bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cost-Effectiveness of Image-Guided Spine Surgery
Authors: Watkins Robert Green , Gupta Akash , Watkins Robert Green
Published: August 2010

Objective:

To determine if image-guided spine surgery is cost effective.

Methods:

A prospective case series of the first 100 patients undergoing thoracolumbar pedicle screw instrumentation under image-guidance was compared to a retrospective control group of the last 100 patients who underwent screw placement prior to the use of image-guidance. The image-guidance system was NaviVision (Vector Vision-BrainLAB) and Arcadis Orbic (Siemens).

Results:

The rate of revision surgery was reduced from 3% to 0% with the use of image guidance (p=0.08). The cost savings of image guidance for the placement of pedicle screws was $71,286 per 100 cases. Time required for pedicle screw placement with image guidance was 20 minutes for 2 screws, 29 minutes for 4 screws, 38 minutes for 6 screws, and 50 min for 8 screws. Cost savings for the time required for placement of pedicle screws with image guidance can be estimated by subtracting the time required with currently used techniques without image guidance from the above averages, then multiplying by $93 per minute. The approximate costs of the navigation system is $475,000 ( $225,000 for Vector Vision-BrainLAB and $250,000 for Arcadis Orbic-Siemens).

Conclusion:

Image guidance for the placement of pedicle screws may be cost effective in spine practices with heavy volume, that perform surgery in difficult cases, and that require long surgical times for the placement of pedicle screws.
Effect of Maternal HIV-1 Status and Antiretroviral Drugs on Haematological Profiles of South African Infants in Early Life
Authors: Schramm Diana B , Anthony Fiona , Mathebula Busani , Sherman Gayle , Coovadia Ashraf , Gray Glenda E , Kuhn Louise , Tiemessen Caroline T
Published: August 2010

Maternal HIV-1 status and antiretroviral drug exposure may influence the haematological profiles of infants. We recruited infants from 118 uninfected control women and from 483 HIV-1 infected women who received no antiretroviral drugs (n=28), or received single-dose Nevirapine (sdNVP) (n=424) or triple-drug combination therapy (n=31) to reduce HIV-1 transmission. Blood was drawn from infants within 24 hours of delivery or 6-12 weeks post-delivery and full blood counts performed using a fully automated AcT-5-diff haematology analyser and reference controls. Exposed uninfected (EU; no NVP) differed from control infants only in having lower basophil counts and percentages. In all infant groups, leukocyte profiles showed characteristic quantitative changes with age in the first 6 weeks of life. HIV-1 infected infants displayed by 6 weeks elevations in white blood cells, lymphocyte, monocyte and basophil counts, and monocyte and basophil percentages, when compared to EU infants. At birth EU NVP-treated infants exhibited elevated monocyte percentages and counts and basophil counts that did not persist at 6 weeks. Interestingly, EU newborns of mothers with high CD4 counts (> 500 cells/μl) that had taken sdNVP had significantly elevated white blood cell, monocyte and basophil counts when compared to newborn infants of mothers with similar CD4 counts that had not taken sdNVP; this was not evident in infants of mothers with CD4 counts <200 cells/μl. These previously undescribed features may affect immune response capability in early life and clinical consequences of such changes need to be further investigated.
Modeling the Shape of the Dependency of Airborne Benzene Concentration in the Air on Distance to Primary Oil and Gas Facilities
Authors: Dinu Irina , Chen Yan , Burstyn Igor
Published: August 2010

The level and determinants of airborne concentrations were estimated by collecting air samples at 1206 fixed sites across a geographic area associated with primary oil and gas industry in the rural western Canada, in the provinces of Alberta, north-east British Columbia, and central and southern Sasketchewan from April 2001 to December 2002. Benzene concentrations integrated over one calendar month were determined using passive organic vapor monitors. Previous work applied linear mixed effects models to identify the determinants of airborne benzene concentrations, in particular the proximity to oil and gas facilities. We present results of a more flexible model using cubic splines to accommodate nonlinearities in the effects of determinants of airborne benzene concentrations, as well as time. Benzene concentrations exhibited monotonically increasing time trends for the months from July through December, and monotonically decreasing time trends corresponding to the months from December to July. We illustrated here how cubic splines can be used to identify complex relations between proximity to point sources of air pollution and observed extent of contamination, during the study period, and identified batteries as an important source of benzene emissions that was missed in previous analysis of the same data. These findings contribute to better understanding how positioning oil and gas facilities impacts air quality.
Reducing Future Deficits While Stimulating Today's Economy
Authors: Seidman Laurence
Published: August 2010

How Congress can reduce future deficits while stimulating today's economy? University of Delaware economist Laurence Seidman argues that legislators should enact a budget that maintains balance under normal unemployment levels, and a fiscal stimulus package with a clause that phases out the package as the economy returns to full employment.
Relating Mechanical Changes at the Glass Transition with Water Absorption Behavior of Dry Legume Seeds
Authors: Ross Kelly A. , Arntfield Susan D. , Cenkowski Stefan , Fulcher Gary R. G.
Published: August 2010

This work provides a novel view of explaining water uptake behavior commonly observed in legume seeds. A model proposed by Peleg to describe the mechanical changes in biomaterials transitioning from a glassy state to a rubbery state was used to describe water uptake by legume seeds exhibiting a lag during imbibition and to characterize the mechanical changes of the seed coat as affected by soaking time. The seeds characterized by Pelegs model possessed seed coats with a glass transition temperature higher than ambient soaking conditions. Alternatively, the water uptake behavior of legume seeds that did not exhibit a lag phase was characterized by an exponential equation used in polymer science to model solvent sorption by materials above their glass transition. A modified exponential equation was developed to model the mechanical behavior of these seed coats as affected by soaking time. Seeds characterized by the exponential equation possessed seed coats with a glass transition temperature near ambient soaking conditions. This work demonstrates, through the use of two separate models, water uptake behavior of legume seeds can be explained by the glass transition temperature of the seed coat.
Clinical, histologic, and bacteriologic findings in dairy cows with digital dermatitis (footwarts) one month after topical treatment with lincomycin hydrochloride or oxytetracycline hydrochloride
Authors: Berry Steven L. , Read Deryck H. , Walker Richard L. , Famula Thomas R.
Published: September 2010

Objective—To compare the effectiveness of lincomycin and oxytetracycline for treatment of digital dermatitis (DD) in dairy cows through gross visual examination, histologic evaluation, and bacteriologic evaluation.

Design—Randomized controlled clinical trial.

Animals—25 cows with DD lesions from a commercial Holstein dairy herd.

Procedures—Cows with DD lesions were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: topical treatment with 10 g of lincomycin hydrochloride (n = 11), topical treatment with 10 g of oxytetracycline hydrochloride (11), and no treatment (3) on days 1 and 2 (d1). Biopsy specimens were obtained for histologic examination from DD lesions prior to treatment and 28 or 31 days (d30) after treatment for histologic examination. Cows were clinically examined on d1, days 12 or 14 (d14), and d30.

Results—No difference was evident in clinical responses to lincomycin and oxytetracycline, so data were pooled; at d30, 8 of 11 of lincomycin-treated lesions and 7 of 11 oxytetracycline-treated lesions appeared visually healed, respectively. Gross visual examination suggested 73% (16/22) of treated cows were healed at d14 and 68% (15/22) of treated cows were healed on d30. Of the 15 lesions that appeared healed on d30, 7 of 15 were classified histologically as active (ulceration and bacterial invasion; 2/15) or incipient (5/15).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Clinical responses to lincomycin and oxytetracycline did not differ. Agreement was good between gross visual and histologic assessments of DD lesions before treatment; agreement 1 month after treatment was variable. Histologic evaluation could not distinguish incomplete healing from lesion recurrence.
Toward Psycho-robots
Authors: Khrennikov Andrei Yu.
Published: August 2010

We try to perform geometrization of psychology by representing mental states, “ideas,” by points of a metric space–mental space. Evolution of ideas is described by dynamical systems in metric mental space. We apply the mental space approach for modeling of flows of unconscious and conscious information in the human brain. In a series of models, Models 1-4, we consider cognitive systems with increasing complexity of psychological behavior determined by the structure of flows of ideas. Since our models are in fact models of the AI-type, one immediately recognizes that they can be used for creation of AI-systems, which we call psycho-robots, exhibiting important elements of the human psyche. Creation of such psycho-robots may be useful in the improvement of domestic robots. At the moment domestic robots are merely simple working devices (e.g. vacuum cleaners or lawn mowers). However, in future one can expect demand for systems which can not only perform simple work tasks, but also have elements of human self-developing psyche. Such AI-psyche could play an important role both in relations between psycho-robots and their owners as well as between psycho-robots. Since the presence of a huge numbers of psycho-complexes is an essential characteristic of human psychology, it would be interesting to model them in the AI-framework.
Foot problems of female medical personnel: Subjective complaints and results of the podometric test
Authors: Avota Marija , Raciborska Anita , Avots Andrejs
Published: August 2010

Foot problems of female medical personnel: Subjective complaints and results of the podometric test

The research was carried out in a multi-profile clinic where female medical workers included nurses, doctors and nurse assistants. The number of respondents included in the data analysis of this research was 102. A standardised questionnaire was used to obtain data on age group, position, body mass index, physical activities, ergonomic factors at work, performed objective foot examination methods, awareness of the ways of feet deformation correction. A computerised foot diagnostic system Pad Professional was used to objectively assess the feet condition. The podometric examination was carried out on 78 respondents. The data indicated a widespread foot problem spread among medical workers. Of 102 respondents only 10 (4.2%) had no complaints, and of 78 respondents who underwent the podometric test, none were diagnosed as having a totally healthy foot. The podometric examination showed that 65 (83.3%), which was the vast majority of respondents, had transverse arch flattening. Explicit transverse arch flattening was diagnosed in 8 (10.3%) and longitudinal arch flattening in 5 (6.4%) respondents.
Organic solvents as chemical risk factors of the work environment in different branches of industry and possible impact of solvents on workers' health
Authors: Ārija Baķe Mārīte , Eglīte Maija , Martinsone Žanna , Buiķe Inita , Piķe Anita , Sudmalis Pāvels
Published: August 2010

Organic solvents as chemical risk factors of the work environment in different branches of industry and possible impact of solvents on workers' health

The aim of our study was to investigate organic solvents as chemical risk factors of the work environment in different branches of the industry in Latvia during 1998-2006 and to evaluate the possible impact of solvents to worker health according to the exposure index. The work conditions were studied in 116 enterprises of different branches of industries in Latvia. The analysis of 1790 measurements showed that organic solvents in the work environment have different degrees of exposure probability risk on worker health. The exposure levels in workplaces differ. More than half of surveyed workplaces (56.7%) had a low organic solvent exposure probability level, in 25.2% workplaces it was medium, and in 18.1% workplaces high. The most widely used organic solvents were aromatic hydrocarbons, which was recorded in 35% of the measurements made during assessment of aromatic hydrocarbon group organic solvent exposure in the work environment. In most workplaces several solvents were present simultaneously. Since solvents have a one-way effect on the human body, the actual exposure risk level is higher than shown when evaluating the exposure index of a single solvent only.
Investigation of occupational morbidity in wood processing industry in comparison with other manufacturing industries and with occupational morbidity in Latvia at large
Authors: Eglīte Maija , Vanadziņš Ivars , Reste Jeļena , Čurbakova Elvīra , Cīrule Jolanta , Ķeire Sigita
Published: August 2010

Investigation of occupational morbidity in wood processing industry in comparison with other manufacturing industries and with occupational morbidity in Latvia at large

The aim of the study was to investigate occupational morbidity in the wood processing industry to gain understanding of the real situation of occupational health and to improve the diagnostics of occupational diseases. The occupational morbidity in Latvia has gradually increased from 1993 to 2004, with a slight decrease in 2005 and 2006 followed by an increase in 2007. In the year 2004, the number of first-time occupational diseases patients exceeded the number of occupational diseases patients registered in the year 1993 by 9.5, but the number of registered first-time incidences of occupational diseases in comparison with 1993 had increased by 14.5 times. In the manufacturing industry, wood and cork production, a trend of increasing rate of occupational diseases can also be observed in Latvia. A particularly rapid increase was observed in specific illnesses related to the musculoskeletal and connective tissue system, carpal tunnel syndrome as well as to occupational hearing loss, which might be explained by changes in the occupational risk factors. Despite an increase in the total number of occupational diseases in the industry of wood and cork products over the whole study period, these industries have lower levels of occupational diseases in comparison with occupational morbidity in such fields as health and social care, the extraction industry and quarry management, transportation and transport services, communications and telecommunications. In developed European Union countries, over the last few years, the number of occupational diseases has decreased, while there has been an increasing trend in Latvia. This can be explained by the fact that the working conditions in the European Union have been improving over the last few decades, and correspondingly the number of occupational diseases is decreasing. However, in Latvia, the diagnostics of the occupational diseases is rapidly improving, while improvement of working conditions has started relatively recently. Furthermore, the process has not been rapid, and therefore, results could be expected only in the future.
Estimation of risk factors of the work environment and analysis of employees' self estimation in the wood processing industry
Authors: Vanadziņš Ivars , Eglīte Maija , Baķe Mārīte , Sprūdža Dagmāra , Martinsone Žanna , Mārtiņsone Inese , Rusakova Ņina , Piķe Anita , Sudmalis Pāvels
Published: August 2010

Estimation of risk factors of the work environment and analysis of employees' self estimation in the wood processing industry

The aims of our study were to determine risk factors of the work environment in the wood processing industry in Latvia during 1998-2006, to conduct a survey and self- evaluation of health of the employees and to elaborate a set of preventive measures for improvement of the work environment. The work conditions in wood processing companies in Latvia over the study period were poor; of a total of 940 evaluated workplaces/processes in more than one half of cases (n = 483), the risk factors of the working environment exceeded the occupational exposure limits. Measurements made in wood processing and furniture manufacturing most frequently limiting values or recommended values of the occupational exposure were exceeded for noise, indoor air, lighting, welding spray, whole-body vibration, wood dust and other risk factors. Self-evaluation of health by employees indicates that the main health problems were pain in the back and joints, poor hearing, eye irritation, skin irritation and inflammation, chronic coughing, rhinitis, recurring windpipe inflammations, and frequent headaches. Self-evaluation of employees indicated poor diagnostics of occupational diseases and work related diseases as for 82% of the respondents with health complaints they were not confirmed with medical diagnosis.
Evaluation of work conditions and occupational health risk factors in enterprises within a 10-year period in Latvia
Authors: Sprūdža Dagmāra , Eglīte Maija , Baķe Mārīte , Martinsone Žanna , Matisāne Linda , Mārtiņsone Inese , Piķe Anita , Vanadziņš Ivars , Kluša Vija
Published: August 2010

Evaluation of work conditions and occupational health risk factors in enterprises within a 10-year period in Latvia

The objective of the study was to conduct a survey in the field of occupational health and safety the results of which could be used in rational and effective decision making for elaboration of employment and social policy programmes and for ensuring occupational safety and health programme development. During the study the following groups of people were surveyed: employers, occupational health and safety specialists, and employees. The traditional work risk factors (physical, chemical, biological) have changed to new risks (psychosocial, ergonomic, microclimatic) in Latvia today. The study included objective assessment of occupational health and safety situation (analysis of work environment risk factors measurement data bases, information on occupational diseases, workplace accidents). Results of measurements showed that one-third of measured risk factors values exceeded mandatory or recommended limits but situation has been improved during the last years (2002 compared to 2006). The results of surveys reveal insufficient assessment of risk factors in workplaces and selection of most hazardous ones only. Awareness and understanding of employers and employees regarding occupational health and safety requirements was dissatisfactory. The results of the study reveal a low level of workplace accidents compared to other countries within EU, which may be the result of poor registration system in Latvia. Strengthening of occupational safety and health normative basis and improvement of qualification of occupational physicians has increased the number of occupational diseases and patients revealed for the first time from 1996 to 2006. Early diagnose of occupational diseases and effective rehabilitation is an important question to favour a more rapid return of workforce after occupational morbidity. Study showed that attention should further be paid to simplification of legal requirements, development of alternative methods for informing and educating people, as well as recurrent definition of national indicators to assess efficacy of implemented measures related to occupational health and safety.
“Ladies’ Voices Give Pleasure”: Gossip, Drama, and Gertrude Stein
Authors: Bennett Chad
Published: September 2010

This essay argues that the idea, idiom, and performance of gossip play a formative queer role in Gertrude Stein's innovative drama. In Ladies’ Voices (1916), an exemplary early effort to listen to gossip as a formal model, Stein productively negotiates her drama's competing desires for agency and disembodiment by reimagining the voice of gossip – which belongs both to everybody (what everybody's saying) and no body in particular (you didn't hear it from me) – as a theatrical space in which one might float on the sound of dish, both courting and resisting the embodiments of identity and performance.
Long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of cervical disc replacement with the Prestige disc: results from a prospective randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Burkus J. Kenneth , Haid Regis W. , Traynelis Vincent C. , Mummaneni Praveen V.
Published: September 2010

Object

The purpose of this study was to determine long-term clinical outcomes in patients undergoing anterior cervical surgery in which a cervical disc prosthesis was used to treat single-level degenerative cervical disc disease.

Methods

In this prospective, nonblinded study, 541 patients at 32 investigational sites were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups. The results of the investigational group, in which patients received the Prestige disc prosthesis, were compared with those of the control group, in which patients underwent an instrumented interbody fusion. Data were collected preoperatively, intraoperatively, and at 1.5, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 60 months postoperatively. To date, 271 patients have completed 5 years of clinical follow-up (144 investigational and 127 control patients).

Results

Significant improvements in Neck Disability Index (NDI) scores, Physical Component Summary scores of the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, and neck and arm pain scores were achieved by 1.5 months in both groups and sustained at 5 years. The mean NDI improvements from preoperative scores were 35.4, 36.3, and 38.4 at 24, 36, and 60 months, respectively, in the investigational group. The corresponding mean NDI improvements were 33.9, 31.3, and 34.1 in the control group. The intergroup differences at both 36 and 60 months were significant (p = 0.008 and 0.022, respectively). The overall rates of maintenance or improvement in neurological status in the investigational group were 91.6%, 92.8%, and 95.0%, respectively, at 24, 36, and 60 months compared with 83.6%, 83.2%, and 88.9% in the control group (p = 0.006, 0.004, and 0.051, respectively). The implant effectively maintained angular motion, averaging more than 7.3° at 36 months and 6.5° at 60 months after surgery. No implant migration was observed up to 60 months. There were statistically significant differences between the investigational and control groups with regard to the rate of revision and supplemental fixation surgical procedures performed subsequent to the index procedure. Additional surgical procedures for adjacent-segment disease were observed in both treatment groups. Rates for surgery at adjacent levels trended lower in the investigational group (8 patients [11 surgeries]) compared with those in the control group (13 patients [16 surgeries]), but the differences were not statistically significant (p = 0.376). Some of the second surgeries involved both index and adjacent levels.

Conclusions

The Prestige disc maintains improved clinical outcomes and segmental motion after implantation at 5-year follow-up.
Low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma of the sacrum
Authors: Humphries William E. , Satyan Krishna B. , Relyea Katherine , Kim Eugene S. , Adesina Adekunle M. , Chintagumpala Murali , Jea Andrew
Published: September 2010

Myofibroblastic tumors are soft-tissue neoplasms arising from myofibroblasts, ubiquitous cells sharing ultrastructural features of muscular and fibroblastic cells. Vasudev and Harris described a malignant counterpart of these benign tumors in 1978. Most reported cases of myofibroblastic sarcoma have arisen in the head and neck region and the soft tissues of the extremities. To the best of the authors' knowledge, there have been only 8 previous reports on primary myofibroblastic sarcoma of the bone. The authors report a new case of this rare tumor affecting the sacrum and ilium of a 15-year-old girl and discuss the role of total sacrectomy and lumbopelvic reconstruction for treatment of this disease.
Diffuse and uncontrolled vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation in rapidly progressing pediatric moyamoya disease
Authors: Reid Amy J. , Bhattacharjee Meenakshi B. , Regalado Ellen S. , Milewicz Allen L. , El-Hakam Lisa M. , Dauser Robert C. , Milewicz Dianna M.
Published: September 2010

Moyamoya disease is a rare stroke syndrome of unknown etiology resulting from stenosis or occlusion of the supraclinoid internal carotid artery (ICA) in association with an abnormal vascular network in the basal ganglia. Although the highest incidence of moyamoya disease is in pediatric patients, pathology reports have been primarily limited to adult samples and describe occlusive fibrocellular lesions in the intimae of affected arteries.

We describe the case of a young girl with primary moyamoya disease who presented at 18 months of age with right hemiparesis following an ischemic stroke. Angiography showed stenosis of the distal left ICA, left middle cerebral artery, and right ICA. An emergent left-sided dural inversion was performed. Recurrent strokes and alternating hemiplegia necessitated a right dural inversion 6 months later. Nonetheless, her aggressive disease proved uniquely refractory to surgical revascularization, and she succumbed to recurrent strokes and neurological deterioration at 2.5 years of age. Pathological specimens revealed a striking bilateral occlusion of the anterior carotid circulation resulting from intimal proliferation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Most strikingly, the ascending aorta and the superior mesenteric artery demonstrated similar intimal proliferation, along with SMC proliferation in the media. The systemic pathology involving multiple arteries in this extremely young child, the first case of its kind available for autopsy, suggests that globally uncontrolled SMC proliferation, in the absence of environmental risk factors and likely resulting from an underlying genetic alteration, may be a primary etiologic event leading to moymoya disease.
Development of Treatment Technology for Dye Containing Industrial Wastewater
Authors: Mozumder M. S. I. , Islam M. A.
Published: September 2010

The removal of Congo red was carried out by heating with changing pH, using coagulant and by adsorption. Acidic pH was favorable for the removal of Congo red by heating. It is possible to remove a major portion of Congo red just by decreasing the pH (< 4).  Removal studies suggest that coagulation might be the major mode of dye removal. It is becoming a promising alternative to replace or supplement the present dye removal processes from wastewater. In these studies, removal of Congo red from aqueous solution by coagulation and flocculation was investigated. Treatment with alum and lime was found to be the most effective. Activated charcoal is also an effective adsorbent for the removal of Congo red. From the isotherm (Langmuir and Freundlich) and kinetics study we find that the Congo red-activated charcoal system has high affinity and capacity. Keywords: Congo red; Coagulation; pH; Temperature; Adsorption; Activated charcoal.  © 2010 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved.DOI: 10.3329/jsr.v2i3.4302               J. Sci. Res. 2 (3), 569-578 (2010)
Screening of Extracellular Keratinase Producing Bacteria from Feather Processing Areas in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Prasad V H. , Kumar G. , L Kartik , KV B. Rao
Published: September 2010

The aim of the current study was to isolate keratinolytic bacteria from the soil samples collected from different feather processing areas in Vellore, TN, India. The isolation was performed by serial dilution and plating method. Total eight bacteria were isolated from the collected soil samples. All isolates were screened for keratinolytic activity by Casein agar plate method, among eight bacterial isolates only one (H5) isolate showed the keratinolytic activity in Casein agar medium. H5 isolate (potential strain) was identified as Bacillus sp. by microscopic and biochemical experiments. The best enzyme activity was observed at pH 7 and temperature 30ºC.  Keywords: Keratinolytic; Spread plate method; Bacillus sp.; Bacteria. © 2010 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved. DOI: 10.3329/jsr.v2i3.4567              J. Sci. Res. 2 (3), 559-565 (2010)
HPGe Detector Energy Response Function Calculation Up to 400 keV Based on Monte Carlo Code
Authors: Rahman M. S. , Cho G.
Published: September 2010

A high purity germanium detector (HPGe) of crystal size of diameter 4.91 cm and length of 3.6 cm  was modeled in accordance with the Pop Top cryostat configuration (model no. GEM10P4). The energy response function was calculated in the air using Monte Carlo simulation with mono-energy g-ray photon up to 400 keV. The distance between the source and the front surface or end cap to detector was 20 cm and the source was assumed as an isotopic point source. The aluminum absorbing layers of thickness 0.127 cm was also taken into consideration in the simulation model. The input number of particles was 107 for each mono-energetic g-ray photon. The simulated energy response functions were verified with the measured energy response functions obtained using calibration sources in order to prove the accuracy of the modeling. The comparison between the measured energy response functions and the simulated energy response functions after normalization were also performed.  Keywords: HPGe; Gamma-ray spectrum; Monte Carlo. © 2010 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved. DOI: 10.3329/jsr.v2i3.4668                 J. Sci. Res. 2 (3), 479-483 (2010)
Synthesis¸ Characterization and Biological Activity of a Schiff Base Derived from 3-Ethoxy Salicylaldehyde and 2-Amino Benzoic acid and its Transition Metal Complexes
Authors: Mounika K. , Pragathi A. , Gyanakumari C.
Published: September 2010

A new Schiff base, 3-ethoxy salicylidene amino benzoic acid (ETSAN), has been synthesized from 3-ethoxy salicylaldehyde and 2-amino benzoic acid. Metal complexes of the Schiff base were prepared from nitrate/chloride salts of Ni(II), Co(II) Cu(II) and Zn(II) in an alcoholic medium. The complexes were non-electrolytes in dimethyl sulfoxide   solvent (DMSO). The chemical structures of the Schiff-base ligand and its metal complexes were confirmed by various spectroscopic studies like IR, UV-VIS, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, ESI-mass spectra, elemental analysis, molar conductance, thermogravimetric studies and magnetic susceptibility measurements. On the basis of elemental and spectral studies, six-coordinated geometry was assigned to these complexes. In the light of these results, it is suggested that this ligand acts as neutral and tridentate and coordinates to each metal atom by azomethine nitrogen and oxygen atoms of hydroxyl group of the 3-ethoxy salicylaldehyde, besides the hydroxyl group of the carboxyl group of 2-amino benzoic acid. The mass spectral data confirms the monomeric structure of the metal complexes while the TGA studies confirm the presence of water molecules in the complex. The free Schiff base and its complexes have been tested for their antibacterial as well as antifungal activity by using disc diffusion method and the results discussed. Keywords: Schiff base; 3-ethoxy salicylaldehyde; 2-amino benzoic acid; Metal complexes; Antibacterial activity; Antifungal activity. © 2010 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved. DOI: 10.3329/jsr.v2i3.4899                 J. Sci. Res. 2 (3), 513-524 (2010)
Enhanced Efficiency of TaON and BiOI-based Solar Cells by Au Nanoparticles
Authors: Ahmmad B. , Kurawaki J. , Leonard K. , Kusumoto Y.
Published: September 2010

Au nanoparticles were prepared by a chemical reduction method and were deposited on TaON nanoparticle or BiOI microsphere to prepare the composites of Au/TaON or Au/BiOI, respectively. The composites of Au/TaON and Au/BiOI were analyzed by UV-visible spectroscopy, XRD, and EDX. The films of these nanocomposites were prepared by a squeeze method and were applied to solar cell where Pt film was used as counter electrode. A water based solution of Ce3+/Ce4+ was used as an electrolyte. It was found that Au deposited TaON or BiOI film shows higher current (I)-voltage (V) curve under UV-visible light irradiation. Key words: Au; TaON; BiOI; Composite; Solar cell.  © 2010 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved.DOI: 10.3329/jsr.v2i3.5000         J. Sci. Res. 2 (3), 413-417 (2010)
Cutting Edge: Hematopoietic-Derived APCs Select Regulatory T Cells in Thymus
Authors: Román Eulogia , Shino Hanabuchi , Qin F. Xiao-Feng , Liu Yong Jun
Published: August 2010

Recognition of self-peptide–MHC complexes by high-affinity TCRs and CD28 signaling are critical for the development of forkhead-winged helix box transcription factor 3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in thymus. However, the type of APCs that are responsible for selecting Tregs has remained unclear. To dissect the role of hematopoietic-derived APCs (HCs) and thymic epithelial cells (TECs) in Treg selection, we constructed bone marrow chimeras with disrupted CD28/B7 signaling in the HC or TEC compartment and analyzed the generation of Tregs in the thymus. We found that both HCs and TECs were independently able to fully reconstitute the Treg population in the thymus of bone marrow chimeras. In addition, Treg selection requires the TCR signal and CD28 costimulation presented in cis on the same APC type in vivo. This study demonstrates a new role, to our knowledge, for HCs in the development of Tregs in thymus.
Secreted Immunodominant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Antigens Are Processed by the Cytosolic Pathway
Authors: Grotzke Jeff E. , Siler Anne C. , Lewinsohn Deborah A. , Lewinsohn David M.
Published: August 2010

Exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis can result in lifelong but asymptomatic infection in most individuals. Although CD8+ T cells are elicited at high frequencies over the course of infection in both humans and mice, how phagosomal M. tuberculosis Ags are processed and presented by MHC class I molecules is poorly understood. Broadly, both cytosolic and noncytosolic pathways have been described. We have previously characterized the presentation of three HLA-I epitopes from M. tuberculosis and shown that these Ags are processed in the cytosol, whereas others have demonstrated noncytosolic presentation of the 19-kDa lipoprotein as well as apoptotic bodies from M. tuberculosis-infected cells. In this paper, we now characterize the processing pathway in an additional six M. tuberculosis epitopes from four proteins in human dendritic cells. Addition of the endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi trafficking inhibitor, brefeldin A, resulted in complete abrogation of Ag processing consistent with cytosolic presentation. However, although addition of the proteasome inhibitor epoxomicin blocked the presentation of two epitopes, presentation of four epitopes was enhanced. To further examine the requirement for proteasomal processing of an epoxomicin-enhanced epitope, an in vitro proteasome digestion assay was established. We find that the proteasome does indeed generate the epitope and that epitope generation is enhanced in the presence of epoxomicin. To further confirm that both the epoxomicin-inhibited and epoxomicin-enhanced epitopes are processed cytosolically, we demonstrate that TAP transport and new protein synthesis are required for presentation. Taken together, these data demonstrate that immunodominant M. tuberculosis CD8+ Ags are processed and presented using a cytosolic pathway.
Fatal Staphylococcal Infection following Classic Dengue Fever
Authors: Araújo Stanley Almeida , Moreira Daniel Ribeiro , Veloso Juliana Marcia Ribeiro , Silva Jenaine Oliveira , Barros Vera Lucia Souza Reis , Nobre Vandack
Published: September 2010

Dengue represents an important public health issue in many tropical areas, leading to high morbidity and the employment of substantial health resources. Even though the number of fatalities related to dengue is unknown, several reports warn about the potential occurrence of severe infections and even death. The clinical spectrum of dengue is highly variable, ranging from a mild flu-like syndrome to severe disease, with shock and hemorrhage. The occurrence of bacterial superinfection, or coinfection, in patients with dengue has been noted by some authors, but the available information comes from anecdotic reports. In this study, we show the clinical and anatomopathological data of a patient infected with dengue, who subsequently died of acute multi-organic failure related to Staphylococcus aureus infection. The autopsy revealed a severe disseminated staphylococcal disease and confirmed dengue infection.
Investigating the sensitivity of high-resolution mesoscale models to microphysical parameters by the use of polarimetric radar observations
Authors: Ferretti R. , De Sanctis K. , Molini L. , Parodi A. , Montopoli M. , Marzano F. S. , Siccardi F.
Published: September 2010

Abstract. An improved methodology for investigating mesoscale model microphysics is presented and discussed for a case study. Polarimetric radar data are used to assess numerical weather prediction (NWP) model's skill in reproducing the microphysical features of severe rainfall. To this aim, an event of deep convection, developed on 20 May 2003 in the Po Valley (Italy), is analyzed. During the selected case study, two weather radars, sited in Gattatico and San Pietro Capofiume (near Bologna, Italy), detected a deep-convective and hail cell with a large inner graupel core which reached the ground, as was reported by local weather authorities and citizens. A hydrometeor classification algorithm, based on a Bayesian approach and a radar simulator model, are used to retrieve the vertical structure of the storm and characterize its ground effects. These products are used for evaluating the sensitivity of NWP models with respect to the graupel density, described in terms of the intercept parameter of the graupel size distribution and its depositional velocity. To this purpose two mesoscale NWP models, specifically COSMO-LAMI and MM5-V3, are used at high spatial resolution. Their ability in reproducing the vertical and the horizontal structure and the microphysical distribution of the major convective cell is evaluated. Both models show large sensitivity to different microphysical settings and a capability to reproduce fairly well the observed hail cell. Ground-radar reflectivity fields and the hydrometeor vertical structure are correctly simulated by both NWP models as opposed to a failure in reproducing the graupel distribution near the ground.
Capacitors with an Equivalent Oxide Thickness of <0.5 nm for Nanoscale Electronic Semiconductor Memory
Authors: Kim Seong Keun , Lee Sang Woon , Han Jeong Hwan , Lee Bora , Han Seungwu , Hwang Cheol Seong
Published: August 2010

The recent progress in the metal‐insulator‐metal (MIM) capacitor technology is reviewed in terms of the materials and processes mostly for dynamic random access memory (DRAM) applications. As TiN/ZrO2‐Al2O3‐ZrO2/TiN (ZAZ) type DRAM capacitors approach their technical limits, there has been renewed interest in the perovskite SrTiO3, which has a dielectric constant of >100, even at a thickness ∼10 nm. However, there are many technical challenges to overcome before this type of MIM capacitor can be used in mass‐production compatible processes despite the large advancements in atomic layer deposition (ALD) technology over the past decade. In the mean time, rutile structure TiO2 and Al‐doped TiO2 films might find space to fill the gap between ZAZ and SrTiO3 MIM capacitors due to their exceptionally high dielectric constant among binary oxides. Achieving a uniform and dense rutile structure is the key technology for the TiO2‐based dielectrics, which depends on having a dense, uniform and smooth RuO2 layer as bottom electrode. Although the Ru (and RuO2) layers grown by ALD using metal‐organic precursors are promising, recent technological breakthroughs using the RuO4 precursor made a thin, uniform, and denser Ru and RuO2 layer on a TiN electrode. A minimum equivalent oxide thickness as small as 0.45 nm with a low enough leakage current was confirmed, even in laboratory scale experiments. The bulk dielectric constant of ALD SrTiO3 films, grown at 370 °C, was ∼150 even with thicknesses ≤15 nm. The recent development of novel group II precursors made it possible to increase the growth rate largely while leaving the electrical properties of the ALD SrTiO3 film intact. This is an important advancement toward the commercial applications of these MIM capacitors to DRAM as well as to other fields, where an extremely high capacitor density and three‐dimensional structures are necessary.
Architecture of Supramolecular Soft Functional Materials: From Understanding to Micro‐/Nanoscale Engineering
Authors: Li Jing‐Liang , Liu Xiang‐Yang
Published: August 2010

This article gives an overview of the current progress of a class of supramolecular soft materials consisting of fiber networks and the trapped liquid. After discussing the up‐to‐date knowledge on the types of fiber networks and the correlation to the rheological properties, the gelation mechanism turns out to be one of the key subjects for this review. In this concern, the following two aspects will be focused upon: the single fiber network formation and the multi‐domain fiber network formation of this type of material. Concerning the fiber network formation, taking place via nucleation, and the nucleation‐mediated growth and branching mechanism, the theoretical basis of crystallographic mismatch nucleation that governs fiber branching and formation of three‐dimensional fiber networks is presented. In connection to the multi‐domain fiber network formation, which is governed by the primary nucleation and the subsequent formation of single fiber networks from nucleation centers, the control of the primary nucleation rate will be considered. Based on the understanding on the the gelation mechanism, the engineering strategies of soft functional materials of this type will be systematically discussed. These include the control of the nucleation and branching‐controlled fiber network formation in terms of tuning the thermodynamic driving force of the gelling system and introducing suitable additives, as well as introducing ultrasound. Finally, a summary and the outlook of future research on the basis of the nucleation‐growth‐controlled fiber network formation are given.
Solution‐Processed Zinc Oxide as High‐Performance Air‐Stable Electron Injector in Organic Ambipolar Light‐Emitting Field‐Effect Transistors
Authors: Gwinner Michael C. , Vaynzof Yana , Banger Kulbinder K. , Ho Peter K. H. , Friend Richard H. , Sirringhaus Henning
Published: August 2010

Electron injection from the source–drain electrodes limits the performance of many n‐type organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs), particularly those based on organic semiconductors with electron affinities less than 3.5 eV. Here, it is shown that modification of gold source–drain electrodes with an overlying solution‐deposited, patterned layer of an n‐type metal oxide such as zinc oxide (ZnO) provides an efficient electron‐injecting contact, which avoids the use of unstable low‐work‐function metals and is compatible with high‐resolution patterning techniques such as photolithography. Ambipolar light‐emitting field‐effect transistors (LEFETs) based on green‐light‐emitting poly(9,9‐dioctylfluorene‐alt‐benzothiadiazole) (F8BT) and blue‐light‐emitting poly(9,9‐dioctylfluorene) (F8) with electron‐injecting gold/ZnO and hole‐injecting gold electrodes show significantly lower electron threshold voltages and several orders of magnitude higher ambipolar currents, and hence light emission intensities, than devices with bare gold electrodes. Moreover, different solution‐deposited metal oxide injection layers are compared. By spin‐coating ZnO from a low‐temperature precursor, processing temperatures could be reduced to 150 °C. Ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy (UPS) shows that the improvement in transistor performance is due to reduction of the electron injection barrier at the interface between the organic semiconductor and ZnO/Au compared to bare gold electrodes.
Silica‐Gelatin Hybrids with Tailorable Degradation and Mechanical Properties for Tissue Regeneration
Authors: Mahony Oliver , Tsigkou Olga , Ionescu Claudia , Minelli Caterina , Ling Lowell , Hanly Ruth , Smith Mark E. , Stevens Molly M. , Jones Julian R.
Published: August 2010

Nature has evolved mechanisms to create a diversity of specialized materials through nanoscale organization. Inspired by nature, hybrid materials are designed with highly tailorable properties, which are achieved through careful control of their nanoscale interactions. These novel materials, based on a silica‐gelatin hybrid system, have the potential to serve as a platform technology for human tissue regeneration. Covalent interactions between the inorganic and organic constituents of the hybrid are essential to enable the precise control of mechanical and dissolution properties. Furthermore, hybrid scaffold porosity is found to highly influence mechanical properties, to the extent where scaffolds of particular strength could be specified based on their porosity. The hybrids also demonstrate a non‐cytotoxic effect when mesenchymal stem cells are cultured on the material. Cytoskeletal proteins of the cells are imaged using actin and vimentin staining. It is envisaged these hybrid materials will find a diverse application in both hard and soft tissue regenerating scaffolds.
Ferritin–Polymer Conjugates: Grafting Chemistry and Integration into Nanoscale Assemblies
Authors: Hu Yunxia , Samanta Debasis , Parelkar Sangram S. , Hong Sung Woo , Wang Qian , Russell Thomas P. , Emrick Todd
Published: August 2010

Controlled free radical polymerization chemistry is used to graft polymer chains to the corona of horse spleen ferritin (HSF) nanocages. Specifically, poly(methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) (polyMPC) and poly(PEG methacrylate) (polyPEGMA) chains are grafted onto the nanocages by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), in which the molecular weight of the polymer grafts is controlled by the monomer‐to‐initiator feed ratio. PolyMPC and polyPEGMA‐grafted ferritin show a generally suppressed inclusion into diblock copolymer films relative to native ferritin, and the polymer coating is seen to mask the ferritin nanocages from antibody recognition. The solubility of polyPEGMA‐coated ferritin in organic solvents enables its processing with polystyrene‐block‐poly(ethylene oxide) copolymers, and selective integration into the PEO domains of microphase‐separated copolymer structures.