bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Commercialization of non-wood forest products on the territory of AP Vojvodina
Authors: Keca Ljiljana , Marceta Milica , Bogojevic Milivoj
Published: June 2012

In the previous utilization of natural resources in forestry as an economic
activity, timber exploitation was always the dominant part, and the
utilization of other forest products was partly neglected. Nowadays, non-wood
forest products (NWFPs) occupy an increasingly significant position in the
forestry sector in numerous countries, so that the revenue from their
utilization approaches the returns realized by the classical production of
timber products. The research performed in Vojvodina, on the sample of six
enterprises dealing with NWFP purchase, processing and sale was aimed at the
analysis of their market activities to create the image of the market of this
group of products. After the study data were analyzed by dynamic statistical
methods, the changes in the activities on purchase, the domestic sales and
export sales between 2004 and 2010 were presented and future projects were
visualized. The research in the form of questionnaire included the quantities
of purchased raw materials, the scope of production and sales, both in the
domestic, and in foreign markets, as well as the prices of final products.
Some species of medicinal plants were purchased on the territories of Croatia
and Macedonia, and the purchasing network in the domestic market was
remarkably wide and it included predominantly: Nis, Svrljig, Coka, Apatin,
Pancevo, Ruma, Boljevac, Kanjiza, etc. The most significant growth was
realised in the purchase of a mixture of medicinal plants. Also significant
are the purchased quantities of mint, which on average increased by 7.9 t and
rose hip by 5.5 t per year. During the study period, the domestic sale of all
species of herbal teas and medicinal plants increased significantly, while
spices and honey were subject to a fluctuation in sales quantity. Average
algebraic deviation of the original final NWFP sale value from the arithmetic
mean accounts for 3.48%. With the significance level of 95%, it is estimated
that the sale in 2012 will range between 3049.19 and 3343.95 t, under the
condition that the sale continues its quadratic trend. Based on the quadratic
trend, and with the significance level of 95%, it can be foreseen that the
value of export in 2012 will range from 133.01 to 250.07 t. As for the time
interval from 2004 to 2010, the average export amounted to 260.07 t, which
encompassed primarily medicinal and aromatic plants, spices and honey. During
the study period, export decreased on average by 7.03% (20.75 t per year).
Research of the effect of saw blade set dullness on the dimensions of longitudinally cut fir and spruce slats
Authors: Svrzic Uros , Danon Gradimir
Published: June 2012

This paper analyzes the problem of choosing the best way of operating and
maintaining a set of circular saws intended for longitudinal processing. The
study objective was the analysis of current procedures of tools usage and
recommendations for their improvement, in order to achieve better quality and
longer operating life of tools. The tested set (24+5 blades) was mounted on
multisaw blade machine which produces slats from fir or spruce planks for
three-layer parquet. Changes in thickness of sawed slats, operation time
between two sharpenings and blade size changes after removing saw blades from
machine and aftesharpening, were monitored. Control x-charts were used for
stability evaluation. Work quality of saw blade set for longitudinal cut of
fir and spruce planks was presented by cost-effectiveness ratio, ratio of
total costs (for purchase of set and its servicing) and volume of sawed
timber. The saw blade set did not reach the targeted coefficient based on the
previous tests. After each sharpening, the set had a different persistence
presented in time, and we could not determine the work dynamics. The
persistence of saw blade set was affected by wood resin that accumulates on
the saw blade surface, the method and angles of sharpening, work dynamics and
the continuity of cutting.
Public attitude in the city of Belgrade towards invasive alien plant species
Authors: Tomicevic Jelena , Grbic Mihailo , Skocajic Dragana , Radovanovic Dragana
Published: June 2012

Biological invasions are seen as a major threat to biodiversity at a global
level, while the number of new invasions is increasing at an alarming rate.
Raising the awareness of the public, academic world and policy makers about
the dangers caused by invasive species, is essential for the creation of the
support needed to implement and coordinate the policies necessary to address
this problem. The aim of this study is to determine the level of local public
awareness of the existence of these plant species, examine the public
attitude towards alien invasive plant species and willingness to get involved
in the prevention of their spreading. The survey was conducted in four
nurseries on the territory of the City of Belgrade and the investigation
dealt only with alien invasive woody plant species. Thirty customers were
questioned in each of the four nurseries. The results show that local public
is uninformed on the issue of invasive plant species. It is necessary to
constantly and intensively raise their awareness of this issue, as well as
the awareness of harmful consequences that may occur due to the uncontrolled
spreading of alien invasive species. This refers not only to the population
that visits the nurseries and buys the plants there and to those employed in
plant production and selling, but also to the whole local public and decision
makers.
Organophosphorus insecticides: Toxic effects and bioanalytical tests for evaluating toxicity during degradation processes
Authors: Colovic Mirjana , Krstic Danijela , Vasic Vesna , Bondzic Aleksandra , Uscumlic Gordana , Petrovic Slobodan
Published: June 2012

Organophosphorus insecticides have been the most applied group of
insecticides for the last two decades. Their main toxic effects are related
to irreversible inactivation of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Actually, they
covalently bind to serine OH group in the enzyme active site forming
phosphorylated enzyme that cannot hydrolyze acetylcholine. Organophosphorus
insecticides in the environment undergo the natural degradation pathway
including mainly homogeneous and heterogeneous hydrolysis (especially at high
pH) generating non-inhibiting products. Additionally, thio organophosphates
are easily oxidized by naturally present oxidants and UV light, forming more
toxic and stable oxons. Thus, oxidative degradation procedures, generally
referred as advanced oxidation processes (AOP), have been applied for their
efficient removal from contaminated waters. The most applied bioassays to
monitor the organophosphate toxicity i.e. the detoxification degree during
AOP are Vibrio fischeri and AChE bioassays. Vibrio fischeri toxicity test
exploits bioluminescence as the measure of luciferase activity of this marine
bacterium, whereas AChE bioassay is based on AChE activity inhibition. Both
bioanalytical techniques are rapid (several minutes), simple, sensitive and
reproducible. Vibrio fischeri test seems to be a versatile indicator of toxic
compounds generated in AOP for organophosphorus insecticides degradation.
However, detection of neurotoxic AChE inhibitors, which can be formed in AOP
of some organophosphates, requires AChE bioassays. Therefore, AChE toxicity
test is more appropriate for monitoring the degradation processes of thio
organophosphates, because more toxic oxo organophosphates might be formed and
overlooked by Vibrio fischeri bioluminescence inhibition. In addition, during
organophosphates removal by AOP, compounds with strong genotoxic potential
may be formed, which cannot be detected by standard toxicity tests. For this
reason, determination of incidence of micronuclei and cell proliferation
index in cultivated human lymphocytes and fibroblasts is suitable for
evaluation of organophosphorus insecticides and their break down products
inducing cytogenetic damage.
Structural studies on different types of ferroelectric liquid crystalline substances
Authors: Obadović D. , Stojanović M. , Bubnov A. , Éber N. , Cvetinov M. , Vajda A.
Published: June 2012

Structural studies on different types of ferroelectric liquid crystalline substances

Structural studies of ferroelectric liquid crystalline substances of different molecular structure have been reviewed. The discussion of the results deals mainly with the structure of chiral liquid crystals forming the smectic mesophase with ferroelectric order, as the research on ferroelectric liquid crystals, due to their high potential for application in electro-optics and photonics, has recently become one of the most attractive fields. Based on data of polarizing optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction obtained for unoriented samples we have identified the type of the mesophases, the temperature of the phase transitions and outlined the phase diagrams. An analysis of the relation between the molecular conformation and different types of phase transitions has been performed. The layer spacing and the average intermolecular distances have been determined for all studied phases from the positions of the small and the large angle diffraction peaks, respectively.
Adiabatic large polarons in anisotropic molecular crystals
Authors: Ivić Zoran , Pržulj Željko
Published: June 2012

Adiabatic large polarons in anisotropic molecular crystals

We study the large polaron whose motion is confined to a single chain in a system composed of the collection of parallel molecular chains embedded in threedimensional lattice. It is found that the interchain coupling has a significant impact on the large polaron characteristics. In particular, its radius is quite larger while its effective mass is considerably lighter than that estimated within the one-dimensional models. We believe that our findings should be taken into account for the proper understanding of the possible role of large polarons in the charge and energy transfer in quasi-one-dimensional substances.
Fano Symmetric Varieties with Low Rank
Authors: Ruzzi Alessandro
Published: June 2012

The symmetric projective varieties of rank one are all smooth and Fano by a classical result of Akhiezer. We classify the locally factorial (respectively smooth) projective symmetric

G

-varieties of rank 2 that are Fano. When

G

is semisimple we also classify the locally factorial (respectively smooth) projective symmetric

G

-varieties of rank 2 that are only quasi-Fano. Moreover, we classify the Fano symmetric

G

-varieties of rank 3 obtainable from a wonderful variety by a sequence of blow-ups along

G

-stable varieties. Finally, we classify the Fano symmetric varieties of arbitrary rank that are obtainable from a wonderful variety by a sequence of blow-ups along closed orbits.
Scaling Limit for the Random Walk on the Largest Connected Component of the Critical Random Graph
Authors: Croydon David A.
Published: June 2012

A scaling limit for the simple random walk on the largest connected component of the Erd\H{o}s-R\'{e}nyi random graph

G(n,p)

in the critical window,

p=n^{-1}+\lambda n^{-4/3}

, is deduced. The limiting diffusion is constructed using resistance form techniques, and is shown to satisfy the same quenched short-time heat kernel asymptotics as the Brownian motion on the continuum random tree.
Minimal Model Theory for Log Surfaces
Authors: Fujino Osamu
Published: June 2012

We discuss the log minimal model theory for log surfaces. We show that the log minimal model program, the finite generation of log canonical rings, and the log abundance theorem for log surfaces hold true under assumptions weaker than the usual framework of the log minimal model theory.
A Closed-Form Technique for the Reliability and Risk Assessment of Wind Turbine Systems
Authors: Mensah Akwasi F. , Dueñas-Osorio Leonardo
Published: June 2012

This paper proposes a closed-form method to evaluate wind turbine system reliability and associated failure consequences. Monte Carlo simulation, a widely used approach for system reliability assessment, usually requires large numbers of computational experiments, while existing analytical methods are limited to simple system event configurations with a focus on average values of reliability metrics. By analyzing a wind turbine system and its components in a combinatorial yet computationally efficient form, the proposed approach provides an entire probability distribution of system failure that contains all possible configurations of component failure and survival events. The approach is also capable of handling unique component attributes such as downtime and repair cost needed for risk estimations, and enables sensitivity analysis for quantifying the criticality of individual components to wind turbine system reliability. Applications of the technique are illustrated by assessing the reliability of a 12-subassembly turbine system. In addition, component downtimes and repair costs of components are embedded in the formulation to compute expected annual wind turbine unavailability and repair cost probabilities, and component importance metrics useful for maintenance planning and research prioritization. Furthermore, this paper introduces a recursive solution to closed-form method and applies this to a 45-component turbine system. The proposed approach proves to be computationally efficient and yields vital reliability information that could be readily used by wind farm stakeholders for decision making and risk management.
Site Productivity and Forest Carbon Stocks in the United States: Analysis and Implications for Forest Offset Project Planning
Authors: Hoover Coeli M. , Smith James E.
Published: June 2012

The documented role of United States forests in sequestering carbon, the relatively low cost of forest-based mitigation, and the many co-benefits of increasing forest carbon stocks all contribute to the ongoing trend in the establishment of forest-based carbon offset projects. We present a broad analysis of forest inventory data using site quality indicators to provide guidance to managers planning land acquisition for forest-based greenhouse gas mitigation projects. Specifically, we summarize two condition class indicators of site productivity within the FIA forest inventory database—physclcd and siteclcd—as they relate to current aboveground live tree carbon stocks. Average carbon density is higher on more productive sites, but compared to the overall variability among sites, the differences are relatively small for all but the highest and lowest site classes. Some minor differences in eastern- versus western-forests were apparent in terms of how carbon on the least productive sites differed from most other forest land over time. Overall results suggest that xeric sites in most regions as well as sites that correspond to the lowest, non-productive classifications of forest land should preferentially not be used forestry-based greenhouse gas mitigation projects, but all other forest areas appear to be suitable.
Thermostable Bacterial Bioflocculant Produced by Cobetia Spp. Isolated from Algoa Bay (South Africa)
Authors: Ugbenyen Anthony , Cosa Sekelwa , Mabinya Leonard , Babalola Olubukola O. , Aghdasi Farhad , Okoh Anthony
Published: June 2012

A novel bioflocculant-producing bacteria was isolated from sediment samples of Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa and the effect of culture conditions on the bioflocculant production was investigated. Analysis of the partial nucleotide sequence of the 16S rDNA of the bacteria revealed 99% similarity to Cobetia sp. L222 and the sequence was deposited in GenBank as Cobetia sp. OAUIFE (accession number JF799092). Cultivation condition studies revealed that bioflocculant production was optimal with an inoculum size of 2% (v/v), initial pH of 6.0, Mn2+ as the metal ion, and glucose as the carbon source. Metal ions, including Na+, K+, Li+, Ca2+and Mg2+ stimulated bioflocculant production, resulting in flocculating activity of above 90%. This crude bioflocculant is thermally stable, with about 78% of its flocculating activity remaining after heating at 100 °C for 25 min. Analysis of the purified bioflocculant revealed it to be an acidic extracellular polysaccharide.
Opuntia humifusa Supplementation Increased Bone Density by Regulating Parathyroid Hormone and Osteocalcin in Male Growing Rats
Authors: Kang Junyong , Park Jinho , Choi Seong Hee , Igawa Shoji , Song Youngju
Published: June 2012

We investigated the effect of Opuntia humifusa (O. humifusa) supplementation on bone density and related hormone secretion in growing male rats. Sixteen six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups; control diet group (CG, n = 8), and experimental diet group (EG, n = 8). The rats in the CG were given a control diet and those in the EG were given 5% O. humifusa added to the control diet for eight weeks. The serum OC level of the EG was significantly higher than that of the CG, and the serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) level of EG was significantly lower than that of the CG. In addition, the femoral and tibial BMD of the EG were significantly higher values than those of the CG, and the tibial BMC of the EG was significantly higher than that of the CG. These results suggest that O. humifusa supplementation has a positive effect on bone density by suppressing PTH and increasing the OC level in growing male rats.
Mechanistic Insights into Neurotoxicity Induced by Anesthetics in the Developing Brain
Authors: Lei Xi , Guo Qihao , Zhang Jun
Published: June 2012

Compelling evidence has shown that exposure to anesthetics used in the clinic can cause neurodegeneration in the mammalian developing brain, but the basis of this is not clear. Neurotoxicity induced by exposure to anesthestics in early life involves neuroapoptosis and impairment of neurodevelopmental processes such as neurogenesis, synaptogenesis and immature glial development. These effects may subsequently contribute to behavior abnormalities in later life. In this paper, we reviewed the possible mechanisms of anesthetic-induced neurotoxicity based on new in vitro and in vivo findings. Also, we discussed ways to protect against anesthetic-induced neurotoxicity and their implications for exploring cellular and molecular mechanisms of neuroprotection. These findings help in improving our understanding of developmental neurotoxicology and in avoiding adverse neurological outcomes in anesthesia practice.
Neotenic Phenotype and Sex Ratios Provide Insight into Developmental Pathways in Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)
Authors: Hu Jian , Forschler Brian T.
Published: June 2012

Several thousand Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) including worker, nymph, soldier, neotenic and alate castes were collected from three pine logs brought into the laboratory on dates five years apart. The neotenics, all nymphoid, were divided into three groups based on the extent of cuticle pigmentation and termed regular neotenics (RN), black-headed neotenics (BHN) or black neotenics (BN). All castes, from Log A, in 2008, provided a neutral sex ratio except BHN (N = 378) and BN (N = 51) which were exclusively male while the soldiers (N = 466) were female-biased. This information suggests that there is a sex-linked bifurcation along the path for termite development with a male-biased neotenic or female-biased soldier as the choice. In contrast, termites collected in 2004 from Log B provided sex ratios that included a female biased RN (N = 1017), a neutral soldier (N = 258) and male biased BHN (N = 99) and workers (N = 54). Log C, collected in 2009, provided female biased soldiers (N = 32), RNs (N = 18) and BHNs (N = 4) and only male BN (N = 5). Eight laboratory cultures, ranging in age from five to 14 years old, also were sampled and all castes sexed. The census included a 14-year old queen-right colony, an 8-year old polyandrous colony and six colonies provided nymphs and male-biased worker populations. Together these data indicate a flexible caste determination system providing a unique opportunity for a better understanding of the flexible developmental options available in R. flavipes that we discuss relative to the literature on Reticulitermes ontogeny.
Microbial Regulation in Gorgonian Corals
Authors: Hunt Laura R. , Smith Stephanie M. , Downum Kelsey R. , Mydlarz Laura D.
Published: June 2012

Gorgonian corals possess many novel natural products that could potentially mediate coral-bacterial interactions. Since many bacteria use quorum sensing (QS) signals to facilitate colonization of host organisms, regulation of prokaryotic cell-to-cell communication may represent an important bacterial control mechanism. In the present study, we examined extracts of twelve species of Caribbean gorgonian corals, for mechanisms that regulate microbial colonization, such as antibacterial activity and QS regulatory activity. Ethanol extracts of gorgonians collected from Puerto Rico and the Florida Keys showed a range of both antibacterial and QS activities using a specific Pseudomonas aeruginosa QS reporter, sensitive to long chain AHLs and a short chain N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHL) biosensor, Chromobacterium violaceium. Overall, the gorgonian corals had higher antimicrobial activity against non-marine strains when compared to marine strains. Pseudopterogorgia americana, Pseusopterogorgia acerosa, and Pseudoplexuara flexuosa had the highest QS inhibitory effect. Interestingly, Pseudoplexuara porosa extracts stimulated QS activity with a striking 17-fold increase in signal. The stimulation of QS by P. porosa or other elements of the holobiont may encourage colonization or recruitment of specific microbial species. Overall, these results suggest the presence of novel stimulatory QS, inhibitory QS and bactericidal compounds in gorgonian corals. A better understanding of these compounds may reveal insight into coral-microbial ecology and whether a therapeutic potential exists.
Conotoxins that Confer Therapeutic Possibilities
Authors: Essack Magbubah , Bajic Vladimir B. , Archer John A. C.
Published: June 2012

Cone snails produce a distinctive repertoire of venom peptides that are used both as a defense mechanism and also to facilitate the immobilization and digestion of prey. These peptides target a wide variety of voltage- and ligand-gated ion channels, which make them an invaluable resource for studying the properties of these ion channels in normal and diseased states, as well as being a collection of compounds of potential pharmacological use in their own right. Examples include the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved pharmaceutical drug, Ziconotide (Prialt®; Elan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) that is the synthetic equivalent of the naturally occurring ω-conotoxin MVIIA, whilst several other conotoxins are currently being used as standard research tools and screened as potential therapeutic drugs in pre-clinical or clinical trials. These developments highlight the importance of driving conotoxin-related research. A PubMed query from 1 January 2007 to 31 August 2011 combined with hand-curation of the retrieved articles allowed for the collation of 98 recently identified conotoxins with therapeutic potential which are selectively discussed in this review. Protein sequence similarity analysis tentatively assigned uncharacterized conotoxins to predicted functional classes. Furthermore, conotoxin therapeutic potential for neurodegenerative disorders (NDD) was also inferred.
The Role of Bioactive Compounds on the Promotion of Neurite Outgrowth
Authors: More Sandeep Vasant , Koppula Sushruta , Kim In-Su , Kumar Hemant , Kim Byung-Wook , Choi Dong-Kug
Published: June 2012

Neurite loss is one of the cardinal features of neuronal injury. Apart from neuroprotection, reorganization of the lost neuronal network in the injured brain is necessary for the restoration of normal physiological functions. Neuritogenic activity of endogenous molecules in the brain such as nerve growth factor is well documented and supported by scientific studies which show innumerable compounds having neurite outgrowth activity from natural sources. Since the damaged brain lacks the reconstructive capacity, more efforts in research are focused on the identification of compounds that promote the reformation of neuronal networks. An abundancy of natural resources along with the corresponding activity profiles have shown promising results in the field of neuroscience. Recently, importance has also been placed on understanding neurite formation by natural products in relation to neuronal injury. Arrays of natural herbal products having plentiful active constituents have been found to enhance neurite outgrowth. They act synergistically with neurotrophic factors to promote neuritogenesis in the diseased brain. Therefore use of natural products for neuroregeneration provides new insights in drug development for treating neuronal injury. In this study, various compounds from natural sources with potential neurite outgrowth activity are reviewed in experimental models.
Response Surface Optimized Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction of Flavonoids from Sparganii Rhizoma and Evaluation of Their in Vitro Antioxidant Activities
Authors: Wang Xinsheng , Wu Qinan , Wu Yanfang , Chen Guangyun , Yue Wei , Liang Qiaoli
Published: June 2012

An efficient ultrasound-assisted extraction technique was employed to extract total flavonoids from Sparganii rhizoma. The optimum extraction conditions for the highest yield of total flavonoids were ethanol concentration 53.62%, ultrasonication time 29.41 min and ultrasound power 300 W, which were determined using response surface methodology. The extraction yields of the optimal ultrasound-assisted extraction were higher than using conventional extraction. The crude extract was then purified on a polyamide resin, whereby the flavonoids content in the purified extract increased to 94.62%. The antioxidant activities of the purified flavonoids including DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS+ radical scavenging activity, reducing power, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and superoxide anion scavenging activity, were evaluated in vitro, which suggested that the flavonoids showed significant antioxidant activities. Rutin, kaempferol and formononetin were identified in the extract by comparing relative retention times and UV-Vis spectra with those of reference standards.
Improved Methods for Thermal Rearrangement of Alicyclic α-Hydroxyimines to α-Aminoketones: Synthesis of Ketamine Analogues as Antisepsis Candidates
Authors: Elhawi Hagit , Eini Hadar , Douvdevani Amos , Byk Gerardo
Published: June 2012

Ketamine is an analgesic/anesthetic drug, which, in combination with other drugs, has been used as anesthetic for over 40 years. Ketamine induces its analgesic activities by blocking the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in the central nervous system (CNS). We have reported that low doses of ketamine administrated to patients before incision significantly reduced post-operative inflammation as reflected by reduced interleukin-6 (IL-6) sera-levels. Our data demonstrated in a rat model of Gram-negative bacterial-sepsis that if we inject a low dose of ketamine following bacterial inoculation we reduce mortality from approximately 75% to 25%. Similar to what we have observed in operated patients, the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in ketamine-treated rats were significantly lower than in septic animals not treated with ketamine. On the base of these results, we have designed and synthesized series of new analogues of ketamine applying a thermal rearrangement of alicyclic α-hydroxyimines to a-aminoketones in parallel arrays. One of the analogues (compound 6e) displayed high activity in down-regulating the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in vivo as compared to ketamine.
Binding of Bezafibrate to Human Serum Albumin: Insight into the Non-Covalent Interaction of an Emerging Contaminant with Biomacromolecules
Authors: Qian Yajie , Zhou Xuefei , Chen Jiabin , Zhang Yalei
Published: June 2012

In recent years, bezafibrate (BZF) has been frequently detected in environmental media. In order to reveal the toxicity of such an emerging pollutant, its interaction with human serum albumin (HSA) was studied by fluorescence spectrometry, circular dichroism, and equilibrium dialysis. Fluorescence data showed that the fluorescence quenching of HSA by BZF resulted from the formation of HSA-BZF complex. The binding constants were determined to be 3.33 × 103, 2.84 × 103 M−1 at 298 and 309.5 K, respectively. The thermodynamic determination indicated that the hydrophobic and electrostatic interaction were the dominant binding force. The conformational investigation showed that the presence of BZF increased the α-helix content of HSA and induced the slight unfolding of the polypeptides of protein. Finally, the equilibrium dialysis showed that 0.56 mM BZF decreased the binding of vitamin B2 to HSA by 29%.
Gene Therapy for the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease: The Nature of the Biologics Expands the Future Indications
Authors: Fiandaca Massimo S. , Bankiewicz Krystof S. , Federoff Howard J.
Published: June 2012

The pharmaceutical industry’s development of therapeutic medications for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD) endures, as a result of the continuing need for better agents, and the increased clinical demand due to the aging population. Each new drug offers advantages and disadvantages to patients when compared to other medical offerings or surgical options. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has become a standard surgical remedy for the effective treatment of select patients with PD, for whom most drug regimens have failed or become refractory. Similar to DBS as a surgical option, gene therapy for the treatment of PD is evolving as a future option. In the four different PD gene therapy approaches that have reached clinical trials investigators have documented an excellent safety profile associated with the stereotactic delivery, viral vectors and doses utilized, and transgenes expressed. In this article, we review the clinically relevant gene therapy strategies for the treatment of PD, concentrating on the published preclinical and clinical results, and the likely mechanisms involved. Based on these presentations, we advance an analysis of how the nature of the gene therapy used may eventually expand the scope and utility for the management of PD.
Reliance on God’s Help in Patients with Depressive and Addictive Disorders is not Associated with Their Depressive Symptoms
Authors: Büssing Arndt , Mundle Götz
Published: June 2012

Objective: Although there are several reports which support a (negative) association between depression and spirituality/religiosity, the specific nature of the relationships remains unclear. To address whether patients with depressive and/or addictive disorders use this resource at all, we focused on a circumscribed variable of intrinsic religiosity, and analyzed putative associations between intrinsic religiosity, depression, life satisfaction and internal adaptive coping strategies. Methods: We referred to data of 111 patients with either depressive and/or addictive disorders treated in three German clinics. For this anonym cross sectional study, standardized instruments were used, i.e., the 5-item scale Reliance on God’s Help (RGH), Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI), the 3-item scale Escape from Illness, the Brief Multidimensional Life Satisfaction Scale (BMLSS), and internal adaptive coping strategies as measured with the AKU questionnaire. Results: Patients with addictive disorders had significantly higher RGH than patients with depressive disorders (F = 3.6; p = 0.03). Correlation analyses revealed that RGH was not significantly associated with the BDI scores, instead depressive symptoms were significantly associated with life satisfaction and internal adaptive coping strategies (i.e., Reappraisal: Illness as Chance and Conscious Living). Patients with either low or high RGH did not significantly differ with respect to their BDI scores. None of the underlying dimensions of RGH were associated with depression scores, but with life satisfaction and (negatively) with Escape from illness. Nevertheless, patients with high RGH had significantly higher adaptive coping strategies. Regression analyses revealed that Reappraisal as a cognitive coping strategy to re-define the value of illness and to use it as a chance of development (i.e., change attitudes and behavior), was the best predictor of patients’ RGH (Beta = 0.36, p = 0.001), while neither depression as underlying disease (as compared to addictive disorders) nor patients’ life satisfaction had a significant influence on their RGH. Conclusions: Although RGH was significantly higher in patients with addictive disorders than in patients with depressive disorders, depressive symptoms are not significantly associated with patients’ intrinsic religiosity. Particularly those patients with high intrinsic religiosity seem to have stronger access to positive (internal) strategies to cope, and higher life satisfaction. Whether spirituality/religiosity is used by the patients as a reliable resource may depend on their individual experience during live, their expectations, and specific world-view.
Study of LZ-Based Location Prediction and Its Application to Transportation Recommender Systems
Authors: Rodriguez-Carrion Alicia , Garcia-Rubio Carlos , Campo Celeste , Cortés-Martín Alberto , Garcia-Lozano Estrella , Noriega-Vivas Patricia
Published: June 2012

Predicting users’ next location allows to anticipate their future context, thus providing additional time to be ready for that context and react consequently. This work is focused on a set of LZ-based algorithms (LZ, LeZi Update and Active LeZi) capable of learning mobility patterns and estimating the next location with low resource needs, which makes it possible to execute them on mobile devices. The original algorithms have been divided into two phases, thus being possible to mix them and check which combination is the best one to obtain better prediction accuracy or lower resource consumption. To make such comparisons, a set of GSM-based mobility traces of 95 different users is considered. Finally, a prototype for mobile devices that integrates the predictors in a public transportation recommender system is described in order to show an example of how to take advantage of location prediction in an ubiquitous computing environment.
Satellite- and Epoch Differenced Precise Point Positioning Based on a Regional Augmentation Network
Authors: Li Haojun , Chen Junping , Wang Jiexian , Wu Bin
Published: June 2012

Precise Point Positioning (PPP) has been demonstrated as a simple and effective approach for user positioning. The key issue in PPP is how to shorten convergence time and improve positioning efficiency. Recent researches mainly focus on the ambiguity resolution by correcting residual phase errors at a single station. The success of this approach (referred to hereafter as NORM-PPP) is subject to how rapidly one can fix wide-lane and narrow-lane ambiguities to achieve the first ambiguity-fixed solution. The convergence time of NORM-PPP is receiver type dependent, and normally takes 15–20 min. Different from the general algorithm and theory by which the float ambiguities are estimated and the integer ambiguities are fixed, we concentrate on a differential PPP approach: the satellite- and epoch differenced (SDED) approach. In general, the SDED approach eliminates receiver clocks and ambiguity parameters and thus avoids the complicated residual phase modeling procedure. As a further development of the SDED approach, we use a regional augmentation network to derive tropospheric delay and remaining un-modeled errors at user sites. By adding these corrections and applying the Robust estimation, the weak mathematic properties due to the ED operation is much improved. Implementing this new approach, we need only two epochs of data to achieve PPP positioning converging to centimeter-positioning accuracy. Using seven days of GPS data at six CORS stations in Shanghai, we demonstrate the success rate, defined as the case when three directions converging to desired positioning accuracy of 10 cm, reaches 100% when the interval between the two epochs is longer than 15 min. Comparing the results of 15 min’ interval to that of 10 min’, it is observed that the position RMS improves from 2.47, 3.95, 5.78 cm to 2.21, 3.93, 4.90 cm in the North, East and Up directions, respectively. Combining the SDED coordinates at the starting point and the ED relative coordinates thereafter, we demonstrate the performance of RTK PPP with standard deviation of 0.80, 1.34, 0.97 cm in the North, East and Up directions.
Estimating Sugarcane Yield Potential Using an In-Season Determination of Normalized Difference Vegetative Index
Authors: Lofton Josh , Tubana Brenda S. , Kanke Yumiko , Teboh Jasper , Viator Howard , Dalen Marilyn
Published: June 2012

Estimating crop yield using remote sensing techniques has proven to be successful. However, sugarcane possesses unique characteristics; such as, a multi-year cropping cycle and plant height-limiting for midseason fertilizer application timing. Our study objective was to determine if sugarcane yield potential could be estimated using an in-season estimation of normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI). Sensor readings were taken using the GreenSeeker® handheld sensor from 2008 to 2011 in St. Gabriel and Jeanerette, LA, USA. In-season estimates of yield (INSEY) values were calculated by dividing NDVI by thermal variables. Optimum timing for estimating sugarcane yield was between 601–750 GDD. In-season estimated yield values improved the yield potential (YP) model compared to using NDVI. Generally, INSEY value showed a positive exponential relationship with yield (r2 values 0.48 and 0.42 for cane tonnage and sugar yield, respectively). When models were separated based on canopy structure there was an increase the strength of the relationship for the erectophile varieties (r2 0.53 and 0.47 for cane tonnage and sugar yield, respectively); however, the model for planophile varieties weakened slightly. Results of this study indicate using an INSEY value for predicting sugarcane yield shows potential of being a valuable management tool for sugarcane producers in Louisiana.
Toxins for Transgenic Resistance to Hemipteran Pests
Authors: Chougule Nanasaheb P. , Bonning Bryony C.
Published: June 2012

The sap sucking insects (Hemiptera), which include aphids, whiteflies, plant bugs and stink bugs, have emerged as major agricultural pests. The Hemiptera cause direct damage by feeding on crops, and in some cases indirect damage by transmission of plant viruses. Current management relies almost exclusively on application of classical chemical insecticides. While the development of transgenic crops expressing toxins derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) has provided effective plant protection against some insect pests, Bt toxins exhibit little toxicity against sap sucking insects. Indeed, the pest status of some Hemiptera on Bt-transgenic plants has increased in the absence of pesticide application. The increased pest status of numerous hemipteran species, combined with increased prevalence of resistance to chemical insecticides, provides impetus for the development of biologically based, alternative management strategies. Here, we provide an overview of approaches toward transgenic resistance to hemipteran pests.
Worker Injuries and Safety Equipment in Ohio Nursing Homes
Authors: Stanev Stefan , Bailer A. John , Straker Jane K. , Mehdizadeh Shahla , Park Robert M. , Li Hanjin
Published: June 2012

A survey of Ohio nursing homes was conducted in 2007 to examine whether injury rates were related to facility characteristics and availability of safety equipment. The median rate of injury in the 898 facilities was 5.7 injuries per 100 workers per year. Although 95% of the facilities had written resident lifting policies, only 22% of these were zero-lift policies. Gait transfer belts (99%) and portable total-lift hoists (96%) were common, whereas ceiling-mounted total-lift hoists were rarely reported (7%). In a multivariable analysis, injury rate ratios increased with the proportion of residents using wheelchairs and were lower in smaller facilities. Facilities without a lifting policy had a higher estimated injury rate than facilities without such a policy; however, none of the safety equipment was associated with significant changes in injury rates. More information, such as frequency of use and access to versus availability of equipment, may be needed to better understand the impact of safety equipment on nursing home worker injury rates.
Evaluating Objective and Subjective Quantitative Parameters at the Initial Visit to Predict Future Glaucomatous Visual Field Progression
Authors: Ungar Allison K. , Wollstein Gadi , Ishikawa Hiroshi , Folio Lindsey S. , Ling Yun , Bilonick Richard A. , Noecker Robert J. , Xu Juan , Kagemann Larry , Mattox Cynthia , Schuman Joel S.
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the ability of structural assessment to predict glaucomatous visual field progression.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

A total of 119 healthy eyes with suspected glaucoma and glaucomatous eyes with 5 or more optic nerve stereophotographs, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (CSLO) all acquired within 6 months of each other were enrolled. Odds ratios to predict progression were determined by generalized estimating equation models.

RESULTS:

Median follow-up was 4.0 years (range: 1.5 to 5.7 years). Fifteen eyes progressed by glaucoma progression analysis, 20 by visual field index, and 10 by both. Baseline parameters from stereophotographs (vertical cup-to-disc ratio and Disc Damage Likelihood Scale), OCT (global, superior quadrant, and inferior quadrant retinal nerve fiber layer thickness), and CSLO (cup shape measure and mean cup depth) were significant predictors of progression. Comparing the single best parameter from all models, only the OCT superior quadrant RNFL predicted progression.

CONCLUSION:

Baseline stereophotographs, OCT, and CSLO measurements may be clinically useful to predict glaucomatous visual field progression.
Delayed Traumatic Phacocele Following Trabeculectomy
Authors: Kooner Karanjit S. , Zhuk Stanislav
Published: June 2012

A 56-year-old woman with a history of trabeculectomy in both eyes sustained blunt trauma to the right eye at home. She initially presented with pain, loss of vision, total hyphema, and hypotony with no evidence of rupture or tissue prolapse. Prompt anterior chamber wash out revealed a partially subluxated crystalline lens behind the pupil, but the globe was intact. At 1 month postoperatively, subconjunctival displacement of the crystalline lens was detected. The patient gave a history of severe bouts of coughing and sneezing a few days earlier. During removal of phacocele, the trabeculectomy wound was intact with no evidence of leakage. A shallow concentric furrow was noticed across the flap approximately 3 mm from the limbus. It is believed that repeat trauma pushed the crystalline lens through the weakened trabeculectomy scleral flap. The wound later self-sealed.
Behavior of steel fiber high strength concrete under impact of projectiles
Authors: Cánovas M. F. , Gaitan V. H.
Published: June 2012

This paper presents the results of the investigation carried out by the authors about the behavior of 80 MPa characteristic compression strength concrete reinforced with different amount of high carbon content steel fiber, submit to impact of different caliber projectiles, determining the thickness of this type of concrete walls needs to prevent no perforation, as well as the maximum penetration to reach into them, so that in the event of no perforation and only penetration, "scabbing" phenomena does not take place on the rear surface of the wall. Prior to ballistic testing was necessary to design the high-strength concrete with specific mechanical properties, especially those related to ductility, since these special concrete must absorb the high energy of projectiles and also the shock waves that accompany them.
Analysis of the phenomenon of material expansiveness in tunnels built in anhydrite. Outcomes and experiences
Authors: Del Campo J. M. , Guerra J. C. , Fernández-Ordóñez D.
Published: June 2012

The serious geotechnical problems arising in many tunnels bored in material giving rise to stability problems as a result of being expansive, makes the water channelizers. These are materials which are easily washed with sulphates dissolving with water causing the massif to become decompressed and to remould, aggravating and transferring the problem beyond the tunnel’s immediate environment. In the particular case of layers of anhydrite between argillite, it also happens that the primary support and subsequent lining must have exceptional strength to resist the pressures the terrain may transmit in the medium to long term. This article describes the most relevant aspects of the hydromechanical behaviour of sulphated soil and rock and presents some experiments, concluding with various aspects associated to the phenomenon of swelling in tunnels and its possible treatment.
El paradigma intencional en la evaluación ciudadana de la administración local. La utilidad frente al bienestar
Authors: Carreras Romero Enrique , González Rodríguez Benjamín
Published: June 2012

Encontramos, en los últimos años, un renovado interés por la evaluación ciudadana de los servicios locales. el artículo examina las posibilidades de la aplicación del paradigma intencional en este campo. el paradigma, basado en la teoría de la acción razonada, vincula en un mismo mecanismo explicativo, la evaluación de los servicios con la intención política del ciudadano. sin embargo, este mecanismo ha sido formulado en dos versiones rivales, la satisfacción y el valor del servicio. el propósito del artículo es determinar cuál de los dos modelos funciona en la evaluación de los servicios locales. sobre los datos empíricos obtenidos de una investigación en nueve ciudades del levante español, se ha operado un análisis secundario utilizando modelos de ecuaciones estructurales para determinar el mecanismo más verosímil (utilidad del servicio o bienestar) que explica la formación de actitudes favorables hacia las entidades locales públicas.
A Case of Carcinoma of the Male Breast Mimicking a Mucinous Carcinoma of the Skin
Authors: Imakado Sumihisa , Masuda Ryo
Published: June 2012

The authors report a case of mucinous carcinoma of the male breast firstly diagnosed as a mucinous carcinoma of the skin. The immunohistochemical results of this tumor were as follows: cytokeratin7 (-), gross cystic disease fluid protein 15 (-), p63 (-), estrogen receptor (+), and progesterone receptor (+) for the primary nodule; cytokeratin7 (-), thyroid transcription factor-1 (-), gross cystic disease fluid protein 15 (-), p63 (-), cytokeratin8 (+), cytokeratin18 (+), and cytokeratin20 (+) for the recurrent nodule. The tumor cells had cytokeratin7 (-)/ cytokeratin20 (+) phenotype and it was very unusual for mucinous carcinoma of the breast.