bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cyclodextrin based nanosponges for pharmaceutical use: A review
Authors: Tejashri Gursalkar , Amrita Bajaj , Darshana Jain
Published: October 2013

Nanosponges are a novel class of hyper-crosslinked polymer based colloidal structures consisting of solid nanoparticles with colloidal sizes and nanosized cavities. These nano-sized colloidal carriers have been recently developed and proposed for drug delivery, since their use can solubilize poorly water-soluble drugs and provide prolonged release as well as improve a drug’s bioavailability by modifying the pharmacokinetic parameters of actives. Development of nanosponges as drug delivery systems, with special reference to cyclodextrin based nanosponges, is presented in this article. In the current review, attempts have been made to illustrate the features of cyclodextrin based nanosponges and their applications in pharmaceutical formulations. Special emphasis has been placed on discussing the methods of preparation, characterization techniques and applications of these novel drug delivery carriers for therapeutic purposes. Nanosponges can be referred to as solid porous particles having a capacity to load drugs and other actives into their nanocavity; they can be formulated as oral, parenteral, topical or inhalation dosage forms. Nanosponges offer high drug loading compared to other nanocarriers and are thus suitable for solving issues related to stability, solubility and delayed release of actives. Controlled release of the loaded actives and solubility enhancement of poorly water-soluble drugs are major advantages of nanosponge drug delivery systems.
Shame as a self-conscious emotion and its role in identity formation
Authors: Czub Tomasz
Published: October 2013

The paper presents a draft model of the relationship between shame, treated as one of the self-conscious emotions, and the identity formation process. Two main concepts of shame have been discussed here: shame as an adaptive emotion, in line with the evolutionary approach, and as a maladaptive emotion (in contrast to guilt), according to cognitive attribution theory. The main thesis of this paper states that shame has an essential, both constructive and maladaptive, importance for identity development and that its effect is indirect as it works through the mechanisms of emotion regulation. The destructive and disrupting influence of shame is not an immanent feature of this emotion, but it is a consequence of malfunctioning mechanisms of shame regulation. The association of shame with identity formation relates to the exploration dimensions - exploration in breadth, exploration in depth and ruminative exploration, as well as to commitment making and identification with commitment.
Identity and markers of adulthood: the relationship between two constructs
Authors: Brzezińska Anna Izabela , Piotrowski Konrad
Published: October 2013

The article presents both the classical and contemporary approaches to the analysis of identity formation. Special emphasis has been placed on the processual approach, in which identity is regarded as a dynamic construct that remains in constant, mutual relations with personal and contextual factors. Since research on identity has been predominantly based on studies conducted on individuals in adolescence and early adulthood, i.e. in the time of transition to adulthood, the article focuses on adulthood markers that may be found in this particular phase of human development. The authors have distinguished different markers of adulthood (transitions to adult roles, psychosocial maturity, sense of adulthood) and have described their links to identity. In the conclusion of the present paper, it has been stressed that future research on identity should to a large extent include factors originating from these different categories of conditions, and that researchers ought to consider the interactions of these factors as predictors of identity formation
Social participation, identity style and identity dimensions in late adolescence among students of three types of vocational schools
Authors: Kaczan Radosław , Brzezińska Anna Izabela , Wojciechowska Julita
Published: October 2013

Departing from the model suggested by Luyckx, Schwarz, Berzonsky et al. (2008), the relationships between identity and educational context, social participation, and identity information processing style were investigated. Participants were 972 students from six vocational schools in Poznań. The students, within these six schools, attended Grades I-III of three types of vocational schools: basic vocational schools (n=271), technical upper secondary schools (n=448), and specialized upper secondary schools (n=253). Three questionnaires were used: The Dimensions of Identity Development Scale (DIDS/PL), which measures five identity dimensions according to the concept of Luyckx, Schwarz, Berzonsky et al. (2008), Social Participation Questionnaire, developed by Brzezińska, Rękosiewicz and Hejmanowski (see Rękosiewicz, 2013b), enabling identification of the type of social participation, and the Polish adaptation of M. Berzonsky’s Identity Style Inventory 4 (ISI-4) authored by A. Senejko (2010), to examine identity styles. The results showed that the students from basic vocational schools and technical upper secondary schools were more often characterized by the normative identity style, whereas the students from specialized upper secondary schools manifested a greater tendency to engage themselves in exploration, both adaptive and ruminative.
The algebra of fatherhood
Authors: Dolinska Barbara
Published: October 2013

Whereas women are sure of their biological maternity, men can never be fully certain of paternity and instead need to rely on indirect cues to assess whether they are likely to be father of their putative children. According to the psychological literature, men commonly use the information on the resemblance of offspring to self as an indicator of genetic relatedness. It seems, however, that in the absence of such a resemblance, similarity between a mother and a child might be important, because a man has additional reason to doubt his own biological paternity when the child is dissimilar to his partner. This assumption has been verified in two empirical studies.
Perception of risk and risk-taking among the lucky and the luckless
Authors: Kolemba Marcin , Maciuszek Józef
Published: October 2013

The experience of good fortune and misfortune often reveals itself in the context of risk. We posed the question of whether there are differences between the lucky and the unlucky in perceiving and undertaking risky behaviours, and if these differences constitute predictors of good or ill fortune. A range of instruments were applied in the research to examine groups of lucky and unlucky individuals in respect of their propensity for taking risk, attitudes towards the risk occurring in various domains, the functions of risky behaviours and manner of taking risky decisions depending on the adopted perspective. The research results indicate a number of differences between the differentiated groups. It occurred that the lucky have a greater tendency than the unlucky to take risks, especially in the social and financial (investment) domains; they prefer instrumental risk; and they are more flexible in applying perspectives for potential outcomes when making risky decisions. We conclude that the results received can be interpreted in the context of predictors of good and bad luck.
The mixed spin-1/2 and spin-1 Ising system on a two-layer Bethe lattice
Authors: Kplé Joël , Avossevou Gabriel , Hontinfinde Félix
Published: October 2013

Two layered magnetic Bethe lattice with varying coordination number q is introduced and numerically studied via exact recursion relations within a pairwise approach. The system is influenced by competing interlayer and intralayer nearest-neighbour (NN) coupling interactions and also by the crystal and external magnetic fields. Cases where both layers are ferromagnetic or one is ferro and the other antiferromagnetic are considered. System configurations’ energy calculations are used to devise some ground state phase diagrams that have proven useful for the investigation of the very low temperature behaviour of the model. Analysis of the thermal behaviours of the total magnetization within the model parameters’ space yield interesting phase diagrams which display fascinating properties, in particular the presence of tricritical points. Increasing negative values of the crystal field strength stabilizes the disordered paramagnetic phase and sometimes gives rise to wavy transition lines.
Experimental investigation of supersonic flow over elliptic surface
Authors: Zhang Qinghu , Yi Shihe , He Lin , Zhu Yangzhu , Chen Zhi
Published: October 2013

The coherent structures of flow over a compression elliptic surface are experimentally investigated in a supersonic low-noise wind tunnel at Mach Number 3 using nano-tracer planar laser scattering (NPLS) and particle image velocimetry (PIV) techniques. High spacial resolution images and the average velocity profiles of both laminar inflow and turbulent inflow over the testing model were captured. From statistically significant ensembles, spatial correlation analysis of both cases is performed to quantify the mean size and orientation of large structures. The results indicate that the mean structure is elliptical in shape and structure angles in separated region of laminar inflow are slightly smaller than that of turbulent inflow. Moreover, the structure angle of both cases increases with its distance away from from the wall. POD analysis of velocity and vorticity fields is performed for both cases. The energy portion of the first mode for the velocity data is much larger than that for the vorticity field. For vorticity decompositions, the contribution from the first mode for the laminar inflow is slightly larger than that for the turbulent inflow and the cumulative contributions for laminar inflow converges slightly faster than that for turbulent inflow
Comparison of methods for detection of four common nosocomial pathogens on hospital textiles
Authors: Fijan Sabina , Turk Sonja Šostar , Rozman Urška
Published: October 2013

Introduction: Although the most common vehicle for transmission of health-care acquired infections is the personto- person transmission route, the role of environment should not be ignored and hospital linen may contribute to the spreading of nosocomial infections. The contact plate method and swabbing are common methods for sampling microorganisms on textiles; however, results are available after two days as they are based on incubation followed by phenotype identification. An important alternative is using quick wash-off methods followed by PCR detection, which shortens the identification process from two days to a few hours.

Methods:The following test microorganisms at different concentrations were inoculated onto textile swatches and dried overnight: Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Clostridium difficile. RODAC plate sampling as well as a non-destructive wash-off method for capturing microorganisms from the textiles using a Morapex device were used. The elution suspension from the Morapex device was used for two methods. In the first method, classical incubation on selective media followed by phenotypic identification was used and in the second method DNA was extracted from the elution suspension followed by amplification and agarose gel electrophoresis to visualize amplified products.

Conclusions:All chosen bacteria were found using all methods. However, the most sensitive proved to be detection using PCR amplification as we detected the sample with initial concentration of 102 cfu/mL inoculated onto the textile surface before drying. The final detectable recovered bacterial concentration on textiles was up to 10 cfu/mL.
Tick-borne encephalitis in Slovenia (1953-2013): the 60th anniversary
Authors: Slavec Zvonka Zupanič , Medvešček Alenka Radšel , Slavec Ksenija
Published: October 2013

Izvleček

Uvod: Leta 2013 mineva 60 let od izolacije virusa klopnega meningoencefalitisa (KME) v Sloveniji. Od takrat se slovenski infektologi, epidemiologi, virologi in drugi strokovnjaki strokovno in znanstvenoraziskovalno ukvarjajo s proučevanjem KME.

Metode: Ob jubileju so s historiografskimi metodami analizirali objave skozi ta čas in pripravili retrospektivno študijo pojavljanja te bolezni pri nas.

Rezultati: V nekaterih delih Slovenije se je v letih po drugi svetovni vojni začela pojavljati bolezen osrednjega živčevja, ki je do tedaj niso poznali. Leta 1953 so Milko Bedjanič in Slava Rus, oba infektologa, ter virologinja Jelka Vesenjak Zmijanac z osamitvijo virusa iz krvi bolnice dokazali, da je ta bolezen KME. Virologi so v naslednjih letih proučevali povzročitelja KME; številni epidemiologi so raziskovali njegove epidemiološke značilnost, entomologi in ornitologi ekosisteme arbovirusnih okužb, infektologi klinične in laboratorijske značilnosti okužb in potek okužb ter morebitne posledice bolezni. Mikrobiologi so izpopolnjevali možnosti diagnostike te okužbe. Razvili so tudi uspešno cepivo in zakonsko so določene skupine, ki se morajo obvezno cepiti.

Zaključki: Bolezen se je pri Slovencih ustalila kot endemski tip KME, ki jo kliniki sicer dobro obvladujejo, a je skupen trud epidemiologov in javnega zdravja usmerjen v zvišanje precepljenosti proti KME, saj je v Sloveniji ta odstotek zelo nizek in se bolezen še vedno prekomerno pojavlja.
Grade-School Children’s Social Collaborative Skills
Authors: Ladd Gary W. , Kochenderfer-Ladd Becky , Visconti Kari Jeanne , Ettekal Idean , Sechler Casey M. , Cortes Khaerannisa I.
Published: October 2013

Little is known about the skills children need to successfully collaborate with classmates on academic assignments. The purposes of this study were to identify grade-schoolers’ collaborative skills, evaluate the importance of identified skills for collaborative work, and determine whether differences in skill use were related to children’s social and scholastic competence. Initially, third through fifth graders ( N = 113) described attributes of “good” collaborators, and these attributes were distilled into distinct skill categories or “types.” Next, third through fifth graders ( N = 212) rated exemplars of each skill type as a basis for skill importance and peers’ skill use and provided data that were used to construct measures of work partner preference and peer acceptance. Teachers reported on participants’ achievement in multiple academic domains. Four categories of work-related and interpersonal skills were identified, and these skill types were differentially associated with children’s work partner preferences, peer acceptance, and achievement. Overall, the findings help to specify the types of skills grade-schoolers need to relate effectively with classmates in the context of collaborative academic tasks.
Emergy Evaluation of the Urban Solid Waste Handling in Liaoning Province, China
Authors: Liu Gengyuan , Yang Zhifeng , Chen Bin , Zhang Yan , Su Meirong , Zhang Lixiao
Published: October 2013

Waste management is a distinct practice aimed at reducing its effects on health and the environment and increasing energy and material recovery. The urban waste management industry has been slow to adopt new technologies, such as sanitary landfills and incineration, which enable better treatment results. The aim of a thorough ecological-economic evaluation of different treatment technologies is to extract the maximum practical benefits from investments and to ensure the minimum environmental impacts of wastes. This paper compares four garbage treatment systems, including sanitary landfills systems, fluidized bed incineration system, grate type incineration system and the current landfills system in Liaoning Province, China. By considering the economic and environmental impacts of waste treatment and disposal, impact of emissions, and contribution of wastes input, this paper constructed an emergy-based urban solid waste model for evaluating the sustainability of the holistic systems. The results in Liaoning indicate that the human health losses caused by the harmful air emissions are ranked in this order: fluidized bed incineration > grate type incineration > current landfills > sanitary landfills, while the ecosystem losses are ranked: grate type incineration > fluidized bed incineration > sanitary landfills > current landfills. The electricity yield ratios are ranked: grate type incineration > fluidized bed incineration > sanitary landfills > current landfills. Taken together this suggests that in considering the incineration option, decision makers must weigh the benefits of incineration against the significant operating costs, potential environmental impacts, and technical difficulties of operating. Emergy analysis of the urban solid treatment systems can provide a set of useful tools which can be used to compare the comprehensive performances of different waste treatment processes for decision-making and optimizing the whole process.
Ba-Doped Iron Oxide as a New Material for NO2 Detection
Authors: Lopez Christian , Baroni Chiara , Tulliani Jean-Marc
Published: October 2013

Various compositions of barium-doped hematite between pure hematite (α-Fe2O3) and pure barium hexaferrite (BaFe12O19) were synthesized by solid state reaction. The XRD analyses confirmed the progressive evolution of the two crystalline phases. Tests as humidity sensors show that the electrical resistance of samples containing high proportions of hexaferrite phase is strongly influenced. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analyses under air or argon revealed an intrinsic semiconducting behavior for hematite and samples doped with 3 and 4 wt % equivalent BaO. The samples containing higher proportions of barium exhibited an extrinsic semiconducting behavior characterized by a variation of the conductivity with the oxygen partial pressure. This study allowed us to define the percolation threshold of the barium hexaferrite crystalline phase in the hematite matrix. The value was estimated to hematite doped with 5 wt % BaO, i.e., 36 wt % of barium hexaferrite phase. EIS analyses under various NO2 partial pressures confirmed the sensitivity of these materials. The linearity of the response was particularly evident for the 5, 10 and 14 wt % samples.
Application of Double-Difference Seismic Tomography to Carbon Sequestration Monitoring at the Aneth Oil Field, Utah
Authors: Slaker Brent , Westman Erik , Luxbacher Kray , Ripepi Nino
Published: October 2013

Double difference seismic tomography was performed using travel time data from a carbon sequestration site at the Aneth oil field in southeast Utah as part of a Department of Energy initiative on monitoring, verification, and accounting (MVA) of sequestered CO2. A total of 1211 seismic events were recorded from a borehole array consisting of 23 geophones. Artificial velocity models were created to determine the likelihood of detecting a CO2 plume with an unfavorable event and receiver arrangement. In tests involving artificially modeled ray paths through a velocity model, ideal event and receiver arrangements clearly show velocity reductions. When incorporating the unfavorable event and station locations from the Aneth Unit into synthetic models, the ability to detect velocity reductions is greatly diminished. Using the actual, recorded travel times, the Aneth Unit results show differences between a synthetic baseline model and the travel times obtained in the field, but the differences do not clearly indicate a region of injected CO2. MVA accuracy and precision may be improved through the use of a receiver array that provides more comprehensive ray path coverage, and a more detailed baseline velocity model.
Manifestations of Fasting-Induced Fatty Liver and Rapid Recovery from Steatosis in Voles Fed Lard or Flaxseed Oil Lipids
Authors: Mustonen Anne-Mari , Kärjä Vesa , Kilpiö Michael , Tammi Raija , Tammi Markku , Rouvinen-Watt Kirsti , Halonen Toivo , Nieminen Petteri
Published: October 2013

Long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) can have beneficial effects against fat deposition, cardiovascular diseases, and liver steatosis. We investigated how diets based on lard (predominantly saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids) or flaxseed oil (rich in 18:3n-3) affect liver fat-% and fatty acid profiles of tundra voles (Microtus oeconomus). We also studied potential participation of hyaluronan (HA) in the pathology of fatty liver and whether the development and recovery of fasting-induced steatosis are influenced by n-3 PUFA. The dietary fatty acid composition was manifested in the liver fatty acid signatures. Fasting for 18 h induced macrovesicular steatosis and the liver fat-% increased to 22% independent of the preceding diet. Fasting-induced steatosis did not involve inflammation or connective tissue activation indicated by the absence of both leukocyte accumulation and increased HA. Food deprivation modified the liver fatty acid signatures to resemble more closely the diets. Fasting reduced the proportions of long-chain n-3 PUFA in both dietary regimes and n-3/n-6 PUFA ratios in the lard-fed voles. Decreases in long-chain n-3 PUFA may promote lipid accumulation by modulating the expression of lipid-metabolizing genes. Dietary 18:3n-3 did not prevent the development or attenuate the manifestation of steatosis in the fasted voles or promote the recovery.
Iron, Human Growth, and the Global Epidemic of Obesity
Authors: Sangani Rahul , Ghio Andrew
Published: October 2013

Iron is an essential nutrient utilized in almost every aspect of cell function and its availability has previously limited life. Those same properties which allow iron to function as a catalyst in the reactions of life also present a threat via generation of oxygen-based free radicals. Accordingly; life exists at the interface of iron-deficiency and iron-sufficiency. We propose that: (1) human life is no longer positioned at the limits of iron availability following several decades of fortification and supplementation and there is now an overabundance of the metal among individuals of many societies; (2) this increased iron availability exerts a positive effect on growth by targeting molecules critical in regulating the progression of the cell cycle; there is increased growth in humans provided greater amounts of this metal; and indices of obesity can positively correlate with body stores of iron; and (3) diseases of obesity reflect this over-abundance of iron. Testing potential associations between iron availability and both obesity and obesity-related diseases in populations will be difficult since fortification and supplementation is so extensively practiced.
Preparation and Characterization of Molecularly Imprinted Polymer as SPE Sorbent for Melamine Isolation
Authors: Yusof Nor , Rahman Siti , Hussein Mohd , Ibrahim Nor
Published: October 2013

In this paper, a separation procedure combining molecularly imprinted-solid phase extraction (MI-SPE) was developed for the isolation of melamine. The molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was prepared using precipitation polymerization method where melamine as template, 9-vinylcarbazole as functional monomer, ethtylene glycol dimethacrylate as a cross-linker and benzoyl peroxide as initiator. An off-line MI-SPE method followed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography detection of melamine was established. MIP showed a better affinity toward melamine compared to non imprinted polymer (NIP) with a maximum binding capacity of 53.01 mg/g MIP. Based on the correlation coefficients, the kinetic study indicated that the adsorption of melamine by MIP fit a pseudo-second order model. From isotherm study, adsorption of melamine by MIP increased when the concentration of melamine increased and followed a Freundlich isotherm model, which indicates the sorption can be described by multilayer sorption. The interference study proved that MIP has better binding capacity towards melamine if compared to NIP due to specific sites of melamine occurred in MIP particles.
Clermont Preferred Future: Stakeholder Reflections on a Community Foresight and Planning Initiative
Authors: Parsons Richard , Lederwasch Aleta , Moffat Kieren
Published: October 2013

This paper demonstrates the potential of the mining industry to contribute to social development (community building, resilience and wellbeing) and to economic transitioning post-mining. A number of factors may facilitate the realisation of this potential, in particular community engagement activities that build community resilience and capacity to adapt to changing environments. This paper reviews a community foresight initiative, named Clermont Preferred Future (CPF), which is associated with a coal mine development in the town of Clermont in Queensland, Australia. The purpose of CPF, which was adopted in 2008 and is intended to continue to 2020, is to facilitate a transition to a prosperous and sustainable future by leveraging opportunities from coal mining while reducing dependence on the industry. CPF has been cited as a successful model of engagement and community development, and was highly commended in the Community Economic Development category at the 2011 Australian National Awards for Economic Development Excellence. This review draws on the experiences of stakeholders involved in CPF, and on foresight, community engagement, and community development literature. It identifies what has worked well, what has fallen short of the project’s rhetorical aspirations, and how processes and outcomes might be improved. It also trials artwork as an engagement tool. The findings are valuable for Clermont specifically, but also for the mining industry and mining communities more broadly, as well as for other industries in the context of community engagement and strategic planning.
Estimation of Actual Evapotranspiration along the Middle Rio Grande of New Mexico Using MODIS and Landsat Imagery with the METRIC Model
Authors: Trezza Ricardo , Allen Richard , Tasumi Masahiro
Published: October 2013

Estimation of actual evapotranspiration (ET) for the Middle Rio Grande valley in central New Mexico via the METRIC surface energy balance model using MODIS and Landsat imagery is described. MODIS images are a useful resource for estimating ET at large scales when high spatial resolution is not required. One advantage of MODIS satellites is that images having a view angle < ~15° are potentially available about every four to five days. The main challenge of applying METRIC using MODIS is the selection of the two calibration conditions due to the low spatial resolution of MODIS. A calibration procedure specific to MODIS is described that utilizes the higher vegetation index areas of the image along with a consistently low ET location to develop the estimation function for sensible heat flux. This paper compares ET images for the Rio Grande region as produced by both MODIS and by Landsat. Application of METRIC energy balance processes along the Middle Rio Grande using MODIS imagery indicates that one can successfully produce monthly and annual ET estimates that are similar in value to those obtained using Landsat imagery if a cross-calibration scheme is considered. However, spatial fidelity is degraded.
Towards a Chemiresistive Sensor-Integrated Electronic Nose: A Review
Authors: Chiu Shih-Wen , Tang Kea-Tiong
Published: October 2013

Electronic noses have potential applications in daily life, but are restricted by their bulky size and high price. This review focuses on the use of chemiresistive gas sensors, metal-oxide semiconductor gas sensors and conductive polymer gas sensors in an electronic nose for system integration to reduce size and cost. The review covers the system design considerations and the complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor integrated technology for a chemiresistive gas sensor electronic nose, including the integrated sensor array, its readout interface, and pattern recognition hardware. In addition, the state-of-the-art technology integrated in the electronic nose is also presented, such as the sensing front-end chip, electronic nose signal processing chip, and the electronic nose system-on-chip.
Assessment of the Functional Regions of the Superantigen Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B
Authors: Zhang Lily , Rogers Thomas
Published: October 2013

The functional activity of superantigens is based on capacity of these microbial proteins to bind to both the β-chain of the T cell receptor (TcR) and the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II dimer. We have previously shown that a subset of the bacterial superantigens also binds to a membrane protein, designated p85, which is expressed by renal epithelial cells. This binding activity is a property of SEB, SEC1, 2 and 3, but not SEA, SED, SEE or TSST. The crystal structure of the tri-molecular complex of the superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) with both the TcR and class II has previously been reported. However, the relative contributions of regions of the superantigen to the overall functional activity of this superantigen remain undefined. In an effort to better define the molecular basis for the interaction of SEB with the TcR β-chain, we report studies here which show the comparative contributions of amino- and carboxy-terminal regions in the superantigen activity of SEB. Recombinant fusion proteins composed of bacterial maltose-binding protein linked to either full-length or truncated toxins in which the 81 N-terminal, or 19 or 34 C-terminal amino acids were deleted, were generated for these studies. This approach provides a determination of the relative strength of the functional activity of the various regions of the superantigen protein.
Foamy Virus Vectors for HIV Gene Therapy
Authors: Olszko Miles , Trobridge Grant
Published: October 2013

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has vastly improved outcomes for patients infected with HIV, yet it is a lifelong regimen that is expensive and has significant side effects. Retroviral gene therapy is a promising alternative treatment for HIV/AIDS; however, inefficient gene delivery to hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) has so far limited the efficacy of this approach. Foamy virus (FV) vectors are derived from non-pathogenic viruses that are not endemic to the human population. FV vectors have been used to deliver HIV-inhibiting transgenes to human HSCs, and they have several advantages relative to other retroviral vectors. These include an attractive safety profile, broad tropism, a large transgene capacity, and the ability to persist in quiescent cells. In addition, the titers of FV vectors are not reduced by anti-HIV transgenes that affect the production of lentivirus (LV) vectors. Thus FV vectors are very promising for anti-HIV gene therapy. This review covers the advantages of FV vectors and describes their preclinical development for anti-HIV gene therapy.
Evolution of Specific Antibodies and Proviral DNA in Milk of Small Ruminants Infected by Small Ruminant Lentivirus
Authors: Barquero Nuria , Gomez-Lucia Esperanza , Arjona Alvaro , Toural Cristina , Heras Alfonso , Fernández-Garayzabal José , Domenech Ana
Published: October 2013

The diagnosis of Small Ruminant Lentivirus (SRLV) is based on clinical signs, pathological lesions and laboratory testing. No standard reference test for the diagnosis of maedi visna has been validated up to the present, and it is puzzling that tests which detect antibodies against the virus and tests which detect the proviral genome may render opposite results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence in milk throughout a lactation period of specific antibodies by ELISA and of SRLV proviral DNA by a PCR of the highly conserved pol region. A six-month study was conducted with the milk of 28 ewes and 31 goats intensively reared. The percentage of animals with antibodies against SRLV increased throughout the study period. Seroprevalence in sheep was 28% at the beginning of the study and by the end it had increased up to 52.4%. In goats, initial seroprevalence of 5.6% increased to 16%. The percentage of PCR positive ewes was stable throughout the study period. Of the positive sheep, 21.4% were PCR-positive before antibodies could be detected and most of them became PCR-negative shortly after the first detection of antibodies. This might suggest that antibodies have a neutralizing effect. In addition, an equal percentage of sheep were always PCR-negative but either became ELISA-positive or was always ELISA-positive, which might support this hypothesis. On the other hand, the PCR results in goats did not follow any pattern and oscillated between 35.3% and 55.6% depending on the month. Most goats positive by PCR failed to develop antibodies in the 6 months tested. We may conclude that the infection and the antibody response to it follow a different trend in sheep and goats.
O Sangue da Terra. Novas Perspectivas da Historiografia Brasileira
Authors: Torres Montenegro Antonio
Published: October 2013

RÉSUMÉ- L'histoire orale connaît au Brésil un rapide développement qui résulte en grande partie des nouveaux paradigmes de l'histoire aujourd'hui plus attentive aux secteurs dominés de la société, sans voix dans les archives traditionnelles. La recherche qui est évoquée ici résulte de dizaines d'entretiens avec des veuves de travailleurs ruraux assassinés lors de conflits de la terre dans le Maranhão. En exhumant des faits particulièrement tragiques, elle constitue un de documents les plus importants de notre histoire récente.
Determinants and Perceived Outcomes of Tourism Research Collaboration
Authors: Zehrer Anita , Benckendorff Pierre
Published: October 2013

Research collaboration has become increasingly common in the tourism field. Although there have been a number of studies on research collaboration, relatively little attention has been given to conceptualizing or measuring the determinants and outcomes of collaboration at an individual
level. The purpose of this study is to propose a research collaboration model (structural equation modeling) that describes the drivers and perceived outcomes of collaboration. The article is based on a review of the relevant literature and an empirical Internet-based survey conducted with
tourism researchers. Results show that collaboration is mainly driven by personal factors such as the need to increase one's efficiency to make progress more rapidly, to reduce isolation, and to gain travel opportunities. In terms of outcomes, there is a perception among tourism researchers
that research collaboration improves quality, overall productivity, and esteem and visibility within the academic community. The study represents an initial attempt to conceptualize and measure research collaboration. Our interest is to offer a foundation for further research and encourage
refinement and retesting of the model presented here.
An afebrile heartwater-like syndrome in goats
Authors: Leask Rhoda , Pettey Kenneth P. , Bath Gareth F.
Published: October 2013

Heartwater is a serious limiting factor for sheep and goat production in the major endemic area of sub-Saharan Africa and therefore most knowledge, research and control methods originate from this region. Whilst the usual or common clinical presentations can be used to make a presumptive diagnosis of heartwater with a good measure of confidence, this is not always the case, and animals suffering from heartwater may be misdiagnosed because their cases do not conform to the expected syndrome, signs and lesions. One aberrant form found occasionally in the Channel Island breeds of cattle and some goats is an afebrile heartwaterlike syndrome. The most constant and characteristic features of this heartwater-like syndrome comprise normal temperature, clinical signs associated with generalised oedema, and nervous signs, especially hypersensitivity. The presumption that the disease under investigation is the afebrile heartwater-like syndrome entails a tentative diagnosis based on history and clinical signs and the response to presumed appropriate treatment (metadiagnosis). The afebrile heartwater-like syndrome presents similarly to peracute heartwater but without the febrile reaction. Peracute cases of heartwater have a high mortality rate, enabling confirmation of the disease on post-mortem examination. Recognition of the afebrile heartwater-like syndrome is important to prevent deaths and identify the need for appropriate control measures.
Unilateral sternocostoclavicular hyperostosis in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis: A case report with color Doppler ultrasonogram findings
Authors: Mondal Sumantro , Sinha Debanjali , Nag Arijit , Ghosh Alakendu
Published: October 2013

Sternocostoclavicular hyperostosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting the sternoclavicular joint and upper ribs. There is a strong association with seronegative spondyloarthropathy in which bilateral involvement is common. Ultrasonography and Color Doppler findings of this entity have not been described previously, to the best of our knowledge. We describe the findings in a patient of ankylosing spondylitis who was referred for unilateral sternoclavicular joint swelling.
Using the head as a mould for cranioplasty with methylmethacrylate
Authors: Bot G. M. , Ismail N. J. , Usman B. , Shilong D. J. , Obande J. O. , Aliu S. , Sale D. , Shehu B. B.
Published: October 2013

Methacrylate is a valuable tool to the neurosurgeon, even though it is currently being replaced by custom bone. During cranioplasty in the absence of custom bone, which is preformed based on the patients imaging, one has to make a cast to cover the cranial defect with or without the use of a mould. A good artificial skull outline is necessary for prevention of implant extrusion and acceptable cosmetic outcome. Using the patients head as a mould is a simple, cheap, and useful technique. An incision is made, and either a craniectomy or an attempt at skull elevation or separation of the scalp from dura is done based on the indication for the cranioplasty. The methacrylate monomer is mixed with its solvent. It is placed in between a sliced glove and then thinned out. Several layers of drapes are placed on the patients head, the acrylate which is in between the gloves is then placed on the drapes. As soon as it starts setting and the required shape obtained, it is removed and place on the sterile tray. It is then anchored and the wound closed. This technique produces good cosmetic outcome. However, the head must be properly protected from the risk of burns from the exothermic reaction. The technique is described in a 40‑year‑old driver who had a compound depressed skull fracture. He had a methylmethacrylate cranioplasty in the 9th week post trauma after allowing for wound healing. We recommend that this technique may be used in centers where custom bone is either too expensive or not available during cranioplasty in order to obtain a good outcome.
Vitamin D deficiency rickets presenting as pseudotumor cerebri
Authors: Zaki Syed Ahmed , Lad Vijay , Abdagire Nitinkumar
Published: October 2013

Pseudotumor cerebri is a condition of elevated intracranial pressure in the absence of clinical, laboratory or radiological evidence of an intracranial space‑occupying lesion. Various associations with pseudotumor cerebri have been made in literature. We report the case of a five‑month‑old female infant with vitamin D deficiency rickets, who presented with pseudotumor cerebri. Her cerebrospinal fluid examination was normal, with a high opening pressure of 330 mmH2O. Her computed tomography scan was normal. After lumbar puncture the anterior fontanelle came at level. Her investigations revealed vitamin D deficiency. She was started on acetazolamide, calcitriol sachets, and calcium supplements. She became asymptomatic in three days and was discharged. Through this case we wish to highlight this unusual presentation of vitamin D deficiency rickets appearing as pseudotumor cerebri.
Late onset of atypical paroxysmal non-kinesigenic dyskinesia with remote history of Graves’ disease
Authors: Rana Abdul Qayyum , Nadeem Ambreen , Yousuf Muhammad Saad , Kachhvi Zakerabibi M.
Published: October 2013

Paroxysmal non-kinesigenic dyskinesia (PNKD) is a rare hyperkinetic movement disorder and falls under the category of paroxysmal movement disorders. In this condition, episodes are spontaneous, involuntary, and involve dystonic posturing with choreic and ballistic movements. Attacks last for minutes to hours and rarely occur more than once per day. Attacks are not typically triggered by sudden movement, but may be brought on by alcohol, caffeine, stress, fatigue, or chocolate. We report a patient with multiple atypical features of PNKD. She had a 7-year history of this condition with onset at the age of 59, and a remote history of Graves’ disease requiring total thyroidectomy. The frequency of attacks in our case ranged from five to six times a day to a minimum of twice per week, and the duration of episode was short, lasting not more than 2 min. Typically, PNKDs occur at a much younger age and have longer attack durations with low frequency. Administering clonazepam worked to reduce her symptoms, although majority of previous research suggests that pharmacological interventions have poor outcomes.
What is next after transfer of care from hospital to home for stroke patients? Evaluation of a community stroke care service based in a primary care clinic
Authors: Abdul Aziz Aznida Firzah , Mohd Nordin Nor Azlin , Aljunid Syed Mohamed , Abdul Aziz Aznida Firzah , Abd Aziz Noor Azah , Ali Mohd Fairuz , Mohd Nordin Nor Azlin , Sulong Saperi
Published: October 2013

Context: Poststroke care in developing countries is inundated with poor concordance and scarce specialist stroke care providers. A primary care‑driven health service is an option to ensure optimal care to poststroke patients residing at home in the community. Aims: We assessed outcomes of a pilot long‑term stroke care clinic which combined secondary prevention and rehabilitation at community level. Settings and Design: A prospective observational study of stroke patients treated between 2008 and 2010 at a primary care teaching facility. Subjects and Methods: Analysis of patients was done at initial contact and at 1‑year post treatment. Clinical outcomes included stroke risk factor(s) control, depression according to Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ9), and level of independence using Barthel Index (BI). Statistical Analysis Used: Differences in means between baseline and post treatment were compared using paired t‑tests or Wilcoxon‑signed rank test. Significance level was set at 0.05. Results: Ninety‑one patients were analyzed. Their mean age was 62.9 [standard deviation (SD) 10.9] years, mean stroke episodes were 1.30 (SD 0.5). The median interval between acute stroke and first contact with the clinic 4.0 (interquartile range 9.0) months. Mean systolic blood pressure decreased by 9.7 mmHg (t = 2.79, P = 0.007), while mean diastolic blood pressure remained unchanged at 80mmHg (z = 1.87, P = 0.06). Neurorehabilitation treatment was given to 84.6% of the patients. Median BI increased from 81 (range: 2−100) to 90.5 (range: 27−100) (Z = 2.34, P = 0.01). Median PHQ9 scores decreased from 4.0 (range: 0−22) to 3.0 (range: 0−19) though the change was not significant (Z= −0.744, P = 0.457). Conclusions: Primary care‑driven long‑term stroke care services yield favorable outcomes for blood pressure control and functional level.
Evaluation and Optimisation of Incremental Processors
Authors: Okko Buß Timo Baumann , Schlangen David
Published: October 2013

Incremental spoken dialogue systems, which process user input as it unfolds, pose additional engineering challenges compared to more standard non-incremental systems: Their processing components must be able to accept partial, and possibly subsequently revised input, and must produce output that is at the same time as accurate as possible and delivered with as little delay as possible. In this article, we define metrics that measure how well a given processor meets these challenges, and we identify types of gold standards for evaluation. We exemplify these metrics in the evaluation of several incremental processors that we have developed. We also present generic means to optimise some of the measures, if certain trade-offs are accepted. We believe that this work will help enable principled comparison of components for incremental dialogue systems and portability of results.
Incremental interpretation and prediction of utterance meaning for interactive dialogue
Authors: DeVault David , Sagae Kenji , Traum David
Published: October 2013

We present techniques for the incremental interpretation and prediction of utterance meaning in dialogue systems. These techniques open possibilities for systems to initiate responsive overlap behaviors during user speech, such as interrupting, acknowledging, or completing a user's utterance while it is still in progress. In an implemented system, we show that relatively high accuracy can be achieved in understanding of spontaneous utterances before utterances are completed. Further, we present a method for determining when a system has reached a point of maximal understanding of an ongoing user utterance, and show that this determination can be made with high precision. Finally, we discuss a prototype implementation that shows how systems can use these abilities to strategically initiate system completions of user utterances. More broadly, this framework facilitates the implementation of a range of overlap behaviors that are common in human dialogue, but have been largely absent in dialogue systems.
Incrementality and intention-recognition in utterance processing
Authors: Gregoromichelaki Eleni , Kempson Ruth , Purver Matthew , Mills Gregory J. , Cann Ronnie , Meyer-Viol Wilfried , Healey Patrick G. T.
Published: October 2013

Ever since dialogue modelling first developed relative to broadly Gricean assumptions about utter-ance interpretation (Clark, 1996), it has remained an open question whether the full complexity of higher-order intention computation is made use of in everyday conversation. In this paper we examine the phenomenon of split utterances, from the perspective of Dynamic Syntax, to further probe the necessity of full intention recognition/formation in communication: we do so by exploring the extent to which the interactive coordination of dialogue exchange can be seen as emergent from low-level mechanisms of language processing, without needing representation by interlocutors of each other’s mental states, or fully developed intentions as regards messages to be conveyed. We thus illustrate how many dialogue phenomena can be seen as direct consequences of the grammar architecture, as long as this is presented within an incremental, goal-directed/predictive model.
Creating Conversational Characters Using Question Generation Tools
Authors: Yao Xuchen , Tosch Emma , Chen Grace , Nouri Elnaz , Artstein Ron , Leuski Anton , Sagae Kenji , Traum David
Published: October 2013

This article describes a new tool for extracting question-answer pairs from text articles, and reports three experiments which investigate how suitable this technique is for supplying knowledge to conversational characters. Experiment 1 demonstrates the feasibility of our method by creating characters for 14 distinct topics and evaluating them using hand-authored questions. Experiment 2 evaluates three of these characters using questions collected from naive participants, showing that the generated characters provide full or partial answers to about half of the questions asked. Experiment 3 adds automatically extracted knowledge to an existing, hand-authored character, demonstrating that augmented characters can answer questions about new topics but with some degradation of the ability to answer questions about topics that the original character was trained to answer. Overall, the results show that question generation is a promising method for creating or augmenting a question answering conversational character using an existing text.