with hearing impairment demonstrated developmental delay on the Locomotor subscale (6/7), as did about one-third (4/11) of the children without hearing impairment. For the Object control subscale, 4/7 of children with hearing impairment and none without hearing impairment showed developmental delay prior to the intervention program. After the intervention program, 3/7 children with hearing impairment had developmental delay on the Locomotor subscale. On the Object control subscale, 2/7 children with hearing impairment and none without hearing impairment showed developmental delay. The six-week intervention program improved TGMD–2 scores of children with hearing impairment, yet did not yield statistically significant improvement of fundamental movement skills.
Radiative Transfer Model parametrization for simulating the reflectance of meadow vegetation
Authors: Jarocińska Anna M.
Published: February 2014

Natural vegetation is complex and its reflectance is not easy to model. The aim of this study was to adjust the Radiative Transfer Model parameters for modelling the reflectance of heterogeneous meadows and evaluate its accuracy dependent on the vegetation characteristics. PROSAIL input parameters and reference spectra were collected during field measurements. Two different datasets were created: in the first, the input parameters were modelled using only field measurements; in the second, three input parameters were adjusted to minimize the differences between modelled and measured spectra. Reflectance was modelled using two datasets and then verified based on field reflectance using the RMSE. The average RMSE for the first dataset was equal to 0.1058, the second was 0.0362. The accuracy of the simulated spectra was analysed dependent on the value of the biophysical parameters. Better results were obtained for meadows with higher biomass value, greater LAI and lower water content.
The Digital Transformation of Information, Education, and Scholarship
Authors: Marcum Deanna
Published: February 2014

Digital technology has profoundly altered nearly every aspect of our lives. The little iPhone we carry in our pocket or purse connects us with those we know and love, while also connecting us to news channels, daily newspapers, music, television, movies, this afternoon's weather, and much more. We should expect that same digital technology that is now nearly ubiquitous to have similarly dramatic effects on information, education,and scholarship.

This paper explores the changes in expectations that faculty and students have for gaining access to digital information, and how librarians are responding to those expectations. The online learning landscape is changing rapidly, and and institutions of higher education are responding to a system that was designed to be delivered directly to students. Although online learning systems are regularly discussed in the media, there continues to be a dearth of hard evidence about the efficacy of these sytems. Finally, the paper takes a look at the scholarly enterprise, ietsef. After a century or more of the ‘sage on stage’ teaching model and the lone scholar alone in his office or laboratory doing research, these methods have been dramatically influenced by digital technology. These changes wrought by digital technology compel libraries, faculty, and universities to consider collaborative and consortial approaches to providing services and improving the scholarly enterprise.
Connecting Museum Collections and Research as Scientific Infrastructure
Authors: Motokawa Masaharu , Gotoh Haruyoshi , Yamashita Shunsuke , Nagamasu Hidetoshi , Ohno Terufumi
Published: February 2014

University museums are considered centers of object-based research. In object-based research, two interactive cycles connect collections and research during the production of new scientific results. To achieve good circulation of these two interactive cycles, connections between collection items and research publications are indispensable. However, these connections are currently made on a voluntary basis by each university museum. We expect that the establishment of a two-way connection system between collections and research will serve a new scientific infrastructure and worldwide framework. We propose the conceptual design of the ‘Connections between Collections and Research’ (CCR) database that might be linked with research publication and museum collection databases. Connections between research and collections will contribute to scientific clarity and visibility, support collection management, and promote disciplinary and interdisciplinary science based on each collection. Cooperation and networking by university museums, as well as by institutes and scientists that maintain and utilize collections is required in order to realize the development of this scientific infrastructure. By reflecting the resources of university collections and scientists in various research fields, including information science, university museums worldwide might make significant contributions to the establishment and organization of a new system that aims to connect collections and research.
An International Cooperative Model of Online Chinese Courses
Authors: Hsin Shih-Chang , Wang Ching-Wei , Huang Yu-Hui
Published: February 2014

This research project attempts to build a new cooperative model with the superintendents of school districts of various states in the United States. The idea behind the project is based on the urgent need of Mandarin Chinese courses in middle school level in the US. Since most school districts encounter the problem of not having enough Chinese teachers or teaching resources, offering Chinese courses through internet videoconferencing from Taiwan could be a feasible solution. This project involved some aspects including teaching materials design specifically for online instruction, communication with schools and their teachers/students, teacher's training for synchronized online instruction, e-learning platform and facilities arrangement, and problem solving along the implementation process. The program has been implemented during the year of 2012. We have cooperative agreements with five schools districts in different states and have established a workable operation model for this international cooperation. Through this cooperative model, American students gain the benefit of learning resources through internet, and Mandarin educators and researchers in Taiwan also gain new insights on how to promote the Chinese language learning in the global community.
Publishing the Data of the Smithsonian American Art Museum to the Linked Data Cloud
Authors: Szekely Pedro , Knoblock Craig A. , Yang Fengyu , Fink Eleanor E. , Gupta Shubham , Allen Rachel , Goodlander Georgina
Published: February 2014

Museums around the world have built databases with metadata about millions of objects, their history, the people who created them, and the entities they represent. This data is stored in proprietary databases and is not readily available for use. Recently, museums embraced the Semantic Web as a means to make this data available to the world, but the experience so far shows that publishing museum data to the linked data cloud is difficult: the databases are large and complex, the information is richly structured and varies from museum to museum, and it is difficult to link the data to other datasets. This paper describes the process of publishing the data of the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM). We describe the database-to-RDF mapping process, discuss our experience linking the SAAM dataset to hub datasets such as DBpedia and the Getty Vocabularies, and present our experience in allowing SAAM personnel to review the information to verify that it meets the high standards of the Smithsonian. Using our tools, we helped SAAM publish high-quality linked data of their complete holdings: 41,000 objects and 8,000 artists.
Mapping Austronesian Legends and Trails of Central Taiwan at Sun Moon Lake
Authors: Mitsuda Yayoi
Published: February 2014

The ‘group relocation’ policy imposed during the Japanese colonial period in Taiwan is arguably one of the most notorious policies to be imposed upon indigenes. As a result of this project, almost half of Taiwanese indigenes were resettled from the high mountain areas to the lowlands. Relocated populations needed to adjust themselves to new circumstances, and relocation became a traumatic memory for many.

What is interesting is that relocating villages is not, historically, an uncommon occurrence for most Taiwanese indigenous groups. This suggests that ‘relocating villages’, in and of itself, might not be overly problematic for indigenous populations. Why then did the Japanese relocation policy come to be regarded as such a traumatic event?

In this paper, I will present a sketch of how the Japanese relocation policy became regarded as such a traumatic event for many indigenous groups, and explore the reason the Thao people, living by Sun Moon Lake of central Taiwan, had a very different experience of relocation. Moreover, I also describe the relationship between the mapping project of Traditional Territories of Indigenous Peoples that began in 2002 and the collection of oral histories of indigenous relocation.
Role of Old Antibiotics in the Era of Antibiotic Resistance. Highlighted Nitrofurantoin for the Treatment of Lower Urinary Tract Infections
Authors: Munoz-Davila Maria
Published: February 2014

Bacterial infections caused by antibiotic-resistant isolates have become a major health problem in recent years, since they are very difficult to treat, leading to an increase in morbidity and mortality. Nitrofurantoin is a broad-spectrum bactericidal antibiotic that, through a complex mode of action which is not completely understood, affects both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Nitrofurantoin has been used successfully for a long time for the prophylaxis and treatment of acute lower urinary tract infections in adults, children and pregnant women, but the increased emergence of antibiotic resistance has made nitrofurantoin a suitable candidate for the treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens. Here, we review the mechanism of action, antimicrobial spectrum, pharmacology and safety profile of nitrofurantoin. We also investigate the therapeutic use of nitrofurantoin, including recent data which highlight its role in the management of community urinary tract infection, especially in cases of multidrug-resistant isolates, in which oral active antimicrobials are limited resources nowadays.
High-Throughput Screen of Natural Product Libraries for Hsp90 Inhibitors
Authors: Davenport Jason , Balch Maurie , Galam Lakshmi , Girgis Antwan , Hall Jessica , Blagg Brian , Matts Robert
Published: February 2014

Hsp90 has become the target of intensive investigation, as inhibition of its function has the ability to simultaneously incapacitate proteins that function in pathways that represent the six hallmarks of cancer. While a number of Hsp90 inhibitors have made it into clinical trials, a number of short-comings have been noted, such that the search continues for novel Hsp90 inhibitors with superior pharmacological properties. To identify new potential Hsp90 inhibitors, we have utilized a high-throughput assay based on measuring Hsp90-dependent refolding of thermally denatured luciferase to screen natural compound libraries. Over 4,000 compounds were screen with over 100 hits. Data mining of the literature indicated that 51 compounds had physiological effects that Hsp90 inhibitors also exhibit, and/or the ability to downregulate the expression levels of Hsp90-dependent proteins. Of these 51 compounds, seven were previously characterized as Hsp90 inhibitors. Four compounds, anthothecol, garcinol, piplartine, and rottlerin, were further characterized, and the ability of these compounds to inhibit the refolding of luciferase, and reduce the rate of growth of MCF7 breast cancer cells, correlated with their ability to suppress the Hsp90-dependent maturation of the heme-regulated eIF2α kinase, and deplete cultured cells of Hsp90-dependent client proteins. Thus, this screen has identified an additional 44 compounds with known beneficial pharmacological properties, but with unknown mechanisms of action as possible new inhibitors of the Hsp90 chaperone machine.
Analysis of Guanine Oxidation Products in Double-Stranded DNA and Proposed Guanine Oxidation Pathways in Single-Stranded, Double-Stranded or Quadruplex DNA
Authors: Morikawa Masayuki , Kino Katsuhito , Oyoshi Takanori , Suzuki Masayo , Kobayashi Takanobu , Miyazawa Hiroshi
Published: February 2014

Guanine is the most easily oxidized among the four DNA bases, and some guanine-rich sequences can form quadruplex structures. In a previous study using 6-mer DNA d(TGGGGT), which is the shortest oligomer capable of forming quadruplex structures, we demonstrated that guanine oxidation products of quadruplex DNA differ from those of single-stranded DNA. Therefore, the hotooxidation products of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) may also differ from that of quadruplex or single-stranded DNA, with the difference likely explaining the influence of DNA structures on guanine oxidation pathways. In this study, the guanine oxidation products of the dsDNA d(TGGGGT)/d(ACCCCA) were analyzed using HPLC and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). As a result, the oxidation products in this dsDNA were identified as 2,5-diamino-4H-imidazol-4-one (Iz), 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8oxoG), dehydroguanidinohydantoin (Ghox), and guanidinohydantoin (Gh). The major oxidation products in dsDNA were consistent with a combination of each major oxidation product observed in single-stranded and quadruplex DNA. We previously reported that the kinds of the oxidation products in single-stranded or quadruplex DNA depend on the ease of deprotonation of the guanine radical cation (G•+) at the N1 proton. Similarly, this mechanism was also involved in dsDNA. Deprotonation in dsDNA is easier than in quadruplex DNA and more difficult in single-stranded DNA, which can explain the formation of the four oxidation products in dsDNA.
The Role of Matrix Metalloproteinases in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Said Anan , Raufman Jean-Pierre , Xie Guofeng
Published: February 2014

In the United States, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer mortality, with limited treatment options for those with advanced disease. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are important for maintaining extracellular homeostasis but also play a prominent role in cancer cell invasion and dissemination. Expression levels of MMP-1, -2, -7, -9 and -13 correlate with worse outcomes; MMP-12 expression appears to be protective. Hence, MMPs are attractive therapeutic targets. Previous clinical trials using broad-spectrum MMP inhibitors were disappointing because of off-target toxicity and lack of efficacy. Now, the availability of safer, more selective inhibitors has renewed interest in therapeutic targeting of MMPs.
Development of a Novel BAFF Responsive Cell Line Suitable for Detecting Bioactive BAFF and Neutralizing Antibodies against BAFF-Pathway Inhibiting Therapeutics
Authors: Hu Jenny , Yu Yanbin , Han Hong , Civoli Francesca , Zhuang Yao , Thomas John , Swanson Steve , Jing Shuqian , Gupta Shalini
Published: February 2014

BAFF has a critical role in B-cell survival, maturation and function, which makes its pathway a prime therapeutic target for various autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren’s syndrome. A cell-based assay that measures the functional activity of BAFF is required for many high throughput purposes, such as lead target screening and BAFF quantification. We report here the development of a sensitive BAFF responsive cell line via stable transfection of the BAFFR-TNFR1 hybrid receptor into monkey kidney epithelial COS-1 cells. The cellular response to BAFF can be detected by measuring the secretion of IL-8. This BAFF bioassay is not only reproducible and sensitive, but also responsive to a wide concentration range of BAFF stimulation in sera from various species. This cell line is useful in the development of sensitive bioassays to measure the levels of bioactive BAFF, inhibition of BAFF and neutralizing antibodies against any BAFF pathway-mediated therapeutic proteins.
Post-Polymerization Modifications of Polymeric Monolithic Columns: A Review
Authors: Currivan Sinéad , Jandera Pavel
Published: February 2014

The vast cache of methods used in polymeric monolithic column modification is presented herein, with specific attention to post-polymerization modification reactions. The modification of polymeric monolithic columns is defined and can include the modification of pre-existing surface groups, the addition of polymeric chains or indeed the addition of structures such as nano-particles and nano-structures. The use of these modifications can result in the specific patterning of monoliths, useful in microfluidic device design or in the investigation of modification optimization.
A Note on the W-S Lower Bound of the MEE Estimation
Authors: Chen Badong , Wang Guangmin , Zheng Nanning , Principe Jose
Published: February 2014

The minimum error entropy (MEE) estimation is concerned with the estimation of a certain random variable (unknown variable) based on another random variable (observation), so that the entropy of the estimation error is minimized. This estimation method may outperform the well-known minimum mean square error (MMSE) estimation especially for non-Gaussian situations. There is an important performance bound on the MEE estimation, namely the W-S lower bound, which is computed as the conditional entropy of the unknown variable given observation. Though it has been known in the literature for a considerable time, up to now there is little study on this performance bound. In this paper, we reexamine the W-S lower bound. Some basic properties of the W-S lower bound are presented, and the characterization of Gaussian distribution using the W-S lower bound is investigated.
Revisiting Vaidya Horizons
Authors: Nielsen Alex
Published: February 2014

In this study, we located and compared different types of horizons in the spherically symmetric Vaidya solution. The horizons we found were trapping horizons, which can be null, timelike, or spacelike, null surfaces with constant area change and also conformal Killing horizons. The conformal Killing horizons only exist for certain choices of the mass function. Under a conformal transformation, the conformal Killing horizons can be mapped into true Killing horizons. This allows conclusions drawn in the dynamical Vaidya spacetime to be related to known properties of static spacetimes. We found the conformal factor that performs this transformation and wrote the new metric in explicitly static coordinates. Using this construction we found that the tunneling argument for Hawking radiation does not umabiguously support Hawking radiation being associated with the trapping horizon. We also used this transformation to derive the form of the surface gravity for a class of physical observers in Vaidya spacetimes.
Effect of Chlorine Exposure on the Survival and Antibiotic Gene Expression of Multidrug Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in Water
Authors: Karumathil Deepti , Yin Hsin-Bai , Kollanoor-Johny Anup , Venkitanarayanan Kumar
Published: February 2014

Acinetobacter baumannii is a multidrug resistant pathogen capable of causing a wide spectrum of clinical conditions in humans. Acinetobacter spp. is ubiquitously found in different water sources. Chlorine being the most commonly used disinfectant in water, the study investigated the effect of chlorine on the survival of A. baumannii in water and transcription of genes conferring antibiotic resistance. Eight clinical isolates of A. baumannii, including a fatal meningitis isolate (ATCC 17978) (~108 CFU/mL) were separately exposed to free chlorine concentrations (0.2, 1, 2, 3 and 4 ppm) with a contact time of 30, 60, 90 and 120 second. The surviving pathogen counts at each specified contact time were determined using broth dilution assay. In addition, real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis of the antibiotic resistance genes (efflux pump genes and those encoding resistance to specific antibiotics) of three selected A. baumannii strains following exposure to chlorine was performed. Results revealed that all eight A. baumannii isolates survived the tested chlorine levels during all exposure times (p > 0.05). Additionally, there was an up-regulation of all or some of the antibiotic resistance genes in A. baumannii, indicating a chlorine-associated induction of antibiotic resistance in the pathogen.
Mycotoxins’ Activity at Toxic and Sub-Toxic Concentrations: Differential Cytotoxic and Genotoxic Effects of Single and Combined Administration of Sterigmatocystin, Ochratoxin A and Citrinin on the Hepatocellular Cancer Cell Line Hep3B
Authors: Αnninou Nikolia , Chatzaki Ekaterini , Papachristou Fotini , Pitiakoudis Μichail , Simopoulos Constantinos
Published: February 2014

Food safety organizations indicate the likelihood of constant human and animal exposure to mycotoxin mixtures as a possible negative public health impact. Risk assessment demonstrates that certain mycotoxins of Aspergillus and Penicillium spp. are toxic and hold a significant genotoxic efficacy at nanomolar concentrations. The aim of the current study was to investigate the potential cytogenetic effects of sterigmatocystin (STER), ochratoxin A (OTA) and citrinin (CTN) alone or in combination, at pM to μΜ concentrations, on the human hepatocellular cancer cell line Hep3B. MTT reduction, mitotic divisions, cell cycle delays and sister chromatid exchange rates (SCE) were determined as endpoints of metabolic activity, cytotoxicity, cytostaticity, and genotoxicity, respectively. All mycotoxin treatments induce SCE rates from 10−12 M, while their cytotoxic and cytostatic potential varies. In PRI and MI assays, but not at MTT, STER alone or in combination with OTA + CTN appeared cytostatic and cytotoxic, even at 10−12 M, while CTN alone and all other combinations displayed substantial cellular survival inhibition in doses ≥ 10−8 M. Co-administration of STER + OTA or STER + CTN in concentrations ≤ 10−1 M, increased the MI and MTT activity, while it did not affect the PRI. Mycotoxin co-treatments revealed in general similar-to-additive or antagonistic genotoxic and cytotoxic effects. Our results for the first time describe that STER alone or in combination with OTA and/or CTN share a cytotoxic and cytogenetic potential even at picoMolar concentrations on human hepatoma cells in vitro.
Effects of Dietary Selenium on Histopathological Changes and T Cells of Spleen in Broilers Exposed to Aflatoxin B1
Authors: Chen Kejie , Peng Xi , Fang Jing , Cui Hengmin , Zuo Zhicai , Deng Junliang , Chen Zhengli , Geng Yi , Lai Weimin , Tang Li , Yang Qingqiu
Published: February 2014

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), which causes hepatocellular carcinoma and immune-suppression, is commonly found in feedstuffs. To evaluate the ability of selenium (Se) to counteract the deleterious effects of AFB1, two hundred 1-day-old male avian broilers, divided into five groups, were fed with basal diet (control group), 0.3 mg/kg AFB1 (AFB1 group), 0.3 mg/kg AFB1+0.2 mg/kg Se (+Se group I), 0.3 mg/kg AFB1+0.4 mg/kg Se (+Se group II) and 0.3 mg/kg AFB1+0.6 mg/kg Se (+Se group III), respectively. Compared with control group, the relative weight of spleen in the AFB1 group was decreased at 21 days of age. The relative weight of spleen in the three +Se groups was higher than that in the AFB1 group. By pathological observation, the major spleen lesions included congestion in red pulp and vacuoles appeared in the lymphatic nodules and periarterial lymphatic sheath in the AFB1 group. In +Se groups II and III, the incidence of major splenic lesions was decreased. The percentages of CD3+, CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+ T cells in the AFB1 group were lower than those in control group from 7 to 21 days of age, while there was a marked increase in the three +Se groups compared to the AFB1 group. The results indicated that sodium selenite could improve the cellular immune function impaired by AFB1 through increasing the relative weight of spleen and percentages of splenic T cell subsets, and alleviating histopathological spleen damage.
Global Trade, Local Impacts: Lessons from California on Health Impacts and Environmental Justice Concerns for Residents Living near Freight Rail Yards
Authors: Hricko Andrea , Rowland Glovioell , Eckel Sandrah , Logan Angelo , Taher Maryam , Wilson John
Published: February 2014

Global trade has increased nearly 100-fold since 1950, according to the World Trade Organization. Today, major changes in trade are occurring with the advent of mega-ships that can transport thousands more containers than cargo ships now in use. Because global trade is expected to increase dramatically, the railroad industry—in the U.S. alone—has invested more than $5 billion a year over the past decade to expand rail yards and enhance rail routes to transport goods from ports to retail destinations. This article describes cancer risks for residents living in close proximity to rail yards with emissions of diesel particulate matter pollution from locomotives, trucks and yard equipment. The article examines the demographics (income, race/ethnicity) of populations living in the highest estimated cancer risk zones near 18 major rail yards in California, concluding that the majority are over-represented by either lower-income or minority residents (or both). The authors also describe a review of the news media and environmental impact reports to determine if rail yards are still being constructed or expanded in close proximity to homes and schools or in working class/working poor communities of color. The paper suggests policy efforts that might provide more public health protection and result in more “environmentally just” siting of rail yards. The authors conclude that diesel pollution from rail yards, which creates significant diesel cancer risks for those living near the facilities, is an often overlooked public health, health disparities and environmental justice issue in the U.S. The conclusions are relevant to other countries where international trade is increasing and large new intermodal rail facilities are being considered.