bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Volumetric changes and clinical outcome for petroclival meningiomas after primary treatment with Gamma Knife radiosurgery
Authors: Sadik Zjiwar H. A. , Lie Suan Te , Leenstra Sieger , Hanssens Patrick E. J.
Published: January 2018

OBJECTIVE

Petroclival meningiomas (PCMs) can cause devastating clinical symptoms due to mass effect on cranial nerves (CNs); thus, patients harboring these tumors need treatment. Many neurosurgeons advocate for microsurgery because removal of the tumor can provide relief or result in symptom disappearance. Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) is often an alternative for surgery because it can cause tumor shrinkage with improvement of symptoms. This study evaluates qualitative volumetric changes of PCM after primary GKRS and its impact on clinical symptoms.

METHODS

The authors performed a retrospective study of patients with PCM who underwent primary GKRS between 2003 and 2015 at the Gamma Knife Center of the Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital in Tilburg, the Netherlands. This study yields 53 patients. In this study the authors concentrate on qualitative volumetric tumor changes, local tumor control rate, and the effect of the treatment on trigeminal neuralgia (TN).

RESULTS

Local tumor control was 98% at 5 years and 93% at 7 years (Kaplan-Meier estimates). More than 90% of the tumors showed regression in volume during the first 5 years. The mean volumetric tumor decrease was 21.2%, 27.1%, and 31% at 1, 3, and 6 years of follow-up, respectively. Improvement in TN was achieved in 61%, 67%, and 70% of the cases at 1, 2, and 3 years of follow-up, respectively. This was associated with a mean volumetric tumor decrease of 25% at the 1-year follow-up to 32% at the 3-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

GKRS for PCMs yields a high tumor control rate with a low incidence of neurological deficits. Many patients with TN due to PCM experienced improvement in TN after radiosurgery. GKRS achieves significant volumetric tumor decrease in the first years of follow-up and thereafter.
Placement of baclofen pump catheter through a C1–2 puncture: technical note
Authors: Aljuboori Zaid , Archer Jacob , Huff Wei , Moreno Amee , Jea Andrew
Published: January 2018

Intrathecal baclofen has been suggested as an effective and safe treatment for intractable spasticity and dystonia. Techniques of lumbar and intraventricular catheter placement have been previously described. The purpose of this study was to describe a technique to implant catheters for intrathecal baclofen infusion through C1–2 puncture.

Four of 5 consecutively treated patients underwent successful placement of catheters for intrathecal baclofen. There were no instances of infection, CSF leak, or catheter migration seen during a follow-up period of at least 6 months; furthermore, there were no occurrences of vertebral artery or spinal cord injury. All patients had an effective stabilization or reduction of their upper-extremity, lower-extremity, or trunk tone. There were no cases of worsening hypertonia.

The authors’ preliminary experience with C1–2 puncture for placement of the intrathecal baclofen catheter seems to indicate that this is a safe and efficacious technique. Lessons learned from the failed attempt at C1–2 puncture will be delineated.
The design of a vertical curriculum: travelling with mathematics
Authors: Montone Antonella
Published: January 2018

In this paper the authors present a reflection concerning a possible vertical curriculum in Mathematics. It needs to consider epistemological aspects related to the teaching-learning of math and linked to the suggestions of the Italian National Curriculum. In this case the Vergnaud's Theory of Conceptual Field and the Brousseau's Theory of Situations could prove to be useful for teachers to provide students with fruitful situations so that, facing them, they can construct mathematical knowledge.
Thinking the curriculum in an inclusive perspective: challenges and opportunities
Authors: Pennazio Valentina
Published: January 2018

Il presente contributo offre alcune riflessioni finalizzate a focalizzare possibili modalità con cui ripensare il curricolo verticale tradizionale in un'ottica maggiormente inclusiva  e rispondente alle richieste provenienti dall'eterogeneità degli studenti che attualmente caratterizzano il contesto scolastico. Viene ripreso a tale scopo il concetto di inclusione cercando di far emergere come le differenti visioni e interpretazioni che accompagnano in contesto europeo tale concetto, determinano differenze evidenti nelle pratiche curricolari e didattiche a livello nazionale, regionale e/o locale. Tra le posizioni che consigliano di privilegiare una prospettiva  indirizzata all'individualizzazione o una rivolta alla personalizzazione è necessario ragionare in termini di reale fattibilità rintracciando soluzioni che fondano insieme le due prospettive in percorsi comuni ma al tempo stesso perseguibili da ogni studente in maniera personalizzata. Parlando di curricolo inclusivo a partire da alcune proposte come quelle portate avanti sull'Index, si cerca infine di considerare in maniera critica, quanto sia possibile e utile far si che una determinata strutturazione del curricolo possa diventare veicolo per diffondere una cultura inclusiva.  
ALIA. The Gentile's concept of Machiavelli. Returning to the origins of the educational community in interiore homine
Authors: Costabile Giancarlo
Published: January 2018

In questo articolo si discute l'influenza del pensiero di Niccolò Machiavelli nella costruzione gentiliana della pedagogia dello Stato etico e dell'umanesimo del lavoro. Il concetto machiavelliano di virtù fonda il significato pedagogico della prassi che si rivela tra le matrici principali dell'approdo speculativo di Giovanni Gentile: la costruzione sociale della comunità in interiore homine. L'umanesimo del lavoro, sviluppo concettuale dell'homo faber del Rinascimento, si pone sul piano della prassi educativa come pedagogia del ‘prendersi cura' dell'umanarsi dell'uomo. Le radici moderne di questo processo poietico-pedagogico sono da rintracciarsi secondo Gentile nel realismo machiavelliano e nella sua idea laica di potestas come libertà.
ALIA.The initial training of educators for Early Childhood Education and Care in Italy: normative and curricular aspects
Authors: Taddei Arianna
Published: January 2018

The quality of educational services for childhood depends structurally on the professional competences of the educators who work in them: these competences have also matured within the services, but are primarily connected with the training paths that open up to the exercise of the profession. Recent regulations have made compulsory for educators in the 0-3 range to have an initial university training course within the L-19 degree class. This provision finds the universities at least partially prepared to face the consequent training challenge, but in a context that sees a strong heterogeneity of offer. The article, starting from a brief normative survey, identifies the fundamental characteristics of a possible academic curriculum for early childhood educators, based on hypotheses advanced in recent months. This hypothesis is then compared with the current reality of the degrees activated in Italy in the L-19 class, identifying the coherence and the reasons for problematics in the relationship between the actual situation and the new training request that is demanded to the courses themselves in this sector.
ALIA. Listening to death
Authors: Fabbri Maurizio
Published: January 2018

The article underlines how some contributions of the neuroscientific research can help human kind to reach a higher consciousness about the theme of death, considering it from the perspective of phylogenetic evolution, which helps to attribute a meaning to death.
Effect of Different Levels of Urea Super Granule and Prilled Urea on the Crop Quality, Nutrient Uptake and Soil Nutrient Status of Broccoli
Authors: Hussain M J , Karim A J M S , Solaiman A R M , Islam M S , Rahman M
Published: January 2018

A field experiment was conducted at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur during the period 2010-2011 to assess the effect of urea super granule (USG) and prilled urea (PU) on the quality attributes (Compactness coefficient, Vitamin C, β-carotene and chlorophyll contents) of broccoli, to assess the comparative performance of USG and PU on nutrient uptake and uptake efficiency of broccoli plant, to assess the effect of different forms and levels of urea N on the post harvest soil nutrient status of broccoli field and to select the better doses of USG and PU for quality broccoli production in Shallow Red-Brown Terrace Soil under Madhupur Tract (AEZ-28). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications having 17 treatments constituted with different levels of urea super granule (USG) and prilled urea (PU) as- T1: N-control,  T2: PU-N80, T3: PU-N100, T4: PU-N120, T5: PU-N140, T6: PU-N160, T7: PU-N180, T8: PU-N200, T9: PU-N220, T10: USG-N80, T11: USG-N100,  T12: USG-N120, T13: USG-N140, T14: USG-N160, T15: USG-N180, T16: USG-N200, T17 and USG-N220 kg ha-1. Results revealed that the comparative performance of USG in relation to head quality (compactness coefficient, ascorbic acid, β-carotene and chlorophyll content), nutrient (NPKS) uptake and N uptake efficiency was found better as compared to PU. The compactness coefficient, β-carotene and chlorophyll contents were increased with increasing rate of N as well as USG and PU, but ascorbic acid content was slightly decreased with increasing rate of USG and PU. The maximum compactness coefficient (18.61) was found from the treatment USG-N180 that was followed by USG-N160 (18.24) and the highest β-carotene content (0.401 mg/100gFW) was found from USG-N160 followed by PU-N180 (0.40 mg/100gFW). Similarly the highest chlorophyll-a content (0.818 mg/100gFW) was found from USG-N180 followed by USG-N160 (0.814 mg/100gFW) and the highest chlorophyll-b content (1.141mg/100g FW) was recorded from USG-N180. The higher nutrient uptake and N uptake efficiency (108.531%) was obtained from USG treated plots over that of the PU. But N uptake efficiency was decreased with increasing rates of N fertilizer. But post harvest soil nitrogen status did not show any systematic trend although it was found higher in USG over PU. Similarly no remarkable changes were observed in post harvest soil P, K, S and B status for the crop. However, USG @ 160 kg N ha-1 (USG-N160) followed by USG-N140 and PU @ 180 kg N ha-1 (PU-N180) with other recommended doses of fertilizer could be suggested as USG and PU based fertilizer recommendation for a good quality broccoli production in terms of yield and quality in Silty Clay Loam Soil of Madhupur Tract.The Agriculturists 2017; 15(2) 24-39
Pre-Storage Fungicidal Treatment Effects on Prevalence of Seed-Borne Fungi and Quality of Onion (Allium cepa L.) Seed
Authors: Khan A A , Sarker K U , Hossain M F , Haque M M , Mian I H
Published: January 2018

Effect of pre-storage fungicidal treatment on prevalence of seed-borne fungi and quality of onion (Allium cepa L.) seeds was evaluated under laboratory condition. Seeds were treated separately with five fungicides namely Bavistin 50 WP (Carbendazim) and Dithane M-45 (Mancozeb) @ 2.2 g/kg, Homai (Thiophanate) and Rovral (Iprodione) @ 2.0 g/kg and Provax-200 (Carboxin) @ 3.0 g/kg of seeds before storage. Prevalence of seed-borne fungi, percent seeds germination and vigor index were evaluated just before storage, 75 and 150 days after storage. Fungicides produced significant negative impact on seed-borne fungi and positive impact in maintaining quality during storage. Provax-200, Rovral, Dithane M-45 and Bavistin effectively reduced seed-borne fungi and performed better for germination and vigor of seeds. Seed treatment with Provax-200, Rovral, Bavistin or Dithane M-45 would therefore be suggested as effective fungicides to control seed-borne fungal infection and maintain better germination and vigor of onion seed in storage.The Agriculturists 2017; 15(2) 52-58
Profitability and Comparative Advantage of Onion (Allium cepa) Production in Bangladesh: An Economic Study in Some Selected Areas
Authors: Anjum Arifa , Kumar Barmon Basanta
Published: January 2018

The present study attempted to estimate the profitability, domestic resource cost (DRC) and problems and prospects of onion production in the study areas. Both primary and secondary data were used in this study. Sample survey was carried out in two selected areas under Kushtia and Jhenaidah districts. A total of 110 onion producers were selected randomly of which 70 producers were from Kushtia and the remaining 40 producers were from Jhenaidah. The study showed that, on an average, total costs of onion production per hectare were about Tk. 150,097 and 116,831 in Kushtia and Jhenaidah district, respectively. The benefit cost ratios (BCR) of onion production were 2.02 and 1.83 in Kushtia and Jhenaidah district, respectively. The results of profitability and BCR show that onion is a profitable crop in Bangladesh. The domestic resource costs (DRC) were 0.47 in Kushtia and 0.52 in Jhenaidah, which indicate that Bangladesh has comparative advantage in onion production. The coefficients of the production function show that farm area, irrigation, pesticides, seeds, chemical fertilizers (TSP) and labor were statistically significant affecting factors of onion production and it shows constant returns to scale. The onion producers faced some production, technological and marketing related problems in the study areas. The government should therefore, take necessary policies for further development of onion production in Bangladesh.The Agriculturists 2017; 15(2) 66-78
Conception Generique de l'Arbitrage en Droit International, Mecanisme de Reglement des Differends
Authors: Pierre Barry Njem Iboum
Published: January 2018

L'arbitrage mécanisme de règlement des différends a connu un essor dans les siècles précédents au point même de passer pour le mode commun de règlement des différends. Dans un sens il pourrait s'identifier autant au règlement judiciaire qu'aux autres mécanismes non juridictionnels de règlement des différends en ce sens qu'il aurait pour fonction de mettre fin à une contestation entre deux parties. Dans un autre sens, l'arbitrage s'identifie à un mécanisme particulier de règlement des différends – véritable chose des parties –, car fondé sur l'accord de volonté des parties – qui irrigue pratiquement tout le processus – au différend et consistant à confier à un organe privé la mission de trancher le différend en vertu des règles de droit choisies par celles-ci. C'est certainement la mise en commun de toutes ces considérations de l'arbitrage qui fondent son attrait et qui l'identifient.
Introduction: 1707, 2014 and the Constitutional Imperative in Scotland's National Press and Civil Society
Authors: Benchimol Alex , Schlesinger Philip
Published: January 2018

This essay provides an historical, cultural and institutional juxtaposition of the Scottish national press' relationship to constitutional change, using the Union of 1707 and the 2014 independence referendum as key markers of this relationship. It reviews the parallels between both historical events in the context of structural changes to Scottish civil society, and the role played by the media in amplifying and facilitating these changes. Finally, the essay maps the work of a number of historical and literary scholars, media experts, civil society actors, and journalists who have contributed to the Scottish Affairs special issue, 1707 and 2014: The National Press, Civil Society and Constitutional Identity in Scotland.
National Opinion and the Press in Scotland before the Union of 1707
Authors: Bowie Karin
Published: January 2018

Vigorous extra-parliamentary public debate over the question of union helped to ensure that Scotland brought into the Union of 1707 a sense of itself as a nation with national opinions. Though the parliamentary electorate remained small, a meaningful number of Scots engaged in public political debate on the question of union. Petitions from shires, burghs and parishes spoke for local communities and pamphleteers presented Scottish voices through archetypal figures such as a ‘country farmer’. This allowed opponents to declare that incorporating union was inconsistent with ‘the publickly expressed mind of the nation’. After the Union, extra-parliamentary national opinion continued to be expressed and sustained by the Scottish press and petitions, contributing to the maintenance of Scottish national identity within the United Kingdom.
‘Literary Symbols’: Language and Style in the 1707 Union Debates
Authors: McLean Ralph
Published: January 2018

The pamphlet war which surrounded the debates of the proposed Union between Scotland and England in 1707 has frequently been dismissed as a mere sideshow to the main events that took place in the Scottish Parliament. Until recently, the accepted viewpoint was that as only the landed elites possessed the vote, it was only they who could decide the political destiny of the country – the wider populace was largely an irrelevancy. However, the political speeches of the Scotsman, John Hamilton, Lord Belhaven, and the response to those speeches, by English man of letters, Daniel Defoe, suggests that the poetry and prose generated by these intense debates had a purpose to speak directly to the people, and to galvanise them for a cause, despite their lack of a direct political voice. This article investigates the importance of Belhaven's speeches in an attempt to understand why they had so much resonance with the general public, and the extent to which his opponents attempted to contain his appeal to the people.
Scots Law and Scottish Identity: A Legendary Tale
Authors: Clancy Michael P.
Published: January 2018

The Treaty of Union 1707 between Scotland and England and the respective implementing legislation in each Kingdom contained provisions which today we might describe as ‘opt-outs’. These opt-outs from incorporating Union preserved aspects of the Scottish legal system which, along with the Presbyterian religion and the system of education, helped to ensure that Scottish identity was supported by some of the most powerful aspects of the state. This essay will examine some of the provisions of the Treaty, analyse aspects of the legal system and law that persisted after the Union, comment on the extent to which 310 years of the Union with England influenced that law, reflect on membership of the EU and the harmonization which it brought to the legal system and consider the impact of the Scottish Parliament on that law and legal system.
The Scottish Press, the Union and Civil Society after 1707: The Glasgow Advertiser and the General Assembly Test Act Debate of 1790
Authors: Benchimol Alex
Published: January 2018

Constitutional debate in the twenty-first century Scottish media is often presented by reporters and commentators as a uniquely contemporary feature of the nation's civil society. The present article will explore how the Scottish press and eighteenth-century Scotland's highest profile civil society institution – the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland – interacted to facilitate constitutional debate around the legal, social and ecclesiastical meaning of the Union for Scots, some eighty years after the settlement of 1707. The article examines the Glasgow Advertiser's coverage of the 1790 General Assembly debate over a motion to repeal the Test Act (which stipulated a confessional qualification in the Church of England for Kirk members seeking to hold British office) to illustrate how the eighteenth-century Scottish newspaper press sought to uphold the constitutional interests of the nation through extensive coverage of a central institution of Scottish civil society.
The Kirk and the Union
Authors: Gay Doug
Published: January 2018

The Church of Scotland remained neutral in the 2014 independence referendum and its set piece dialogue on the referendum at the 2014 General Assembly made little impact. As one of the keynote speakers in the dialogue, Doug Gay discusses the declining influence of the Kirk in Scottish public life, arguing that its social and political role has been reduced but should not be discounted.
Crossing Divides: Edinburgh International Festival Diary 2017
Authors: Relich Mario
Published: January 2018

A review of the Edinburgh International Festivals on their (shared) 70th anniversaries. The theme of ‘crossing divides’ is pursued.
muMAB: A Multi-Armed Bandit Model for Wireless Network Selection
Authors: Boldrini Stefano , De Nardis Luca , Caso Giuseppe , Le Mai , Fiorina Jocelyn , Di Benedetto Maria-Gabriella
Published: January 2018

Multi-armed bandit (MAB) models are a viable approach to describe the problem of best wireless network selection by a multi-Radio Access Technology (multi-RAT) device, with the goal of maximizing the quality perceived by the final user. The classical MAB model does not allow, however, to properly describe the problem of wireless network selection by a multi-RAT device, in which a device typically performs a set of measurements in order to collect information on available networks, before a selection takes place. The MAB model foresees in fact only one possible action for the player, which is the selection of one among different arms at each time step; existing arm selection algorithms thus mainly differ in the rule according to which a specific arm is selected. This work proposes a new MAB model, named measure-use-MAB (muMAB), aiming at providing a higher flexibility, and thus a better accuracy in describing the network selection problem. The muMAB model extends the classical MAB model in a twofold manner; first, it foresees two different actions: to measure and to use; second, it allows actions to span over multiple time steps. Two new algorithms designed to take advantage of the higher flexibility provided by the muMAB model are also introduced. The first one, referred to as measure-use-UCB1 (muUCB1) is derived from the well known UCB1 algorithm, while the second one, referred to as Measure with Logarithmic Interval (MLI), is appositely designed for the new model so to take advantage of the new measure action, while aggressively using the best arm. The new algorithms are compared against existing ones from the literature in the context of the muMAB model, by means of computer simulations using both synthetic and captured data. Results show that the performance of the algorithms heavily depends on the Probability Density Function (PDF) of the reward received on each arm, with different algorithms leading to the best performance depending on the PDF. Results highlight, however, that as the ratio between the time required for using an arm and the time required to measure increases, the proposed algorithms guarantee the best performance, with muUCB1 emerging as the best candidate when the arms are characterized by similar mean rewards, and MLI prevailing when an arm is significantly more rewarding than others. This calls thus for the introduction of an adaptive approach capable of adjusting the behavior of the algorithm or of switching algorithm altogether, depending on the acquired knowledge on the PDF of the reward on each arm.
Uncertainty Propagation of Spectral Matching Ratios Measured Using a Calibrated Spectroradiometer
Authors: Pavanello Diego , Galleano Roberto , Kenny Robert
Published: January 2018

The international standard IEC62670-3 (International Electrotechnical Committee) “Photovoltaic Concentrators (CPV) Performance Testing—Part 3—Performance Measurements and Power Rating” sets the guidelines for power measurements of a CPV device, both in indoor and outdoor conditions. When measuring in outdoor conditions, the acquired data have to be filtered a posteriori, in order to select only those points measured with ambient conditions close to the Concentrator Standard Operating Conditions (CSOC). The most stringent requirement to be met is related to the three Spectral Matching Ratios (SMR), which have all to be within the limit of 1.00 ± 0.03. SMR are usually determined by the ratio of the currents of component cells to monitor the outdoor spectral ratio conditions during the CPV device power measurements. Experience demonstrates that obtaining real world data meeting these strict conditions is very difficult in practice. However, increasing the acceptable range would make the entire filtering process less appropriate from a physical point of view. Given the importance of correctly measuring the SMR, an estimation of their associated measurement uncertainties is needed to allow a proper assessment of the validity of the 3% limit. In this study a Monte Carlo simulation has been used, to allow the estimation of the propagation of uncertainties in expressions having the and integral form. The method consists of applying both random and wavelength correlated errors to the measured spectra and to the measured spectral responses of the three CPV cell junctions, according to the measurement uncertainties of the European Solar Test Installation (ESTI). The experimental data used in this study have been acquired during clear sky conditions in May 2016, at ESTI’s facilities in Ispra, northern Italy (45°49′ N 8°37′ E).
Carbon in Mature Native Forests in Australia: The Role of Direct Weighing in the Derivation of Allometric Equations
Authors: A. Ximenes Fabiano , Kathuria Amrit , McLean Michael , Coburn Rebecca , Sargeant David , Ryan Michael , Williams Justin , Boer Ken , Mo Matthew
Published: January 2018

Accurate estimates of forest biomass are essential to understand the contribution of forests to climate change mitigation efforts. In this manuscript, we report on biomass determinations for 586 directly weighed trees located in three important native forest areas in Australia. The sites were paired according to management strategy; i.e., managed for periodic cycles of harvest or conservation only. The key aim of the work was to test whether non-site specific available biomass relationships are reliable, especially in the estimation of the biomass of trees with a large diameter at breast height (DBH). The above-ground carbon (AGC) estimates for largely undisturbed forests ranged from approximately 200–400 t C ha−1. Existing allometric equations were generally poor at estimating biomass for mature trees, especially those of large DBH. Direct weighing of biomass ensured a degree of certainty in the results that cannot be associated with previous studies that relied on sub-sampling, or with studies that relied on existing allometric equations. Thus, caution should be exercised when interpreting the results of previous studies that did not rely on direct weighing of the biomass in the context of decisions around optimum forest management regimens, and the contribution of mature forest stands to the global carbon balance.
Sustainable Management of Metasequoia glyptostroboides Plantation Forests in Shanghai
Authors: Zheng Ji , Blanco Juan , Wei Xiaohua , Liu Chunjiang
Published: January 2018

Urban forestry is increasingly used as a tool for climate change mitigation and for providing environmental services to inhabitants of urban areas. However, tree species used in urban forestry are usually different from the ones used in commercial forestry. As a consequence, available data on growth and yield under alternative management scenarios are usually scarce. As forest models can be used to explore potential forest futures, they are of special interest as decision-support tools in urban forestry. In this research, we used the FORECAST ecosystem-level forest model to define the management prescriptions for Metasequoia glyptostroboides plantations in Shanghai that reach the highest net primary productivity (NPP). In a first step, a battery of different stand densities (from 500 to 4000 stems ha−1) was used to identify those with the highest NPP at stand level. Then, different thinning regimes (with intensities ranging from 15% to 40% of trees removed and applied at stand age 5 to 20 years) were simulated on those initial densities with the highest NPP (3000 and 4000 stems ha−1). Planting 4000 stems ha−1 and not applying thinning achieved the highest annual NPP (14.39 ± 3.92 Mg ha−1 yr−1) during the first rotation, but it was not significantly different from the NPP achieved with the same initial density but thinning 40% of trees at year 10. NPP was estimated to decrease with consecutive rotations, and for the second rotation thinning was needed to significantly increase NPP (10.11 ± 2.59 Mg ha−1 yr−1 with 4000 stems ha−1 and 25% thinning at year 10) above non-thinning management. For the third rotation, the highest NPP was reached with initial density 3000 stems ha−1 and 25% thinning at year 10. Nitrogen flows were also estimated to decrease with consecutive rotations. These results indicate the potential of managing M. glyptostroboides urban plantations to reach their maximum productivity potential, but also that additional actions would be needed to ensure adequate nutrient levels over consecutive rotations. For a species such as M. glyptostroboides, which was discovered for science less than 70 years ago and for which no plantations over 50 years exist, the ecosystem-level FORECAST model has been shown as a suitable tool to support management decision when growth and yield data are not available.
The Role of Bacteria, Probiotics and Diet in Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Authors: Harper Ashton , Naghibi Malwina , Garcha Davinder
Published: January 2018

Irritable bowel syndrome is a highly prevalent gastrointestinal disorder that threatens the quality of life of millions and poses a substantial financial burden on healthcare systems around the world. Intense research into the human microbiome has led to fascinating discoveries which directly and indirectly implicate the diversity and function of this occult organ in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) pathophysiology. The benefit of manipulating the gastrointestinal microbiota with diet and probiotics to improve symptoms has been demonstrated in a wealth of both animal and human studies. The positive and negative mechanistic roles bacteria play in IBS will be explored and practical probiotic and dietary choices offered.
Total and Bioaccessible Soil Arsenic and Lead Levels and Plant Uptake in Three Urban Community Gardens in Puerto Rico
Authors: Misenheimer John , Nelson Clay , Huertas Evelyn , Medina-Vera Myriam , Prevatte Alex , Bradham Karen
Published: January 2018

Arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) are two contaminants of concern associated with urban gardening. In Puerto Rico, data currently is limited on As and Pb levels in urban garden soils, soil metal (loid) bioaccessibility, and uptake of As and Pb in soil by edible plants grown in the region. This study examined total and bioaccessible soil As and Pb concentrations and accumulation in 10 commonly grown garden plants collected from three urban community gardens in Puerto Rico. Bioavailability values were predicted using bioaccessibility data to compare site-specific bioavailability estimates to commonly used default exposure assumptions. Total and bioaccessible As levels in study soils ranged from 2 to 55 mg/kg and 1 to 18 mg/kg, respectively. Total and bioaccessible Pb levels ranged from 19 to 172 mg/kg and 17 to 97 mg/kg, respectively. Measured bioaccessibility values corresponded to 19% to 42% bioaccessible As and 61% to 100% bioaccessible Pb when expressed as a percent of total As and Pb respectively. Predicted relative percent bioavailability of soil As and Pb based on measured bioaccessibility values ranged from 18% to 36% and 51% to 85% for As and Pb respectively. Transfer factors (TFs) measuring uptake of As in plants from soil ranged from 0 to 0.073 in the edible flesh (fruit or vegetable) of plant tissues analyzed and 0.073 to 0.444 in edible leaves. Pb TFs ranged from 0.002 to 0.012 in flesh and 0.023 to 0.204 in leaves. Consistent with TF values, leaves accumulated higher concentrations of As and Pb than the flesh, with the highest tissue concentrations observed in the culantro leaf (3.2 mg/kg dw of As and 8.9 mg/kg dw of Pb). Leaves showed a general but not statistically-significant (α = 0.05) trend of increased As and Pb concentration with increased soil levels, while no trend was observed for flesh tissues. These findings provide critical data that can improve accuracy and reduce uncertainty when conducting site-specific risk determination of potential As and Pb exposure while gardening or consuming garden produce in the understudied region of Puerto Rico.
Seeing What’s Right in Front of Us: The Bone Clocks, Climate Change, and Human Attention
Authors: Callaway Elizabeth
Published: January 2018

The scales on which climate change acts make it notoriously difficult to represent in artistic and cultural works. By modeling the encounter with climate as one characterized by distraction, David Mitchell’s novel The Bone Clocks proposes that the difficulty in portraying climate change arises not from displaced effects and protracted timescales but a failure of attention. The book both describes and enacts the way more traditionally dramatic stories distract from climate connections right in front of our eyes, revealing, in the end, that the real story was climate all along.
Skeleton-Controlled pDNA Delivery of Renewable Steroid-Based Cationic Lipids, the Endocytosis Pathway Analysis and Intracellular Localization
Authors: Sheng Ruilong , Wang Zhao , Luo Ting , Cao Amin , Sun Jingjing , Kinsella Joseph
Published: January 2018

Using renewable and biocompatible natural-based resources to construct functional biomaterials has attracted great attention in recent years. In this work, we successfully prepared a series of steroid-based cationic lipids by integrating various steroid skeletons/hydrophobes with (l-)-arginine headgroups via facile and efficient synthetic approach. The plasmid DNA (pDNA) binding affinity of the steroid-based cationic lipids, average particle sizes, surface potentials, morphologies and stability of the steroid-based cationic lipids/pDNA lipoplexes were disclosed to depend largely on the steroid skeletons. Cellular evaluation results revealed that cytotoxicity and gene transfection efficiency of the steroid-based cationic lipids in H1299 and HeLa cells strongly relied on the steroid hydrophobes. Interestingly, the steroid lipids/pDNA lipoplexes inclined to enter H1299 cells mainly through caveolae and lipid-raft mediated endocytosis pathways, and an intracellular trafficking route of “lipid-raft-mediated endocytosis→lysosome→cell nucleic localization” was accordingly proposed. The study provided possible approach for developing high-performance steroid-based lipid gene carriers, in which the cytotoxicity, gene transfection capability, endocytosis pathways, and intracellular trafficking/localization manners could be tuned/controlled by introducing proper steroid skeletons/hydrophobes. Noteworthy, among the lipids, Cho-Arg showed remarkably high gene transfection efficacy, even under high serum concentration (50% fetal bovine serum), making it an efficient gene transfection agent for practical application.
Poly-N-Acetyllactosamine Neo-Glycoproteins as Nanomolar Ligands of Human Galectin-3: Binding Kinetics and Modeling
Authors: Bumba Ladislav , Laaf Dominic , Spiwok Vojtěch , Elling Lothar , Křen Vladimír , Bojarová Pavla
Published: January 2018

Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is recognized as a prognostic marker in several cancer types. Its involvement in tumor development and proliferation makes this lectin a promising target for early cancer diagnosis and anti-cancer therapies. Gal-3 recognizes poly-N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc)-based carbohydrate motifs of glycoproteins and glycolipids with a high specificity for internal LacNAc epitopes. This study analyzes the mode and kinetics of binding of Gal-3 to a series of multivalent neo-glycoproteins presenting complex poly-LacNAc-based oligosaccharide ligands on a scaffold of bovine serum albumin. These neo-glycoproteins rank among the strongest Gal-3 ligands reported, with Kd reaching sub-nanomolar values as determined by surface plasmon resonance. Significant differences in the binding kinetics were observed within the ligand series, showing the tetrasaccharide capped with N,N′-diacetyllactosamine (LacdiNAc) as the strongest ligand of Gal-3 in this study. A molecular model of the Gal-3 carbohydrate recognition domain with docked oligosaccharide ligands is presented that shows the relations in the binding site at the molecular level. The neo-glycoproteins presented herein may be applied for selective recognition of Gal-3 both on the cell surface and in blood serum.
Advances in Degradable Embolic Microspheres: A State of the Art Review
Authors: Doucet Jensen , Kiri Lauren , O’Connell Kathleen , Kehoe Sharon , Lewandowski Robert , Liu David , Abraham Robert , Boyd Daniel
Published: January 2018

Considerable efforts have been placed on the development of degradable microspheres for use in transarterial embolization indications. Using the guidance of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) special controls document for the preclinical evaluation of vascular embolization devices, this review consolidates all relevant data pertaining to novel degradable microsphere technologies for bland embolization into a single reference. This review emphasizes intended use, chemical composition, degradative mechanisms, and pre-clinical safety, efficacy, and performance, while summarizing the key advantages and disadvantages for each degradable technology that is currently under development for transarterial embolization. This review is intended to provide an inclusive reference for clinicians that may facilitate an understanding of clinical and technical concepts related to this field of interventional radiology. For materials scientists, this review highlights innovative devices and current evaluation methodologies (i.e., preclinical models), and is designed to be instructive in the development of innovative/new technologies and evaluation methodologies.
The Mechanical Properties of Biocompatible Apatite Bone Cement Reinforced with Chemically Activated Carbon Fibers
Authors: Boehm Anne , Meininger Susanne , Tesch Annemarie , Gbureck Uwe , Müller Frank
Published: January 2018

Calcium phosphate cement (CPC) is a well-established bone replacement material in dentistry and orthopedics. CPC mimics the physicochemical properties of natural bone and therefore shows excellent in vivo behavior. However, due to their brittleness, the application of CPC implants is limited to non-load bearing areas. Generally, the fiber-reinforcement of ceramic materials enhances fracture resistance, but simultaneously reduces the strength of the composite. Combining strong C-fiber reinforcement with a hydroxyapatite to form a CPC with a chemical modification of the fiber surface allowed us to adjust the fiber–matrix interface and consequently the fracture behavior. Thus, we could demonstrate enhanced mechanical properties of CPC in terms of bending strength and work of fracture to a strain of 5% (WOF5). Hereby, the strength increased by a factor of four from 9.2 ± 1.7 to 38.4 ± 1.7 MPa. Simultaneously, the WOF5 increased from 0.02 ± 0.004 to 2.0 ± 0.6 kJ∙m−2, when utilizing an aqua regia/CaCl2 pretreatment. The cell proliferation and activity of MG63 osteoblast-like cells as biocompatibility markers were not affected by fiber addition nor by fiber treatment. CPC reinforced with chemically activated C-fibers is a promising bone replacement material for load-bearing applications.
Functionalizable Sol-Gel Silica Coatings for Corrosion Mitigation
Authors: Gąsiorek Jolanta , Szczurek Anna , Babiarczuk Bartosz , Kaleta Jerzy , Jones Walis , Krzak Justyna
Published: January 2018

Corrosion is constantly a major problem of the world economy in the field of metal products, metal processing and other areas that utilise metals. Previously used compounds utilizing hexavalent chromium were amongst the most effective materials for corrosion protection but regulations have been recently introduced that forbid their use. Consequently, there is a huge drive by engineers, technologists and scientists from different disciplines focused on searching a new, more effective and environmentally-friendly means of corrosion protection. One novel group of materials with the potential to solve metal protection problems are sol-gel thin films, which are increasingly interesting as mitigation corrosion barriers. These environmentally-friendly and easy-to-obtain coatings have the promise to be an effective alternative to hexavalent chromium compounds using for anti-corrosion industrial coatings. In this review the authors present a range of different solutions for slow down the corrosion processes of metallic substrates by using the oxides and doped oxides obtained by the sol-gel method. Examples of techniques used to the sol-gel coating examinations, in terms of anti-corrosion protection, are also presented.
Phycoerythrin Peptide from Pyropia yezoensis Alleviates Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Caused by Perfluorooctane Sulfonate-Induced Calcium Dysregulation
Authors: Oh Jeong , Kim Eun-Young , Nam Taek-Jeong
Published: January 2018

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), a stable fluorosurfactant, causes endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the brain. This study was designed to investigate whether a phycoerythrin-derived peptide of Pyropia yezoensis (PYP) reduces PFOS-induced ER stress associated with calcium dysregulation. The protective effects of PYP were determined by cell viability, immunoblotting for ER stress response protein glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and calcium-dependent protein kinases in rat frontal cortical neurons. PFOS-induced decrease in cell viability was attenuated by PYP pretreatment (1 µg/mL) for 24 h, which was downregulated by inhibiting tropomyosin-receptor kinase B (TrkB). PYP pretreatment downregulated the increase in intracellular calcium levels and phosphorylation of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and c-Jun N-terminal kinase which are associated with a PFOS-induced increase in GRP78. The PFOS-induced increase in GRP78 was downregulated via activation of TrkB receptor-linked extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) by PYP pretreatment. Moreover, PYP microinjections (1 µg/kg, 0.54 nmol) attenuated the GRP78 expression in rat prefrontal cortex caused by PFOS (10 mg/kg) exposure for 2 weeks. These findings demonstrate that PYP enhances frontal cortical neuron viability via activation of TrkB receptor-ERK1/2 signaling and attenuation of ER stress in rat prefrontal cortex against PFOS exposure, suggesting that PYP might prevent neuronal dysfunctions caused by PFOS-induced ER stress.
Ultrafast Chemistry of Water Radical Cation, H2O•+, in Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Ma Jun , Wang Furong , Mostafavi Mehran
Published: January 2018

Oxidation reactions by radicals constitute a very important class of chemical reactions in solution. Radiation Chemistry methods allow producing, in a controlled way, very reactive oxidizing radicals, such as OH•, CO3•–, NO3•, SO4•–, and N3•. Although the radical cation of water, H2O•+, with a very short lifetime (shorter than 1 ps) is the precursor of these radicals in aqueous solutions, its chemistry is usually known to be limited to the reaction of proton transfer by forming OH• radical. Herein, we stress situations where H2O•+ undergoes electron transfer reaction in competition with proton transfer.
Traditional Malian Solid Foods Made from Sorghum and Millet Have Markedly Slower Gastric Emptying than Rice, Potato, or Pasta
Authors: Cisse Fatimata , Erickson Daniel , Hayes Anna , Opekun Antone , Nichols Buford , Hamaker Bruce
Published: January 2018

From anecdotal evidence that traditional African sorghum and millet foods are filling and provide sustained energy, we hypothesized that gastric emptying rates of sorghum and millet foods are slow, particularly compared to non-traditional starchy foods (white rice, potato, wheat pasta). A human trial to study gastric emptying of staple foods eaten in Bamako, Mali was conducted using a carbon-13 (13C)-labelled octanoic acid breath test for gastric emptying, and subjective pre-test and satiety response questionnaires. Fourteen healthy volunteers in Bamako participated in a crossover design to test eight starchy staples. A second validation study was done one year later in Bamako with six volunteers to correct for endogenous 13C differences in the starches from different sources. In both trials, traditional sorghum and millet foods (thick porridges and millet couscous) had gastric half-emptying times about twice as long as rice, potato, or pasta (p < 0.0001). There were only minor changes due to the 13C correction. Pre-test assessment of millet couscous and rice ranked them as more filling and aligned well with postprandial hunger rankings, suggesting that a preconceived idea of rice being highly satiating may have influenced subjective satiety scoring. Traditional African sorghum and millet foods, whether viscous in the form of a thick porridge or as non-viscous couscous, had distinctly slow gastric emptying, in contrast to the faster emptying of non-traditional starchy foods, which are popular among West African urban consumers.
Interrupting Prolonged Sitting with Regular Activity Breaks does not Acutely Influence Appetite: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Mete Evelyn , Perry Tracy , Haszard Jillian , Homer Ashleigh , Fenemor Stephen , Rehrer Nancy , Skeaff C. , Peddie Meredith
Published: January 2018

Regular activity breaks increase energy expenditure; however, this may promote compensatory eating behaviour. The present study compared the effects of regular activity breaks and prolonged sitting on appetite. In a randomised, cross-over trial, 36 healthy adults (BMI (Body Mass Index) 23.9 kg/m2 (S.D. = 3.9)) completed four, two-day interventions: two with prolonged sitting (SIT), and two with sitting and 2 min of walking every 30 min (RAB). Standardized meals were provided throughout the intervention, with an ad libitum meal at the end of Day 2. Appetite and satiety were assessed throughout both days of each intervention using five visual analogue scales. The five responses were combined into a single appetite response at each time point. The area under the appetite response curve (AUC) was calculated for each day. Intervention effects for appetite response AUC and ad libitum meal intake were tested using linear mixed models. Appetite AUC did not differ between interventions (standardised effect of RAB compared to SIT: Day 1: 0.11; 95% CI: −0.28, 0.06; p = 0.212; Day 2: 0.04; 95% CI: −0.15, 0.24; p = 0.648). There was no significant difference in energy consumed at the ad libitum lunch meal on Day 2 between RAB and SIT. Interrupting prolonged sitting with regular activity breaks does not acutely influence appetite or volume of food consumed, despite inferred increases in energy expenditure. Longer-term investigation into the effects of regular activity breaks on energy balance is warranted.