bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Inexistence of the Western Jewish Archive
Authors: Kaufman Eleanor
Published: May 2012

Many scholars have recently attempted to think critically about the archive, to conceive of it not simply as a neutral repository of information but also as governed by often indiscernible laws and intricate relations of desire and power. Certainly the scholarly products of detailed archival research are themselves the result of complicated archival negotiations, sortings, and withholdings. I wish to focus here on what I will call archival withholding—the attempt to disrupt the transmission function of the archive—in the context of the Western American Jewish archives that I work on; I will leave lingering the question of what, if anything, lends a Jewish, or “ethnic,” specificity to such withholding. The materials at issue—archives and cemeteries related to rural Jewish settlers in the American West in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century—might strike some as incongruous, since Jewish American settlement is generally associated with East Coast urban centers and not with smalltown agricultural America. But in fact the American West is littered with traces of Jewish settlements and (often short-lived) agricultural communities, and a considerable amount of work documents this topic. Just as there were ethnicities of all sorts in the rural American West—Chinese workers and African Americans have certainly been given deserved attention—so there were Jewish settlers.
Changes in Patient and Technique Survival over Time among Incident Peritoneal Dialysis Patients in Canada
Authors: Perl Jeffrey , Wald Ron , Bargman Joanne M. , Na Yingbo , Jassal S. Vanita , Jain Arsh K. , Moist Louise , Nessim Sharon J.
Published: May 2012

Background and objectives

In the last 15 years in Canada, there have been less stringent guidelines for peritoneal dialysis (PD) adequacy, availability of novel PD solutions, and lower PD-related peritonitis rates. Effects of these changes on outcomes of incident patients treated with PD during this period are unknown.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

Risk of PD technique failure and mortality were compared among three incident cohorts of PD patients who initiated dialysis during the following periods: 1995–2000, 2001–2005, and 2006–2009. A multivariable model was used to evaluate time to PD technique failure using inverse probability of treatment and censoring weights accounting for changing survival and transplantation rates.

Results

Between 1995 and 2009,13,120 incident adult PD patients were identified from the Canadian Organ Replacement Register. Compared with the 1995–2000 cohort (n=5183), the risk of PD technique failure was lower among patients between 2001 and 2005 (n=4316) but similar among incident patients between 2006 and 2009 (n=3621). Cause-specific PD technique failure revealed no difference in PD peritonitis-related technique failure over time. PD technique failure due to inadequate PD was initially higher in the 2001–2005 cohort but lower in the 2006–2009 cohort compared with the 1995–2000 cohort. Relative to incident patients between 1995 and 2000, adjusted mortality was lower among incident patients between 2001 and 2005 and 2006 and 2009.

Conclusions

Survival on PD continues to improve with only modest changes in PD technique failure. Peritonitis remains an ongoing and modifiable source of PD technique failure.
Foreign trade competitiveness of the Balkan countries under the conditions of globalization
Authors: Bozic-Miljkovic Ivana
Published: May 2012

The development of international trade on the world scale under the
conditions of globalization, more than ever in the economic history has given
prominence to the issues of given countries? competitiveness and foreign
trade companies. Competitiveness in foreign trade is a complex category
affected by the factors of both economic and non-economic nature. With the
increase of the degree of liberalization of foreign trade globally,
competitiveness represents a very important factor that the results in this
particular trade depend on and, consequently, realization of the
developmental and stabilization objectives in the progress of trade. The
Balkan countries are making efforts, through diverse forms of regional
economic networking and economic cooperation, to define their competitiveness
in foreign trade in such a way so as to ensure its higher level. The actions
of this kind should change their relatively unfavorable position in
international trade and improve the state in their foreign trade balance as
well as balance of payments. In doing this, they encounter numerous problems
of economic and non-economic nature, namely those that still condition their
low competitiveness in foreign trade.
Physico-chemical properties of calcium phosphates
Authors: Babic-Ivancic Vesna , Dutour-Sikiric Maja
Published: May 2012

Calcium phosphates have important role in biological and pathological
mineralization. While only one of calcium phosphates, carbonate apatite,
represents the main mineral component of teeth and bones, octacalcium
phosphate, calcium hydrogenphosphate dihydrate and beta-tricalcium phosphate
occur in pathological deposits. From the stand-point of chemists, processes
of biological and pathological mineralization could be considered as
deposition of inorganic phase within organic matrix, i.e. formation of
inorganic-organic composites. Although this approach is very simplified at
first glance, it allows clarification of important issues related to
biomineralization (e.g. what is the role of individual components of organic
matrix in the emerging solid tissue), and design and preparation of new
materials for hard tissue regeneration (e.g. process of transformation after
implantation). The importance of investigation about calcium phosphates will
be presented through the overview of basic physico-chemical reactions related
to the formation and transformation of biologically relevant calcium
phosphates and their interaction with various organic additives in the
laboratory.
Nanotechnology in dentistry: Current state and future perspectives
Authors: Lainovic Tijana , Blazic Larisa , Potran Michal
Published: May 2012

Nanotechnology has been considered as multidisciplinary field of scientific
research about different types of nanoparticles as well as the application of
new nanomaterials and nanodevices in numerous areas of human interest. It
offers advances in industry, engineering, information and communication
technology, electronics, environmental science and energy savings, economics
etc. New nanoproducts and nanotehnology could be applied in almost all fields
of human activity. Potential benefit of nanomaterials and nanorobots applied
in medicine and dentistry is of main concern when thinking about
nanoadvances. However, nanotechnology has become a controversial issue
between scientific and public opinions due to the insufficient knowledge of
potential hazard to human health and environment. Some of the raised
questions are what are the advantages and disadvantages of nanotechnological
evolution, and what kind of future can be expected when changes gain wider
scale? The aim of this study was to present the importance of nanotechnology
in various areas, especially in medicine and dentistry, and to point out
possible consequences of their use to human health and environment.
Stability of Two Natural Homologous Proteins with Different Folds
Authors: Konieczny Leszek , Banach Mateusz , Roterman Irena
Published: May 2012

The applicability of the model for protein folding process simulation is presented using as the test two homologous proteins of different fold: helical in 3BD1 and beta-structural form in 2PIJ [L. van Dorn, T. Newlove, S. Chang, W. Ingram, M. Cordes. Biochemistry 45, 10542 (2006)]. The folding process is assumed to be directed by hydrophobic core directing the hydrophobic residues toward the center of the molecule and exposing the hydrophilic residues on the surface. The fuzzy oil drop model is expressed by the 3-dimensional Gauss function which mimics the external force field. The value of Gauss function is interpreted as the hydrophobicity density calculated in any point of the space of the protein body. The accordance of idealized and observed hydrophobicity distributions (calculated according to Levitt function) measured using the Kullback-Leibler divergence entropy reveals good accordance in two homological proteins of different folds. The structural differences appeared to be easily explainable on the basis of fuzzy oil drop model.
Measurement of Hydrophobicity Distribution in Proteins � Complete Redundant Protein Data Bank.
Authors: Sałapa Kinga , Kalinowska Barbara , Jadczyk Tomasz , Roterman Irena
Published: May 2012

The divergence entropy: O/T and O/R measuring the distance between observed/theoretical and observed/random distributions was applied to identify the category of protein structures in respect to the hydrophobic core in protein molecules. The naive interpretation was applied treating the proteins of O/T < O/R as the molecules of hydrophobic core accordant with the theoretically assumed. The proteins of O/T > O/R are treated as representing the hydrophobic core not accordant with the assumed one. The large scale computing was performed (PDB data set) to reveal whether other than simple inequality relation should be used for this identification. The cluster analysis was applied to identify the relation O/T versus O/R as the discrimination factor to classify the category of proteins in respect to their structural form of hydrophobic core.
Maximums of extra strong Świątkowski functions
Authors: Szczuka Paulina
Published: May 2012

In this paper, we present some results concerning functions which are represented as the maximum of two extra strong Świątkowski functions.
Non-symplectic smooth circle actions on symplectic manifolds
Authors: Hajduk Bogusław , Pawałowski Krzysztof , Tralle Aleksy
Published: May 2012

We construct smooth circle actions on symplectic manifolds with non-symplectic fixed point sets or cyclic isotropy sets. All such actions are not compatible with any symplectic form on the manifold in question. In order to cover the case of non-symplectic fixed point sets, we use two smooth 4-manifolds (one symplectic and one non-symplectic) which become diffeomorphic after taking the products with the 2-sphere. The second type of actions is obtained by constructing smooth circle actions on spheres with non-symplectic cyclic isotropy sets, which (by the equivariant connected sum construction) we carry over from the spheres on products of 2-spheres. Moreover, by using the mapping torus construction, we show that periodic diffeomorphisms (isotopic to symplectomorphisms) of symplectic manifolds can provide examples of smooth fixed point free circle actions on symplectic manifolds with non-symplectic cyclic isotropy sets.
Concert Hall Sound Clarity: A Comparison of Auditory Judgments and Objective Measures
Authors: Miśkiewicz Andrzej , Rogala Tomira , Rościszewska Teresa , Rudzki Tomasz , Fidecki Tadeusz
Published: May 2012

The purpose of the study was to compare auditory judgments of sound clarity of music examples recorded in a concert hall with predictions of clarity made from the impulse response signal recorded in the same hall. Auditory judgments were made with the use of two methods: by rating sound clarity on a numerical scale with two endpoints, and by absolute magnitude estimation. Results obtained by both methods were then compared against the values of clarity indices,C80andC50, determined from the impulse response of the concert hall, measured in places in which the microphone was located during recording of music examples. Results show that auditory judgments of sound clarity and predictions made from theC80index yield a similar rank order of data, but the relation between theC80scale and perceived sound clarity is nonlinear. The data also show that the values ofC80andC50indices are in very close agreement.
Virtual Acoustics at the Service of Music Performance and Recording
Authors: Woszczyk Wieslaw , Ko Doyuen , Leonard Brett
Published: May 2012

Virtual or active acoustics refers to the generation of a simulated room response by means of electroacoustics and digital signal processing. An artificial room response may include sound reflections and reverberation as well as other acoustic features mimicking the actual room. They will cause the listener to have an impression of being immersed in virtual acoustics of another simulated room that coexists with the actual physical room. Using low-latency broadband multi-channel convolution and carefully measured room data, optimized transducers for rendering of sound fields, and an intuitive touch control user interface, it is possible to achieve a very high perceived quality of active acoustics, with a straightforward adjustability. The electroacoustically coupled room resulting from such optimization does not merely produce an equivalent of a back-door reverberation chamber, but rather a fully functional complete room superimposed on the physical room, yet with highly selectable and adjustable acoustic response. The utility of such active system for music recording and performance is discussed and supported with examples.
Bailing Out Collapsing Social Infrastructure in Developing Countries Through Sports: How Football is Contributing to Healthcare Improvement in Urban Nigeria
Authors: Ingwe Richard , Mboto Walter , Ojong Felix , Angiating Ikwun
Published: May 2012

Bailing Out Collapsing Social Infrastructure in Developing Countries Through Sports: How Football is Contributing to Healthcare Improvement in Urban Nigeria

Although the role of sports in shaping/changing urban and regional landscapes through megalomaniac building of stadia, golf courses, among other spectacular artifacts have recently attracted tremendous academic research interests, sports' role in improving collapsing health-care infrastructure in developing countries is poorly documented. Here, we show the potentials of football in multi-stakeholder mobilization for financing/improving/ in urban health-care Nigeria using contributions towards heart diseases treatment by Kanu Heart Foundation and campaigns by Nigeria's international footballers. Geo-demographic analysis of secondary data is applied to highlight inadequacy of healthcare in urban Cross River State, like of urban (like rural) Nigeria. How various diplomacy concepts could be employed by urban managements to mobilize sports-heroes, stakeholders (professionals: players, managers, clubs; civil society, etc) for fund-raising towards improving healthcare in Nigeria is described. The policy implication of this paper includes employing multi-dimensional diplomacy for managing multi-stakeholder urban sports and health development programmes as a means of surmounting the problem of inadequate funding for urban health development in Cross River State, Nigeria. Although this article focuses on Nigeria, its description of health-care deficits and findings speak for much of sub-Saharan Africa and developing countries.
Semicolonial nesting and conservation of the Montagu's harrier Circus pygargus in rapeseed fields in Southern Podlasie (eastern Poland)
Authors: Krupiński Dominik , Lewtak Jerzy , Szulak Krzysztof
Published: May 2012

Semicolonial nesting and conservation of the Montagu's harrier Circus pygargus in rapeseed fields in Southern Podlasie (eastern Poland)

Agrocoenosis are important nest sites for Montagu's harriers. In 2009, a large semicolony of 14 Montagu's harrier pairs was recorded in a rapeseed field in eastern Poland. The breeding colony arose due to a shortage of crops of suitable height in the period of nest building, caused by unfavourable weather conditions and a delayed onset of vegetation growth. The mean clutch size and hatchling number was 3.62, and the mean number of chicks in pairs that bred successfully was 2.00. Losses in broods due to predation and farming treatments were low (2% and 6%, respectively).
Caching Eurasian skylarks Alauda arvensis by the Montagu's harrier Circus pygargus
Authors: Krupiński Dominik , Lewtak Jerzy
Published: May 2012

Caching Eurasian skylarksAlauda arvensisby the Montagu's harrierCircus pygargus

We observed caching Eurasian skylarks by a radio-tracked male Montagu's harrier in eastern Poland. This strategy, in combination with the courtship feeding of the female, was an important element of courtship. Frequent food transfers to the female could reflect a good condition of the male and its good hunting abilities.
The summary on raptors and owls ringing in Slovakia in 2009
Authors: Slobodník Vladimír , Slobodník Roman
Published: May 2012

The summary on raptors and owls ringing in Slovakia in 2009

The article provides basic information about the number, species and recoveries of ringed birds of prey and owl species in Slovakia in 2009. The report follows similar papers from the following periods: 2002-2004, 2005-2006 and 2007-2008. In 2009 a total of 1,222 individuals were ringed in Slovakia, of which 856 individuals were birds of prey (18 species) and 366 individuals were owls (8 species). From the total number, 719 birds of prey and 257 owl nestlings were ringed. In comparison with the previous year the number of ringed birds of prey and owls increased by 43%.
The Protective Role of Sphenocentrum Jollyanum Leaf Extract on Beta Cells Morphology of Alloxan Treated Rabbits
Authors: Mbaka Godwin Oyebueke , Adeyemi Olufunmilayo Olaide
Published: May 2012

Objective: To assess the protective effect of ethanol leaf extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum (SJ) (Menispermaceae) on beta cells against alloxan treated rabbits. Material & Methods: Rabbits of both sexes, divided into 6 groups (8 per group) received oral treatment as follows: groups A and B received Tween 80 (2 %) solution; group C received 10 mg/kg of glibenclamide; groups D, E and F    received 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of SJ. A week later (day 0), basal glycaemia was determined (72.4±3.5) followed by alloxan challenge at 170 mg/kg intravenously with the exception of group A. Blood was collected at days 0, 3, 5, 10 and 15  and analyzed. Inflammatory activity was evaluated using C - reactive protein (CRP) as biomarker. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and glutathione (GSH) were used to assess oxidative activity. Results: At day 3, glycaemic increase of 157.2 ± 4.7, 153.2 ± 8.2 and 150.2 ± 9.5 (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) was observed in the group that received SJ. Decrease however occurred from day 5 which continued to the last day of the experiment. On the contrary, progressive increase occurred in diabetic control. Tissue histology of the extract group showed no lesion. The CRP level which was slightly elevated in the extract group at day 3, decreased appreciably at day 15. Decrease in SOD and CAT activities which occurred at day 3 in SJ treated increased at day 15. Also, the elevated levels of hepatic GSH in extract treated demonstrated an enhanced biosynthesis of antioxidative enzymes. Conclusion: SJ leaf effectively protected the beta cells against oxidative damage.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v2i3.3400 Asian Journal of Medical Sciences 2 (2011) 195-201
Uterine Perforation with Omental Prolapse in a Case of Unsafe Abortion
Authors: Sangam Parinitha S , Jayakumar Nirmala M , Yaliwal Laxmi V
Published: May 2012

We report a rare case of prolapsed omentum presenting as mass per vagina in a 24 year old unmarried female following dilatation and curettage for termination of pregnancy by unqualified physician. Patient presented to Obstetrics and gynaecology (OBG) outpatient with bleeding per vagina since 15 days. Per speculum examination showed a greyish yellow mass protruding through cervical os into the vagina. Ultrasonography showed defect in the fundus of uterus. Past history revealed, she had undergone medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) outside at 5th month of gestation by nonallopathic doctor. Emergency laparotomy was done. Histopathologic examination of mass showed omental fat arranged in lobules with mixed inflammatory cell infiltrate. Uterine perforation is a well known complication of induced abortion. Although most uterine perforations at the time of curettage during abortion go unrecognized, serious complications do occur. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v2i3.4264 Asian Journal of Medical Sciences 2 (2011) 145-147
Assessment of Physical Fitness Status of Young Sikkimese Residing in High-Hill Temperate Regions of Eastern Sikkim under the Influence of Climate and Socio-Cultural Factors
Authors: Sengupta Pallav
Published: May 2012

Objective: The least populated state of India, Sikkim is situated over 6,000 ft as of the sea level. The health of people residing at high altitude is shaped not only by the low-oxygen environment, but also by population ancestry and   socio-cultural determinants. These factors may also have an influence over their physical fitness level. Thus the present survey work was designed in order to assess the influence of high altitude on physical fitness and anaerobic power. Material & Methods: The study was conducted in randomly selected young adult male residents of Gangtok, Sikkim (mean age 22.0) and the college students of Kolkata (mean age 21.9) served as controls. Some parameters of physical fitness and endurance were measured using resting heart rate, blood pressure, PFI, energy expenditure, VO2max etc. Results: A significant difference (p<0.05) in blood pressure, PFI, energy expenditure, BF% and anaerobic power were found in Sikkimese. Conclusion: This study implies health of young Sikkimese is not only under the influence of low-oxygen environment but also by their socio-cultural factors over their physical parameters. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v2i3.5368 Asian Journal of Medical Sciences 2 (2011) 169-174
Frequency of Type 2 Diabetes mellitus and Impaired Glycemia in a Teaching Hospital of South-Western Nepal
Authors: Pokharel DR , Gautam N , Archana J , Nagamma T , Kumar R , Sapkota R M
Published: May 2012

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of type 2 diabetes, impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) among patients visiting a tertiary level teaching hospital in south-western Nepal. Material & Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted among subjects (n=17082) who visited outpatient department of the Universal College of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UCMSTH), Bhairahawa, Nepal for their medical checkup.  Data related to age, sex, hospital number and blood glucose concentration of the study subjects were collected from hospital records and analyzed for the frequency study. Results: The average frequency of type 2 diabetes was found to be 6.1% over a period of five years and it was significantly (p=0.0232) higher in males (3.4%) than in females (2.8%). Frequency of IFG and IGT were found to be 2.31% and 2.70% respectively. The frequency of type 2 diabetes, IFG and IGT was significantly higher in males and age group of 51-60 years. Conclusion: The frequency of type 2 diabetes and impaired glycemia is increasing every year in south-western part of Nepal. We recommend that efforts be made by all the stakeholders to curb this emerging medical problem before it becomes epidemic in the general population. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v2i3.5485 Asian Journal of Medical Sciences 2 (2011) 202-206
Depression and its Cure: A Drug Utilization Study from a Tertiary Care Centre of Western Nepal
Authors: Banerjee Indrajit , Roy Bedanta , Banerjee Indraneel , Sathian Brijesh , Mondal Monami , Saha Archana
Published: May 2012

Background: According to WHO, it is estimated that major depression would be the second most leading cause of disability in the world by 2020. Drug utilization study is defined as study of the marketing, distribution, prescription and use of drugs in a society highlighting on the resulting medical, social and economic consequences. The main objective of this study was to find the utilization pattern of antidepressants prescribed in a tertiary care centre with major depression in hospitalized patients of Western Nepal.Methods: A hospital based observational study was done between 1st October 2009 and 31st March 2010 at Psychiatry Ward of Manipal Teaching Hospital, Nepal. Both qualitative and quantitative data was collected from bed side. The outcome variables were essential drug, generic and trade, treatment, groups of antidepressants and antidepressants used. The explanatory variables were age, gender, monthly income, employment of the patient. Z test and logistic regression was used for the analysis. P-value < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. This is the first study done to understand the utilization pattern of antidepressant drugs in hospitalized patients in Nepal.Results: Among the 240 psychiatric patients studied, 38 (15.8%) cases were suffering from major depression. Male and female patients were 44.7% and 55.3% respectively, 95% CI [28.9, 60.5 and 39.5, 71.1]. Depression was more common in housewives (42.1%) followed by teachers 18.4% and students 10.5%. Fluoxetine was the commonest antidepressants to be prescribed 42.1% followed by Amitriptyline 26.3%, Trazodone 21.1% etc. Psychiatrists has a tendency of prescribing essential drugs if monthly income <10000, 1.063 times as compared to monthly income >10000, 2.63 times more in Hindus and 1.197 times more in Brahmins than any other ethnic groups. 9.179 times more tendency of prescribing antidepressants by trade names in case of unemployed patients as compared to employed patients in Nepal.Conclusion: According to the utilization pattern of antidepressants it was found that among the Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors Fluoxetine was used relatively higher than conventional drugs like Tricyclic antidepressants, recommend that there is a trend of using Typical antidepressants drugs for depression rather than Newer antidepressants.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nje.v1i5.6152 Nepal Journal of Epidemiology 2011;1 (5):144-52
Physician-industry conflict of interest: public opinion regarding industry-sponsored research
Authors: Fisher Charles G. , DiPaola Christian P. , Noonan Vanessa K. , Bailey Christopher , Dvorak Marcel F. S.
Published: May 2012

Object

The nature of physician-industry conflict of interest (COI) has become a source of considerable concern, but is often not discussed in the research setting. With reduced funding available from government and nonprofit sources, industry support has enthusiastically grown, but along with this comes the potential for COI that must be regulated. In this era of shared decision making in health care, society must have input into this regulation. The purpose of this study was to assess the opinions of a North American population sample on COI regarding industry-funded research and to analyze population subgroups for trends.

Methods

A survey was developed for face and content validity, underwent focus group evaluation for clarity and bias reduction, and was administered via the World Wide Web. Demographic and general survey results were summarized as a percentage for each answer, and subgroup analysis was done using logistic regression. Generalizability of the sample to the US population was also assessed.

Results

Of 541 surveys, 40 were excluded due to missing information, leaving 501 surveys for analysis. The sample population was composed of more females, was older, and was more educated than a representative cross-section of the American population. Respondents support multidisciplinary surgeon-industry COI regulation and trust doctors and their professional societies the most to head this effort. Respondents trust government officials and company representatives the least with respect to regulation of COI. Most respondents feel that industry-sponsored research can involve physicians and be both objective and beneficial to patients.

Conclusions

Most respondents in this study felt that surgeons should be involved in industry-sponsored research and that more research, regardless of funding source, will ultimately benefit patients. The majority of respondents distrust government or industry to regulate COI. The development of evidence-based treatment recommendations requires the inclusion of patient preference. The authors encourage regulatory bodies to follow suit and include society's perspective on regulation of COI in research.
Acute motor-sensory axonal neuropathy after cervical spine surgery
Authors: Miscusi Massimo , Currà Antonio , Rocca Carlo Della , Missori Paolo , Petrozza Vincenzo
Published: May 2012

The authors report the case of a 55-year-old man who presented with acute motor-sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN), a variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome with a poor prognosis, immediately after surgery for resection of a cervical chondroma. A misdiagnosis of spinal cord shock due to an acute surgical or vascular postoperative complication was initially made in this patient. Nevertheless, there was continuous transient improvement that was followed by progressive worsening, and further investigation was necessary. The diagnosis of AMSAN, associated with acute colitis caused by Helicobacter pylori, was made based on neurophysiological examinations and colonoscopy. Interestingly, the patient also developed nephrotic syndrome, which was thought to be a further complication of the autoimmune reaction. Delayed administration of immunoglobulins (400 mg/kg/day), mesalazine (800 mg 3×/day), and meropenem (3 g/day) was used to treat the Helicobacter infection and the autoimmune reaction, leading to restoration of renal function and slight neurological improvement. The patient's general condition and neurological status improved slightly, but he remained seriously disabled (Frankel Grade C). This case demonstrates that a new onset of neurological symptoms in the early postoperative period after spine surgery could be related to causes other than iatrogenic myelopathy, and that an early diagnosis can reduce neurological sequelae, leading to a better outcome.
Eighth International Symposium on Recent Advances in Environmental Health Research
Authors: Tchounwou Paul B.
Published: May 2012

This special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is dedicated to the publication of selected papers presented at the Eighth International Symposium on Recent Advances in Environmental Health Research. The Symposium was organized by Jackson State University (JSU) from September 18-21, 2011 at the Marriott Hotel in Jackson, Mississippi. It was built upon the overwhelming success of seven previous symposia hosted by JSU. [...]
Genotoxicity of Silver Nanoparticles in Vicia faba: A Pilot Study on the Environmental Monitoring of Nanoparticles
Authors: Patlolla Anita K. , Berry Ashley , May LaBethani , Tchounwou Paul B.
Published: May 2012

The use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in commercial products has increased significantly in recent years. Although there have been some attempts to determine the toxic effects of AgNPs in mammalian and human cell-lines, there is little information on plants which play a vital role in ecosystems. The study reports the use of Vicia faba root-tip meristem to investigate the genotoxicity of AgNPs under modified GENE-TOX test conditions. The root tip cells of V. faba were treated with four different concentrations of engineered AgNPs dispersion to study toxicological endpoints such as mitotic index (MI), chromosomal aberrations (CA) and micronucleus induction (MN). For each concentration, five sets of microscopy observations were carried out. The results demonstrated that AgNPs exposure significantly increased (p < 0.05) the number of chromosomal aberrations, micronuclei, and decreased the MI in exposed groups compared to control. From this study we infer that AgNPs might have penetrated the plant system and may have impaired mitosis causing CA and MN. The results of this study demonstrate that AgNPs are genotoxic to plant cells. Since plant assays have been integrated as a genotoxicity component in risk assessment for detection of environmental mutagens, they should be given full consideration when evaluating the overall toxicological impact of the nanoparticles in the environment.
Benzyl 2-β-Glucopyranosyloxybenzoate, a New Phenolic Acid Glycoside from Sarcandra glabra
Authors: Wu Haifeng , Hu Xiaoru , Zhang Xiaopo , Chen Shilin , Yang Junshan , Xu Xudong
Published: May 2012

From the whole plant of Sarcandra glabra, a new phenolic acid glycoside, benzyl 2-β-glucopyranosyloxybenzoate (1), together with seven known compounds including eleutheroside B1 (2), 5-O-caffeoylshikimic acid (3), (–)-(7S, 8R)-dihydrodehydro-diconiferyl alcohol (4), (–)-(7S, 8R)-dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol 9-, 9′- and 4-O-â-D-glucopyranoside (5–7), and (–)-(7S, 8R)-5-methoxydihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol 4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (8) was isolated. Their structures were elucidated by spectral analysis including 1D-, 2D-NMR and HR-ESI-MS. Compound 2 was found to exhibit potent cytotoxic activity against BGC-823 and A2780 cancer cell lines using MTT method with IC50 value of 2.53 and 1.85 µM, respectively.
Landsat-TM-Based Discrimination of Lithological Units Associated with the Purtuniq Ophiolite, Quebec, Canada
Authors: Leverington David W. , Moon Wooil M.
Published: May 2012

In order to better constrain the utility of multispectral datasets in the characterization of surface materials, Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) data were evaluated in the discrimination of geological classes in the Cape Smith Belt of Quebec, a greenstone belt that hosts Early Proterozoic units including those of the Purtuniq ophiolite. Ground-based measurements collected for the study area highlight the importance of chemical alteration in controlling the reflectance properties of key geological classes. The spatial distribution of exposed lithologies in the study area was determined through (1) image classification using a feedforward backpropagation neural network classifier; and (2) generation of fraction images for spectral end members using a linear unmixing algorithm and ground reflectance data. Despite some shortcomings, the database of surface cover generated by the neural network classifier is a useful representation of the spatial distribution of exposed geological materials in the study area, with an overall agreement with ground truth of 87.7%. In contrast, the fraction images generated through unmixing are poor representations of ground truth for several key lithological classes. These results underscore both the considerable utility and marked limitations of Landsat TM data in the mapping of igneous and metamorphic lithologies.
Multisensor System for Isotemporal Measurements to Assess Indoor Climatic Conditions in Poultry Farms
Authors: Bustamante Eliseo , Guijarro Enrique , García-Diego Fernando-Juan , Balasch Sebastián , Hospitaler Antonio , Torres Antonio G.
Published: May 2012

The rearing of poultry for meat production (broilers) is an agricultural food industry with high relevance to the economy and development of some countries. Periodic episodes of extreme climatic conditions during the summer season can cause high mortality among birds, resulting in economic losses. In this context, ventilation systems within poultry houses play a critical role to ensure appropriate indoor climatic conditions. The objective of this study was to develop a multisensor system to evaluate the design of the ventilation system in broiler houses. A measurement system equipped with three types of sensors: air velocity, temperature and differential pressure was designed and built. The system consisted in a laptop, a data acquisition card, a multiplexor module and a set of 24 air temperature, 24 air velocity and two differential pressure sensors. The system was able to acquire up to a maximum of 128 signals simultaneously at 5 second intervals. The multisensor system was calibrated under laboratory conditions and it was then tested in field tests. Field tests were conducted in a commercial broiler farm under four different pressure and ventilation scenarios in two sections within the building. The calibration curves obtained under laboratory conditions showed similar regression coefficients among temperature, air velocity and pressure sensors and a high goodness fit (R2 = 0.99) with the reference. Under field test conditions, the multisensor system showed a high number of input signals from different locations with minimum internal delay in acquiring signals. The variation among air velocity sensors was not significant. The developed multisensor system was able to integrate calibrated sensors of temperature, air velocity and differential pressure and operated succesfully under different conditions in a mechanically-ventilated broiler farm. This system can be used to obtain quasi-instantaneous fields of the air velocity and temperature, as well as differential pressure maps to assess the design and functioning of ventilation system and as a verification and validation (V&V) system of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations in poultry farms.
Detection of (In)activity Periods in Human Body Motion Using Inertial Sensors: A Comparative Study
Authors: Olivares Alberto , Ramírez Javier , Górriz Juan M. , Olivares Gonzalo , Damas Miguel
Published: May 2012

Determination of (in)activity periods when monitoring human body motion is a mandatory preprocessing step in all human inertial navigation and position analysis applications. Distinction of (in)activity needs to be established in order to allow the system to recompute the calibration parameters of the inertial sensors as well as the Zero Velocity Updates (ZUPT) of inertial navigation. The periodical recomputation of these parameters allows the application to maintain a constant degree of precision. This work presents a comparative study among different well known inertial magnitude-based detectors and proposes a new approach by applying spectrum-based detectors and memory-based detectors. A robust statistical comparison is carried out by the use of an accelerometer and angular rate signal synthesizer that mimics the output of accelerometers and gyroscopes when subjects are performing basic activities of daily life. Theoretical results are verified by testing the algorithms over signals gathered using an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU). Detection accuracy rates of up to 97% are achieved.
An Automated Inner Dimensional Measurement System Based on a Laser Displacement Sensor for Long-Stepped Pipes
Authors: Zhang Fumin , Qu Xinghua , Ouyang Jianfei
Published: May 2012

A novel measurement prototype based on a mobile vehicle that carries a laser scanning sensor is proposed. The prototype is intended for the automated measurement of the interior 3D geometry of large-diameter long-stepped pipes. The laser displacement sensor, which has a small measurement range, is mounted on an extended arm of known length. It is scanned to improve the measurement accuracy for large-sized pipes. A fixing mechanism based on two sections is designed to ensure that the stepped pipe is concentric with the axis of rotation of the system. Data are acquired in a cylindrical coordinate system and fitted in a circle to determine diameter. Systematic errors covering arm length, tilt, and offset errors are analyzed and calibrated. The proposed system is applied to sample parts and the results are discussed to verify its effectiveness. This technique measures a diameter of 600 mm with an uncertainty of 0.02 mm at a 95% confidence probability. A repeatability test is performed to examine precision, which is 1.1 µm. A laser tracker is used to verify the measurement accuracy of the system, which is evaluated as 9 µm within a diameter of 600 mm.
The Integration of Energy Conservation into the Political Goal of Renewable Energy Self-Sufficiency—A German Case Study Based on a Longitudinal Reconstruction
Authors: Stablo Järmo , Ruppert-Winkel Chantal
Published: May 2012

Many local governments in Germany aim to reach Renewable Energy Self-Sufficiency (RESS) in their municipalities. In this context, ambitious time horizons for reaching this goal make it necessary to address the question of how less absolute energy can be consumed. The topic of energy conservation in scientific literature is very controversially discussed and in fact it is not clear which measures in the long term contribute to real reductions in energy demand. Therefore, in this paper, we do not determine how energy conservation should be achieved. Instead, we reconstruct, through an inductive longitudinal study, why energy conservation was integrated into the general principles of a municipality that wished to reach “RESS” by the year 2020 and considerably reduce energy demand. At the same time, we looked at the question of how energy conservation was conceptualized by local actors and which strategies, instruments, and activities were used to reach the goal. We found that environmentally concerned citizens brought the idea of energy conservation into the political arena. However, it was not until energy prices rose, regulations developed on a national level, subsidies for energy conservation emerged, and actions addressing the issue were seen by many local actors as adding value to the unique character the municipality gained by their RESS activities, that the actual subject was considered relevant in the municipality.
Quantitative Live-Cell Imaging of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1) Assembly
Authors: Baumgärtel Viola , Müller Barbara , Lamb Don C.
Published: May 2012

Advances in fluorescence methodologies make it possible to investigate biological systems in unprecedented detail. Over the last few years, quantitative live-cell imaging has increasingly been used to study the dynamic interactions of viruses with cells and is expected to become even more indispensable in the future. Here, we describe different fluorescence labeling strategies that have been used to label HIV-1 for live cell imaging and the fluorescence based methods used to visualize individual aspects of virus-cell interactions. This review presents an overview of experimental methods and recent experiments that have employed quantitative microscopy in order to elucidate the dynamics of late stages in the HIV-1 replication cycle. This includes cytosolic interactions of the main structural protein, Gag, with itself and the viral RNA genome, the recruitment of Gag and RNA to the plasma membrane, virion assembly at the membrane and the recruitment of cellular proteins involved in HIV-1 release to the nascent budding site.
Synthesis of 2,6-disubstituted tetrahydroazulene derivatives
Authors: Hussain Zakir , Hopf Henning , Ayub Khurshid , Eichhorn S Holger
Published: May 2012

Synthesis of hydroazulene derivatives has been carried out through a ring-enlargement route by using carbene adduct intermediates. The protocol can be applied for the construction of functionalized hydroazulene skeletons as key components of many natural products as well as the core system of novel liquid-crystalline materials.
L'évolution du CDH (2004-2011) II. Décembre 2007 – décembre 2011
Authors: Wynants Paul
Published: May 2012

Résumé La seconde partie de l’étude de Paul Wynants consacrée à l’évolution récente du CDH couvre l’époque s’étendant de décembre 2007 à la fin de l’année 2011. Cette période s’ouvre avec le retour du CDH au gouvernement fédéral, au sein du cabinet Verhofstadt III. Depuis 2004, le parti était déjà associé à l’exercice du pouvoir en Région wallonne, en Région de Bruxelles-Capitale et en Communauté française. Désormais, si la rénovation interne demeure une préoccupation et se poursuit, elle cède partiellement le pas à une autre priorité : prouver sa crédibilité comme parti de gouvernement. Le présent Courrier hebdomadaire analyse tout d’abord la participation du CDH aux gouvernements fédéraux qui se sont succédé de 2007 à 2009, en prolongeant jusqu’en décembre 2011 l’examen de la politique menée par les ministres du CDH. Parmi les multiples dossiers traités, figurent notamment la réaction à apporter à la crise financière mondiale et les mesures à prendre en matière d’emploi. Ensuite, l’auteur traite des politiques menées par les ministres démocrates humanistes dans les entités fédérées. Enfin, le dernier chapitre porte sur une période particulièrement agitée de la vie politique belge : les années 2010 et 2011, marquées par la chute du cabinet Leterme II et par une crise gouvernementale d’une longueur sans précédent (541 jours). Au cours de cette période, le CDH connaît également un important changement interne : en août 2011, succédant à Joëlle Milquet, Benoît Lutgen accède à la présidence du parti. En conclusion, Paul Wynants poursuit sa réflexion sur la mesure dans laquelle le Centre démocrate humaniste se démarque de l’ancien Parti social-chrétien ou, au contraire, assume son héritage.
Symptôme, pas-tout et à-peu-près
Authors: Chatenay Gilles
Published: May 2012

Résumé Que l’Autre ne situe plus notre jouissance, comme nous pouvons l’avancer de ce que Lacan dit dans sa « Télévision », se traduit en termes logiques par son inconsistance – ça ne tient pas, ça ne se tient pas, ça ne tient pas ensemble. Conséquence clinique : le sujet doit faire avec cette inconsistance. Il fait avec en effet, en construisant des consistances approximatives (« à-peu-près »), temporaires et locales (« pas-toutes ») ; il fabrique des symptômes comme façons de faire tenir ensemble (plutôt mal en général : sinon il ne viendrait pas consulter) ce qui ne tient pas ensemble. Comment faire tenir ensemble ce qui ne tient pas ensemble ? Au plus simple, on prend une ficelle et on fait un noeud, et ça tient, à peu près, localement, et pour un temps. Ce sont ce pas-tout et cet à-peu-près que nous interrogeons ici, nous aventurant à en proposer des traductions (locales, temporaires et approximatives) en termes topologiques (espaces connectifs, topologie des surfaces et des entrelacs).
À la recherche d'un roc de la pensée
Authors: Le Gaufey Guy
Published: May 2012

Résumé L’emploi régulier par Lacan de fragments du savoir mathématique fut-il galiléen ? S’agissait-il pour lui d’établir des articulations internes au savoir analytique, ou de produire des homologies éclairantes ? Plutôt que de répondre par oui ou par non, cet article tente de montrer qu’entre « savoir » et « science » court une ligne de partage qui est celle d’un sujet dans sa dépendance à l’ordre symbolique. Un certain échec du « mathème » lacanien se révèle alors être son vrai régime de croisière.
Le lieu de la surface
Authors: Centner Christian
Published: May 2012

Résumé Ce texte propose d’approcher la question du rapport de Lacan à la topologie à partir de l’examen d’un des premiers moments où il a recours à la notion d’espace au sens topologique du terme. Nous tâchons de saisir les conditions du recours à la notion de surface dans la construction du schéma R. Nous montrons que cette avancée s’inscrit dans le sillage d’une question qui porte sur le lieu et qui avait déjà été soulevée dans les premières élaborations portant sur le rapport du sujet parlant à la structure du langage.
Schéma des scissions, graphe de la passe et carte de la dispersion
Authors: Diener Yann
Published: May 2012

Résumé Un schéma du mouvement psychanalytique serait utile pour mettre à plat des enjeux comme ceux d’un dispositif de passe en commun à plusieurs associations. Mais comment dessiner les liens et les séparations entre les différentes associations de psychanalyse (scissions, dissolution, regroupements) sans en rester à une topographie ? Pour trouver une surface topologique qui supporte la structure des associations de psychanalyse et la structure des liens de coupure entre elles, je propose la notion mathématique de carte , soit un graphe dessiné sur une surface. Le graphe de la passe dessiné sur la surface de la dispersion donne la carte du travail de dissolution.
Que veut dire « dire » ?
Authors: Fierens Christian
Published: May 2012

Résumé Le dire commande le dit et il est toujours oublié. Il doit être mis en œuvre par une triple opération de différenciation : de l’objet et du sujet, de l’objet et de ce qui est sous-jacent à l’objet, du sujet et de ce qui est sous-jacent au sujet. Cette structure de différenciation qu’on retrouve dans l’exposé métaphysique de l’espace chez Kant et dans le schéma L de Lacan est l’entrée dans la topologie. Le discours mathématique la remet en œuvre toujours à nouveau.