bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamics, chemical properties and bioavailability of DOC in an early successional catchment
Authors: Risse-Buhl U. , Hagedorn F. , Dümig A. , Gessner M. O. , Schaaf W. , Nii-Annang S. , Gerull L. , Mutz M.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. The dynamics of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) have been intensively studied in mature ecosystems, but little is known about DOC dynamics and the significance of DOC as a substrate for microbial activity in early-successional catchments. We determined the concentration, chemical composition, source, radiocarbon age, and bioavailability of DOC along the hydrological flow path from soil solution to a downstream pond in a recently constructed catchment (Chicken Creek Catchment, Germany). Soil solution, upwelling ground water, stream water, subsurface water in an alluvial fan, and pond water all had high DOC concentrations (averages: 6.0–11.6 mg DOC L–1), despite small carbon stocks in both vegetation and soil of the catchment. Solid-state CPMAS 13C NMR of DOC in upwelling ground water revealed a higher proportion of aromatic compounds (32%) and a lower proportion of carbohydrates (33%) than in pond water (18% and 45%, respectively). The average 14C age of DOC in upwelling ground water was 2600 to 2900 yr, while organic matter of the Quaternary substrate of the catchment had a 14C age of 3000 to 16 000 yr. Both the 14C age data and 13C NMR spectra suggest that DOC partly derived from organic matter of the Quaternary substrate (about 40 to 90% of the C in the DOC), indicating that both recent and old C of the DOC can support microbial activity during early ecosystem succession. However, in a 70 day incubation experiment, only about 11% of the total DOC was found to be bioavailable. This proportion was irrespective of the water type. Origin of the microbial communities within the catchment (enriched from soil, stream sediment or pond water) also had only a marginal effect on overall DOC utilization.
Modeling plankton ecosystem functioning and nitrogen fluxes in the oligotrophic waters of the Beaufort Sea, Arctic Ocean: a focus on light-driven processes
Authors: Le Fouest V. , Zakardjian B. , Xie H. , Raimbault P. , Joux F. , Babin M.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. The Arctic Ocean (AO) undergoes profound changes of its physical and biotic environments due to climate change. In some areas of the Beaufort Sea, the stronger haline stratification observed in summer alters the plankton ecosystem structure, functioning and productivity, promoting oligotrophy. A one-dimension (1-D) physical–biological coupled model based on the large multiparametric database of the Malina project in the Beaufort Sea was used (i) to infer the plankton ecosystem functioning and related nitrogen fluxes and (ii) to assess the model sensitivity to key light-driven processes involved in nutrient recycling and phytoplankton growth. The coupled model suggested that ammonium photochemically produced from photosensitive dissolved organic nitrogen (i.e., photoammonification process) was a necessary nitrogen source to achieve the observed levels of microbial biomass and production. Photoammonification directly and indirectly (by stimulating the microbial food web activity) contributed to 70% and 18.5% of the 0–10 m and whole water column, respectively, simulated primary production (respectively 66% and 16% for the bacterial production). The model also suggested that variable carbon to chlorophyll ratios were required to simulate the observed herbivorous versus microbial food web competition and realistic nitrogen fluxes in the Beaufort Sea oligotrophic waters. In face of accelerating Arctic warming, more attention should be paid in the future to the mechanistic processes involved in food webs and functional group competition, nutrient recycling and primary production in poorly productive waters of the AO, as they are expected to expand rapidly.
Preliminary estimation of Lake El'gygytgyn water balance and sediment income
Authors: Fedorov G. , Nolan M. , Brigham-Grette J. , Bolshiyanov D. , Schwamborn G. , Juschus O.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. Modern process studies of the hydrologic balance of Lake El'gygytgyn, central Chukotka, and the sediment income from the catchment were carried out during a field campaign in spring and summer 2003. Despite high uncertainties due to the limited data, the results provide important first estimates for better understanding the modern and past sedimentation processes in this basin. Formed ca. 3.6 million years ago as a result of a meteorite impact, the basin contains one of the longest paleoclimate records in the terrestrial Arctic. Fluvial activity is concentrated over the short snowmelt period (about 20 days in second part of June). Underground outflow plays a very important role in the water balance and predominates over surface outflow. The residence time of the lake water is estimated to be about 100 yr.
Mid-pliocene Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation not unlike modern
Authors: Zhang Z.-S. , Nisancioglu K. H. , Chandler M. A. , Haywood A. M. , Otto-Bliesner B. L. , Ramstein G. , Stepanek C. , Abe-Ouchi A. , Chan W.-L. , Bragg F. J. , Contoux C. , Dolan A. M. , Hill D. J. , Jost A. , Kamae Y. , Lohmann G. , Lunt D. J. , Rosenbloom N. A. , Sohl L. E. , Ueda H.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. In the Pliocene Model Intercomparison Project (PlioMIP), eight state-of-the-art coupled climate models have simulated the mid-Pliocene warm period (mPWP, 3.264 to 3.025 Ma). Here, we compare the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), northward ocean heat transport and ocean stratification simulated with these models. None of the models participating in PlioMIP simulates a strong mid-Pliocene AMOC as suggested by earlier proxy studies. Rather, there is no consistent increase in AMOC maximum among the PlioMIP models. The only consistent change in AMOC is a shoaling of the overturning cell in the Atlantic, and a reduced influence of North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) at depth in the basin. Furthermore, the simulated mid-Pliocene Atlantic northward heat transport is similar to the pre-industrial. These simulations demonstrate that the reconstructed high-latitude mid-Pliocene warming can not be explained as a direct response to an intensification of AMOC and concomitant increase in northward ocean heat transport by the Atlantic.
The influence of decadal-scale variability on trends in long European streamflow records
Authors: Hannaford J. , Buys G. , Stahl K. , Tallaksen L. M.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. This study seeks to provide a long-term context for the growing number of trend analyses which have been applied to river flows in Europe. Most studies apply trend tests to fixed periods, in relatively short (generally 1960s–present) records. This study adopts an alternative "multi-temporal" approach, whereby trends are fitted to every possible combination of start and end years in a record. The method is applied to 132 catchments with long (1932–2004) hydrometric records from northern and central Europe, which were chosen as they are minimally anthropogenically influenced and have good quality data. The catchments are first clustered into five regions, which are broadly homogenous in terms of interdecadal variability of annual mean flow. The multi-temporal trend approach was then applied to regional time series of different hydrological indicators (annual, monthly and high and low flows). The results reveal that the magnitude and even direction of short-term trends are heavily influenced by interdecadal variability. Some short-term trends revealed in previous studies are shown to be unrepresentative of long-term change. For example, previous studies have identified post-1960 river flow decreases in southern and eastern Europe: in parts of eastern Europe, these trends are resilient to study period, extending back to the 1930s; in southern France, longer records show evidence of positive trends which reverse from the 1960s. Recent (post-1960) positive trends in northern Europe are also not present in longer records, due to decadal variations influenced by the North Atlantic Oscillation. The results provide a long-term reference for comparison with published and future studies. The multi-temporal approach advocated here is recommended for use in future trend assessments, to help contextualise short-term trends. Future work should also attempt to explain the decadal-scale variations that drive short-term trends, and thus develop more sophisticated methods for trend detection that take account of interdecadal variability and its drivers.
The effect of watershed scale on HEC-HMS calibrated parameters: a case study in the Clear Creek watershed in Iowa, US
Authors: Zhang H. L. , Wang Y. J. , Wang Y. Q. , Li D. X. , Wang X. K.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. In this paper, we use the Hydrologic Modeling System (HEC-HMS) to simulate two flood events to investigate the effect of watershed subdivision in terms of performance, the calibrated parameter values, the description of hydrologic processes, and the subsequent interpretation of water balance components. We use Stage IV hourly NEXRAD precipitation as the meteorological input for ten model configurations with variable sub-basin sizes. Model parameters are automatically optimized to fit the observed data. The strategy is implemented in Clear Creek Watershed (CCW), which is located in the upper Mississippi River basin. Results show that most of the calibrated parameter values are sensitive to the basin partition scheme and that the relative relevance of physical processes, described by the model, change depending on watershed subdivision. In particular, our results show that parameters derived from different model implementations attribute losses in the system to completely different physical phenomena without a notable effect on the model's performance. Our work adds to the body of evidence demonstrating that automatically calibrated parameters in hydrological models can lead to an incorrect prescription of the internal dynamics of runoff production and transport. Furthermore, it demonstrates that model implementation adds a new dimension to the problem of non-uniqueness in hydrological models.
The Importance of the Soil’s Occupation, of the Recovery and the Living Space of the Main Forest Species in the Sustainability of the Forest Areas of the Mountains of Dhaya and Mountains of Saïda (West Algeria)
Authors: Abdelkrim Kefifa  , Khéloufi Benabdeli
Published: July 2013

The study of the forests structure in the arid Mediterranean zone informs on their resilience and durability. The assessment of three parameters identified as critical in the understanding of this resilience, and these the overall occupancy rate of the soil by perennial vegetation, the recovery rate by stratum and living space of the defining species, is useful for understanding the dynamics of these plant formations.This evaluation was conducted in two bioclimatics most dominant in Algeria and throughout the Mediterranean basin and allowed to have results to classify the strata according to their importance with respect to these three criteria.It follows from the appreciation of the parameter recovery by stratum that the tree layer and shrub play a determining role in the semi-arid and sub-humid floors. In the estimation of the occupied soil it is shrub strata for the semiarid and tree layer for the sub-humid.The vital space per species depends on its density and its regenerative capacity, for the eight dominant species and main characteristics of the forests formations it ranges between 28 and 222 square meters depending on the species inducing misconduct densities and silviculturals.It is necessary to undertake work planting or silvicultural intervention to preserve these strata with the component species to be sure to provide stability to the formations under study.
Dynamic Linkages among Foreign Exchange, Stock, and Commodity Markets in Northeast Asian Countries: Effects from Two Recent Crises
Authors: Yang Lu , Hamori Shigeyuki
Published: July 2013

This paper investigates the interaction among the foreign exchange, stock, and commodity markets of Northeast Asian countries according to the cross-correlation function (CCF) approach. We analyze the impact of the global financial crisis and the European sovereign crisis on the financial market interactions of Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. The empirical results show that financial markets in different countries show different causality relationships. While interactions in both mean and variance are relatively strong in Japanese financial markets, they are relatively weak in Korean markets. We cannot find any financial market interactions in Taiwan.
Les Arts au service de l’identité : le rôle des rapports de comités d’enquête dans la définition de l’art minoritaire
Authors: Hotte Lucie
Published: July 2013

Cet article porte sur les attentes des élites franco-canadiennes, et plus particulièrement franco-ontariennes, à l’égard des artistes et de leurs oeuvres dans le contexte des transformations sociétales qui ont cours durant les années 1960 et 1970. Il analyse plus précisément les trois rapports d’enquêtes commandés par le gouvernement ontarien entre 1969 et 1991, soit ceux du Comité franco-ontarien d’enquête culturelle (communément appelé le Rapport Saint-Denis, déposé en 1969), du Groupe d’étude sur les arts dans la vie franco-ontarienne, intitulé Cultiver sa différence. Rapport sur les arts dans la vie franco-ontarienne (ou le Rapport Savard, déposé en 1977) et du Groupe de travail pour une politique culturelle des francophones de l’Ontario, dont le titre est RSVP. Clefs en main (ou le Rapport Grisé, déposé en 1991). L’analyse permet de cerner les divers rôles, le plus souvent de cohésion sociale et de construction identitaire, que les élites souhaitent faire jouer aux artistes et aux oeuvres et de dégager les principaux enjeux et défis que les conceptions de l’art proposées, voire imposées, posent aux artistes.
Littérature et communauté : vitalité et reconnaissance du Far Ouest francophone
Authors: Sing Pamela V.
Published: July 2013

Pendant presque un siècle, la « littérature franco-albertaine » a signifié les ouvrages de principalement un écrivain reconnu. Jusqu’aux années 1950, ce fut l’écrivain d’origine française, George Bugnet, qui s’est établi en Alberta peu de temps après la création de la province. De 1960 jusqu’à la fin du siècle, ce fut Marguerite-A. Primeau, qui, née à Saint-Paul-des-Métis dans le nord de l’Alberta, s’est établie à Vancouver en 1954. Or, depuis l’an 2000, la francophonie albertaine connaît une croissance démographique, institutionnelle et culturelle qui permet de parler de sa vitalité. Au seul plan littéraire, le nombre de ses écrivains, définis dans cet article comme les francophones qui sont nés en Alberta ou bien qui, originaires d’une autre francophonie, vivent et écrivent ou ont vécu et ont écrit en Alberta, a augmenté. Ils sont encore peu nombreux relativement aux milieux franco-manitobaine, franco-ontarienne ou acadienne, mais dans l’unique cadre albertain, le « Far Ouest » du titre, « cela bouge ». On pourrait dire que la communauté franco-albertaine se trouve actuellement non tant préoccupée par sa survivance, que soucieuse de son épanouissement. Du coup, elle cherche la reconnaissance. Auprès de qui? Par quels moyens? Cet article tente d’apporter quelques éléments de réponse à ces questions tout en réclamant pour la production littéraire un rôle particulièrement important.
Inégalités et minorisation des identités chez les femmes artistes dans la francophonie canadienne
Authors: Robineau Anne
Published: July 2013

Bien que les femmes artistes souhaitent une reconnaissance de leurs oeuvres indépendamment de leur genre, de leur langue ou de l’appartenance à un groupe culturel, leurs conditions de pratique sont parfois liées à ces statuts. À travers une étude sociodémographique des artistes de la francophonie canadienne, nous analysons les données relatives aux femmes artistes. Nous montrons que, bien qu’elles détiennent des diplômes plus élevés que leurs homologues masculins, elles sont considérablement moins bien rémunérées que ces derniers. Nous cherchons alors à comprendre si des processus de minorisation des femmes de l’activité professionnelle artistique en milieu francophone peuvent expliquer certaines inégalités et comment la production des discours sur l’identité (femme, francophonie, minorité linguistique) renforce la tension entre l’art et la perspective identitaire.
Pouvoir et dynamique de groupe
Authors: Girard Mélanie
Published: July 2013

La phénoménologie a beaucoup insisté sur la liberté de l’acteur social. Cette approche et celles qui en découlent connaissent des limites importantes. La pleine reconnaissance de ces limites suppose un déplacement paradigmatique de l’action vers la relation. Ce déplacement suppose une remise en question de la notion de pouvoir telle qu’elle est modélisée par la phénoménologie et ses dérivés, que l’on peut qualifier de perspectives surrationnalisantes. Dans cette perspective, la plupart des théories présentent le pouvoir comme une chose détenue; une approche relationnelle le présente comme une catégorie analytique non utile. Le travail que voici rend compte d’une démarche d’opérationnalisation du pouvoir comme détenu, lequel renvoie à une distribution formelle de l’autorité. Elle le fait en créant des indicateurs qui sont soumis à l’empirie. Elle conclut à la non-détermination du pouvoir formel dans la circulation de l’information et ouvre ainsi la voie à des modélisations dans lesquelles le pouvoir n’apparaît plus comme un concept central pour la compréhension des relations humaines.
Assembly of Synapses: Biomimetic Assays to Control Neurexin/Neuroligin Interactions at the Neuronal Surface
Authors: Mondin Magali , Tessier Béatrice , Thoumine Olivier
Published: July 2013

The role of adhesion molecules in the assembly of synapses in the nervous system is an important issue. To characterize the role of neurexin/neuroligin adhesion complexes in synapse differentiation, various imaging assays can be performed in primary hippocampal cultures. First, to temporally control contact formation, biomimetic assays can be performed using microspheres coated with purified neurexin or with antibody clusters that aggregate neurexin. These models are combined with live fluorescence imaging to study the dynamics of accumulation of post‐synaptic components, including scaffolding molecules and glutamate receptors. To demonstrate that AMPA receptors can be recruited to nascent neurexin/neuroligin contacts through lateral diffusion, the mobility of AMPA receptors in the neuronal membrane is monitored by tracking individual quantum dots (QDs) conjugated to antibodies against AMPA receptors. Experiments monitoring the attachment and detachment of Nrx‐coated QDs to measure the rates of neurexin/neuroligin interaction can also be performed. Each of these assays is detailed in this unit. Curr. Protoc. Neurosci. 64:2.19.1‐2.19.30. © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Synthesis of Some New 3‐Coumaranone and Coumarin Derivatives as Dual Inhibitors of Acetyl‐ and Butyrylcholinesterase
Authors: Alipour Masoumeh , Khoobi Mehdi , Nadri Hamid , Sakhteman Amirhossein , Moradi Alireza , Ghandi Mehdi , Foroumadi Alireza , Shafiee Abbas
Published: July 2013

A novel series of coumarin and 3‐coumaranone derivatives encompassing the phenacyl pyridinium moiety were synthesized and evaluated for their acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) inhibitory activity using Ellman's method. All compounds presented inhibitory activity against both AChE and BuChE in the micromolar range. The molecular docking simulations revealed that all compounds were dual binding site inhibitors of AChE. A kinetic study was performed and the mechanism of enzyme inhibition was proved to be of mixed type. All compounds were tested for their antioxidant activity and no significant activity was observed.
Characterizing user tagging and Co‐occurring metadata in general and specialized metadata collections
Authors: Huang Hong , Jörgensen Corinne
Published: July 2013

This study aims to identify the categorical characteristics and usage patterns of the most popular image tags in Flickr. The “metadata usage ratio” is introduced as a means of assessing the usage of a popular tag as metadata. We also compare how popular tags are used as image tags or metadata in the Flickr general collection and the Library of Congress's photostream (LCP), also in Flickr. The Flickr popular tags in the list overall are categorically stable, and the changes that do appear reflect Flickr users' evolving technology‐driven cultural experience. The popular tags in Flickr had a high number of generic objects and specific locations‐related tags and were rarely at the abstract level. Conversely, the popular tags in the LCP describe more in the specific objects and time categories. Flickr users copied the Library of Congress‐supplied metadata that related to specific objects or events and standard bibliographic information (e.g., author, format, time references) as popular tags in the LCP. Those popular tags related to generic objects and events showed a high metadata usage ratio, while those related to specific locations and objects showed a low image metadata usage ratio. Popular tags in Flickr appeared less frequently as image metadata when describing specific objects than specific times and locations for historical images in Flickr LCP collections. Understanding how people contribute image tags or image metadata in Flickr helps determine what users need to describe and query images, and could help improve image browsing and retrieval.
Impact of temperature on Na2Sr(PO4)F:Eu3+ phosphor
Authors: Shinde KN , Pawade VB , Dhoble SJ , Hakeem A.
Published: July 2013

In this article, we report the synthesis of Na2Sr1‐x(PO4)F:Eux phosphor via a combustion method. The influence of different annealing temperatures on the photoluminescence properties was investigated. The phosphor was excited at both 254 and 393 nm. Na2Sr1‐x(PO4)F:Eux3+ phosphors emit strong orange and red color at 593 and 612 nm, respectively, under both excitation wavelengths. Na2Sr1‐x(PO4)F:Eux3+ phosphors annealed at 1050°C showed stronger emission intensity compared with 600, 900 and 1200°C. Moreover, Na2Sr1‐x(PO4)F:Eux3+ phosphor was found to be more intense when compared with commercial Y2O3:Eu3+ phosphor. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Screening of phage‐displayed human liver cDNA library against doxorubicin with drug‐immobilized monolithic polyacrylamide cryogel
Authors: Yu Xiaoming , Zhao Peng , Zhang Lihua , Zhang Yukui
Published: July 2013

Monolithic polyacrylamide cryogel was prepared and utilized as a new matrix for drug immobilization to screen against phage‐displayed human liver cDNA library. The macropores and hydrophilic nature of the cryogel made it possible for phage particles to pass unhindered. Doxorubicin, an anticancer drug, was covalently bonded to the monolithic cryogel by the glutaraldehyde method, and after five rounds of affinity selection performed in an SPE cartridge, phage clones that displayed Homo sapiens methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) were selectively enriched. The interaction between doxorubicin and MeCP2 displayed phages was further validated by studying the retention of doxorubicin on MeCP2 phage‐coupled cryogel. These results demonstrate that drug‐coupled polyacrylamide cryogel might be a promising kind of matrix for screening target proteins against phage‐displayed library. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of pseudo‐ginsenoside GQ in human plasma by high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Huo Jiping , Wang Hongyun , Hu Pei , Li Pingya , Liu Jinping , Jiang Ji
Published: July 2013

A specific, sensitive and rapid method based on high performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC‐MS/MS) was developed for the determination of pseudo‐ginsenoside GQ in human plasma. Liquid–liquid extraction was used to isolate the analyte from biological matrix followed by injection of the extracts onto a C8 column with isocratic elution. Detection was carried out on a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer (API‐4000 system) in multiple reaction monitoring mode using negative electrospray ionization. The mobile phase consisted of methanol–10 mm ammonium acetate (90:10, v/v) and the flow rate was 0.3 mL/min. The method was validated over the concentration range of 5.0–5000.0 ng/mL for plasma. Inter‐ and intra‐day precisions (relative standard deviation) were all within 15% and the accuracy (relative error) was ≤9.4%. The lower limit of quantitation was 5.0 ng/mL. The pseudo‐ginsenoside GQ was stable after 8 h at room temperature, 24 h at autosampler and three freeze–thaw cycles (from −30 to 25 °C). The method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of pseudo‐ginsenoside GQ in healthy Chinese volunteers. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
False Accusations in an Investigative Context: Differences between Suggestible and Non‐suggestible Witnesses
Authors: Kaasa Suzanne O. , Cauffman Elizabeth , Alison Clarke‐Stewart K. , Loftus Elizabeth F.
Published: July 2013

False sexual abuse allegations have spurred research on suggestibility, on the assumption that leading questions may produce false accusations. Most researchers, however, have not measured the likelihood that those who respond to suggestive questioning will take the next step and make a formal (false) accusation. The present study incorporates both aspects of abuse investigations: suggestibility (i.e., responsiveness to questions in a leading interview) and false accusations (i.e., signing a formal complaint against an innocent suspect). Participants (N = 129) were observed in a laboratory session and then interviewed twice about their experiences by an interviewer who suggested that the laboratory assistant had behaved inappropriately. Although only 17% of the participants were suggestible, 39% agreed to sign the complaint. Suggestible participants were significantly more likely to make a false accusation than were non‐suggestible participants. However, because of the low rate of suggestibility, most false accusations were made by non‐suggestible participants. Implications for the legal system are discussed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On multiuser perspectives in passive stereographic virtual environments
Authors: Tripicchio Paolo , Loconsole Claudio , Piarulli Andrea , Ruffaldi Emanuele , Tecchia Franco , Bergamasco Massimo
Published: July 2013

The use of stereographic systems is spreading out in modern society, from the revolution of cinematography to its adoption in high‐tech products such as portable gaming devices or photo cameras. However, the fruition of immersive stereographic systems by more than one person at a time is still a research issue. In more detail, the class of passive stereo systems presents technological limitations of displaying correct multiuser perspectives. In fact, the stereo image projected onto the screen is usually rendered according to a unique point of view (PoV). Nevertheless, in multiuser systems, the selection of an appropriate PoV can minimize both optical discomfort and perspective distortion. This paper aims to evaluate which among existing PoV calculation methods provides the best performances in terms of projection realism, optical comfort and overall system usability in multiuser passive stereo systems. The performances have been evaluated in three different “distance” scenarios to take into account also the effects of binocular disparity in the PoV calculation. To accomplish this objective, we administered a questionnaire to nine couple subjects, evaluating each of the investigated PoV calculation methods for each of the three distance scenarios. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interactive focus + context medical data exploration and editing
Authors: Kirmizibayrak Can , Wakid Mike , Yim Yeny , Hristov Dimitre , Hahn James K.
Published: July 2013

Volumetric datasets are increasingly used in medical applications. In many of these applications, visualization and interaction is generally performed on cross‐sectional two‐dimensional (2D) views of three‐dimensional (3D) imaging modalities. Displaying 3D volumetric medical datasets on traditional 2D screens can present problems such as occlusion and information overload, especially when multiple data sources are present. Displaying desired information while showing the relationship to the rest of the dataset(s) can be challenging. In this paper, we present an interactive focus + context visualization approach that uses the volumetric Magic Lens interaction paradigm. We propose to use the Magic Lens as a volumetric brush to perform volume editing tasks, therefore combining data exploration with volumetric editing. Polygon‐assisted ray casting methods are used for real‐time rendering and editing frame rates, while providing compact storage of editing states for undo/redo operations. We discuss the application of our methods to radiation therapy, which is an important cancer treatment modality. We envision that this approach will improve the treatment planning process by improving the therapists' understanding of information from various sources and will help identify if the alignment of the patient in the treatment room coincides with the prepared treatment plan. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Early experience of implantation of the new CoreValve® Evolut™ in degenerated bioprosthetic aortic valves
Authors: Fairley Sarah L. , Jeganathan Reuben , Manoharan Ganesh , Spence Mark S.
Published: July 2013

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an established treatment for severe aortic stenosis in high‐risk patients. The PARTNER trial demonstrated equivalent 1‐year survival rates between patients randomized to TAVI versus conventional surgery (Leon et al., N Engl J Med 2010;363:1597–1607), with sustained benefit up to 2 years (Makkar et al., NEJM 2012;366:1696–1704). Recently, the ADVANCE registry cited all‐cause mortality rates of 4.5%, 12.8%, and 17.9% at 30‐days, 6 months, and 1‐year following TAVI in 1,015 high‐risk patients (Linke, TCT 2012, 2012). In addition, TAVI was demonstrated to be a feasible treatment for severe native valve regurgitation in a series of 31 high‐risk patients. The all‐cause 30‐day mortality rate was 6.4%, with a 30‐day major stroke rate of 6.4%. At 1‐year, the all‐cause mortality rate was 12.5% (Roy et al., J Am Coll Cardiol 2012;60(17S):B264). We report the successful transcatheter implantation of the new CoreValve® Evolut™ in two patients with regurgitant aortic bioprostheses. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reversal of end stage renal disease in patient with transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Authors: Damluji Abdulla , Bilsker Martin S. , Cohen Mauricio G.
Published: July 2013

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become an alternative intervention in high‐risk and inoperable patients with symptomatic aortic valve stenosis. The procedure has been associated with favorable clinical outcomes and safety profile in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). We describe a case of improved kidney function in a patient with ESRD without further need for dialysis after TAVR. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
First report of a novel polymer‐free dual‐drug eluting stent in de novo coronary artery disease: Results of the first in human BICARE trial
Authors: Yu Mengyue , Xu Bo , Kandzari David E. , Wu Yongjian , Yan Hongbing , Chen Jue , Qian Jie , Qiao Shubin , Yang Yuejin , Gao Run‐Lin
Published: July 2013

Background

Persistence of stent polymer coating has been associated with incomplete endothelialization, expansive vessel remodeling, neoatherosclerosis, and delayed healing associated with inflammation that may contribute to late adverse events.

Methods

The BICARE (Lepu Medical, Beijing, China) stent is a novel polymer‐free, nanotechnology‐based stent eluting sirolimus and probucol. As a first in human feasibility study, patients with a single de novo native coronary stenosis <30 mm in length and with reference vessel diameter from 2.5 to 4.0 mm underwent revascularization with the BICARE stent. The primary endpoint of target lesion failure (TLF) was assessed at 30 days. Secondary endpoints included in‐stent late lumen loss and proportion of uncovered or malapposed stent struts by optical coherence tomography at 4‐month angiographic surveillance.

Results

Among 32 consecutive patients (age, 55.7 ± 8.7 years; men, 62.5%; diabetes, 18.8%), the average baseline reference vessel diameter and lesion length were 2.85 ± 0.48 mm and 15.0 ± 5.6 mm, respectively. At 30 days there was no occurrence of TLF. At 4 months (angiographic follow‐up, N=32), angiographic in‐stent late loss was 0.14 ± 0.19 mm, and the in‐stent binary restenosis rate was 3.1%. Complete strut coverage was 98.2% with 0.2% malapposition among 16,751 analyzed struts. At 18 months, TLF occurred in 3 (9.4%) patients related to repeat revascularization with no adverse safety events identified.

Conclusions

The preliminary feasibility and safety of a polymer‐free, dual‐drug eluting stent are demonstrated by absence of early adverse safety events and favorable angiographic suppression of neointimal hyperplasia. Stent imaging suggests favorable healing with extensive stent strut coverage and very low malapposition. These findings further inform comparison with biopermanent polymer DES. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quantitative analysis of tea using ytterbium‐based internal standard near‐infrared spectroscopy coupled with boosting least‐squares support vector regression
Authors: Luo Rui‐Min , Tan Shi‐Miao , Zhou Yan‐Ping , Liu Shu‐Juan , Xu Hui , Song Dan‐Dan , Cui Yan‐Fang , Fu Hai‐Yan , Yang Tian‐Ming
Published: July 2013

The present study demonstrated the possibility of utilizing the ytterbium (Yb)‐based internal standard near‐infrared (NIR) spectroscopic measurement technique coupled with multivariate calibration for quantitative analysis of tea, including total free amino acids and total polyphenols in tea. Yb is a rare earth element aimed to compensate for the spectral variation induced by the alteration of sample quantity during the spectral measurement of the powdered samples. Boosting was invoked to be combined with least‐squares support vector regression (LS‐SVR), forming boosting least‐squares support vector regression (BLS‐SVR) for the multivariate calibration task. The results showed that the tea quality could be accurately and rapidly determined via the Yb‐based internal standard NIR spectroscopy combined with BLS‐SVR method. Moreover, the introduction of boosting drastically enhanced the performance of individual LS‐SVR, and BLS‐SVR compared favorably with partial least‐squares regression. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Construction of Optically Active Quaternary Propargyl Amines by Highly Enantioselective Zinc/BINOL‐Catalyzed Alkynylation of Ketoimines
Authors: Huang Gaochao , Yin Zengsheng , Zhang Xingang
Published: July 2013

A general and efficient method for the highly enantioselective alkynylation of ketoimines through a zinc/1,1′‐bi‐2‐naphthol (BINOL)‐catalyzed process has been developed. A variety of ketoimines, including α‐fluoroalkyl α‐imine esters, α‐aryl α‐imine esters, and trifluoromethyl aryl ketoimines, are applicable and provide their corresponding quaternary propargyl amines in excellent yields with high ee values (up to 99 % ee). Both the steric and electronic effects of substituents at the 3,3′ positions of BINOL are critical for the reaction efficiency and enantioselectivity. To demonstrate the usefulness of the method, (R)‐α‐CF3 α‐proline has been prepared in a highly efficient manner. The notable features of this protocol are its broad substrate scope, high reaction efficiency (up to 99 %) and enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee), low catalyst loading (5 mol % of BINOL derivative), and mild reaction conditions.
N‐body computations using skeletal frameworks on multicore CPU/graphics processing unit architectures: an empirical performance evaluation
Authors: Goli Mehdi , González–Vélez Horacio
Published: July 2013

With the emergence of general‐purpose computation on graphics processing units, high‐level approaches that hide the conceptual complexity of the low‐level Compute Unified Device Architecture and Open Computing Language platforms are the subject of active research. However, these approaches may require a trade‐off in terms of achieved performance and utilisation on graphics processing units hardware and may impose algorithmic limitations. In this paper, we present and systematically evaluate the parallel performance of three implementations of the brute force, all‐pairs N‐body algorithm with skeletal deployments based on the FastFlow, SkePU and Thrust frameworks. Our results indicate that the skeletal framework implementation achieves up to two orders of magnitude speed‐up over serial version with a Tesla M2050 with lower implementation complexity than low‐level Compute Unified Device Architecture programming. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Separation and characterization of nitrated variants of the major birch pollen allergen by CZE‐ESI‐μTOF MS
Authors: Gusenkov Sergey , Ackaert Chloé , Stutz Hanno
Published: July 2013

A CZE‐ESI‐TOF MS method has been optimized for the separation and identification of nitrated variants of the major birch pollen allergen from Betula verrucosa, isoform 1a (Bet v 1a). In‐house nitration of recombinant Bet v 1a was done by peroxynitrite. As a BGE, 10 mmol/L ammonium bicarbonate with pH 7.50 provided best resolution. Nebulizer gas pressure and sheath liquid flow rate of 0.4 bar and 6 μL/min, respectively, maintained CZE selectivity and constituted stable electrospray conditions. A sheath liquid composition of 75% v/v methanol with 0.1% v/v formic acid in ultrapure water resulted in highest signal intensities. Alternatively, methanol could be replaced by 50% v/v isopropanol. Two modified allergen products derived from reaction mixtures that contained different amounts of the nitration reagent were compared by the elaborated CZE‐ESI‐TOF MS method. Up to twelve different Bet v 1a variants with one‐ to sixfold nitration could be distinguished. Several allergen fractions of equivalent nitration grade were resolved. Their different migration times indicate site‐specific nitration with concomitant differences in pI and maybe also in hydrodynamic radius. The method allows for a characterization of in‐house nitrated allergen samples that are intended for testing the postulated enhanced allergenicity of nitrated Bet v 1a variants.
On‐line capillary electrophoresis derivatization method for high sensitivity analysis of ubiquitin in filtered cerebrospinal fluid
Authors: Mesbah Kiarach , Oukacine Farid , Lehnert Stefan , Otto Markus , Taverna Myriam
Published: July 2013

Electrophoretically mediated microanalysis was implemented for on‐line fluorescence derivatization of ubiquitin (UBI), a potential biomarker of Alzheimer disease. Ubiquitin was labeled on its amino groups by the Fluoprobes® 488 N‐hydroxysuccinimide. The pH of the BGE, the applied electric field, and the washing process of the capillary were optimized. The best derivatization yield was obtained at pH 9.5 under an electric field of ∼210 V/cm. The concentration and volume of the fluorescent dye as well as the sample medium and volume of injected UBI were also optimized. In order to improve further the LOD of UBI, electrophoretically mediated microanalysis was performed in a wider (100 μm id) and longer (110 cm) capillary. As expected, these capillary dimensions improved the analytical sensitivity of UBI when compared to the 50 μm id capillary. Under the optimized conditions, this analytical methodology allowed the analysis of free UBI in standard solution with a LOD of ∼15 nM. Finally, the on‐line fluorescent derivatization of UBI was applied to the detection and the quantification of UBI in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. Due to the high salt concentration of biological samples, desalting of CSF was required prior to the CE analysis. Quantification of UBI in CSF either by a direct evaluation of peak areas or using the standard addition method was achieved.
Energy efficiency of downlink packet scheduling in CoMP
Authors: Huq Kazi Mohammed Saidul , Mumtaz Shahid , Saghezchi Firooz B. , Rodriguez Jonathan , Aguiar Rui L.
Published: July 2013

The foreseen increase in the volume of mobile traffic and the correspondent increase in greenhouse gas emissions is now placing energy efficiency (EE) at the forefront of mobile network design. As a step towards incorporating more energy friendly mobile platforms in future networks, Third Generation Partnership Project Long‐Term Evolution (LTE)‐Advanced has adopted Coordinated Multi‐Point (CoMP) transmission/reception because of its ability to mitigate and/or coordinate inter‐cell interference. However, there is room for reducing energy consumption further by exploiting the inherent flexibility of dynamic resource allocation protocols. To this end packet scheduling schemes play a fundamental role in multi‐user scenarios and provide a potential research playground for optimising energy consumption in future networks. However, there is no effective benchmark in place for experimenting new design approaches. This paper provides a first attempt to analyse the Energy Efficiency of different downlink packet scheduling in CoMP for LTE networks using classical packet scheduling algorithm approaches such as Maximum Carrier to Interference ratio (MCI), Proportional Fairness (PF) and the Round Robin scheduling (RR), and provides some input to future comparison considerations. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reconciling the differences between top‐down and bottom‐up estimates of nitrous oxide emissions for the U.S. Corn Belt
Authors: Griffis T. J. , Lee X. , Baker J. M. , Russelle M. P. , Zhang X. , Venterea R. , Millet D. B.
Published: July 2013

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a greenhouse gas with a large global warming potential and is a major cause of stratospheric ozone depletion. Croplands are the dominant source of N2O, but mitigation strategies have been limited by the large uncertainties in both direct and indirect emission factors (EFs) implemented in “bottom‐up” emission inventories. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recommends EFs ranging from 0.75% to 2% of the anthropogenic nitrogen (N) input for the various N2O pathways in croplands. Consideration of the global N budget yields a much higher EF ranging between 3.8% and 5.1% of the anthropogenic N input. Here we use 2 years of hourly high‐precision N2O concentration measurements on a very tall tower to evaluate the IPCC bottom‐up and global “top‐down” EFs for a large representative subsection of the United States Corn Belt, a vast region spanning the U.S. Midwest that is dominated by intensive N inputs to support corn cultivation. Scaling up these results indicates that agricultural sources in the Corn Belt released 420±50 Gg N (mean ±1 standard deviation; 1 Gg =109 g) in 2010, in close agreement with the top‐down estimate of 350±50 Gg N and 80% larger than the bottom‐up estimate based on the IPCC EFs (230 ± 180 Gg N). The large difference between the tall tower measurement and the bottom‐up estimate implies the existence of N2O emission hot spots or missing sources within the landscape that are not fully accounted for in the IPCC and other bottom‐up emission inventories. Reconciling these differences is an important step toward developing a practical mitigation strategy for N2O.
Chewing problems are associated with depression in the elderly: results from the InCHIANTI study
Authors: Laudisio Alice , Milaneschi Yuri , Bandinelli Stefania , Gemma Antonella , Ferrucci Luigi , Incalzi Raffaele Antonelli
Published: July 2013

Objective

Depression is increasingly recognized in older populations and associated with undernutrition, disability, and increased mortality. Chewing problems (CPs) share with depression these associations. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association, if any, between CPs and depression in older subjects.

Methods

We assessed 927 participants aged 65 years and older, derived from the ‘InCHIANTI’ study. Mood was evaluated using the CES‐D scale and defined depressed by a CES‐D score ≥20. CPs were self‐reported. Logistic regression was performed to assess the adjusted association between depression and CPs. The adjusted model was analyzed after stratifying for use of complete, partial dentures and edentulism.

Results

Chewing problems were reported by 293/927 (31.6%) participants. Depression was present in 188/927(20.3%) participants. In multivariable logistic regression, CPs were associated with depression (OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.26–2.58; p = 0.001). No significant association was found among subjects who used complete dentures (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 0.80–1.58, p = 0.515). Up to 27.8% of prevalent depression might be attributed to CPs.

Conclusions

Chewing problems are associated with depression in elderly population. Use of complete dentures hinder this association. Older depressed subjects should be screened for the presence of CPs; further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of early detection and correction of CPs on the development of depression. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Offshore permafrost decay and massive seabed methane escape in water depths >20 m at the South Kara Sea shelf
Authors: Portnov Alexey , Smith Andrew J. , Mienert Jürgen , Cherkashov Georgy , Rekant Pavel , Semenov Peter , Serov Pavel , Vanshtein Boris
Published: July 2013

Since the Last Glacial Maximum (~19 ka), coastal inundation from sea‐level rise has been thawing thick subsea permafrost across the Arctic. Although subsea permafrost has been mapped on several Arctic continental shelves, permafrost distribution in the South Kara Sea and the extent to which it is acting as an impermeable seal to seabed methane escape remains poorly understood. Here we use >1300 km of high‐resolution seismic data to map hydroacoustic anomalies, interpreted to record seabed gas release, on the West Yamal shelf. Gas flares are widespread over an area of at least 7500 km2 in water depths >20 m. We propose that continuous subsea permafrost extends to water depths of ~20 m offshore and creates a seal through which gas cannot migrate. This Arctic shelf region where seafloor gas release is widespread suggests that permafrost has degraded more significantly than previously thought.
Mutation frequency in 15 common cancer genes in high‐risk head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: McBride Sean M. , Rothenberg S. Michael , Faquin William C. , Chan Annie W. , Clark John R. , Ellisen Leif W. , Wirth Lori J.
Published: July 2013

Background

With prior studies having looked at unselected cohorts, we sought to explore the mutational landscape in a high‐risk group of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) tumors.

Methods

A multiplexed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay evaluating 68 loci in 15 genes was performed on 64 patients with high‐risk HNSCC. Because of the frequent PIK3CA and AKT1 mutations in patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma, we evaluated the relationship between mutation status and both clinical/pathologic variables and tumor control in this subgroup.

Results

Seventeen of 64 patients harbored mutations in the assayed loci: 16% in PIK3CA, 9% in TP53, 2% in AKT1, and 2% in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The frequency of PIK3CA/AKT1 mutations in oropharyngeal and sinonasal primaries was increased compared to other primary sites (35% vs 6%; p = .005). There was no relationship between mutation status and overall survival (OS), disease‐specific death, or progression in the oropharyngeal cohort.

Conclusion

We identified frequent PIK3CA mutations in patients with high‐risk HNSCC confined predominantly to the oropharyngeal and sinonasal subsites; for the first time, mutation in AKT1 has been identified in HNSCC. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 36: 1181–1188, 2014