bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phenotypic plasticity influences the eco‐evolutionary dynamics of a predator–prey system
Authors: Fischer Beat B. , Kwiatkowski Marek , Ackermann Martin , Krismer Jasmin , Roffler Severin , Suter Marc J. F. , Eggen Rik I. L. , Matthews Blake
Published: May 2014

There is increasing evidence that rapid phenotypic evolution can strongly influence population dynamics, but how are such eco‐evolutionary dynamics influenced by the source of trait variation (i.e., genetic variation or phenotypic plasticity)? To investigate this, we used rotifer–algae microcosm experiments to test how the phenotypic and genetic composition of prey populations affect predator–prey population dynamics. We chose four genetically distinct strains of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii that varied in their growth rate, standing levels of defense, and inducible defense. To additionally test for strain specificity of plasticity responses, we quantified protein expression of each strain in the presence and absence of rotifer predators (Brachionus calyciflorus). We then tested how different strain combinations influenced the outcome of pairwise competition trials with and without rotifer predation. We tracked individual strain frequencies using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and compared the observed dynamics to a suite of eco‐evolutionary models of varying complexity. We found that variation in trade‐offs between growth and defense between algal strains strongly influenced the outcome of competition and the overall predator–prey dynamics. Our purely ecological model of the observed dynamics, which allowed for the presence of phenotypic plasticity but no trait variation between strains, never outperformed any of our eco‐evolutionary models in which strains could have different trait values. Our best fitting eco‐evolutionary model allowed strains to differ in an inducible defense trait. Overall, our results provide some of the first experimental evidence that variation in phenotypically plastic responses among prey genotypes can be an important component of eco‐evolutionary dynamics in a predator–prey system.
Prayer in Response to Negative Intrusive Thoughts: Closer Examination of a Religious Neutralizing Strategy
Authors: Berman Noah C. , Stark Abigail , Ramsey Kesley , Cooperman Allison , Abramowitz Jonathan S.
Published: May 2014

Few studies have systematically examined the covert neutralizing strategies that serve to maintain and exacerbate the frequency and distress related to intrusive thoughts. Given the lack of research in this area, this study aimed to highlight development and maintenance factors for one such strategy, compensatory prayer, to inform assessment and treatment of related obsessional phenomena. We used a multimethod approach to examine the predictors and function of prayer when it is used in response to negative intrusive thoughts. Participants were 85 undergraduate students (ages 18–55 years) who self-identified with a branch of Christianity. In addition to self-report measures, participants were administered an in vivo negative thought induction and were subsequently asked about their use of compensatory prayer behaviors. Results indicated that religiosity, intrinsic religious motivation, and moral thought–action fusion (TAF) positively predicted the use of prayer, with moral TAF emerging as a unique predictor and a complete mediator between religiosity and the use of prayer. Regarding the function of prayer, results indicated that when prayer is used maladaptively (i.e., negative coping style), it is associated with higher scores on religious measures and moral TAF, as well as more frequent engagement in prayer, and a greater reduction in anxiety postprayer. Surprisingly, likelihood TAF was not found to be related to the use or function of prayer. Results are discussed in terms of certain religious teachings and TAF-related beliefs, neurobiological explanations for our pattern of findings, and clinical implications for religious-related intrusive thoughts. Future directions and limitations are also discussed.
The Hardware Design of Natural Rubber Plantation Temperature and Humidity Collecting System Based On ZigBee
Authors: Zhi-yang Jin , Zhong-xing Li , Hong Jiang , Xing Xu , Mei Li
Published: May 2014

Natural rubber is widely used in industry, national defense, traffic, medical and daily life, but during its growth
process, its productivity is influenced by the soil, temperature and humidity badly. With the progress of science and technology,
how to use the information system to informationize and intelligentize the tropical agriculture is an essential research
content as well as to transfer the agriculture into a modern one. Zigbee has the advantages of low power consumption,
flexible net combination, quickly setting and reliable working. This article has minutely designed the hardware structure
of the natural monitoring system in which Zigbee wireless sensor network is used to collect and monitor the information
of rubber plantation environment’s temperature and humidity. A system hardware circuit is also given in this article
to meet the requirements of natural rubber monitoring.
A Model for Calculating Freshwater Reservoir Offsets on AMS-Dated Charred, Encrusted Cooking Residues Formed from Varying Resources
Authors: Hart John P
Published: May 2014

The freshwater reservoir effect (FRE) hypothesis suggests that ancient carbon from aquatic organisms incorporated into AMS-dated charred, encrusted cooking residues on interior pottery walls produces old apparent radiocarbon ages. This hypothesis has been used primarily in northern European final Mesolithic contexts to explain 14C ages on cooking residues that are thought to be too old relative to 14C ages obtained on terrestrial samples, resulting in so-called freshwater reservoir offsets (FROs). More recently, the hypothesis has been cited in interpretations of 14C ages from residues in the North American Plains and elsewhere. This article presents a model using an Excel spreadsheet that allows calculation of FROs with varying inputs of dead carbon and aquatic and terrestrial resources.
Evidence for Early Human Presence at High Altitudes in the Ötztal Alps (Austria/Italy)
Authors: Kutschera Walter , Patzelt Gernot , Wild Eva Maria , Haas-Jettmar Barbara , Kofler Werner , Lippert Andreas , Oeggl Klaus , Pak Edwin , Priller Alfred , Steier Peter , Wahlmüller-Oeggl Notburga , Zanesco Alexander
Published: May 2014

The present article reports on the results and interpretation of a total of 235 radiocarbon dates from Alpine sites in the Ötztal region. Out of these, 88 age determinations were performed on equipment and artifacts associated with the Neolithic Iceman (discovered in 1991), and on a variety of plant and animal specimens collected at his discovery site. Since the material was dispersed over a larger area,14C dates were important to establish the deposition time of the respective samples. About half of the samples fall into the time period where the Iceman lived, documenting synchronous deposition, whereas the others spread out over several thousand years before and after his lifetime. The other set of samples (147) were collected along the Ötztal Valley to the north, with a few samples collected also south of the Alpine watershed. The samples were mainly from soil profiles and peat bogs above the present-day timberline. Overall, the analysis of the data indicates human presence in these high regions of the Alps throughout the Holocene. While the older botanical and archaeological finds indicate activities of hunting and foraging, the younger ones (after ∼5000 BC) point to an intensification of pasturing. This suggests that early human activity was concentrated at altitudes where natural pastures were found, which were probably more favorable than locations at the bottom of the valleys where flooding and other hazards existed. Early users may have come from south of the water divide spreading into the northern regions, particularly during the summer season. It is possible that the Iceman perished at one of his crossings over the probably well-known high-altitude mountain pass due to reasons not yet fully resolved.
Pharmacokinetics of hydromorphone hydrochloride after intravenous and intramuscular administration of a single dose to American kestrels (Falco sparverius)
Authors: Guzman David Sanchez-Migallon , KuKanich Butch , Drazenovich Tracy L. , Olsen Glenn H. , Paul-Murphy Joanne R.
Published: May 2014

Objective—To determine the pharmacokinetics of hydromorphone hydrochloride after IV and IM administration in American kestrels (Falco sparverius).

Animals—12 healthy adult American kestrels.

Procedures—A single dose of hydromorphone (0.6 mg/kg) was administered IM (pectoral muscles) and IV (right jugular vein); the time between IM and IV administration experiments was 1 month. Blood samples were collected at 5 minutes, 1 hour, and 3 hours (n = 4 birds); 0.25, 1.5, and 9 hours (4); and 0.5, 2, and 6 hours (4) after drug administration. Plasma hydromorphone concentrations were determined by means of liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry, and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated with a noncompartmental model. Mean plasma hydromorphone concentration for each time was determined with naïve averaged pharmacokinetic analysis.

Results—Plasma hydromorphone concentrations were detectable in 2 and 3 birds at 6 hours after IM and IV administration, respectively, but not at 9 hours after administration. The fraction of the hydromorphone dose absorbed after IM administration was 0.75. The maximum observed plasma concentration was 112.1 ng/mL (5 minutes after administration). The terminal half-life was 1.25 and 1.26 hours after IV and IM administration, respectively.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance—Results indicated hydromorphone hydrochloride had high bioavailability and rapid elimination after IM administration, with a short terminal half-life, rapid plasma clearance, and large volume of distribution in American kestrels. Further studies regarding the effects of other doses, other administration routes, constantrate infusions, and slow release formulations on the pharmacokinetics of hydromorphone hydrochloride and its metabolites in American kestrels may be indicated.
Use of an inverse dynamics method to compare the three-dimensional motion of the pelvic limb among clinically normal dogs and dogs with cranial cruciate ligament–deficient stifle joints following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy or lateral fabellar–tibial suture stabilization
Authors: Headrick Jason F. , Zhang Songning , Millard Ralph P. , Rohrbach Barton W. , Weigel Joseph P. , Millis Darryl L.
Published: May 2014

Objective—To compare the 3-D motion of the pelvic limb among clinically normal dogs and dogs with cranial cruciate ligament (CCL)–deficient stifle joints following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) or lateral fabellar–tibial suture (LFS) stabilization by use of an inverse dynamics method.

Animals—6 clinically normal dogs and 19 dogs with CCL-deficient stifle joints that had undergone TPLO (n = 13) or LFS (6) stabilization at a mean of 4 and 8 years, respectively, prior to evaluation.

Procedures—For all dogs, an inverse dynamics method was used to describe the motion of the pelvic limbs in the sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes. Motion and energy patterns for the hip, stifle, and tibiotarsal (hock) joints in all 3 planes were compared among the 3 groups.

Results—Compared with corresponding variables for clinically normal dogs, the hip joint was more extended at the beginning of the stance phase in the sagittal plane for dogs that had a TPLO performed and the maximum power across the stifle joint in the frontal plane was greater for dogs that had an LFS procedure performed. Otherwise, variables in all planes were similar among the 3 groups.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Gait characteristics of the pelvic limb did not differ between dogs that underwent TPLO and dogs that underwent an LFS procedure for CCL repair and were similar to those of clinically normal dogs. Both TPLO and LFS successfully provided long-term stabilization of CCL-deficient stifle joints of dogs with minimal alterations in gait.
Kinetic analysis of 2-([18F]fluoro)-2-deoxy-d-glucose uptake in brains of anesthetized healthy dogs
Authors: Williams Lindsay M. , Morandi Federica , Osborne Dustin R. , Narak Jill , LeBlanc Amy K.
Published: May 2014

Objective—To assess kinetic 2-([18F]fluoro)-2-deoxy-d-glucose (18FDG) uptake in the brain of anesthetized healthy adult dogs by use of positron emission tomography (PET) and to determine whether 18FDG uptake differs among anatomic regions of the brain.

Animals—5 healthy Beagles.

Procedures—Each isoflurane-anesthetized dog was administered 18FDG IV (dose range, 3.0 to 5.2 mCi), and PET data were acquired for 2 hours. A CT scan (without contrast agent administration) was performed to allow more precise neuroanatomic localization. Defined regions of interest within the brain were drawn on reconstructed image data. Standard uptake values (SUVs) for 18FDG were calculated to generate time-activity curves and determine time to peak uptake.

Results—Time-activity curve analysis identified 4 regional uptake patterns: olfactory, gray matter, white matter, and other (brainstem, cerebellum, and occipital and frontal regions). The highest maximum SUVs were identified in the olfactory bulbs and cerebral gray matter, and the lowest maximum SUV was identified in cerebral white matter. Mean time to peak uptake ranged from 37.8 minutes in white matter to 82.7 minutes in the olfactory bulbs.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Kinetic analysis of 18FDG uptake revealed differences in uptake values among anatomic areas of the brain in dogs. These data provide a baseline for further investigation of 18FDG uptake in dogs with immune-mediated inflammatory brain disease and suggest that 18FDG-PET scanning has potential use for antemortem diagnosis without histologic analysis and for monitoring response to treatment. In clinical cases, a 1-hour period of PET scanning should provide sufficient pertinent data.
Laboratory Diagnostics and Quality of Blood Collection / Laboratorijska Dijagnostika I Kvalitet Uzimanja Uzoraka Krvi
Authors: Lima-Oliveira Gabriel , Lippi Giuseppe , Salvagno Gian Luca , Picheth Geraldo , Guidi Gian Cesare
Published: May 2014

Diagnostic blood samples collected by phlebotomy are the most common type of biological specimens drawn and sent to laboratory medicine facilities for being analyzed, thus supporting caring physicians in patient diagnosis, follow-up and/or therapeutic monitoring. Phlebotomy, a relatively invasive medical procedure, is indeed critical for the downstream procedures accomplished either in the analytical phase made in the laboratory or in the interpretive process done by the physicians. Diagnosis, management, treatment of patients and ultimately patient safety itself can be compromised by poor phlebotomy quality. We have read with interest a recent article where the authors addressed important aspects of venous blood collection for laboratory medicine analysis. The authors conducted a phlebotomy survey based on the Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) H03-A6 document (presently replaced by the GP41-A6 document) in three government hospitals in Ethiopia to evaluate 120 professionals (101 non-laboratory professionals vs. 19 laboratory professionals) as regards the venous blood collection practice. The aim of this mini (non-systematic) review is to both take a cue from the above article and from current practices we had already observed in other laboratory settings, and discuss four questionable activities performed by health care professionals during venous blood collection. We refer to: i) diet restriction assessment; ii) puncture site cleansing; iii) timing of tourniquet removal and; iv) mixing specimen with additives
Hypercalcemia in a patient with SLE and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome: a rare case report from Bangladesh
Authors: Dewan G
Published: May 2014

Association of hypercalcemia with SLE is very rare. Since initial report in 1991 only hand full cases have been described mainly in adult patients sporadically. Three pattern observed in this rare presentation. Commonly it is associated with serositis and lymphadenopathy or lymphedema known as hypercalcemia-lymphadenopathy SLE {HL-SLE) or hypercalcemia- lymphedema syndrome. Second group do not show this particular association. Concomitant primary hyperparathyroidism is responsible for third variety. This report describes a case of hypercalcemia associated with SLE from Bangladesh. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jucms.v2i1.10490   Journal of Universal College of Medical Sciences (2014) Vol.2(1): 35-37
Nursing education in future perspective
Authors: Jose P
Published: May 2014

Trends in health care suggest changes in nursing practice and implications for nursing education. Changing demographics, emphasis on health promotion, health care costs, movement toward community-based care, and expanding technology are factors that shape the health care system of the future and educational preparation of nurses. Faculties are faced with preparing students for future practice that will be more complex and specialized than it is now; will be provided in multiple settings; and will require extensive knowledge, critical thinking and other cognitive skills, technologic and psychomotor skills, and a value system for making ethical decisions. Outcomes of nursing education program include learning to learn, handling ambiguity, thinking like a professional, and accepting responsibility for decisions made in practice. For nursing to assume a central role in the health care system of tomorrow, reform in nursing education is needed today. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jucms.v2i1.10492   Journal of Universal College of Medical Sciences (2014) Vol.2(1): 41-44
Neighboring Hetero-Atom Assistance of Sacrificial Amines to Hydrogen Evolution Using Pt-Loaded TiO2-Photocatalyst
Authors: Yasuda Masahide , Tomo Takayuki , Hirata Shoichi , Shiragami Tsutomu , Matsumoto Tomoko
Published: May 2014

Photocatalytic H2 evolution was examined using Pt-loaded TiO2-photocatalyst in the presence of amines as sacrificial agents. In the case of amines with all of the carbon attached to the hetero-atom such as 2-aminoethanol, 1,2-diamonoethane, 2-amino-1,3-propanediol, and 3-amino-1,2-propanediol, they were completely decomposed into CO2 and water to quantitatively evolve H2. On the other hand, the amines with both hetero-atoms and one methyl group at the β-positions (neighboring carbons) of amino group such as 2-amino-1-propanol and 1,2-diaminopropane were partially decomposed. Also, the photocatalytic H2 evolution using amines without the hetero-atoms at the β-positions such as ethylamine, propylamine, 1-butylamine, 1,3-diaminopropane, 2-propylamine, and 2-butylamine was inefficient. Thus, it was found that the neighboring hetero-atom strongly assisted the degradation of sacrificial amines. Moreover, rate constants for H2 evolution were compared among amines. In conclusion, the neighboring hetero-atom did not affect the rate constants but enhanced the yield of hydrogen evolution.
Reaction Kinetics Path Based on Entropy Production Rate and Its Relevance to Low-Dimensional Manifolds
Authors: Kojima Shinji
Published: May 2014

The equation that approximately traces the trajectory in the concentration phase space of chemical kinetics is derived based on the rate of entropy production. The equation coincides with the true chemical kinetics equation to first order in a variable that characterizes the degree of quasi-equilibrium for each reaction, and the equation approximates the trajectory along at least final part of one-dimensional (1-D) manifold of true chemical kinetics that reaches equilibrium in concentration phase space. Besides the 1-D manifold, each higher dimensional manifold of the trajectories given by the equation is an approximation to that of true chemical kinetics when the contour of the entropy production rate in the concentration phase space is not highly distorted, because the Jacobian and its eigenvectors for the equation are exactly the same as those of true chemical kinetics at equilibrium; however, the path or trajectory itself is not necessarily an approximation to that of true chemical kinetics in manifolds higher than 1-D. The equation is for the path of steepest descent that sufficiently accounts for the constraints inherent in chemical kinetics such as element conservation, whereas the simple steepest-descent-path formulation whose Jacobian is the Hessian of the entropy production rate cannot even approximately reproduce any part of the 1-D manifold of true chemical kinetics except for the special case where the eigenvector of the Hessian is nearly identical to that of the Jacobian of chemical kinetics.
How to Determine Losses in a Flow Field: A Paradigm Shift towards the Second Law Analysis
Authors: Herwig Heinz , Schmandt Bastian
Published: May 2014

Assuming that CFD solutions will be more and more used to characterize losses in terms of drag for external flows and head loss for internal flows, we suggest to replace single-valued data, like the drag force or a pressure drop, by field information about the losses. These information are gained when the entropy generation in the flow field is analyzed, an approach that often is called second law analysis (SLA), referring to the second law of thermodynamics. We show that this SLA approach is straight-forward, systematic and helpful when it comes to the physical interpretation of the losses in a flow field. Various examples are given, including external and internal flows, two phase flow, compressible flow and unsteady flow. Finally, we show that an energy transfer within a certain process can be put into a broader perspective by introducing the entropic potential of an energy.
Socioeconomic Context and the Food Landscape in Texas: Results from Hotspot Analysis and Border/Non-Border Comparison of Unhealthy Food Environments
Authors: Salinas Jennifer , Abdelbary Bassent , Klaas Kelly , Tapia Beatriz , Sexton Ken
Published: May 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe the food landscape of Texas using the CDC’s Modified Retail Food Environment (mRFEI) and to make comparisons by border/non-border. Methods: The Modified Retail Food Environment index (mRFEI (2008)) is an index developed by the CDC that measures what percent of the total food vendors in a census track sell healthy food. The range of values is 0 (unhealthy areas with limited access to fruits and vegetables) to (100—Healthy). These data were linked to 2010 US Census socioeconomic and ethnic concentration data. Spatial analysis and GIS techniques were applied to assess the differences between border and non-border regions. Variables of interest were mRFEI score, median income, total population, percent total population less than five years, median age, % receiving food stamps, % Hispanic, and % with a bachelor degree. Results: Findings from this study reveal that food environment in Texas tends to be characteristic of a “food desert”. Analysis also demonstrates differences by border/non-border location and percent of the population that is foreign born and by percent of families who receive food stamps. Conclusions: Identifying the relationship between socioeconomic disparity, ethnic concentration and mRFEI score could be a fundamental step in improving health in disadvantage communities, particularly those on the Texas-Mexico border.
The Epidemiology of Imported Malaria in Taiwan between 2002–2013: The Importance of Sensitive Surveillance and Implications for Pre-Travel Medical Advice
Authors: Chen Shou-Chien , Chang Hsiao-Ling , Chen Kow-Tong
Published: May 2014

The purpose of this study was to assess the epidemiology of imported malaria in Taiwan between 2002 and 2013. We analyzed the national data recorded by the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC). Malaria cases were diagnosed by blood films, polymerase chain reaction, or rapid diagnostic tests. The risk of re-establishment of malarial transmission in Taiwan was assessed. A total of 229 malaria cases were included in our analysis. All of the cases were imported. One hundred and ninety-two cases (84%) were diagnosed within 13 days of the start of symptoms/signs; 43% of these cases were acquired in Africa and 44% were acquired in Asia. Plasmodium falciparum was responsible for the majority (56%) of these cases. Travel to an endemic area was associated with the acquisition of malaria. The malaria importation rate was 2.36 per 1,000,000 travelers (range 1.20–5.74). The reproductive number under control (Rc) was 0. No endemic transmission of malaria in Taiwan was identified. This study suggests that a vigilant surveillance system, vector-control efforts, case management, and an educational approach focused on travelers and immigrants who visit malaria endemic countries are needed to prevent outbreaks and sustain the elimination of malaria in Taiwan.
Molecular Mechanisms of Liver Fibrosis in HIV/HCV Coinfection
Authors: Mastroianni Claudio , Lichtner Miriam , Mascia Claudia , Zuccalà Paola , Vullo Vincenzo
Published: May 2014

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in people coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Several studies have shown that HIV infection promotes accelerated HCV hepatic fibrosis progression, even with HIV replication under full antiretroviral control. The pathogenesis of accelerated hepatic fibrosis among HIV/HCV coinfected individuals is complex and multifactorial. The most relevant mechanisms involved include direct viral effects, immune/cytokine dysregulation, altered levels of matrix metalloproteinases and fibrosis biomarkers, increased oxidative stress and hepatocyte apoptosis, HIV-associated gut depletion of CD4 cells, and microbial translocation. In addition, metabolic alterations, heavy alcohol use, as well drug use, may have a potential role in liver disease progression. Understanding the pathophysiology and regulation of liver fibrosis in HIV/HCV co-infection may lead to the development of therapeutic strategies for the management of all patients with ongoing liver disease. In this review, we therefore discuss the evidence and potential molecular mechanisms involved in the accelerated liver fibrosis seen in patients coinfected with HIV and HCV.
Therapeutic Effect of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Laser-Induced Retinal Injury in Mice
Authors: Jiang Yuanfeng , Zhang Yan , Zhang Lingjun , Wang Meiyan , Zhang Xiaomin , Li Xiaorong
Published: May 2014

Stem cell therapy has shown encouraging results for neurodegenerative diseases. The retina provides a convenient locus to investigate stem cell functions and distribution in the nervous system. In the current study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) by systemic transplantation in a laser-induced retinal injury model. MSCs from C57BL/6 mice labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP) were injected via the tail vein into mice after laser photocoagulation. We found that the average diameters of laser spots and retinal cell apoptosis were decreased in the MSC-treated group. Interestingly, GFP-MSCs did not migrate to the injured retina. Further examination revealed that the mRNA expression levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein and matrix metalloproteinase-2 were lower in the injured eyes after MSC transplantation. Our results suggest that intravenously injected MSCs have the ability to inhibit retinal cell apoptosis, reduce the inflammatory response and limit the spreading of damage in the laser-injured retina of mice. Systemic MSC therapy might play a role in neuroprotection, mainly by regulation of the intraocular microenvironment.
An Ultra-Low Energy Subthreshold SRAM Bitcell for Energy Constrained Biomedical Applications
Authors: Banerjee Arijit , Calhoun Benton
Published: May 2014

Energy consumption is a key issue in portable biomedical devices that require uninterrupted biomedical data processing. As the battery life is critical for the user, these devices impose stringent energy constraints on SRAMs and other system on chip (SoC) components. Prior work shows that operating CMOS circuits at subthreshold supply voltages minimizes energy per operation. However, at subthreshold voltages, SRAM bitcells are sensitive to device variations, and conventional 6T SRAM bitcell is highly vulnerable to readability related errors in subthreshold operation due to lower read static noise margin (RSNM) and half-select issue problems. There are many robust subthreshold bitcells proposed in the literature that have some improvements in RSNM, write static noise margin (WSNM), leakage current, dynamic energy, and other metrics. In this paper, we compare our proposed bitcell with the state of the art subthreshold bitcells across various SRAM design knobs and show their trade-offs in a column mux scenario from the energy and delay metrics and the energy per operation metric standpoint. Our 9T half-select-free subthreshold bitcell has 2.05× lower mean read energy, 1.12× lower mean write energy, and 1.28× lower mean leakage current than conventional 8T bitcells at the TT_0.4V_27C corner. Our bitcell also supports the bitline interleaving technique that can cope with soft errors.
Optimized Solid Phase-Assisted Synthesis of Dendrons Applicable as Scaffolds for Radiolabeled Bioactive Multivalent Compounds Intended for Molecular Imaging
Authors: Fischer Gabriel , Wängler Björn , Wängler Carmen
Published: May 2014

Dendritic structures, being highly homogeneous and symmetric, represent ideal scaffolds for the multimerization of bioactive molecules and thus enable the synthesis of compounds of high valency which are e.g., applicable in radiolabeled form as multivalent radiotracers for in vivo imaging. As the commonly applied solution phase synthesis of dendritic scaffolds is cumbersome and time-consuming, a synthesis strategy was developed that allows for the efficient assembly of acid amide bond-based highly modular dendrons on solid support via standard Fmoc solid phase peptide synthesis protocols. The obtained dendritic structures comprised up to 16 maleimide functionalities and were derivatized on solid support with the chelating agent DOTA. The functionalized dendrons furthermore could be efficiently reacted with structurally variable model thiol-bearing bioactive molecules via click chemistry and finally radiolabeled with 68Ga. Thus, this solid phase-assisted dendron synthesis approach enables the fast and straightforward assembly of bioactive multivalent constructs for example applicable as radiotracers for in vivo imaging with Positron Emission Tomography (PET).
Involvement of HDAC1 and HDAC3 in the Pathology of Polyglutamine Disorders: Therapeutic Implications for Selective HDAC1/HDAC3 Inhibitors
Authors: Thomas Elizabeth
Published: May 2014

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) enzymes, which affect the acetylation status of histones and other important cellular proteins, have been recognized as potentially useful therapeutic targets for a broad range of human disorders. Emerging studies have demonstrated that different types of HDAC inhibitors show beneficial effects in various experimental models of neurological disorders. HDAC enzymes comprise a large family of proteins, with18 HDAC enzymes currently identified in humans. Hence, an important question for HDAC inhibitor therapeutics is which HDAC enzyme(s) is/are important for the amelioration of disease phenotypes, as it has become clear that individual HDAC enzymes play different biological roles in the brain. This review will discuss evidence supporting the involvement of HDAC1 and HDAC3 in polyglutamine disorders, including Huntington’s disease, and the use of HDAC1- and HDAC3-selective HDAC inhibitors as therapeutic intervention for these disorders. Further, while HDAC inhibitors are known alter chromatin structure resulting in changes in gene transcription, understanding the exact mechanisms responsible for the preclinical efficacy of these compounds remains a challenge. The potential chromatin-related and non-chromatin-related mechanisms of action of selective HDAC inhibitors will also be discussed.
Modeling In-Use Steel Stock in China’s Buildings and Civil Engineering Infrastructure Using Time-Series of DMSP/OLS Nighttime Lights
Authors: Liang Hanwei , Tanikawa Hiroki , Matsuno Yasunari , Dong Liang
Published: May 2014

China’s rapid urbanization has led to increasing steel consumption for buildings and civil engineering infrastructure. The in-use steel stock in the same is considered to be closely related to social welfare and urban metabolism. Traditional approaches for determining the in-use steel stock are labor-intensive and time-consuming processes and always hindered by the availability of statistical data. To address this issue, this study proposed the use of long-term nighttime lights as a proxy to effectively estimate in-use steel stock for buildings (IUSSB) and civil engineering infrastructure (IUSSCE) at the provincial level in China. Significant relationships between nighttime lights versus IUSSB and IUSSCE were observed for provincial variables in a single year, as well as for time series variables of a single province. However, these relationships were found to differ among provinces (referred to as “inter-individual differences”) and with time (referred to as “temporal differences”). Panel regression models were therefore proposed to estimate IUSSB and IUSSCE in consideration of the temporal and inter-individual differences based on a dataset covering 1992–2007. These models were validated using data for 2008, and the results showed good estimation for both IUSSB and IUSSCE. The proposed approach can be used to easily monitor the dynamic of IUSSB and IUSSCE in China. This should be critical in providing valuable information for policy making regarding regional development of buildings and infrastructure, sustainable urban resource management, and cross-boundary material recycling.
Semi-Supervised Learning for Ill-Posed Polarimetric SAR Classification
Authors: Uhlmann Stefan , Kiranyaz Serkan , Gabbouj Moncef
Published: May 2014

In recent years, the interest in semi-supervised learning has increased, combining supervised and unsupervised learning approaches. This is especially valid for classification applications in remote sensing, while the data acquisition rate in current systems has become fairly large considering high- and very-high resolution data; yet on the other hand, the process of obtaining the ground truth data may be cumbersome for such large repositories. In this paper, we investigate the application of semi-supervised learning approaches and particularly focus on the small sample size problem. To that extend, we consider two basic unsupervised approaches by enlarging the initial labeled training set as well as an ensemble-based self-training method. We propose different strategies within self-training on how to select more reliable candidates from the pool of unlabeled samples to speed-up the learning process and to improve the classification performance of the underlying classifier ensemble. We evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed semi-supervised learning approach over polarimetric SAR data. Results show that the proposed self-training approach using an ensemble-based classifier that is initially trained over a small training set can achieve a similar performance level of a fully supervised learning approach where the training is performed over significantly larger labeled data. Considering the difficulties of the manual data labeling in such massive volumes of SAR repositories, this is indeed a promising accomplishment for semi-supervised SAR classification.
Sustainability Reporting: An Approach to Get the Right Mix of Theory and Practicality for Local Actors
Authors: Graymore Michelle
Published: May 2014

Many local government or regional plans have “a sustainable future for our community” as a goal. However, few local or regional governments have a sustainability reporting tool in place that enables them to understand how far along the pathway to sustainability their community is. There are a range of reasons for this, including current sustainability indicators and indices not matching the needs or capacity of local actors. This paper argues that a collaborative approach to developing sustainability reporting tools, that involves sustainability experts and local actors working together, will be more successful at developing a tool that has a theoretical basis with locally relevant indicators, which is practical for informed decision making. This process will also build the sustainability reporting capacity of local actors. This collaborative approach was tested in South West Victoria, Australia, resulting in a locally relevant, practical and theoretically sound sustainability reporting tool that met the needs of local actors. This outcome shows that a collaborative approach can overcome some of the barriers to sustainability reporting for local actors; however, further testing is required.
Opportunities and Constraints of Promoting New Tree Crops—Lessons Learned from Jatropha
Authors: Achten Wouter , Sharma Navin , Muys Bart , Mathijs Erik , Vantomme Paul
Published: May 2014

It is not uncommon that new crops suddenly attract a lot and international attention from private and public actors based on their acclaimed potential to contribute to sustainable development. Such sharp increases in attention can lead to big investments and promotion campaigns to domesticate and commercialize these crops at industrial scale. However, in many cases the research of these plants is still in its infancy and investors generally lack sufficient insight into uncertainties and risks related to their investments, which consequently hold sustainability risks.
Thermal Performance of Traditional and New Concept Houses in the Ancient Village of San Pedro De Atacama and Surroundings
Authors: Palme Massimo , Guerra José , Alfaro Sergio
Published: May 2014

Earth, wood and others traditional materials are still used in house constructions in many regions of the world, especially in the Andes. San Pedro de Atacama, for example, is a small town where earth blocks (adobes) and rammed earth (tapial) are important ways to construct, an art passed on through generations. Energy properties of earth are very interesting: thermal conductivity is low; heat storage capacity is high; color is variable and can be used to absorb or to reject solar radiation. However, nowadays the government social dwelling service is proposing a different type of construction, which does not maintain any relation with the tradition. This paper presents simulation studies and monitoring of four different San Pedro houses, constructed by using different techniques and materials. Results can be used to discuss the thermal performance needed in desert climate and the reliability of social dwelling service houses, under construction at this time in the town.
Method-Based Higher Education in Sustainability: The Potential of the Scenario Method
Authors: Beecroft Richard , Schmidt Jan
Published: May 2014

Both sustainability and education are challenging process-oriented objectives. When the aim is to combine both notions, as in Higher Education in Sustainability (HES), it is indispensable to first establish a common ground between them. In this paper, we characterise this common ground in terms of four aspects: future orientation, normativity, global perspective, and theory engaged in practice. Based on an analysis of the common ground, one method that is well-established in a wide range of sustainability sciences shows high potential for use in HES because it covers all four aspects in detail: the scenario method. We argue that a didactical reconstruction of the scenario method is necessary to utilise its potential and develop adequate forms of teaching in higher education. The scenario method is used to construct and analyse a set of alternative future developments to support decisions that have to be made in the present. Didactical reconstruction reveals a spectrum of objectives for which the scenario method can be employed: (1) projection; (2) teleological planning and (3) an explorative search for possibilities not yet considered. By studying and experimenting with this spectrum of objectives, students in HES can develop fundamental reflexive competencies in addressing the future in different ways that are relevant for both sustainability and education.
La (les) vérité(s) du texte : Polly Peachum et The Beggar’s Opera à la lumière de la controverse « Clive-Cibber »
Authors: Degott Pierre
Published: May 2014

Un des événements marquants de l’hiver 1736-1737 fut certainement la controverse «Clive-Cibber » , déclenchée lorsque Susannah Cibber envisa-gea d’accéder au rôle de Polly Peachum, alors considéré comme la propriété de Kitty Clive. Le débat suscité par la participation de Cibber au Beggar’s Opera atteste un réel changement de paradigmes dans la réception d’une oeuvre déjà canonique. La nature des qualités associées à deux chanteuses-actrices que tout opposait montre en effet l’évolution de la vision d’un personnage théâtral dont la perception par la critique semble être depuis des siècles en contradiction avec le texte de Gay. Si l’arbitrage opéré en 1737 privilégie UNE vérité, l’histoire scénique du Beggar’s Opera devait confirmer qu’en littérature comme ailleurs, il y a bel et bien DES vérités.
Vérité, réalité et sincérité dans Tristram Shandy
Authors: Dromart Anne
Published: May 2014

En s’élevant contre l’hypocrisie à plusieurs reprises dans Tristram Shandy,

Laurence Sterne semble proposer une version littéraire et ludique de la distinction proposée par Locke entre truth of thought, et truth of words

(ECHU 4.5). Mais lorsque Tristram explique qu’il juge plus pardonnable de négliger la vérité que la beauté tout en faisant en sorte que le lecteur mette sa sincérité en doute, il s’interroge alors sur les attentes de tout lecteur de fiction. Le jeu sur la valeur référentielle du langage et sa capacité à dire le vrai, permet de voir que Sterne propose une réflexion sur ce qu’est la vérité et comment l’atteindre.
Tâches et énoncés complexes chez l'enfant : Jugements sémantiques et flexibilité dans le développement typique et le syndrome d'Asperger
Authors: Duvignau Karine , Bregeon Camille , Garrigou Céline , Maffre Thierry , Raynaud Jean-Philippe
Published: May 2014

Dans le domaine de l’acquisition du langage, les données concernant la production ou le traitement des énoncés non conventionnels se rapportant à des actions sont peu nombreuses. Dans le domaine ciblé du syndrome d’Asperger, d’une part, les études rapportent les difficultés des enfants à saisir ce type d’énoncés et, d’autre part, peu d’observations sont disponibles sur leurs capacités à traiter des tâches métalinguistiques réputées complexes du fait de la distance réflexive qu’elles impliquent sur les phénomènes langagiers (Authier-Revuz, 1995). Dans ce contexte, notre étude propose une description qualitative des performances d’un petit groupe d’enfants avec syndrome d’Asperger et d’un petit groupe d’enfants au développement typique, qui sont placés en situation de jugements sémantiques à partir de trois types d’énoncés : conventionnel, approximatif ou incongru.
Comparaison de phénomènes complexes en italien et en français chez des adolescents bilingues et monolingues : focus sur le texte narratif
Authors: Giuliano Patrizia
Published: May 2014

L’étude traite de la gestion de phénomènes syntaxiques et textuels complexes par des sujets bilingues (italien/français) lors de la production d’une tâche narrative orale. Le bilinguisme de nos informateurs est précoce car l’intervention de la deuxième langue, le français, remonte à l’âge de trois ans à peu près. Nos informateurs sont divisés en trois groupes : un groupe de 10 sujets bilingues interviewés auprès de l’École Française de Naples, et deux groupes monolingues de contrôle, c’est-à-dire de référence pour l’évaluation des productions linguistiques des bilingues, l’un formé par 10 sujets francophones, l’autre par 10 sujets italophones, interviewés, respectivement, en France (Avignon) et en Italie (Naples). La tâche proposée correspond à la narration à partir d’un court-métrage tiré du film Les Temps Modernes de Charlie Chaplin, que tous nos sujets ont rapporté, individuellement, à un interlocuteur qui n’avait pas vu l’extrait. Notre analyse vise à éclaircir la manière dont les trois groupes d’informateurs gèrent : (a) la complexité syntaxique, en tant qu’expression de la manière d’organiser et de hiérarchiser le contenu narratif ; (b) les relations causales, finales et chronologiques entre les événements, à savoir les facteurs qui structurent la complexité sémantique et textuelle d’une narration ; (c) la référence aux entités animées et inanimées, sans lesquelles une narration ne peut pas se produire. Les questions théoriques que nous avons soulevées sont les suivantes : Est-ce que les sujets bilingues ont recours, dans l’une aussi bien que dans l’autre langue, aux mêmes types de phénomènes complexes mobilisés par les sujets monolingues des deux langues en question ? La présence de difficultés ou de simplifications éventuelles est-elle liée au degré de complexité des phénomènes linguistiques en question ou à d’autres facteurs (cognitifs, interactionnels...) ? Les narrations en italien aussi bien qu’en français des sujets bilingues ont permis une comparaison avec les narrations des deux groupes de locuteurs natifs. Les productions de nos adolescents bilingues montrent quelques phénomènes de simplification mais pas de défaillances importantes dans aucune des langues qu’ils connaissent et emploient de façon quotidienne. Les différences identifiées dans leurs narrations, par rapport aux monolingues, se situent, en outre, au niveau de la langue et pas au niveau cognitif ou interactionnel.
Apprenants italophones aux prises avec le système de la détermination, de la passivation, et de l'ordre des mots du français. Est-ce un problème de complexité ?
Authors: Gerolimich Sonia
Published: May 2014

Dans le domaine de l’acquisition des langues étrangères on tend parfois à mettre sur le même plan complexité et difficulté. Nous nous proposons d’examiner comment se recoupent ces deux notions à travers des productions d’apprenants italophones de français de niveau avancé. Pour ce faire, nous nous penchons plus spécifiquement sur les domaines de la détermination, du passif et de l’ordre des mots, qui peuvent être considérés comme complexes à des degrés différents dans les deux langues et qui s’avèrent être des sources de difficultés pour les apprenants italophones. Nous montrons au terme de cette étude que ce n’est pas la complexité inhérente d’une langue qui est en cause mais l’écart conceptuel d’une langue par rapport à une autre. Il ressort que la difficulté des apprenants est corrélée à une difficulté de traitement, ces derniers devant « déconstruire pour reconstruire », afin d’arriver à comprendre et à intégrer les schèmes conceptuels préférentiels de la langue cible.
Important History
Authors: Shulman Stanford T
Published: May 2014

Had Washington not made this decision, we could today all be singing "God Save the Queen."
A Thirteen-Year-Old Girl With Anemia
Authors: Listernick Robert
Published: May 2014

No vomiting, diarrhea, fevers, abdominal pain, arthritis, or rashes, with a long history of constipation, encopresis, and enuresis.
The Science of Breastfeeding
Authors: Shulman Stanford T
Published: May 2014

The strong scientific evidence of the benefits of breast milk has been translated into active support for breastfeeding.
A 9-Year-Old Boy With Bizarre Behavior and Growth Delay
Authors: Listernick Robert
Published: May 2014

Voracious appetite, urinary incontinence, encopresis, and had not been seen by any physician during the past 4 years.
Focusing on Communication
Authors: Shulman Stanford T
Published: May 2014

A wide range of testing options and technology can help children develop communication skills.
A 6-week-old Infant with Irreducible Inguinal Hernia
Authors: Listernick Robert
Published: May 2014

Parents' chief complaint of irritability was unrelated to the child's most serious problem.