bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Model for Location of Medical Facility and Evaluation of Vulnerability and Accessibility of Road Network
Authors: Shiomi Yasuhiro , Seto Yumiko , Uno Nobuhiro
Published: January 2012

This study proposes a method of evaluating the robustness of a road network against a natural disaster and aims to determine the optimal allocation of medical facilities if road network degradation occurs because of severe natural disasters. Connectivity vulnerability and accessibility are important concepts in evaluating the strength and reliability of road networks. This paper first introduces a new network evaluation measure, the distinct paths–based accessibility index (DPAI), which is based on the concepts of both connectivity vulnerability and accessibility; considers the number of distinct paths between a certain origin–destination pair, free-flow travel time, and the number of opportunities in an area; and develops a solution algorithm. A medical facility location model that optimizes the allocation of a medical facility to each centroid according to the DPAI is then formulated, and the results are applied to a real network. Although the optimal allocation of a medical facility varies according to the minimum DPAI, the robustness of an actual network may be improved by reallocating medical facilities. Moreover, the allocation results depend on the value of the importance placed on the number of distinct paths. These results imply that it is critical to set the parameter on the importance of the number of distinct paths by considering risks and geographical features in the subject area.
Site Considerations for Points of Dispensing after Biological Terrorist Attack
Authors: Ma Yongchang , Willauer David , Krometis Justin , Sen Atri , Baccam Sid
Published: January 2012

The use of points of dispensing (PODs) is commonly considered a means of dispensing medication or prophylaxis after a biological attack or disease outbreak. The ability to dispense postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) quickly through multiple PODs could save a large proportion of those who were exposed; failure in the PEP dispensing campaign could have dire public health consequences. Although preevent planning is critical to ensure a successful POD implementation, many planning efforts required to facilitate the timely dispensing of PEP have focused on staffing needs and the internal structure within PODs. Less attention has been placed on the logistical challenges of operations that occur outside PODs. This study proposed consideration of an external process (e.g., parking and traffic control) of POD planning with the internal process (e.g., staffing and equipment allocation for medical service) in an integrated manner. A VISSIM-based modeling tool was developed to implement this concept by simulating the entire process of POD operation. The interaction of vehicles movements, patients' behavior, and internal medical service procedures was successfully modeled through VISSIM's component objective model programmable interface. With generation of detailed performance measures (e.g., traffic and people queues), the impacts of planning assumptions and the implementation strategy on the effectiveness of planning for POD can be studied. A case study was conducted to evaluate use of a POD plan in West Roxbury, Massachusetts, with the modeling tool developed. This tool was able to identify the bottlenecks in POD operation and provide insights for future improvement.
Consequence of Turning Movements in Pedestrian Crowds during Emergency Egress
Authors: Shiwakoti Nirajan , Sarvi Majid , Rose Geoff , Burd Martin
Published: January 2012

Collective egress comes into play during emergencies such as natural disasters or terrorist attacks, when rapid egress is essential for escape. An important aspect of collective egress under emergency conditions is the turning movement when a sudden change in the direction or the layout of the escape area occurs. Previous case studies of crowd disasters have highlighted the importance of such turning movements; however, both qualitative and quantitative studies seldom address this phenomenon specifically for emergency and panic situations. The paucity of complementary data on human panic presents a considerable challenge to undertaking quantitative analysis. The study described in this paper uses empirical data from real-life video footage of a crowd stampede and from panicking ants, paired with a simulation model, to demonstrate how potential problems and consequences of turning movements during collective dynamics can be studied. With this modeling tool, it may be possible to develop evacuation strategies and design solutions that can prevent stampedes and trampling, which occur when large groups of people try to escape from confined spaces where escape path directions abruptly change.
Dynamic Gravity Model for Hurricane Evacuation Planning
Authors: Cheng Guangxiang , Wilmot Chester G. , Baker Earl J.
Published: January 2012

The paper presents a dynamic gravity model to estimate time-dependent origin–destination (O-D) trip tables for hurricane evacuation with survey data from Hurricane Floyd in South Carolina in 1999. The objective is to test whether a dynamic gravity model with a revised impedance function can be used successfully to model hurricane evacuation destination choice. A static gravity model is used to estimate dynamic O-D matrices on the basis of which the dynamic gravity model is subsequently calibrated, because the dynamic O-D movement observed from the survey data is too sparse to allow estimation of the dynamic gravity model. The static gravity model was developed with a combined impedance function and describes evacuees' travel behavior. The model was estimated through a chi-square minimization process. The model was found to produce a trip length distribution that was statistically significantly similar to observed values. A time-dependent travel demand was estimated on the basis of a sequential logit model. With the trip distribution from the static gravity model and an expansion factor, time-dependent O-D trip tables were computed. Dynamic traffic assignment was then performed to provide time-dependent O-D travel costs. The static gravity model was extended into a time-dependent version in which the time-dependent travel cost, distance from the projected path of the hurricane to the destination, and remaining accommodation at the destination feature in the formulation. The model is solved by ordinary least-squares regression after transformation. The time-dependent gravity model was found to perform well by comparison of predicted and observed trip length distributions.
Boesenbergia pandurata Attenuates Diet-Induced Obesity by Activating AMP-Activated Protein Kinase and Regulating Lipid Metabolism
Authors: Kim Dae-Young , Kim Myung-Suk , Sa Bo-Kyung , Kim Mi-Bo , Hwang Jae-Kwan
Published: January 2012

Obesity, a chronic metabolic disorder, is characterized by enlarged fat mass and dysregulation of lipid metabolism. The medicinal plant, Boesenbergia pandurata (Roxb.) Schltr., has been reported to possess anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties; however, its anti-obesity activity is unexplored. The present study was conducted to determine whether B. pandurata extract (BPE), prepared from its rhizome parts, attenuated high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in C57BL/6J mice. The molecular mechanism was investigated in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and HepG2 human hepatoma cells. BPE treatment decreased triglyceride accumulation in both 3T3-L1 adipocytes and HepG2 hepatocytes by activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling and regulating the expression of lipid metabolism-related proteins. In the animal model, oral administration of BPE (200 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks) significantly reduced HFD-induced body weight gain without altering the amount of food intake. In addition, elevated serum levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides were suppressed by BPE administration. Fat pad masses were reduced in BPE-treated mice, as evidenced by reduced adipocyte size. Furthermore, BPE protected against the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver by decreasing hepatic triglyceride accumulation. BPE also activated AMPK signaling and altered the expression of lipid metabolism-related proteins in white adipose tissue and liver. Taken together, these findings indicate that BPE attenuates HFD-induced obesity by activating AMPK and regulating lipid metabolism, suggesting a potent anti-obesity agent.
FBG Sensor for Contact Level Monitoring and Prediction of Perforation in Cardiac Ablation
Authors: Ho Siu Chun Michael , Razavi Mehdi , Nazeri Alireza , Song Gangbing
Published: January 2012

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of arrhythmia, and is characterized by a disordered contractile activity of the atria (top chambers of the heart). A popular treatment for AF is radiofrequency (RF) ablation. In about 2.4% of cardiac RF ablation procedures, the catheter is accidently pushed through the heart wall due to the application of excessive force. Despite the various capabilities of currently available technology, there has yet to be any data establishing how cardiac perforation can be reliably predicted. Thus, two new FBG based sensor prototypes were developed to monitor contact levels and predict perforation. Two live sheep were utilized during the study. It was observed during operation that peaks appeared in rhythm with the heart rate whenever firm contact was made between the sensor and the endocardial wall. The magnitude of these peaks varied with pressure applied by the operator. Lastly, transmural perforation of the left atrial wall was characterized by a visible loading phase and a rapid signal drop-off correlating to perforation. A possible pre-perforation signal was observed for the epoxy-based sensor in the form of a slight signal reversal (12–26% of loading phase magnitude) prior to perforation (occurring over 8 s).
Synthesis of highly functionalized β-aminocyclopentanecarboxylate stereoisomers by reductive ring opening reaction of isoxazolines
Authors: Nonn Melinda , Kiss Loránd , Sillanpää Reijo , Fülöp Ferenc
Published: January 2012

A rapid and simple procedure was devised for the synthesis of multifunctionalized cyclic β-amino esters and γ-amino alcohols via the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of nitrile oxides to β-aminocyclopentenecarboxylates. The opening of the isoxazoline reductive ring to the corresponding highly functionalized 2-aminocyclopentanecarboxylates occurred stereoselectively with good yields.
La politique de l'environnement industriel en France (1960-1990)
Authors: Boullet Daniel
Published: January 2012

Résumé L’action de l’État, le poids de l’opinion, d’influences extérieures, de nécessités concrètes, ont amené l’industrie française à se préoccuper d’environnement. Mais la pesanteur de certaines constantes, au sein des pouvoirs publics ou du patronat, ont encadré ces changements, en atténuant les exigences. Une politique pragmatique naît dans les années 1960, fonde des outils (surtout institutionnels) et un mode de relation avec les entreprises. La préférence libérale y compose avec un dirigisme mesuré. Un ministère, vite actif, est créé au cours des années 1970. La législation est renouvelée et élargie dans un esprit libéral. Une concertation systématique parvient, jusqu’à un certain point, à entraîner des industriels témoins d’une montée générale de sujets peu soumis à la conjoncture. Les années 1980, marquées par de graves accidents et l’essor de la législation européenne voient l’environnement de plus en plus intégré à la gestion des entreprises. Niveau réel d’application des textes, maîtrise ou transparence de l’information deviennent des enjeux majeurs.
Optical Coherence Tomography of Radiation Optic Neuropathy
Authors: Yousef Yacoub A. , Finger Paul T.
Published: January 2012

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

To quantitatively study morphologic optic disc and retinal changes in patients with radiation optic neuropathy (RON) using optical coherence tomography (OCT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

This study is a retrospective clinical case series of ten patients with acute RON. Each had been treated with palladium-103 ophthalmic plaque therapy for choroidal melanoma. OCT images were taken at the time of the initial RON diagnosis to measure cup depth, cup width, edema, vasculature diameter, and retinal thickness.

RESULTS:

All patients with acute RON showed optic disc edema, increased optic disc thickness, and decreased optic cup depth. The average papillary retinal thickness was 341.6 μm and the average optic cup depth was 168 μm. Retinal arteries showed a mean decrease in diameter of 32.5%. All patients with RON in the study showed a decrease in cumulative peripapillary retinal thickness.

CONCLUSION:

This study shows that RON manifests characteristic retinal and optic disc changes that can be evaluated quantitatively by OCT.
Tetracyclines Convert the Osteoclastic-Differentiation Pathway of Progenitor Cells To Produce Dendritic Cell-like Cells
Authors: Kinugawa Saya , Koide Masanori , Kobayashi Yasuhiro , Mizoguchi Toshihide , Ninomiya Tadashi , Muto Akinori , Kawahara Ichiro , Nakamura Midori , Yasuda Hisataka , Takahashi Naoyuki , Udagawa Nobuyuki
Published: January 2012

Tetracyclines, such as doxycycline and minocycline, are used to suppress the growth of bacteria in patients with inflammatory diseases. Tetracyclines have been shown to prevent bone loss, but the mechanism involved is unknown. Osteoclasts and dendritic cells (DCs) are derived from common progenitors, such as bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs). In this article, we show that tetracyclines convert the differentiation pathway, resulting in DC-like cells not osteoclasts. Doxycycline and minocycline inhibited the receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis of BMMs, but they had no effects on cell growth and phagocytic activity. They influenced neither the proliferation nor the differentiation of bone-forming osteoblasts. Surprisingly, doxycycline and minocycline induced the expression of DC markers, CD11c and CD86, in BMMs in the presence of RANKL. STAT5 is involved in DC differentiation induced by GM-CSF. Midostaurin, a STAT5-signaling inhibitor, and an anti–GM-CSF–neutralizing Ab suppressed the differentiation induced by GM-CSF but not by tetracyclines. In vivo, the injection of tetracyclines into RANKL-injected mice and RANKL-transgenic mice suppressed RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis and promoted the concomitant appearance of CD11c+ cells. These results suggested that tetracyclines prevent bone loss induced by local inflammation, including rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis, through osteoclast–DC-like cell conversion.
B Lymphocytes Treated In Vitro with Antigen Coupled to Cholera Toxin B Subunit Induce Antigen-Specific Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells and Protect against Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Authors: Sun Jia-Bin , Czerkinsky Cecil , Holmgren Jan
Published: January 2012

The ability of activated B cells to protect against various experimental autoimmune or allergic diseases makes them attractive for use in cell-based therapies. We describe an efficient way to generate B cells with strong suppressive functions by incubating naive B cells with a relevant Ag conjugated to cholera toxin B subunit (CTB). This allows most B cells, irrespective of BCR, to take up and present Ag and induces their expression of latency-associated polypeptide (LAP)/TGF-β and after adoptive transfer also their production of IL-10. With OVA as model Ag, when naive T cells were cocultured in vitro with B cells pretreated with OVA conjugated to CTB (OVA/CTB) Ag-specific CD4+ Foxp3 regulatory T (Treg) cells increased >50-fold. These cells effectively suppressed CD25−CD4+ effector T (Teff) cells in secondary cultures. Adoptive transfer of OVA/CTB-treated B cells to mice subsequently immunized with OVA in CFA induced increase in Foxp3 Treg cells together with suppression and depletion of Teff cells. Likewise, adoptive transfer of B cells pulsed with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide35–55 (MOGp) conjugated to CTB increased the number of Treg cells, suppressed MOGp-specific T cell proliferation and IL-17 and IFN-γ production, and prevented the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Similar effects were seen when B cells were given “therapeutically” to mice with early-stage experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Our results suggest that B cells pulsed in vitro with relevant Ag/CTB conjugates may be used in cell therapy to induce Ag-specific suppression of autoimmune disease.
ExoS and ExoT ADP Ribosyltransferase Activities Mediate Pseudomonas aeruginosa Keratitis by Promoting Neutrophil Apoptosis and Bacterial Survival
Authors: Sun Yan , Karmakar Mausita , Taylor Patricia R. , Rietsch Arne , Pearlman Eric
Published: January 2012

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a leading cause of blinding corneal ulcers worldwide. To determine the role of type III secretion in the pathogenesis of P. aeruginosa keratitis, corneas of C57BL/6 mice were infected with P. aeruginosa strain PAO1 or PAK, which expresses ExoS, ExoT, and ExoY, but not ExoU. PAO1- and PAK-infected corneas developed severe disease with pronounced opacification and rapid bacterial growth. In contrast, corneas infected with ΔpscD or ΔpscJ mutants that cannot assemble a type III secretion system, or with mutants lacking the translocator proteins, do not develop clinical disease, and bacteria are rapidly killed by infiltrating neutrophils. Furthermore, survival of PAO1 and PAK strains in the cornea and development of corneal disease was impaired in ΔexoS, ΔexoT, and ΔexoST mutants of both strains, but not in a ΔexoY mutant. ΔexoST mutants were also rapidly killed in neutrophils in vitro and were impaired in their ability to promote neutrophil apoptosis in vivo compared with PAO1. Point mutations in the ADP ribosyltransferase (ADPR) regions of ExoS or ExoT also impaired proapoptotic activity in infected neutrophils, and exoST(ADPR-) mutants replicated the ΔexoST phenotype in vitro and in vivo, whereas mutations in rho–GTPase-activating protein showed the same phenotype as PAO1. Together, these findings demonstrate that the pathogenesis of P. aeruginosa keratitis in ExoS- and ExoT-producing strains is almost entirely due to their ADPR activities, which subvert the host response by targeting the antibacterial activity of infiltrating neutrophils.
Human MSH6 Deficiency Is Associated with Impaired Antibody Maturation
Authors: Gardès Pauline , Forveille Monique , Alyanakian Marie-Alexandra , Aucouturier Pierre , Ilencikova Denisa , Leroux Dominique , Rahner Nils , Mazerolles Fabienne , Fischer Alain , Kracker Sven , Durandy Anne
Published: January 2012

Ig class-switch recombination (Ig-CSR) deficiencies are rare primary immunodeficiencies characterized by defective switched isotype (IgG/IgA/IgE) production. Depending on the molecular defect, defective Ig-CSR may also be associated with impaired somatic hypermutation (SHM) of the Ig V regions. Although the mechanisms underlying Ig-CSR and SHM in humans have been revealed (at least in part) by studying natural mutants, the role of mismatch repair in this process has not been fully elucidated. We studied in vivo and in vitro Ab maturation in eight MSH6-deficient patients. The skewed SHM pattern strongly suggests that MSH6 is involved in the human SHM process. Ig-CSR was found to be partially defective in vivo and markedly impaired in vitro. The resolution of γH2AX foci following irradiation of MSH6-deficient B cell lines was also found to be impaired. These data suggest that in human CSR, MSH6 is involved in both the induction and repair of DNA double-strand breaks in switch regions.
Carotid intima-media thickness and apolipoproteins in patients of ischemic stroke in a rural hospital sett ing in central India: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Jain Jyoti , Lathia Tejal , Gupta O.m. Prakash , Jain Vishakha
Published: January 2012

Context: Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and apolipoproteins have been found as a risk factor for ischemic stroke . Objective: The objective was to study the carotid intima-media thickness, apolipoproteins, and their relation in patients of ischemic stroke in central rural India. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study was performed in a rural hospital in central India. Materials and Methods: In all patients of ischemic stroke proven by computerized tomography (CT), CIMT, apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I), and apolipoprotein B(ApoB) were measured. Statistical Analysis Used: We used Student′s t-test to compare means, a chi-square test to compare proportions, and a Mann-Whitney test to compare medians. A P value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean age of our study population (N = 106) was 61 years. The mean CIMT was 0.83 mm ranging from a minimum of 0.45 mm to a maximum of 1.096 mm. Mean CIMT was significantly higher than expected 0.67 values, which was calculated according to the age of the study population. The association of decreased ApoA-I < 100 mg/dl and increased ApoB > 90 mg/dl with CIMT > 0.7 mm was statistically significant with P<0.001. Conclusions: The CIMT in computerized tomography-proven ischemic stroke was significantly higher than expected for the age of the study population. The relation of decreased ApoA-I and increased ApoB with CIMT > 0.7 mm was also statistically significant.
Perioperative outcomes following surgery for brain tumors: Objective assessment and risk factor evaluation
Authors: Moiyadi Aliasgar V , Shetty Prakash M
Published: January 2012

Background: Perioperative outcomes following surgery for brain tumors are an important indicator of the safety as well as efficacy of surgical intervention. Perioperative morbidity not only has implications on direct patient care, but also serves as an indicator of the quality of care provided, and enables objective documentation, for comparision in various clinical trials. We document our experience at a tertiary care referral, a dedicated neuro-oncology center in India. Materials and Methods: One hundred and ninety-six patients undergoing various surgeries for intra-axial brain tumors were analyzed. Routine microsurgical techniques and uniform antibiotic policy were used. Navigation/ intraoperative electrophysiological monitoring was not available. The endpoints assessed included immediate postoperative neurological status, neurological outcome at discharge, regional complications, systemic complications, overall morbidity, and mortality. Various risk factors assessed included clinico-epidemiological factors, tumor-related factors, and surgery-related factors. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed. Results: Median age was 38 years. 72% had tumors larger than 4 cm. Neurological morbidity, and regional and systemic complications occurred in 16.8, 17.3, and 10.7%, respectively. Overall, major morbidity occurred in 18% and perioperative mortality rate was 3.6%. Although a few of the known risk factors were found to be significant on univariate analysis, none achieved significance on multivariate analysis. Conclusions: Our patients were younger and had larger tumors than are generally reported. Despite the unavailability of advanced intraoperative aids we could achieve acceptable levels of morbidity and mortality. Objective recording of perioperative events is crucial to document outcomes after surgery for brain tumors.
An undiagnosed myasthenia gravis presenting as isolated recurrent acute respiratory failure
Authors: Sharma Ram Shri , Sharma Nalini , Yeolekar ME
Published: January 2012

Acute respiratory failure is an uncommon initial presentation of myasthenia gravis (MG). In our case a 22-year-old woman of unrecognized MG presented to the emergency department with isolated respiratory failure as the first presenting symptom. Initially she presented with dysphonia and was managed by speech therapist and ENT surgeons for 3 months. Subsequently, she presented with signs and symptoms of sepsis and went into acute respiratory failure. This case highlights the need to consider MG in the differential diagnosis of an otherwise unexplained respiratory failure in the critical care setting.
Neurocysticercosis presenting as isolated wall-eyed monocular internuclear ophthalmoplegia with contraversive ocular tilt reaction
Authors: Chandran Suresh R , Balakrishnan Rojith K , Umakanthan K , Govindarajan K
Published: January 2012

Neurocysticercosis is a common tropical infection presenting with neurological signs. It commonly presents as seizures but various other focal neurological presentations have been reported. Though neurocysticercosis have been reported to present as isolated internuclear ophthalmoplegia, we report the first case of neurocysticercosis presenting as wall-eyed monoocular internuclear ophthalmoplegia syndrome with contraversive ocular tilt reaction.
Positive, Neutral and Negative Interactions in Cocultures between Pyrococcus furiosus and Different Methanogenic Archaea
Authors: Weiner Agnes , Schopf Simone , Wanner Gerhard , Probst Alexander , Wirth Reinhard
Published: January 2012

The model organism Pyrococcus furiosus has recently been reported to interact with Methanopyrus kandleri in coculture, suggesting a H2 symbiosis. In the current study we further investigated this hypothesis by growing P. furiosus with four other hyperthermophilic methanogens providing evidence that the organisms did not only exert positive effects ( P. furiosus/ Methanocaldococcus villosus and P. furiosus/ Methanocaldococcus infernus) on each other, but also neutral ( P. furiosus/ Methanocaldococcus jannaschii) and even inhibitory interactions ( P. furiosus/ Methanotorris igneus) were detected suggesting interspecies relationships not only based on H2 symbiosis. Using various microscopic techniques we further analyzed the coculture with the highest positive interactions ( P. furiosus/ M. villosus) concerning its growth behavior on various surfaces, which turned out to be in stark contrast to the previous reported coculture of P. furiosus/ M. kandleri. This communication provides new insights into possible interactions of extremophilic Archaea in cocultures and again raises the question if and how hyperthermophilic Archaea communicate besides metabolic intermediates like H2.
Spectral inequalities for operators on H-type groups
Authors: Inglis James D.
Published: January 2012

In this paper the spectra of certain Schrödinger-type operators deﬁned in the sub-elliptic setting of H-type groups are investigated. Two approaches are taken: the ﬁrst one makes use of a convenient unitary transformation on the Heisenberg group, while the second proceeds via functional inequalities. The paper concludes by highlighting a major diﬀerence between the spectrum of the considered operators depending on which natural sub-Riemannian metric is chosen.
Possible effect of extreme solar energetic particle event of 20 January 2005 on polar stratospheric aerosols: direct observational evidence
Authors: Mironova I. A. , Usoskin I. G. , Kovaltsov G. A. , Petelina S. V.
Published: January 2012

Abstract. Energetic cosmic rays are the main source of ionization of the low-middle atmosphere, leading to associated changes in atmospheric properties. Via the hypothetical influence of ionization on aerosol growth and facilitated formation of clouds, this may be an important indirect link relating solar variability to climate. This effect is highly debated, however, since the proposed theoretical mechanisms still remain illusive and qualitative, and observational evidence is inconclusive and controversial. Therefore, important questions regarding the existence and magnitude of the effect, and particularly the fraction of aerosol particles that can form and grow, are still open. Here we present empirical evidence of the possible effect caused by cosmic rays upon polar stratospheric aerosols, based on a case study of an extreme solar energetic particle (SEP) event of 20 January 2005. Using aerosol data obtained over polar regions from different satellites with optical instruments that were operating during January 2005, such as the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment III (SAGE III), and Optical Spectrograph and Infrared Imaging System (OSIRIS), we found a significant simultaneous change in aerosol properties in both the Southern and Northern Polar regions in temporal association with the SEP event. We speculate that ionization of the atmosphere, which was abnormally high in the lower stratosphere during the extreme SEP event, might have led to formation of new particles and/or growth of preexisting ultrafine particles in the polar stratospheric region. However, a detailed interpretation of the effect is left for subsequent studies. This is the first time high vertical resolution measurements have been used to discuss possible production of stratospheric aerosols under the influence of cosmic ray induced ionization. The observed effect is marginally detectable for the analyzed severe SEP event and can be undetectable for the majority of weak-moderate events. The present interpretation serves as a conservative upper limit of solar energetic particle effect upon polar stratospheric aerosols.
A web service based tool to plan atmospheric research flights
Authors: Rautenhaus M. , Bauer G. , Dörnbrack A.
Published: January 2012

Abstract. We present a web service based tool for the planning of atmospheric research flights. The tool provides online access to horizontal maps and vertical cross-sections of numerical weather prediction data and in particular allows the interactive design of a flight route in direct relation to the predictions. It thereby fills a crucial gap in the set of currently available tools for using data from numerical atmospheric models for research flight planning. A distinct feature of the tool is its lightweight, web service based architecture, requiring only commodity hardware and a basic Internet connection for deployment. Access to visualisations of prediction data is achieved by using an extended version of the Open Geospatial Consortium Web Map Service (WMS) standard, a technology that has gained increased attention in meteorology in recent years. With the WMS approach, we avoid the transfer of large forecast model output datasets while enabling on-demand generated visualisations of the predictions at campaign sites with limited Internet bandwidth. Usage of the Web Map Service standard also enables access to third-party sources of georeferenced data. We have implemented the software using the open-source programming language Python. In the present article, we describe the architecture of the tool. As an example application, we discuss a case study research flight planned for the scenario of the 2010 Eyjafjalla volcano eruption. Usage and implementation details are provided as Supplement.
A proposal for a methodological approach to the characterisation of Widespread Landslide Events: an application to Southern Italy
Authors: Gullà G. , Caloiero T. , Coscarelli R. , Petrucci O.
Published: January 2012

Abstract. This paper presents a methodological approach to both identifying and characterising Widespread Landslide Events (WLE), defined as the occurrence of several landslides through wide areas (thousands of square kilometres). This approach is based on a comparative analysis of two historical databases: a rainfall database and a landslide database, both concerning the same period. This methodology was tested on Calabria (Southern Italy) by analysing a period of more than 80 yr. The data allowed the individuation of 25 WLEs generated by the following: (a) a single rainfall event (RE), (b) a few distinct but temporarily close REs, or (c) several consecutive REs occurring over a period of up to two months. An empirical curve, obtained by interpolating the number of landslides occurred during the WLEs and the average values of cumulative rainfall that triggered them enables the individuation of the relationship between rainfall and number of landslides. The proposed methodological approach can be used wherever historical series of both rainfall and landslides are available. The results can be useful for monitoring the development of events and for the planning of emergency management.
Tsunamigenic Ratio of the Pacific Ocean earthquakes and a proposal for a Tsunami Index
Authors: Suppasri A. , Imamura F. , Koshimura S.
Published: January 2012

Abstract. The Pacific Ocean is the location where two-thirds of tsunamis have occurred, resulting in a great number of casualties. Once information on an earthquake has been issued, it is important to understand if there is a tsunami generation risk in relation with a specific earthquake magnitude or focal depth. This study proposes a Tsunamigenic Ratio (TR) that is defined as the ratio between the number of earthquake-generated tsunamis and the total number of earthquakes. Earthquake and tsunami data used in this study were selected from a database containing tsunamigenic earthquakes from prior 1900 to 2011. The TR is calculated from earthquake events with a magnitude greater than 5.0, a focal depth shallower than 200 km and a sea depth less than 7 km. The results suggest that a great earthquake magnitude and a shallow focal depth have a high potential to generate tsunamis with a large tsunami height. The average TR in the Pacific Ocean is 0.4, whereas the TR for specific regions of the Pacific Ocean varies from 0.3 to 0.7. The TR calculated for each region shows the relationship between three influential parameters: earthquake magnitude, focal depth and sea depth. The three parameters were combined and proposed as a dimensionless parameter called the Tsunami Index (TI). TI can express better relationship with the TR and with maximum tsunami height, while the three parameters mentioned above cannot. The results show that recent submarine earthquakes had a higher potential to generate a tsunami with a larger tsunami height than during the last century. A tsunami is definitely generated if the TI is larger than 7.0. The proposed TR and TI will help ascertain the tsunami generation risk of each earthquake event based on a statistical analysis of the historical data and could be an important decision support tool during the early tsunami warning stage.
Mechanism of Anesthetic Toxicity: Metabolism, Reactive Oxygen Species, Oxidative Stress, and Electron Transfer
Authors: Kovacic Peter , Somanathan Ratnasamy
Published: January 2012

There is much literature on the toxic effects of anesthetics. This paper deals with both the volatiles and locals. Adverse effects appear to be multifaceted, with the focus on radicals, oxidative stress (OS), and electron transfer (ET). ET functionalities involved are quinone, iminoquinone, conjugated iminium, and nitrone. The non-ET routes involving radicals and OS apparently pertain to haloalkanes and ethers. Beneficial effects of antioxidants, evidently countering OS, are reported. Knowledge at the molecular level should aid in devising strategies to combat the adverse effects.
On the Geoeffectiveness Structure of Solar Wind-Magnetosphere Coupling Functions during Intense Storms
Authors: Adebesin B. Olufemi , Ikubanni S. Oluwole , Kayode J. Stephen
Published: January 2012

The geoeffectiveness of some coupling functions for the Solar Wind-Magnetosphere Interaction had been studied. 58 storms with peak Dst < −100 nT were used. The result showed that the interplanetary magnetic field Bz appeared to be more relevant with the magnetic field B (which agreed with previous results). However, both the V (solar wind flow speed) and Bz factors in the interplanetary dawn-dusk electric field (V×Bz) are effective in the generation of very intense storms (peak Dst < −250 nT) while “intense” storms (−250 nT ≤ peak Dst < −100 nT) are mostly enhanced by the Bz factor alone (in most cases). The southward Bz duration BT seems to be more relevant for Dst < −250 nT class of storms and invariably determines the recovery phase duration. Most of the storms were observed to occur at midnight hours (i.e., 2100–0400 UT), having a 41.2% incidence rate, with high frequency between 2300 UT and 0000 UT. 62% of the events were generated as a result of Magnetic Cloud (MC), while 38% were generated by complex ejecta. The B-Bz relation for the magnetic cloud attained a correlation coefficient of 0.8922, while it is 0.7608 for the latter. Conclusively, Bz appears to be the most geoeffective factor, and geoeffectiveness should be a factor that depends on methods of event identification and classification as well as the direction of event correlation.
Bayesian and Fuzzy Approach to Assess and Predict the Maintainability of Software: A Comparative Study
Authors: Jeet Kawal , Dhir Renu
Published: January 2012

Quality has always been one of the major issues responsible for the success of software. Maintainability is one of the characteristics of software quality. A large number of techniques were developed for the assess and predication of this characteristic. Most of these techniques do not decompose it to an actual assessment level and thus fail to give a detailed account of the impact of specific criteria. These techniques thus constrain their use as the basis for analysis quantitatively. In this paper, we develop a system based on fuzzy inference approach to assess and predict maintainability in a quantitative manner. This system is an enhancement of Bayesian approach which is using activity-based quality model to deal with maintainability. We also compare the proposed fuzzy technique with an existing Bayesian approach to depict the improvement achieved due to the advantageous accuracy of fuzzy over crisp approach.
Nuevos retos
Authors: Mut Camacho Magdalena
Published: January 2012

Introducción a la sección Tribuna del número 1 de la revista adComunica.
Retos del sector audiovisual
Authors: Bardají Hernando Javier
Published: January 2012

Artículo de la sección Tribuna de adComunica.
Entre las promesas y los resultados: notas sobre los retos de futuro de la TDT
Authors: García Leiva Mª Trinidad
Published: January 2012

El objetivo del artículo es plantear una reflexión general sobre los retos futuros de la red digital terrestre de difusión de señales audiovisuales partiendo de un balance de las promesas vinculadas a su introducción hace más de una década y su contracara de resultados palpables. En función de las derivaciones potenciales que el escenario actual presenta se analizarán pues sus posibilidades de desarrollo. Para ello se ofrece un análisis genérico pero panorámico que considera las perspectivas tecnológica, económica, sociocultural e incluso estética del fenómeno con eje en las experiencias más avanzadas de Estados Unidos y Europa aunque, desde luego, prestando especial atención a España e incorporando según el caso las realidades latinoamericana y asiática. Se sostiene que esta aproximación teñida de balance puede tener mayor interés y menor caducidad que pensar los desafíos futuros de la televisión digital terrestre en un contexto nacional más específico dado el carácter reciente y, en buena media, todavía en marcha que manifiesta la migración al servicio. Aun a riesgo de aventurar valoraciones e interpretaciones no suficientemente contrastadas todavía por la realidad, se trata de reflexionar acerca de cómo puede evolucionar la red terrestre de distribución y qué lugar ocupará en el conjunto del audiovisual, fundamentalmente en relación con el rol de difusión universal, acceso gratuito y perfil generalista que ha desempeñado desde su configuración como medio de comunicación social.
Totum Revolutum… Introducción a una muestra de investigaciones en el entorno comunicativo
Authors: Gómez Tarín Francisco Javier
Published: January 2012

Introducción a la sección Otras investigaciones de número 1 de la revista adComunica dedicado a los nuevos modelos de televisión en la escena contemporánea.
Development of a process for efficient use of CO2 from flue gases in the production of photosynthetic microorganisms
Authors: González‐López C.V. , Acién Fernández F.G. , Fernández‐Sevilla J.M. , Sánchez Fernández J.F. , Molina Grima E.
Published: January 2012

A new methodology to use efficiently flue gases as CO2 source in the production of photosynthetic microorganisms is proposed. The CO2 is absorbed in an aqueous phase that is then regenerated by microalgae. Carbonated solutions could absorb up to 80% of the CO2 from diluted gas reaching total inorganic carbon (TIC) concentrations up to 2.0 g/L. The pH of the solution was maintained at 8.0–10.0 by the bicarbonate/carbonate buffer, so it is compatible with biological regeneration. The absorption process was modeled and the kinetic parameters were determined. Anabaena sp. demonstrated to tolerate pH (8.0–10.0) and TIC (up to 2.0 g/L) conditions imposed by the absorption step. Experiments of regeneration of the liquid phase demonstrated the feasibility of the overall process, converting CO2 into organic matter. The developed process avoids heating to regenerate the liquid whereas maximizing the efficiency of CO2 use, which is relevant to achieve the commercial production of biofuels from microalgae. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012; 109:1637–1650. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Diastereoisomeric ent‐Labdane Diterpenoids from Andrographis paniculata
Authors: Hu Yong‐Mei , Wang Guo‐Cai , Wang Ying , Sung Herman H.‐Y. , Williams Ian D. , Ye Wen‐Cai
Published: January 2012

Four C(8),C(12)‐diastereoisomers, (8S,12S)‐isoandrographolide (1), (8S,12R)‐isoandrographolide (2), (8R,12R)‐isoandrographolide (3), and (8R,12S)‐isoandrographolide (4) were isolated from the aerial parts of Andrographis paniculata. The structures of the new compounds 1–3 were established on the basis of the spectroscopic data including UV, IR, NMR, HR‐ESI‐MS, and X‐ray diffraction analysis.
Recharge estimation of a small karstic aquifer in a semiarid Mediterranean region (southeastern Spain) using a hydrological model
Authors: Touhami I. , Andreu J. M. , Chirino E. , Sánchez J. R. , Moutahir H. , Pulido‐Bosch A. , Martínez‐Santos P. , Bellot J.
Published: January 2012

Mediterranean aquifers are frequently subject to the joint effect of intensive exploitation and low recharge values. Besides, groundwater is the only available water resource in many Mediterranean regions. Groundwater recharge studies are therefore necessary to underpin water management practices. This manuscript presents a methodology to estimate groundwater recharge in a small limestone aquifer of southeastern Spain. The HYDROBAL model is used to calculate daily soil water balances on the basis of hydrological and soil data as well as on vegetation cover. Deep drainage model outputs are converted into water table variations using a lumped model add‐on. The adjustment between observed and calculated water table levels is in the order of r2 = 0.87. This correlation coefficient suggests that HYDROBAL is a useful tool to estimate groundwater recharge in the region. In addition, differences in groundwater recharge rates are observed for dry, average and wet years. Estimated recharge rates range between 0% and 18% of the mean annual rainfall, which corresponds to a net recharge of 0 to 59 mm year−1. Recharge rates increase proportionally with precipitation (r2 = 0.90). Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nonlinear laser scanning microscopy of human vocal folds
Authors: Miri Amir K. , Tripathy Umakanta , Mongeau Luc , Wiseman Paul W.
Published: January 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

The purpose of this work was to apply nonlinear laser scanning microscopy (NLSM) for visualizing the morphology of extracellular matrix proteins within human vocal folds. This technique may potentially assist clinicians in making rapid diagnoses of vocal fold tissue disease or damage. Microstructural characterization based on NLSM provides valuable information for better understanding molecular mechanisms and tissue structure.

Study Design:

Experimental, ex vivo human vocal fold.

Methods:

A custom‐built multimodal nonlinear laser scanning microscope was used to scan fibrillar proteins in three 4% formaldehyde‐fixed cadaveric samples. Collagen and elastin, key extracellular matrix proteins in the vocal fold lamina propria, were imaged by two nonlinear microscopy modalities: second harmonic generation (SHG) and two‐photon fluorescence (TPF), respectively. An experimental protocol was introduced to characterize the geometrical properties of the imaged fibrous proteins.

Results:

NLSM revealed the biomorphology of the human vocal fold fibrous proteins. No photobleaching was observed for the incident laser power of ∼60 mW before the excitation objective. Types I and III fibrillar collagen were imaged without label in the tissue by intrinsic SHG. Imaging while rotating the incident laser light‐polarization direction confirmed a helical shape for the collagen fibers. The amplitude, periodicity, and overall orientation were then computed for the helically distributed collagen network. The elastin network was simultaneously imaged via TPF and found to have a basket‐like structure. In some regions, particularly close to the epithelium, colocalization of both extracellular matrix components were observed.

Conclusions:

A benchmark study is presented for quantitative real‐time, ex vivo, NLSM imaging of the extracellular macromolecules in human vocal fold lamina propria. The results are promising for clinical applications.
Genomic and mutational profiling of ductal carcinomas in situ and matched adjacent invasive breast cancers reveals intra‐tumour genetic heterogeneity and clonal selection
Authors: Hernandez Lucia , Wilkerson Paul M , Lambros Maryou B , Campion‐Flora Adriana , Rodrigues Daniel Nava , Gauthier Arnaud , Cabral Cecilia , Pawar Vidya , Mackay Alan , A'Hern Roger , Marchiò Caterina , Palacios Jose , Natrajan Rachael , Weigelt Britta , Reis‐Filho Jorge S
Published: January 2012

The mechanisms underlying the progression from ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) to invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) of the breast are yet to be fully elucidated. Several hypotheses have been put forward to explain the progression from DCIS to IDC, including the selection of a subpopulation of cancer cells with specific genetic aberrations, and the acquisition of new genetic aberrations or non‐genetic mechanisms mediated by the tumour microenvironment. To determine whether synchronously diagnosed ipsilateral DCI and IDCs have modal populations with distinct repertoires of gene copy number aberrations and mutations in common oncogenes, matched frozen samples of DCIS and IDC were retrieved from 13 patients and subjected to microarray‐based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) and Sequenom MassARRAY (Oncocarta v 1.0 panel). Fluorescence in situ hybridization and Sanger sequencing were employed to validate the aCGH and Sequenom findings, respectively. Although the genomic profiles of matched DCI and IDCs were similar, in three of 13 matched pairs amplification of distinct loci (ie 1q41, 2q24.2, 6q22.31, 7q11.21, 8q21.2 and 9p13.3) was either restricted to, or more prevalent in, the modal population of cancer cells of one of the components. Sequenom MassARRAY identified PIK3CA mutations restricted to the DCIS component in two cases, and in a third case the frequency of the PIK3CA mutant allele reduced from 49% in the DCIS to 25% in the IDC component. Despite the genomic similarities between synchronous DCIS and IDC, our data provide strong circumstantial evidence to suggest that in some cases the progression from DCIS to IDC is driven by the selection of non‐modal clones that harbour a specific repertoire of genetic aberrations. Copyright © 2012 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.