bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A eletromiografia como auxílio na conduta terapêutica após cirurgia de craniotomia fronto-temporal: relato de caso
Authors: Oncins Maristella Cecco , Douglas Carlos Roberto , Paiva Guiovaldo
Published: March 2009

TEMA: eletromiografia e conduta terapêutica. PROCEDIMENTOS: este estudo foi realizado com uma paciente de 45 anos de idade, após 4 meses ser submetida a craniotomia fronto-temporal proveniente de um aneurisma. O músculo temporal anterior direito foi retirado da sua origem móvel e após a cirurgia, a paciente apresentou disfunção do músculo temporal e da articulação temporomandibular, com redução da abertura de boca, dor ao falar e comer. Utilizou-se a eletromiografia para registrar quantitativamente a atividade elétrica dos músculos temporais e masseteres na avaliação e durante o processo terapêutico. Registraram-se, na posição de repouso, oclusão máxima e mastigação habitual provocada. Fez-se terapia miofuncional durante todo o processo. RESULTADOS: dados dos exames mostraram um aumento significativo da atividade elétrica do músculo temporal anterior direito e uma redução da atividade do músculo temporal anterior esquerdo, o que no primeiro registro mostrava uma atividade elétrica rebaixada do lado direito em comparação com o lado esquerdo. Com a seleção dos exercícios miofuncionais houve uma participação mais efetiva do músculo temporal anterior direito, abertura de boca maior, sem dor, facilitando a função da mastigação e da fala, harmonizando o sistema estomatognático. CONCLUSÃO: registros comparativos dos exames de eletromiografia em diferentes etapas do processo terapêutico auxiliaram e direcionaram a melhor conduta terapêutica fonoaudiológica. Conseguiu-se atingir um equilíbrio das funções de respiração, sucção, mastigação, deglutição e fala relacionadas ao sistema estomatognático, considerando as limitações do caso.
Totally implantable catheter embolism: two related cases
Authors: Ribeiro Rodrigo Chaves , Monteiro Áurea Cristina Ferreira , Menezes Quirino Cavalcante , Schettini Sérgio Tomaz , Vianna Sonia Maria Rossi
Published: March 2009

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Long-term totally implantable catheters (e.g. Port-a-Cath®) are frequently used for long-term venous access in children with cancer. The use of this type of catheter is associated with complications such as infection, extrusion, extravasation and thrombosis. Embolism of catheter fragments is a rare complication, but has potential for morbidity. The aim here was to report on two cases in which embolism of fragments of a long-term totally implantable catheter occurred. DESIGN AND SETTING: Case series study at Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual, São Paulo. METHODS: Retrospective review of catheter embolism in oncological pediatric patients with long-term totally implantable catheters. RESULTS: The first patient was a 3-year-old girl diagnosed with stage IV Wilms' tumor. Treatment was started with the introduction of a totally implantable catheter through the subclavian vein. At the time of removal, it was realized that the catheter had fractured inside the heart. An endovascular procedure was necessary to remove the fragment. The second case was a boy diagnosed with stage II Wilms' tumor at the age of two years. At the time of removal, it was noticed that the catheter had disconnected from the reservoir and an endovascular procedure was also necessary to remove the embolized catheter. CONCLUSION: Embolism of fragments of totally implantable catheters is a rare complication that needs to be recognized even in asymptomatic patients.
Nuclear medicine procedures for the evaluation of male sexual organs: a brief review
Authors: Bernardo-Filho Mario , Santos-Filho Sebastião David , Fonseca Adenilson de Souza da , Carter Kevin , Missailidis Sotiris
Published: March 2009

Sexuality consists of three aspects that are interrelated and inseparable, biological, physiological and social. The biological aspect considers the individual's capability to give and to receive pleasure. In consequence, it covers the functionality of the sexual organs and the physiology of human sexual response cycle. Diagnostic imaging modalities, such as single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) have been used to evaluate clinical disorders of the male reproductive system. PET and SPECT procedures basically involve the administration of a radiopharmaceutical that has a higher uptake in a specific tumor or tissue. The aim of this brief review is to present some radiopharmaceuticals that have been used in the clinical evaluation of the male sexual organs (testes, prostate, seminal vesicles, penis) related with male sexuality. This information could be useful in better understanding the male sexual response cycle, as well as the sexual disorders, when considering the male sexual organs and the pelvic floor. Moreover, the findings obtained with PET and SPECT imaging could help to evaluate the efficacy of clinical results of therapeutic procedures. In conclusion, the knowledge from these images could aid in better understanding the physiology of the different organs related with sexuality. Furthermore, they could be important tools to evaluate the physiological integrity of the involved organs, to improve clinical strategies and to accompany the patients under treatment.
Stem cells and respiratory diseases
Authors: Abreu Soraia Carvalho , Maron-Gutierrez Tatiana , Garcia Cristiane Sousa Nascimento Baez , Morales Marcelo Marcos , Rocco Patricia Rieken Macedo
Published: March 2009

Stem cells have a multitude of clinical implications in the lung. This article is a critical review that includes clinical and experimental studies of MedLine and SciElo database in the last 10 years, where we highlight the effects of stem cell therapy in acute respiratory distress syndrome or more chronic disorders such as lung fibrosis and emphysema. Although, many studies have shown the beneficial effects of stem cells in lung development, repair and remodeling; some important questions need to be answered to better understand the mechanisms that control cell division and differentiation, therefore enabling the use of cell therapy in human respiratory diseases.
Problems and pitfalls in vulvar and cervical cancer sentinel node scintigraphy
Authors: Sinzinger Helmut , Granegger Susanne , Palumbo Barbara , Palumbo Renato
Published: March 2009

After the introduction for penile cancer, the sentinel lymph node imaging is increasingly applied in various types of cancer. After the initial learning phase, 105 patients with vulvar and 24 with cervical cancer have been investigated. In vulvar cancer all the imaged sentinel nodes were discovered by the portable probe intraoperatively. No false negative sentinel node was observed. The most critical issue is the tracer application. Performed strictly intradermally, the sentinel node shows up immediately. Concomitant use of isosulfan blue dye did not improve the results and was stopped therefore. Similarly, more superficial (intra/subendothelial) application brings up better results as compared to deeper injection in cervical cancer patients. No false negative results were seen. Apparently, an almost 100% detection is possible. Our findings clearly show that tracer application is the key for successful imaging. If not done properly, sentinel node may appear later or may even more likely be missed.
Prostate cancer, treatment modalities and complications: an evaluation of the scientific literature
Authors: Santos-Filho Sebastião David , Missailids Sotiris , Fonseca Adenilson de Souza da , Bernardo-Filho Mario
Published: March 2009

Prostate (PR) cancer (CA) is one of the most common malignant neoplasms in men all over the world. In general, if prostate cancer (PC) is detected early, treatment usually involves either surgical removal of the prostate or radiotherapy (RT). Hormone Therapy (HT) or chemotherapy (CH) is the preferred treatment for more advanced cases of PC or if CA spreads beyond the PT. A number of complications, such as urinary incontinence (IU) or erectile dysfunction (ED), can be associated with some modalities of treatment of the PC. The aim of this work is to evaluate, in PubMed, the number of publications related with prostate cancer and the main modalities of treatment, as well as some clinical complications. The searches were performed in PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi) in the period 1950 to 2008 using the words: (i) CA, (ii) CA and PR or penis or testis, (iii) CA and PR and RT, CA and PR and surgery (SU), CA and PR and CH and, CA and PR and HT and (iv) CA and PR and RT and IU or ED, CA and PR and SU and IU or ED, CA and PR and CH and IU or ED and, CA and PR and HT and CH and IU or ED, and (V) PC and the same modalities of treatment. The data was obtained on July 20th, 2008. PC, as expected has been cited extensively and surgery has been identified as the most widely referenced modality of treatment. Furthermore, urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction are important complications that have attracted significant scientific interest. In conclusion, these findings have shown the relevance of the PubMed to analyze quantitatively the publications in cancer and this information could be worthwhile in aiding the comprehension of some clinical aspects related with PC, as well as the development of preventative actions. The analysis of the scientific interest, considering the number of publications in the PubMed, reveals research trends in the field and demonstrates the importance of the surgical procedures in the treatment of the prostate cancer. Moreover, this finding is relevant due to the fact that surgery is the treatment of choice when early detection of PC is achieved. However, it is important to consider clinical complications related to such procedures, such as urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunctions that can reduce the quality of life of the patient.
Internal exposure in nuclear medicine: application of IAEA criteria to determine the need for internal monitoring
Authors: Dantas Bernardo Maranhão , Lucena Eder Augusto de , Dantas Ana Letícia Almeida
Published: March 2009

The manipulation of unsealed sources in nuclear medicine poses significant risks of internal exposure to the staff. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the radiological protection program should include an evaluation of such risks and an individual monitoring plan, assuring acceptable radiological safety conditions in the workplace. The IAEA Safety Guide RS-G-1.2 recommends that occupational monitoring should be implemented whenever it is likely that committed effective doses from annual intakes of radionuclides would exceed 1 mSv. It also suggests a mathematical criterion to determine the need to implement internal monitoring. This paper presents a simulation of the IAEA criteria applied to commonly used radionuclides in nuclear medicine, taking into consideration usual manipulated activities and handling conditions. It is concluded that the manipulation of 131I for therapy presents the higher risk of internal exposure to the workers, requiring the implementation of an internal monitoring program by the Nuclear Medicine Centers.
Effects of Cinnamomum zeylanicum treatment on radiolabeling of blood bonstituents and morphology of red blood cells in Wistar rats
Authors: Benarroz Mônica Oliveira , Rocha Gabrielle de Souza , Pereira Márcia Oliveira , Geller Mauro , Fonseca Adenilson de Souza da , Presta Giuseppe Antonio , Bernardo-Filho Mario
Published: March 2009

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of in vivo treatment with an aqueous cinnamon extract on the labeling of blood constituents with 99mTc and on the morphology of red blood cells from Wistar rats. Animals were treated with cinnamon extract at different doses and for different periods of time. As controls, animals treated with 0.9% NaCl. Labeling of blood constituents with 99mTc was performed. Plasma, blood cells and insoluble fractions were isolated. Radioactivity in each fraction was counted and the percentage of radioactivity (%ATI) was calculated. Also, blood smears were prepared to morphological analysis of red blood cells from. Data showed that in vivo cinnamon extract did not significantly (p>0.05) modify the %ATI of blood constituents and morphology of red blood cells. The results suggest that in vivo aqueous cinnamon could not affect the membrane structures involved in transport of ions or the oxidation state of stannous and pertechnetate ions.
Influence of an extract of Juglans regia on the growth of Escherichia coli, on the electrophoretic profile of plasmid DNA and on the radiolabeling of blood constituents
Authors: Santos-Filho Sebastião David , Diniz Claudia Leite , Carmo Fernanda Santos do , Fonseca Adenilson de Souza da , Bernardo-Filho Mario
Published: March 2009

The aim of this work was to study the influence of a walnut (Juglans regia) extract on the growth of Escherichia coli (E. coli) AB1157, on the plasmid DNA topology and on the labeling of blood constituents with technetium-99m (99mTc). An E. coli AB1157 culture, in stationary phase, was incubated with walnut and the growth of the culture was evaluated by optical density at 600 nm for 7 hours. Plasmid DNA samples were incubated with SnCl2 in presence or absence of walnut for 40 minutes, 0.8% agarose gel electrophoresis was performed, the gel was stained and the plasmid topological forms were visualized. Blood samples from Wistar rats were incubated with walnut extract and an assay of labeling of blood constituents with technetium-99m (99mTc) was performed. Blood cells and plasma were separated. The radioactivity in each fraction was counted and percentage of incorporated radioactivity (%ATI) was determined. The results presented an inhibitory action of the growth of the E. coli AB1157 culture, no protective action of the walnut extract in plasmid DNA treated with SnCl2. Moreover, walnut was also not capable to induce modifications in the DNA mobility in agarose gel but walnut was capable to decrease the distribution of 99mTc on the blood cell compartment. In conclusion, our experimental data suggest that in the walnut extract has substances with an effect on the growth of E. coli culture, a potential action to increase the SnCl2 effect on plasmid DNA and also is capable to alter the distribution of 99mTc on the blood cell compartment probably due to redoxi properties.
Effect of tripanosomicide benznidazole (Rochagan®) on the biodistribution of sodium pertechnetate (Na99mTcO4) in Wistar rats
Authors: Barbosa Vanessa Santos de Arruda , Holanda Maria de Carvalho Xavier , Silva Roseane Pereira da , Oliveira Daniel Pereira de , Silva Júnior Maurício Ferreira da , Oliveira Elias Herculano de , Spyrides Maria Helena Constantino , Medeiros Aldo Cunha
Published: March 2009

Benznidazole, a drug with specific anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity, is used in the treatment of Chagas' disease. The radiopharmaceutical sodium pertechnetate (Na99mTcO4) is used to obtain diagnostic images of the stomach, thyroid, parathyroids, salivary glands, brain and in the study of esophageal reflux and blood flow. This study aimed at evaluating in vivo the influence of benznidazole treatment on the sodium pertechnetate biodistribution in Wistar rats. The percentage of radioactivity per gram (%ATI/g) of various organs (brain, heart, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, spleen, liver, muscle and blood) was determined. Comparing the treated rats with the controls, we observed that sodium pertechnetate biodistribution did not change when administered to rats treated for thirty days with benznidazole.
Effect of an extract of Centella asiatica on the biodistribution of sodium pertechnetate (Na99mTcO4) and on the fixation of radioactivity on blood constituents
Authors: Diniz Claudia Leite , Carmo Fernanda Santos do , Almeida Danielle Santos de , Santos-Filho Sebastião David , Missailidis Sotiris , Fonseca Adenilson de Souza da , Bernardo Filho Mario
Published: March 2009

This study evaluates the effects of an acute treatment with a Centella asiatica (CA) extract on the biodistribution of the radiopharmaceutical Na99mTcO4 and on the fixation of technetium-99m on blood constituents. Wistar rats were treated with CA extract and, 1 hour after, Na99mTcO4 was administered; organs/tissues were withdrawn and weighted. The radioactivity was counted to calculate the percentage of activity per gram (%ATI/g). Also, blood samples were withdrawn, plasma (P), blood cells (BC), insoluble fraction (IF) and soluble fractions of P and BC were isolated and the radioactivity was counted to calculate the percentage of activity (%ATI). Data indicated that the acute treatment with CA extract changed significantly (p<0.05) the %ATI/g in several organs/tissues (spleen, heart, duodenum, stomach, liver, muscle, kidney, testis and blood) and the %ATI on the blood constituents (P, BC, IF-P and IF-BC). These results indicate that the substances or metabolites of the CA extract would change the biodistribution of Na99mTcO4 and the fixation of the technetium-99m on blood constituents in an acute treatment.
Estudo da viabilidade de utilização de fibras naturais curtas em matrizes de resina epóxi
Authors: Martins R.R. , Pires A.T.N. , Al-Qureshi H.A. , Barra G.M.O.
Published: March 2009

Fibras curtas de origem mineral, constituídas, predominantemente, de sílica amorfa, foram caracterizadas e avaliadas quanto a sua viabilidade de utilização como agente de reforço em matrizes de resina epóxi. As fibras naturais de sílica amorfa, denotadas por FNSA, foram incorporadas em matrizes de resina epóxi e as propriedades mecânicas avaliadas através de ensaios de tração. Foi estudada a influência do tratamento superficial da FNSA com agente aminossilano (AS), nas propriedades micro e macroscópicas dos compósitos, e comparado o comportamento mecânico dos compósitos obtidos com fibras naturais de sílica amorfa e fibras de vidro moídas (FV) comerciais. Os resultados sugerem que as fibras de sílica amorfa podem substituir fibras de vidro moídas, as quais vêm sendo utilizadas como agente de reforço em matriz de resina epóxi, uma vez que as propriedades mecânicas dos compósitos foram comparáveis ou superiores aos compósitos reforçados com fibras de vidro moídas.
Reciclagem de materiais: estudo das propriedades mecânicas de policarbonato reciclado de discos compactos
Authors: Giovanella J. , Janczkowski R. , Soares G.C. , Serafim C.E. , Ramos T.O.B. , Silva C.W.da , Molinari E.J. , Conti D.S.
Published: March 2009

O disco compacto (CD) e o disco de vídeo digital (DVD) são artefatos obtidos de um polímero termoplástico, o policarbonato, metalizado. Tais discos são produzidos e comercializados em milhões de unidades no mundo todo, e, desde o seu processamento até o uso pelo consumidor final, é estimado que aproximadamente 10% da produção de CD e DVD é descartada. O policarbonato pode ser separado das demais camadas destes discos, por vários métodos, recuperado e re-utilizado. Porém, na maioria das vezes, sua destinação são os lixões das grandes cidades, contribuindo para o agravamento da poluição ambiental. Este trabalho teve como objetivo estudar as propriedades mecânicas do policarbonato reciclado de CD e DVD através do método de abrasão mecânica, visando tornar viável o uso cotidiano deste material, sendo capaz de substituir polímeros de uso comum, como o poliestireno (PS), ou ser utilizado juntamente com o PC virgem em determinadas aplicações. Corpos de prova de PS e das misturas de PC-virgem/PC-reciclado (nas proporções de 100/0, 70/30, 50/50, 30/70 e 0/100 em %m/m) foram obtidos através de moldagem por injeção para a realização de ensaios de resistência à tração e ao impacto Izod além de dureza Shore. Foi observado que em até 70% de PC reciclado adicionado às blendas, houve diminuição da resistência ao impacto e da deformação enquanto a resistência à tração e a dureza superficial foram mantidas, em relação ao PC virgem. Verificou-se também que o PC reciclado conseguiu atingir 79,2% da tensão máxima de tração e 60,8% da resistência ao impacto do PC virgem. Quando comparado ao PS, o PC reciclado apresentou bom desempenho mecânico, sendo ambos similares quanto à resistência à tração, à deformação e à dureza, porém melhor resistência ao impacto.
A experiência da pesquisa e da orientação: uma análise genealógica
Authors: Ferreira Neto João Leite
Published: March 2009

O artigo discute vicissitudes do trabalho de pesquisa e de orientação em pós-graduação numa interlocução com um enfoque genealógico foucaultiano. Realiza uma análise conceitual sobre método em Foucault contraposto à perspectiva cartesiana. Apresenta elementos para um diagnóstico do presente da pesquisa nas áreas de ciências humanas no Brasil, a partir de estudos de outros pesquisadores e de levantamento feito com mestrandos em Psicologia. Realça a importância da discussão metodológica na pesquisa; analisa aspectos táticos e problematizantes dos projetos de pesquisa enviados para agências de fomento; discute parâmetros de avaliação da função e da relevância da pesquisa nessas áreas.
A new concept for the environmental risk assessment of poorly water soluble compounds and its application to consumer products
Authors: Tolls Johannes , Müller Martin , Willing Andreas , Steber Josef
Published: March 2009

Many consumer products contain lipophilic, poorly soluble ingredients representing large-volume substances whose aquatic toxicity cannot be adequately determined with standard methods for a number of reasons. In such cases, a recently developed approach can be used to define an aquatic exposure threshold of no concern (ETNCaq; i.e., a concentration below which no adverse affects on the environment are to be expected). A risk assessment can be performed by comparing the ETNCaq value with the aquatic exposure levels of poorly soluble substances. Accordingly, the aquatic exposure levels of substances with water solubility below the ETNCaq will not exceed the ecotoxicological no-effect concentration; therefore, their risk can be assessed as being negligible. The ETNCaq value relevant for substances with a narcotic mode of action is 1.9 μg/L. To apply the above risk assessment strategy, the solubility in water needs to be known. Most frequently, this parameter is estimated by means of quantitative structure/activity relationships based on the log octanol–water partition coefficient (log KOW). The predictive value of several calculation models for water solubility has been investigated by this method with the use of more recent experimental solubility data for lipophilic compounds. A linear regression model was shown to be the most suitable for providing correct predictions without underestimation of real water solubility. To define a log KOW threshold suitable for reliably predicting a water solubility of less than 1.9 μg/L, a confidence limit was established by statistical comparison of the experimental solubility data with their log KOW. It was found that a threshold of log KOW = 7 generally allows discrimination between substances with solubility greater than and less than 1.9 μg/L. Accordingly, organic substances with a baseline toxicity and log KOW > 7 do not require further testing to prove that they have low environmental risk. In applying this concept, the uncertainty of the prediction of water solubility can be accounted for. If the predicted solubility in water is to be below ETNCaq with a probability of 95%, the corresponding log KOW value is 8.
Initial Study of Pre-Service Teachers' Comments on a Reality-Based, Urban-Student Video Streamed within an Online Course
Authors: O'Connor Eileen A.
Published: March 2009

The Master of Arts in Teaching program at Empire State College, an alternative teacher certification program focused on bringing career-changing adults to high-needs schools, has an important need in its initial pre-service year. These adult students must be prepared to move into complex, high-needs schools without student teaching and often with little direct exposure to best practices in an urban environment. In an attempt to bring more positive and productive “reality” into this pre-service year, urban K12 students were videotaped during a science workshop, then segments of this tape were streamed into the online segment of a pre-service course. Initial findings suggest that these 31 pre-service teachers benefitted from watching these videos that provided a rich, complex, realistic yet visionary scenario for analysis. These soon-to-be teachers then developed their own perspective on high-quality instruction. With minimal instructional prompts, these students were able to dig deeply into the activities presented, specifying engagement attributes, evaluating K12-student interactions, and drawing pedagogical conclusions. This article explains the video and its creation, the prompts that were used with the assignments, the resulting student commentary, lessons that can be learned from approach, and extended areas where these videos might be useful.
‘The Russian Barnum’: Russian Opinions on Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, 1909–1914
Authors: JÄRVINEN HANNA
Published: March 2009

This article discusses the little-known Russian reviews of Sergei Diaghilev's ballet company. It argues that Diaghilev's reputation and social position in Imperial Russia affected how his troupe and the works famous in Western Europe were regarded in the Russian press. In Russia, Diaghilev was accused of exporting a false image of Russia as a semi-Oriental nation of barbarians. Russian critics found evidence for this from the predominantly Orientalist reviews appraising the Ballets Russes in Paris and London. They also judged their Western colleagues incompetent for not corresponding to the Russian idea of what was important in ballet as an art form.
Remembering the Palestinian Nakba: Commemoration, Oral History and Narratives of Memory
Authors: Nur Masalha
Published: March 2009

This year Palestinians commemorate the 60thanniversary of the Nakba – the most traumatic catastrophe that ever befell them. The rupture of 1948 and the ‘ethnic cleansing’ of the Nakba are central to both the Palestinian society of today and Palestinian social history and collective identity. This article explores ways of remembering and commemorating the Nakba. It deals with the issue within the context of Palestinian oral history, ‘social history from below’, narratives of memory and the formation of collective identity. With the history, rights and needs of the Palestinian refugees being excluded from recent Middle East peacemaking efforts and with the failure of both the Israeli state and the international community to acknowledge the Nakba, ‘1948’ as an ‘ethnic cleansing’ continues to underpin the Palestine-Israel conflict. This article argues that to write more truthfully about the Nakba is not just to practice a professional historiography; it is also a moral imperative of acknowledgement and redemption. The struggles of the refugees to publicise the truth about the Nakba is a vital way of protecting the refugees’ rights and keeping the hope for peace with justice alive.
Historical Truth, Modern Historiography, and Ethical Obligations: The Challenge of the Tantura Case
Authors: Pappé Ilan
Published: March 2009

The event described and commented on here occurred within the State of Israel, a week after the state came into being (22-23 May 1948). Although the Tantura Case is a significant chapter in the history of Israel/Palestine there is virtually no detailed reference to it in the works of Israeli or Palestinian historians, or of any other historian. Nevertheless, the Tantura events were also a subject of heated legal and public debate in Israel throughout 2001. The public controversy still generates strong passions. This article provides not only a description of the event and the controversy, and its ongoing social implications, but also discusses its impact on fundamental questions of historiography, such as the question of the nature and hierarchy of sources, as well as the scope and limits of the historian's imagination. It also poses even higher questions, namely those which impinge upon a historian's objectivity and moral obligations.
The Use and Misuse of Religious Language: Zionism and the Palestinians
Authors: Wetherell David
Published: March 2009

Every discipline which deals with the land question in Canaan-Palestine-Israel is afflicted by the problem of specialisation. The political scientist and historian usually discuss the issue of land in Israel purely in terms of interethnic and international relations, biblical scholars concentrate on the historical and archaeological question with virtually no reference to ethics, and scholars of human rights usually evade the question of God. What follows is an attempt, through theology and political history, to understand the history of the Israel-Palestine land question in a way which respects the complexity of the question. From a scrutiny of the language used in the Bible to the development of political Zionism from the late 19th century it is possible to see the way in which a secular movement mobilised the figurative language of religion into a literal ‘title deed’ to the land of Palestine signed by God.
Algorithm for Active Suppression of Radiation and Acoustical Scattering Fields by Some Physical Bodies in Liquids
Authors: Arabadzhi Vladimir V.
Published: March 2009

An algorithm for the suppression of the radiation and scattering fields created by vibration of the smooth closed surface of a body of arbitrary shape placed in a liquid is designed and analytically explored. The frequency range of the suppression allows for both large and small wave sizes on the protected surface. An active control system is designed that consists of: (a) a subsystem for fast formation of a desired distribution of normal oscillatory velocities or displacements (on the basis of pulsed Huygens' sources) and (b) a subsystem for catching and targeting of incident waves on the basis of a grid (one layer) of monopole microphones, surrounding the surface to be protected. The efficiency and stability of the control algorithm are considered. The algorithm forms the control signal during a time much smaller than the minimum time scale of the waves to be damped. The control algorithm includes logical and nonlinear operations, thus excluding interpretation of the control system as a traditional combination of linear electric circuits, where all parameters are constant (in time). This algorithm converts some physical body placed in a liquid into one that is transparent to a special class of incident waves. The active control system needs accurate information on its geometry, but does not need either prior or current information about the vibroacoustical characteristics of the protected surface, which in practical cases represents a vast amount of data.
Genetic Algorithms in Application to the Geometry Optimization of Nanoparticles
Authors: Dugan Nazım , Erkoç Şakir
Published: March 2009

Applications of genetic algorithms to the global geometry optimization problem of nanoparticles are reviewed. Genetic operations are investigated and importance of phenotype genetic operations, considering the geometry of nanoparticles, are mentioned. Other efficiency improving developments such as floating point representation and local relaxation are described broadly. Parallelization issues are also considered and a recent parallel working single parent Lamarckian genetic algorithm is reviewed with applications on carbon clusters and SiGe core-shell structures.
Analysis of the Coupling Behavior of PEM Fuel Cells and DC-DC Converters
Authors: Grötsch Markus , Mangold Michael , Kienle Achim
Published: March 2009

The connection between PEM fuel cells and common DC-DC converters is examined. The analysis is model-based and done for boost, buck and buck-boost converters. In a first step, the effect of the converter ripples upon the PEM fuel cell is shown. They introduce oscillations in the fuel cell. Their appearance is explained, discussed and possibilities for their suppression are given. After that, the overall behaviors of the coupled fuel cell-converter systems are analyzed. It is shown, that neither stationary multiplicities nor oscillations can be introduced by the couplings and therefore separate control approaches for both the PEMFC and the DC-DC converters are applicable.
Improving Measurement of Forest Structural Parameters by Co-Registering of High Resolution Aerial Imagery and Low Density LiDAR Data
Authors: Huang Huabing , Gong Peng , Cheng Xiao , Clinton Nick , Li Zengyuan
Published: March 2009

Forest structural parameters, such as tree height and crown width, are indispensable for evaluating forest biomass or forest volume. LiDAR is a revolutionary technology for measurement of forest structural parameters, however, the accuracy of crown width extraction is not satisfactory when using a low density LiDAR, especially in high canopy cover forest. We used high resolution aerial imagery with a low density LiDAR system to overcome this shortcoming. A morphological filtering was used to generate a DEM (Digital Elevation Model) and a CHM (Canopy Height Model) from LiDAR data. The LiDAR camera image is matched to the aerial image with an automated keypoints search algorithm. As a result, a high registration accuracy of 0.5 pixels was obtained. A local maximum filter, watershed segmentation, and object-oriented image segmentation are used to obtain tree height and crown width. Results indicate that the camera data collected by the integrated LiDAR system plays an important role in registration with aerial imagery. The synthesis with aerial imagery increases the accuracy of forest structural parameter extraction when compared to only using the low density LiDAR data.
Thin‐Film Transistors
Authors: Street Robert A.
Published: March 2009

Thin‐film transistors (TFTs) matured later than silicon integrated circuits, but in the past 15 years the technology has grown into a huge industry based on display applications, with amorphous and polycrystalline silicon as the incumbent technology. Recently, an intense search has developed for new materials and new fabrication techniques that can improve the performance, lower manufacturing cost, and enable new functionality. There are now many new options – organic semiconductor (OSCs), metal oxides, nanowires, printing technology as well as thin‐film silicon materials with new properties. All of the new materials have something to offer but none is entirely without technical problems.
On the Fracture Toughness of Advanced Materials
Authors: Launey Maximilien E. , Ritchie Robert O.
Published: March 2009

Few engineering materials are limited by their strength; rather they are limited by their resistance to fracture or fracture toughness. It is not by accident that most critical structures, such as bridges, ships, nuclear pressure vessels and so forth, are manufactured from materials that are comparatively low in strength but high in toughness. Indeed, in many classes of materials, strength and toughness are almost mutually exclusive. From a fracture‐mechanics perspective, the ability of a microstructure to develop toughening mechanisms acting either ahead or behind the crack tip can result in resistance‐curve (R‐curve) behavior where the fracture resistance actually increases with crack extension; the implication here is that toughness is often developed primarily during crack growth and not for crack initiation. Biological materials are perfect examples of this; moreover, they offer microstructural design strategies for the development of new materials for structural applications demanding combinations of both strength and toughness.
Modeling the displacement in three‐layer electroactive polymers using different counter‐ions by a phase transformation approach
Authors: Guzman J. F. , Cortes J. A. , Fuentes A. , Kobayashi T. , Hoshina Y.
Published: March 2009

The use of three‐layer electroactives polymers is becoming more widely known among researchers and engineers because of their potentials to become mechanical actuators. The up‐to‐date research and development in the Nafion®/Metal composites has given some fundamentals, preparation techniques, and modeling of the phenomena regarding the deformation of the material from different scientific point of view. This gives the opportunity to propose correlations for modeling the phenomena present in these materials by different approaches. A constitutive model for the bending deformation of a Nafion®Ionic Polymer‐Metal Composite (IPMC) was formulated based on an approach that represents, analogically, a phase transformation inside the base polymer and combines it with the bending of a beam in order to predict the displacement when the material is subject to an electrical input. The model was solved and evaluated for five different types of counter‐ion systems. Experimental data was used to solve the parameters within the model. The results of the solved model gave a good fitting of the experimental data and are shown for different voltage and frequency conditions in all five ionic systems. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Fatigue behavior and life prediction of PI/SiO2nanocomposite films
Authors: Wang Z. D. , Zhao X. X.
Published: March 2009

In this report, the fatigue behavior and lifetime of Polyimide/silica (PI/SiO2) hybrid films are investigated. To evaluate the fatigue property of this class of hybrid films, the stress‐life cyclic experiments under tension–tension fatigue loading with 10 Hz of the frequency are performed, and the stress ratio is 0.1. Dynamic creep and cyclic softening/hardening are analyzed based on the change of hysteresis loops during the fatigue process. The structure‐property relations are discussed to further understand their phenomenon and deformation mechanisms. To predict the fatigue life of this class of hybrid films, a semiempirical model is proposed based on fatigue modulus concept. The simulated results are well agreeable with the testing values. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
The role of biomass in America's energy future: framing the analysis
Authors: Lynd Lee R. , Larson Eric , Greene Nathanael , Laser Mark , Sheehan John , Dale Bruce E. , McLaughlin Samuel , Wang Michael
Published: March 2009

The Role of Biomass in America's Energy Future (RBAEF) project, initiated during the first half of 2003, has sought to identify and evaluate paths by which biomass can make a large contribution to energy services and determine means to accelerate biomass energy use. In addressing these issues, the study has focused on future, mature, technologies rather than today's technology. This perspective – the first of eight papers that comprise this issue – introduces the project, providing an operative definition of and method for estimating mature technology, a rationale for choosing the model feedstock, a list of the conversion technologies considered, and as a point of reference, a brief overview of the energy flows through a typical petroleum refinery. The subsequent papers are introduced as well. © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Comparative analysis of efficiency, environmental impact, and process economics for mature biomass refining scenarios
Authors: Laser Mark , Larson Eric , Dale Bruce , Wang Michael , Greene Nathanael , Lynd Lee R.
Published: March 2009

Fourteen mature technology biomass refining scenarios – involving both biological and thermochemical processing with production of fuels, power, and/or animal feed protein – are compared with respect to process efficiency, environmental impact – including petroleum use, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and water use–and economic profitability. The emissions analysis does not account for carbon sinks (e.g., soil carbon sequestration) or sources (e.g., forest conversion) resulting from land‐use considerations. Sensitivity of the scenarios to fuel and electricity price, feedstock cost, and capital structure is also evaluated. The thermochemical scenario producing only power achieves a process efficiency of 49% (energy out as power as a percentage of feedstock energy in), 1359 kg CO2 equivalent avoided GHG emissions per Mg feedstock (current power mix basis) and a cost of $0.0575/kWh ($16/GJ), at a scale of 4535 dry Mg feedstock/day, 12% internal rate of return, 35% debt fraction, and 7% loan rate. Thermochemical scenarios producing fuels and power realize efficiencies between 55 and 64%, avoided GHG emissions between 1000 and 1179 kg/dry Mg, and costs between $0.36 and $0.57 per liter gasoline equivalent ($1.37 – $2.16 per gallon) at the same scale and financial structure. Scenarios involving biological production of ethanol with thermochemical production of fuels and/or power result in efficiencies ranging from 61 to 80%, avoided GHG emissions from 965 to 1,258 kg/dry Mg, and costs from $0.25 to $0.33 per liter gasoline equivalent ($0.96 to $1.24/gallon). Most of the biofuel scenarios offer comparable, if not lower, costs and much reduced GHG emissions (>90%) compared to petroleum‐derived fuels. Scenarios producing biofuels result in GHG displacements that are comparable to those dedicated to power production (e.g., >825 kg CO2 equivalent/dry Mg biomass), especially when a future power mix less dependent upon fossil fuel is assumed. Scenarios integrating biological and thermochemical processing enable waste heat from the thermochemical process to power the biological process, resulting in higher overall process efficiencies than would otherwise be realized – efficiencies on par with petroleum‐based fuels in several cases. © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
The Minimal Size of Liposome‐Based Model Cells Brings about a Remarkably Enhanced Entrapment and Protein Synthesis
Authors: Pereira de Souza Tereza , Stano Pasquale , Luisi Pier Luigi
Published: March 2009

Captured life: The complex transcription–translation machinery can successfully synthesize enhanced green fluorescent protein inside 100 nm (radius) lipid vesicles. Being the smallest synthetic bioreactor, such a model suggests that very small compartments can sustain (minimal) cellular life. Since classical Poisson statistics fails to predict the spontaneous formation of EGFP‐expressing liposomes, we propose a possible super‐concentration effect.

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The question of the minimal size of a cell that is still capable of endorsing life has been discussed extensively in the literature, but it has not been tackled experimentally by a synthetic‐biology approach. This is the aim of the present work; in particular, we examined the question of the minimal physical size of cells using liposomes that entrapped the complete ribosomal machinery for expression of enhanced green fluorescence protein, and we made the assumption that this size would also correspond to a full fledged cell. We found that liposomes with a radius of about 100 nm, which is the smallest size ever considered in the literature for protein expression, are still capable of protein expression, and surprisingly, the average yield of fluorescent protein in the liposomes was 6.1‐times higher than in bulk water. This factor would become even larger if one would refer only to the fraction of liposomes that are fully viable, which are those that contain all the molecular components (about 80). The observation of viable liposomes, which must contain all macromolecular components, indeed represents a conundrum. In fact, classic statistical analysis would give zero or negligible probability for the simultaneous entrapment of so many different molecular components in one single 100 nm radius spherical compartment at the given bulk concentration. The agreement between theoretical statistical predictions and experimental data is possible with the assumption that the concentration of solutes in the liposomes becomes larger by at least a factor twenty. Further investigation is required to understand the over‐concentration mechanism, and to identify the several biophysical factors that could play a role in the observed activity enhancement. We conclude by suggesting that these entrapment effects in small‐sized compartments, once validated, might be very relevant in the origin‐of‐life scenario.
A Carbon Nano‐Onion–Ferrocene Donor–Acceptor System: Synthesis, Characterization and Properties
Authors: Cioffi Carla T. , Palkar Amit , Melin Frederic , Kumbhar Amar , Echegoyen Luis , Melle‐Franco Manuel , Zerbetto Francesco , Rahman G. M. Aminur , Ehli Christian , Sgobba Vito , Guldi Dirk M. , Prato Maurizio
Published: March 2009

Don't cry! The attachment of ferrocene moieties on the surface of carbon nano‐onions influences the electrochemical properties of these moieties and the photophysical properties of the carbon nano‐onions (see figure). Quantum chemical calculations confirm that the spectral properties of carbon nano‐onions depend on their size and the degree of functionalisation.

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We describe the synthesis and characterization of a novel ferrocene–carbon onion derivative, where ferrocene acts as an electron‐donating moiety, while the carbon nano‐onion (CNO) serves as the electron acceptor. CNOs were functionalized by 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition and the resulting products were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, Raman and energy dispersive spectroscopies. The electronic properties of the Fc–CNO derivative were investigated by electrochemical and photophysical techniques, complemented by quantum chemical calculations. On average, the CNOs have a spherical appearance with six shells. Functionalization saturates one carbon atom in 36 carbon atoms on the outer cage of the CNO. Through‐space interactions between the Fc moiety and the CNO core were detected electrochemically. Fluorescence was observed at low and high energies with an intrinsic decay that is faster at lower energies. Based on theory and experiment, we conclude that, after absorption of a photon at low energy, there is emission from CNOs characterized by larger external shells and a lower degree of functionalization. At high energy, emission comes from CNOs with smaller external shells and a higher degree of functionalization.
3D Coordination Framework with Uncommon Two‐Fold Interpenetrated {33⋅59⋅63}‐lcy Net and Coordinated Anion Exchange
Authors: Yang Haiyan , Li Linke , Wu Jie , Hou Hongwei , Xiao Bo , Fan Yaoting
Published: March 2009

Unusual {33⋅59⋅63}‐lcy topologyhas been found in an uncommon 3D six‐connected, two‐fold interpenetrated {33⋅59⋅63}‐lcy net (illustrated). The coordinated SO42−anions in this framework can undergo a full exchange with Cl−anions, in the course of which the crystals change color as shown. The process has a solvent‐mediated rather than a solid‐state mechanism.

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Reaction of tetrazole‐1‐acetic acid with CuSO4⋅5H2O produces two novel 3D coordination frameworks: ([Cu3(μ3‐OH)(η1:η1:η1:μ3‐SO4)(tza)3]⋅3 CH3OH⋅H2O}n(1; Htza=tetrazole‐1‐acetic acid) and {[Cu4(μ2‐OH)(η2:η2:μ4‐SO4)(tta)5]⋅3 H2O}n(2; Htta=tetrazole). Framework1is constructed from a trinuclear copper cluster [Cu3(μ3‐OH)(η1:η1:η1:μ3‐SO4)] and displays a six‐connected framework with uncommon {33⋅59⋅63}‐lcy topology. Framework2presents a complicated five‐nodal (3,4,6)‐connected net with (42⋅6)(3⋅42⋅52⋅7)(43⋅62⋅8)(32⋅48⋅53⋅62)(46⋅86⋅103) topology. The η2:η2:μ4‐SO4bridging mode in2has not been found in the reported coordination polymers. The coordinated SO42−anions in1can be replaced completely when the solid polymer is treated with an aqueous methanolic solution containing Cl−anions. Detailed atomic force microscopy studies indicate a solvent‐mediated rather than a solid‐state mechanism for the exchange process.