bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sudden death from cardiac tamponade in an extremely low birth weight neonate with an umbilical venous catheter in situ
Authors: Gates Emma , Shaw Ben , Kokai George
Published: January 2013

Background: Pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade are known to be rare but potentially fatal complications of umbilical venous catheterisation, even when the line tip is appropriately placed and is proximal to the right atrium.

Highlight of case: We report a fatal case of cardiac tamponade due to the presence of pericardial total parenteral nutrition associated with bilateral pleural effusions in an extremely low birth weight neonate with an umbilical venous catheter.

Conclusion: It is important to promptly identify and treat this rare but devastating complication of what is often considered “routine” care. Timely pericardiocentesis should be considered in a preterm baby who deteriorates suddenly and has a central venous catheter in situ.
Statins and daptomycin: safety assessment of concurrent use and evaluation of drug interaction liability
Authors: Golightly Larry K. , Barber Gerard R. , Barron Michelle A. , Page II Robert L.
Published: January 2013

Background: Acute muscle injury and potentially fatal rhabdomyolysis may occur with use of statins and certain interacting medications. This investigation assessed risk for myopathy in patients receiving treatment with a statin in combination with daptomycin, a medication also associated with muscle injury.

Methods: Patients hospitalized from July 1, 2005, through June 30, 2010, who received simvastatin or rosuvastatin concurrently with daptomycin were identified and their medical records were examined. Patients were judged to have treatment-related muscle injury if their records contained evidence of myalgia with or without weakness and secondarily impaired mobility together with elevated creatine kinase (CK) levels. These assessments were compared with similar data from hospitalized patients who received a statin alone.

Results: A total of 52 patients received 66 courses of concurrent treatment with simvastatin or rosuvastatin and daptomycin. Of these, no patient (0%) met evidentiary requirements for diagnosis of myopathy or related complications. No patient (0%) developed muscle pain or discomfort and none developed markedly elevated CK levels. The incidence of asymptomatic elevations of CK in these simvastatin or rosuvastatin plus daptomycin recipients (9%) was statistically indistinguishable from the incidence of CK elevations found in a cohort of 105 inpatients who received simvastatin or rosuvastatin alone (21%; p=0.135).

Conclusions: In patients receiving treatment with simvastatin or rosuvastatin and daptomycin, no symptoms or objective evidence of muscle injury attributable to a drug interaction were identified. These findings are consistent with data indicating that the myopathic effects of statins and daptomycin are incited by disparate and perhaps unique pharmacological mechanisms. Risk of muscle injury therefore appears to be no greater when a statin is administered with daptomycin than when either medication is used alone.
On the partial fraction decomposition of the restricted partition generating function
Authors: O'Sullivan Cormac
Published: January 2013

We provide new formulas for the coefficients in the partial fraction decomposition of the restricted partition generating function. These techniques allow us to partially resolve a recent conjecture of Sills and Zeilberger. We also describe upcoming work, giving a resolution to Rademacher's conjecture on the asymptotics of these coefficients.
Fixed points of endomorphisms of graph groups
Authors: Rodaro Emanuele , Silva Pedro V. , Sykiotis Mihalis
Published: January 2013

It is shown, for a given graph group
Ethical challenges in the management of multiple pregnancies: the professional responsibility model of perinatal ethics
Authors: Chervenak Frank A. , McCullough Laurence B.
Published: January 2013

Ethics is an essential component for the responsible clinical management of multiple gestation and decision-making about such pregnancies with pregnant women. The ethical concept of the fetus as a patient is presented as the basis for identifying a professionally responsible approach to selective termination, twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, and to discordant beneficence-based obligations that exist when one or more fetuses are adversely affected by a fetal anomaly or complication of pregnancy. The roles for directive counseling, i.e., making evidence-based recommendations, and for non-directive counseling, i.e., offering evidence-based alternatives but making no recommendations, are described. The professional responsibility model of perinatal ethics creates a practical framework to guide the clinical judgment of perinatologists and the informed process about the clinical management of multiple pregnancies.
Maternal and fetal adropin levels in gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Celik Ebru , Yilmaz Ercan , Celik Onder , Ulas Mustafa , Turkcuoglu Ilgin , Karaer Abdullah , Simsek Yavuz , Minareci Yagmur , Aydin Suleyman
Published: January 2013

Aim: To evaluate maternal and cord blood serum adropin concentrations in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Study design: Twenty pregnant women with GDM and 20 gestational age-matched healthy pregnant women participated in the study. Maternal serum and cord blood adropin levels were assessed using an enzyme immunosorbent assay, at the time of birth. The relation of maternal serum and cord blood adropin levels with metabolic parameters were also assessed.

Results: The mean maternal and cord serum adropin in the GDM group were significantly lower than those of the control women (P=0.01 and P<0.001, respectively). Maternal serum adropin levels did not correlate with either fetal serum adropin levels or maternal metabolic values.

Conclusion: The data suggest that low adropin levels may contribute to the underlying pathogenesis of GDM.
The diagnosis of rupture of fetal membranes (ROM): a meta-analysis
Authors: Ramsauer Babett , Vidaeff Alex C. , Hösli Irene , Park Joong Shin , Strauss Alexander , Khodjaeva Zulfiya , de la Cruz Ángel Aguarón , Martínez-Astorquiza Txantón , Horovitz Jacques , Coatleven Frederic , Helmer Hanns
Published: January 2013

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the performance of tests based on the detection of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1) and placental α-microglobulin-1 (PAMG-1) in diagnosing rupture of fetal membranes (ROM) across different patient populations.

Methods: A meta-analysis was conducted on prospective observational or cohort studies investigating ROM tests based on the detection of IGFBP-1 and PAMG-1 meeting the following criteria: (1) performance metrics calculated by comparing results to an adequate reference method; (2) sensitivity thresholds of the investigated tests matching those of the currently available tests; (3) study population, as a minimum, included patients between 25 and 37 weeks of gestation. Sensitivities, specificities, and diagnostic odds ratios were calculated.

Results: Across all patient populations, the analyzed performance measures of the PAMG-1 test were significantly superior compared with those of the IGFBP-1 test. Of particular clinical relevance, PAMG-1 outperformed IGFBP-1 in the equivocal group, which comprised patients with uncertain rupture of membranes (sensitivity, 96.0% vs. 73.9%; specificity, 98.9% vs. 77.8%; PAMG-1 vs. IGFBP-1 tests, respectively).

Conclusions: Compared with its performance in women with known membrane status, the accuracy of the IGFBP-1 test decreases significantly when used on patients whose membrane status is unknown. In this latter clinically relevant population, the PAMG-1 test has higher accuracy than the IGFBP-1 test.
First record of a melanistic golden jackal (Canis aureus, Canidae) from Turkey
Authors: Ambarlı Hüseyin , Bilgin C. Can
Published: January 2013

The golden jackal is a locally common mammal species widely distributed along the Black Sea and other coastal regions of Turkey. Between February 2009 and April 2010, we conducted a camera trap study in Artvin, northeastern Turkey that revealed the presence of ten medium or large mammal species. We report here the first ever photographic evidence of a melanistic golden jackal, along with its normal-colored probable mate. Dark fur color in wolves has been shown to be historically transferred from domestic dogs, and interbreeding among wolves, coyotes and dogs is well documented. However, we consider this an unlikely mechanism for the present observation, and instead suggest independent mutation as the source of this possibly adaptive trait.
Investigation of machinability in Al-MgO composites produced by melt-stirring
Authors: Pul Muharrem , Uzun Gültekin , Çalın Recep , Şeker Ulvi
Published: January 2013

In this study, Al-MgO reinforced metal matrix composites of 5%, 10% and 15% reinforcement-volume ratios were produced by melt-stirring and subjected to machining tests by carbide and coated carbide cutting tools. Machining tests were conducted with 150, 200, 250 and 300 m/min cutting speeds, 0.075, 0.15 and 0.225 mm/rpm feed rates and 1 mm depth of cut. Piezoelectric quartz crystal type dynamometer was used to measure cutting forces. As a result of the tests, it was observed that the increase in cutting speed first led to an increase and then a decrease in main cutting force values (Fc), and the increase in feed rate was accompanied with increased main cutting forces. The most consistent results in terms of Fc values were displayed by 10% MgO reinforced composites. While no abrasion occurred on the surfaces of cutting tools, build up edge formation was observed in the machining tests.
NMDA and GABAB(KIR) Conductances: The “Perfect Couple” for Bistability
Authors: Sanders Honi , Berends Michiel , Major Guy , Goldman Mark S. , Lisman John E.
Published: January 2013

Networks that produce persistent firing in response to novel input patterns are thought to be important in working memory and other information storage functions. One possible mechanism for maintaining persistent firing is dendritic voltage bistability in which the depolarized state depends on the voltage dependence of the NMDA conductance at recurrent synapses. In previous models, the hyperpolarized state is dependent on voltage-independent conductances, including GABAA. The interplay of these conductances leads to bistability, but its robustness is limited by the fact that the conductance ratio must be within a narrow range. The GABABcomponent of inhibitory transmission was not considered in previous analyses. Here, we show that the voltage dependence of the inwardly rectifying potassium (KIR) conductance activated by GABABreceptors adds substantial robustness to network simulations of bistability and the persistent firing that it underlies. The hyperpolarized state is robust because, at hyperpolarized potentials, the GABAB/KIR conductance is high and the NMDA conductance is low; the depolarized state is robust because, at depolarized potentials, the NMDA conductance is high and the GABAB/KIR conductance is low. Our results suggest that this complementary voltage dependence of GABAB/KIR and NMDA conductances makes them a “perfect couple” for producing voltage bistability.
Action Simulation Plays a Critical Role in Deceptive Action Recognition
Authors: Tidoni Emmanuele , Borgomaneri Sara , di Pellegrino Giuseppe , Avenanti Alessio
Published: January 2013

The ability to infer deceptive intents from nonverbal behavior is critical for social interactions. By combining single-pulse and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in healthy humans, we provide both correlational and causative evidence that action simulation is actively involved in the ability to recognize deceptive body movements. We recorded motor-evoked potentials during a faked-action discrimination (FAD) task: participants watched videos of actors lifting a cube and judged whether the actors were trying to deceive them concerning the real weight of the cube. Seeing faked actions facilitated the observers' motor system more than truthful actions in a body-part-specific manner, suggesting that motor resonance was sensitive to deceptive movements. Furthermore, we found that TMS virtual lesion to the anterior node of the action observation network, namely the left inferior frontal cortex (IFC), reduced perceptual sensitivity in the FAD task. In contrast, no change in FAD task performance was found after virtual lesions to the left temporoparietal junction (control site). Moreover, virtual lesion to the IFC failed to affect performance in a difficulty-matched spatial-control task that did not require processing of spatiotemporal (acceleration) and configurational (limb displacement) features of seen actions, which are critical to detecting deceptive intent in the actions of others. These findings indicate that the human IFC is critical for recognizing deceptive body movements and suggest that FAD relies on the simulation of subtle changes in action kinematics within the motor system.
Parietal Cortex Mediates Conscious Perception of Illusory Gestalt
Authors: Zaretskaya Natalia , Anstis Stuart , Bartels Andreas
Published: January 2013

Grouping local elements into a holistic percept, also known as spatial binding, is crucial for meaningful perception. Previous studies have shown that neurons in early visual areas V1 and V2 can signal complex grouping-related information, such as illusory contours or object-border ownerships. However, relatively little is known about higher-level processes contributing to these signals and mediating global Gestalt perception. We used a novel bistable motion illusion that induced alternating and mutually exclusive vivid conscious experiences of either dynamic illusory contours forming a global Gestalt or moving ungrouped local elements while the visual stimulation remained the same. fMRI in healthy human volunteers revealed that activity fluctuations in two sites of the parietal cortex, the superior parietal lobe and the anterior intraparietal sulcus (aIPS), correlated specifically with the perception of the grouped illusory Gestalt as opposed to perception of ungrouped local elements. We then disturbed activity at these two sites in the same participants using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). TMS over aIPS led to a selective shortening of the duration of the global Gestalt percept, with no effect on that of local elements. The results suggest that aIPS activity is directly involved in the process of spatial binding during effortless viewing in the healthy brain. Conscious perception of global Gestalt is therefore associated with aIPS function, similar to attention and perceptual selection.
Medial Prefrontal Cortex Inversely Regulates Toluene-Induced Changes in Markers of Synaptic Plasticity of Mesolimbic Dopamine Neurons
Authors: Beckley Jacob T. , Evins Caitlin E. , Fedarovich Hleb , Gilstrap Meghin J. , Woodward John J.
Published: January 2013

Toluene is a volatile solvent that is intentionally inhaled by children, adolescents, and adults for its intoxicating effects. Although voluntary use of toluene suggests that it possesses rewarding properties and abuse potential, it is unknown whether toluene alters excitatory synaptic transmission in reward-sensitive dopamine neurons like other drugs of abuse. Here, using a combination of retrograde labeling and slice electrophysiology, we show that a briefin vivoexposure of rats to a behaviorally relevant concentration of toluene vapor enhances glutamatergic synaptic strength of dopamine (DA) neurons projecting to nucleus accumbens core and medial shell neurons. This effect persisted for up to 3 d in mesoaccumbens core DA neurons and for at least 21 d in those projecting to the medial shell. In contrast, toluene vapor exposure had no effect on synaptic strength of DA neurons that project to the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Furthermore, infusion of GABAergic modulators into the mPFC before vapor exposure to pharmacologically manipulate output, inhibited, or potentiated toluene's action on mesoaccumbens DA neurons. Together, the results of these studies indicate that toluene induces a target-selective increase in mesolimbic DA neuron synaptic transmission and strongly implicates the mPFC as an important regulator of drug-induced plasticity of mesolimbic dopamine neurons.
Hearing Is Normal without Connexin30
Authors: Boulay Anne-Cécile , del Castillo Francisco J. , Giraudet Fabrice , Hamard Ghislaine , Giaume Christian , Petit Christine , Avan Paul , Cohen-Salmon Martine
Published: January 2013

Gjb2andGjb6,two contiguous genes respectively encoding the gap junction protein connexin26 (Cx26) and connexin 30 (Cx30) display overlapping expression in the inner ear. Both have been linked to the most frequent monogenic hearing impairment, the recessive isolated deafness DFNB1. Although there is robust evidence for the direct involvement of Cx26 in cochlear functions, the contribution of Cx30 is unclear since deletion ofCx30strongly downregulatesCx26both in human and in mouse. Thus, it is imperative that any role of Cx30 in audition be clearly evaluated. Here, we developed a newCx30knock-out mouse model (Cx30Δ/Δ) in which half ofCx26expression was preserved. Our results show thatCx30andCx26coordinated expression is dependent on the spacing of their surrounding chromosomic region, and thatCx30Δ/Δmutants display normal hearing. Thus, in deaf patients withGJB6deletion as well as in the previousCx30knock-out mouse model, defectiveCx26expression is the likely cause of deafness, and in contrast to current opinion, Cx30 is dispensable for cochlear functions.
Licofelone Modulates Neuroinflammation and Attenuates Mechanical Hypersensitivity in the Chronic Phase of Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Dulin Jennifer N. , Karoly Edward D. , Wang Ying , Strobel Henry W. , Grill Raymond J.
Published: January 2013

Inflammation is a major factor shaping outcome during the early, acute phase of traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). It is known that pro-inflammatory signaling within the injured spinal cord drives pathological alterations in neurosensory processing and shapes functional outcome early after injury. However, it is unclear whether inflammation persists into the chronic phase of injury or shapes sensory processing long after injury. To investigate these possibilities, we have performed biochemical and behavioral assessments 9 months after moderate thoracic spinal contusion injury in the rat. We have found that levels of the pro-inflammatory lipid mediators leukotriene B4 and prostaglandin E2 are elevated in the chronic spinal cord lesion site. Additionally, using metabolomic profiling, we have detected elevated levels of pro-oxidative and inflammatory metabolites, along with alterations in multiple biological pathways within the chronic lesion site. We found that 28 d treatment of chronically injured rats with the dual COX/5-LOX inhibitor licofelone elevated levels of endogenous anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory metabolites within the lesion site. Furthermore, licofelone treatment reduced hypersensitivity of hindpaws to mechanical, but not thermal, stimulation, indicating that mechanical sensitivity is modulated by pro-inflammatory signaling in the chronic phase of injury. Together, these findings provide novel evidence of inflammation and oxidative stress within spinal cord tissue far into the chronic phase of SCI, and demonstrate a role for inflammatory modulation of mechanical sensitivity in the chronic phase of injury.
Insect Wing Membrane Topography Is Determined by the Dorsal Wing Epithelium
Authors: Belalcazar Andrea D , Doyle Kristy , Hogan Justin , Neff David , Collier Simon
Published: January 2013

The Drosophila wing consists of a transparent wing membrane supported by a network of wing veins. Previously, we have shown that the wing membrane cuticle is not flat but is organized into ridges that are the equivalent of one wing epithelial cell in width and multiple cells in length. These cuticle ridges have an anteroposterior orientation in the anterior wing and a proximodistal orientation in the posterior wing. The precise topography of the wing membrane is remarkable because it is a fusion of two independent cuticle contributions from the dorsal and ventral wing epithelia. Here, through morphological and genetic studies, we show that it is the dorsal wing epithelium that determines wing membrane topography. Specifically, we find that wing hair location and membrane topography are coordinated on the dorsal, but not ventral, surface of the wing. In addition, we find that altering Frizzled Planar Cell Polarity (i.e., Fz PCP) signaling in the dorsal wing epithelium alone changes the membrane topography of both dorsal and ventral wing surfaces. We also examined the wing morphology of two model Hymenopterans, the honeybee Apis mellifera and the parasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis. In both cases, wing hair location and wing membrane topography are coordinated on the dorsal, but not ventral, wing surface, suggesting that the dorsal wing epithelium also controls wing topography in these species. Because phylogenomic studies have identified the Hymenotera as basal within the Endopterygota family tree, these findings suggest that this is a primitive insect character.
Strategies for Outcrossing and Genetic Manipulation of Drosophila Compound Autosome Stocks
Authors: Martins Torcato , Kotadia Shaila , Malmanche Nicolas , Sunkel Claudio E , Sullivan William
Published: January 2013

Among all organisms, Drosophila melanogaster has the most extensive well-characterized collection of large-scale chromosome rearrangements. Compound chromosomes, rearrangements in which homologous chromosome arms share a centromere, have proven especially useful in genetic-based surveys of the entire genome. However, their potential has not been fully realized because compound autosome stocks are refractile to standard genetic manipulations: if outcrossed, they yield inviable aneuploid progeny. Here we describe two strategies, cold-shock and use of the bubR1 mutant alleles, to produce nullo gametes through nondisjunction. These gametes are complementary to the compound chromosome−bearing gametes and thus produce viable progeny. Using these techniques, we created a compound chromosome two C(2)EN stock bearing a red fluorescent protein-histone transgene, facilitating live analysis of these unusually long chromosomes.
Systems-Level Analysis of Genome-Wide Association Data
Authors: Farber Charles R
Published: January 2013

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have emerged as the method of choice for identifying common variants affecting complex disease. In a GWAS, particular attention is placed, for obvious reasons, on single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that exceed stringent genome-wide significance thresholds. However, it is expected that many SNPs with only nominal evidence of association (e.g., P < 0.05) truly influence disease. Efforts to extract additional biological information from entire GWAS datasets have primarily focused on pathway-enrichment analyses. However, these methods suffer from a number of limitations and typically fail to lead to testable hypotheses. To evaluate alternative approaches, we performed a systems-level analysis of GWAS data using weighted gene coexpression network analysis. A weighted gene coexpression network was generated for 1918 genes harboring SNPs that displayed nominal evidence of association (P ≤ 0.05) from a GWAS of bone mineral density (BMD) using microarray data on circulating monocytes isolated from individuals with extremely low or high BMD. Thirteen distinct gene modules were identified, each comprising coexpressed and highly interconnected GWAS genes. Through the characterization of module content and topology, we illustrate how network analysis can be used to discover disease-associated subnetworks and characterize novel interactions for genes with a known role in the regulation of BMD. In addition, we provide evidence that network metrics can be used as a prioritizing tool when selecting genes and SNPs for replication studies. Our results highlight the advantages of using systems-level strategies to add value to and inform GWAS.
Determination of Mix Composition of Concrete Containing Fly Ash Using Gamma Spectrometry
Authors: Kovler Konstantin , Prilutsky Zakhar
Published: January 2013

The information about concentrations of natural radionuclides in concrete mix and mineral raw materials used for concrete manufacture, supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) including, can be helpful for determination of concrete composition. The paper deals with the novel approach to determine concrete mix composition – using gamma-ray spectrometry.

In order to determine concrete composition, the content of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) was determined in cement, FA and aggregates. Concrete compositions of both fresh and hardened mixes were determined by solving an over-determined system of four algebraic equations. The over-determined system consists of three equations, which represent activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in concrete mix as a function of activity concentrations of the same radionuclides in cement, fly ash and aggregates, and the fourth conditional equation representing a sum of volumetric concentrations of cement, fly ash, aggregates and water in concrete mix as 100%. An over-determined system of linear equations was solved by the method of Lagrange multipliers, which provides a strategy for finding the maxima and minima of a function subject to constraints.

Gamma spectrometry was found very sensitive to the presence of FA in both fresh and hardened concrete, while 232Th activity concentration - well correlated with the FA content in the mixes. On the contrary, accurate determination of the rest of concrete composition was difficult.
Optimizing Pentacene Growth in Low-Voltage Organic Thin-Film Transistors Prepared by Dry Fabrication Techniques
Authors: Gupta S. , Chinnam K. C. , Zelzer M. , Ulijn R. , Gleskova H.
Published: January 2013

We have studied the effect of pentacene purity and evaporation rate on low-voltage organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) prepared solely by dry fabrication techniques. The maximum field-effect mobility of 0.07 cm2/Vs was achieved for the highest pentacene evaporation rate of 0.32 Å/s and four-time purified pentacene. Four-time purified pentacene also led to the lowest threshold voltage of -1.1 V and inverse subthreshold slope of ∼100 mV/decade. In addition, pentacene surface was imaged using atomic force microscopy, and the transistor channel and contact resistances for various pentacene evaporation rates were extracted and compared to field-effect mobilities.
Structural and Electrical Properties of Mg–Si Thin Films Fabricated by Radio-Frequency Magnetron Sputtering Deposition
Authors: Tani Jun-ichi , Kido Hiroyasu
Published: January 2013

Mg–Si thin films were fabricated on glass, Si(100), Si(111), and polycrystalline Al2O3 substrates by radio-frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering deposition using an elemental composite target composed of Si chips on a Mg disk. The effect of deposition conditions such as the composition ratio of Mg/Si in the target area, substrate temperature, and the type of substrate on the thin film deposition was investigated. By controlling the deposition conditions, pure-phase Mg2Si polycrystalline films were successfully fabricated at room temperature. The crystalline orientation of the films was strongly influenced by the Mg/Si elemental composition ratio in the targets as well as by the surface roughness and porosity of the substrate. The electron concentration and mobility of nondoped Mg2Si films were 2.2 × 1016 cm-3 and 2.0 cm2/Vs, respectively. The electron concentration of Mg2Si films was drastically increased by impurity doping with Al and Bi.
The Effect of Li on Intermetallic Fe-Al Alloys
Authors: Li Xiaolin , Stein Frank , Palm Martin
Published: January 2013

A couple of FeAl alloys containing up to 1.4 at.% Li have been produced by vacuum induction melting. Though previous reports indicated a significant effect of Li on the properties of FeAl, no marked changes with respect to binary FeAl are observed. Specifically, no decrease of the lattice constant and no significant increase in ductility are found by alloying with Li. If at all, there is a slight increase of the lattice constant.
Effect of Dislocation Sources on Slip in Fe2Nb Laves Phase with Ni in Solution
Authors: Takata N. , Ghassemi-Armaki H. , Terada Y. , Takeyama M. , Kumar S.
Published: January 2013

We have examined the compression response of a ternary Fe2Nb Laves phase by deforming micropillars with a diameter of ~2 μm produced by focused ion beam milling from a two-phase Fe-15Nb-40Ni (at.%) ternary alloy consisting of the Laves phase and γ-Fe. The Laves phase micropillars exhibit high strength of about 6 GPa (of the order of the theoretical shear strength of the material), followed by a burst of plastic strain and shear failure on the basal plane. If dislocation sources are introduced on a non-basal plane in the micropillars by nanoindentation prior to compression, yielding occurs at a significantly lower stress level of about 3 GPa and plastic deformation by slip proceeds on a pyramidal plane close to (-1-122). Furthermore, if regenerative dislocation sources for basal slip are present in the micropillar, the Laves phase can be continuously plastically deformed in a stable manner to at least 5% strain at a significantly lower stress of 800 MPa. We thus demonstrate the plastic deformation of this ternary Laves phase at the micron-scale at room temperature when sufficient dislocation sources are present.
Ceramic Immobilisation Options for Technetium
Authors: Stennett Martin C. , Backhouse Daniel J. , Freeman Colin L. , Hyatt Neil C.
Published: January 2013

Technetium-99 (99Tc) is a fission product produced during the burning of nuclear fuel and is particularly hazardous due to its long half life (210000 years), relatively high content in nuclear fuel (approx. 1 kg per ton of SNF), low sorption, and high mobility in aerobic environments. During spent nuclear fuel (SNF) reprocessing Tc is released either as a separate fraction or in complexes with actinides and zirconium. Although Tc has historically been discharged into the marine environment more stringent regulations mean that the preferred long term option is to immobilise Tc in a highly stable and durable matrix. This study investigated the feasibility of incorporating of Mo (as a Tc analogue) in a crystalline host matrix, synthesis by solid state synthesis under different atmospheres. Samples have been characterised with X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS).
Thermoelectric properties of Li-doped Cu0.95-xM0.05LixO (M=Mn, Ni, Zn)
Authors: Yoshida N. , Naito T. , Fujishiro H.
Published: January 2013

Thermoelectric properties of the Li-doped Cu0.95-xM0.05LixO (M=divalent metal ion; Mn, Ni, Zn) were investigated at the temperature up to 1273 K. In the doped divalent metal ions, Zn2+ ion was the most effective to reduce the thermal conductivity, and the Ni2+ substitution was preferable to decrease the electrical resistivity. For the Cu0.95-xNi0.05LixO sample at x=0.03, the maxima of the dimensionless thermoelectric figure of merit ZT and the power factor P at 1246 K were 4.2×10-2 and 1.6 ×10-4 W/K2m, respectively. The enhancement of the thermoelectric properties of the Li-doped Cu0.95-xM0.05LixO system was discussed.
Nano-scale vacuum spaced thermo-tunnel devices for energy harvesting applications
Authors: Tiwari Amit K. , Goss Jonathan P. , Wright Nick G. , Horsfall Alton B.
Published: January 2013

The output power-density and the efficiency of thermo-tunnel devices are examinedas a function of inter-electrode separation, electrode work-function, and temperature. We find that these physical parameters dramatically influence the device characteristics, and under optimal conditions a thermo-tunnel device is capable of delivering a very high output power-density of ∼ 103Wcm−2. In addition, at higher temperatures, the heat-conversion efficiency of the thermo-tunnel device approaches ∼ 10%, comparable to that of a thermoelectric generator. We therefore propose that thermo-tunnel devices are promising for solid-state thermal energy conversion.
TiAlNb-alloy with a modulated B19 containing constituent produced by powder metallurgy
Authors: Gabrisch Heike , Lorenz Uwe , Oehring Michael , Paul Jonathan , Pyczak Florian , Rackel Marcus , Schimansky Frank-Peter , Stark Andreas
Published: January 2013

Intermetallic TiAl alloys are of interest to the aero engine industry because of their light weight, corrosion resistance and excellent high temperature strength. This justifies the continued effort to improve properties and processing of these alloys.

A critical parameter that limits the practical implementation of Ti aluminides is their low ductility at room temperature. Recently, a new class of TiAl alloys based on a modulated lath structure has been introduced that exhibit an excellent combination of ductility and strength. A key component in this alloy is the orthorhombic phase B19 that is attributed to alloying with high amounts of niobium. The driving forces and mechanisms that lead to the observed modulated structures involving the B19 phase are not fully understood yet. As a first step to a better understanding we present a study of the thermal stability range of the phases involved.
Design optimisation of an offshore vertical axis wind turbine
Authors: Shires Andrew
Published: January 2013

Horizontal axis wind turbines have a number of limitations for offshore operations, particularly in deep water (i.e. over 50 m). For example, scalability restrictions, the necessity for high lift installations offshore requiring specialist vessels, high gravitational and aerodynamic moments on the support structure and a need to maintain rotary equipment at heights typically over 60–80 m. Conversely, vertical axis wind turbines have several inherent attributes that offer some advantages for offshore operations, particularly their scalability and low over-turning moments with better accessibility to drivetrain components. This paper describes the aerodynamic optimisation of a novel 10 MW vertical axis wind turbine rotor shape offering a low-stress design to minimise manufacturing and maintenance costs of the whole turbine assembly including the supporting structure and foundations. The Aerogenerator vertical axis wind turbine is self-supporting so does not require a supporting tower, giving a low centre of gravity and producing significantly lower aerodynamic over-turning moments than conventional vertical axis wind turbines or horizontal axis wind turbines, making it a credible option for a floating, deep water platform. A numerical optimisation procedure is described to minimise the Aerogenerator weight while imposing aerodynamic, mechanical and structural side constraints. The study proposes a novel ‘sycamore’-shaped rotor design that demonstrates a lower cost of energy compared with conventional offshore turbines.
The idiosyncrasies of place: geographic variation in the climate–distribution relationships of the American pika
Authors: Jeffress Mackenzie R. , Rodhouse Thomas J. , Ray Chris , Wolff Susan , Epps Clinton W.
Published: January 2013

Although climate acts as a fundamental constraint on the distribution of organisms, understanding how this relationship between climate and distribution varies over a species' range is critical for addressing the potential impacts of accelerated climate change on biodiversity. Bioclimatic niche models provide compelling evidence that many species will experience range shifts under scenarios of global change, yet these broad, macroecological perspectives lack specificity at local scales, where unique combinations of environment, biota, and history conspire against generalizations. We explored how these idiosyncrasies of place affect the climate–distribution relationship of the American pika (Ochotona princeps) by replicating intensive field surveys across bioclimatic gradients in eight U.S. national parks. At macroecological scales, the importance of climate as a constraint on pika distribution appears unequivocal; forecasts suggest that the species' range will contract sharply in coming decades. However, the species persists outside of its modeled bioclimatic envelope in many locations, fueling uncertainty and debate over its conservation status. Using a Bayesian hierarchical approach, we modeled variation in local patterns of pika distribution along topographic position, vegetation cover, elevation, temperature, and precipitation gradients in each park landscape. We also accounted for annual turnover in site occupancy probabilities. Topographic position and vegetation cover influenced occurrence in all parks. After accounting for these factors, pika occurrence varied widely among parks along bioclimatic gradients. Precipitation by itself was not a particularly influential predictor. However, measures of heat stress appeared most influential in the driest parks, suggesting an interaction between the strength of climate effects and the position of parks along precipitation gradients. The combination of high elevation, cold temperatures, and high precipitation lowered occurrence probabilities in some parks, suggesting an upper elevational limit for pikas in some environments. Our results demonstrate that the idiosyncrasies of place influence both the nature and strength of the climate–distribution relationship for the American pika. Fine‐grained, but geographically extensive, studies replicated across multiple landscapes offer insights important to assessing the impacts of climate change that otherwise may be masked at macroecological scales. The hierarchical approach to modeling provides a coherent conceptual and technical framework for gaining these insights.
Iterative driver‐response dynamics of human‐environment interactions in the Arizona‐Sonora borderlands
Authors: Scott Christopher A. , Buechler Stephanie J.
Published: January 2013

In complex social‐ecological systems, human and physical processes mutually condition one another through co‐adaptation at multiple scales from the local to the global. For this paper we modified a driver‐response conceptual model of social‐ecological interactions by considering the degree to which each binary set of processes (human or physical) is simultaneously a driver and a response to global change. Processes that we understood to be mutually conditioned offered greater potential compared to solely social or ecological communities to adapt to demographic and economic change, on the one hand, and to climate, water resources, and ecosystems dynamics, on the other. By considering case material from the United States–Mexico border region, we characterized social‐ecological interactions along a continuum from those acting exclusively as drivers to others reacting to change primarily as responses. We considered water resources to integrate multiple global change processes including climate change and variability, ecosystem resilience, and human water demands for a variety of purposes. Thus, we examined in detail two watersheds in the Arizona–Sonora borderlands representing mutually conditioned social‐ecological systems. First, the Río Magdalena in Sonora represented an illustrative case of smallholder agriculture and rural livelihoods engaged in social‐ecological interaction that exhibited both driver and response elements centered on reflexive, low‐impact adaptive strategies. Second, in Ambos Nogales relying on the Santa Cruz River and its associated aquifers, urban growth, the equity of water access for human purposes, and environmental quality represented especially pressing challenges. Here, human impacts on ecosystems were the predominant drivers although there was growing concern for the medium‐ and longer‐term implications of climate change. Adaption planning in Ambos Nogales was centered on infrastructure‐based solutions including an inter‐basin water transfer connection with the Río Magdalena. Wastewater flows to riparian corridors posed a particular challenge for human‐environment interactions. Cross‐border collaboration represents an important opportunity for adaptation based on the mutually conditioned interactions presented here. We summarized the analysis of both cases by raising conceptual questions for further enquiry and for adaptation and planning that are generic for the borderlands and beyond.
Congenitally Missing Maxillary Lateral Incisors: Functional and Periodontal Aspects in Patients Treated with Implants or Space Closure and Tooth Re-Contouring
Authors: Marchi Luciana Manzotti De , Pini Núbia Inocencya Pavesi , Hayacibara Roberto Massayuki , Silva Rafael Santos , Pascotto Renata Corrêa
Published: January 2013

To evaluate functional and periodontal aspects in patients with unilateral or bilateral congenitally missing maxillary lateral incisors, treated with either implants or space closure and tooth re-contouring. The sample consisted of 68 volunteers, divided into 3 groups: SCR - space closure and tooth re-contouring with composite resin (n = 26); SOI – implants placed in the area of agenesis (n = 20); and CG - control group (n = 22). A modified Helkimo questionnaire and the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders were used by a single, previously calibrated evaluator to assess signs and symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder. The periodontal assessment involved the following aspects: plaque index, bleeding upon probing, pocket depth greater than 3 mm, gingival recession, abfraction, periodontal biotype and papilla index. The data were analyzed using Fisher's exact test and the nonparametric Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests (α=.05). No differences in periodontal status were found between treatments. None of the groups were associated with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder. Both treatment alternatives for patients with congenitally missing maxillary lateral incisors were satisfactory and achieved functional and periodontal results similar to those of the control group.
Acquired auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder in a child with a brain tumour
Authors: Kottapalli Shailaja , Madden Colm
Published: January 2013

We present a case of unilateral acquired auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) due to an underlying cerebellar neoplasm. This is the third case in the literature of juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma presenting with auditory symptoms and mimicking the presentation of ANSD; it highlights the importance of imaging in acquired auditory neuropathy. We were able to make a diagnosis of acquired ANSD in our patient because he had a normal AABR in addition to his OAEs as part of his newborn hearing screen. Detailed neuro-otological assessment and radiological imaging is recommended in all cases of acquired ANSD in order to exclude an acquired compressive pathology.
Cancer statistics, 2013
Authors: Siegel Rebecca , Naishadham Deepa , Jemal Ahmedin
Published: January 2013

Each year, the American Cancer Society estimates the numbers of new cancer cases and deaths expected in the United States in the current year and compiles the most recent data on cancer incidence, mortality, and survival based on incidence data from the National Cancer Institute, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries and mortality data from the National Center for Health Statistics. A total of 1,660,290 new cancer cases and 580,350 cancer deaths are projected to occur in the United States in 2013. During the most recent 5 years for which there are data (2005‐2009), delay‐adjusted cancer incidence rates declined slightly in men (by 0.6% per year) and were stable in women, while cancer death rates decreased by 1.8% per year in men and by 1.5% per year in women. Overall, cancer death rates have declined 20% from their peak in 1991 (215.1 per 100,000 population) to 2009 (173.1 per 100,000 population). Death rates continue to decline for all 4 major cancer sites (lung, colorectum, breast, and prostate). Over the past 10 years of data (2000‐2009), the largest annual declines in death rates were for chronic myeloid leukemia (8.4%), cancers of the stomach (3.1%) and colorectum (3.0%), and non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (3.0%). The reduction in overall cancer death rates since 1990 in men and 1991 in women translates to the avoidance of approximately 1.18 million deaths from cancer, with 152,900 of these deaths averted in 2009 alone. Further progress can be accelerated by applying existing cancer control knowledge across all segments of the population, with an emphasis on those groups in the lowest socioeconomic bracket and other underserved populations. CA Cancer J Clin 2013;. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
Natriuretic Peptides in Kawasaki Disease: the Myocardial Perspective
Authors: Dahdah Nagib , Fournier Anne
Published: January 2013

Making a diagnosis of Kawasaki disease with certainty may be challenging, especially since the recognition of cases with incomplete diagnostic criteria and its consequences. In order to build the diagnostic case in daily practice, clinicians rely on clinical criteria established over four decades ago, aided by non specific laboratory tests, and above all inspired by experience. We have recently studied the diagnostic value of N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide to improve the diagnostic certainty of cases with complete or incomplete clinical criteria. Our working hypothesis was based on the fact that myocarditis is present in nearly all Kawasaki disease patients supported by histology data. In this paper, we review these facts and the myocardial perspective from the diagnostic and the mechanistic standpoints.
Moving Frames of Reference, Relativity and Invariance in Transfer Entropy and Information Dynamics
Authors: Lizier Joseph , Mahoney John
Published: January 2013

We present a new interpretation of a local framework for informationdynamics, including the transfer entropy, by defining a moving frame of reference for theobserver of dynamics in lattice systems. This formulation is inspired by the idea ofinvestigating “relativistic” effects on observing the dynamics of information - in particular,we investigate a Galilean transformation of the lattice system data. In applying thisinterpretation to elementary cellular automata, we demonstrate that using a moving frameof reference certainly alters the observed spatiotemporal measurements of informationdynamics, yet still returns meaningful results in this context. We find that, as expected,an observer will report coherent spatiotemporal structures that are moving in their frame asinformation transfer, and structures that are stationary in their frame as information storage.Crucially, the extent to which the shifted frame of reference alters the results dependson whether the shift of frame retains, adds or removes relevant information regarding thesource-destination interaction.
Development of Software Sensors for Determining Total Phosphorus and Total Nitrogen in Waters
Authors: Lee Eunhyoung , Han Sanghoon , Kim Hyunook
Published: January 2013

Total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations are important parameters to assess the quality of water bodies and are used as criteria to regulate the water quality of the effluent from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Korea. Therefore, continuous monitoring of TN and TP using in situ instruments is conducted nationwide in Korea. However, most in situ instruments in the market are expensive and require a time-consuming sample pretreatment step, which hinders the widespread use of in situ TN and TP monitoring. In this study, therefore, software sensors based on multiple-regression with a few easily in situ measurable water quality parameters were applied to estimate the TN and TP concentrations in a stream, a lake, combined sewer overflows (CSOs), and WWTP effluent. In general, the developed software sensors predicted TN and TP concentrations of the WWTP effluent and CSOs reasonably well. However, they showed relatively lower predictability for TN and TP concentrations of stream and lake waters, possibly because the water quality of stream and lake waters is more variable than that of WWTP effluent or CSOs.