bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hypertrophic olivary degeneration in a child following midbrain tumor resection: longitudinal diffusion tensor imaging studies
Authors: Orman Gunes , Bosemani Thangamadhan , Jallo George I. , Huisman Thierry A. G. M. , Poretti Andrea
Published: February 2014

Hypertrophic olivary degeneration (HOD) is a dynamic process caused by disruptive lesions affecting components of the Guillain-Mollaret triangle (GMT). The authors applied diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to investigate longitudinal changes of the GMT components in a child with HOD after neurosurgery for a midbrain tumor. Diffusion tensor imaging data were acquired on a 1.5-T MRI scanner using a balanced pair of diffusion gradients along 20 noncollinear directions 1 day and 3, 6, and 9 months after surgery. Measurements from regions of interest (ROIs) were sampled in the affected inferior olivary nucleus, ipsilateral red nucleus, and contralateral superior and inferior cerebellar peduncles and dentate nucleus. For each ROI, fractional anisotropy and the mean, axial, and radial diffusivities were calculated. In the affected inferior olivary nucleus, the authors found a decrease in fractional anisotropy and an increase in mean, axial, and radial diffusivities 3 months after surgery, while 3 months later fractional anisotropy increased and diffusivities decreased. For all other GMT components, changes in DTI scalars were less pronounced, and fractional anisotropy mildly decreased over time. A detailed analysis of longitudinal DTI scalars in the various GMT components may shed light on a better understanding of the dynamic complex histopathological processes occurring in pediatric HOD over time.
Cumulative survival analysis of patients with spinal myxopapillary ependymomas in the first 2 decades of life
Authors: Kukreja Sunil , Ambekar Sudheer , Sin Anthony Hunkyun , Nanda Anil
Published: February 2014

Object

Reports of myxopapillary ependymomas (MPEs) of the spinal cord in pediatric patients are scarce. In the literature, various authors have shared their experiences with small groups of patients, which makes it difficult to create a consensus regarding the treatment approach for spinal MPEs in young patients. The aim of this study was to perform a survival analysis of patients in the first 2 decades of life whose cases were selected from the published studies, and to examine the influence of various factors on outcomes.

Methods

A comprehensive search of studies published in English was performed on PubMed. Patients whose age was ≤ 20 years were included for integrative analysis. Information about age, treatment characteristics, critical events (progression, recurrence, and death), time to critical events, and follow-up duration was recorded. The degree of association of the various factors with the survival outcome was calculated by using Kaplan-Meier estimator and Cox proportional hazard model techniques.

Results

A total of 95 patients were included in the analysis. The overall rate of recurrence (RR) was 34.7% (n = 33), with a median time to recurrence of 36 months (range 2–100 months). Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival rates at 5 years were 73.7% and 98.9%, respectively. Addition of radiotherapy (RT) following resection significantly improved PFS (log-rank test, p = 0.008). In patients who underwent subtotal resection (STR), administering RT (STR + RT) improved outcome with the lowest failure rates (10.3%), superior to patients who underwent gross-total resection (GTR) alone (RR 43.1%; log-rank test, p < 0.001). Addition of RT to patients who underwent GTR was not beneficial (log-rank test, p = 0.628). In patients who had disseminated tumor at presentation, adjuvant RT controlled the disease effectively. High-dose RT (≥ 50 Gy) did not change PFS (log-rank test, p = 0.710).

Conclusions

Routine inclusion of RT in the treatment protocol for spinal MPEs in young patients should be considered. Complete resection is always the goal of tumor resection. However, when complete resection does not seem to be possible in complex lesions, RT should be used as an adjunct to avoid aggressive resection and to minimize inadvertent injury to the surrounding neural tissues. High-dose RT (≥ 50 Gy) did not provide additional survival benefits, although this association needs to be evaluated by prospective studies.
A preliminary comparative clinical study of vertebroplasty with multineedle or single-needle interstitial implantation of 125I seeds in the treatment of osteolytic metastatic vertebral tumors
Authors: Li Tao , Li Jianmin , Wang Zhen , Liu Baodong , Han Dunfu , Wang Pengyun
Published: February 2014

Object

Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) combined with brachytherapy using the interstitial implantation of 125I seeds has previously yielded encouraging clinical results in the treatment of metastatic vertebral tumors. However, the bone cement injection volume is very small due to the osteolytic damage to the metastatic vertebrae, and the ideal spatial distribution of the 125I seeds is difficult to achieve. In the current study, the authors present a clinical method for puncture needle insertion to achieve a greater bone cement injection volume and a more ideal spatial distribution of the 125I seeds.

Methods

Twenty-nine patients with osteolytic metastatic vertebral tumors were divided into 2 groups and were treated with either PVP combined with multineedle interstitial implantation of 125I seeds, or PVP combined with single-needle interstitial implantation of 125I seeds. Clinical efficacy was evaluated according to a visual analog scale (VAS) of pain, the Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS), and the Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST).

Results

Back pain was significantly alleviated in all patients after surgery. Compared with the preoperative scores, the VAS scores were significantly decreased in both groups at 1 week and 3 months postoperatively (p < 0.05), but there were no significant intergroup differences (p > 0.05). The postoperative quality of life was improved in both groups; the KPS scores increased significantly compared with the preoperative scores (p < 0.05), and the postoperative KPS scores were significantly different between the 2 groups (p < 0.05). No intergroup differences were observed in pain alleviation, but the bone cement injection volume was significantly greater in the multineedle group than in the single-needle group (p < 0.05). The clinical benefit rate and disease control rate at 3 months after the operation were both significantly better for the multineedle group (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The outcomes of PVP combined with multineedle interstitial implantation of 125I seeds in patients with osteolytic metastatic vertebral tumors appeared to be better than the outcomes of PVP combined with single-needle interstitial implantation of 125I seeds. These better outcomes may be the result of the greater bone cement injection volume and the more ideal spatial distribution of the 125I seeds.
Assessment of four different media for the mass culture of Ceriodaphnia reticulata (Jurine) as a live fish feed
Authors: Begum M , Noor P , Ahmed KN , Mohanta C , Sultana N , Hasan MR , Uddin MN
Published: February 2014

Experiments on the mass culture of Ceriodaphnia reticulata (Jurine) were carried out in aquarium water for 54 days with different media like cowdung (1.5g/L), pulse bran water (50g/L), poultry manure (0.45g/L) and snail faeces (faeces of six apple snails). All the media were fertilized by 50-100% of the initial amount of feed in every 7 days. About 100 individuals of C. reticulata were inoculated as starter in 50 litres of water (2 individuals/ml).The temperature of the media ranged from 24-30oC during study period. pH of the culture media varied i.e., 9.1 ± 0.40 in cowdung; 8.72 ± 0.73 in pulse bran water, 8.82 ± 0.72 in poultry manure and 7.5 ± 0.55 in snail faeces. The highest average population of C. reticulata was observed in cowdung (8.56 ± 4.11individuals/ml), moderate in poultry manure (4.21 ± 2.97 individuals/ml) and snail faeces (2.52 ± 3.01individuals/ml). The lowest growth of C. reticulata was recorded in pulse water (0.37 ± 0.69 individuals/ml). The culture media with cowdung as well as poultry manure and snail faeces were found to be useful for artificial mass production of C. reticulata. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jasbs.v39i2.17849 J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 39(2): 129-138, December 2013
Phytochemical screening of some antidysenteric medicinal plants of Bangladesh
Authors: Alamgir ANM , Fatema Kaniz
Published: February 2014

In this report, 40 antidysenteric medicinal plant species representing 24 families were considered for qualitative assessment of their secondary metabolites like alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, sterols and tannins. Alkaloids were present in all plant species, though in different degrees and the relative effectiveness of Dragendorffs reagent was better than others. Distribution of flavonoids, glycosides, sterols and tannins was sporadic in different plant species except A. cepa, A. marmelos, I. coccinea, M. indica, S. dulcis and Z. officinale, where all these metabolites were present. Abundance and mode of distribution of secondary metabolites in different test plants and their organs were discussed. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jasbs.v39i2.17850 J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 39(2): 139-146, December 2013
Growth of Cyanobacteria in saline soil amended with NP fertilizers
Authors: Begum ZN Tahmida , Mandal R , Amin Farzana Binta
Published: February 2014

Assessment of cyanobacterial population in saline soil amended with three rates of each of N (0, 50, 100 kg ha-1) and P (0, 25, 50 kg ha-1) fertilizers in a factorial combination showed a significant variation during growth of rice. Quantitatively the population of cyanobacteria ranged from 26.90 to 70.83 × 104 g-1, 32.07 to 82.03 × 104 g-1 and 31.03 to 74.47 × 104 g-1 soil at 30, 60 and 90 days of transplantation of rice seedlings respectively. The highest and lowest values were encountered in N50P50 and N100P0 treatments respectively irrespective of the sampling intervals. Addition of P accentuated the proliferation of cyanobacteria while that of N inhibited their abundance significantly with increasing level of the applied fertilizers. Joint contribution of P and N stimulated significantly better growth of cyanobacteria. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jasbs.v39i2.17852 J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 39(2): 167-171, December 2013
Limnological status of Trimohini Beel of Rajshahi, Bangladesh
Authors: Islam Md Azizul , Chowdhury Abdullah Harun
Published: February 2014

A total of 38 zooplankton genera and 26 physico-chemical variables were recorded in Trimohini Beel. This beel marked as a medium level of polluted wetland based on the values of the redox characteristics i.e. pH, DO, BOD, COD, Eh and rH2, chlorides, nitrites, ammonium, phosphate values etc. and on the presence of some zooplankton as indicator of pollution. A large number of inland fresh water non-culturable fishes and other aquatic biota of the Trimohini Beel may be eliminated in future due to mixing of continuous chemicals from agriculture fields. It is necessary to conserve the ecosystem of Trimohini Beel for the fresh water non-culturable fishes and other aquatic biota. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jasbs.v39i2.17854 J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 39(2): 173-182, December 2013
Accumulation and histopathological effects of arsenic in tissues of shingi fish (Stinging Catfish) Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch, 1794)
Authors: Begum Aleya , Mustafa Ahmed Ismail , Amin Md Nurul , Banu Nasrin , Chowdhury Tasrina Rabia
Published: February 2014

A 60-day experiment was conducted to compare the accumulation and toxicological effects of arsenic in muscle, intestine and liver of shingi fish, H. fossilis (Bloch) after exposure to two concentrations (7.0 and 20.0 ppm) of arsenic trioxide. The highest/maximum level of accumulation of arsenic was observed in the liver whereas the lowest level of arsenic was found to accumulate in the muscle tissues at the end of exposure period. It is apparent from the study that the damage of the liver of test fish due to 15 days exposed period was less compared to the damage caused by 60 days exposure periods. The intensity of histological alterations was observed to increase gradually with the arsenic concentration and the exposure time. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jasbs.v39i2.17861 J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 39(2): 221-230, December 2013
Occurrence of intestinal parasites among the teachers, students and staffs of Dhaka University
Authors: Khanum Hamida , Rahman Farzana , Zaman Rimi Farhana
Published: February 2014

The present study was conducted to find out the incidence of the intestinal parasites and their prevalence among the teachers, students and staffs of University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. The study revealed that the prevalence of intestinal protozoa and helminth parasites are common among the outdoor patients of University of Dhaka. A total of 350 stool samples was examined in the Pathology department of Medical Center of University of Dhaka from June 2009 to May 2010, four species of intestinal parasites were identified of which two species were protozoa (Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia intestinalis) and two species were nematodes (Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura). The overall prevalence of infestation was 23.14% where Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia intestinalis, Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura were found as 4.86%, 3.71%, 11.14% and 3.43% respectively. Highest prevalence was recorded in Ascaris lumbricoides (11.14%) and the seasonal pattern showed that highest (30%) prevalence occurred in rainy season and lowest (17.19%) in winter season. The prevalence of intestinal parasites was higher in female (30.56%) than in male (22.29%). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jasbs.v39i2.17863 J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 39(2): 239-246, December 2013
Study on the insect infestation of dry fishes at Singra
Authors: Flowra Fawzia Adib , Tumpa Anannya Sen , Islam Md Tariqul
Published: February 2014

Abstract not available DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jasbs.v39i2.17868 J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 39(2): 273-277, December 2013
ESBL producing Gram Negative Aerobic Bacteria Isolated from Burn Wound Infection with Their Antibiogram in Dhaka
Authors: Islam MS , Yusuf M Abdullah , Chowdhury M Shah Jahirul Hoque , Hossain M Afzal
Published: February 2014

Background: Infection is an important cause of mortality in burns. Rapidly emerging nosocomial pathogens and the problem of multi-drug resistance necessitates periodic review of isolation patterns and antibiogram in the burn ward. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to see the frequency of bacteria in burn wound with their antibiotic sensitivity pattern. Method: This cross sectional study was conducted in the laboratory of Department of Microbiology at Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka and samples were collected from the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka. Bacterial isolates from 108 wound swabs taken from burn patients were identified by conventional biochemical methods and antimicrobial susceptibility was performed. Result: Out of 98 bacteria E. coli (20.4%) was most common and 25.0% of these bacteria were ESBL producer. Out of 14 Klebsiella species ESBL producer was in 6(42.9%). ESBL producing Proteus species (21.4%) and Pseudomonas species (14.9%) were also detected. Klebsiella (33.91%) was the predominant organism closely followed by Pseudomonas (31.84%). Conclusion: E. coli is the most common ESBL producing bacteria causing the burn wound infection. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsf.v10i2.17959 J Sci Found, 2012;10(2):63-69
Clinical Burden of Kala-azar in Bangladesh: A Review Update
Authors: Habib ZH , Yusuf M Abdullah , Ahmed I , Jhora ST
Published: February 2014

Kala-azar is a tropical disease. There are an estimated 500,000 new cases of VL and more than 50,000 deaths from the diseases each year. The majority (>90%) of cases occur in just six countries like Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sudan, Ethiopia and Brazil. Severe VL epidemics have been reported in the past. Since 1990, South Asia has experienced a resurgence of the lethal parasitic disease visceral leishmaniasis (VL). The disease has been reported from 109 districts of three countries. An estimated 190 million people are at risk of infection. The actual incidence rate of the disease is estimated to be about 8-10 times higher than the reported one in all three countries. There is an increasing trend of VL cases in India and fluctuating trends were found in Nepal and Bangladesh. Multi centric studies were conducted in Bangladesh, India and Nepal and major findings were that the current burden of disease is 20 times higher than the elimination target in 2010/2015. Kala-azar has appeared to have spread along the courses of the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers. In these early outbreaks, the case-fatality rate was reported to be >95 percent, with community-wide mortality rates of >25 percent. This review has focused on the clinical burden of kala-azar in Bangladesh. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsf.v10i2.17960 J Sci Found, 2012;10(2):70-79
Unlocking Doors without Keys: Activation of Src by Truncated C-terminal Intracellular Receptor Tyrosine Kinases Lacking Tyrosine Kinase Activity
Authors: Mezquita Belén , Mezquita Pau , Pau Montserrat , Mezquita Jovita , Mezquita Cristóbal
Published: February 2014

One of the best examples of the renaissance of Src as an open door to cancer has been the demonstration that just five min of Src activation is sufficient for transformation and also for induction and maintenance of cancer stem cells [1]. Many tyrosine kinase receptors, through the binding of their ligands, become the keys that unlock the structure of Src and activate its oncogenic transduction pathways. Furthermore, intracellular isoforms of these receptors, devoid of any tyrosine kinase activity, still retain the ability to unlock Src. This has been shown with a truncated isoform of KIT (tr-KIT) and a truncated isoform of VEGFR-1 (i21-VEGFR-1), which are intracellular and require no ligand binding, but are nonetheless able to activate Src and induce cell migration and invasion of cancer cells. Expression of the i21-VEGFR-1 is upregulated by the Notch signaling pathway and repressed by miR-200c and retinoic acid in breast cancer cells. Both Notch inhibitors and retinoic acid have been proposed as potential therapies for invasive breast cancer.
In Vivo Cosmetic Product Efficacy Testing by Analyzing Epidermal Proteins Extracted from Tape Strips
Authors: Westman Marie , Al-Bader Tamara , Merinville Eve , Cattley Kevin , Lafon-Kolb Virginie , Darbon Josephine , Mavon Alain , Laloeuf Aurelie
Published: February 2014

The objective of this in vivo pilot study was to investigate whether differential biomarker analysis from skin tape strips could be used, not only to evaluate the difference between treated and untreated skin, but also to evaluate the effect of different product treatments. Ten volunteers were included in the study, applying two different basic formulations on their forearms. After four weeks of product application, and also after one week of treatment remission, tape strips were collected from the different treatment sites, as well as from untreated skin. The biomarkers investigated were selected to cover different aspects of epidermal differentiation and in connection with moisturization and barrier function. Levels of Involucrin were increased in both treatments, compared to untreated skin, whereas the levels of Keratin-6 were decreased for both treatments. In addition, a pattern for increased levels of Hornerin and Claudin-1 was also detected. There were no significant differences between the two treatments, only for treatment compared to untreated, but there were tendencies for different effect on some of the biomarkers investigated, differences that may reach significance with increased sample size. The major differences between the two treatments in this study were seen after one week of product remission, although due to too small sample size these differences were not significant.
Thermodynamic Analysis of the V-Shaped Area of High Pressure and High Temperature in Cubic Boron Nitride Synthesis with Li3N as a Catalyst
Authors: Xu Bin , Lv Mei-Zhe , Yang Hong-Mei , Wen Zhen-Xing
Published: February 2014

The possibilities of different phase transitions to cBN with Li3N as catalyst at high temperature and high pressure (1600–2200 K, 4.8–6.0 GPa) are analyzed, in the framework of the second law of thermodynamics. The Gibbs free energy (∆G) of three reactions which may happen in the Li3N-BN system: hBN + Li3N→Li3BN2, hBN→cBN, and Li3BN2→cBN + Li3N, is calculated, with the influence of high temperature and high pressure on volume included. We show that ∆G of hBN + Li3N→Li3BN2 and hBN→cBN are between −35~−10 KJ·mol−1 and −25~−19 KJ·mol−1, respectively. However, ∆G of Li3BN2→cBN + Li3N can be positive or negative. The area formed by the positive data is a V-shaped area, which covers the most part of the cBN growing V-shaped area. It confirms that Li3BN2 is stable in the P-T area of cBN synthesis, and cBN is probably transformed directly from hBN. Analysis suggests that Li3BN2 promotes the transition from hBN to cBN.
Extreme Precipitation and Beach Closures in the Great Lakes Region: Evaluating Risk among the Elderly
Authors: Bush Kathleen , Fossani Cheryl , Li Shi , Mukherjee Bhramar , Gronlund Carina , O'Neill Marie
Published: February 2014

As a result of climate change, extreme precipitation events are expected to increase in frequency and intensity. Runoff from these extreme events poses threats to water quality and human health. We investigated the impact of extreme precipitation and beach closings on the risk of gastrointestinal illness (GI)-related hospital admissions among individuals 65 and older in 12 Great Lakes cities from 2000 to 2006. Poisson regression models were fit in each city, controlling for temperature and long-term time trends. City-specific estimates were combined to form an overall regional risk estimate. Approximately 40,000 GI-related hospital admissions and over 100 beach closure days were recorded from May through September during the study period. Extreme precipitation (≥90th percentile) occurring the previous day (lag 1) is significantly associated with beach closures in 8 of the 12 cities (p < 0.05). However, no association was observed between beach closures and GI-related hospital admissions. These results support previous work linking extreme precipitation to compromised recreational water quality.
Poly(lactide-co-trimethylene carbonate) and Polylactide/Polytrimethylene Carbonate Blown Films
Authors: Li Hongli , Chang Jiangping , Qin Yuyue , Wu Yan , Yuan Minglong , Zhang Yingjie
Published: February 2014

In this work, poly(lactide-co-trimethylene carbonate) and polylactide/ polytrimethylene carbonate films are prepared using a film blowing method. The process parameters, including temperature and screw speed, are studied, and the structures and properties of the P(LA-TMC) and PLA/PTMC films are investigated. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images show that upon improving the content of TMC and PTMC, the lamellar structures of the films are obviously changed. With increasing TMC monomer or PTMC contents, the elongation at the break is improved, and the maximum is up to 525%. The water vapor permeability (WVP) results demonstrate that the WVP of the PLA/PTMC film increased with the increase in the PTMC content, whereas the WVP of the P(LA-TMC) film decreased. Thermogravimetric (TG) measurements reveal that the decomposition temperatures of the P(LA-TMC) and PLA/PTMC films decrease with increases in the TMC and PTMC contents, respectively, but the processing temperature is significantly lower than the initial decomposition temperature. P(LA-TMC) or PLA/PTMC film can extend the shelf life of apples, for instance, like commercial LDPE film used in fruit packaging in supermarkets.
Multipose Binding in Molecular Docking
Authors: Atkovska Kalina , Samsonov Sergey , Paszkowski-Rogacz Maciej , Pisabarro M.
Published: February 2014

Molecular docking has been extensively applied in virtual screening of small molecule libraries for lead identification and optimization. A necessary prerequisite for successful differentiation between active and non-active ligands is the accurate prediction of their binding affinities in the complex by use of docking scoring functions. However, many studies have shown rather poor correlations between docking scores and experimental binding affinities. Our work aimed to improve this correlation by implementing a multipose binding concept in the docking scoring scheme. Multipose binding, i.e., the property of certain protein-ligand complexes to exhibit different ligand binding modes, has been shown to occur in nature for a variety of molecules. We conducted a high-throughput docking study and implemented multipose binding in the scoring procedure by considering multiple docking solutions in binding affinity prediction. In general, improvement of the agreement between docking scores and experimental data was observed, and this was most pronounced in complexes with large and flexible ligands and high binding affinities. Further developments of the selection criteria for docking solutions for each individual complex are still necessary for a general utilization of the multipose binding concept for accurate binding affinity prediction by molecular docking.
New Times and New Challenges for Information Science: From Cellular Systems to Human Societies
Authors: Del Moral Raquel , Navarro Jorge , Marijuán Pedro
Published: February 2014

The extraordinary scientific-technical, economic, and social transformations related to the widespread use of computers and to the whole information and communication technologies have not been accompanied by the development of a scientific “informational” perspective helping make a coherent sense of the spectacular changes occurring. Like in other industrial revolutions of the past, technical praxis antedates the emergence of theoretical disciplines. Apart from the difficulties in handling new empirical domains and in framing new ways of thinking, the case of information science implies the difficult re-evaluation of important bodies of knowledge already well accommodated in specific disciplines. Herein, we will discuss how a new understanding of the “natural information flows” as they prototypically occur in living beings—even in the simplest cells—could provide a sound basis for reappraising fundamental problems of the new science. The role of a renewed information science, multidisciplinarily conceived and empirically grounded, widely transcends the limited “library” and knowledge-repositories mission into which classical information science was cajoled during past decades. Paraphrasing the Spanish philosopher J. Ortega y Gasset, the overhaul of information science itself becomes “the challenge of our time”.
Honey Bee Location- and Time-Linked Memory Use in Novel Foraging Situations: Floral Color Dependency
Authors: Amaya-Márquez Marisol , Hill Peggy , Abramson Charles , Wells Harrington
Published: February 2014

Learning facilitates behavioral plasticity, leading to higher success rates when foraging. However, memory is of decreasing value with changes brought about by moving to novel resource locations or activity at different times of the day. These premises suggest a foraging model with location- and time-linked memory. Thus, each problem is novel, and selection should favor a maximum likelihood approach to achieve energy maximization results. Alternatively, information is potentially always applicable. This premise suggests a different foraging model, one where initial decisions should be based on previous learning regardless of the foraging site or time. Under this second model, no problem is considered novel, and selection should favor a Bayesian or pseudo-Bayesian approach to achieve energy maximization results. We tested these two models by offering honey bees a learning situation at one location in the morning, where nectar rewards differed between flower colors, and examined their behavior at a second location in the afternoon where rewards did not differ between flower colors. Both blue-yellow and blue-white dimorphic flower patches were used. Information learned in the morning was clearly used in the afternoon at a new foraging site. Memory was not location-time restricted in terms of use when visiting either flower color dimorphism.
Preferences for Prenatal Tests for Cystic Fibrosis: A Discrete Choice Experiment to Compare the Views of Adult Patients, Carriers of Cystic Fibrosis and Health Professionals
Authors: Hill Melissa , Suri Ranjan , Nash Edward , Morris Stephen , Chitty Lyn
Published: February 2014

As new technologies enable the development of non-invasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) for cystic fibrosis (CF), research examining stakeholder views is essential for the preparation of implementation strategies. Here, we compare the views of potential service users with those of health professionals who provide counselling for prenatal tests. A questionnaire incorporating a discrete choice experiment examined preferences for key attributes of NIPD and explored views on NIPD for CF. Adult patients (n = 92) and carriers of CF (n = 50) were recruited from one children’s and one adult NHS specialist CF centre. Health professionals (n = 70) were recruited via an e-mail invitation to relevant professional bodies. The key attribute affecting service user testing preferences was no miscarriage risk, while for health professionals, accuracy and early testing were important. The uptake of NIPD by service users was predicted to be high and includes couples that would currently decline invasive testing. Many service users (47%) and health professionals (55.2%) thought the availability of NIPD for CF would increase the pressure to undergo prenatal testing. Most service users (68.5%) thought NIPD for CF should be offered to all pregnant women, whereas more health professionals (68.2%) thought NIPD should be reserved for known carrier couples. The implications for clinical practice are discussed.
Post-Laminectomy Wound Infections: Colonized Seromas Mimicking Wound Infections
Authors: Cunha Burke , Abruzzo Eileen , Schoch Paul
Published: February 2014

Objective: Post-operative laminectomy wounds are frequently accompanied by seromas. Post-operative wound drainage may be colonized or infected. The differentiation of wound colonization from infection is difficult for non-infectious disease physicians. Methods: External chart reviewers classified 31/1531 laminectomies (over three years) as post-operative wound infections. We re-evaluated these cases using infectious disease criteria, i.e., while pathogens may be cultured from both colonized and infected wounds, only wound infections have a purulent discharge with abundant white blood cells (WBCs) on Gram stain. Colonized wounds have positive wound cultures but no/few WBCs on Gram stain. Results: We found only 11/31 actual wound infections, the remainder were not bona fide wound infections, but were colonized seromas. Conclusion: Post-laminectomy colonized seromas that are culture positive for one or more organisms often mimic wound infections. In the era of public reporting of nosocomial infections, it is important that external reviewers differentiate colonization from infection to provide regulatory agencies with accurate data.
Effect of Al–5Ti–C Master Alloy on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Hypereutectic Al–20%Si Alloy
Authors: Ding Wanwu , Xia Tiandong , Zhao Wenjun , Xu Yangtao
Published: February 2014

Al–5Ti–C master alloy was prepared and used to modify hypereutectic Al–20%Si alloy. The microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of hypereutectic Al–20%Si alloy with Al–5Ti–C master alloy additions (0, 0.4, 0.6, 1.0, 1.6 and 2.0 wt%) were investigated. The results show that, Al–5Ti–C master alloy (0.6 wt%, 10 min) can significantly refine both eutectic and primary Si of hypereutectic Al–20%Si alloy. The morphology of the primary Si crystals was significantly refined from a coarse polygonal and star-like shape to a fine polyhedral shape and the grain size of the primary Si was refined from roughly 90–120 μm to 20–50 μm. The eutectic Si phases were modified from a coarse platelet-like/needle-like structure to a fine fibrous structure with discrete particles. The Al–5Ti–C master alloy (0.6 wt%, 30 min) still has a good refinement effect. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS), elongation (El) and Brinell hardness (HB) of Al–20%Si alloy modified by the Al–5Ti–C master alloy (0.6 wt%, 10 min) increased by roughly 65%, 70% and 51%, respectively, due to decreasing the size and changing the morphology on the primary and eutectic Si crystals. The change in mechanical properties corresponds to evolution of the microstructure.
Comparative Analysis of Biologically Relevant Response Curves in Gene Expression Experiments: Heteromorphy, Heterochrony, and Heterometry
Authors: Baker Stuart
Published: February 2014

To gain biological insights, investigators sometimes compare sequences of gene expression measurements under two scenarios (such as two drugs or species). For this situation, we developed an algorithm to fit, identify, and compare biologically relevant response curves in terms of heteromorphy (different curves), heterochrony (different transition times), and heterometry (different magnitudes). The curves are flat, linear, sigmoid, hockey-stick (sigmoid missing a steady state), transient (sigmoid missing two steady states), impulse (with peak or trough), step (with intermediate-level plateau), impulse+ (impulse with an extra parameter), step+ (step with an extra parameter), further characterized by upward or downward trend. To reduce overfitting, we fit the curves to every other response, evaluated the fit in the remaining responses, and identified the most parsimonious curves that yielded a good fit. We measured goodness of fit using a statistic comparable over different genes, namely the square root of the mean squared prediction error as a percentage of the range of responses, which we call the relative prediction error (RPE). We illustrated the algorithm using data on gene expression at 14 times in the embryonic development in two species of frogs. Software written in Mathematica is freely available.
Temperature and Snow-Mediated Moisture Controls of Summer Photosynthetic Activity in Northern Terrestrial Ecosystems between 1982 and 2011
Authors: Barichivich Jonathan , Briffa Keith , Myneni Ranga , Schrier Gerard , Dorigo Wouter , Tucker Compton , Osborn Timothy , Melvin Thomas
Published: February 2014

Recent warming has stimulated the productivity of boreal and Arctic vegetation by reducing temperature limitations. However, several studies have hypothesized that warming may have also increased moisture limitations because of intensified summer drought severity. Establishing the connections between warming and drought stress has been difficult because soil moisture observations are scarce. Here we use recently developed gridded datasets of moisture variability to investigate the links between warming and changes in available soil moisture and summer vegetation photosynthetic activity at northern latitudes (>45°N) based on the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) since 1982. Moisture and temperature exert a significant influence on the interannual variability of summer NDVI over about 29% (mean r2 = 0.29 ± 0.16) and 43% (mean r2 = 0.25 ± 0.12) of the northern vegetated land, respectively. Rapid summer warming since the late 1980s (~0.7 °C) has increased evapotranspiration demand and consequently summer drought severity, but contrary to earlier suggestions it has not changed the dominant climate controls of NDVI over time. Furthermore, changes in snow dynamics (accumulation and melting) appear to be more important than increased evaporative demand in controlling changes in summer soil moisture availability and NDVI in moisture-sensitive regions of the boreal forest. In boreal North America, forest NDVI declines are more consistent with reduced snowpack rather than with temperature-induced increases in evaporative demand as suggested in earlier studies. Moreover, summer NDVI variability over about 28% of the northern vegetated land is not significantly associated with moisture or temperature variability, yet most of this land shows increasing NDVI trends. These results suggest that changes in snow accumulation and melt, together with other possibly non-climatic factors are likely to play a significant role in modulating regional ecosystem responses to the projected warming and increase in evapotranspiration demand during the coming decades.
Wireless Remote Monitoring of Toxic Gases in Shipbuilding
Authors: Pérez-Garrido Carlos , González-Castaño Francisco , Chaves-Díeguez David , Rodríguez-Hernández Pedro
Published: February 2014

Large-scale wireless sensor networks have not achieved market impact, so far. Nevertheless, this technology may be applied successfully to small-scale niche markets. Shipyards are hazardous working environments with many potential risks to worker safety. Toxic gases generated in soldering processes in enclosed spaces (e.g., cargo holds) are one such risk. The dynamic environment of a ship under construction makes it very difficult to plan gas detection fixed infrastructures connected to external monitoring stations via wired links. While portable devices with gas level indicators exist, they require workers to monitor measurements, often in situations where they are focused on other tasks for relatively long periods. In this work, we present a wireless multihop remote gas monitoring system for shipyard environments that has been tested in a real ship under construction. Using this system, we validate IEEE 802.15.4/Zigbee wireless networks as a suitable technology to connect gas detectors to control stations outside the ships. These networks have the added benefit that they reconfigure themselves dynamically in case of network failure or redeployment, for example when a relay is moved to a new location. Performance measurements include round trip time (which determines the alert response time for safety teams) and link quality indicator and packet error rate (which determine communication robustness).
Performance of Global-Appearance Descriptors in Map Building and Localization Using Omnidirectional Vision
Authors: Payá Luis , Amorós Francisco , Fernández Lorenzo , Reinoso Oscar
Published: February 2014

Map building and localization are two crucial abilities that autonomous robots must develop. Vision sensors have become a widespread option to solve these problems. When using this kind of sensors, the robot must extract the necessary information from the scenes to build a representation of the environment where it has to move and to estimate its position and orientation with robustness. The techniques based on the global appearance of the scenes constitute one of the possible approaches to extract this information. They consist in representing each scene using only one descriptor which gathers global information from the scene. These techniques present some advantages comparing to other classical descriptors, based on the extraction of local features. However, it is important a good configuration of the parameters to reach a compromise between computational cost and accuracy. In this paper we make an exhaustive comparison among some global appearance descriptors to solve the mapping and localization problem. With this aim, we make use of several image sets captured in indoor environments under realistic working conditions. The datasets have been collected using an omnidirectional vision sensor mounted on the robot.
Noncanonical Expression of a Murine Cytomegalovirus Early Protein CD8 T-Cell Epitope as an Immediate Early Epitope Based on Transcription from an Upstream Gene
Authors: Fink Annette , Büttner Julia , Thomas Doris , Holtappels Rafaela , Reddehase Matthias , Lemmermann Niels
Published: February 2014

Viral CD8 T-cell epitopes, represented by viral peptides bound to major histocompatibility complex class-I (MHC-I) glycoproteins, are often identified by “reverse immunology”, a strategy not requiring biochemical and structural knowledge of the actual viral protein from which they are derived by antigen processing. Instead, bioinformatic algorithms predicting the probability of C-terminal cleavage in the proteasome, as well as binding affinity to the presenting MHC-I molecules, are applied to amino acid sequences deduced from predicted open reading frames (ORFs) based on the genomic sequence. If the protein corresponding to an antigenic ORF is known, it is usually inferred that the kinetic class of the protein also defines the phase in the viral replicative cycle during which the respective antigenic peptide is presented for recognition by CD8 T cells. We have previously identified a nonapeptide from the predicted ORFm164 of murine cytomegalovirus that is presented by the MHC-I allomorph H-2 Dd and that is immunodominant in BALB/c (H-2d haplotype) mice. Surprisingly, although the ORFm164 protein gp36.5 is expressed as an Early (E) phase protein, the m164 epitope is presented already during the Immediate Early (IE) phase, based on the expression of an upstream mRNA starting within ORFm167 and encompassing ORFm164.
Towards New Broader Spectrum Pneumococcal Vaccines: The Future of Pneumococcal Disease Prevention
Authors: Lee Lucia , Gu Xin-Xing , Nahm Moon
Published: February 2014

Seven-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) introduction and routine pediatric use has substantially reduced the burden of Streptococcus pneumoniae disease worldwide. However, a significant amount of disease burden, due to serotypes not contained in PCV7, still exists globally. A newly recognized serotype, 6C, was until recently, identified and reported as serotype 6A. This review summarizes the serotype epidemiology of pneumococcal disease pre- and post-introduction of PCV7, available post-marketing surveillance data following the introduction of higher valency pneumococcal vaccines (PCV10, PCV13) and future prospects for the development of new pneumococcal vaccines.
Photovoltaic properties of ZnO nanorods/p-type Si heterojunction structures
Authors: Pietruszka Rafal , Witkowski Bartlomiej Slawomir , Luka Grzegorz , Wachnicki Lukasz , Gieraltowska Sylwia , Kopalko Krzysztof , Zielony Eunika , Bieganski Piotr , Placzek-Popko Ewa , Godlewski Marek
Published: February 2014

Selected properties of photovoltaic (PV) structures based on n-type zinc oxide nanorods grown by a low temperature hydrothermal method on p-type silicon substrates (100) are investigated. PV structures were covered with thin films of Al doped ZnO grown by atomic layer deposition acting as transparent electrodes. The investigated PV structures differ in terms of the shapes and densities of their nanorods. The best response is observed for the structure containing closely-spaced nanorods, which show light conversion efficiency of 3.6%.
Continuous flow nitration in miniaturized devices
Authors: Kulkarni Amol A
Published: February 2014

This review highlights the state of the art in the field of continuous flow nitration with miniaturized devices. Although nitration has been one of the oldest and most important unit reactions, the advent of miniaturized devices has paved the way for new opportunities to reconsider the conventional approach for exothermic and selectivity sensitive nitration reactions. Four different approaches to flow nitration with microreactors are presented herein and discussed in view of their advantages, limitations and applicability of the information towards scale-up. Selected recent patents that disclose scale-up methodologies for continuous flow nitration are also briefly reviewed.
Réhabiliter la dispute professionnelle
Authors: Clot Yves
Published: February 2014

Quand les salariés sont pris entre des règles inapplicables et des situations de travail qui les contraignent à prendre des risques, il convient d’organiser minutieusement un débat associant tous les acteurs concernés autour des situations réelles de travail.
Le Cirque du Soleil
Authors: Petiot Bernard
Published: February 2014

Chaque spectacle du Cirque du Soleil résulte d’une alliance avec des créateurs extérieurs. Ces alliances sont l’une des forces du Cirque, mais c’est un défi que de préserver l’équilibre entre les logiques de création et de production.
Les vertus de la transgression managériale
Authors: Bouchikhi Hamid , Kimberly John
Published: February 2014

Les dirigeants peuvent être amenés à faire des actes transgressifs pour provoquer le changement. Parce qu’ils violent du sacré, ils sont objets de représailles. Ceux qui réussissent survivent à ces représailles et construisent un sacré nouveau.
Extrema derecha y fascismo en España y en Europa: elementos para un debate. Presentación
Authors: González Calleja Eduardo
Published: February 2014

No disponible.
La salvaguardia de lo permanente. Las extremas derechas militares en la España del siglo XX
Authors: Navajas Zubeldia Carlos
Published: February 2014

El enfoque de este artículo es doble: en él estudiamos tanto las relaciones entre la extrema derecha militar (en particular, la del Ejército de Tierra) y la civil, como, sobre todo, las características internas de la ultraderecha militar. Además, nos planteamos una pregunta de difícil respuesta: ¿dónde está situada la frontera ideológica entre un militar de derechas y otro de extrema derecha? Otra cuestión que surge inmediatamente a la hora de empezar a reflexionar sobre las relaciones entre las Fuerzas Armadas y la extrema derecha es: ¿cuál es, a su vez, la relación existente entre la ultraderecha y el militarismo, en general, y la intervención de los militares en la política, en particular? Después del análisis realizado a lo largo de las cinco partes en que se divide este artículo, en la conclusión del mismo se responden a éstas y otras preguntas y se plantean algunas líneas de investigación sobre las extremas derechas militares en la España del novecientos.
Derechos de la viuda en la Valencia foral
Authors: Guillot Aliaga Dolores
Published: February 2014

Este artículo trata de los derechos que las viudas poseen sobre los bienes del marido premuerto. No hay que olvidar que, como consecuencia del régimen de separación de bienes, aquéllas se hallan en una situación de indefensión en el caso de carecer de bienes propios, teniendo que depender, en muchos casos, de la voluntad testamentaria de sus esposos. De ahí que la rigidez de este régimen se tenga que suavizar con el sistema dotal para que, al menos, las mujeres que carezcan de patrimonio, puedan tener su exovar y creix cuando sus esposos fallezcan, proporcionándoles, en alguna medida, cierta seguridad. Y es que éstas se hallan en una situación de vulnerabilidad económica que se agrava de modo considerable cuando quedan viudas y no disponen de recursos. Por eso, los derechos viudales son importantes en la medida en que tratan de paliar las limitaciones económicas padecidas por las mujeres como consecuencia de las restricciones que sufren en su capacidad jurídica. Pero estos derechos no sólo tienen por finalidad el protegerlas sino que, también, suponen un control sobre sus personas, bastante más estricto durante el año de luto, ya que pretenden dificultar las nuevas nupcias, especialmente, cuando existen hijos.