bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Access to Kidney Transplantation among HIV-Infected Waitlist Candidates
Authors: Locke Jayme E. , Mehta Shikha , Sawinski Deirdre , Gustafson Sally , Shelton Brittany A. , Reed Rhiannon D. , MacLennan Paul , Bolch Charlotte , Durand Christine , Massie Allan , Mannon Roslyn B. , Gaston Robert , Saag Michael , Overton Turner , Segev Dorry L.
Published: February 2017

Background and objectives

Kidney transplantation among HIV-infected patients with ESRD confers a significant survival benefit over remaining on dialysis. Given the high mortality burden associated with dialysis, understanding access to kidney transplantation after waitlisting among HIV+ candidates is warranted.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

Data from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients were linked to Intercontinental Marketing Statistics pharmacy fills (January 1, 2001 to October 1, 2012) so that we could identify and study 1636 HIV+ (defined as having filled one or more antiretroviral medications unique to HIV treatment) and 72,297 HIV− kidney transplantation candidates.

Results

HIV+ waiting list candidates were more often young (<50 years old: 62.7% versus 37.6%; P<0.001), were more often men (75.2% versus 59.3%; P<0.001), were more often black (73.6% versus 27.9%; P<0.001), had longer time on dialysis (years: 2.5 versus 0.8; P<0.001), were more often coinfected with hepatitis C virus (9.0% versus 3.9%; P<0.001), and were less likely to remain active on the waiting list (37.7% versus 49.4%; P<0.001). Waitlist mortality among HIV+ candidates was similar compared with HIV− candidates (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.03; 95% confidence interval, 0.89 to 1.20; P=0.67). In contrast, likelihood of living donor kidney transplantation was 47% lower (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.53; 95% confidence interval, 0.44 to 0.64; P<0.001), and there was a trend toward lower likelihood of deceased donor kidney transplantation (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.74 to 1.01; P=0.07) compared with in HIV− candidates.

Conclusions

Our findings highlight the need for additional study to better understand disparities in access to kidney transplantation, particularly living donor kidney transplantation, among HIV+ kidney waitlist candidates.
Teste de micronúcleos como ferramenta para avaliação da exposição ocupacional a pesticidas: revisão
Authors: BALLESTRERI ERICA
Published: February 2017

Apesar dos efeitos benéficos relacionados ao uso de pesticidas como no controle de pragas e vetores importantes na saúde pública, muitos desses produtos podem apresentar perigos potenciais para o meio ambiente e a saúde humana. Os pesticidas são considerados compostos genotóxicos ca­pazes de induzir dano direto e indireto no DNA. Para avaliar o dano genético, estudos de biomonitoramento têm sido cada vez mais aplicados, pois além de identificar o risco potencial de surgimento de doenças em populações expostas, também auxilia na identificação de fatores de risco e medidas adequadas para serem implementadas no controle dessas agressões a saúde humana. O teste do micronúcleo oferece vantagens em relação aos demais testes de biomonitoramento incluindo baixo custo, procedimento técnico mais fácil, rapidez de análise para triagem de grande número de substâncias, além de diversos tipos celulares como linfócitos de sangue periférico, células epiteliais da mucosa oral, mucosa vaginal, entre outros poderem ser utilizados para a realização do teste. É considerado padrão ouro para avaliação citogenética de lesões que ocorrem no DNA, pois serve como indicador de mutagenicidade e como instrumento de monitoração, considerando que a frequência de MN retorna aos níveis basais quando o organismo permanece durante certo período sem contato com esses agentes indutores. Sendo assim, o objetivo dessa revisão é demonstrar a importância do teste de micronúcleos como ferramenta para avaliação da exposição ocupacional aos pesticidas.
The national-dynastic monument in the Kingdom of Serbia the monument to Prince Milos Obrenovic in Pozarevac as a case study
Authors: Borozan Igor
Published: February 2017

The monument to Prince Milos Obrenovic unveiled in 1898 embodied the concept
of national-dynastic monument in the Kingdom of Serbia at the end of the
nine?teenth century. The statue in the manner of academic art by Djordje
Jovanovic, a prominent Serbian sculptor, may be seen as a creative transfer
of European practices in designing majestic monuments to rulers. Set up in
downtown Pozarevac, the monument to Prince Milos was intended to act as a
place of collective remembrance and a means of legitimation of King Alexander
Obrenovic. Forming part of the process of constructing the cult of Prince
Milos, the monument may be seen as a visual testimony to the attempt of the
shaken dynastic regime to define its own ideological model by using the image
of its charismatic founder. The unveiling ceremony, pervaded with a military
spirit, confirmed the place of the Pozarevac visual topos on the map of
patriotic geography, pointing to the power of the visual work in the system
of the representative culture of the state and the nation in the late
nineteenth century.
The fate of the postmodern world: On melancholy and rebellion by Milan Mihajlovic
Authors: Vuksanovic Ivana
Published: February 2017

The musical oeuvre of Milan Mihajlovic (b. 1945) enjoys a high reputation and
position in contemporary Serbian music. This has been proven by the many
awards he has received, countless performances of his compositions at home
and abroad, and especially by the warm and approving reactions of the
audience. The stylistic consistency in his oeuvre is a result of his creative
use of Scriabin?s scale. The concept of this scale was first theoretically
elaborated in an extensive study written by Mihajlovic in 1980 and, since
then the scale has been functioning as a crucial cohesive element in all
Mihajlovic?s compositions. The novelty in his oeuvre, composed during the
1990s, were intertextual references made by using citations from his own
works and those of other composers (Monteverdi, Mozart, Stravinsky,
Rachmaninov, Vasilije Mokranjac). The most characteristic features of his
mature style are also recognizable in his recent works Melancholy (2014) and
Rebellion (2015). The interval structure of Skriabin?s scale is projected
along the horizontal (melodical) and vertical (harmonical) axes of the both
works while the formal design resulted from shifts of tensions and
relaxations. Developmental sections are based on variation and improvisation
of the small number of different motifs (three basic ones in Melancholy, four
in Rebellion) above the metrically moveable ostinato layers and the releases
are marked by change of tempo, dynamic, meter and texture. The most
significant and radical release is the one which marks the abrupt ending of
Rebellion by the physical gesture of slamming down the keyboard lid. As the
composition was written for the BUNT festival (Belgrade) it fits the
festival?s idea of expressing resistance to the government?s neglect of
academic musicians and institutions. In the wider sense, it becomes a sign of
the resistance to the world we live in, and that is the world of lost ideals.
Both works are composed for the wind instrument and the piano quartet and in
the both cases the author?s voice, with its figures of sorrow and anger, is
personified in singing, narrative lines of the wind instrument (the oboe in
Melancholy and French horn in Rebellion respectively). These two compositions
also demonstrate the specific concept of a circle that is intuitively
searched for and ingeniously implemented. It is manifested by the cyclic
concept of Scriabin?s scale and projected in all of the author?s
compositional procedures as a vehicle for the expression of lament and
resignation.
Radio Ljubljana and its music policies 1928-1941
Authors: Stefanija Leon
Published: February 2017

The main programming issue faced by Radio Ljubljana was connected to its
function: was it a new medium basically intended for cultural advancement and
democratic information distribution or was it a new medium primarily serving
as an entertainment platform for different types of listener? The question
had been one of the key topics from the beginnings of Radio Ljubljana?s
broadcasting in 1928. This paper discusses the answers to this question
through an analysis of the musical programming from 1928 until the Luftwaffe
destroyed Radio Ljubljana?s transmitter in Domzale on April 11, 1941.
The entry to Kolarac foundation: Cultural activity and music audience
Authors: Hadzibulic Sabina
Published: February 2017

The Foundation of Ilija Milosavljevic Kolarac (also known as Kolarac
Foundation; in Serbian: Kolarceva zaduzbina) was established simultaneously
with the development of the most important modern cultural institutions in
Serbia in the 19th century. The quality and diversity of the program, the
ability to recognize important topics in the current time, as well as
preservation of the old and encouragement of new ideas in almost all domains
of art and science have contributed to its unquestionable reputation
throughout the region. However, there have been no significant academic
attempts to approach its work analytically and, in particular, its audience.
The aim of this paper is to give an overview of the work of Kolarac
Foundation by presenting the origin and history of the institution, followed
by an analysis of the program of all its activities in the first ten seasons
of the new millennium. The central part of the paper is an analysis of its
cultural activity in the given period. Finally, by using empirical data, the
music audence of Great Hall (Velika Dvorana) of Kolarac Foundation is
profiled through its basic socio-demographic characteristics and music
practices. The music audience mainly consisted of women, highly educated
professionals with a high material standard. The share of the oldest and
those from 21 to 30 years old is the highest and, at the same time, equal.
This audience is authentically fond of music, with no exceptions at all. Its
members listen to music on everyday basis, and they were attending concerts
in the year before the investigation. They find music to be an inevitable
part of their lives, and cannot imagine emotional expression or making
friendships without it. Finally, they sincerely like coming to Kolarac
Foundation since they find it to be a place that has all the positive treats
of a good cultural institution.
Shielding efficiency of metal hydrides and borohydrides in fusion reactors
Authors: Singh Vishvanath , Badiger Nagappa , Gerward Leif
Published: February 2017

Mass attenuation coefficients, mean free paths and exposure buildup factors
have been used to characterize the shielding efficiency of metal hydrides and
borohydrides, with high density of hydrogen. Gamma ray exposure buildup
factors were computed using five-parameter geometric progression fitting at
energies 0.015 MeV to15 MeV, and for penetration depths up to 40 mean free
paths. Fast-neutron shielding efficiency has been characterized by the
effective neutron removal cross-section. It is shown that ZrH2 and VH2 are
very good shielding materials for gamma rays and fast neutrons due to their
suitable combination of low- and high-Z elements. The present work should be
useful for the selection and design of blankets and shielding, and for dose
evaluation for components in fusion reactors.
Transfer factors for the „soil-cereals” system in the region of Pcinja, Serbia
Authors: Markovic Jelena , Stevovic Svetlana , Rajacic Milica , Todorovic Dragana , Krneta-Nikolic Jelena
Published: February 2017

The aim of the paper was to estimate the values of transfer factors for
natural radionuclides (40K, 226Ra, 232Th, 235U, and 238U) and 137Cs from soil
to plants (cereals: wheat, corn and barley) as important parameters for the
agricultures in the selection of the location and the sort of cereals to be
planted on. The results presented in this paper refer to the ?soil-cereals?
system in the region of Pcinja, Serbia. Total of 9 samples of soil and 7
samples of cereals were measured in the Department of Radiation and
Environmental Protection, Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences, using three
high-purity germanium detectors for gamma spectrometry measurements. In all
the samples, transfer factors for 226Ra are significantly lower than for 40K,
but they are all in good agreement with the literature data. On the three
investigated locations, the calculated values of transfer factors for 40K
were in the range of 0.144 to 0.392, while in the case of 226Ra, the transfer
factors ranged from 0.008 to 0.074. Only one value (0.051) was obtained for
transfer factor of 232Th. Specific activities of 137Cs, as well as uranium
isotopes, in all the investigated cereal samples, were below minimal
detectable activity concentrations. Also, the absorbed dose rate and the
annual absorbed dose from the natural radionuclides in the soil, were
calculated. The absorbed dose rate ranged from 49-86 nSv/h, while the annual
absorbed dose ranged from 0.061-0.105 mSv. The measurements presented in this
manuscript are the first to be conducted in the region of Pcinja, thus
providing the results that can be used as a baseline for future measurements
and monitoring.
Introduction
Authors: Kuttainen Victoria , Liebich Susann
Published: February 2017

This special section considers the interconnections of print culture and mobility
across the Pacific in the early twentieth century. The contributors explore
how print culture was part of the practices, experiences, mediations, and representations
of travel and mobility, and understand mobility in a number of
ways: from the movement of people and texts across space and the mobility
of ideas to the opportunities of social mobility through travel. The special section
moves beyond studies of travel writing and the literary analysis of travel
narratives by discussing a range of genres, by paying attention to readers and
reception, and by focusing on actual mobility and its representation as well as
the mediation between the two.
Anatomical nuances of the internal carotid artery in relation to the quadrangular space
Authors: Dolci Ricardo L. L. , Ditzel Filho Leo F. S. , Goulart Carlos R. , Upadhyay Smita , Buohliqah Lamia , Lazarini Paulo R. , Prevedello Daniel M. , Carrau Ricardo L.
Published: February 2017

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anatomical variations of the internal carotid artery (ICA) in relation to the quadrangular space (QS) and to propose a classification system based on the results.

METHODS

A total of 44 human cadaveric specimens were dissected endonasally under direct endoscopic visualization. During the dissection, the anatomical variations of the ICA and their relationship with the QS were noted.

RESULTS

The space between the paraclival ICAs (i.e., intercarotid space) can be classified as 1 of 3 different shapes (i.e., trapezoid, square, or hourglass) based on the trajectory of the ICAs. The ICA trajectories also directly influence the volumetric area of the QS. Based on its geometry, the QS was classified as one of the following: 1) Type A has the smallest QS area and is associated with a trapezoid intercarotid space, 2) Type B corresponds to the expected QS area (not minimized or enlarged) and is associated with a square intercarotid space, and 3) Type C has the largest QS area and is associated with an hourglass intercarotid space.

CONCLUSIONS

The different trajectories of the ICAs can modify the area of the QS and may be an essential parameter to consider for preoperative planning and defining the most appropriate corridor to reach Meckel's cave. In addition, ICA trajectories should be considered prior to surgery to avoid injuring the vessels.
Giant melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy (melanotic progonoma) of the head and neck: report of a malignant case
Authors: Nicosia Giancarlo , Spennato Pietro , Aliberti Ferdinando , Cascone Daniele , Quaglietta Lucia , Errico Maria Elena , Muto Mario , Ionna Franco , Cinalli Giuseppe
Published: February 2017

Melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy is a rare congenital pigmented neoplasm of neural crest origin, locally aggressive, growing rapidly and developing during the 1st year of life. It most commonly arises from the maxilla, cranial vault, and mandible. Occasionally, it exhibits malignant behavior with local lymph nodes involvement. Cases misdiagnosed and left untreated for a long time can present challenges due to the tumor mass and infiltration. In these cases, adjuvant chemotherapy can be extremely helpful before radical excision.

Authors of this report describe a 4-year-old boy from a developing country who was referred to their hospital with an ulcerated bulging lesion in the midline/right parietooccipital region, extending to the right laterocervical and parotid regions, resulting in significant craniofacial deformation. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed a highly enhancing tumor with intracranial and extracranial development extending mainly at the level of the right parietooccipital region, with lytic and hypertrophic alterations of the skull. The patient was managed with neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy and radically resective surgery on metastatic lymph nodes and the primary tumor of the skull. Scheduled radiotherapy was not performed, according to the parents' wishes. The patient returned to his native country where the lesion recurred, and he ultimately died approximately 10 months after the end of the treatment.

The literature indicates that tumor removal alone has been the treatment of choice in most isolated cases, but in cases of highly advanced tumor with involvement of the skull and cervical lymph nodes, it is preferable to proceed with preoperative chemotherapy with the aim of reducing the tumor volume, allowing better technical conditions for complete surgical removal, and decreasing the risk of local recurrence or metastasis.
A note on how to realize the full potential of the EU-SILC data
Authors: Berger Melissa , Schaffner Sandra
Published: February 2017

The European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) is a rotational panel provided by Eurostat that covers variables with a high potential for comparative European labor market and social research. Unfortunately, its current availability limits its potential research applications. This research note describes these shortcomings of the current data provision. Furthermore, we make two contributions for a better exploitation of these data sets: First, we develop a method for combining the different waves in order to increase the number of usable observations; and second, we indicate how monthly data on income and hourly pay can be derived.
Management of broken instrument by file bypass technique
Authors: Parveen Sultana , Hossain Mozammal , Uddin Md. Farid
Published: February 2017

Different devices and techniques have been developed to retrieve fractured instruments during the endodontic procedures. This case report describes the management of a broken instrument, which was accidentally broken during cleaning and shaping of the root canal in right 2nd molar tooth. A # 25 stainless steel K-file was separated in mesiobuccal canal of the treated tooth. At first, a radiograph was taken to confirm the level of separation of the instrument. The instrument was found to be separated at the apical 3rd of the mesial canal and then file bypass technique was performed. Calcium hydroxide dressing was given for 7 days followed by obturation with guttapercha cone and zinc oxide eugenol sealer in lateral condensation technique. It can be concluded that bypass technique can be considered as simple and effective technique for the management of broken instrument into the root canal.
Systematic Analysis of the Non-Extensive Statistical Approach in High Energy Particle Collisions—Experiment vs. Theory
Authors: Bíró Gábor , Barnaföldi Gergely , Biró Tamás , Ürmössy Károly , Takács Ádám
Published: February 2017

The analysis of high-energy particle collisions is an excellent testbed for the non-extensive statistical approach. In these reactions we are far from the thermodynamical limit. In small colliding systems, such as electron-positron or nuclear collisions, the number of particles is several orders of magnitude smaller than the Avogadro number; therefore, finite-size and fluctuation effects strongly influence the final-state one-particle energy distributions. Due to the simple characterization, the description of the identified hadron spectra with the Boltzmann–Gibbs thermodynamical approach is insufficient. These spectra can be described very well with Tsallis–Pareto distributions instead, derived from non-extensive thermodynamics. Using the q-entropy formula, we interpret the microscopic physics in terms of the Tsallis q and T parameters. In this paper we give a view on these parameters, analyzing identified hadron spectra from recent years in a wide center-of-mass energy range. We demonstrate that the fitted Tsallis-parameters show dependency on the center-of-mass energy and particle species (mass). Our findings are described well by a QCD (Quantum Chromodynamics) inspired parton evolution ansatz. Based on this comprehensive study, apart from the evolution, both mesonic and baryonic components found to be non-extensive ( q > 1 ), besides the mass ordered hierarchy observed in the parameter T. We also study and compare in details the theory-obtained parameters for the case of PYTHIA8 Monte Carlo Generator, perturbative QCD and quark coalescence models.
An Enhanced VOF Method Coupled with Heat Transfer and Phase Change to Characterise Bubble Detachment in Saturated Pool Boiling
Authors: Georgoulas Anastasios , Andredaki Manolia , Marengo Marco
Published: February 2017

The present numerical investigation identifies quantitative effects of fundamental controlling parameters on the detachment characteristics of isolated bubbles in cases of pool boiling in the nucleate boiling regime. For this purpose, an improved Volume of Fluid (VOF) approach, developed previously in the general framework of OpenFOAM Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Toolbox, is further coupled with heat transfer and phase change. The predictions of the model are quantitatively verified against an existing analytical solution and experimental data in the literature. Following the model validation, four different series of parametric numerical experiments are performed, exploring the effect of the initial thermal boundary layer (ITBL) thickness for the case of saturated pool boiling of R113 as well as the effects of the surface wettability, wall superheat and gravity level for the cases of R113, R22 and R134a refrigerants. It is confirmed that the ITBL is a very important parameter in the bubble growth and detachment process. Furthermore, for all of the examined working fluids the bubble detachment characteristics seem to be significantly affected by the triple-line contact angle (i.e., the wettability of the heated plate) for equilibrium contact angles higher than 45°. As expected, the simulations revealed that the heated wall superheat is very influential on the bubble growth and detachment process. Finally, besides the novelty of the numerical approach, a last finding is the fact that the effect of the gravity level variation in the bubble detachment time and the volume diminishes with the increase of the ambient pressure.
Glass Fibers: Quo Vadis?
Authors: Mäder Edith
Published: February 2017

Since the early 1930s, the process of melting glass and subsequently forming fibers, in particular discontinuous fiber glass or continuous glass filaments, evolved into commercial-scale manufacturing.[...]
High Prevalence and Genetic Polymorphisms of Legionella in Natural and Man-Made Aquatic Environments in Wenzhou, China
Authors: Zhang Leyi , Li Yi , Wang Xin , Shangguan Zhihui , Zhou Haijian , Wu Yuejin , Wang Lianghuai , Ren Hongyu , Hu Yun , Lin Meifen , Qin Tian
Published: February 2017

Natural and engineered water systems are the main sources of Legionnaires’ disease. It is essential from a public health perspective to survey water environments for the existence of Legionella. To analyze the main serogroups, genotypes and pathogenicity of the pathogen, a stratified sampling method was adopted to collect water samples randomly from shower water, cooling tower water, and local public hot springs in Wenzhou, China. Suspected strains were isolated from concentrated water samples. Serum agglutination assay and real-time PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) were used to identify L. pneumophila. Sequence-based typing (SBT) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) were used to elucidate the genetic polymorphisms in the collected isolates. The intracellular growth ability of the isolates was determined through their interaction with J774 cells and plating them onto BCYE (Buffered Charcoal Yeast Extract) agar plates. Overall, 25.56% (46/180) of water samples were Legionella-positive; fifty-two strains were isolated and two kinds of serogroups were co-detected from six water samples from 2015 to 2016. Bacterial concentrations ranged from 20 CFU/100 mL to 10,720 CFU/100 mL. In detail, the Legionella-positive rates of shower water, cooling tower water and hot springs water were 15.45%, 13.33%, and 62.5%, respectively. The main serogroups were LP1 (30.69%) and LP3 (28.85%) and all strains carried the dot gene. Among them, 52 isolates and another 10 former isolates were analyzed by PFGE. Nineteen distinct patterns were observed in 52 strains isolated from 2015 to 2016 with three patterns being observed in 10 strains isolated from 2009 to 2014. Seventy-three strains containing 52 from this study and 21 former isolates were selected for SBT analysis and divided into 25 different sequence types in 4 main clonal groups belonging to 4 homomorphic types. Ten strains were chosen to show their abilities to grow and multiply in J744 cells. Taken together, our results demonstrate a high prevalence and genetic polymorphism of Legionella in Wenzhou’s environmental water system. The investigated environmental water sources pose a potential threat to the public where intervention could help to prevent the occurrence of Legionnaires’ disease.
Negative Regulators of JAK/STAT Signaling in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis
Authors: Malemud Charles
Published: February 2017

Elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines are generally thought to be responsible for driving the progression of synovial joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). These cytokines activate several signal transduction pathways, including the Janus kinase/Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription (JAK/STAT), Stress-Activated/Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (SAPK/MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/Akt/mechanistic target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) pathways which regulate numerous cellular responses. However, cytokine gene expression, matrix metalloproteinase gene expression and aberrant immune cell and synoviocyte survival via reduced apoptosis are most critical in the context of inflammation characteristic of RA and OA. Negative regulation of JAK/STAT signaling is controlled by Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling (SOCS) proteins. SOCS is produced at lower levels in RA and OA. In addition, gaining further insight into the role played in RA and OA pathology by the inhibitors of the apoptosis protein family, cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein-1, -2 (c-IAP1, c-IAP2), X (cross)-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), protein inhibitor of activated STAT (PIAS), and survivin (human) as well as SOCS appears to be a worthy endeavor going forward.
Permeation of Polymethoxyflavones into the Mouse Brain and Their Effect on MK-801-Induced Locomotive Hyperactivity
Authors: Okuyama Satoshi , Miyazaki Kohei , Yamada Rie , Amakura Yoshiaki , Yoshimura Morio , Sawamoto Atsushi , Nakajima Mitsunari , Furukawa Yoshiko
Published: February 2017

Accumulating data have indicated that citrus polymethoxyflavones (PMFs) have the ability to affect brain function. In the present study, we showed that 3,5,6,7,8,3′,4′-heptamethoxy- flavone (HMF) given intraperitoneally to mice was immediately detected in the brain and that the permeability of the brain tissues to it was significantly higher than that of other citrus PMFs (nobiletin, tangeretin, and natsudaidain). The permeation of these PMFs into the brain well correlated with their abilities to suppress MK-801-induced locomotive hyperactivity, suggesting that HMF had the ability to act directly in the brain. We also obtained data suggesting that the suppressive effect of HMF on MK-801-induced locomotive hyperactivity was mediated by phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) in the hippocampus.
Mitochondrial Modification Techniques and Ethical Issues
Authors: Gómez-Tatay Lucía , Hernández-Andreu José , Aznar Justo
Published: February 2017

Current strategies for preventing the transmission of mitochondrial disease to offspring include techniques known as mitochondrial replacement and mitochondrial gene editing. This technology has already been applied in humans on several occasions, and the first baby with donor mitochondria has already been born. However, these techniques raise several ethical concerns, among which is the fact that they entail genetic modification of the germline, as well as presenting safety problems in relation to a possible mismatch between the nuclear and mitochondrial DNA, maternal mitochondrial DNA carryover, and the “reversion” phenomenon. In this essay, we discuss these questions, highlighting the advantages of some techniques over others from an ethical point of view, and we conclude that none of these are ready to be safely applied in humans.
Screening of Six Medicinal Plant Extracts Obtained by Two Conventional Methods and Supercritical CO2 Extraction Targeted on Coumarin Content, 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl Radical Scavenging Capacity and Total Phenols Content
Authors: Molnar Maja , Jerković Igor , Suknović Dragica , Bilić Rajs Blanka , Aladić Krunoslav , Šubarić Drago , Jokić Stela
Published: February 2017

Six medicinal plants Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don, Angelica archangelica L., Lavandula officinalis L., Salvia officinalis L., Melilotus officinalis L., and Ruta graveolens L. were used. The aim of the study was to compare their extracts obtained by Soxhlet (hexane) extraction, maceration with ethanol (EtOH), and supercritical CO2 extraction (SC-CO2) targeted on coumarin content (by high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection, HPLC-UV), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) scavenging capacity, and total phenols (TPs) content (by Folin–Ciocalteu assay). The highest extraction yields were obtained by EtOH, followed by hexane and SC-CO2. The highest coumarin content (316.37 mg/100 g) was found in M. officinalis EtOH extracts, but its SC-CO2 extraction yield was very low for further investigation. Coumarin was also found in SC-CO2 extracts of S. officinalis, R. graveolens, A. archangelica, and L. officinalis. EtOH extracts of all plants exhibited the highest DPPH scavenging capacity. SC-CO2 extracts exhibited antiradical capacity similar to hexane extracts, while S. officinalis SC-CO2 extracts were the most potent (95.7%). EtOH extracts contained the most TPs (up to 132.1 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g from H. italicum) in comparison to hexane or SC-CO2 extracts. TPs content was highly correlated to the DPPH scavenging capacity of the extracts. The results indicate that for comprehensive screening of different medicinal plants, various extraction techniques should be used in order to get a better insight into their components content or antiradical capacity.
Vitamin A Supplementation Programs and Country-Level Evidence of Vitamin A Deficiency
Authors: Wirth James , Petry Nicolai , Tanumihardjo Sherry , Rogers Lisa , McLean Erin , Greig Alison , Garrett Greg , Klemm Rolf , Rohner Fabian
Published: February 2017

Vitamin A supplementation (VAS) programs targeted at children aged 6–59 months are implemented in many countries. By improving immune function, vitamin A (VA) reduces mortality associated with measles, diarrhea, and other illnesses. There is currently a debate regarding the relevance of VAS, but amidst the debate, researchers acknowledge that the majority of nationally-representative data on VA status is outdated. To address this data gap and contribute to the debate, we examined data from 82 countries implementing VAS programs, identified other VA programs, and assessed the recentness of national VA deficiency (VAD) data. We found that two-thirds of the countries explored either have no VAD data or data that were >10 years old (i.e., measured before 2006), which included twenty countries with VAS coverage ≥70%. Fifty-one VAS programs were implemented in parallel with at least one other VA intervention, and of these, 27 countries either had no VAD data or data collected in 2005 or earlier. To fill these gaps in VAD data, countries implementing VAS and other VA interventions should measure VA status in children at least every 10 years. At the same time, the coverage of VA interventions can also be measured. We identified three countries that have scaled down VAS, but given the lack of VA deficiency data, this would be a premature undertaking in most countries without appropriate status assessment. While the global debate about VAS is important, more attention should be directed towards individual countries where programmatic decisions are made.
The Effect of Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis HN019 on Cellular Immune Function in Healthy Elderly Subjects: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Miller Larry , Lehtoranta Liisa , Lehtinen Markus
Published: February 2017

Elderly people have increased susceptibility to infections and cancer that are associated with decline in cellular immune function. The objective of this work was to determine the efficacy of Bifidobacterium (B.) animalis ssp. lactis HN019 (HN019) supplementation on cellular immune activity in healthy elderly subjects. We conducted a systematic review of Medline and Embase for controlled trials that reported polymorphonuclear (PMN) cell phagocytic capacity or natural killer (NK) cell tumoricidal activity following B. lactis HN019 consumption in the elderly. A random effects meta-analysis was performed with standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval between probiotic and control groups for each outcome. A total of four clinical trials were included in this analysis. B. lactis HN019 supplementation was highly efficacious in increasing PMN phagocytic capacity with an SMD of 0.74 (95% confidence interval: 0.38 to 1.11, p < 0.001) and moderately efficacious in increasing NK cell tumoricidal activity with an SMD of 0.43 (95% confidence interval: 0.08 to 0.78, p = 0.02). The main limitations of this research were the small number of included studies, short-term follow-up, and assessment of a single probiotic strain. In conclusion, daily consumption of B. lactis HN019 enhances NK cell and PMN function in healthy elderly adults.
An Effective 3D Shape Descriptor for Object Recognition with RGB-D Sensors
Authors: Liu Zhong , Zhao Changchen , Wu Xingming , Chen Weihai
Published: February 2017

RGB-D sensors have been widely used in various areas of computer vision and graphics. A good descriptor will effectively improve the performance of operation. This article further analyzes the recognition performance of shape features extracted from multi-modality source data using RGB-D sensors. A hybrid shape descriptor is proposed as a representation of objects for recognition. We first extracted five 2D shape features from contour-based images and five 3D shape features over point cloud data to capture the global and local shape characteristics of an object. The recognition performance was tested for category recognition and instance recognition. Experimental results show that the proposed shape descriptor outperforms several common global-to-global shape descriptors and is comparable to some partial-to-global shape descriptors that achieved the best accuracies in category and instance recognition. Contribution of partial features and computational complexity were also analyzed. The results indicate that the proposed shape features are strong cues for object recognition and can be combined with other features to boost accuracy.
FBG-Based Monitoring of Geohazards: Current Status and Trends
Authors: Zhu Hong-Hu , Shi Bin , Zhang Cheng-Cheng
Published: February 2017

In recent years, natural and anthropogenic geohazards have occured frequently all over the world, and field monitoring is becoming an increasingly important task to mitigate these risks. However, conventional geotechnical instrumentations for monitoring geohazards have a number of weaknesses, such as low accuracy, poor durability, and high sensitivity to environmental interferences. In this aspect, fiber Bragg grating (FBG), as a popular fiber optic sensing technology, has gained an explosive amount of attention. Based on this technology, quasi-distributed sensing systems have been established to perform real-time monitoring and early warning of landslides, debris flows, land subsidence, earth fissures and so on. In this paper, the recent research and development activities of applying FBG systems to monitor different types of geohazards, especially those triggered by human activities, are critically reviewed. The working principles of newly developed FBG sensors are briefly introduced, and their features are summarized. This is followed by a discussion of recent case studies and lessons learned, and some critical problems associated with field implementation of FBG-based monitoring systems. Finally the challenges and future trends in this research area are presented.
eFarm: A Tool for Better Observing Agricultural Land Systems
Authors: Yu Qiangyi , Shi Yun , Tang Huajun , Yang Peng , Xie Ankun , Liu Bin , Wu Wenbin
Published: February 2017

Currently, observations of an agricultural land system (ALS) largely depend on remotely-sensed images, focusing on its biophysical features. While social surveys capture the socioeconomic features, the information was inadequately integrated with the biophysical features of an ALS and the applications are limited due to the issues of cost and efficiency to carry out such detailed and comparable social surveys at a large spatial coverage. In this paper, we introduce a smartphone-based app, called eFarm: a crowdsourcing and human sensing tool to collect the geotagged ALS information at the land parcel level, based on the high resolution remotely-sensed images. We illustrate its main functionalities, including map visualization, data management, and data sensing. Results of the trial test suggest the system works well. We believe the tool is able to acquire the human–land integrated information which is broadly-covered and timely-updated, thus presenting great potential for improving sensing, mapping, and modeling of ALS studies.
Bismuth Infusion of ABS Enables Additive Manufacturing of Complex Radiological Phantoms and Shielding Equipment
Authors: Ceh Justin , Youd Tom , Mastrovich Zach , Peterson Cody , Khan Sarah , Sasser Todd , Sander Ian , Doney Justin , Turner Clark , Leevy W.
Published: February 2017

Radiopacity is a critical property of materials that are used for a range of radiological applications, including the development of phantom devices that emulate the radiodensity of native tissues and the production of protective equipment for personnel handling radioactive materials. Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a fabrication platform that is well suited to creating complex anatomical replicas or custom labware to accomplish these radiological purposes. We created and tested multiple ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) filaments infused with varied concentrations of bismuth (1.2–2.7 g/cm3), a radiopaque metal that is compatible with plastic infusion, to address the poor gamma radiation attenuation of many mainstream 3D printing materials. X-ray computed tomography (CT) experiments of these filaments indicated that a density of 1.2 g/cm3 of bismuth-infused ABS emulates bone radiopacity during X-ray CT imaging on preclinical and clinical scanners. ABS-bismuth filaments along with ABS were 3D printed to create an embedded human nasocranial anatomical phantom that mimicked radiological properties of native bone and soft tissue. Increasing the bismuth content in the filaments to 2.7 g/cm3 created a stable material that could attenuate 50% of 99mTechnetium gamma emission when printed with a 2.0 mm wall thickness. A shielded test tube rack was printed to attenuate source radiation as a protective measure for lab personnel. We demonstrated the utility of novel filaments to serve multiple radiological purposes, including the creation of anthropomorphic phantoms and safety labware, by tuning the level of radiation attenuation through material customization.
Equity and the Conservation of Global Ecosystem Services
Authors: Davidson Marc
Published: February 2017

This article provides a first rough sketch of how to conceptualize countries’ present and historical contributions to the loss of global ecosystem services, i.e., ecosystem services of which the delivery is global and omnidirectional, and discusses the implications of questions concerning the international distribution of responsibilities. On the basis of limited empirical data about past and present land conversion, some first calculations suggest that keeping converted land in a converted state, thus preventing ecosystems recovery, may contribute more to current loss of global ecosystem services than new conversion of ecosystems. Moreover, many developing countries in the tropics may contribute more to the loss of global ecosystem services, in both absolute terms and per capita, than many developed countries in temperate zones. This would make finding an equitable arrangement for international allocation of responsibilities for biological conservation far more complex than for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, raising new and challenging questions for normative theorists.
Statistical Dependence of Pipe Breaks on Explanatory Variables
Authors: Gómez-Martínez Patricia , Cubillo Francisco , Martín-Carrasco Francisco , Garrote Luis
Published: February 2017

Aging infrastructure is the main challenge currently faced by water suppliers. Estimation of assets lifetime requires reliable criteria to plan assets repair and renewal strategies. To do so, pipe break prediction is one of the most important inputs. This paper analyzes the statistical dependence of pipe breaks on explanatory variables, determining their optimal combination and quantifying their influence on failure prediction accuracy. A large set of registered data from Madrid water supply network, managed by Canal de Isabel II, has been filtered, classified and studied. Several statistical Bayesian models have been built and validated from the available information with a technique that combines reference periods of time as well as geographical location. Statistical models of increasing complexity are built from zero up to five explanatory variables following two approaches: a set of independent variables or a combination of two joint variables plus an additional number of independent variables. With the aim of finding the variable combination that provides the most accurate prediction, models are compared following an objective validation procedure based on the model skill to predict the number of pipe breaks in a large set of geographical locations. As expected, model performance improves as the number of explanatory variables increases. However, the rate of improvement is not constant. Performance metrics improve significantly up to three variables, but the tendency is softened for higher order models, especially in trunk mains where performance is reduced. Slight differences are found between trunk mains and distribution lines when selecting the most influent variables and models.
The Spatial and Temporal Contribution of Glacier Runoff to Watershed Discharge in the Yarkant River Basin, Northwest China
Authors: Yin Zhenliang , Feng Qi , Liu Shiyin , Zou Songbing , Li Jing , Yang Linshan , Deo Ravinesh
Published: February 2017

In this paper, a glacial module based on an enhanced temperature-index approach was successfully introduced into the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model to simulate the glacier runoff and water balance of a glacierized watershed, the mountainous region of the Yarkant River Basin (YRB) in Karakoram. Calibration and validation of the SWAT model were based on comparisons between the simulated and observed discharge with a monthly temporal resolution from 1961 to 2011 for the Kaqun hydrological station. The results reaffirmed the viability of the approach for simulating glacier runoff, as evidenced by a Nash–Sutcliff Efficiency (NSE) of 0.82–0.86 as well as a percentage bias (PBIAS) of −4.5% to 2.4%, for the calibration and validation periods, respectively. Over the last 50 years, the total discharge and glacier runoff both exhibited increasing trends with 0.031 × 109 m3·a−1 and 0.011 × 109 m3·a−1. The annual glacier runoff contribution to the streamflow was between 42.3% and 64.5%, with an average of 51.6%, although the glaciers accounted for only 12.6% of the watershed drainage area in the mountainous YRB. The monthly contribution of the glacier runoff ranged from 11.0% in April to 62.1% in August, and the glacier runoff from June to September accounted for about 86.3% of the annual glacier runoff. Runoff from the mountainous regions above 5000 m a.s.l. accounted for 70.5% of the total discharge, with glacier runoff contributions being approximately 46.4%.
Physically, Fully-Distributed Hydrologic Simulations Driven by GPM Satellite Rainfall over an Urbanizing Arid Catchment in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Sharif Hatim , Al-Zahrani Muhammad , Hassan Almoutaz
Published: February 2017

A physically-based, distributed-parameter hydrologic model was used to simulate a recent flood event in the city of Hafr Al Batin, Saudi Arabia to gain a better understanding of the runoff generation and spatial distribution of flooding. The city is located in a very arid catchment. Flooding of the city is influenced by the presence of three major tributaries that join the main channel in and around the heavily urbanized area. The Integrated Multi-satellite Retrievals for Global Precipitation Measurement Mission (IMERG) rainfall product was used due to lack of detailed ground observations. To overcome the heavy computational demand, the catchment was divided into three sub-catchments with a variable model grid resolution. The model was run on three subcatchments separately, without losing hydrologic connectivity among the sub-catchments. Uncalibrated and calibrated satellite products were used producing different estimates of the predicted runoff. The runoff simulations demonstrated that 85% of the flooding was generated in the urbanized portion of the catchments for the simulated flood. Additional model simulations were performed to understand the roles of the unique channel network in the city flooding. The simulations provided insights into the best options for flood mitigation efforts. The variable model grid size approach allowed using physically-based, distributed models—such as the Gridded Surface Subsurface Hydrologic Analysis (GSSHA) model used in this study—on large basins that include urban centers that need to be modeled at very high resolutions.
Les monnaies mérovingiennes modifiées à des fins non monétaires
Authors: Trécourt-Codine Florence
Published: February 2017

In the normal course of its monetary use and circulation a coin can be modified in various ways. Political authorities remelt, restrike and at times overstrike coins ; dishonest users clip or otherwise lighten them for profit. Circulation wears them down, and they are frequently cut or scratched to test their value. Modifications such as segmentation and scratching can also be a means to remove coins from circulation, and indeed it can be argued that it is the case with most modified coins. These objects offer an interesting outlook on the use of coins not only as a means of exchange, but also as objects.