bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Frequent sleep‐related bitemporal focal seizures in transient epileptic amnesia syndrome: Evidence from ictal video‐EEG
Authors: Burkholder David B. , Jones Amy L. , Jones David T. , Fabris Rachel R. , Britton Jeffrey W. , Lagerlund Terrence D. , So Elson L. , Cascino Gregory D. , Worrell Gregory A. , Shin Cheolsu , St. Louis Erik K.
Published: January 2017

Two patients who shared similar presenting clinical features of anterograde and retrograde autobiographical amnesia typical of transient epileptic amnesia (TEA) underwent prolonged video electroencephalogram (VEEG) monitoring and were found to have sleep‐activated epileptiform activity and frequent subclinical bitemporal seizures predominantly during sleep. Case 1 is a 59‐year‐old woman whose presenting complaint was memory impairment. Over 18 months, she had three distinct 8‐h‐long episodes of confusion and disorientation with persistent anterograde and retrograde autobiographical amnesia. VEEG recorded frequent interictal bitemporal sharp waves confined to sleep, and 14 subclinical seizures, also mostly during sleep. Case 2 is a 50‐year‐old woman with known focal epilepsy also presented with memory complaints. Over the course of 1 year, she had two discrete 2‐h‐long episodes of amnesia, with ongoing anterograde and retrograde autobiographical amnesia. VEEG recorded independent bitemporal sharp waves, and 14 subclinical seizures during sleep and drowsiness. Memory impairment improved in both patients with successful treatment of their seizures. Although the etiology of accelerated long‐term forgetting (ALF) and remote memory impairment (RMI) in transient epileptic amnesia (TEA) is unknown, these cases suggest frequent sleep‐related seizures may contribute, and they highlight the importance of video‐EEG monitoring.
Hereditary angioedema with normal C1 inhibitor in a French cohort: Clinical characteristics and response to treatment with icatibant
Authors: Bouillet Laurence , Boccon‐Gibod Isabelle , Launay David , Gompel Anne , Kanny Gisele , Fabien Vincent , Fain Oliver ,   for the IOS Study Group
Published: January 2017

Introduction

The clinical characteristics and icatibant‐treatment outcomes of patients with hereditary angioedema with normal C1 inhibitor (HAE‐nC1 INH) are limited.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data from French HAE patients enrolled in the Icatibant Outcome Survey registry (from July 2009 to September 2013) to compare disease characteristics and the effectiveness and safety of acute icatibant‐treated angioedema attacks in patients with HAE‐nC1 INH, HAE with C1 INH deficiency (type I), or dysfunction (type II).

Results

One center in Grenoble contributed 22 patients with HAE‐nC1 INH and a family history of HAE while 15 centers across France contributed 153 patients with HAE type I and seven patients with HAE type II. Patients with HAE‐nC1 INH compared to HAE type I, respectively, were more likely to be female (88.1% vs. 63.4%), older at median age of disease onset (21 years vs. 15 years), and have a greater rate of abdominal (80% vs. 61%) and laryngeal (23% vs. 14%) attacks. Icatibant was effective in both groups though the median time to resolution of attack was significantly longer in the HAE‐nC1 INH group (20.0 h, 37 attacks) versus the HAE type I group (14.0 h, 67 attacks). Icatibant was self‐administered for 96.1% of attacks in patients with HAE‐nC1 INH and 75.8% in patients with HAE type I. No serious adverse side effects related to icatibant were reported.

Conclusions

These data help further define the disease characteristics of HAE‐nC1 INH in the French population and extend the limited data reporting the safe and effective use of icatibant in acute treatment of angioedema in French patients diagnosed with HAE‐nC1 INH.
A New Look at the Etiology of Cervical Incompetence
Authors: Nwosu Uchenna C. , Soffronoff Ernest C. , Bolton Gregory C.
Published: January 2017

Nwosu, C. U., Soffronoff, E. C. and Bolton, G. C. (Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pennsylvania Hospital, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pa.) A new look at the etiology of cervical incompetence, with review of seven‐year experience at Pennsylvania Hospital.

Int J Gynaecol Obstet 13: 201–205, 1975.

A review of our seven‐year experience with cervical cerclage is presented. A rising frequency is noted which cannot be explained by an increasing rate of abortions over the same period. The population with this entity showed a strikingly poor obstetrical outcome of their first pregnancy. The neonatal survival rate of the 125 pregnancies in this group prior to cerclage was 25% as compared with 71% in the 52 cerclage pregnancies. It is proposed that gestational incompetence may be initiated by hormonally induced relaxation of a congenially hypermuscular cervix.
Primary Ovarian Pregnancy: Report of Two Cases: Management with Ovarian Preservation
Authors: Gogol Gideon , Gheorghiou Panayotis , Grünstein Stephan , Pevzner Shamai
Published: January 2017

Gogol, G., Gheorghiou, P., Grünstein, S. and Pevzner, Sh. (Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hillel Yaffe Memorial Hospital, Hadera, Israel).
Minilaparotomy for Female Sterilization: A Feasibility Study of a New Technique
Authors: Hefnawi F. , Badraoui M. H. H. , Serour G. I.
Published: January 2017

Hefnawi, F., Badraoui, M. H. H. and Serour, G. I. (Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Al‐Azhar University Teaching Hospital, Cairo, Egypt). Minilaparotomy for female sterilization: A feasibility study of a new technique.

Int J Gynaecol Obstet 14: 390–392, 1976.

Female sterilization via a minilaparotomy incision was performed on 30 patients at Al‐Azhar University Teaching Hospital in Cairo, Egypt. A uterine sound fed through a Foley catheter was used as a uterine elevator. A 2 cm suprapubic transverse laparotomy was performed and sterilization was accomplished by fimbriectomy. Twenty patients received general anesthesia and 10 patients initially received local anesthesia. Surgical time ranged from 7 to 15 min, and the average duration of hospitalization was 8 hours. Blood loss was small, and no patient was transfused. One patient had a wound infection. This pilot study indicates that this procedure is relatively simple, safe and inexpensive.
Ossification Centers as Evidence of Fetal Lung Maturity
Authors: Weiss David B. , Aboulafia Yeshaya , Eylath Uri , Isacshon Meir , Dollberg Marcel
Published: January 2017

Weiss, D. B., Aboulafia, Y., Eylath, U., Isacshon, M. and Dollberg, M. (Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Endocrinology, Pediatrics and Radiology, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem 91000, Israel). Ossification centers as evidence of fetal lung maturity.

Int J Gynaecol Obstet 14: 425–427, 1976.

Fetal pulmonary maturity based on visualization of one or both fetal knee secondary centers of ossification was assessed in 84 gravidas. Amniotic fluid lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio of 2: 1 or greater was the criterion of fetal lung maturity. It was concluded that when antenatal radiographs reveal the presence of both centers of ossification, fetal lung maturity can be assured in 100% of the fetuses. When the distal femoral center alone is seen, only 60% of the fetuses will have mature lungs.
Fetal Heart Rate Response to Maternal Hypotension during Amniocentesis
Authors: Ron Moshe , Yaffe Haim , Polishuk Wolf Z.
Published: January 2017

Ron, M., Yaffe, H. and Polishuk, W. Z. (Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel). Fetal heart rate response to maternal hypotension during amniocentesis.

Int J Gynaecol Obstet 14:503–504, 1976.

Ten cases of severe fetal heart rate deceleration following maternal vaso‐vagal reflex during amniocentesis were presented. The good outcome of these fetuses suggests that this transient phenomenon has no adverse effect on the fetus. This type of FHR response should be recognized so as to avoid unnecessary Caesarian sections done because of severe FHR bradycardia following amniocentesis.
Uterine Rupture and Vacuum Extraction
Authors: Fahmy Kamal
Published: January 2017

Fahmy, K. (Dept. of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Maternity Hospital, Kuwait). Uterine rupture and vacuum extraction.

Int J Gynaecol Obstet 14: 509–512, 1976.

Eleven uterine ruptures occurred among 11415 vacuum extractions, and these cases are analysed. Cervical tears extending into the lower uterine segment or into the broad ligament occurred in 4 cases, lower segment tears in 6 and a fundal tear in 1. One patient died of respiratory failure. The possible cause of uterine rupture with vacuum extraction appear to be a combination of an unengaged fetal head, an incompletely dilated cervix and an undetected mild cephalopelvic disproportion especially in grandmulti‐parae, dehiscent or weak uterine scars, prolonged traction without progress, manipulations in shoulder dystocia and obstruction and excessive non controlled traction. Uterine rupture can be minimized by careful selection of cases, proper technique and early recognition of failure.
Effect of Bilateral Oophorectomy and Peroral Estradiol Valerate Therapy on Serum Lipids
Authors: Punnonen Reijo , Rauramo Lauri
Published: January 2017

The effect of bilateral oophorectomy upon serum lipids was studied in 25 women, whose average age was 48 years. One month after castration the triglyceride level was significantly (p<0.01) higher than before the operation. Six months later the triglyceride level had fallen slightly and the difference from the preoperative level was no longer significant. Castration did not have any significant effect on serum cholesterol and phospholipids during the seven‐month follow‐up period. The effect of peroral estradiol valerate was studied in the same way in 25 women, whose average age was 49 years. Estradiol valerate therapy (2 mg per day) was started one month after castration. After 6 months of treatment the serum phospholipids had increased slightly (p<0.05), but there was no significant effect on the cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
The Physical Work Capacity of the Expectant Mother and Its Effect on Pregnancy, Labor and the Newborn
Authors: Erkkola Risto
Published: January 2017

149 healthy primigravidae participated in the study dealing with the correlation between the physical work capacity of the mother and the course of pregnancy and labor and the possible influence of physical work capacity on the development of the fetus and placenta. 62 of the mothers were followed prospectively from the end of the first trimester and their physical work capacity was determined on two occasions prior to the 38th week of the pregnancy. All mothers were examined during the 38th week. Physical work capacity was determined using a voluntarily maximal pulse‐conducted work test on a bicycle ergometer. Prospectively the healthy mothers and the mothers which later developed toxemia or had a threatening premature labor had similar work capacities. When studied during the 38th week, the physical work capacity of the mothers treated because of threatening premature labor was significantly lower than that of the healthy or toxemic mothers. They were also very significantly more sick written and at rest during the pregnancy than other mothers. The mothers with a physical work capacity above the non‐pregnant average had an almost significantly shorter labor, when it was spontaneous. This group gave birth to more infants weighing over 3 500 g, had significantly greater placentas and fewer low values of relative placental weight than the mothers with a physical work capacity below the nonpregnant average. The physical work capacity of the mother had no influence on the duration of pregnancy, duration of induced labor, duration of the time which passed from the moment when the baby was visible until the delivery, nor on the Apgar scores recorded at one minute.
The Benefits and Risks of IUD Use
Authors: Tyrer Louise B.
Published: January 2017

Next to combination oral contraceptives (OCs), intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs) are the most effective form of contraception available. IUDs require only one‐time motivation, cause no systemic metabolic effects, and do not depend on continued action of the user for effectiveness. Risks, side effects, and complications of this method, including expulsion, perforation, pain, bleeding and infection, are reviewed.
Topical Uterine Anesthesia: A Preliminary Report
Authors: Hasson H. M.
Published: January 2017

The instillation of 1 to 6 ml of 1% lidocaine was evaluated as a topical anesthetic method of reducing pain associated with uterine manipulations during gynecologic procedures. A plastic acorn cannula connected to a metal adapter and syringe was used to administer the topical anesthetic in 146 intrauterine device insertions, 16 cervical dilatations, and 18 dilatation and curettage procedures. Most patients reported satisfactory relief of pain. No complications were attributed to the topical anesthetic.
The Successful Treatment of a Case of Primary Sterility Resulting from Fredrickson's Type V Hyperlipemia and Panhypopituitarism
Authors: Biale Y. , Lewenthal H. , Ben‐Aderet N.
Published: January 2017

Successful treatment of primary sterility in a woman having the rare association of panhypopituitarism with Fredrickson's Type V hyperlipemia is described. Replacement therapy with l‐thyroxine, prednisone and a low fat diet cleared the patient's blood of the excessive chylomicrons and very low density lipoproteins. Ovulation was induced with human gonadotrophins, and triplets (two normal girls and a boy) were born.
Radiographic Abnormalities in Patients with Stein‐Leventhal Syndrome
Authors: Tzingounis Vassilios , Alperin Henry , Natrajan Puthugramam
Published: January 2017

Radiographic abnormalities in 254 patients with Stein‐Leventhal syndrome are presented in a retrospective study of the six‐year period from 1972–1977. Twenty‐two (8.7%) of the patients were found to have abnormal sella turcica x‐rays, eight (3.2%) patients had abnormal hysterosalpingograms and five (2.0%) patients had abnormal intravenous pyelograms. In addition, three patients with an abnormal sella turcica had serum prolactin levels greater than 45 ng/ml, which should be regarded as evidence of a pituitary adenoma. These findings suggest that serum prolactin assays and skull x‐rays with polytomography should be routinely performed on patients with Stein‐Leventhal syndrome.
Antimicrobial Activity of Amniotic Fluid Obtained Vaginally
Authors: Güner M. K. , Usmen İ , Terek Y.
Published: January 2017

Twenty‐nine amniotic fluid samples were aspirated from pregnant women at term (38–40 weeks' gestation) by tapping the bulging membrane vaginally, and their effects on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans were studied. Inhibition rates were 72.41% for E coli, 68.96% for S aureus and 79.31% for C albicans. Two samples (6.90%) affected only a single organism, 18 (62.07%) affected two organisms and eight (27.59%) affected all three. Only one sample (3.45%) had no inhibitory effect on the microorganisms studied. Thus, 28 of 29 samples (96.55%) inhibited the growth of at least one of the microorganisms tested. These results are also significant because there is a high risk of contamination of amniotic fluid samples obtained through the vaginal route, although they can be obtained easier that way than through amniocentesis.
The Place of Sling Operations in Treating Genital Prolapse in Young Women
Authors: Chaudhuri S. K.
Published: January 2017

A review of 260 cases of genital prolapse in women less than 35 years of age is presented. Thirty‐six percent of the women were less than 25 years old, and 73.5% were less than 30 years. Until 1965, a total of 85 patients had undergone either Manchester operations or simple colporrhaphies after a conventional method of treatment. Since then, a different surgical approach was elected, and patients were divided into four groups according to the severity of their conditions and the types of operation required. The abdominal sling operation was performed on 110 patients, and the vaginal sling operation was performed on 18 women. Other patients had Manchester operations or simple colporrhaphies.
Autologous Transfusion in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Authors: Katz Allan R. , Walker William A. , Ross Patti Jayne , Held Berel
Published: January 2017

Two cases are presented which illustrate the use of autologous blood transfusion for elective surgery in obstetrics and gynecology. The advantages and disadvantages are described and review of the pertinent literature over the past century is summarized.
Bilateral Tubal Pregnancy in the Presence of an IUD: A Case Report
Authors: Dajani Yahia F. , Shaer Jamal A.
Published: January 2017

Bilateral tubal pregnancy was confirmed by histologic examination in a 32‐year‐old multipara with an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) in situ. The patient had developed intraperitoneal bleeding and hypovolemic shock. Bilateral salpingectomy was performed and was followed by a rapid recovery.
Pelvic Angiography and the Diagnosis of Carcinoma of the Uterine Cervix
Authors: Yoonessi Mahmood , Reuter Stewart R. , Meng Chien H. , Romney Seymour L.
Published: January 2017

The hospital records and pelvic arteriograms of 31 patients with suspected, persistent or recurrent carcinoma of the uterine cervix were reviewed. The method used was found to be highly accurate in diagnosing and localizing tumors and was considered most helpful in suspected pelvic wall recurrences. Tumor encasement of the vessels can be mimicked by perivascular, postoperative and post radiation fibrosis. Tumor vessels and tumor stain are the better angiographic indicators of the presence of recurrent or persistent disease.
Endometriosis: Associations with Menorrhagia, Infertility and Oral Contraceptives
Authors: Sensky T. E. , Liu D. T. Y.
Published: January 2017

In a retrospective study of 163 women with endometriosis, 76% had a history of menorrhagia, a larger percentage than that which might be normally expected. Only 10% of the women complained of infertility, while 13% had used oral contraceptives regularly, a much smaller proportion than expected. These findings are discussed in terms of the pathogenesis of endometriosis and the possible prophylactic role of oral contraceptives. The authors suggest the possibility that increased sensitivity to estrogens may lead to the development of endometriosis in some women.
TRH‐Induced Hyperprolactinemia and Pituitary‐Ovarian Function
Authors: Ylikorkala Olavi , Dawood M. Yusoff , Kivinen Seppo
Published: January 2017

To elucidate the role of prolactin in the control of pituitary‐ovarian function, eight healthy women were given 80 mg of synthetic thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH) orally on two consecutive days during the luteal phase of their menstrual cycle. TRH elevated serum prolactin to a mean concentration of 43.8 ng/ml on the first day and to 15.5 ng/ml on the second day. The reduced response to the second TRH dose was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Accompanying changes in concentrations of gonadotropins or ovarian steroids were not consistent. Short‐term oral administration of TRH and/or the temporary hyperprolactinemia induced by its use do not modify the pituitary‐ovarian function during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.
Placental Localization by Liquid Crystal Thermography
Authors: Liu D. T. Y. , Blackwell R. J.
Published: January 2017

The accuracy of determining placentation by using plates of cholesteric thermocrystals has been studied, with the actual placental site being defined as that shown by ultrasound B scanning. In our study, 43 patients were examined, including eight with placenta previa. Although all eight cases of placenta previa were identified, there were three false‐positive test results. It is believed that suitable modification of the composition of the liquid crystal mixture will improve the accuracy of this simple technique, which would be valuable in areas where sophisticated equipment is not yet available.
Nonimmunologic Hydrops Fetalis: A Review of 19 Cases
Authors: Spahr Robert C. , Botti John J. , MacDonald Hugh M. , Holzman Ian R.
Published: January 2017

Nineteen cases of nonimmunologic hydrops fetalis occurring during a nine‐year period were reviewed. The pregnancies were complicated by hydramnios (78%) and preterm delivery (84%). Hydramnios appears to be the most useful indicator of the pregnancy at risk; its occurrence should prompt ultrasonographic investigation for evidence of hydrops. Modalities available for antenatal diagnosis of underlying fetal abnormalities include amniocentesis, serologic tests, fetal cardiac monitoring, radiography, hemoglobin electrophoresis and glucose tolerance testing. A specific cause for the hydrops may not be detectable (42% of our cases were idiopathic). Management of affected pregnancies is influenced by the frequent occurrence of fetal asphyxia and premature delivery. Outcome is poor: only 32% of the babies survived beyond the neonatal period. Symptomatic treatment for the neonate includes fluid restriction, maintenance of blood sugar, support of ventilation and attention to the complications of asphyxia.
Introduction of steered molecular dynamics into UNRES coarse‐grained simulations package
Authors: Sieradzan Adam K. , Jakubowski Rafał
Published: January 2017

In this article, an implementation of steered molecular dynamics (SMD) in coarse‐grain UNited RESidue (UNRES) simulations package is presented. Two variants of SMD have been implemented: with a constant force and a constant velocity. The huge advantage of SMD implementation in the UNRES force field is that it allows to pull with the speed significantly lower than the accessible pulling speed in simulations with all‐atom representation of a system, with respect to a reasonable computational time. Therefore, obtaining pulling speed closer to those which appear in the atomic force spectroscopy is possible. The newly implemented method has been tested for behavior in a microcanonical run to verify the influence of introduction of artificial constrains on keeping total energy of the system. Moreover, as time dependent artificial force was introduced, the thermostat behavior was tested. The new method was also tested via unfolding of the Fn3 domain of human contactin 1 protein and the I27 titin domain. Obtained results were compared with Gø‐like force field, all‐atom force field, and experimental results. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Insight into the Reaction Mechanism of α‐Amino Phosphonate Synthesis Using Succinic Acid as a Catalyst: Computational Kinetic Approach
Authors: Habibi‐Khorassani Sayyed Mostafa , Shahraki Mehdi , Yaghoubian Halimeh
Published: January 2017

The reaction mechanism in the synthesis of particular α‐amino phosphonates from 4‐methyl benzaldehyde, aniline, and trimethyl phosphite in the presence of succinic acid is theoretically investigated. The profile of the potential energy surface is constructed at both HF/6‐31 + G(d,p) and B3LYP/6‐31 + G(d,p) levels of theory for evaluating all the steps involved in the reaction mechanism. In order to investigate the effect of the structure on reactivity, some para‐substituted benzaldehydes are subjected to kinetic examination. The overall reaction in the presence of electron‐withdrawing groups is thermodynamically much more favorable than in the presence of the electron‐donating groups; similarly, the reaction is kinetically more favorable and much easier in the presence of electron‐withdrawing groups. Moreover, step 2 (imine formation) is recognized as the rate‐determining step at both levels of theory. Also, step 1 is diffusion‐controlled with both electron‐withdrawing and electron‐donating groups, while the other steps are chemically controlled in the reaction mechanism.
“Holostei versus Halecostomi” Problem: Insight from Cytogenetics of Ancient Nonteleost Actinopterygian Fish, Bowfin Amia calva
Authors: Majtánová Zuzana , Symonová Radka , Arias‐Rodriguez Lenin , Sallan Lauren , Ráb Petr
Published: January 2017

Bowfin belongs to an ancient lineage of nonteleost ray‐finned fishes (actinopterygians) and is the only extant survivor of a once diverged group, the Halecomorphi or Amiiformes. Owing to the scarcity of extant nonteleost ray‐finned lineages, also referred as “living fossils,” their phylogenetic interrelationships have been the target of multiple hypotheses concerning their sister group relationships. Molecular and morphological data sets have produced controversial results; bowfin is considered as either the sister group to genome‐duplicated teleosts (together forming the group of Halecostomi) or to gars (Lepisosteiformes; together forming the group of Holostei). However, any detailed cytogenetic analysis of bowfin chromosomes has never been performed to address this issue. Here we examined bowfin chromosomes by conventional (Giemsa‐staining, C‐banding, base‐specific fluorescence and silver staining) and molecular (FISH with rDNA probes) cytogenetic protocols. We identified diploid chromosome number 2n = 46 with a middle‐sized submetacentric chromosome pair as the major ribosomal DNA‐bearing (45S rDNA), GC‐positive and silver‐positive element. The minor rDNA (5S rDNA) sites were localized in the pericentromeric region of one middle‐sized acrocentric chromosome pair. Comparison with available cytogenetic data of other nonteleost actinopterygians (bichirs, sturgeons, gars) and teleost species including representative of basally branching lineages showed bowfin chromosomal characteristics more similar to the teleost type than to any other nonteleosts. Particularly striking differences were identified between bowfin and gars, the latter of which were found to mimic mammalian AT/GC genomic organisation. Such conclusion however contradicts the most recent phylogenomic results and raises the question what states are ancestral and what are derived.
Resonance Raman optical activity of zeaxanthin aggregates
Authors: Dudek M. , Zajac G. , Kaczor A. , Baranska M.
Published: January 2017

New methods of enhancement in Raman optical activity (ROA) scattering are of great interest. So, previously reported by us, Aggregation‐Induced Resonance ROA (AIRROA) may open new opportunities in a field of structural studies of many biologically important compounds. However, the AIRROA phenomenon, reported up until now for astaxanthin and lutein derivatives, requires a deeper understanding and investigation of other carotenoids. Zeaxanthin is a dominant macular pigment that protects human retina against photo‐oxidative damage. In this work, we analyse two types of chiral zeaxanthin self‐assembly, H and J1, and verify that aggregation process is not enough to enhance ROA signal. Essential for the AIRROA effect is the fact that the electronic circular absorption band of supramolecular species is in proximity with the ROA excitation line. We also compare and analyse the spectral differences between J aggregates of astaxanthin and zeaxanthin, with reference to the AIRROA phenomenon. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Confirmation of resting‐state BOLD fluctuations in the human brainstem and spinal cord after identification and removal of physiological noise
Authors: Harita Shreyas , Stroman Patrick W.
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Resting‐state functional MRI (rs‐fMRI) has been used to investigate networks within the cortex, but its use in the brainstem (BS) and spinal cord (SC) has been limited. This region presents challenges for fMRI, partly because of sources of physiological noise. This study aims to quantify noise contributions to rs‐fMRI, and to obtain evidence of resting‐state blood oxygenation level–dependent (BOLD) fluctuations.

Methods

Resting‐state‐fMRI data were obtained from the BS/SC in 16 participants, at 3 Tesla, with T2‐weighted single‐shot fast spin‐echo imaging. The peripheral pulse, respiration, and expired CO2 were recorded continuously. Physiological noise was modeled from these recordings, movement parameters, and white matter regions. Model fits were then subtracted from the data. BOLD contributions were then investigated through connectivity.

Results

Bulk motion was the largest contributor to the signal variance (19% of the total), followed by cardiac‐related motion (14%), nonspecific signal variations detected in white matter (10%), respiratory‐related motion (2.6%), and end‐tidal CO2 variations (0.7%). After noise was removed, significant left‐right connectivity was detected in the SC dorsal horns and ventral horns.

Conclusions

Resting‐state BOLD fluctuations are demonstrated in the SC, as are the dominant noise contributions. These findings are an essential step toward establishing rs‐fMRI in the BS/SC. Magn Reson Med 78:2149–2156, 2017. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Suppressing Ge diffusion by GaAsSb barriers in molecular beam epitaxy of InGaAs on Ge
Authors: Hsueh Wei‐Jen , Chiu Pei‐Chin , Hong Ming‐Hwei , Chyi Jen‐Inn
Published: January 2017

We have successfully mitigated the out‐diffusion of Ge during molecular beam epitaxy of InGaAs on Ge by using a GaAsSb barrier layer as evidenced by secondary ion mass spectroscopy. Compared to GaAs, this GaAsSb barrier layer also results in a smoother surface morphology with its root‐mean‐square roughness of 0.7 nm due to the surfactant effect of Sb. Using a step‐graded GaAsSb and AlGaAsSb metamorphic buffer layer, a 200‐nm p‐type In0.53Ga0.47As layer grown on Ge exhibits a hole mobility of 38 cm2 V−1 s−1 with a hole concentration of 2.6 × 1019 cm−3 at 300 K and 53 cm2 V−1 s−1 with a hole concentration of 1.2 × 1019 cm−3 at 77 K.
Constructing Post‐Permeation Method to Fabricate Polymer/Nanocrystals Hybrid Solar Cells with PCE Exceeding 6%
Authors: Du Xiaohang , Zeng Qingsen , Jin Gan , Liu Fangyuan , Ji Tianjiao , Yue Yuanyuan , Yang Yi , Zhang Hao , Yang Bai
Published: January 2017

A post‐permeation method is constructed for fabricating bulk‐heterojunction hybrid solar cells. Porous CdTe film is prepared by annealing the mixture solution of aqueous CdTe nanocrystals and cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide, after which the post‐permeation of polymer is employed. By this method, kinds of polymers can be applied regardless of the intermiscibility with the nanoparticles. The inorganic nanocrystals and the polymer can be treated under respective optimized annealing temperatures, which can facilitate the growth of nanocrystals without damaging the polymers. A high power conversion efficiency of 6.36% in the polymer/nanocrystals hybrid solar cells is obtained via systematical optimization.
Determining the roles of the three alcohol dehydrogenases (AdhA, AdhB and AdhE) in Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus during ethanol formation
Authors: Zhou Jilai , Shao Xiongjun , Olson Daniel G , Murphy Sean Jean-Loup , Tian Liang , Lynd Lee R
Published: January 2017

Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus is a promising candidate for biofuel production due to the broad range of substrates it can utilize and its high ethanol yield compared to other thermophilic bacteria, such as Clostridium thermocellum. Three alcohol dehydrogenases, AdhA, AdhB and AdhE, play key roles in ethanol formation. To study their physiological roles during ethanol formation, we deleted them separately and in combination. Previously, it has been thought that both AdhB and AdhE were bifunctional alcohol dehydrogenases. Here we show that AdhE has primarily acetyl-CoA reduction activity (ALDH) and almost no acetaldehyde reduction (ADH) activity, whereas AdhB has no ALDH activity and but high ADH activity. We found that AdhA and AdhB have similar patterns of activity. Interestingly, although deletion of both adhA and adhB reduced ethanol production, a single deletion of either one actually increased ethanol yields by 60–70%.
Large deviation principles for connectable receivers in wireless networks
Authors: Hirsch Christian , Jahnel Benedikt , Keeler Paul , Patterson Robert I. A.
Published: January 2017

We study large deviation principles for a model of wireless networks consisting of Poisson point processes of transmitters and receivers. To each transmitter we associate a family of connectable receivers whose signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio is larger than a certain connectivity threshold. First, we show a large deviation principle for the empirical measure of connectable receivers associated with transmitters in large boxes. Second, making use of the observation that the receivers connectable to the origin form a Cox point process, we derive a large deviation principle for the rescaled process of these receivers as the connection threshold tends to 0. Finally, we show how these results can be used to develop importance sampling algorithms that substantially reduce the variance for the estimation of probabilities of certain rare events such as users being unable to connect.
Branching processes in generalized autoregressive conditional environments
Authors: Hueter Irene
Published: January 2017

Branching processes in random environments have been widely studied and applied to population growth systems to model the spread of epidemics, infectious diseases, cancerous tumor growth, and social network traffic. However, Ebola virus, tuberculosis infections, and avian flu grow or change at rates that vary with time—at peak rates during pandemic time periods, while at low rates when near extinction. The branching processes in generalized autoregressive conditional environments we propose provide a novel approach to branching processes that allows for such time-varying random environments and instances of peak growth and near extinction-type rates. Offspring distributions we consider to illustrate the model include the generalized Poisson, binomial, and negative binomial integer-valued GARCH models. We establish conditions on the environmental process that guarantee stationarity and ergodicity of the mean offspring number and environmental processes and provide equations from which their variances, autocorrelation, and cross-correlation functions can be deduced. Furthermore, we present results on fundamental questions of importance to these processes—the survival-extinction dichotomy, growth behavior, necessary and sufficient conditions for noncertain extinction, characterization of the phase transition between the subcritical and supercritical regimes, and survival behavior in each phase and at criticality.
On long-range dependence of random measures
Authors: Vašata Daniel
Published: January 2017

This paper deals with long-range dependence of random measures on ℝd. By examples, it is demonstrated that one must be careful in order to define it consistently. Therefore, we define long-range dependence by a rather specific second-order condition and provide an equivalent formulation involving the asymptotic behaviour of the Bartlett spectrum near the origin. Then it is shown that the defining condition may be formulated less strictly when the additional isotropy assumption holds. Finally, we present an example of a long-range dependent random measure based on the 0-level excursion set of a Gaussian random field for which the corresponding spectral density and its asymptotics are explicitly derived.
The limit distribution of the largest interpoint distance for distributions supported by ad-dimensional ellipsoid and generalizations
Authors: Schrempp Michael
Published: January 2017

We study the asymptotic behaviour of the maximum interpoint distance of random points in ad-dimensional ellipsoid with a unique major axis. Instead of investigating only a fixed number ofnpoints asntends to ∞, we consider the much more general setting in which the random points are the supports of appropriately defined Poisson processes. Our main result covers the case of uniformly distributed points.
The effect of stable thermal stratification on turbulent boundary layer statistics
Authors: Williams Owen , Hohman Tristen , Van Buren Tyler , Bou-Zeid Elie , Smits Alexander J.
Published: January 2017

The effects of stable thermal stratification on turbulent boundary layers are experimentally investigated for smooth and rough walls. For weak to moderate stability, the turbulent stresses are seen to scale with the wall shear stress, compensating for changes in fluid density in the same manner as done for compressible flows. This suggests little change in turbulent structure within this regime. At higher levels of stratification turbulence no longer scales with the wall shear stress and turbulent production by mean shear collapses, but without the preferential damping of near-wall motions observed in previous studies. We suggest that the weakly stable and strongly stable (collapsed) regimes are delineated by the point where the turbulence no longer scales with the local wall shear stress, a significant departure from previous definitions. The critical stratification separating these two regimes closely follows the linear stability analysis of Schlichting (Z. Angew. Math. Mech., vol. 15 (6), 1935, pp. 313–338) for both smooth and rough surfaces, indicating that a good predictor of critical stratification is the gradient Richardson number evaluated at the wall. Wall-normal and shear stresses follow atmospheric trends in the local gradient Richardson number scaling of Sorbjan (Q. J. R. Meteorol. Soc., vol. 136, 2010, pp. 1243–1254), suggesting that much can be learned about stratified atmospheric flows from the study of laboratory scale boundary layers at relatively low Reynolds numbers.
Continuum perspective of bulk viscosity in compressible fluids
Authors: Li Xin-Dong , Hu Zong-Min , Jiang Zong-Lin
Published: January 2017

Kinetic theory and acoustic measurements have proven that the bulk viscosity associated with the expansion or compression effect cannot be ignored in compressible fluids except for monatomic gases. A new theoretical formula for the bulk viscosity coefficient (BVC) $\unicode[STIX]{x1D701}$ is derived by the continuum medium methodology, which provides a further understanding of the bulk viscosity, i.e. $\unicode[STIX]{x1D701}$ is equal to the product of the bulk modulus $K$ and the relaxation time $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}$ ($\unicode[STIX]{x1D701}=K\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}$). The continuum and kinetic theories present consistent results from macro- and microperspectives respectively, only differing in terms of a coefficient. The theoretical predictions of the BVC in diatomic molecules, such as $\text{N}_{2}$, $\text{O}_{2}$ and CO, show good agreement with the experimental data over a wide range of temperature. In addition, the vibrational contributions to $\unicode[STIX]{x1D701}$ are controlled by a rapid exponential decrease at high temperatures, while at low temperatures a slow linear increase proceeds for the rotational cases. The relaxation time $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}$, collision number $Z$, BVC $\unicode[STIX]{x1D701}$ and ratio of bulk-to-shear viscosities $\unicode[STIX]{x1D701}/\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}$ in the vibrational mode are found to be several orders of magnitude larger than those in the rotational mode.
Do blood parasites infect Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) in the wild? Prospective investigation and climatogeographic considerations
Authors: VANSTREELS RALPH ERIC THIJL , UHART MARCELA , RAGO VIRGINIA , HURTADO RENATA , EPIPHANIO SABRINA , CATÃO-DIAS JOSÉ LUIZ
Published: January 2017

Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) are native to Argentina, Chile and the Falkland Islands. Magellanic penguins are highly susceptible to blood parasites such as the mosquito-bornePlasmodiumspp., which have been documented causing high morbidity and mortality in zoos and rehabilitation centres. However, to date no blood parasites have been detected in wild Magellanic penguins, and it is not clear whether this is reflective of their true absence or is instead related to an insufficiency in sampling effort or a failure of the diagnostic methods. We examined blood smears of 284 Magellanic penguins from the Argentinean coast and tested their blood samples with nested polymerase chain reaction tests targetingHaemoproteus, Plasmodium, LeucocytozoonandBabesia. No blood parasites were detected. Analysing the sampling effort of previous studies and the climatogeography of the region, we found there is strong basis to conclude that haemosporidians do not infect wild Magellanic penguins on the Argentinean coast. However, at present it is not possible to determine whether such parasites occur on the Chilean coast and at the Falkland Islands. Furthermore, it is troubling that the northward distribution expansion of Magellanic penguins and the poleward distribution shift of vectors may lead to novel opportunities for the transmission of blood parasites.
The distribution of echinostome parasites in ponds and implications for larval anuran survival
Authors: MARINO JOHN A. , HOLLAND MANJA P. , WERNER EARL E.
Published: January 2017

Parasites can influence host population dynamics, community composition and evolution. Prediction of these effects, however, requires an understanding of the influence of ecological context on parasite distributions and the consequences of infection for host fitness. We address these issues with an amphibian – trematode (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) host–parasite system. We initially performed a field survey of trematode infection in first (snail) and second (larval green frog, Rana clamitans) intermediate hosts over 5 years across a landscape of 23 ponds in southeastern Michigan. We then combined this study with a tadpole enclosure experiment in eight ponds. We found echinostomes in all ponds during the survey, although infection levels in both snails and amphibians differed across ponds and years. Echinostome prevalence (proportion of hosts infected) in snails also changed seasonally depending on host species, and abundance (parasites per host) in tadpoles depended on host size and prevalence in snails. The enclosure experiment demonstrated that infection varied at sites within ponds, and tadpole survival was lower in enclosures with higher echinostome abundance. The observed effects enhance our ability to predict when and where host–parasite interactions will occur and the potential fitness consequences of infection, with implications for population and community dynamics, evolution and conservation.
The behavioural constellation of deprivation: Causes and consequences
Authors: Pepper Gillian V. , Nettle Daniel
Published: January 2017

Socioeconomic differences in behaviour are pervasive and well documented, but their causes are not yet well understood. Here, we make the case that a cluster of behaviours is associated with lower socioeconomic status (SES), which we call “the behavioural constellation of deprivation.” We propose that the relatively limited control associated with lower SES curtails the extent to which people can expect to realise deferred rewards, leading to more present-oriented behaviour in a range of domains. We illustrate this idea using the specific factor of extrinsic mortality risk, an important factor in evolutionary theoretical models. We emphasise the idea that the present-oriented behaviours of the constellation are a contextually appropriate response to structural and ecological factors rather than a pathology or a failure of willpower. We highlight some principles from evolutionary theoretical models that can deepen our understanding of how socioeconomic inequalities can become amplified and embedded. These principles are that (1) small initial disparities can lead to larger eventual inequalities, (2) feedback loops can embed early-life circumstances, (3) constraints can breed further constraints, and (4) feedback loops can operate over generations. We discuss some of the mechanisms by which SES may influence behaviour. We then review how the contextually appropriate response perspective that we have outlined fits with other findings about control and temporal discounting. Finally, we discuss the implications of this interpretation for research and policy.
Relational Typologies, Assemblage Theory and Early Bronze Age Burials
Authors: Fowler Chris
Published: January 2017

This article argues that artefact types and typologies are kinds of assemblages, presenting an explicitly relational interpretation of typology grounded in a more-than-representational assemblage theory. In the process it evaluates recent approaches to typology, and the interpretations these typologies have supported, and compares these with approaches which emphasize materiality and experience. It then illustrates the benefit of drawing these two angles of analysis closer together within an approach grounded in a more-than-representational assemblage theory. Throughout, the discussion revolves around British Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age burials and types of artefacts commonly found within them. The core argument is that, if used appropriately, typologies are not constraints to the appreciation of distinctiveness, difference and relationality in the past, but can rather form an important tool in detecting those relations and making sense of different past ways of becoming.
Tom Beer Receives 2016 International Award
Authors:   AGU
Published: January 2017

Tom Beer received the 2016 International Award at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting Honors Ceremony, held on 14 December 2016 in San Francisco, Calif. The award honors "an individual scientist, group, or a small team for making an outstanding contribution to furthering the Earth and space sciences and using science for the benefit of society in developing nations."
Measuring Earth's Gravity Field from the Air
Authors: Wang Yan , Damiani Theresa
Published: January 2017

2016 Airborne Gravimetry for Geodesy Summer School; Silver Spring, Maryland, 23–27 May 2016
Large fault slip peaking at trench in the 2011 Tohoku-oki earthquake
Authors: Sun Tianhaozhe , Wang Kelin , Fujiwara Toshiya , Kodaira Shuichi , He Jiangheng
Published: January 2017

During the 2011 magnitude 9 Tohoku-oki earthquake, very large slip occurred on the shallowest part of the subduction megathrust. Quantitative information on the shallow slip is of critical importance to distinguishing between different rupture mechanics and understanding the generation of the ensuing devastating tsunami. However, the magnitude and distribution of the shallow slip are essentially unknown due primarily to the lack of near-trench constraints, as demonstrated by a compilation of 45 rupture models derived from a large range of data sets. To quantify the shallow slip, here we model high-resolution bathymetry differences before and after the earthquake across the trench axis. The slip is determined to be about 62 m over the most near-trench 40 km of the fault with a gentle increase towards the trench. This slip distribution indicates that dramatic net weakening or strengthening of the shallow fault did not occur during the Tohoku-oki earthquake.
Correlation-driven transport asymmetries through coupled spins in a tunnel junction
Authors: Muenks Matthias , Jacobson Peter , Ternes Markus , Kern Klaus
Published: January 2017

Spin–spin correlations can be the driving force that favours certain ground states and are key in numerous models that describe the behaviour of strongly correlated materials. While the sum of collective correlations usually lead to a macroscopically measurable change in properties, a direct quantification of correlations in atomic scale systems is difficult. Here we determine the correlations between a strongly hybridized spin impurity on the tip of a scanning tunnelling microscope and its electron bath by varying the coupling to a second spin impurity weakly hybridized to the sample surface. Electronic transport through these coupled spins reveals an asymmetry in the differential conductance reminiscent of spin-polarized transport in a magnetic field. We show that at zero field, this asymmetry can be controlled by the coupling strength and is related to either ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic spin–spin correlations in the tip.