bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interrelationships between Morphometric, Densitometric, and Mechanical Properties of Mandible in 6-month-old Male Pigs
Authors: Tymczyna Barbara , Bachanek Teresa , Tatara Marcin R. , Krupski Witold , Tymczyna-Sobotka Monika , Łuszczewska-Sierakowska Iwona
Published: February 2013

The aim of the study was to evaluate interrelationships between final body weight, and morphometric, densitometric, and mechanical properties of the mandible in 6-month-old Polish Large White pigs exposed to dexamethasone and nanocalcium. The study was performed on 27 males, castrated on the 28th d after weaning, and reared until the age of 6 months, after which the animals were slaughtered, and the mandible was obtained. The pigs were divided into four experimental groups: animals given per os nanopartical calcium, animals injected with dexamethasone, animals given both nanopartical calcium per os and dexamethasone injections, and animals injected with placebo. After the slaughter, morphological properties of the mandible such as bone weight and length were determined. Using computed tomography technique, volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) of the cortical bone (Cd), mean volumetric bone mineral density (MvBMD), and total bone volume (Bvol) of whole mandible were measured. Areal bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content were evaluated with the use of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometric method. Using three-point bending test, mechanical parameters such as maximum elastic strength (Wy) and ultimate strength (Wf) of mandible were estimated. Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) was determined between all the investigated variables. The obtained results showed a significantly positive correlation between body weight and mandible weight, mandible length, Bvol, Cd, BMD, BMC, Wy, and Wf. However, statistically insignificant correlations of MvBMD and body weight, mandible weight, mandible length, and Bvol were observed. Furthermore, Bvol and Cd were not found to be significantly correlated. In conclusion, this study showed numerous positive correlations between final body weight and densitometric, morphometric, and mechanical properties of the mandible. This bone of pigs may be used as an attractive model for further investigation on metabolic response of the skeleton to physiological, nutritional, toxicological, and pharmacological factors influencing bone tissue metabolism.
Determination of Acid-Base Balance During the Acute Stage of Experimental Pulmonary Barotrauma and After its Hyperbaric Treatment
Authors: Siermontowski Piotr , Kaczerska Dorota , Morawiec Bartosz , Pedrycz Agnieszka , Olejnik Adam , Olszański Romuald , Boratyński Zbigniew
Published: February 2013

The aim of the presented study was to determine whether pulmonary barotrauma without pneumothorax affects the parameters of acid-base balance. The experiment was conducted on rabbits divided into experimental and control groups. The animals from the experimental group were subjected to compression in the hyperbaric chamber and pulmonary barotrauma was induced using a method developed by authors. The arterial blood was sampled before the experiment, after anaesthesia and intubation, after injury, and after treatment (in the group undergoing hyperbaric therapy). All parameters of acid-base balance were found to be within the reference ranges. Since the biggest changes were observed after anaesthesia and intubation and not after the injury, it was concluded that pulmonary barotrauma had no significant effect on the parameters of acid-base balance.
Clinical, Biochemical and Haemodynamic Effects of the Intrathecal Ketamine for Ovariohysterectomy in Bitches
Authors: Yayla Sadik , Kacar Cihan , Kaya Duygu , Merhan Oguz , Aksoy Ozgur , Kilic Engin , Kaya Semra
Published: February 2013

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of intrathecal (IT) ketamine HCl anesthesia on clinical values and some haemodynamic and biochemical parameters in bitches. An IT ketamine (10 mg/kg) was administered to 30 bitches with a spinal needle (18-22 G) in the lumbosacral space. The haemodynamic parameters were monitored and some biochemical values were assessed (blood gase, oxygen-haemoglobin, and electrolyte levels). The length and depth of anaesthesia was determined with a pinprick test, touching to the ligamenta lata uteri and incision. Anaesthesia took effect in less than 1 min in all dogs and has lasted an average of 95.9 min. In spite of the fact that the dogs recovered completely from the effects of dissociative anaesthesia, the anaesthesia in the some extremities was observed to be continued for an average of 17 min longer. The use of IT ketamine HCl raised blood pressure and did not have a depressive effect on respiratory and cardiac functions. It was concluded that ketamine HCl could be an appropriate alternative for ovariohysterectomy operations in bitches when the quality of the anaesthesia and the prevention of bradycardia and hypotension are considered.
Molecular Epidemiology of Salmonella Enterica Serovar Saintpaul Isolated from Animals, Food, and Humans in 12 European Countries
Authors: Wasyl Dariusz , Zając Magdalena , Brown Derek J. , Kuronen Henry , Zwaluw Kim Van Der , Hoszowski Andrzej
Published: February 2013

The molecular epidemiological relationship among isolates of Salmonella enterica serovar (S.) Saintpaul, which was identified in animals, food, and humans in several EU countries, was investigated. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) revealed a high degree of genetic diversity (82 XbaI PFGE profiles with 42.6% similarity) among 159 S. Saintpaul isolates from animals (n=91), food of animal origin (n=29), and humans (n=36) in 12 European countries during 2005 to 2009. Most frequent profiles (n=12) comprised almost 50% of the tested isolates. Profiles obtained in isolates from a single source within a particular geographical region or particular period of time were indistinguishable or closely related. Turkeys were confirmed as the major reservoir for S. Saintpaul. Indistinguishable PFGE profiles were identified in up to 19 isolates from turkey breeding and fattening flocks and food over the study period. Other animals, including food and pets, may also contribute to S. Saintpaul spread. International trade of animals and food, as well as travelling contributes to the spread of a specific clone to different geographical areas. Although control programmes in breeding turkey flocks, together with improved biosecurity, may interrupt the major transmission routes, it was concluded that S. Saintpaul will continue to represent a potential threat to human health.
Euthyroid Sick Syndrome in Canine Babesiosis Caused by Babesia Canis
Authors: Zygner Wojciech , Gójska-Zygner Olga , Wędrychowicz Halina
Published: February 2013

The aims of this study were estimation of thyroxin status in dogs infected with B. canis, and determination of the association between azotaemia and concentrations of total thyroxin (TT4) and free thyroxin (FT4) in canine babesiosis. Concentrations of TT4 and FT4 were determined using an immunoassay in 23 dogs infected with B. canis (nine azotaemic dogs and 14 non-azotaemic dogs). Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the concentrations of TT4 and FT4 in groups of azotaemic and non-azotaemic dogs. Correlations between azotaemic parameters (i.e. serum urea and creatinine) and TT4 and FT4 concentrations were calculated. The obtained results showed high prevalence of dogs infected with B. canis showing decreased TT4 and FT4 concentrations. No difference between concentrations of TT4 and FT4 in azotaemic and non-azotaemic dogs was demonstrated, but statistically significant correlations between the level of TT4 and FT4 and serum levels of urea and creatinine were shown.
Morphological Reactions of Wistar Rat Tissues Exposed to Acetal Resin Implants
Authors: Sobolewska Ewa , Frączak Bogumiła , Piotrowski Paweł , Kosierkiewicz Anita
Published: February 2013

Morphological changes developed in rat bucal mucosa, parotid glands, and lymphoid nodes following 6 weeks exposure to dental acetal resin implants were compared to metal/titanium, acrylic implants, and sham-operated rats. Morphological evaluation of bucal mucosa of rats exposed to acetal resin showed an increased accumulation of lymphoid and macrophage-like cells compared to sham-operated rats. Eosinophils were found in bucal mucosa and in parotid glands of rats exposed to acetal resin, although this change did not differ significantly from sham-operated rats. Morphological findings with respect to granular reaction and proliferation were similar in acetal resin exposed and sham-operated rats. Acetal resin implants may induce inflammatory and potentially allergic reactions at the site of implantation.
Conditions of Poland’s foreign and security policy within the EU and NATO environment
Authors: Antczak- Barzan Anna
Published: February 2013

The article is an attempt to answer the question about the state of Poland’s security after the first decade of the twenty-first century, what are its determinants, what kind of challenges Poland faces and which of them may turn into a threat and which into an opportunity, or what Polish potential is and which of its components determine its position on the international arena. It is achieved through a detailed analysis of actions undertaken by Poland in the international arena to strengthen its international position as well as the level of its security. Thus, the aim is to identify those determinants which may contribute to establishing a stronger position and which can create problems and become a formidable challenge in the context of various aspects of security, and even develop into a threat. Unfortunately, the picture which comes out of the above mentioned analysis is not optimistic and the impression is that Poland did not use the chance it was given after the accession to the NATO and the EU.
Dilemmas of mineral resources use in selected economic theories
Authors: Krzak Mariusz
Published: February 2013

Streszczenie

Rozwój cywilizacji człowieka napędza popyt na różnego rodzaju zasoby naturalne. Obecnie obejmuje on nie tylko kopaliny mineralne, glebę, wodę, powietrze, florę czy faunę, lecz także siły przyrody i inne walory środowiska, determinujące jakość życia człowieka, takie jak: przestrzeń geograficzna, krajobraz, mikroklimat i in. Spomiędzy tak wielu odmiennych kategorii zasobów naturalnych okazuje się, że bogactwa mineralne, w zdecydowanej większości nieodnawialne, mają często decydujący wpływ na poziomu dobrobytu. W teorii eksploatacji zasobów naturalnych wypracowano dotychczas szereg różnych modeli, które - najczęściej w sposób dynamiczny (uwzględniając czynnik czasu) - maksymalizują wielkość społecznego dobrobytu implikowanego korzystaniem z zasobu.

W artykule, przypominając wybrane, ugruntowane teorie ekonomiczne, poruszono problematykę użytkowania i ochrony nieodnawialnych zasobów kopalin mineralnych na etapie ich gospodarczego użytkowania. Wykorzystując teorię rozwoju trwałego, model Hotellinga i jego późniejsze modyfikacje uwypuklono trudności realizacji polityki w zakresie ich ochrony. Przybliżono spojrzenia na koncepcję użytkowania zasobów mineralnych w świetle N-osobowego dylematu więźnia. Rozważania zobrazowano prostymi przykładami, realizując je przy założeniu braku doskonałego, nieograniczonego substytutu.
Potential for increasing oil Recovery from Polish oil-fields by applying EOR methods / Analiza Możliwości Zwiększenia Efektywności Wydobycia Ropy Naftowej Z Polskich Złóż W Oparciu Metody Eor
Authors: Wojnarowski Paweł
Published: February 2013

Streszczenie

Jednym ze sposobów zwiększenia efektywności wydobycia ropy naftowej jest zastosowanie zaawansowanych metod wydobycia (EOR - Enhanced OilRecovery). W odróżnieniu od pierwotnych i wtórnych metod wydobycia, celem metod zaawansowanych jest dostarczenie do złoża dodatkowego źródła energii wspomagającego naturalne procesy lub je zastępującego, a także modyfikacja składu i właściwości fizycznych płynów złożowych w celu minimalizacji oporów przepływu w złożu. Metody te znajdują szczególnie zastosowanie w przypadku złóż w znacznym stopniu sczerpanych. Znaczenie tych metod w światowym wydobyciu rośnie, a dominującą rolę zaczynają odgrywać metody zatłaczania gazów w tym dwutlenku węgla. Polskie złoża ropy naftowej są obecnie eksploatowane z wykorzystaniem metod konwencjonalnych, co stwarza możliwości podniesienia efektywności wydobycia przez zastosowanie metod zaawansowanych. Proces doboru optymalnej metody do złoża jest złożony i wieloetapowy. W fazie wstępnej opiera się na podstawowych informacjach o złożu i stopniowo przechodzi do etapów zaawansowanych, kończących się opracowaniem szczegółowego projektu najefektywniejszej metody. W pracy przeanalizowano możliwości zastosowania tych metod na polskich złożach wykorzystując technikę opartą na podstawowych kryteriach ich stosowalności i logikę dwuwartościową. Przeanalizowano 49 złóż ropy naftowej z całego obszaru Polski występujących zarówno w skałach węglanowych jak i piaskowcowych. Z punktu widzenia kryteriów stosowania metod EOR, analizowane obiekty to złoża ropy o średniej gęstości i lepkości, niskiej przepuszczalności (w przypadku skał węglanowych podwójna porowatość), zalegające stosunkowo płytko lub na średniej głębokości. Uzyskane wyniki wskazują, że najszersze zastosowanie w warunkach polskich znaleźć mogą metody zatłaczania gazów, w tym dwutlenku węgla lub azotu. Wymaga to jednak przeprowadzenia szeregu badań i testów pilotażowych, gdyż doświadczenia amerykańskie nie mogą być bezpośrednio przenoszone ze względu na odmienne warunki złożowe, technologiczne i ekonomiczne.
Experimental analysis of contract net protocol in multi-robot task allocation
Authors: Liekna Aleksis , Lavendelis Egons , Grabovskis Arvids
Published: February 2013

- This paper focuses on the experimental analysts of Contract NET protocol for Multi-Robot task allocation. The problem domain consists of multiple vacuum cleaning robots that need to cooperate for cleaning an area that is beyond the capabilities of a single robot. A robot simulator has been used to experiment with various area and robot locations, and the summary of the effort required to process the tasks has been recorded. Experimental results show that using Contract NET protocol alone is not sufficient to achieve optimal results in task allocation. A more advanced strategy with or without involving the Contract NET protocol is required. Possible strategies are outlined and their analysis is the subject of the future work.
Conscious Inclusion of Women Musicians
Authors: Cartwright Joan
Published: February 2013

This paper discusses the vast divide between performance opportunities and income earned by male and female musicians. Although female singers are quite visible on the world’s stages, few female instrumentalists are employed on a regular basis and even fewer women composers have their music commissioned for programs or films funded by private and public monies. Several proficient female jazz musicians are identified, and how and why women are omitted from performance is discussed. The need for everyone-producers, promoters, funders, and bandleaders-to consciously choose to include women musicians in programming, especially where public funding is involved, is emphasized.
“Contending with the Fretful Element”: Shakespeare and the (Gendered) Great Chain of Being
Authors: Szönyi György E.
Published: February 2013

E. M. W. Tillyard’s short but seminal book, The Elizabethan World Picture made its appearance as a ground-breaking work in the mid-1940s. It successfully adapted Arthur O. Lovejoy’s discovery of the Great Chain of Being as the central idea and metaphor of the premodern world picture for English Renaissance culture and literature, offering a key to understanding the often unfamiliar and obscure natural philosophy and metaphysics behind its works of art and literature. The concept of the Great Chain also led to Shakespeare being seen as a supporter of a conservative order in which religious, moral, philosophical, and scientific notions corresponded with each other in a strict hierarchy. The poststructuralist turn unleashed a severe attack on Tillyard and his legacy. As Ewan Fernie in a recent book on the Renaissance has diagnosed: “Now, after the theoretical overhaul, the notion of an ultimately authoritarian Renaissance has been thoroughly revised. In place of Tillyard’s full-fledged and secured physical, social and cosmological system, more recent critics tend to posit a conflicted and constantly negotiated culture with no essential pattern”. But what has happened to the idea of the Great Chain of Being, which, without doubt, played a major role in the Renaissance world picture and provided a basic knowledge about the elements? In my paper I am going to revisit some aspects of this world picture and examine how Shakespeare related to this (more often than not) in a subversive way, while still remaining within the boundaries of this organic and proto-modern system. Since the concept of the elements had gender aspects, too, I will also focus on the question of how proto-modern natural philosophy theorised about the dichotomy, antagonism, and the cooperation of male and female principles.
Ladies and Gentlemen in Renaissance Western Europe Eros via Thanatos
Authors: Zelinka Elisabeta
Published: February 2013

The present article offers a postmodern (re)interpretation of the 16th century Renaissance set of social etiquettes versus the average citizen’s Weltanschauung triggered by his most natural drives and impulses. The epicentral focus of our investigation is the social network(s) built by the different, sometimes oppositional ethical, theological and epistemological codes. What types of motivation triggered certain members of different social layers to observe or to break these codes? Was there any differentiation between clergymen and (fe)male aristocracy? Most importantly, why was the epistemological positionality of men different from that of (educated) women?
Is it a He or a She? Gender Differences in Italian Translations of Oscar Wilde’s Stories for Children
Authors: Coles Rowena
Published: February 2013

This paper examines how the gender of personification is affected in Italian translations of Oscar Wilde’s children’s stories. It shows how the conflict between natural and grammatical gender may be problematic for the translator and reveals how Italian children, who believe they are reading a text identical to the original, are in fact reading a somewhat different story.
Metaphors of Hegemonic Masculinity – Women’s Understanding of Sport Metaphors in Political Discourse
Authors: Radić-Bojanić Biljana , Silaški Nadežda
Published: February 2013

Within the framework of Conceptual Metaphor Theory (Lakoff and Johnson 1980) and Critical Discourse Analysis (van Dijk 1993, Wodak 2006) we analyse in this paper the results of a survey conducted among 100 women and 20 men in order to establish the level of their understanding of sport metaphors in political discourse. The results indicate that sport metaphors may pose a serious barrier to women’s understanding of political life and may discourage women’s political participation.
Effectiveness of Back School Versus McKenzie Exercises in Patients With Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Garcia Alessandra Narciso , Costa Lucíola da Cunha Menezes , da Silva Tatiane Mota , Gondo Francine Lopes Barreto , Cyrillo Fábio Navarro , Costa Renata Alqualo , Costa Leonardo Oliveira Pena
Published: February 2013

Background

Back School and McKenzie methods are popular active treatment approaches that include both exercises and information for patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Back School and McKenzie methods in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain.

Design

The study was a prospectively registered, 2-arm randomized controlled trial with a blinded assessor.

Setting

The study was conducted in the outpatient physical therapy clinic in São Paulo, Brazil.

Patients

The study participants were 148 patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain.

Interventions

The 4-week treatment program (one session/week) was based on the Back School (delivered to the group) or McKenzie (delivered individually) principles. The participants also were instructed to perform a daily set of home exercises.

Measurements

Clinical outcomes were assessed at follow-up appointments at 1, 3, and 6 months after randomization. Primary outcome measures were pain intensity (measured by the 0–10 pain numerical rating scale) and disability (measured by the 24-item Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire) 1 month after randomization. Secondary outcome measures were pain intensity and disability at 3 and 6 months after randomization, quality of life (measured by the World Health Organization Quality of Life–BREF instrument) at 1, 3, and 6 months after randomization, and trunk flexion range of motion measured by an inclinometer at 1 month after randomization. The data were collected by a blinded assessor.

Results

Participants allocated to the McKenzie group had greater improvements in disability at 1 month (mean effect=2.37 points, 95% confidence interval=0.76 to 3.99) but not for pain (mean effect=0.66 points, 95% confidence interval=−0.29 to 1.62). No between-group differences were observed for all secondary outcome measures.

Limitations

It was not possible to monitor the home exercise program. Therapists and participants were not blinded.

Conclusions

The McKenzie method (a more resource-intensive intervention) was slightly more effective than the Back School method for disability, but not for pain intensity immediately after treatment in participants with chronic low back pain.
Duplex Sonographic Evaluation of Hepatic Vasculature in Cirrhosis
Authors: Ahmad K , Khanna SK , Sundas A , Rauniyar RK , Koirala R , Gupta MK
Published: February 2013

Background: Cirrhosis of liver in an ancient illness, known to the mankind since antiquity. Alcohol consumption is the most important cause of micronodular cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis is the most frequent cause of macronodular cirrhosis. The objective of this study was to assess the morphological changes and flow haemodynamics in portal vein, hepatic vein and hepatic artery using various Doppler parameters. Methods: The study was done on prospective basis in 35 patients with clinical diagnosis of cirrhosis and these patients were subjected to ultrasonography of the abdomen for the assessment of morphological changes and flow haemodynamics in hepatic vasculature. Results: Portal venous blood flow becomes reversed with advanced portal hypertension, veno-occlusive disease and portosystemic shunts. Reduced portal blood flow velocity was observed in majority of the patients and was found to be lower in patients with history of variceal haemorrhage. Hepatic artery resistive index was found to be significantly higher in patients with dilated coronary veins as compared to those with normal non-dilated veins. Dilated paraumbilical vein was the most consistently observed collateral followed by dilated coronary veins. Abnormal hepatic vein flow profiles are seen in patients with cirrhosis, with decreased amplitude of phasic occilation pattern being the most frequently observed abnormality. Conclusion: Although many factors may affect the accuracy of volume flow and velocity measurements and the flow profile of the liver vasculature may change in different situations, Doppler ultrasound is useful in the assessment of the patient with cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Nepal Journal of Medical Sciences | Volume 02 | Number 01 | Jan-Jun 2013 | Page 13-19 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njms.v2i1.7645
Primary intramedullary spinal cord germinoma
Authors: Madhukar Megha , Maller Vinod G. , Choudhary Arabinda K. , Iantosca Mark R. , Specht Charles S. , Dias Mark S.
Published: February 2013

Primary intramedullary spinal cord germinoma (PISCG) is an exceedingly rare diagnosis, with fewer than 30 cases reported in the literature. It is even less common in the pediatric population. Usually, initial imaging at patient presentation reveals a mass. The authors describe the unique case of a child whose initial imaging showed only focal spinal cord atrophy, which was the earliest sign of a slowly growing intramedullary lesion that was eventually proven via biopsy to represent a PISCG. The authors outline this child's diagnostically challenging presentation, review the events leading up to a diagnosis, briefly discuss PISCG, and summarize their recommendations for other physicians who may encounter a similar case. They assert that PISCG should be considered as a rare entity in the differential diagnosis of progressive spinal cord dysfunction even in the absence of an MRI abnormality of an intrinsic spinal cord mass, especially if there is unexplained focal atrophy of the cord.
Functional recovery of severe obturator and femoral nerve injuries after lateral retroperitoneal transpsoas surgery
Authors: Ahmadian Amir , Abel Naomi , Uribe Juan S.
Published: February 2013

The minimally invasive lateral retroperitoneal transpsoas approach is a popular fusion technique. However, potential complications include injury to the lumbar plexus nerves, bowel, and vasculature, the most common of which are injuries to the lumbar plexus. The femoral nerve is particularly vulnerable because of its size and location; injury to the femoral nerve has significant clinical implications because of its extensive sensory and motor innervation of the lower extremities. The authors present an interesting case of a 49-year-old male patient in whom femoral and obturator nerve functional recovery unexpectedly occurred 364 days after the nerves had been injured during lateral retroperitoneal transpsoas surgery. Chronological video and electrodiagnostic findings demonstrate evidence of recovery. Classification and mechanisms of nerve injury and nerve regeneration are discussed.
The Origin of Raman D Band: Bonding and Antibonding Orbitals in Graphene
Authors: Sasaki Ken-ichi , Tokura Yasuhiro , Sogawa Tetsuomi
Published: February 2013

In Raman spectroscopy of graphite and graphene, the D band at ∼ 1355 cm−1 is used as the indication of the dirtiness of a sample. However, our analysis suggests that the physics behind the D band is closely related to a very clear idea for describing a molecule, namely bonding and antibonding orbitals in graphene. In this paper, we review our recent work on the mechanism for activating the D band at a graphene edge.
Advanced Strategies for Articular Cartilage Defect Repair
Authors: Matsiko Amos , Levingstone Tanya , O'Brien Fergal
Published: February 2013

Articular cartilage is a unique tissue owing to its ability to withstand repetitive compressive stress throughout an individual’s lifetime. However, its major limitation is the inability to heal even the most minor injuries. There still remains an inherent lack of strategies that stimulate hyaline-like articular cartilage growth with appropriate functional properties. Recent scientific advances in tissue engineering have made significant steps towards development of constructs for articular cartilage repair. In particular, research has shown the potential of biomaterial physico-chemical properties significantly influencing the proliferation, differentiation and matrix deposition by progenitor cells. Accordingly, this highlights the potential of using such properties to direct the lineage towards which such cells follow. Moreover, the use of soluble growth factors to enhance the bioactivity and regenerative capacity of biomaterials has recently been adopted by researchers in the field of tissue engineering. In addition, gene therapy is a growing area that has found noteworthy use in tissue engineering partly due to the potential to overcome some drawbacks associated with current growth factor delivery systems. In this context, such advanced strategies in biomaterial science, cell-based and growth factor-based therapies that have been employed in the restoration and repair of damaged articular cartilage will be the focus of this review article.
Relationship between Hyperspectral Measurements and Mangrove Leaf Nitrogen Concentrations
Authors: Zhang Chunhua , Kovacs John , Wachowiak Mark , Flores-Verdugo Francisco
Published: February 2013

The use of spectral response curves for estimating nitrogen (N) leaf concentrations generally has been found to be a challenging task for a variety of plant species. In this investigation, leaf N concentration and corresponding laboratory hyperspectral data were examined for two species of mangrove (Avicennia germinans, Rhizophora mangle) representing a variety of conditions (healthy, poor condition, dwarf) of a degraded mangrove forest located in the Mexican Pacific. This is the first time leaf nitrogen content has been examined using close range hyperspectral remote sensing of a degraded mangrove forest. Simple comparisons between individual wavebands and N concentrations were examined, as well as two models employed to predict N concentrations based on multiple wavebands. For one model, an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) was developed based on known N absorption bands. For comparative purposes, a second model, based on the well-known Stepwise Multiple Linear Regression (SMLR) approach, was employed using the entire dataset. For both models, the input data included continuum removed reflectance, band depth at the centre of the absorption feature (BNC), and log (1/BNC). Weak to moderate correlations were found between N concentration and single band spectral responses. The results also indicate that ANNs were more predictive for N concentration than was SMLR, and had consistently higher r2 values. The highest r2 value (0.91) was observed in the prediction of black mangrove (A. germinans) leaf N concentration using the BNC transformation. It is thus suggested that artificial neural networks could be used in a complementary manner with other techniques to assess mangrove health, thereby improving environmental monitoring in coastal wetlands, which is of prime importance to local communities. In addition, it is recommended that the BNC transformation be used on the input for such N concentration prediction models.
Global Data Sets of Vegetation Leaf Area Index (LAI)3g and Fraction of Photosynthetically Active Radiation (FPAR)3g Derived from Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies (GIMMS) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI3g) for the Period 1981 to 2011
Authors: Zhu Zaichun , Bi Jian , Pan Yaozhong , Ganguly Sangram , Anav Alessandro , Xu Liang , Samanta Arindam , Piao Shilong , Nemani Ramakrishna , Myneni Ranga
Published: February 2013

Long-term global data sets of vegetation Leaf Area Index (LAI) and Fraction of Photosynthetically Active Radiation absorbed by vegetation (FPAR) are critical to monitoring global vegetation dynamics and for modeling exchanges of energy, mass and momentum between the land surface and planetary boundary layer. LAI and FPAR are also state variables in hydrological, ecological, biogeochemical and crop-yield models. The generation, evaluation and an example case study documenting the utility of 30-year long data sets of LAI and FPAR are described in this article. A neural network algorithm was first developed between the new improved third generation Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies (GIMMS) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI3g) and best-quality Terra Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) LAI and FPAR products for the overlapping period 2000–2009. The trained neural network algorithm was then used to generate corresponding LAI3g and FPAR3g data sets with the following attributes: 15-day temporal frequency, 1/12 degree spatial resolution and temporal span of July 1981 to December 2011. The quality of these data sets for scientific research in other disciplines was assessed through (a) comparisons with field measurements scaled to the spatial resolution of the data products, (b) comparisons with broadly-used existing alternate satellite data-based products, (c) comparisons to plant growth limiting climatic variables in the northern latitudes and tropical regions, and (d) correlations of dominant modes of interannual variability with large-scale circulation anomalies such as the EI Niño-Southern Oscillation and Arctic Oscillation. These assessment efforts yielded results that attested to the suitability of these data sets for research use in other disciplines. The utility of these data sets is documented by comparing the seasonal profiles of LAI3g with profiles from 18 state-of-the-art Earth System Models: the models consistently overestimated the satellite-based estimates of leaf area and simulated delayed peak seasonal values in the northern latitudes, a result that is consistent with previous evaluations of similar models with ground-based data. The LAI3g and FPAR3g data sets can be obtained freely from the NASA Earth Exchange (NEX) website.
An Incremental Target-Adapted Strategy for Active Geometric Calibration of Projector-Camera Systems
Authors: Chen Chia-Yen , Chien Hsiang-Jen
Published: February 2013

The calibration of a projector-camera system is an essential step toward accurate 3-D measurement and environment-aware data projection applications, such as augmented reality. In this paper we present a two-stage easy-to-deploy strategy for robust calibration of both intrinsic and extrinsic parameters of a projector. Two key components of the system are the automatic generation of projected light patterns and the incremental calibration process. Based on the incremental strategy, the calibration process first establishes a set of initial parameters, and then it upgrades these parameters incrementally using the projection and captured images of dynamically-generated calibration patterns. The scene-driven light patterns allow the system to adapt itself to the pose of the calibration target, such that the difficulty in feature detection is greatly lowered. The strategy forms a closed-loop system that performs self-correction as more and more observations become available. Compared to the conventional method, which requires a time-consuming process for the acquisition of dense pixel correspondences, the proposed method deploys a homography-based coordinate computation, allowing the calibration time to be dramatically reduced. The experimental results indicate that an improvement of 70% in reprojection errors is achievable and 95% of the calibration time can be saved.
Diversity pattern of nitrogen fixing microbes in nodules of Trifolium arvense (L.) at different initial stages of ecosystem development
Authors: Schulz S. , Engel M. , Fischer D. , Buegger F. , Elmer M. , Welzl G. , Schloter M.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. Legumes can be considered as pioneer plants during ecosystem development, as they form a symbiosis with different nitrogen fixing rhizobia species, which enable the plants to grow on soils with low available nitrogen content. In this study we compared the abundance and diversity of nitrogen fixing microbes based on the functional marker gene nifH, which codes for a subunit of the Fe-protein of the dinitrogenase reductase, in nodules of different size classes of Trifolium arvense (L.). Additionally, carbon and nitrogen contents of the bulk soil and plant material were measured. Plants were harvested from different sites, reflecting 2 (2a) and 5 (5a) yr of ecosystem development, of an opencast lignite mining area in the south of Cottbus, Lower Lusatia (Germany) where the artificial catchment "Chicken Creek" was constructed to study the development of terrestrial ecosystems. Plants from the 5a site revealed higher amounts of carbon and nitrogen, although nifH gene abundances in the nodules and carbon and nitrogen contents between the two soils did not differ significantly. Analysis of the nifH clone libraries showed a significant effect of the nodule size on the community composition of nitrogen fixing microbes. Medium sized nodules (2–5 mm) contained a uniform community composed of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii, whereas the small nodules (<2 mm) consisted of a diverse community including clones with non-Rhizobium nifH gene sequences. Regarding the impact of the soil age on the community composition a clear distinction between the small and the medium nodules can be made. While clone libraries from the medium nodules were pretty similar at both soil ages, soil age had a significant effect on the community compositions of the small nodules, where the proportion of R. leguminosarum bv. trifolii increased with soil age.
Multi-periodic climate dynamics: spectral analysis of long-term instrumental and proxy temperature records
Authors: Lüdecke H.-J. , Hempelmann A. , Weiss C. O.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. The longest six instrumental temperature records of monthly means reach back maximally to 1757 AD and were recorded in Europe. All six show a V-shape, with temperature drop in the 19th and rise in the 20th century. Proxy temperature time series of Antarctic ice cores show this same characteristic shape, indicating this pattern as a global phenomenon. We used the mean of the six instrumental records for analysis by discrete Fourier transform (DFT), wavelets, and the detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA). For comparison, a stalagmite record was also analyzed by DFT. The harmonic decomposition of the abovementioned mean shows only six significant frequencies above periods over 30 yr. The Pearson correlation between the mean, smoothed by a 15-yr running average (boxcar) and the reconstruction using the six significant frequencies, yields r = 0.961. This good agreement has a > 99.9% confidence level confirmed by Monte Carlo simulations. It shows that the climate dynamics is governed at present by periodic oscillations. We find indications that observed periodicities result from intrinsic dynamics.
Derivative-Free Distributed Filtering for MIMO Robotic Systems under Delays and Packet Drops
Authors: Rigatos Gerasimos G.
Published: February 2013

This paper presents an approach to distributed state estimation-based control of nonlinear MIMO systems, capable of incorporating delayed measurements in the estimation algorithm while also being robust to packet losses. First, the paper examines the problem of distributed nonlinear filtering over a communication/sensors network, and the use of the estimated state vector in a control loop. As a possible filtering approach, an extended information filter (EIF) is proposed. The extended information filter requires the computation of Jacobians which in the case of high order nonlinear dynamical systems can be a cumbersome procedure, while it also introduces cumulative errors to the state estimation due to the approximative linearization performed in the Taylor series expansion of the system's nonlinear model. To overcome the aforementioned weaknesses of the extended information filter, a derivative-free approach to extended information filtering has been proposed. Distributed filtering is now based on a derivative-free implementation of Kalman filtering which is shown to be applicable to MIMO nonlinear dynamical systems. In the proposed derivative-free extended information filtering, the system is first subject to a linearization transformation that makes use of the differential flatness theory. It is shown how the proposed distributed filtering method can succeed in compensation of random delays and packet drops which may appear during the transmission of measurements and of state vector estimates, thus assuring a reliable performance of the distributed filtering-based control scheme. Evaluation tests are carried out on benchmark MIMO nonlinear systems, such as multi-DOF robotic manipulators.
Personality Trait and Facial Expression Filter-Based Brain-Computer Interface
Authors: Chin Seongah , Lee Chung-Yeon
Published: February 2013

In this paper, we present technical approaches that bridge the gap in the research related to the use of brain-computer interfaces for entertainment and facial expressions. Such facial expressions that reflect an individual's personal traits can be used to better realize artificial facial expressions in a gaming environment based on a brain-computer interface. First, an emotion extraction filter is introduced in order to classify emotions on the basis of the users' brain signals in real time. Next, a personality trait filter is defined to classify extrovert and introvert types, which manifest as five traits: very extrovert, extrovert, medium, introvert and very introvert. In addition, facial expressions derived from expression rates are obtained by an extrovert-introvert fuzzy model through its defuzzification process. Finally, we confirm this validation via an analysis of the variance of the personality trait filter, a k-fold cross validation of the emotion extraction filter, an accuracy analysis, a user study of facial synthesis and a test case game.
Isolation of A New Sterol from Limonium stocksii and Antimicrobial Activities of Crude Extract
Authors: Rahat A. Ali  , Shaheen Inam  , Shaista Perveen
Published: February 2013

A new sterol was isolated from the leaves of Limonium stocksii, together with two other known sterols. The structure of new sterol was determined to be 3-Oxo-23-α-hydroxy methyl stigmasta-4-ene on the basis of spectroscopic evidences.
Data Mining and Cloud Computing
Authors: Vrbić Robert
Published: February 2013

Cloud computing provides a powerful, scalable and flexible infrastructure into which one can integrate, previously known, techniques and methods of Data Mining. The result of such integration should be strong and capacitive platform that will be able to deal with the increasing production of data, or that will create the conditions for the efficient mining of massive amounts of data from various data warehouses with the aim of creating (useful) information or the production of new knowledge. This paper discusses such technology - the technology of big data mining, known as Cloud Data Mining (CDM).
Method of Assessing the Impact of Polish Container Terminals in Reducing the External Costs of Transport
Authors: Kotowska Izabela
Published: February 2013

The paper attempts to identify the social costs and benefits of marine container terminal operations regarding feeder vessels services. It presents a method of valuation which takes into account the external costs of additional factors: the nature and direction of the shipping lines operated by the terminals and the size of port hinterland. Based on the proposed method, the impact of container terminals to reduce the external costs of transport has been assessed.
Fabrication and characterization of regenerated silk scaffolds reinforced with natural silk fibers for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Mobini Sahba , Hoyer Birgit , Solati‐Hashjin Mehran , Lode Anja , Nosoudi Nasim , Samadikuchaksaraei Ali , Gelinsky Michael
Published: February 2013

We introduce a novel Bombyx mori silk‐based composite material developed for bone tissue engineering. Three‐dimensional scaffolds were fabricated by embedding of natural degummed silk fibers in a matrix of regenerated fibroin, followed by freeze‐drying. Different ratios of fibers to fibroin were investigated with respect to their influence on mechanical and biological properties. For all scaffold types, an interconnected porous structure suitable for cell penetration was proven by scanning electron microscopy. Compressive tests, carried out in static and cyclic mode under dry as well as wet conditions, revealed a strong impact of fiber reinforcement on compressive modulus and compressive stress. Cell culture experiments with human mesenchymal stem cells demonstrated that the fiber/fibroin composite scaffolds support cell attachment, proliferation, as well as differentiation along the osteoblastic lineage. Considering the excellent mechanical and biological properties, novel fiber/fibroin scaffolds appear to be an interesting structure for prospect studies in bone tissue engineering. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A:, 2013.
An evaluation of three sampling methods to monitor a digenetic trematode Centrocestus formosanus in a spring-fed ecosystem
Authors: CANTU VALENTIN , BRANDT THOMAS M. , ARSUFFI THOMAS L.
Published: February 2013

Centrocestus formosanus is a digenetic trematode from Asia that parasitizes multiple hosts and is a concern in the Comal River, Texas, USA, because of its negative effects on the endangered fountain darter Etheostoma fonticola. To determine a practical sampling method to monitor C. formosanus in the Comal River, we evaluated three sampling methods using wild-caught fish, caged fish reared in the laboratory, and cercariometry. Cercariometry detected significant spatial and temporal patterns of cercarial density in river water that were similar with metacercarial intensity in caged fish, but inconsistent with metacercarial intensity in wild-caught fish. Our results also showed a positive correlation between cercarial density in river water and metacercarial intensity in caged fish. Conversely, the relationship was not significant between cercarial density and metacercarial intensity in wild-caught fish. Because cercariometry predicted similar trends with the caged fountain darter sampling method, cercariometry was useful in predicting C. formosanus gill infections, infection rate, and longevity in infected fountain darters. Although trends from cercariometry and caged fish sampling methods were similar, we recommend cercariometry because it was less expensive to use given the amount of sampling effort required and provides trends that can be used to make pro-active management decisions in C. formosanus-infested aquatic ecosystems.
Asymptotic formulas for coefficients of Kac–Wakimoto Characters
Authors: BRINGMANN KATHRIN , MAHLBURG KARL
Published: February 2013

We study the coefficients of Kac and Wakimoto's character formulas for the affine Lie superalgebrassℓ(n+1|1)∧. The coefficients of these characters are the weight multiplicities of irreducible modules of the Lie superalgebras, and their asymptotic study begins with Kac and Peterson's earlier use of modular forms to understand the coefficients of characters for affine Lie algebras. In the affine Lie superalgebra setting, the characters are products of weakly holomorphic modular forms and Appell-type sums, which have recently been studied using developments in the theory of mock modular forms and harmonic Maass forms. Using our previously developed extension of the Circle Method for products of mock modular forms along with the Saddle Point Method, we find asymptotic series expansions for the coefficients of the characters with polynomial error.
The effect of infections on the mortality of cirrhotic patients with hepatic encephalopathy
Authors: HUNG T. H. , LAY C. J. , CHANG C. M. , TSAI J .J. , TSAI C. C. , TSAI C. C.
Published: February 2013

Cirrhotic patients are prone to having infections, which may aggravate hepatic encephalopathy (HE). However, the effect of infections on mortality in HE cirrhotic patients is not well described. The National Health Insurance Database, derived from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Programme, was used to identify 4150 adult HE cirrhotic patients hospitalized between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2004. Nine hundred and eighty-five patients (23·7%) had one or more co-existing infections during their hospitalization. After Cox proportional hazard regression modelling adjusted by the patients' gender, age, and medical comorbidity disorders, the hazard ratios (HRs) in HE patients with infections for 30-day, 30- to 90-day, and 90-day to 1-year mortalities were 1·66 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1·42–1·94], 1·51 (95% CI 1·23–1·85) and 1·34 (95% CI 1·13–1·58), respectively. Compared to the non-infection group, the HRs of pneumonia, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, urinary tract infection, sepsis without specific focus (SWSF), cellulitis, and biliary tract infection were 2·11, 1·48, 1·06, 2·21, 1·06, and 0·78, respectively, for 30-day mortality; 1·82, 1·22, 0·93, 2·24, 0·31, and 2·82, respectively, for 30- to 90-day mortality; and 2·03, 0·82, 1·24, 1·64, 1·14, and 0·60, respectively, for 90-day to 1-year mortality for HE cirrhotic patients. We conclude that infections increase the mortality of HE cirrhotic patients, especially pneumonia and SWSF.