bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
QTc Dispersion and T-Wave Alternans as Predictors of Mortality in Dogs with Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Ventricular Tachycardia in Holter Monitoring. a Retrospective Study
Authors: Noszczyk-Nowak Agnieszka
Published: February 2013

The study presents a comparison of the results received from dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) that died during the first 30 d of observation and from dogs with DCM that survived the first 30 d after the ECG. No differences were noted in the duration of QT or QTc in healthy dogs and dogs with DCM. QTcd was significantly higher in dogs with DCM and in dogs with DCM, which did not survive over 30 d of observation and dogs with DCM that died after the 30th d of observation. The presence of T-wave alternans (TWA) was more frequently observed in dogs with DCM (85% of the dogs) that died in less than 30 d during the observation. QTcd and TWA seem to be a useful non-invasive diagnostic tool to anticipate the risk of cardiac death in dogs with DCM.
Effort of Varying Intensity as a Factor Influencing the Variability of Selected Biochemical Blood Parameters of Jumping Horses
Authors: Bis-Wencel Hanna , Lutnicki Krzysztof , Rowicka Agnieszka Zofia , Nowakowicz-Dębek Bożena , Bryl Monika
Published: February 2013

Blood samples were collected from horses in four time points of the spring-winter training season, according to the difference in effort intensity characteristic for each period. Serum contents of glucose, cholesterol, and creatinine, as well as activity of creatine kinase, aspartate and alanine aminotransferases, and alkaline phosphatase were determined. Training did not cause muscle damage, and as a result of training, changes in the characteristics of both, contraction and biochemical properties of muscle tissue took place, which was confirmed by the conducted tests.
Usefulness of Serum Cystatin C Measurement for Assessing Renal Function in Cats
Authors: Poświatowska-Kaszczyszyn Iwona
Published: February 2013

The aim of the work was to determine the concentration of serum cystatin C and usability of its measurement in diagnostics of renal failure in cats. The reference point was the value of glomerular filtration rate (GFR), calculated on the basis of plasma clearance of iohexol (Pcio). Seventy cats were divided into two groups: group I - 24 healthy cats, group II - 46 cats affected with renal dysfunction. The measurement of serum cystatin C was done according to immunonefelometric method. In order to estimate Pcio, the following blood samples were collected: pre-sample - 0, and samples collected 120, 180, 240, and 300 min after intravenous administration of iohexol. Its concentration was determined using high performance liquid chromatography. Pcio was obtained using a one-compartment model, according to the method developed by Krutzen Back and Nilsson-Ehl. Serum concentration of cystatin C in cats with renal dysfunction was significantly statistically higher (1.3 ± 0.6 mg/L) as compared to the group of healthy animals (0.7 ± 0.2 mg/L). Statistical analysis of the data confirmed strong correlation between GFR and serum concentration of cystatin C (r = - 0.51). Data analysis on the basis of the receiver operating characteristic curve proved that cystatin C seems to be more reliable parameter than creatinine in the assessment of kidneys function in cats and the measurement of cystatin C in blood serum can be of a considerable meaning as far as early diagnosis of renal failure in cats is concerned.
Seminoma, Sertolioma, and Leydigoma in Dogs: Clinical and Morphological Correlations
Authors: Ciaputa Rafał , Nowak Marcin , Kiełbowicz Maciej , Antończyk Agnieszka , Błasiak Karolina , Madej Janusz A.
Published: February 2013

The study aimed at presenting the most frequent male gonadal tumours in dogs, their clinical and histopathological aspects, at outlining aetiopathogenesis and differential diagnosis of the tumours. As examples of the most frequently manifested testicular tumours, three clinical cases were presented, involving tumour of interstitial (Leydig) cells, tumour of Sertoli cells, and seminoma. Respective clinical diagnosis employed USG, X-ray patterns, and morphological and biochemical tests. The surgically sampled material was stained with H+E and an attempt was made to establish expression of E-cadherin, calretinin, and Ki-67. It was shown that histopathological diagnosis of testicular tumours in dogs is frequently very difficult and complex and requires multidirectional studies.
An Assessment of Left Ventricular Systolic Function with the Use of a Continuous Doppler Imaging in Dogs with Spontaneous Mitral Regurgitation. A Preliminary Study
Authors: Pasławska Urszula , Noszczyk-Nowak Agnieszka , Nicpoń Józef
Published: February 2013

The aim of this study was to evaluate systolic function of left ventricle in dogs with spontaneous mitral regurgitation by estimating the rate of pressure rise in the left ventricle (dP/dt). Ninety-three dogs of different breed and sex, with chronic degenerative valvular disease were examined. All dogs had echocardiography examination with dP/dt estimation assessed from mitral regurgitant jet using continuous Doppler-echocardiography. The dogs were divided into four classes of heart failure according to NYHA class. Results: dogs in NYHA I dP/dt = 2,142 ±1,309, SF=33.6±10.5, EF=66.58± 14; NYHA II dP/dt = 3,062 ±1,798, SF=42 ±10, EF=76.5 ±11.5; NYHA III dP/dt = 3,483 ±2,136, SF=44.2 ±21, EF=75.7 ±13; NYHA IV dP/dt = 4,496 ±1,797, SF=40.6 ±6, EF=70.4 ±16. Dogs with chronic cardiac insufficiency and mitral insufficiency due to chronic degenerative valvular disease had no echocardiograhic evidence of left ventricular systolic dysfunction assessed from mitral regurgitant jet dP/dt.
Major Acute Phase Proteins in Pig Serum from Birth to Slaughter
Authors: Pomorska-Mól Małgorzata , Kwit Krzysztof , Markowska-Daniel Iwona
Published: February 2013

Age-related changes in serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), haptoglobin (Hp), serum amyloid A (SAA), and pig major acute phase protein (pig-MAP) were investigated in healthy pigs from birth to slaughter under field conditions. Repeated blood samples were obtained from 60 pigs at ages of 1-19 weeks. Concentrations of acute phase proteins (APP) were measured with the use of commercial ELISA kits. Concentrations of all APP increased with age (P<0.05) and positive correlations were evidenced between their concentrations and the age of pigs. Great variations in CRP, Hp, and SAA concentrations were found, as can been seen from standard deviation values. The minimal individual variability was found in regard to pig-MAP. A significant increase in all APP was observed in pigs’ serum after weaning, constituting an important characteristic of this period. The elevation of APP after weaning may be associated with stress induced by mixing animals after weaning or changes in the pattern of feed administration. The peak in APP may be also caused by the initiation of synthesis of these proteins by piglets. Because a significant association between age and APP concentrations exists, further studies are needed to decide whether the age may influence the diagnostic value of APP as a marker of infection. Additionally, studies are needed to estimate whether the APP response in infection is age-dependent to any clinical importance degree.
Effect of High Iodine Intake on Selected Parameters of Immunity in Sheep
Authors: Dušová Hana , Trávníček Jan , Kroupová Vlasta , Staňková Martina , Peksa Zdeněk
Published: February 2013

The study aimed at defining the immunity risks connected with high iodine supplementation in ewes and their lambs. The feed ration for control group (C) of ewes (n=6) contained 3.1 mg of iodine per kilogram of dietary dry matter and for experimental group (E) of ewes (n=6) 5.1 mg of iodine per kilogram of dietary dry matter. The animals were fed the diets for 8 months. Parallelly with different iodine supplementation, some immunological parameters (percentage of γ-globulins, concentration of immunoglobulin G, and white blood cell count) were examined in ewes and their lambs. The difference in the average concentration of immunoglobulin G between the ewes of group C and E was not significant during the experiment. A significant decrease (P<0.01) in the concentration of immunoglobulin G from 19.6 mg/mL before the experiment to 9.8 mg/mL on day 60 of the experiment was demonstrated in the ewes of group E. The average percentage of γ-globulins in the whole period after parturition was lower in the ewes of group E than in group C. The concentration of immunoglobulin G and the percentage of γ-globulins in lambs from dams in group E was continually lower (P<0.01) for the entire period of 1-30 d and demonstrated immunological risks of the excessive intake of iodine. The obtained results document a dangerous influence of high iodine intake on immunity in the prenatal period in ewes and mainly in the postnatal period in their lambs.
Granuloma Faciale – A Difficult Diagnosis? – A Case Report / Facijalni granulom – da li ga je teško dijagnostikovati? – Prikaz slučaja
Authors: Nikolovska Suzana , Gocev Đorđi , Damevska Katerina
Published: February 2013

Granuloma faciale is an uncommon inflammatory skin disorder clinically characterized by single or multiple, reddishbrown nodules or plaques primarily occurring on the face of middle-aged men. Occasionally, extra-facial involvement has been reported, usually on sun-exposed areas. Although the etiology is somewhat unclear, granuloma faciale is considered a localized form of chronic leukocytoclastic vasculitis with a prominent eosinophilic infiltrate and fibrosis in the later stages of the disease. Histological examination of lesions reveals a dense polymorphous inflammatory infiltrate that consists mainly of eosinophils and neutrophils separated from the epidermis by a narrow band zone with normal collagen, deprived of cells. Leukocytoclastic vasculitis is often seen. Clinical diagnosis is suspected in few cases, so definite diagnosis of granuloma faciale requires a biopsy. The disease is notoriously resistant to many therapies and often tends to relapse after treatment is discontinued.

We present a female patient with granuloma faciale on the back and on the tip of the nose, misdiagnosed clinically as basall cell carcinoma and granuloma annulare. Her original histological diagnosis, made by a pathologist, was pyogenic granuloma. After revision of histologic findings of the biopsy specimens, granuloma faciale was diagnosed by a dermatopathologist. The treatment with cryotherapy and topical steroids was unsuccessful. Improvement of lesions was observed after use of tacrolimus 0.1% ointment, but lesion recurred after discontinuation of treatment.
The Influence of Cloudiness and Synoptic Situations on the Solar Radiation Balance in the Area of Kaffiøyra (Nw Spitsbergen) in the Summer Seasons 2010 and 2011
Authors: Kejna Marek , Przybylak Rajmund , Araźny Andrzej
Published: February 2013

This article describes the influence of cloudiness and synoptic situations on individual components of the radiation balance such as: global solar radiation; surface-reflected radiation; longwave terrestrial and atmospheric radiation, and the long- and shortwave balance of two types of ground cover typical to Spitsbergen (the Kaffiøyra region), i.e. morainal and glacial. The research was carried out in the summer seasons of 2010 and 2011, using a Kipp & Zonen CNR4 net radiometer. A substantial influence of the presence of clouds on the individual components of the radiation balance was observed. The type of air masses related to specific synoptic situations was also found to affect the incoming and outgoing solar radiation, as well as its losses.
Passive seismic velocity tomography and geostatistical simulation on longwall mining panel / Tomografia pasywna pola prędkości i symulacje geostatystyczne w obrębie pola ścianowego
Authors: Hosseini Navid , Oraee Kazem , Shahriar Kourosh , Goshtasbi Kamran
Published: February 2013

Generally, the accurate determination of the stress in surrounding rock mass of underground mining area has an important role in stability and ground control. In this paper stress redistribution around the longwall face has been studied using passive seismic velocity tomography based on Simultaneous Iterative Reconstructive Technique (SIRT) and Sequential Gaussian Simulation (SGS). The mining-induced microseismic events are used as a passive source. Since such sources are used, the ray coverage is insufficient and in order to resolve this deficiency, the wave velocity is estimated in a denser network and by the SGS method. Consequently the three-dimensional images of wave velocity are created and sliced into the coal seam. To analyze the variations of stress around the panel during the study period, these images are interpreted. Results show that the state of stress redistribution around the longwall panel can be deduced from these velocity images. In addition, movements of the stressed zones, including front and side abutments and the goaf area, along the longwall face are evident. The applied approach illustrated in this paper can be used as a useful method to monitoring the stress changes around the longwall face continuously. This can have significant safety implications and contribute to improvements in operational productivity
Dominant Pseudo-Nitzschia (Bacillariophyta) species in the Black Sea (Ukraine)
Authors: Terenko Ludmila , Terenko Galyna
Published: February 2013

Terenko L., Terenko G., 2012: Dominant Pseudo-nitzschia (Bacillariophyta) species in the Black Sea (Ukraine) [Vyraujančios Pseudo-nitzschia (Bacillariophyta) rūšys Juodojoje jūroje (Ukraina)]. - Bot. Lith., 18(1): 27-34. Diatoms of the genus Pseudo-nitzschia (order Pennales) are persistent component of the phytoplankton community in the Black Sea and may reach bloom level during some periods in summer and autumn. Six potentially toxic and non-toxic Pseudo-nitzschia species were recorded up to date in the Ukrainian waters. Since 1980s, several mass developments of Pseudo-nitzschia spp. have been observed. Morphological analysis revealed Pseudo-nitzschia delicatissima, P. pseudodelicatissima, P. pungens, P. seriata as the dominant species in the blooms. Pronounced bloom of Pseudo-nitzschia spp. reaching up to 80 % of total phytoplankton abundance and occupying wide area of the Black Sea was observed in June 2001. The summer density peak of P. delicatissima and P. seriata was observed at 16.0-17.5 °С and salinity 15.2-15.7 ‰ in the coastal waters of Odessa Bay. In December 2005, the density of Pseudo-nitzschia spp. in the bottom layers in Odessa region reached 3.0·106 cells l-1. In June 2008, a single species P. pseudodelicatissima bloomed in the Danube region. The density of the species came up to 12.0·106 cells l-1. At the end of May 2009, P. delicatissima showed short-term and lower magnitude density peak (3.1·106 cells l-1) in the coastal zone of Odessa Bay. Thus, the Pseudo-nitzschia spp. blooms are frequent phenomena in the Black Sea and may occur in any season of a year. These species are indicators of trophic state in marine waters.
The Earth, the Pillar and the Stone: Does Testing the Female Mean Empowering the Female in Valmiki’s Ramayana, Shakespeare’s the Winter’s Tale and the Turkish Tale Sitti Nusret?
Authors: Raducanu Adriana
Published: February 2013

This chapter discusses three memorable female characters: Sita from Valmiki’s Ramayana, Hermione from Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale and Sitti Nusret from the eponymous Turkish fairytale. It will focus on the universality of the many trials that the characters have to undergo, in order to prove their innocence, chastity and capacity to endure, both in front of their male counterparts and society at large.
Conflicting Views of Women in Hawthorne
Authors: Emandi Elena Maria
Published: February 2013

The present paper focuses on the nature of women in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s work. There is an obviously divided way of thinking about gender here and we will try to highlight the extremes and the inbetween position, as far as the typology of feminine characters is concerned.
Tantrism and Women’s Empowerment in India
Authors: Dascăl Reghina
Published: February 2013

It is the purpose of this paper to explore some aspects of Tantrism, an esoteric system of spiritual advancement by the cultivation of physical and psychic resources rooted in the ancient Hindu philosophical concept of shakti. Between 900 and the fifteenth century it not only contributed immensely to feminizing and galvanizing Hinduism, but it also gave rise to a scriptural corpus, rewriting goddess theology, her relation to male deity, her cosmic functions, being at the same time subversive of dominant Brahmanical values and speaking directly to women’s experiences.
To Mainstream or not to Mainstream Gender in the Higher Education Curriculum?
Authors: Grünberg Laura
Published: February 2013

This article presents the results of a UNESCO project that focused on gender mainstreaming higher education curriculum. It deals with some critical issues involved in addressing the problem: what type of gender should be mainstreamed, who should do it, how can it be done and what costs are involved? The premise of the article is that looking at curriculum from a gender perspective is beneficial for the adaptation of academic knowledge to the current requirements of the labour market. One conclusion is that there is still a long way to go before gender will be regarded as legitimate knowledge in higher education.
“Violence is Common and a Daily Event; in this Place Her Dog Has More Respect than us”: A Study on Cycle of Violence Faced by Women in Mexico
Authors: Acharya Arun Kumar , Jose Juan Niño Cervantes
Published: February 2013

This paper sets out to explore the violence against women is a new form femicide taking into consideration the case of trafficked women. Once women arrived at their destination, suffer various kinds of never-ending violence and exploitation. Thus, in this article we have defined and demonstrated how the trafficking of women constitutes a new form of “femicide”. The analytical section of the paper is based on interviews with one hundred and ten trafficked women in Mexico. The results indicate that trafficked women are experiencing a wide range of physical and sexual violence, where they face a constant threat to life.
Joseph Hall’s Mundus Alter et Idem and Cross-Dressing in Early Modern England
Authors: Maczelka Csaba
Published: February 2013

This paper argues that early modern English utopias in general, and Joseph Hall’s Mundus alter et idem (1605/1606) in particular, engage in the contemporary debate on cross-dressing. After a look at the problem of early modern cross-dressing, the paper introduces Hall’s work, together with some of the opinions about it. Out of the four books of the work, only the second part (the description of Viraginia/Shee-landt) is discussed here in detail, since it abounds in instances of cross-dressing and related phenomena (for example, sexual licence and hermaphroditism). In my reading, Hall’s work readily joins the ongoing debate, but because of its masterful rhetorical strategies and its satirical perspective, the text poses a great challenge if one tries to accurately identify its position in that debate. Yet the text and some of Hall’s other works testify to a serious interest in cross-dressing and other gender-related issues.
The Renaissance Midwife
Authors: Dascăl Reghina
Published: February 2013

The paper deals with the delineation of the subversiveness-ridden career of the midwife in history and with the specific circumstances under which this privileged hypostasis of womanhood undergoes major changes during the 17th century. The main focus of the presentation is the female engagement with the public space during the Renaissance and the major impact of the emergent male empirical science - the scientific paradigm of New Science - upon it. The Magnetic Lady by Ben Jonson, an unduly neglected play, will provide a meaningful cultural illustration of this shift
Lilies on the Land – The Forgotten Women’s Land Army of World War II – A Documentary Play
Authors: Klein Hildegard
Published: February 2013

This paper centres on a play directed by Sonia Ritter and produced by the Lions part that portrays an extraordinary event in Britain’s recent history - the Women’s Land Army of World War II. It is based on real evidence given in hundreds of letters and interviews with former Land Girls. The anecdotes of their shared experience and strenuous work are presented by a female quartet - Margie, Peggy, Poppy and Vera - in a sparkling, captivating and emotional way.
The Role of Gender in Verbal Disagreement: A Study of Disagreement Strategies Employed by Hungarian Undergraduate Students
Authors: Koczogh Helga Vanda
Published: February 2013

The aim of the paper is to present the results of a study on the interplay of gender and disagreement strategies employed by Hungarian undergraduate students. The data for analysis is a corpus of oral face-to-face dyadic interactions; the methodology makes use of both qualitative and quantitative tools and involves identifying disagreement strategies on the basis of previous research as well as patterns emerging from the corpus. The results of the study contradict previous claims that in comparison to men, women disagree less frequently and, when they do disagree, they employ less direct strategies
Metaphorical Mirrors and Subverting Selves in Adrienne Kennedy’s One-Act Plays
Authors: Tóth Gabriella
Published: February 2013

Beginning her career in the 1960s, Adrienne Kennedy was one of the most influential writers of the period. Her plays subverted both Western and African American theatre. Although like her contemporaries she reacted to the political events of the period, in contrast with them she presented racial issues in a non-realistic mode. Her plays exemplify the re-theatricalisation of the African American stage.
Containing Otherness Through Rational Detection: Feminine Characters in Arthur Conan Doyle
Authors: Emadi Elena Maria
Published: February 2013

The present paper is intended to focus on the feminine characters in The Hound of the Baskervilles and The Sussex Vampire. Starting from the analysis of imagery in these two texts I shall exemplify traits of the complex process of encoding otherness
Peripheral venous thrombophlebitis risk and the role of hand washing
Authors: Neopane A
Published: February 2013

Background: Thrombophlebitis is an important complication of peripheral vein cannulation. Various factors are known to increase the risk of thrombophlebitis and have been studied by different authors. Regarding factors leading to risk reduction of thrombophlebitis aseptic measures taken during insertion has been an important factor. However handwashing and its role in reducing the incidence of thrombophlebitis have not been studied. The objective of this study was to find the risk reducing role of hand washing in incidence of thrombophlebitis. Methods: A prospective observational hospital based study was designed and conducted among patients admitted for intravenous medication or infusion and needed cannulation. They were followed and evaluated for various risk factors and onset of thrombophlebitis. Results expressed as relative risk and odds ratio. Results: Hand washing is the single most important risk reducing factor for development of peripheral vein thrombophlebitis in patients in whom peripheral vein cannulation is done. The odds ratio of developing thrombophlebitis in hand washing group was only 0.25 (95% CI .07-.82) and RR was 0.78 (95% CI.64-.94) with p=.017. Conclusion: Six step hand washing was the single most useful factor for reducing the risk of thrombophlebitis. Nepal Journal of Medical Sciences | Volume 02 | Number 01 | Jan-Jun 2013 | Page 26-29 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njms.v2i1.7647
Non-operative Management of Blunt abdominal trauma in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Nepal
Authors: Ghimire P , Yogi N , Ghimire P
Published: February 2013

Background: To assess the feasibility of Non-operative management of Blunt abdominal trauma in a teaching hospital of Nepal. Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out over a period of 3 years including 52 cases of blunt abdominal trauma in a teaching hospital in western part of Nepal. Patient and trauma characteristics of the cases, different modalities of treatment and outcomes were evaluated. All the cases were divided in 3 groups: Operative group, Non-Operative Management and Non-Operative Failure group. Operative group and non-operative management group were compared using Fischer Exact Test for categorical variable and student’s “t” test for continuous variable. Results: There were 36% of cases in operative group, 61% in non-operative management group and 2% in non-operative management failure group. Non-operative management was successful in 97% of cases. Injury severity score, admission hematocrit and hemodynamic status were significantly different between non-operative management and Operative group. Non-operative management failure occurred in 1 case and was secondary to delayed hepatic hemorrhage. Conclusion: Non-operative management of Blunt abdominal trauma can be attempted with high degree of success. Hemodynamic and clinical instability rather than severity of the organ injury is the predictor of failure in non-operative management. Spleen and bowel injury are the most common organ that usually land up in operative group because of hemodynamic instability in splenic injury and peritoneal contamination in bowel injury. Close surveillance in an intensive care unit is always desirable. Nepal Journal of Medical Sciences | Volume 02 | Number 01 | Jan-Jun 2013 | Page 38-41 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njms.v2i1.7650
Modern surgical outcomes following surgery for sphenoid wing meningiomas
Authors: Sughrue Michael E. , Rutkowski Martin J. , Chen C. Jared , Shangari Gopal , Kane Ari J. , Parsa Andrew T. , Berger Mitchel S. , McDermott Michael W.
Published: February 2013

Object

Cushing and Eisenhardt were the first to describe sphenoid wing meningiomas in detail, categorizing globoid tumors into 3 groups: 1) medial; 2) middle; and 3) lateral. The authors review their experience with resection of sphenoid wing meningiomas at a single center, to examine whether this classification predicts clinical presentation and postsurgical outcome.

Methods

All patients undergoing resection of sphenoid wing meningioma at the authors' institution over a 9-year period were identified. Clinical data were compared from patients with tumors arising at different points along the sphenoid wing to determine if these tumors behaved differently in terms of symptoms, radiographic characteristics, and postsurgical outcome.

Results

A total of 56 patients underwent microsurgical resection for sphenoid wing meningioma during this period. The rates of optic canal invasion (medial 50% vs middle 5% vs lateral 0%; p < 0.0001, chi-square test), supraclinoid internal carotid artery encasement (medial 32% vs middle 5% vs lateral 0%; p < 0.01, chi-square test), and middle cerebral artery encasement (medial 45% vs middle 24% vs lateral 0%; p < 0.01, chi-square test) were all highest with medial-third tumors. New or worsened neurological deficits occurred in 10 (19%) of 56 patients. Of all the imaging characteristics studied, only location of the tumor along the medial third of the sphenoid wing significantly predicted an increased rate of new or worsened neurological deficit (OR 2.7, p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The authors report outcomes in a large series of sphenoid wing meningiomas that were treated using modern surgical techniques.
The association between race and frequent shunt failure: a single-center study
Authors: Naftel Robert P. , Safiano Nicole A. , Falola Michael , Blount Jeffrey P. , Oakes W. Jerry , Wellons John C.
Published: February 2013

Object

Children experiencing frequent shunt failure consume medical resources and represent a disproportionate level of morbidity in hydrocephalus care. While biological causes of frequent shunt failure may exist, this study analyzed demographic and socioeconomic patient characteristics associated with frequent shunt failure.

Methods

A survey of 294 caregivers of children with shunt-treated hydrocephalus provided demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Children experiencing at least 10 shunt failures were considered frequent shunt-failure patients. Multivariate regression models were used to control for variables.

Results

Frequent shunt failure was experienced by 9.5% of the patients (28 of 294). By univariate analysis, white race (p = 0.006), etiology of hydrocephalus (p = 0.022), years-with-shunt (p < 0.0001), and surgeon (p = 0.02) were associated with frequent shunt failure. Upon multivariate analysis, white race remained the key independent factor associated with frequent shunt failure (OR 5.8, 95% CI 1.2–27.8, p = 0.027). Race acted independently from socioeconomic factors, including income, level of education, and geographic location, and clinical factors, such as etiology of hydrocephalus, surgeon, and years-with-shunt. Additionally, after multivariate analysis surgeon and years-with-shunt remained associated with frequent shunt failure (p = 0.043 and p = 0.0098, respectively), although etiology of hydrocephalus was no longer associated (p = 0.1).

Conclusions

White race was the primary independent factor associated with frequent shunt failure. Because races use health care differently and the diagnosis of shunt failure is often subjective, a disparity in diagnosis and treatment has arisen. These findings call for objective criteria for the preoperative and intraoperative diagnosis of shunt failure.
Isolation and Structural Elucidation of Chondrosterins F–H from the Marine Fungus Chondrostereum sp.
Authors: Li Hou-Jin , Chen Ting , Xie Ying-Lu , Chen Wen-Dan , Zhu Xiao-Feng , Lan Wen-Jian
Published: February 2013

The marine fungus Chondrostereum sp. was collected from a soft coral of the species Sarcophyton tortuosum from the South China Sea. Three new compounds, chondrosterins F–H (1, 4 and 5), together with three known compounds, incarnal (2), arthrosporone (3), and (2E)-decene-4,6,8-triyn-1-ol (6), were isolated. Their structures were elucidated primarily based on NMR and MS data. Incarnal (2) exhibited potent cytotoxic activity against various cancer cell lines.
A Unified Framework for Activity Recognition-Based Behavior Analysis and Action Prediction in Smart Homes
Authors: Fatima Iram , Fahim Muhammad , Lee Young-Koo , Lee Sungyoung
Published: February 2013

In recent years, activity recognition in smart homes is an active research area due to its applicability in many applications, such as assistive living and healthcare. Besides activity recognition, the information collected from smart homes has great potential for other application domains like lifestyle analysis, security and surveillance, and interaction monitoring. Therefore, discovery of users common behaviors and prediction of future actions from past behaviors become an important step towards allowing an environment to provide personalized service. In this paper, we develop a unified framework for activity recognition-based behavior analysis and action prediction. For this purpose, first we propose kernel fusion method for accurate activity recognition and then identify the significant sequential behaviors of inhabitants from recognized activities of their daily routines. Moreover, behaviors patterns are further utilized to predict the future actions from past activities. To evaluate the proposed framework, we performed experiments on two real datasets. The results show a remarkable improvement of 13.82% in the accuracy on average of recognized activities along with the extraction of significant behavioral patterns and precise activity predictions with 6.76% increase in F-measure. All this collectively help in understanding the users” actions to gain knowledge about their habits and preferences.
BAROREFLEX SENSITIVITY EVALUATION USING THE VOLTERRA–LAGUERRE TECHNIQUE
Authors: Wu Tsui-Chou , Wang Jia-Jung , Chen Chung-Yin , Kao Tsair
Published: February 2013

The short-term blood pressure can be adjusted through baroreflex control and the quantitative index of the regulation is baroreflex sensitivity (BRS). The noninvasive spontaneous BRS is mostly estimated by using linear model techniques either in the time domain or in the frequency domain. However, the complex physiological regulatory mechanism of blood pressure has nonlinear response characteristics. In this study, the nonlinear Volterra mathematical model and the orthogonal Laguerre function were used to obtain the BRS through the identified model parameters. The Volterra–Laguerre (VL) technique was used to analyze all samples in the EuroBaVar dataset. The results were compared with the BRS estimates obtained by the alpha coefficient (Alpha) technique and the sequence (SEQ) technique. The BRS values obtained with the VL technique in both supine and standing positions were significantly lower than those obtained through the Alpha and SEQ techniques (VL:9.8 ± 10.0, SEQ:19.9 ± 13.4 and Alpha:19.0 ± 15.0 ms/mmHg, in supine; VL:3.5 ± 2.3, SEQ:9.1 ± 5.8 and Alpha:7.7 ± 5.6 ms/mmHg, in standing). The VL technique was able to evaluate the BRS of all samples, even in patients with low BRS, in the EuroBaVar dataset.
Evaluation of spatio-temporal variability of Hamburg Aerosol Climatology against aerosol datasets from MODIS and CALIOP
Authors: Pappas V. , Hatzianastassiou N. , Papadimas C. , Matsoukas C. , Kinne S. , Vardavas I.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. The new global aerosol climatology named HAC (Hamburg Aerosol Climatology) is compared against MODIS (MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, Collection 5, 2000–2007) and CALIOP (Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization, Level 2-Version 3, 2006–2011) retrievals. The HAC aerosol optical depth (AOD) values are larger than MODIS in heavy aerosol load conditions (over land) and lower over oceans. Agreement between HAC and MODIS is better over land and for low AOD. Hemispherically, HAC has 16–17% smaller AOD values than MODIS. The discrepancy is slightly larger for the Southern Hemisphere (SH) than for the Northern Hemisphere (NH). Seasonally, the largest absolute differences are from March to August for NH and from September to February for SH. The spectral variability of HAC AOD is also evaluated against AERONET (1998–2007) data for sites representative of main aerosol types (pollutants, sea-salt, biomass and dust). The HAC has a stronger spectral dependence of AOD in the UV wavelengths, compared to AERONET and MODIS. For visible and near-infrared wavelengths, the spectral dependence is similar to AERONET. For specific sites, HAC AOD vertical distribution is compared to CALIOP data by looking at the fraction of columnar AOD at each altitude. The comparison suggests that HAC exhibits a smaller fraction of columnar AOD in the lowest 2–3 km than CALIOP, especially for sites with biomass burning smoke, desert dust and sea salt spray. For the region of the greater Mediterranean basin, the mean profile of HAC AOD is in very good agreement with CALIOP. The HAC AOD is very useful for distinguishing between natural and anthropogenic aerosols and provides high spectral resolution and vertically resolved information.
Long-term measurements of particle number size distributions and the relationships with air mass history and source apportionment in the summer of Beijing
Authors: Wang Z. B. , Hu M. , Wu Z. J. , Yue D. L. , He L. Y. , Huang X. F. , Liu X. G. , Wiedensohler A.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. A series of long-term and temporary measurements were conducted to study the improvement of air quality in Beijing during Olympic Games period (8–24 August 2008). To evaluate actions taken to improve the air quality, comparisons of particle number and volume size distributions of August 2008 and 2004–2007 were performed. The total particle number and volume concentrations were 14 000 cm−3 and 37 μm3 cm−3 in August of 2008, respectively. These were reductions of 41% and 35% compared with the mean values of August 2004–2007. A cluster analysis on air mass history and source apportionment were performed, exploring reasons of the reduction of particle concentrations. Back trajectories were classified into five major clusters. Air mass from south direction are always associated with pollution events during the summertime of Beijing. In August 2008, the frequency of air mass arriving from south has been twice higher compared to the average of the previous years, these southerly air masses did however not result in elevated particle volume concentrations in Beijing. This result implied that the air mass history was not the key factor, explaining reduced particle number and volume concentrations during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Four factors were found influencing particle concentrations using a Positive matrix factorization (PMF) model. They were identified to local and remote traffic emissions, combustion sources as well as secondary transformation. The reductions of the four sources were calculated to 47%, 44%, 43% and 30%, respectively. The significant reductions of particle number and volume concentrations may attribute to actions taken, focusing on primary emissions, especially related to the traffic and combustion sources.
Modified Ultrafast Thermometer UFT-M and temperature measurements during Physics of Stratocumulus Top (POST)
Authors: Kumala W. , Haman K. E. , Kopec M. K. , Khelif D. , Malinowski S. P.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. A modernised UFT-M version of the ultrafast airborne thermometer UFT was designed for the Physics of Stratocumulus Top (POST) field campaign. Improvements in its construction resulted in the sensor's increased reliability, which provided valuable measurements in 15 of the 17 flights. Oversampling the data allowed for the effective correction of the artefacts resulting from the interaction with the on-board avionic systems and the thermal noise resulting from the sensor construction. The UFT-M records, when averaged to the 1.4 m and 55 m resolutions, compared to the similar records of a thermometer in a Rosemount housing, indicate that the housing distorts even low-resolution airborne temperature measurements. Data collected with the UFT-M during the course of POST characterise the thermal structure of stratocumulus and capping inversion with the maximum resolution of ~ 1 cm. In this paper, examples of UFT-M records are presented and discussed.
Effect of increased pCO2 on early shell development in great scallop (Pecten maximus Lamarck) larvae
Authors: Andersen S. , Grefsrud E. S. , Harboe T.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. As a result of high anthropogenic emission of CO2, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) in the oceans has increased causing a drop in pH, known as ocean acidification (OA). Numerous studies have shown negative effects on marine invertebrates, and that the early life stages are the most sensitive to OA. We studied the effects on embryo and larvae of great scallop (Pecten maximus L.), using mean pCO2-levels of 477 (ambient), 821, 1184, and 1627 ppm. OA affected both survival and shell growth negatively after seven days. Growth was reduced with 5–10% when pCO2 increased from ambient 477 ppm to 1627 ppm, and survival based on egg number was reduced from 40.4% in the ambient group to 10.7% in the highest pCO2-group. Larvae/embryos stained with calcein one day after fertilization, showed fluorescence in the newly formed shell area indicating calcification of the shell already at the trochophore stage. Shell hinge deformities were observed at elevated pCO2-levels in trochophore larvae after two days. After seven days, deformities in both shell hinge and shell edge were observed in veliger larvae at elevated pCO2-levels. Although the growth showed a moderate reduction, survival rate and increased amount of deformed larvae indicates that P. Maximus larvae are affected by elevated pCO2 levels within the range of what is projected for the next century.
Low vertical transfer rates of carbon inferred from radiocarbon analysis in an Amazon podzol
Authors: Sierra C. A. , Jiménez E. M. , Reu B. , Peñuela M. C. , Thuille A.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. Hydromorphic podzol soils in the Amazon Basin generally support low-stature forests with some of the lowest amounts of aboveground net primary production (NPP) in the region. However, they can also exhibit large values of belowground NPP that can contribute significantly to the total annual inputs of organic matter into the soil. These hydromorphic podzol soils also exhibit a horizon rich in organic matter at around 1 m depth, presumably as a result of elluviation of dissolved organic matter and sesquioxides of Fe and Al. Therefore, it is likely that these ecosystems store large quantities of carbon by (1) large amounts of C inputs to soils dominated by their high levels of fine-root production, (2) stabilization of organic matter in an illuviation horizon due to significant vertical transfers of C. To assess these ideas we studied soil carbon dynamics using radiocarbon in two adjacent Amazon forests growing on contrasting soils, a hydromorphic podzol and a well-drained alisol supporting a high-stature terra firme forest. Our measurements showed similar concentrations of C and radiocarbon in the litter layer and the first 5 cm of the mineral soil for both sites. This result is consistent with the idea that the hydromorphic podzol soil has similar soil C storage and cycling rates compared to the well-drained alisol that supports a more opulent vegetation. However, we found important differences in carbon dynamics and transfers along the vertical profile. At both soils, we found similar radiocarbon concentrations in the subsoil, but the carbon released after incubating soil samples presented radiocarbon concentrations of recent origin in the alisol, but not in the podzol. There were no indications of incorporation of C fixed after 1950 in the illuvial horizon of the podzol. With the aid of a simulation model, we predicted that only a minor fraction (1.7%) of the labile carbon decomposed in the topsoil is transferred to the subsoil of the podzol, while this proportional transfer is about 90% in the alisol. Furthermore, our estimates were 8 times lower than previous estimations of vertical C transfers in Amazon podzols, and question the validity of these previous estimations for all podzols within the Amazon Basin. Our results also challenge previous ideas about the genesis of these soils and suggest that either these soils are not true podzols or the podzolization processes had already stopped.
Implementation of the chemistry module MECCA (v2.5) in the modal aerosol version of the Community Atmosphere Model component (v3.6.33) of the Community Earth System Model
Authors: Long M. S. , Keene W. C. , Easter R. , Sander R. , Kerkweg A. , Erickson D. , Liu X. , Ghan S.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. A coupled atmospheric chemistry and climate system model was developed using the modal aerosol version of the National Center for Atmospheric Research Community Atmosphere Model (modal-CAM; v3.6.33) and the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry's Module Efficiently Calculating the Chemistry of the Atmosphere (MECCA; v2.5) to provide enhanced resolution of multiphase processes, particularly those involving inorganic halogens, and associated impacts on atmospheric composition and climate. Three Rosenbrock solvers (Ros-2, Ros-3, RODAS-3) were tested in conjunction with the basic load-balancing options available to modal-CAM (1) to establish an optimal configuration of the implicitly-solved multiphase chemistry module that maximizes both computational speed and repeatability of Ros-2 and RODAS-3 results versus Ros-3, and (2) to identify potential implementation strategies for future versions of this and similar coupled systems. RODAS-3 was faster than Ros-2 and Ros-3 with good reproduction of Ros-3 results, while Ros-2 was both slower and substantially less reproducible relative to Ros-3 results. Modal-CAM with MECCA chemistry was a factor of 15 slower than modal-CAM using standard chemistry. MECCA chemistry integration times demonstrated a systematic frequency distribution for all three solvers, and revealed that the change in run-time performance was due to a change in the frequency distribution of chemical integration times; the peak frequency was similar for all solvers. This suggests that efficient chemistry-focused load-balancing schemes can be developed that rely on the parameters of this frequency distribution.
Rainfall statistics changes in Sicily
Authors: Arnone E. , Pumo D. , Viola F. , Noto L. V. , La Loggia G.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. Changes in rainfall characteristics are one of the most relevant signs of current climate alterations. Many studies have demonstrated an increase in rainfall intensity and a reduction of frequency in several areas of the world, including Mediterranean areas. Rainfall characteristics may be crucial for vegetation patterns formation and evolution in Mediterranean ecosystems, with important implications, for example, in vegetation water stress or coexistence and competition dynamics. At the same time, characteristics of extreme rainfall events are fundamental for the estimation of flood peaks and quantiles which can be used in many hydrological applications, such as design of the most common hydraulic structures, or planning and management of flood prone areas. In the past, Sicily has been screened for several signals of possible climate change. Annual, seasonal and monthly rainfall data in the entire Sicilian region have been analyzed, showing a global reduction of total annual rainfall. Moreover, annual maximum rainfall series for different durations have been rarely analyzed in order to detect the presence of trends. Results indicated that for short durations, historical series generally exhibit increasing trends while for longer durations the trends are mainly negative. Starting from these premises, the aim of this study is to investigate and quantify changes in rainfall statistics in Sicily, during the second half of the last century. Time series of about 60 stations over the region have been processed and screened by using the non parametric Mann–Kendall test. Particularly, extreme events have been analyzed using annual maximum rainfall series at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h duration while daily rainfall properties have been analyzed in term of frequency and intensity, also characterizing seasonal rainfall features. Results of extreme events analysis confirmed an increasing trend for rainfall of short durations, especially for one hour rainfall duration. Instead, precipitation of long durations have exhibited a decreased trend. With regard to the spatial distribution, increase in short duration precipitation has been observed especially in stations located along the coastline; however, no clear and well-defined spatial pattern have been outlined by the results. Outcomes of analysis for daily rainfall properties have showed that heavy-torrential precipitation tends to be more frequent at regional scale, while light rainfall events exhibited a negative trend at some sites. Values of total annual precipitations confirmed a significant negative trend, mainly due to the reduction during the winter season.