bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An IBCLC in the Maternity Ward of a Mother and Child Hospital: A Pre- and Post-Intervention Study
Authors: Chiurco Antonella , Montico Marcella , Brovedani Pierpaolo , Monasta Lorenzo , Davanzo Riccardo
Published: August 2015

Published evidence on the impact of the integration of International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) for breastfeeding promotion is growing, but still relatively limited. Our study aims at evaluating the effects of adding an IBCLC for breastfeeding support in a mother and child hospital environment. We conducted a prospective study in the maternity ward of our maternal and child health Institute, recruiting 402 mothers of healthy term newborns soon after birth. The 18-month intervention of the IBCLC (Phase II) was preceded (Phase I) by data collection on breastfeeding rates and factors related to breastfeeding, both at hospital discharge and two weeks later. Data collection was replicated just before the end of the intervention (Phase III). In Phase III, a significantly higher percentage of mothers: (a) received help to breastfeed, and also received correct information on breastfeeding and community support, (b) started breastfeeding within two hours from delivery, (c) reported a good experience with the hospital staff. Moreover, the frequency of sore and/or cracked nipples was significantly lower in Phase III. However, no difference was found in exclusive breastfeeding rates at hospital discharge or at two weeks after birth.
Polymer/Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Composites—A Straight Forward and Scalable Synthesis Approach
Authors: Sommertune Jens , Sugunan Abhilash , Ahniyaz Anwar , Bejhed Rebecca , Sarwe Anna , Johansson Christer , Balceris Christoph , Ludwig Frank , Posth Oliver , Fornara Andrea
Published: August 2015

Magnetic nanoparticle systems can be divided into single-core nanoparticles (with only one magnetic core per particle) and magnetic multi-core nanoparticles (with several magnetic cores per particle). Here, we report multi-core nanoparticle synthesis based on a controlled precipitation process within a well-defined oil in water emulsion to trap the superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) in a range of polymer matrices of choice, such as poly(styrene), poly(lactid acid), poly(methyl methacrylate), and poly(caprolactone). Multi-core particles were obtained within the Z-average size range of 130 to 340 nm. With the aim to combine the fast room temperature magnetic relaxation of small individual cores with high magnetization of the ensemble of SPIONs, we used small (<10 nm) core nanoparticles. The performed synthesis is highly flexible with respect to the choice of polymer and SPION loading and gives rise to multi-core particles with interesting magnetic properties and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast efficacy.
Magnetic Nanoparticle Arrays Self-Assembled on Perpendicular Magnetic Recording Media
Authors: Mohtasebzadeh Abdul , Ye Longfei , Crawford Thomas
Published: August 2015

We study magnetic-field directed self-assembly of magnetic nanoparticles onto templates recorded on perpendicular magnetic recording media, and quantify feature width and height as a function of assembly time. Feature widths are determined from Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images, while heights are obtained with Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). For short assembly times, widths were ~150 nm, while heights were ~14 nm, a single nanoparticle on average with a 10:1 aspect ratio. For long assembly times, widths approach 550 nm, while the average height grows to 3 nanoparticles, ~35 nm; a 16:1 aspect ratio. We perform magnetometry on these self-assembled structures and observe the slope of the magnetic moment vs. field curve increases with time. This increase suggests magnetic nanoparticle interactions evolve from nanoparticle–nanoparticle interactions to cluster–cluster interactions as opposed to feature–feature interactions. We suggest the aspect ratio increase occurs because the magnetic field gradients are strongest near the transitions between recorded regions in perpendicular media. If these gradients can be optimized for assembly, strong potential exists for using perpendicular recording templates to assemble complex heterogeneous materials.
Curcumol Inhibits Growth and Induces Apoptosis of Colorectal Cancer LoVo Cell Line via IGF-1R and p38 MAPK Pathway
Authors: Wang Juan , Huang Fengxiang , Bai Zhun , Chi Bixia , Wu Jiacai , Chen Xu
Published: August 2015

Curcumol, isolated from the traditional medical plant Rhizoma Curcumae, is the bioactive component of Zedoary oil, whose potential anti-tumor effect has attracted considerable attention in recent years. Though many researchers have reported curcumol and its bioactivity, the potential molecular mechanism for its anti-cancer effect in colorectal cancer LoVo cells still remains unclear. In the present study, we found that curcumol showed growth inhibition and induced apoptosis of LoVo cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The occurrence of its proliferation inhibition and apoptosis came with suppression of IGF-1R expression, and then increased the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), which might result in a cascade response by inhibiting the CREB survival pathway and finally triggered Bax/Bcl-2 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1) apoptosis signals. Moreover, curcumol inhibited colorectal cancer in xenograft models of nude mice. Immunohistochemical and Western blot analysis revealed that curcumol could decrease the expression of ki-67, Bcl-2 as well as CREB1, and increase the expression of Bax and the phosphorylation of p38, which were consistent with our in vitro study. Overall, our in vitro and in vivo data confirmed the anti-cancer activity of curcumol, which was related to a significant inhibition of IGF-1R and activation of p38 MAPKs, indicating that curcumol may be a potential anti-tumor agent for colorectal carcinoma therapy.
What Role for Law, Human Rights, and Bioethics in an Age of Big Data, Consortia Science, and Consortia Ethics? The Importance of Trustworthiness
Authors: Dove Edward , Özdemir Vural
Published: August 2015

The global bioeconomy is generating new paradigm-shifting practices of knowledge co-production, such as collective innovation; large-scale, data-driven global consortia science (Big Science); and consortia ethics (Big Ethics). These bioeconomic and sociotechnical practices can be forces for progressive social change, but they can also raise predicaments at the interface of law, human rights, and bioethics. In this article, we examine one such double-edged practice: the growing, multivariate exploitation of Big Data in the health sector, particularly by the private sector. Commercial exploitation of health data for knowledge-based products is a key aspect of the bioeconomy and is also a topic of concern among publics around the world. It is exacerbated in the current age of globally interconnected consortia science and consortia ethics, which is characterized by accumulating epistemic proximity, diminished academic independence, “extreme centrism”, and conflicted/competing interests among innovation actors. Extreme centrism is of particular importance as a new ideology emerging from consortia science and consortia ethics; this relates to invariably taking a middle-of-the-road populist stance, even in the event of human rights breaches, so as to sustain the populist support needed for consortia building and collective innovation. What role do law, human rights, and bioethics—separate and together—have to play in addressing these predicaments and opportunities in early 21st century science and society? One answer we propose is an intertwined ethico-legal normative construct, namely trustworthiness. By considering trustworthiness as a central pillar at the intersection of law, human rights, and bioethics, we enable others to trust us, which in turns allows different actors (both nonprofit and for-profit) to operate more justly in consortia science and ethics, as well as to access and responsibly use health data for public benefit.
Towards Tuning the Mechanical Properties of Three-Dimensional Collagen Scaffolds Using a Coupled Fiber-Matrix Model
Authors: Lin Shengmao , Hapach Lauren , Reinhart-King Cynthia , Gu Linxia
Published: August 2015

Scaffold mechanical properties are essential in regulating the microenvironment of three-dimensional cell culture. A coupled fiber-matrix numerical model was developed in this work for predicting the mechanical response of collagen scaffolds subjected to various levels of non-enzymatic glycation and collagen concentrations. The scaffold was simulated by a Voronoi network embedded in a matrix. The computational model was validated using published experimental data. Results indicate that both non-enzymatic glycation-induced matrix stiffening and fiber network density, as regulated by collagen concentration, influence scaffold behavior. The heterogeneous stress patterns of the scaffold were induced by the interfacial mechanics between the collagen fiber network and the matrix. The knowledge obtained in this work could help to fine-tune the mechanical properties of collagen scaffolds for improved tissue regeneration applications.
Ultrasound-Assisted Aqueous Two-Phase System for Extraction and Enrichment of Zanthoxylum armatum Lignans
Authors: Guo Tao , Su Dan , Huang Yan , Wang Ya , Li Yong-Hui
Published: August 2015

In the study, an aqueous two phase system (ATPS) coupled with ultrasound was employed to extract lignans from Zanthoxylum armatum. Three standard lignans, namely (−)-fargesin, sesamin and L-asarinin, were used as marker compounds, and extraction was optimized and projected by response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN). The optimal condition for ATPS with 20% n-propanol and 24% (NH4)2SO4 coupled with ultrasonic-assisted extraction including a solvent to solid ratio of 15:1, a temperature of 40 °C, and a treatment time of 55 min was obtained. Under the condition, the yield of (−)-fargesin increased 15.12%, and the purities of (−)-fargesin, sesamin and L-asarinin reached 2.222%, 1.066%, and 1.583%, with an increase of 44.38%, 25.70%, and 26.34% compared to those extracted with 95% ethanol, respectively. Coefficient of the determined (0.9855) and mean squared error (0.0018) of ANN model suggested good fitness and generalization of the ANN. Taken together, the results showed that ultrasonic-assisted ATPS can be a suitable method for extraction and enrichment of lignans from Z. armatum.
Hyaluronic Acid-Chitosan Nanoparticles to Deliver Gd-DTPA for MR Cancer Imaging
Authors: Zhang Li , Liu Tingxian , Xiao Yanan , Yu Dexin , Zhang Na
Published: August 2015

Molecular imaging is essential to increase the sensitivity and selectivity of cancer diagnosis especially at the early stage of tumors. Recently, polyionic nanocomplexes (PICs), which are composed of polyanions and opposite polycations, have been demonstrated to be a promising strategy for biomedical applications. In this work, chitosan-hyaluronic acid nanoparticles (GCHN) were developed to deliver Gd-DTPA as MRI contrast agents for tumor diagnosis. The Gd-labeled conjugates (CS-DTPA-Gd) were successfully synthesized by carbodiimide reaction, and then GCHN were prepared by ionic gelation using the obtained CS-DTPA-Gd and hyaluronic acid. The morphology of GCHN was spherical or ellipsoidal, which is observed by transmission electronic microscopy (TEM). The mean particle size and zeta potential of GCHN were 213.8 ± 2.6 nm and 19.92 ± 1.69 mV, respectively. The significant enhancement of signal intensity induced by GCHN was observed both in vitro and in vivo. Also, compared with Magnevist, GCHN was witnessed for a prolonged imaging time in the B16 tumor-bearing mice model. Furthermore, GCHN were verified as below toxic both in vitro and in vivo. These results indicated that GCHN could potentially be an alternative to current MRI contrast agents for tumor diagnosis.
Design of Sustainable Biofuel Processes and Supply Chains: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Zaimes George , Vora Nemi , Chopra Shauhrat , Landis Amy , Khanna Vikas
Published: August 2015

The current methodological approach for developing sustainable biofuel processes and supply chains is flawed. Life cycle principles are often retrospectively incorporated in the design phase resulting in incremental environmental improvement rather than selection of fuel pathways that minimize environmental impacts across the life cycle. Further, designing sustainable biofuel supply chains requires joint consideration of economic, environmental, and social factors that span multiple spatial and temporal scales. However, traditional life cycle assessment (LCA) ignores economic aspects and the role of ecological goods and services in supply chains, and hence is limited in its ability for guiding decision-making among alternatives—often resulting in sub-optimal solutions. Simultaneously incorporating economic and environment objectives in the design and optimization of emerging biofuel supply chains requires a radical new paradigm. This work discusses key research opportunities and challenges in the design of emerging biofuel supply chains and provides a high-level overview of the current “state of the art” in environmental sustainability assessment of biofuel production. Additionally, a bibliometric analysis of over 20,000 biofuel research articles from 2000-to-present is performed to identify active topical areas of research in the biofuel literature, quantify the relative strength of connections between various biofuels research domains, and determine any potential research gaps.
Correction: Li, S. et al. Research on a Power Management System for Thermoelectric Generators to Drive Wireless Sensors on a Spindle Unit. Sensors 2014, 14, 12701–12714
Authors: Li Sheng , Yao Xinhua , Fu Jianzhong
Published: August 2015

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [1]. [...]
Ultrahigh-Temperature Regeneration of Long Period Gratings (LPGs) in Boron-Codoped Germanosilicate Optical Fibre
Authors: Liu Wen , Cook Kevin , Canning John
Published: August 2015

The regeneration of UV-written long period gratings (LPG) in boron-codoped germanosilicate “W” fibre is demonstrated and studied. They survive temperatures over 1000 °C. Compared with regenerated FBGs fabricated in the same type of fibre, the evolution curves of LPGs during regeneration and post-annealing reveal even more detail of glass relaxation. Piece-wise temperature dependence is observed, indicating the onset of a phase transition of glass in the core and inner cladding at ~500 °C and ~250 °C, and the melting of inner cladding between 860 °C and 900 °C. An asymmetric spectral response with increasing and decreasing annealing temperature points to the complex process dependent material system response. Resonant wavelength tuning by adjusting the dwell temperature at which regeneration is undertaken is demonstrated, showing a shorter resonant wavelength and shorter time for stabilisation with higher dwell temperatures. All the regenerated LPGs are nearly strain-insensitive and cannot be tuned by applying loads during annealing as done for regenerated FBGs.
Genetic Factors Involved in Fumonisin Accumulation in Maize Kernels and Their Implications in Maize Agronomic Management and Breeding
Authors: Santiago Rogelio , Cao Ana , Butrón Ana
Published: August 2015

Contamination of maize with fumonisins depends on the environmental conditions; the maize resistance to contamination and the interaction between both factors. Although the effect of environmental factors is a determinant for establishing the risk of kernel contamination in a region, there is sufficient genetic variability among maize to develop resistance to fumonisin contamination and to breed varieties with contamination at safe levels. In addition, ascertaining which environmental factors are the most important in a region will allow the implementation of risk monitoring programs and suitable cultural practices to reduce the impact of such environmental variables. The current paper reviews all works done to address the influence of environmental variables on fumonisin accumulation, the genetics of maize resistance to fumonisin accumulation, and the search for the biochemical and/or structural mechanisms of the maize plant that could be involved in resistance to fumonisin contamination. We also explore the outcomes of breeding programs and risk monitoring of undertaken projects.
Transferability of Monitoring Data from Neighboring Streams in a Physical Habitat Simulation
Authors: Choi Byungwoong , Choi Sung-Uk , Kang Hojeong
Published: August 2015

Habitat simulation models heavily rely on monitoring data, which can have serious effects on the success of a physical habitat simulation. However, if data monitored in a study reach are not available or insufficient, then data from neighboring streams are commonly used. The problem is that the impact of using data from neighboring streams has rarely been studied before. Motivated by this, we report herein on an investigation of the transferability of data from neighboring streams in a physical habitat simulation. The study area is a 2.5 km long reach located downstream from a dam in the Dal River, Korea. Zacco platypus was selected as the target fish for the physical habitat simulation. Monitoring data for the Dal River and three neighboring streams were obtained. First, similarities in the data related to channel geometry and in the observed distribution of the target species were examined. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was also carried out to see the characteristics of the habitat use of the target species. Habitat Suitability Curves (HSCs) were constructed using the Gene Expression Programming (GEP) model, and improved Generalized Habitat Suitability Curves (GHSCs) were proposed. The physical habitat simulations were then performed. The Composite Suitability Index (CSI) distributions were predicted, and the impact of using data from the neighboring streams was investigated. The results indicated that the use of data from a neighboring stream even in the same watershed can result in large errors in the prediction of CSI. The physical habitat simulation with the improved GHSCs was found to best predict the CSI.
Postoperative Changes in Corneal Epithelial and Stromal Thickness Profiles After Photorefractive Keratectomy in Treatment of Myopia
Authors: Chen Xiangjun , Stojanovic Aleksandar , Liu Yanhua , Chen Yunyun , Zhou Yang , Utheim Tor Paaske
Published: August 2015

PURPOSE:

To study the corneal epithelial and stromal thickness profile changes after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for myopia.

METHODS:

Retrospective analysis of the postoperative corneal epithelial and stromal thickness profile changes in 46 left eyes of 46 patients treated with PRK for myopia. Corneal and epithelial thickness maps within the central 6 mm were obtained by anterior segment spectral-domain optical coherence tomography preoperatively and at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Stromal thickness was calculated by subtracting the epithelial thickness from the total corneal thickness. Correlations between postoperative thickness changes and the amount of correction, treatment zone, and preoperative epithelial thickness were analyzed.

RESULTS:

Compared to preoperative values, the central 2 mm and the paracentral 2- to 5-mm zone epithelium was 5.20 ± 3.43 and 5.72 ± 3.30
µ
m thicker, respectively, at 3 months postoperatively (
P
< .05). No significant difference was detected between 3 and 6 months postoperatively. The stromal thickness did not change between 1 and 6 months postoperatively. The spherical equivalent (SE) changed from −2.82 ± 1.54 diopters (D) preoperatively to −0.06 ± 0.42 D at 1 month postoperatively, and remained stable thereafter. There was a trend toward greater epithelial thickening with a larger amount of programmed SE correction, smaller treatment zone, and thinner preoperative epithelium. No correlation between epithelial thickness change and postoperative change in refraction was detected.

CONCLUSIONS:

The corneal epithelial thickness increased after PRK up to 3 months postoperatively. It was affected by the amount of myopia treated, treatment zone, and preoperative epithelial thickness. The postoperative epithelial thickening did not affect the refractive outcomes.

[
J Refract Surg.
2015;31(7):446–453.]
Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Intrastromal Relaxing Incisions After Penetrating Keratoplasty: Effect of Incision Depth
Authors: Wetterstrand Olli , Holopainen Juha M. , Krootila Kari
Published: August 2015

PURPOSE:

To correlate the efficacy of femtosecond laser-assisted intrastromal relaxing incisions after penetrating keratoplasty with the posterior depth of corneal incisions.

METHODS:

Twenty eyes of 20 patients were treated for regular postoperative penetrating keratoplasty astigmatism. Sutures had been removed and refraction had stabilized. Ultrasound pachymetry was used to calculate incisional depth. Femtosecond laser-assisted paired arcuate incisions were made inside the graft stroma, leaving 90
µ
m of intact anterior cornea including epithelium. The intact posterior corneal margin was 10% of the measured corneal thickness for 10 patients (10% group) and 125
µ
m for the remaining 10 patients (125-
µ
m group). Follow-up visits consisted of biomicroscopy, intraocular pressure measurement, fundus examination, and topographic evaluation using anterior segment optical coherence tomography at 1 and 3 months. Postoperative corneal thickness and the depth of incisions were measured with optical coherence tomography.

RESULTS:

Corrected distance visual acuity improved from 0.5 to 0.3 logMAR (Snellen: 20/63 to 20/40,
P
< .05) in the 10% group and remained constant in the 125-
µ
m group. The refractive cylinder decreased by 34% in the 10% group (range: 0% to 60%), but did not change in the 125-
µ
m group. The topographic anterior cylinder decreased in both groups by 48% (range: 0% to 67%) and 13% (range: 0% to 38%), respectively. The smaller the posterior intact corneal margin, the higher the surgically induced astigmatism (
P
< .05).

CONCLUSIONS:

Efficacy of femtosecond laser-assisted intrastromal relaxing incisions is correlated with the posterior depth of the incisions. The deeper incisions were more effective.

[
J Refract Surg.
2015;31(7):474–479.]
Biomechanical Modeling of Femtosecond Laser Keyhole Endokeratophakia Surgery
Authors: Studer Harald P. , Pradhan Kishore R. , Reinstein Dan Z. , Businaro Elena , Archer Timothy J. , Gobbe Marine , Roberts Cynthia J.
Published: August 2015

PURPOSE:

To apply a finite element model to endokeratophakia and evaluate anterior and posterior corneal surface changes.

METHODS:

Spatial elevation data (Pentacam HR; Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany) were obtained for the front and back corneal surfaces of an eye prior to undergoing an endokeratophakia procedure. These were used to warp a spherical template finite element model of the cornea to create a patient-specific finite element mesh and the initial stress distribution was computed with an iterative approach. The finite element model (Optimeyes; Integrated Scientific Services, Biel, Switzerland) included non-linear elastic characteristics of the stroma. The endokeratophakia procedure was recreated in the model: a donor lenticule (−10.50 diopters [D], 5.75-mm zone, 127-
µ
m thick) was inserted into a lamellar pocket (180-
µ
m deep, 6.25-mm diameter) and two 2-mm small incisions were made at 150° and 330°. Anterior and posterior surfaces, computed by the finite element model, were compared to clinical data to assess accuracy and reliability of finite element modeling.

RESULTS:

The postoperative axial curvature produced by the model closely resembled the patient data; average curvature was 48.01 D clinically and 48.23 D in the simulation, and corneal astigmatism was 3.01 D clinically and 2.88 D in the simulation. The posterior best-fit sphere elevation map also matched the patient data, replicating inward bulging of the posterior surface by approximately 40
µ
m. Stress distribution modeling predicted a stress increase by 159.94% ± 73% in the cap and a stress decrease by 32.41% ± 21% in the stromal bed.

CONCLUSIONS:

Finite element modeling of the cornea reproduced the clinically observed anterior and posterior corneal surface changes following an endokeratophakia procedure. This case sets the stage for further study to refine and yield predictive finite element modeling for the evaluation of corneal refractive surgical procedures.

[
J Refract Surg.
2015;31(7):480–486.]
Listado de oribátidos (Acari, Oribatida) de Túnez
Authors: Subías L. S. , Shtanchaeva U. Ya.
Published: August 2015

Se han estudiado los ácaros oribátidos de una serie de muestras de suelo de Túnez y se han identificado 113 especies, 95 de las cuales se citan por primera vez en Túnez. Se ha elaborado un listado sistemático en el que se incluyen las 136 especies conocidas hasta el momento y su distribución geográfica. La mayoría, 77 (56 %), presentan características típicamente mediterráneas, y 16 se citan por primera vez en el norte de África.
Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Expands a Population of NKG2D+CD8+ T Cells That Exacerbates Disease in Mice Coinfected with Leishmania major
Authors: Crosby Erika J. , Clark Megan , Novais Fernanda O. , Wherry E. John , Scott Phillip
Published: August 2015

Leishmaniasis is a significant neglected tropical disease that is associated with a wide range of clinical presentations and a lifelong persistent infection. Because of the chronic nature of the disease, there is a high risk for coinfection occurring in patients, and how coinfections influence the outcome of leishmaniasis is poorly understood. To address this issue, we infected mice with Leishmania major and 2 wk later with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) and then monitored the course of infection. Leishmania parasites are controlled by production of IFN-γ, which leads to macrophage-mediated parasite killing. Thus, one might predict that coinfection with LCMV, which induces a strong systemic type 1 response, would accelerate disease resolution. However, we found that infection with LCMV led to significantly enhanced disease in L. major–infected animals. This increased disease correlated with an infiltration into the leishmanial lesions of NKG2D+ CD8+ T cells producing granzyme B, but surprisingly little IFN-γ. We found that depletion of CD8 T cells after viral clearance, as well as blockade of NKG2D, reversed the increased pathology seen in coinfected mice. Thus, this work highlights the impact a secondary infection can have on leishmaniasis and demonstrates that even pathogens known to promote a type 1 response may exacerbate leishmanial infections.
Surficial geology of Victoria and Stefansson islands, District of Franklin
Authors: Fyles J G
Published: August 2015

Victoria and Stefansson Islands lie within the northwestern part of the region overridden by the Laurentide ice-sheet during the last (classical Wisconsin) glaciation. In general, the ice-sheet flowed northwestward across the islands, although the pattern of
movement was highly complex in detail. The regional relationships of moraines, drumlinoid features, eskers, meltwater channels, and glacial lakes point to progressive glacial retreat from north to south and from west to east.
Large morainal complexes in western Victoria Island border broad depressions now occupied by arms of the sea. These moraines accumulated along the margins of residual active ice-tongues that occupied the depressions during and after deglaciation of adjoining higher ground. Beneath the morainal
deposits are widespread gravels, sands, and silts; in one place, such strata yielded tundra vegetation 28,000 radiocarbon years old. Drumlinoid features dominate the landscape of Stefansson Island and of the central and eastern lowland of Victoria Island. The complex, curving, divergent, and
convergent drumlin trends probably record successive changes of ice-flow direction during thinning of the ice-sheet.
Prominent marine features record post-glacial submergence of large parts of the present lowlands. The highest earliest marine level now increases in altitude from 250 or 300 feet in the north and northwest to 600 feet or more in the southeast. Radiocarbon dates suggest that the initial maximum
submergence decreased in age from northwest to southeast, and that most of the subsequent uplift took place early in post-glacial time.
Whitemud and Battle Formations, Kneehills Tuff Zone, a Stratigraphic Marker
Authors: Irish E J W , Havard C J
Published: August 2015

The "Kneehills Tuff zone" comprises the white-weathering clays and argillaceous sands of the Whitemud Formation together with the overlying purplish-grey weathering, dark grey to black, clay and shale of the Battle Formation. In the Red Deer River - Bow River
region the "Kneehills Tuff zone " divides the Edmonton Group into two parts and in the Oldman River region it separates the St. Mary River Formation from the overlying Willow Creek Formation. The Battle Formation contains in its upper part a distinctive, thin, light greyweathering, silicified,
volcanic ash bed called the Knee hills Tuff. Laboratory investigation has shown that the mineralogy of the Kneehills Tuff bed is that of a volcanic ash that was silicified prior to any appreciable chemical alteration and that samples from all localities studied are almost identical. The Battle
Formation is composed, mainly, of decomposed volcanic ash with some added detritus, and samples are similar from all localities studied. Mineralogical differences exist between the Whitemud Formation in southeastern Alberta and the same formation in western Alberta, the most significant being the
relative proportions of the various clay minerals in the rocks. The predominant clay mineral in the Whitemucl Formation of southeastern Alberta is kaolin whereas that in samples from the west side of the Sweetgrass Arch is montmorillonite. The white colour of the rock where weathered, is due to the
large proportion of clay minerals present . The development of the relatively large kaolin content in the Whitemucl Formation has been attributed to the subaerial weathering of potassium feldspar; a process that required a period of time during which temperatures were fairly moderate and uniform and
when little detritus was being added by streams. The overlying Battle shale consists largely of decomposed volcanic ash. The original ash is thought to have been deposited by wind in an extensive body of shallow water free from much wave and current action. The small percentage of detrital material
in this tmit suggests that at this time, also, little sediment was being transported by the streams. The Kneehills Tuff bed, wherever it occurs, represents contemporaneous deposition of wind-transported volcanic ash and, thus, the bee\ can be used as a time marker. For this reason, and because the
combination of the Whitemud and Battle formations is unique, the "Knee hills Tuff zone" is considered to be a most valuable stratigraphic marker for surface geological mapping. The "zone" can, also, be recognized on electric logs of wells drilled for oil and gas throughout most of the western part
of the southern Alberta Plains . It is, therefore, an important stratigraphic datum for subsurface correlation within the Upper Cretaceous, 11011- marine sediments.
Age of the Contact Metasomatic Copper and Iron Deposits, Vancouver and Texada Islands, British Columbia
Authors: Carson D J T , Muller J E , Wanless R K , Stevens R D
Published: August 2015

The results of several previous geological investigations strongly suggest that all of the important contact metasomatic iron and copper deposits of Vancouver and Texada Islands are younger than the Triassic, but are pre-Tertiary. Potassium-argon age
determinations made by the Geological Survey of Canada support this contention and further indicate that a very large majority of the deposits of this class, probably including all those of economic importance, were emplaced at intervals throughout much of the Jurassic
period.
The Lowermost Paleozoic McNaughton Formation and equivalent Cariboo Group of eastern British Columbia: Piedmont and Tidal Complex
Authors: Young F G
Published: August 2015

In the upper Fraser River region of British Columbia, the McNaughton Formation and correlative parts of the Cariboo Group make up a complex prism of terrigenous elastic sediments which were deposited in the early Paleozoic miogeocline of western North America.
The McNaughton Formation consists principally of medium- to coarse-grained quartzite in eastern outcrops where it is approximately 1300 m (4265 ft) thick; westward it becomes finer grained and interbedded with pelite in the western Rocky Mountains, where it is 2200 m (7217 ft) thick in the Robson
Trough. Abrupt thinning occurs over McBride Arch in the vicinity of the Rocky Mountain Trench, west of which the correlative Cariboo elastic succession gradually thickens again to 1000 m (3280 ft).
Eight lithofacies are identified and described from the McNaughton Formation. Markov chain analyses of vertical sequences of these facies are used to aid in interpreting depositional environments and to establish facies associations. The main associations include fan-delta, piedmont,
piedmont-estuary transition, estuary-tidal flat, and tidal inlet-subtidal. The sandy piedmont plain was modified by numerous, braided, shallow, poorly channelled streams which changed courses frequently and in which transverse bars were prominent. The distal margins of the piedmont merge
imperceptibly into sand-choked estuarine channels and tidal flats. Tide-influenced, shallow-marine pelite-quartzite facies filled the Robson Trough. The abundance of quartz pebbles and the mixed altered and unaltered feldspar grains in the McNaughton quartzite, as well as their drab colouration,
point to the existence of a warm, humid climate and a source-area of high relief. Mineral species in the quartzite as well as the great volume of alluvial deposits indicate considerable uplift of the adjacent Hudsonian cratonic margin.
The Cariboo elastic succession, consisting of the upper Yankee Belle, Yanks Peak, and Midas Formations, includes the same eight facies recognized in the McNaughton, as well as four others. Paleocurrents, red-bed thicknesses, lithofacies trends, and largest clastsize distributions in the middle part
of the Cariboo elastic sequence all indicate that an isolated uplift northwest of McBride Arch shed elastic detritus southward onto the Cariboo shelf. There it was reworked by strong tidal currents into shallow-marine sandbars.
Tidal flat and shoal-water sediments were deposited over the McBride Arch which acted as a partial barrier between the McNaughton and Cariboo dispersal systems.
Part 1, Late ordovician conodonts from the Vauréal Formation, Anticosti Island, Quebec
Authors: Nowlan G S , Barnes C R
Published: August 2015

During the Late Ordovician and Early Silurian, a considerable thickness of strata accumulated in the Anticosti Basin, Quebec. At least 350 m of argillaceous limestone and shale of the Vaureal Formation is exposed and subsurface data indicate a total thickness of
about I OOO m. The Vaureal Formation is underlain by Upper Ordovician black shale (Macasty Formation), and overlain by argillaceous limestone and shale (Ellis Bay Formation). Graptolites from three wells indicate that the lower (subsurface) part lies within the Dicellograptus complanatus Zone and
younger faunas suggest a post-Ashgillian, pre-Llandoverian age. Shelly fossils indicate a Richmondian age.
Nearly 50000 conodont elements have been recovered from 102 samples within a composite section of the Vaureal Formation. The data were analysed by R- and Q-mode cluster analysis using a P-LOG transformation to assist taxonomic and paleoecologic interpretations. The diverse fauna includes
representatives of thirteen multielement genera and is dominated (50-60 per cent) by Drepanoistodus suberectus and Panderodus gracilis. Several well known Late Ordovician species are present throughout the sequence, including Amorphognathus ordovicicus, Belodina profunda, Phragmodus undatus,
Plectodina tenuis, Plegagnathus dartoni and species of Aphelognathus and Oulodus. A key species, Gamachignathus ensifer is present in low abundance, first appearing about 50 m above the base of exposed Vaureal Formation. Only minor variations in faunal composition are present throughout the exposed
formation, but distinct mutual and antipathetic relationships between certain taxa are evident. Three conodont ecozones are recognized: Phragmodus, Amorphognathus-Plectodina, and Oulodus-Aphelognathus, that appear to reflect deep subtidal to shallow subtidal environments. The fauna represents a
mixture of elements that characterized eastern and western Midcontinent subprovinces earlier in the Cincinnatian together with a few North Atlantic Province representatives.
Profile, perceptions and future expectations of medical laboratory scientists in Namibia
Authors: Noden Bruce H. , Nowaseb Vincent , De Waal-Miller Cornelia , Van der Colf Berta E.
Published: August 2015

Background: Public healthcare systems in sub-Saharan Africa are challenged by healthcare worker shortages, loss of trained staff and attrition to the private sector. Studies have historically focused on medical doctors, nurses and pharmacists, with limited focus on medical laboratory scientists.Objectives: This study addresses the professional perspectives and expectations of the first two classes of biomedical science students, who graduated from the Polytechnic of Namibiain 2012 and 2013.Methods: A questionnaire was developed to capture qualitative and quantitative data from fourth-year students completing their final semester. Data collected included: demographic information; students’ experience; professional expectations; and perceptions about the future of biomedical science education in Namibia.Results: Amongst the 42 of 45 enrolled students who completed the questionnaire, nearly two-thirds anticipated working in government hospitals (29%) or industry (35%), with fewer planning careers in private hospitals (12%) or academia (14%). Most expressed an interest inworking abroad (64%) and/or in the capital (64%), with fewer interested in small urban areas (48%). Only 7% expressed interest in working in a rural area. Regarding their view of the future of biomedical science in Namibia, 38% responded that it was encouraging, whereas therest responded that it was uncertain (52%), negative (2%) or unknown (7%).Conclusion: Members of the first graduating classes of Namibia’s nascent Biomedical Science degree programme reported a perceived lack of opportunity for professional advancement in the field if they remained in Namibia. Continued thought needs to be given to develop sustainable strategies and opportunities to retain Namibian biomedical laboratory scientists in Namibia.
The Effect of Parallel-hole Collimator Material on Image and Functional Parameters in SPECT Imaging: A SIMIND Monte Carlo Study
Authors: Azarm Ahmadreza , Islamian Jalil , Mahmoudian Babak , Gharepapagh Esmaeil
Published: August 2015

The collimator in single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is a critical component of the imaging system and plays an impressive role in the imaging quality. In this study, the effect of the collimator material on the radioisotopic image and its functional parameters was studied. The simulating medical imaging nuclear detectors (SIMIND) Monte Carlo program was used to simulate a Siemens E.CAM SPECT (Siemens Medical Solutions, Erlangen, Germany) system equipped with a low-energy high-resolution (LEHR) collimator. The simulation and experimental data from the SPECT imaging modality using 99m Tc were obtained on a point source and Jaszczak phantom. Seventeen high atomic number materials were considered as LEHR collimator materials. In order to determine the effect of the collimator material on the image and functional parameters, the energy resolution, spatial resolution, contrast, and collimator characteristics parameters such as septal penetration and scatter-to-primary ratio were investigated. Energy spectra profiles, full width at half maximums (FWHMs) (mm) of the point spread function (PSF) curves, system sensitivity, and contrast of cold spheres of the Jaszczak phantom for the simulated and experiment systems have acceptability superimposed. The results of FWHM and energy resolution for the 17 collimators showed that the collimator made of 98% lead and 2% antimony could provide the best FWHM and energy resolution, 7.68 mm and 9.87%, respectively. The LEHR collimator with 98% lead and 2% antimony offers the best resolution and contrast when compared to other high atomic number metals and alloys.
Modified PISAPED Criteria in Combination with Ventilation Scintigraphic Finding for Predicting Acute Pulmonary Embolism
Authors: Watanabe Naoyuki , Fettich Jure , Küçük Nurie , Kraft Otakar , Mut Fernando , Choudhury Partha , Sharma Surendra , Endo Keigo , Dondi Maurizio
Published: August 2015

This prospective clinical study aimed at assessing three pulmonary scintigraphic algorithms to detect acute pulmonary embolism (PE): Lung ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scintigraphy along with modified prospective investigation of pulmonary embolism diagnosis (PIOPED) criteria; lung perfusion scintigraphy along with prospective investigative study of acute pulmonary embolism diagnosis (PISAPED) criteria; and lung perfusion scan in combination with ventilation scan, along with modified PISAPED criteria, which were newly developed. Patients with suspicion of PE were eligible for this study if they had no abnormal chest x-ray. Their diagnostic workup included a clinical assessment, a pulmonary V/Q scintigraphy, and CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA), as well as a clinical outcome assessment over a period of 24 weeks. Referred to the final clinical diagnosis of patients, the sensitivity and specificity of each algorithm were evaluated. The diagnostic performance of each algorithm by the area under the maximum likelihood fitted receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was determined. With respect to the PISAPED criteria, the sensitivity was 60.8% and specificity was 87.3%. No patient was classified into nondiagnostic category. The PIOPED criteria showed that the sensitivity was 95.0% and specificity was 88.2%, while 57.4% of the patients were in nondiagnostic category. The areas under the ROC curve constructed from the PISAPED criteria results and the modified PIOPED criteria results were 0.734 and 0.859 (P < 0.01), respectively. The modified PISAPED criteria demonstrated that the sensitivity was 83.8% and specificity was 89.1%. No patient was classified into nondiagnostic category. The area under the ROC curve constructed from modified PISAPED criteria was 0.864 (P < 0.01). Perfusion scans used with ventilation scans and modified PISAPED criteria may increase the diagnostic accuracy of pulmonary scintigraphy for acute PE, compared with the two major algorithms.
The Relationship Between Some Complete Blood Count Parameters and Myocardial Perfusion: A Scintigraphic Approach
Authors: Ozdemir Semra , Barutcu Ahmet , Gazi Emine , Tan Yusuf , Turkon Hakan
Published: August 2015

Recent studies have shown that there is a relationship between some inflammatory and biochemical markers derived from complete blood count (CBC) such as neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio, platelet/lymphocyte (P/L) ratio, platelet distribution width (PDW), red blood cell distribution width (RDW), and coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this study was to determine N/L ratio, P/L ratio, PDW values, and RDW values, which are associated with myocardial perfusion in patients diagnosed with CAD. This study included 262 patients (149 with myocardial ischemia/infarction and 113 with normal myocardial perfusion) undergoing myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) with CBC within 90 days of MPS. Myocardial perfusion parameters such as summed stress score and summed difference score (SDS) were compared with N/L ratio, P/L ratio, PDW values, and RDW values. Neutrophil counts and N/L ratios were significantly higher in patients diagnosed with myocardial ischemia and/or infarct. However, there was no statistically significant relationship between myocardial perfusion abnormalities and P/L ratio, PDW values, and RDW values. This study showed that N/L ratio is related to myocardial ischemia/infarction and correlated to left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).
V/Q Matched Defect Larger than Hiatal Hernia Itself
Authors: Wachsmann Jason , Kim Chun
Published: August 2015

We present the case report of a patient 83 year old female who developed progressive shortness of breath and subsequently underwent scintigraphic evaluation of her symptoms with a ventilation/perfusion scintigraphic exam. A matched perfusion defect was seen involving the basal segments of the left lower lobe. Following this, the patient was examined with a contrast enhanced CT of the chest to further investigate the defect, which revealed compression of the bronchi and vasculature of the left lower lobe basal segments by the hernia larger than the actual hernia. To our knowledge there has not been a case report of a large hiatal hernia as a cause of matched lower lobe defect.
Os Trigonum - Sheer Incidental or Quite Significant? Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography/Computed Tomography′s Role in a Case of Ankle Impingement
Authors: Chokkappan Kabilan , Srinivasan Sivasubramanian , Subramanian Manickam , Kannivelu Anbalagan
Published: August 2015

Accessory ossicles are widely prevalent in the ankle and foot. Although they are often asymptomatic, they can present clinically with symptoms at times. When they occur bilaterally in a patient who presents with unilateral complaints, it is clinically difficult to attribute the symptoms to the presence of these common anatomic variants. One needs specific imaging to assess the clinical relevance of the accessory ossicles, in order to tailor the treatment plan. The case presented in this article is one such example, where the patient presented with chronic unilateral ankle pain and initial radiographs revealed bilateral os trigonum and os subtibiale. He underwent a technetium-99m methyl diphosphonate (Tc-99m MDP) bone scan and single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT). The Tc-99m MDP scan showed a focal uptake in the ankle of concern. SPECT/CT complemented the finding by exactly localizing the uptake to the posterior subtalar joint and around the os trigonum, thereby pointing to the diagnosis of os trigonum syndrome.