bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Galvanic Interaction between Chalcopyrite and Pyrite with Low Alloy and High Carbon Chromium Steel Ball
Authors: Azizi Asghar , Shafaei Seid Ziaoddin , Noaparast Mohammad , Karamoozian Mohammad
Published: August 2013

This study was aimed to investigate the galvanic interaction between pyrite and chalcopyrite with two types of grinding media (low alloy and high carbon chromium steel ball) in grinding of a porphyry copper sulphide ore. Results indicated that injection of different gases into mill altered the oxidation‐reduction environment during grinding. High carbon chromium steel ball under nitrogen gas has the lowest galvanic current, and low alloy steel ball under oxygen gas had the highest galvanic current. Also, results showed that the media is anodic relative to pyrite and chalcopyrite, and therefore pyrite or chalcopyrite with a higher rest potential acted as the cathode, whilst the grinding media with a lower rest potential acted as the anode, when they are electrochemically contacted. It was also found that low alloy steel under oxygen produced the highest amount of EDTA extractable iron in the slurry, whilst high carbon chromium steel under nitrogen atmosphere led to the lowest amount.
Operation of TUT Solar PV Power Station Research Plant under Partial Shading Caused by Snow and Buildings
Authors: Torres Lobera Diego , Mäki Anssi , Huusari Juha , Lappalainen Kari , Suntio Teuvo , Valkealahti Seppo
Published: August 2013

A grid connected solar photovoltaic (PV) research facility equipped with comprehensive climatic and electric measuring systems has been designed and built in the Department of Electrical Engineering of the Tampere University of Technology (TUT). The climatic measuring system is composed of an accurate weather station, solar radiation measurements, and a mesh of irradiance and PV module temperature measurements located throughout the solar PV facility. Furthermore, electrical measurements can be taken from single PV modules and strings of modules synchronized with the climatic data. All measured parameters are sampled continuously at 10 Hz with a data-acquisition system based on swappable I/O card technology and stored in a database for later analysis. The used sampling frequency was defined by thorough analyses of the PV system time dependence. Climatic and electrical measurements of the first operation year of the research facility are analyzed in this paper. Moreover, operation of PV systems under partial shading conditions caused by snow and building structures is studied by means of the measured current and power characteristics of PV modules and strings.
Sensing Characteristics of Side-Hole Fiber-Based Long-Period Grating
Authors: Xin Yi , Dong Xinyong , Yuan Junwei , Li Yi , Jin Shangzhong , Zhang Sulei
Published: August 2013

Long-period gratings (LPGs) have been fabricated in a side-hole fiber (SHF) by using a pulsed CO2laser. Sensing characteristics of this SHF-LPG to temperature surrounding refractive index and bend have been investigated. Experimental results show that resonant wavelength of the SHF-LPG has a blue shift with temperature with sensitivity of −0.11 nm/°C, a blue shift with increasing sensitivity with surrounding refractive index ranging from 1.335 to 1.44 (the maximum sensitivity is achieved when the surrounding refractive index reaches the effective index of the fiber cladding), and a red shift with bend-direction-dependent sensitivity up to 9.36 nm/m−1.
New Hypothesis on Pathogenesis of Ovarian Cancer Lead to Future Tailored Approaches
Authors: Rescigno P. , Cerillo I. , Ruocco R. , Condello C. , De Placido S. , Pensabene M.
Published: August 2013

In the last decades, management of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) has been based on the staging system of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), and different classifications have been proposed for EOC that take account of grade of differentiation, histological subtype, and clinical features. However, despite taxonomic efforts, EOC appears to be not a unique disease; its subtypes differ for epidemiological and genetic risk factors, precursor lesions, patterns of spread, response to chemotherapy, and prognosis. Nevertheless, carboplatin plus paclitaxel combination represents the only standard treatment in adjuvant and advanced settings. This paper summarizes theories about the classification and origin of EOC and classical and new prognostic factors. It presents data about standard treatment and novel agents. We speculate about the possibility to create tailored therapy based on specific mutations in ovarian cancer and to personalize prevention.
Photodegradation of Rhodamine B Using the Microwave/UV/H2O2: Effect of Temperature
Authors: Ferrari Carlo , Chen H. , Lavezza R. , Santinelli C. , Longo I. , Bramanti E.
Published: August 2013

The oxidative decoloration of Rhodamine B (RhB) was performed in a photochemical reactor which enables microwave (MW) and UV radiation to be applied simultaneously. We used an immersed microwave source, with no need for an oven. Controlling the temperature, MW power, and UV emission of the reactor all led to a greater overall control of the process. Due to the action of highly reactive hydroxyl radicals, the decoloration of RhB was followed online using a spectrograph. Complete decoloration occurred in four minutes, and 92% of mineralisation was obtained in 70 minutes. The experiments were performed at various temperatures (21°C, 30°C, 37°C, and 46°C), with and without hydrogen peroxide. The apparent reaction rate was used to calculate the apparent activation energy of the decoloration process:Ea=38±2 kJ/mol and40±2 kJ/mol with (400 mg/L) or without hydrogen peroxide, respectively. The lack of deviation from the linear behavior of the Arrhenius plot confirms that the application of MW does not affect theEaof the process. The apparent activation energy value found was compared with the few data available in the literature, which were obtained in the absence of MW radiation and are inconsistent.
Prevalence of Occult Hepatitis B Virus Infection in a Cohort of HIV-Positive Patients Resident in Sicily, Italy
Authors: Tramuto Fabio , Maida Carmelo Massimo , Colomba Giuseppina M. E. , Di Carlo Paola , Vitale Francesco
Published: August 2013

Occult hepatitis B virus (OBI) in HIV-infected groups is still debated, as well as the associated risk-factors and clinical significance. In this paper, we examined a total of 405 HBsAg-negative/HIV-infected patients enrolled from January 2007 to December 2009. Overall, the prevalence of OBI was 5.9% (95% confidence interval (CI95%): 3.8–8.7%); it was more frequently associated with “anti-HBc alone” serological marker (11.3%; adjusted odds ratio = 3.7, CI95%: 1.4–9.8), although it was also detected in the absence of any HBV serological marker (4.9%; CI95%: 2.3–9.1%). A low prevalence of anti-HCV-positive patients with OBI was found (3.1%; CI95%: 0.6–8.7%). HIV RNA plasma levels or other immunological/clinical characteristics were not significantly associated with OBI. All but one occult HBV infections were sustained by genotype D viral strains. OBI is relatively frequent in HIV-infected patients, although it does not seem to exert a relevant clinical impact. Viral genotypes in occult HBV infections reflect those circulating in the Mediterranean area.
Water Quality Assessment of the Semenyih River, Selangor, Malaysia
Authors: Al-Badaii Fawaz , Shuhaimi-Othman Mohammad , Gasim Muhd Barzani
Published: August 2013

This study was carried out to determine the Semenyih River water quality based on the physicochemical and biological parameters. The sampling was conducted in dry and rainy seasons during 2012. Water samples were collected from 8 stations along the river and analyzed using standard methods. The results showed that temperature, pH, conductivity, TDS, SO4, and TH were classified as class I, while DO, turbidity, and BOD were categorized under class II, and NH3‐N, TSS, COD, and OG were categorized as class III based on NWQS, Malaysia. Moreover, NO3 was classified under class IV, while PO4 and FC were categorized as class V and exceeded the allowable threshold levels. Therefore, the river was slightly polluted with NH3‐N, TSS, COD, and NO3, whereas it is extremely contaminated with PO4 and FC. Furthermore, cluster analysis classified 8 sampling stations into three clusters based on similarities of water quality features. Furthermore, factor analysis of the water quality datasets generated three factors with total variance of 94.05% and pointed out that water quality deterioration in the river was associated with industrial and agricultural activities, livestock farming, and erosion. Therefore, the river water can be used for irrigation with precaution but extensive treatment needed before using for domestic purposes.
RFID Data Loggers in Fish Supply Chain Traceability
Authors: Trebar Mira , Lotrič Metka , Fonda Irena , Pleteršek Anton , Kovačič Kosta
Published: August 2013

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is an innovative and well-recognized technology that supports all kinds of traceability systems in many areas. It becomes very important in the food industry where the electronic systems are used to capture the data in the supply chain. Additionally, RFID data loggers with sensors are available to perform a cold chain optimization for perishable foods. This paper presents the temperature monitoring solution at the box level in the fish supply chain as part of the traceability system implemented with RFID technology. RFID data loggers are placed inside the box to measure the temperature of the product and on the box for measuring ambient temperature. The results show that the system is very helpful during the phases of storage and transportation of fish to provide the quality control. The sensor data is available immediately at the delivery to be checked on the mobile RFID reader and afterwards stored in the traceability systems database to be presented on a web to stakeholders and private consumers.
Several Treatments on Nonconforming Element Failed in the Strict Patch Test
Authors: Chen Xiao-Ming , Cen Song , Li Yun-Gui , Sun Jian-Yun
Published: August 2013

For nonconforming finite elements, it has been proved that the models whose convergence is controlled only by the weak form of patch tests will exhibit much better performance in complicated stress states than those which can pass the strict patch tests. However, just because the former cannot provide the exact solutions for the patch tests of constant stress states with a very coarse mesh (strict patch test), their usability is doubted by many researchers. In this paper, the non-conforming plane 4-node membrane element AGQ6-I, which was formulated by the quadrilateral area coordinate method and cannot pass the strict patch tests, was modified by three different techniques, including the special numerical integration scheme, the constant stress multiplier method, and the orthogonal condition of energy. Three resulting new elements, denoted by AGQ6M-I, AGQ6M-II, and AGQ6M, can pass the strict patch test. And among them, element AGQ6M is the best one. The original model AGQ6-I and the new model AGQ6M can be treated as the replacements of the well-known models Q6 and QM6, respectively.
Transforming Growth Factorβ1 Genotypes in Relation to TGFβ1, Interleukin-8, and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha in Induced Sputum and Blood in Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Eickmeier O. , Boom L. v. d. , Schreiner F. , Lentze M. J. , NGampolo D. , Schubert R. , Zielen S. , Schmitt-Grohé S.
Published: August 2013

Background. High-producer TGFβ1 genotypes are associated with severe lung disease in cystic fibrosis (CF), but studies combining IL-8, TNFα-, and TGFβ1(+genotype) levels and their impact on CF lung disease are scarce.Aim. Assessing the relationship between TGFβ1, IL-8, and TNF-αand lung disease in CF in an exacerbation-free interval.Methods. Twenty four patients delta F508 homozygous (median age 20.5 y, Shwachman score 75, FEV1(%) 83) and 8 controls (median age 27.5 y) were examined. TGFβ1 was assessed in serum and induced sputum (IS) by ELISA, for IL-8 and TNF-αby chemiluminescence in IS and whole blood. Genotyping was performed for TGFβ1 C−509T and T+869C utilizing RFLP.Results. TGFβ1 in IS (CF/controls median 76.5/59.1 pg/mL,P<0.074) was higher in CF. There was a negative correlation between TGFβ1 in serum and lung function (LF) (FEV1 (r=−0.488,P=0.025), MEF 25 (r=−0.425,P=0.055), and VC (r=−0.572,P=0.007)). Genotypes had no impact on TGFβ1 in IS, serum, and LF. In IS TGFβ1 correlated with IL-8 (r=0.593,P<0.007) and TNF-α(r=0.536,P<0.018) in patients colonized by bacteria with flagellin.Conclusion. TGFβ1 in serum not in IS correlates with LF. In patients colonized by bacteria with flagellin, TGFβ1 correlates with IL-8 and TNF-αin IS.
Recent Progress in Voice-Based Sasang Constitutional Medicine: Improving Stability of Diagnosis
Authors: Jang Jun-Su , Kim Young-Su , Ku Boncho , Kim Jong Yeol
Published: August 2013

Sasang constitutional medicine is a unique form of tailored medicine in traditional Korean medicine. Voice features have been regarded as an important cue to diagnose Sasang constitution types. Many studies tried to extract quantitative voice features and standardize diagnosis methods; however, they had flaws, such as unstable voice features which vary a lot for the same individual, limited data collected from only few sites, and low diagnosis accuracy. In this paper, we propose a stable diagnosis model that has a good repeatability for the same individual. None of the past studies evaluated the repeatability of their diagnosis models. Although many previous studies used voice features calculated by averaging feature values from all valid frames in monotonic utterance like vowels, we analyse every single feature value from each frame of a sentence voice signal. Gaussian mixture model is employed to deal with a lot of voice features from each frame. Total 15 Gaussian models are used to represent voice characteristics for each constitution. To evaluate repeatability of the proposed diagnosis model, we introduce a test dataset consisting of 10 individuals’ voice recordings with 50 recordings per each individual. Our result shows that the proposed method has better repeatability than the previous study which used averaged features from vowels and the sentence.
Analysis ofCOCHandTNFAVariants in East Indian Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Patients
Authors: Chakraborty Subhadip , Mookherjee Suddhasil , Sen Abhijit , Ray Kunal
Published: August 2013

Glaucoma represents a heterogeneous group of optic neuropathies with a complex genetic basis. It is the second-largest cause of blindness in the world that reduces vision without warning and often without symptoms. Among 3 major subtypes of glaucoma, primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is the most common form. The focus of this study is to understand the molecular basis of the disease among Indian patients with respect to two genes, Cochlin (COCH) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFA), selected based on reports of possible association with POAG. The genes were screened in patients and controls by PCR and direct sequencing. Although two novel changes (–450 C/T and –79 G/G) were identified in the 5′upstream region ofCOCH, no causal variant could be identified in either gene. –450 C/T was detected in 3 patients and 2 controls and –79 G/C in a single patient. Further, we did not observe significant association with the promoter SNPs ofTNFAthat had been previously reported to be associated with POAG pathogenesis. Thus, our study suggests lack of association of bothCOCHandTNFAwith POAG pathogenesis.
Liver Segmentation Based on Snakes Model and Improved GrowCut Algorithm in Abdominal CT Image
Authors: Jiang Huiyan , He Baochun , Ma Zhiyuan , Zong Mao , Zhou Xiangrong , Fujita Hiroshi
Published: August 2013

A novel method based on Snakes Model and GrowCut algorithm is proposed to segment liver region in abdominal CT images. First, according to the traditional GrowCut method, a pretreatment process using K-means algorithm is conducted to reduce the running time. Then, the segmentation result of our improved GrowCut approach is used as an initial contour for the future precise segmentation based on Snakes model. At last, several experiments are carried out to demonstrate the performance of our proposed approach and some comparisons are conducted between the traditional GrowCut algorithm. Experimental results show that the improved approach not only has a better robustness and precision but also is more efficient than the traditional GrowCut method.
Disease Modifying Therapies for Alzheimer's Disease Targeting AβOligomers: Implications for Therapeutic Mechanisms
Authors: Matsubara Etsuro , Takamura Ayumi , Okamoto Yasuhide , Oono Hideto , Nakata Takashi , Wakasaya Yasuhito , Kawarabayashi Takeshi , Shoji Mikio
Published: August 2013

Several lines of evidence indicate that amyloidβ(Aβ), particularly Aβoligomers (AβOs), plays a causative role in Alzheimer's disease. However, the mechanisms underlying the action of an anti-AβO antibody to clarify the toxic action of AβOs remain elusive. Here, we showed that the anti-AβO antibody (monoclonal 72D9) can modify the Aβaggregation pathway. We also found that 72D9 directly sequesters both extracellular and intraneuronal AβOs in a nontoxic state. Thus, therapeutic intervention targeting AβOs is a promising strategy for neuronal protection in Alzheimer's disease.
Nickel (II) and Iron (II) Complexes with Azole Derivatives: Synthesis, Crystal Structures and Antifungal Activities
Authors: Nfor Emmanuel N. , Asobo Peter F. , Nenwa Justin , Nfor Oswald N. , Njapba Julius N. , Njong Romanus N. , Offiong Offiong E.
Published: August 2013

Two new complexes of nickel (II) with 4-amino-3, 5-bis(pyridyl)-1, 2, 4-triazole (abpt) and iron (II) with 2-(3-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-5-yl) pyridine (phpzpy) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and IR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of the complexes have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. In the nickel and iron complexes, the ligands are coordinated through nitrogen atoms in bidentate manner. The ligands and their respective complexes have been tested for their antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, and Candida albicans. From the study, the complexes showed enhanced activities against the tested organisms compared to the ligands.
Humor and Aging - A Mini-Review
Authors: Greengross Gil
Published: August 2013

Humor is one of the most important human activities, one that is enjoyed daily by people in every culture and at every age. However, very little is known about how aging affects humor experiences. Research suggests that elderly people enjoy humor more than younger people, but they have increasing difficulties in understanding jokes. Several cognitive mechanisms that may help explain this trend are discussed. Also, the amount of laughter exhibited by the elderly is smaller compared to young adults. In addition, the older population seems not to enjoy aggressive types of humor as much as the younger ones, and the elderly are especially sensitive to jokes referring to old age. Because most studies are cross-sectional, we cannot ignore possible cohort effects that might influence age differences in humor production and humor appreciation. Several future directions are mentioned with the hope for further research on the subject to follow.
A Lines-of-Defense Model for Managing Health Threats: A Review
Authors: Heckhausen Jutta , Wrosch Carsten , Schulz Richard
Published: August 2013

As older individuals face challenges of progressive disease and increasing disability and approach the end of their lives, their capacity for controlling their environment and own health and functioning declines. The Lines-of-Defense Model is based on the Motivational Theory of Life-Span Development and proposes that individuals can adjust their control striving to the progressive physical decline in distinctly organized cycles of goal engagement and goal disengagement that reflect sequentially organized lines of defense. This organized process allows individuals to hold onto and defend still feasible levels of physical health and functioning in activities of daily living, while adjusting to increasing impairments. As physical constraints become more severe towards the end of life, avoiding psychological suffering becomes the focus of individuals' strivings for control. The Lines-of-Defense Model can also be applied to the inverse process of growth in functioning during recovery and rehabilitation.
Characteristic Testicular Histology Is Useful for the Identification of NR5A1 Gene Mutations in Prepubertal 46,XY Patients
Authors: Nishina-Uchida Noriko , Fukuzawa Ryuji , Numakura Chikahiko , Suwanai Ayuko S. , Hasegawa Tomonobu , Hasegawa Yukihiro
Published: August 2013

Background: Individuals with NR5A1 mutations encoding steroidogenic factor-1 (SF1) develop a phenotypically broad range of disorders of sexual development (DSD). Based on a literature review, we noted that hypoplastic seminiferous tubules and the emergence of Leydig cells with vacuolar cytoplasms are seen predominantly in the majority of individuals with NR5A1 mutations. Aim: The aim of this study was to address whether the histopathological characteristics of the testis can be a biomarker for 46,XY individuals with NR5A1 mutations. Design: In order to ascertain whether or not the histological features were the characteristics of NR5A1 mutations, we screened the testicular histology of 242 patients with 46,XY DSD and then subsequently assessed NR5A1 mutations. Result: Of 242 patients with 46,XY DSD, 6 patients matched histological testicular features: a reduced number of thin seminiferous tubules and focal aggregations of Leydig cells that contained cytoplasmic lipid droplets. All 6 patients had NR5A1 mutations. These histological features were distinct from those of other DSD. Thus, this unique testicular histology is useful for identifying NR5A1 mutations in 46,XY patients with DSD before puberty.
Long-Term Efficacy of Entecavir Plus Adefovir Combination Therapy versus Entecavir Monotherapy in Adefovir Refractory Chronic Hepatitis B Patients with Prior Lamivudine Resistance
Authors: Seo Seung Young , Kim In Hee , Sohn Ji Youn , Lee Seok , Kim Seong Hun , Kim Sang Wook , Lee Seung Ok , Lee Soo Teik , Kim Dae-Ghon
Published: August 2013

Objectives: We investigated the long-term efficacy of entecavir (ETV) + adefovir (ADV) combination therapy versus ETV monotherapy in lamivudine (LAM)-resistant chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients who failed to respond to ADV rescue therapy. Methods: A total of 91 ADV refractory patients with prior LAM resistance received ETV (1.0 mg/day) + ADV (10 mg/day) combination therapy (group A, n = 45) or ETV (1.0 mg/day) monotherapy (group B, n = 46) for more than 48 weeks. Results: The rates of undetectable serum hepatitis B virus DNA levels (≤20 IU/ml) at weeks 48 and 96 were not significantly different between group A and group B (31.1 vs. 23.9% at week 48, p = 0.442, and 44.7 vs. 34.5% at week 96, p = 0.457). However, the incidence of virological breakthrough in group A was significantly lower than that in group B (0 vs. 17.4% at week 48, p = 0.006, and 2.6 vs. 44.8% at week 96, p < 0.001). ETV monotherapy was the only independent factor significantly associated with virologic breakthrough (p = 0.015). Conclusions: ETV + ADV combination therapy is a better therapeutic option than ETV monotherapy for ADV refractory CHB patients with prior LAM resistance.
Epidemiological Characteristics of Norovirus Associated with Sporadic Gastroenteritis among Children from the 2006/2007 to 2011/2012 Season in Nara Prefecture, Japan
Authors: Yoneda Masaki , Okayama Akiko , Kitahori Yoshiteru
Published: August 2013

The present study aimed to describe the epidemiological characteristics of norovirus (NoV) associated with sporadic gastroenteritis in regional populations of Nara Prefecture, Japan, from the 2006/2007 to 2011/2012 epidemic season. Fecal specimens of sporadic gastroenteritis collected between September 2006 and August 2012 in Nara Prefecture were examined for the presence of NoV by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The NoV genotype was determined by nucleotide sequence analysis. In total, 274 NoVs associated with sporadic gastroenteritis were identified. We detected 10 different NoV genotypes: GI/3, GI/4, GI/8, GII/2, GII/3, GII/4, GII/6, GII/7, GII/12, and GII/13. A high NoV detection rate of 35.9% was identified in 1-year-old children. Among the 274 NoV isolates, 142 were obtained from males and 131 were obtained from females (the source of one was unknown). The most prevalent genotype was GII/4, accounting for 117 of the 192 different NoVs identified by sequencing. More epidemiological data will be required to determine the epidemiological characteristics of NoVs in other areas of Japan.
Bevacizumab is Effective for Recurrent Papillary Tumor of the Pineal Region: First Report
Authors: Cohen Adam L. , Salzman Karen , Palmer Cheryl , Jensen Randy , Colman Howard
Published: August 2013

Papillary tumor of the pineal region (PTPR) is a rare brain tumor that probably arises from ependymal cells. There are no known systemic treatments for PTPR once it is refractory to surgery and radiation. We present the first case of a durable radiographic and clinical response of a PTPR to bevacizumab, an antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor, despite multiple prior treatments. Bevacizumab may be an effective treatment for PTPR.
Prolonged Clinical Benefit of Everolimus Therapy in the Management of High-Grade Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Carcinoma
Authors: Fonseca Paula J. , Uriol Esther , Galván José A. , Álvarez Carlos , Pérez Quionia , Villanueva Noemi , Berros José P. , Izquierdo Marta , Viéitez José M.
Published: August 2013

Treatment options for patients with high-grade pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNET) are limited, especially for those with progressive disease and for those who experience treatment failure. Everolimus, an oral inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), has been approved for the treatment of patients with low- or intermediate-grade advanced pNET. In the randomized phase III RADIANT-3 study in patients with low- or intermediate-grade advanced pNET, everolimus significantly increased progression-free survival (PFS) and decreased the relative risk for disease progression by 65% over placebo. This case report describes a heavily pretreated patient with high-grade pNET and liver and peritoneal metastases who achieved prolonged PFS, clinically relevant partial radiologic tumor response, and resolution of constitutional symptoms with improvement in Karnofsky performance status while receiving a combination of everolimus and octreotide long-acting repeatable (LAR). Radiologic and clinical responses were maintained for 19 months, with minimal toxicity over the course of treatment. This case supports the findings that the combination of everolimus plus octreotide LAR may be considered for use in patients with high-grade pNET and progressive disease. Although behavior and aggressiveness are different between low- or intermediate-grade and high-grade pNET, some high-grade pNET may express mTOR; hence, everolimus should be considered in a clinical trial.
Tumor-Like Growth of Giant Inflammatory Polyposis in a Patient with Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Nagashima Makoto , Sugishita Yui , Moriyama Ayako , Ooshiro Mitsuru , Kadoya Kengo , Sato Ayami , Kitahara Tomoaki , Takagi Ryuichi , Urita Tasuku , Yoshida Yutaka , Tanaka Hiroshi , Oshiro Takashi , Nakamura Kentaro , Suzuki Yasuo , Hiruta Nobuyuki , Okazumi Shinichi , Katoh Ryoji
Published: August 2013

We report a unique case of giant obstructing inflammatory polyposis associated with ulcerative colitis (UC). A 25-year-old Japanese man with an UC history of 2 years and 6 months was referred to our institution because of diarrhea and melena. His computed tomography scan showed marked dilation of the transverse and descending colon; therefore, we performed total colectomy. Macroscopic evaluation of the excised specimen indicated constricting lesions with giant polyposis in the transverse and descending colon. The polyposis consisted of narrow worm- or noodle-like polyps that bridged over the irregular ulcers. Histologic evaluation of the excised specimen indicated transmural inflammation with a thickened proper muscular layer overlaid with inflammatory polyposis. Based on these data, a diagnosis of giant inflammatory polyposis should be considered in patients who have had UC. Although giant inflammatory polyposis is considered benign, surgical treatment may be indicated to avoid serious complications.
Comparison of two new species of astogloia Bacillariophyceae) with other small members of section Ellipticae
Authors: PENNESI CHIARA , POULIN MICHEL , HINZ FRIEDEL , ROMAGNOLI TIZIANA , DE STEFANO MARIO , TOTTI CECILIA
Published: August 2013

In this study, seven Mastogloia species belonging of the section Ellipticae are morphologically described through scanning electron microscopy, including two new taxa M. matthaei and M. stellae. They were collected as epiphytes on seagrasses from several tropical (Indonesia), subtropical (Egypt, Greece, Republic of Malta, Turkey) and temperate (Slovenia, Italy) regions of the world. All these species show typical characters of the Hustedt’s section Ellipticae: elliptical valve outline, a flat valve surface and rounded apices. Moreover, this study provides novel information on the frustule ultrastructure and gives update of their current geographical distribution. Some nomenclatural inconsistencies have been resolved with the typification of M. ovulum and the related species, M. emarginata, from the original Miang Besar material in the Hustedt collection.
State of the Climate in 2012
Authors: Blunden Jessica , Arndt Derek S.
Published: August 2013

Editors note: For easy download the posted pdf of the State of the Climate for 2012 is a very low-resolution file. A high-resolution copy of the report is available by clicking here. Please be patient as it may take a few minutes for the high-resolution file to download.
Latent Heating and Mixing due to Entrainment in Tropical Deep Convection
Authors: McGee Clayton J. , van den Heever Susan C.
Published: August 2013

Recent studies have noted the role of latent heating above the freezing level in reconciling Riehl and Malkus' hot tower hypothesis (HTH) with evidence of diluted tropical deep convective cores. This study evaluates recent modifications to the HTH through Lagrangian trajectory analysis of deep convective cores in an idealized, high-resolution cloud-resolving model (CRM) simulation that uses a sophisticated two-moment microphysical scheme. A line of tropical convective cells develops within a finer nested grid whose boundary conditions are obtained from a large-domain CRM simulation approaching radiative convective equilibrium (RCE). Microphysical impacts on latent heating and equivalent potential temperature (θe) are analyzed along trajectories ascending within convective regions of the high-resolution nested grid. Changes in θe along backward trajectories are partitioned into contributions from latent heating due to ice processes and a residual term that is shown to be an approximate representation of mixing. The simulations demonstrate that mixing with dry environmental air decreases θe along ascending trajectories below the freezing level, while latent heating due to freezing and vapor deposition increase θe above the freezing level. Latent heating contributions along trajectories from cloud nucleation, condensation, evaporation, freezing, deposition, and sublimation are also quantified. Finally, the source regions of trajectories reaching the upper troposphere are identified. Much of the air ascending within convective updrafts originates from above the lowest 2 km AGL, but the strongest updrafts are composed of air from closer to the surface. The importance of both boundary layer and midlevel inflow in moist environments is underscored in this study.
Impact of Northward-Propagating Intraseasonal Variability on the Onset of Indian Summer Monsoon
Authors: Zhou Lei , Murtugudde Raghu
Published: August 2013

The onset of the Indian summer monsoon (ISM) has a pronounced interannual variability, part of which originates from the large-scale circulation and its thermodynamic properties. While the northward-propagating intraseasonal variabilities (ISVs) are a prominent characteristic of the ISM, they tend to initiate an early onset by transferring moisture and momentum from the deep tropics to the Indian subcontinent. However, not all early onsets of ISM are attributable to strong ISVs and not all strong ISVs can lead to early ISM onsets. With a daily Indian monsoon index and a simple regression model, the onsets of ISM from 1982 to 2011 are separated into two groups. The years in which the early onsets of ISM are closely related to the northward-propagating ISVs are categorized as the ISVO years, and the other years in which the ISM onsets are not closely related to ISVs are categorized as non-ISVO years. The former category is the focus of this study. Before the onset of ISM in the ISVO years, the convective features are prominent, such as a cyclone over the Bay of Bengal (BoB) and the associated strong convection. The ocean–atmosphere interaction is found to be important for the northward-propagating ISVs before the ISM onset in the ISVO years. Evidence shows that warm SST anomalies drive the atmosphere and lead to atmospheric instability and convection. This reinforces the more recent view that the ocean does not just play a passive role in the northward-propagating ISVs. This process understanding helps shape the path to enhancing predictive understanding and monsoon prediction skills with obvious implications for the prediction of El Niño–Southern Oscillation.
Principal Components of Multifrequency Microwave Land Surface Emissivities. Part II: Effects of Previous-Time Precipitation
Authors: You Yalei , Turk F. Joseph , Haddad Ziad S. , Li Li , Liu Guosheng
Published: August 2013

The microwave land surface emissivity (MLSE) over the continental United States was examined during 2011 as a function of prior rainfall conditions using two independent emissivity estimation techniques, one providing instantaneous estimates based on a clear-scene emissivity principal component (PC) analysis and the other based on physical radiative transfer modeling. Results show that over grass, closed shrub, and cropland, prior rainfall can cause the horizontally polarized 10-GHz brightness temperature (TB) to drop by as much as 20 K, with a corresponding emissivity drop of approximately 0.06, whereby prior rain exhibited little influence on the emissivity over forest because of the dense vegetation. The correlation between emissivity and its leading principal components and the prior rainfall over grass, closed shrub, and cropland is −0.6, while it is only −0.1 over forested areas. Forward-simulated TB using the PC-based emissivity derived from instantaneous Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite overpasses agrees much better with TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) observations relative to a climatologically based emissivity, especially after a period of heavy rain. Two potential applications of the PC-based emissivity are demonstrated. The first exploits the time history change of the MLSE to estimate the amount of prior rainfall. The second application is a method to estimate the emissivity underneath precipitating radiometric scenes by first adjusting the surface-sensitive principal components that were derived under clear-sky scenes and then by reconstructing the joint emissivity (all channels simultaneously) from the modified PC structure. The results are applicable to future overland passive microwave rainfall retrieval algorithms to simultaneously detect and estimate precipitation amounts under dynamically changing surface conditions.
Geometric icons and conceptual analogies: A doublet of dynamic forms that reveal, express, and impel analogies
Authors: Fisher Harwood
Published: August 2013

Psychologists’ spatial representations and conceptual analogies form a semiotic doublet by which patterns of their seminal ideas can be compared across different eras. One powerful reappearing idea is Freud’s concept that two logics alternate as forms of thought. This elemental idea entails the individual’s access to analogical thinking, its forms, and its effect on the person’s selection of logical form. To go a recursive step back, I search out the psychologist’s origin of ideas to explain analogy and the two logics. Probing the doublet illuminates the psychologist’s thought forms, semiotic combinations, and choices of logical patterns. Using it to compare different theorists’ concepts of the two logics and analogy reveals the continuously recursive nature of analogy and shows the durability of major ideas. Comparisons go back and forth in time and contribute to understanding the roots of ideas and to project their place and value in future models.
Development and evaluation of an intervention aiming to reduce fatigue in airline pilots: design of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: van Drongelen Alwin , van der Beek Allard J , Hlobil Hynek , Smid Tjabe , Boot Cécile RL
Published: August 2013

Background

A considerable percentage of flight crew reports to be fatigued regularly. This is partly caused by irregular and long working hours and the crossing of time zones. It has been shown that persistent fatigue can lead to health problems, impaired performance during work, and a decreased work-private life balance. It is hypothesized that an intervention consisting of tailored advice regarding exposure to daylight, optimising sleep, physical activity, and nutrition will lead to a reduction of fatigue in airline pilots compared to a control group, which receives a minimal intervention with standard available information.

Methods/design

The study population will consist of pilots of a large airline company. All pilots who posses a smartphone or tablet, and who are not on sick leave for more than four weeks at the moment of recruitment, will be eligible for participation.

In a two-armed randomised controlled trial, participants will be allocated to an intervention group that will receive the tailored advice to optimise exposure to daylight, sleep, physical activity and nutrition, and a control group that will receive standard available information. The intervention will be applied using a smartphone application and a website, and will be tailored on flight- and participant-specific characteristics. The primary outcome of the study is perceived fatigue. Secondary outcomes are need for recovery, duration and quality of sleep, dietary and physical activity behaviours, work-private life balance, general health, and sickness absence. A process evaluation will be conducted as well. Outcomes will be measured at baseline and at three and six months after baseline.

Discussion

This paper describes the development of an intervention for airline pilots, consisting of tailored advice (on exposure to daylight and sleep-, physical activity, and nutrition) applied into a smartphone application. Further, the paper describes the design of the randomised controlled trial evaluating the effect of the intervention on fatigue, health and sickness absence. If proven effective, the intervention can be applied as a new and practical tool in fatigue management. Results are expected at the end of 2013.

Trial registration

Netherlands Trial Register: NTR2722
Nutritional supplements for diabetes sold on the internet: business or health promotion?
Authors: Covolo Loredana , Capelli Michela , Ceretti Elisabetta , Feretti Donatella , Caimi Luigi , Gelatti Umberto
Published: August 2013

Background

Diabetes is one of the most widespread chronic disease. Although many medications are available for the treatment and prevention of diabetes, many people turn to nutritional supplements (NSs). In these years, the online sales have contributed to the growth of use of nutritional supplement. The aim of the research was to investigate the type of information provided by sales websites on NSs, and analyse the existence of scientific evidence about some of the most common ingredients found in available NSs for diabetes.

Methods

A web search was conducted in April 2012 to identify web sites selling NSs in the treatment of diabetes using Google, Yahoo and Bing! and the key word used was “diabetes nutritional supplements”. Website content was evaluated for the quality of information available to consumers and for the presence of a complete list of ingredients in the first NS suggested by the site. Subsequently, in order to analyze the scientific evidence on the efficacy of these supplements a PubMed search was carried out on the ingredients that were shared in at least 3 nutritional supplements.

Results

A total of 10 websites selling NSs were selected. Only half of the websites had a Food and Drug Administration disclaimer and 40% declared clearly that the NS offered was not a substitute for proper medication. A total of 10 NS ingredients were searched for on PubMed. Systematic reviews, meta-analyses or randomized control trials were present for all the ingredients except one. Most of the studies, however, were of poor quality and/or the results were conflicting.

Conclusions

Easy internet access to NSs lacking in adequate medical information and strong scientific evidence is a matter of public health concern, mainly considering that a misleading information could lead to an improper prevention both in healthy people and people suffering from diabetes. There is a clear need for more trials to assess the efficacy and safety of these NSs, better quality control of websites, more informed physicians and greater public awareness of these widely used products.
Tobacco cessation intervention for pregnant women in Argentina and Uruguay: study protocol
Authors: Althabe Fernando , Alemán Alicia , Mazzoni Agustina , Berrueta Mabel , Morello Paola , Colomar Mercedes , Ciganda Alvaro , Becú Ana , Gibbons Luz , Llambi Laura , Bittar Gonzalez María G , Tong Van T , Farr Sherry L , Smith Ruben A , Dietz Patricia M , Johnson Carolyn , Buekens Pierre , Belizán José M
Published: August 2013

Background

Argentina and Uruguay are among the countries with the highest proportion of pregnant women who smoke. The implementation of an effective smoking cessation intervention would have a significant impact on the health of mothers and infants. The “5 A’s” (Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange) is a strategy consisting of a brief cessation counseling session of 5–15 minutes delivered by a trained provider. The “5 A’s” is considered the standard of care worldwide; however, it is under used in Argentina and Uruguay.

Methods

We will conduct a two-arm, parallel cluster randomized controlled trial of an implementation intervention in 20 prenatal care settings in Argentina and Uruguay. Prenatal care settings will be randomly allocated to either an intervention or a control group after a baseline data collection period. Midwives’ facilitators in the 10 intervention prenatal clinics (clusters) will be identified and trained to deliver the “5 A’s” to pregnant women and will then disseminate and implement the program. The 10 clusters in the control group will continue with their standard in-service activities. The intervention will be tailored by formative research to be readily applicable to local prenatal care services at maternity hospitals and acceptable to local pregnant women and health providers. Our primary hypothesis is that the intervention is feasible in prenatal clinics in Argentina and Uruguay and will increase the frequency of women receiving tobacco use cessation counseling during pregnancy in the intervention clinics compared to the control clinics. Our secondary hypotheses are that the intervention will decrease the frequency of women who smoke by the end of pregnancy, and that the intervention will increase the attitudes and readiness of midwives towards providing counseling to women in the intervention clinics compared to the control clinics.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier: NCT01852617
Telomere length dynamics in human memory T cells specific for viruses causing acute or latent infections
Authors: O'Bryan Joel M , Woda Marcia , Co Mary , Mathew Anuja , Rothman Alan L
Published: August 2013

Background

Declining telomere length (TL) is associated with T cell senescence. While TL in naïve and memory T cells declines with increasing age, there is limited data on TL dynamics in virus-specific memory CD4+ T cells in healthy adults. We combined BrdU-labeling of virus-stimulated T cells followed with flow cytometry-fluorescent in situ hybridization for TL determination. We analyzed TL in T cells specific for several virus infections: non-recurring acute (vaccinia virus, VACV), recurring-acute (influenza A virus, IAV), and reactivating viruses (varicella-zoster virus, VZV, and cytomegalovirus, CMV) in 10 healthy subjects. Additionally, five subjects provided multiple blood samples separated by up to 10 years.

Results

VACV- and CMV-specific T cells had longer average TL than IAV-specific CD4+ T cells. Although most virus-specific cells were CD45RA-, we observed a minor population of BrdU+ CD45RA+ T cells characterized by long telomeres. Longitudinal analysis demonstrated a slow decline in average TL in virus-specific T cells. However, in one subject, VZV reactivation led to an increase in average TL in VZV-specific memory T cells, suggesting a conversion of longer TL cells from the naïve T cell repertoire.

Conclusions

TLs in memory CD4+ T cells in otherwise healthy adults are heterogeneous and follow distinct virus-specific kinetics. These findings suggests that the distribution of TL and the creation and maintenance of long TL memory T cells could be important for the persistence of long-lived T cell memory.
A safe and convenient pseudovirus-based inhibition assay to detect neutralizing antibodies and screen for viral entry inhibitors against the novel human coronavirus MERS-CoV
Authors: Zhao Guangyu , Du Lanying , Ma Cuiqing , Li Ye , Li Lin , Poon Vincent KM , Wang Lili , Yu Fei , Zheng Bo-Jian , Jiang Shibo , Zhou Yusen
Published: August 2013

Background

Evidence points to the emergence of a novel human coronavirus, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which causes a severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-like disease. In response, the development of effective vaccines and therapeutics remains a clinical priority. To accomplish this, it is necessary to evaluate neutralizing antibodies and screen for MERS-CoV entry inhibitors.

Methods

In this study, we produced a pseudovirus bearing the full-length spike (S) protein of MERS-CoV in the Env-defective, luciferase-expressing HIV-1 backbone. We then established a pseudovirus-based inhibition assay to detect neutralizing antibodies and anti-MERS-CoV entry inhibitors.

Results

Our results demonstrated that the generated MERS-CoV pseudovirus allows for single-cycle infection of a variety of cells expressing dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4), the confirmed receptor for MERS-CoV. Consistent with the results from a live MERS-CoV-based inhibition assay, the antisera of mice vaccinated with a recombinant protein containing receptor-binding domain (RBD, residues 377–662) of MERS-CoV S fused with Fc of human IgG exhibited neutralizing antibody response against infection of MERS-CoV pseudovirus. Furthermore, one small molecule HIV entry inhibitor targeting gp41 (ADS-J1) and the 3-hydroxyphthalic anhydride-modified human serum albumin (HP-HSA) could significantly inhibit MERS-CoV pseudovirus infection.

Conclusion

Taken together, the established MERS-CoV inhibition assay is a safe and convenient pseudovirus-based alternative to BSL-3 live-virus restrictions and can be used to rapidly screen MERS-CoV entry inhibitors, as well as evaluate vaccine-induced neutralizing antibodies against the highly pathogenic MERS-CoV.