bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Environmentally Adaptive Deployment of Lagrangian Instrumentation Using a Submerged Autonomous Launch Platform (SALP)
Authors: Fratantoni David M.
Published: February 2014

AbstractSatellite-tracked surface drifters, acoustically tracked subsurface floats, and actively ballasted profiling floats provide an effective and efficient means of describing the ocean environment over a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. Many coastal and blue-water
process studies require the repetitive deployment of such instrumentation over periods of days to years. At best, reliance on ships and/or aircraft for serial instrument deployment can be expensive and logistically difficult. At worst, such deployments may be impossible in remote locations,
areas of unfavorable weather, or seasonal ice cover or in response to transient or episodic phenomena such as spawning events or severe storms.The submerged autonomous launch platform (SALP) enables serial deployment of an arbitrary mixture of drifting instrumentation (surface drifters,
subsurface floats, profiling floats) from depths as great as 2,000 m on a standard oceanographic mooring. A single SALP magazine allows up to 16 floats to be deployed automatically according to a user-defined schedule, interactively by real-time acoustic remote control or adaptively in response
to observed environmental conditions. Here, we describe the design and implementation of the SALP prototype and evaluate its performance during extended field trials in the Atlantic Ocean near Bermuda. During these trials, moored subsurface measurements of temperature, pressure, and velocity
were autonomously processed by the SALP and used to preferentially deploy novel glass-encapsulated GPS/Argos surface drifters within mid-ocean mesoscale anticyclones.
A Study of the Algorithms for the Detection of Tsunami Using an Ocean Bottom Pressure Recorder
Authors: Ramadass Gidugu Ananada , Vedachalam Narayanaswamy , Sudhakar Tata , Ramesh Raju , Jyothi Vandavasi Bala Naga , Prashanth Naranamangalam Balaji , Atmanand Malayath Aravindakshan
Published: February 2014

AbstractThe National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, government of India, is engaged in developing and installing systems for tsunami detection and reporting. This involves high-precision bottom pressure
recorders (BPRs) installed on the ocean floor, which can detect water level changes in the order of a few centimeters. Data are logged and recorded subsea by instruments located close to the BPRs. The detection of abnormal changes in the water level is required for detecting a tsunami event.
This paper describes algorithms incorporated in most BPRs for detecting a tsunami by predictive methods such as Newton’s Extrapolation and Kalman predictor techniques. The most widely used tsunami detection algorithm is based on Newton’s extrapolation. The tsunami detection technique
based on the Kalman prediction algorithm developed by NIOT can be an alternative for the existing technique. This paper describes both the algorithms and analyzes their effectiveness during tsunami event detection using MATLAB software. It is found that the Kalman algorithm has a better detection
performance over the Newton extrapolation technique for tsunami wave amplitudes up to 300 mm. The Newton extrapolation technique has a better detection performance for tsunami wave duration of less than 10 min. For tsunami wave durations greater than 10 min, the Kalman algorithm has a better
detection performance. As the wave durations of most of the recorded tsunamis are greater than 10 min, the Kalman algorithm could be a viable substitute for tsunami detection.
The Role of LAT–PLCγ1 Interaction in γδ T Cell Development and Homeostasis
Authors: Sullivan Sarah A. , Zhu Minghua , Bao Steven , Lewis Catherine A. , Ou-Yang Chih-wen , Zhang Weiguo
Published: February 2014

LAT is a transmembrane adaptor protein that is vital for integrating TCR-mediated signals to modulate T cell development, activation, and proliferation. Upon T cell activation, LAT is phosphorylated and associates with Grb2, Gads, and PLCγ1 through its four distal tyrosine residues. Mutation of one of these tyrosines, Y136, abolishes LAT binding to PLCγ1. This results in impaired TCR-mediated calcium mobilization and Erk activation. CD4 αβ T cells in LATY136F knock-in mice undergo uncontrolled expansion, resulting in a severe autoimmune syndrome. In this study, we investigated the importance of the LAT–PLCγ1 interaction in γδ T cells by crossing LATY136F mice with TCRβ−/− mice. Our data showed that the LATY136F mutation had no major effect on homeostasis of epithelial γδ T cells, which could be found in the skin and small intestine. Interestingly, a population of CD4+ γδ T cells in the spleen and lymph nodes underwent continuous expansion and produced elevated amounts of IL-4, resulting in an autoimmune syndrome similar to that caused by αβ T cells in LATY136F mice. Development of these hyperproliferative γδ T cells was not dependent on MHC class II expression or CD4, and their proliferation could be suppressed, in part, by regulatory T cells. Our data indicated that a unique subset of CD4 γδ T cells can hyperproliferate in LATY136F mice and suggested that LAT–PLCγ1 signaling may function differently in various subsets of γδ T cells.
Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma Expresses Immunosuppressive CD80 (B7-1) Cell Surface Protein in a STAT5-Dependent Manner
Authors: Zhang Qian , Wang Hong Yi , Wei Fang , Liu Xiaobin , Paterson Jennifer C. , Roy Darshan , Mihova Daniela , Woetmann Anders , Ptasznik Andrzej , Odum Niels , Schuster Stephen J. , Marafioti Teresa , Riley James L. , Wasik Mariusz A.
Published: February 2014

In this article, we report that cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) cells and tissues ubiquitously express the immunosuppressive cell surface protein CD80 (B7-1). CD80 expression in CTCL cells is strictly dependent on the expression of both members of the STAT5 family, STAT5a and STAT5b, as well as their joint ability to transcriptionally activate the CD80 gene. In IL-2–dependent CTCL cells, CD80 expression is induced by the cytokine in a Jak1/3- and STAT5a/b-dependent manner, whereas in the CTCL cells with constitutive STAT5 activation, CD80 expression is also STAT5a/b dependent but is independent of Jak activity. Although depletion of CD80 expression does not affect the proliferation rate and viability of CTCL cells, induced expression of the cell-inhibitory receptor of CD80, CD152 (CTLA-4), impairs growth of the cells. Coculture of CTCL cells with normal T lymphocytes consisting of both CD4+ and CD8+ populations or the CD4+ subset alone, transfected with CD152 mRNA, inhibits proliferation of normal T cells in a CD152- and CD80-dependent manner. These data identify a new mechanism of immune evasion in CTCL and suggest that the CD80–CD152 axis may become a therapeutic target in this type of lymphoma.
Radiocarbon dating of the Theran eruption
Authors: Wiener Malcolm H. , Earle Jason W.
Published: February 2014

Radiocarbon dates from material found in the Theran Volcanic Destruction Level are frequently said to require an earlier date for the event than the date range provided by the traditional chronology based on Near Eastern and Egyptian texts, archaeoastronomy, datable deposits of pumice from the eruption and numerous archaeological interconnections between Egypt, Cyprus and the Aegean. This paper considers a number of problems inherent in the proposed 14C dating.
Streeksidentiteit én algemeen-menslike verantwoordelikheid verwoord
Authors: Odendaal Bernardus J.
Published: February 2014

No abstract available.
Probing the Unknowns in Cytokinin-Mediated Immune Defense in Arabidopsis with Systems Biology Approaches
Authors: Naseem Muhammad , Kunz Meik , Dandekar Thomas
Published: February 2014

Plant hormones involving salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), ethylene (Et), and auxin, gibberellins, and abscisic acid (ABA) are known to regulate host immune responses. However, plant hormone cytokinin has the potential to modulate defense signaling including SA and JA. It promotes plant pathogen and herbivore resistance; underlying mechanisms are still unknown. Using systems biology approaches, we unravel hub points of immune interaction mediated by cytokinin signaling in Arabidopsis. High-confidence Arabidopsis protein—protein interactions (PPI) are coupled to changes in cytokinin-mediated gene expression. Nodes of the cellular interactome that are enriched in immune functions also reconstitute sub-networks. Topological analyses and their specific immunological relevance lead to the identification of functional hubs in cellular interactome. We discuss our identified immune hubs in light of an emerging model of cytokinin-mediated immune defense against pathogen infection in plants.
A New Method for Predicting Patient Survivorship Using Efficient Bayesian Network Learning
Authors: Jiang Xia , Xue Diyang , Brufsky Adam , Khan Seema , Neapolitan Richard
Published: February 2014

The purpose of this investigation is to develop and evaluate a new Bayesian network (BN)-based patient survivorship prediction method. The central hypothesis is that the method predicts patient survivorship well, while having the capability to handle high-dimensional data and be incorporated into a clinical decision support system (CDSS). We have developed EBMC_Survivorship (EBMC_S), which predicts survivorship for each year individually. EBMC_S is based on the EBMC BN algorithm, which has been shown to handle high-dimensional data. BNs have excellent architecture for decision support systems. In this study, we evaluate EBMC_S using the Molecular Taxonomy of Breast Cancer International Consortium (METABRIC) dataset, which concerns breast tumors. A 5-fold cross-validation study indicates that EMBC_S performs better than the Cox proportional hazard model and is comparable to the random survival forest method. We show that EBMC_S provides additional information such as sensitivity analyses, which covariates predict each year, and yearly areas under the ROC curve (AUROCs). We conclude that our investigation supports the central hypothesis.
Regulation of Ku70-Bax Complex in Cells
Authors: Hada Manila , Kwok Roland P.S.
Published: February 2014

Ku70, a DNA repair factor in the nucleus, also regulates cell death by binding to the apoptotic protein Bax in the cytoplasm. Acetylation of Ku70 triggers Bax release resulting in Bax dependent cell death. Thus dissociating Bax from Ku70, either by inhibiting histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) that deacetylates Ku70 or by increasing Ku70 acetylation induces cell death. Our results showed that in neuroblastoma cells, the depletion of Ku70 results in Bax-dependent cell death. This model provides a rationale for screening Ku70 acetylation modulators that can be tested in clinical trials, either alone or in combination with radiotherapy or DNA-damaging agents for the treatment of cancer.
Contribution of Neighborhood Income and Access to Quality Physical Activity Resources to Physical Activity in Ethnic Minority Women over Time
Authors: Lee Rebecca E. , Mama Scherezade K. , Adamus-Leach Heather J. , Soltero Erica G.
Published: February 2014

Purpose.

To create and test an index to indicate both availability and quality of physical activity (PA) resources (PARs), to examine associations between access to quality PARs and changes in PA, and to determine whether this association differed in lower- and higher-income neighborhoods.

Design.

Longitudinal, 6-month intervention.

Setting.

Houston and Austin, Texas.

Subjects.

African-American and Hispanic or Latina women.

Measures.

Women (N = 410) completed a questionnaire and accelerometry to measure PA. Neighborhoods (N = 163) were classified as lower- or higher-income by median household income at the census-tract level. PARs were audited using the PARA (physical activity resource assessment). Access to quality PARs was determined by a composite index (QPAR) of features, amenities, and incivilities.

Analysis.

Repeated measures analyses of variance were used to examine changes in PA by (1) neighborhood income (lower/higher) and QPAR (lower/higher) groups, and (2) neighborhood income (lower/higher) and number of PARs (lower/higher) groups, adjusting for ethnicity, household income, and body mass index.

Results.

Women in neighborhoods with lower QPAR scores had small increases in self-reported vigorous PA (M Δ = 327.8 metabolic equivalent of task [MET]-min/wk) and decreases in accelerometer PA (M = −3.4 min/d), compared to those with higher QPAR scores who had larger increases in self-reported vigorous PA (M Δ = 709.8 MET-min/wk) and increased accelerometer PA (M = 3.9 min/d). There was a significant interaction between changes in leisure-time PA, QPAR score, and number of PARs (p = .049). Women with both more PARs and higher QPAR scores reported greater increases in leisure-time PA than women with fewer PARs and lower QPAR scores.

Conclusion.

Access to higher-quality PARs can help increase or maintain PA over time regardless of neighborhood income. PAR quality is a separate and distinct, important determinant of PA in ethnic minority women.
Mangroves facing climate change: landward migration potential in response to projected scenarios of sea level rise
Authors: Di Nitto D. , Neukermans G. , Koedam N. , Defever H. , Pattyn F. , Kairo J. G. , Dahdouh-Guebas F.
Published: February 2014

Abstract. Mangrove forests prominently occupy an intertidal boundary position where the effects of sea level rise will be fast and well visible. This study in East Africa (Gazi Bay, Kenya) addresses the question of whether mangroves can be resilient to a rise in sea level by focusing on their potential to migrate towards landward areas. The combinatory analysis between remote sensing, DGPS-based ground truth and digital terrain models (DTM) unveils how real vegetation assemblages can shift under different projected (minimum (+9 cm), relative (+20 cm), average (+48 cm) and maximum (+88 cm)) scenarios of sea level rise (SLR). Under SLR scenarios up to 48 cm by the year 2100, the landward extension remarkably implies an area increase for each of the dominant mangrove assemblages except for Avicennia marina and Ceriops tagal, both on the landward side. On the one hand, the increase in most species in the first three scenarios, including the socio-economically most important species in this area, Rhizophora mucronata and C. tagal on the seaward side, strongly depends on the colonisation rate of these species. On the other hand, a SLR scenario of +88 cm by the year 2100 indicates that the area flooded only by equinoctial tides strongly decreases due to the topographical settings at the edge of the inhabited area. Consequently, the landward Avicennia-dominated assemblages will further decrease as a formation if they fail to adapt to a more frequent inundation. The topography is site-specific; however non-invadable areas can be typical for many mangrove settings.
A~fine fraction of soil used as an aerosol analogue during the DUNE experiment: sequential solubility in water with step-by-step decreasing pH
Authors: Aghnatios C. , Losno R. , Dulac F.
Published: February 2014

Abstract. A soil sample collected in a desert aerosol source area near Douz (South Tunisia) was sieved at 20 μm in order to extract the fraction similar to an aerosol generated by wind and used to seed mesocosms during the DUNE experiment. In the present work, this "aerosol-like" fine dust was sequentially leached by short contacts with water at pHs decreasing from 7 to 1. These pHs are representative of various environmental wet conditions, the lowest of which could be reached during cloud conditions. The evolution of the solubility from the highest to the lowest pHs provides information on the necessary strength for the solubilisation of a given element and its lability. The behaviour of the elemental fractional solubility is sorted into two groups: (i) Ca, Sr, Ba, Mn, P constitute group 1, with a solubility between 23% and 70% and with a maximum solubility at pH 3; (ii) whereas in group 2 (Al, Fe), the solubility is less than 2% with the highest release at pH 1. Similar solubility patterns in group 1 for Ca, P and Mn suggest a~possible association of the elements in the same minerals, most probably carbonates, which gives phosphorus an unexpected high lability.
Regional scale ozone data assimilation using an ensemble Kalman filter and the CHIMERE chemical transport model
Authors: Gaubert B. , Coman A. , Foret G. , Meleux F. , Ung A. , Rouil L. , Ionescu A. , Candau Y. , Beekmann M.
Published: February 2014

Abstract. An ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) has been coupled to the CHIMERE chemical transport model in order to assimilate ozone ground-based measurements on a regional scale. The number of ensembles is reduced to 20, which allows for future operational use of the system for air quality analysis and forecast. Observation sites of the European ozone monitoring network have been classified using criteria on ozone temporal variability, based on previous work by Flemming et al. (2005). This leads to the choice of specific subsets of suburban, rural and remote sites for data assimilation and for evaluation of the reference run and the assimilation system. For a 10-day experiment during an ozone pollution event over Western Europe, data assimilation allows for a significant improvement in ozone fields: the RMSE is reduced by about a third with respect to the reference run, and the hourly correlation coefficient is increased from 0.75 to 0.87. Several sensitivity tests focus on an a posteriori diagnostic estimation of errors associated with the background estimate and with the spatial representativeness of observations. A strong diurnal cycle of both these errors with an amplitude up to a factor of 2 is made evident. Therefore, the hourly ozone background error and the observation error variances are corrected online in separate assimilation experiments. These adjusted background and observational error variances provide a better uncertainty estimate, as verified by using statistics based on the reduced centered random variable. Over the studied 10-day period the overall EnKF performance over evaluation stations is found relatively unaffected by different formulations of observation and simulation errors, probably due to the large density of observation sites. From these sensitivity tests, an optimal configuration was chosen for an assimilation experiment extended over a three-month summer period. It shows a similarly good performance as the 10-day experiment.
Tidal variability of the motion in the Strait of Otranto
Authors: Ursella L. , Kovačević V. , Gačić M.
Published: February 2014

Abstract. Various current data, collected in the Strait of Otranto during the period 1994–2007, have been analysed with the aim of describing the characteristics of the tidal motions and their contribution to the total flow variance. The principal tidal constituents in the area were the semi-diurnal (M2) and the diurnal (K1), with the latter one predominant. The total flow was, in general, more energetic along the flanks than in the middle of the strait. Specifically, it was most energetic over the western shelf and in the upper layer along the eastern flank. In spite of the generally low velocities (a few cm s−1) of the principal tidal constituents, the tidal variance has a pattern similar to that of the total flow variance, that is, it was large over the western shelf and low in the middle. The proportion of non-tidal (comprising the inertial and sub-inertial low-frequency bands) to tidal flow variances was quite variable in both time and space. The low-frequency motions dominated over the tidal and inertial ones in the eastern portion of the strait during the major part of the year, particularly in the upper and intermediate layers. In the deep, near-bottom layer the variance was evenly distributed between the low frequency, diurnal and semi-diurnal bands. An exception was observed near the western shelf break during the summer season when the contribution of the tidal signal to the total variance reached 77%. This high contribution was mainly due to the intensification of the diurnal signal at that location at both upper and bottom current records (velocities of about 10 cm s−1). Local wind and sea level data were analysed and compared with the flow to find the possible origin of this diurnal intensification. Having excluded the sea-breeze impact on the intensification of the diurnal tidal signal, the most likely cause remains the generation of the topographically trapped internal waves and the diurnal resonance in the tidal response. These waves were sometimes generated by the barotropic tidal signal in the presence of summer stratification and the strong bottom slope. This phenomenon may stimulate diapycnal mixing during the stratified season and enhance ventilation of the near-bottom layers.
Use of phytoremediation and biochar to remediate heavy metal polluted soils: a review
Authors: Paz-Ferreiro J. , Lu H. , Fu S. , Méndez A. , Gascó G.
Published: February 2014

Abstract. Anthropogenic activities are resulting in an increase of the use and extraction of heavy metals. Heavy metals cannot be degraded and hence accumulate in the environment, having the potential to contaminate the food chain. This pollution threatens soil quality, plant survival and human health. The remediation of heavy metals deserves attention, but it is impaired by the cost of these processes. Phytoremediation and biochar are two sound environmental technologies which could be at the forefront to mitigate soil pollution. This review provides an overview of the state of the art of the scientific research on phytoremediation and biochar application to remediate heavy-metal-contaminated soils. Research to date has attempted only in a limited number of occasions to combine both techniques, however we discuss the potential advantages of combining both, and the potential mechanisms involved in the interaction between phytoremediators and biochar. We identified specific research needs to ensure a sustainable use of phytoremediation and biochar as remediation tools.
Vidas conectadas: tecnología digital, interacción social e identidad.
Authors: Serrano-Puche Javier
Published: February 2014

Hoy en día las personas ya se relacionan tanto en el ámbito online como en el offline. Con la popularización de las tecnologías digitales, y especialmente de las redes sociales, el medio digital se ha constituido en un nuevo espacio de interacción. Basado en una amplia revisión bibliográfica, este artículo describe los rasgos de nuestra sociedad hiperconectada y analiza la influencia de la tecnología digital en la comunicación interpersonal y en la expresión de la identidad.
'Research in the wild' in online communities: Reddit's resistance to SOPA
Authors: Loudon Melissa
Published: February 2014

This paper uses Callon, et al.’s (2009) hybrid forums model to analyze the development of a campaign of resistance against SOPA, the Stop Online Piracy Act. Despite broad Congressional support, the bill was defeated by the collective efforts of Internet users, online communities, Web companies and digital rights advocacy groups. Using data from the social news Web site Reddit, I describe the introduction of uncertainty into the narrow economic risk frame favored by proponents of SOPA, and the deployment of a programme of collective evidence–building that Callon, et al. describe as “research in the wild”. The article concludes with a discussion on the implications of Internet activism for the democratic process.
Life on automatic: Facebook's archival subject
Authors: Mitchell Liam
Published: February 2014

Facebook’s ideology rests on and results in a particular ontology: Mark Zuckerberg wants the site to help create an “open” and “connected” world.  This article explains the implications of this world-changing mission by examining services that map the Facebook user’s path across the Internet (like Connect) and archive the user’s life (like Timeline).  Reading these services through the psycho-ontological claims of Baudrillard and Derrida suggests that Facebook’s open, connected individual – the archival subject – is bent towards convenience and interest.  Pairing these readings with a reinterpretation of Heidegger’s philosophy of technology in terms specific to Facebook, the article argues that the archival subject provides evidence of a view of the world characterized predominantly by an orientation toward browsing rather than use or control.  Facebook should be analyzed in terms of this pre-theoretical understanding of the world – one that it both symptomatizes and institutes.  In advancing this argument, the article calls attention to the broader (ontological) and more intensive (subjective) correlates of more traditional (politico-economic or ideological) criticisms of social media.
Factors Influencing the Choice of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies by Households: A Case of Mpolonjeni Area Development Programme (ADP) in Swaziland
Authors: Shongwe Phindile , Masuku Micah B. , Manyatsi Absalom M.
Published: February 2014

The increased involvement of food relief agencies nearly on an annual basis is a clear indication that agricultural production continues to decline as a result of climate change. In order to mitigate the negative effect of climate change, households engage on adaptation strategies. The extent to which these impacts are felt depends mostly on the level of adaptation in response to climate change. The main objectives of the study were to identify the adaptation strategies employed by households and to analyse factors influencing the choice of adaptation strategies by households using personal interviews. The study used data from a random sample of 350 households. Descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression model were used to analyse the data. The results showed that adaptation strategies employed were; drought tolerant varieties, switching crops, irrigation, crop rotation, mulching, minimum tillage, early planting, late planting and intercropping. The results showed that the choice of adaptation strategies by households was significantly (p <0.05) influenced by; age of household head, occupation of household head, being a member of a social group, land category, access to credit, access to extension services and training, high incidences of crop pest and disease, high input prices, high food prices, perceptions of households towards climate change. Moreover, the analysis showed that perceptions of households towards climate change significantly influence all adaptation strategies. However, sex and education level of the household head were insignificant in influencing household choice when adapting to climate change. It is recommended that there is need to educate households about the negative impact of climate change on cropping systems. The study also recommends that agriculture extension services should be strengthened, agriculture financial institutions should accommodate subsistence farmers on communal land and rural micro-finance institutions should be developed, in order to facilitate farmers to choose effective adaptation strategies.
Results using Trabecular Metal™ augments in combination with acetabular impaction bone grafting in deficient acetabula
Authors: Gill Kathryn , Wilson Matthew J. , Whitehouse Sarah L. , Timperley A. John
Published: February 2014

We examined whether the use of trabecular metal wedges to fill segmental defects is an effective method of socket reconstruction when used in combination with impaction grafting and implantation of a cemented socket.

Fifteen hips in 14 patients underwent impaction grafting in combination with a TM wedge with a minimum of two years follow-up. All patients had their defects assessed using the Paprosky classification. Patients were reviewed with x-rays and migration of the implant was measured. Outcome scores were also collected.

Mean follow-up was 39 months (25-83). The mean age at surgery was 67.8 (49-85) years. Seven of the patients had previously undergone impaction grafting with the use of a stainless steel rim mesh to constrain the graft. None of the patients had failed either clinically or radiologically.
Prone Position during ECMO is Safe and Improves Oxygenation
Authors: Kipping Valesca , Weber-Carstens Steffen , Lojewski Christian , Feldmann Paul , Rydlewski Antje , Boemke Willehad , Spies Claudia , Kastrup Marc , Kaisers Udo X. , Wernecke Klaus-D. , Deja Maria
Published: February 2014

Purpose

Combination of prone positioning (PrP) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) might be beneficial in severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), because both approaches are recommended. However, PrP during ECMO might be associated with complications such as dislocation of ECMO cannulae. We investigated complications and change of oxygenation effects of PrP during ECMO to identify “responders” and discuss our results considering different definitions of response in the literature.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of complications, gas exchange, and invasiveness of mechanical ventilation during first and second PrP on ECMO at specified time points (before, during, and after PrP). We used multivariate nonparametric analysis of longitudinal data (MANOVA) to compare changes of mechanical ventilation and hemodynamics associated with the first and second procedures.

Results

In 12 ECMO patients, 74 PrPs were performed (median ECMO duration: 10 days (IQR: 6.315.5 days)). No dislocations of intravascular catheters/cannulae, endotracheal tubes or chest tubes were observed. Two PrPs had to be interrupted (endotracheal tube obstruction, acute pulmonary embolism). PaO2/FiO2-ratio increased associated with the first and second PrP (p = 0.002) and lasted after PrP in 58% of these turning procedures (“responders”) without changes in ECMO blood flow, respiratory pressures, minute ventilation, portion of spontaneously triggered breathing, and compliance. Hemodynamics did not change with exception of increased mean pulmonary arterial pressure during PrP and decrease after PrP p≤0.001), while norepinephrine dosage decreased (p = 0.03) (MANOVA).

Conclusions

Prone position during ECMO is safe and improves oxygenation even after repositioning. This might ameliorate hypoxemia and reduce the harm from mechanical ventilation.
Fungal ball in urinary tract, a rare entity, which needs a specific approach
Authors: Praz Valentin , Burruni Rodolfo , Meid Florian , Wisard Marc , Jichlinski Patrice , Tawadros Thomas
Published: February 2014

A fungal mass in the urinary tract (fungus ball), mainly occurring in compromised patients, is a rare and dangerous complication of candiduria. We report 2 cases of fungus ball associated with hydronephrosis and sepsis. As reported in the literature, we treated the first patient by prompt relief of obstruction by nephrostomy and local and systemic antifungal agent. The second patient failed to respond to this treatment due to a distal ureteral stenosis and required open surgery with fungus ball removal and ureteral reimplantation. Despite a large success in urinary tract drainage with antifungal treatments, some cases need a modified approach due to anatomical modification.
Growth kinetics of small renal masses: A prospective analysis from the Renal Cell Carcinoma Consortium of Canada
Authors: Organ Michael , Jewett Michael , Basiuk Joan , Morash Christopher , Pautler Stephen , Siemens Robert , Tanguay Simon , Gleave Martin , Drachenberg Darrell , Chow Raymond , Chin Joseph , Evans Andrew , Fleshner Neil , Evans Andrew , Gallie Brenda , Haider Masoom , Kachura John , Finelli Antonio , Rendon Ricardo
Published: February 2014

Introduction: Most small renal masses (SRMs) are diagnosed incidentally and have a low malignant potential. As more elderly patients and infirm patients are diagnosed with SRMs, there is an increased interest in active surveillance (AS) with delayed intervention. Patient and tumour characteristics relating to aggressive disease have not been well-studied. The objective was to determine predictors of growth of SRMs treated with AS.Methods: A multicentre prospective phase 2 clinical trial was conducted on 207 SRMs in 169 patients in 8 institutions in Canada from 2004 to 2009; in these patients treatment was delayed until disease progression. Patient and tumour characteristics were evaluated to determine predictors of growth of SRMs by measuring rates of change in growth (on imaging) over time. All patients underwent AS for presumed renal cell carcinoma (RCC) based on diagnostic imaging. We used the following factors to develop a predictive model of tumour growth with binary recursive partitioning analysis: patient characteristics (age, symptoms at diagnosis) and tumour characteristics (consistency [solid vs. cystic] and maximum diameter at diagnosis.Results: With a median follow-up of 603 days, 169 patients (with 207 SRMs) were followed prospectively. Age, symptoms at diagnosis, tumour consistency and maximum diameter of the renal mass were not predictors of growth. This cohort was limited by lack of availability of patient and tumour characteristics, such as sex, degree of endophytic component and tumour location.Conclusion: Slow growth rates and the low malignant potential of SRMs have led to AS as a treatment option in the elderly and infirm population. In a large prospective cohort, we have shown that age, symptoms, tumour consistency and maximum diameter of the mass at diagnosis are not predictors of growth of T1a lesions. More knowledge on predictors of growth of SRMs is needed.
Spontaneous ventral urethral fistula whose mother had a retained IUD in uterus during the gestation
Authors: Wei Shuyi , Li Qiang , Li Senkai , Zhou Chuande , Li Fengyong
Published: February 2014

Urethral fistula is rare and is usually a complication of penile and urethral surgery. A few congenital cases have been reported. To our knowledge, there are only 2 reports about spontaneous ventral urethral fistula in the English literature. We present what we believe is the first case of a patient with spontaneous ventral urethral fistula whose mother had a retained IUD in uterus during the gestation.
Organogenesis and plant formation from cotyledon and callus culture of rape
Authors: Rogozińska Janina H. , Drozdowska Lucyna
Published: February 2014

Cotyledon explants of rape were excised from aseptically germinated seedlings and cultured during 2 weeks on M u r a s h i g e and S k o o g medium supplemented with auxins, cytokinins, auxin-cytokinin combinations and abscisic acid. Callus formation occurred on medium with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), naphthalene-l-acetic acid (NAA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and on their combinations with kinetin (K) or 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). Regeneration of roots was achieved on media with NAA, IAA and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and on combinations of these auxins with cytokinins. The presence of 2,4-D in the medium, though it promoted compact callus growth, had an inhibitory effect on root formation. Callus derived from the cotyledons had somewhat different requirements for growth in subculture and the root formation ability diminished in the course of the culture. Lower ABA concentrations stimulated callus growth whereas higher concentrations inhibited it similary as in the case of cotyledons. Shoot buds regenerated from the cotyledons after ca. 3 weeks on media supplemented with NAA + BAP. The 9-week-old plantlets transferred to the soil developed into complete plants. The plants which underwent vernalization formed flowers and normal seeds.
Growth and development of shoot apex in barley I. Morphology and histology of shoot apex in vegetative phase
Authors: Hejnowicz Zygmunt , Włoch Wiesław
Published: February 2014

The vegetative phase of development of the main shoot apex lasts over 5 plastochrons after germination. The endosperm has a sufficient store of nutrition for this period. At the beginning of this phase the apex has a one-layer tunica. The cells of the latter divide above the level of bulge formation for leaf primordia, exclusively anticlinally, although somewhat lower within the leaf bulge periclinal divisions may occur. The cells immediately under the first tunica layer in the apical part grow tangentially to the surface. These cells divide only anticlinally forming gradually the second tunica layer. In the course of the entire phase the shape of the meristeanatic caulis from the tip to the 4th frustum remains unchanged.
Growth and development of shoot apex in barley II. Distribution of growth rates during vegetative phase
Authors: Hejnowicz Zygmunt , Włoch Wiesław
Published: February 2014

The changes in the volume of the apical dome and of the frusta indicate that the mean relative rate of volume growth of the whole apical dome is much higher than in the first frustum which, in turn, grows much faster than the next one. It was found in studies of the distribution of mitoses and of cell arrangement that the volume relative growth rate of the distal part of the apical dome is at least 5-10 times slower than that at the level of new leaf primordia initiation.
Discontinuous lines on the radial face of wavy-grained xylem as a manifestation of morphogenic waves in the cambium
Authors: Zagórska-Marek Beata , Hejnowicz Zygmunt
Published: February 2014

There appear in the wood of Entandrophragma, beside the basic interlocked grain, local minute undulations of grain the manifestation of which are checkered figures, either slanting or horizontal, on the radial face of boards. In reference to the model the slanting checkered figure is interpreted as the result of sudden appearance in the cambium of a wave of orientational tendency (morphogenetic wave) of relatively short wavelengths and stabilized amplitude from the moment of its appearance, moving vertically. This wave induces undulations in the arrangement of cambial initials. The undulation pattern also moves, however, its rate is half that of the morphogenic wave rate. The amplitude of the undulations oscillates between a maximal value and null which means that in successive wood layers there is wavy grain alternating with straight grain. The horizontal checkered figure may be explained by a local shift of the prase by one half of the period of the morphogenic wave of relatively long wavelengths underlying the interlocked grain formation.
N-hydroxyurea, mitomycin C and actinomycin D activity in the process of tumour formation on the primary leaves of the 'Pinto' bean
Authors: Rennert Aldona
Published: February 2014

Mitomycin C (MC), N-hydroxyurea (HU) and actinomycin D (AD) inhibit tumour formation on the primary leaves of Pinto beans. Agrobacterium tumefaciens was inoculated into bean leaves with application of the above named inhibitors at various times. It was found that MC action is strongest during inoculation and immediately after it, the maximal effect of HU take place within 12 h after inoculation, whereas the antitumour action of AD starts as late as 12 h after leaf inoculation. In view of the different degree of susceptibility of bacteria and plant cells to the inhibitors applied, the above described results allowed to distinguish three critical periods in the process of tumour formation in the tested host-pathogen system.
Changes in proteolytic activity during germination and early development stages of Cucumis sativus
Authors: Kłobus Grażyna
Published: February 2014

The study constitutes an effort to investigate proteolytic activity during the juvenile stages of Cucumis sativus seedling development. The proteases activity evidenced in cotyledonal extracts showed one peak on the fifth day of seedling development. Changes were distinctly correlated with changes in nitrogen compound fractions of the plant organ under investigation. No similar correlations were observed in root extracts.
In vitro culture of Secale cereale L. explants-callus formation and organ differentiation
Authors: Rybczyński Jan J.
Published: February 2014

Explants originating from seeds, embryos, seedlings and maturing plants of rye were cultured on a modified Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) and a Schenk and Hildebrandt medium (SH). Depending on various combinations and concentrations of NAA (α-tnaphthaleneacetic acid), IAA (β-indoleacetic acid),2,4-D (dichlosaphenoxyacetic acid), 2,4,5-T(trichloraphenoxyacetic acid),2,4-D (dichloraphenoxyacetic acid), 2,4,5-T (trichloraphenoxyacetic = 2 iP), ZEA (zeatin), and GA3 (gibberellic acid) mature embryo, isolated radicles and lateral roots formed callus itissue which was only capable of rhizogenesis. Leaf segments of 3 and 5-day-old seedlings produced callus and roots, however the rachis of a spike of 7 mm in length was capable of forming shoots which later developed into plants.
Effect of phytohormones on the growth of Scenedesmus quadricauda (Turp.) Bréh
Authors: Tatkowska Ewa , Buczek Józef
Published: February 2014

Studies were made an the effect of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid (GA), kinetin (Kin), and various combinations of these substances upon dry matter increments, soluble protein content, and chlorophyll levels in the cultures of Scenedesmus quadricauda (Turp.) Bréb. It was found that all these phytohormones, added separately to the medium, stimulated dry matter increment and protein content, although their effect depended on the concentration and the duration of culture. Addition of various combinations of the substances under study into the medium resulted in a less pronounced increment of dry matter, whereas the content of soluble protein significantly increased. The results reflect positive reaction of Scenedesmus quadricauda to the addition of phytohormones into the medium. They also suggest some differences in the action of particular hormones.
The effect of potassium nutrition on growth and on plant hormones content in Scots pine (Pinus silvestris L.) seedlings
Authors: Michniewicz Marian , Stopińska Jadwiga
Published: February 2014

Pine seedlings were cultivated in Ingestad nutrient solution containing potassium as KCl on a 16-hr day, under light intensity of about 4000 lx and temperature of about 23° C. K+ used in a concentration of 50 ppm exerted a most pronounced positive effect on the growth of seedlings. After 4 months it was found that potassium used in this concentration increased elongation of hypocotyls, shoots, roots, primary and secondary needles as well as fresh weight and dry matter of tissues. In leafy shoots K+ increased the level of free gibberelirns (GAs) and auxins and decreased the amount of bound GAs and an ABA-like inhibitor. In the roots K+ nutrition increased the amount of free GAs and of the growth inhibitor and decreased the level of bound GAs and auxins. No evident influence of K+ on the level of cytokinins in plant tissues was stated.
Rape embryogenesis. III. Embryo development in time
Authors: Tykarska Teresa
Published: February 2014

It was found that the growth curve of the rape embryo axis is of triple sigmoid type. Embryo growth occurs in 3 phases corresponding to 3 different periods of development. Phase I includes growth of the apical cell up to it's division into two layers of octants. Phase II comprises the increase of the spherical proembryo to the change of its symmetry from radial to bilateral. Phase III includes, growth of the embryo from the heart stage up to the end of embryogenesis. In each phase the relative growth rate increases drastically and then diminishes. The differences in growth intensity during the same phase are several-fold. The growth intensity maximum of the embryo axis occurs in phase II. The phasic growth intensity maxima occur: in phase I during apical cell elongation, :before its division, and in phases II and III in the periods of cell division ;growth in globular and torpedo-shaped -shaped embryos.
Activation of embryo during rape (Brassica napus L.) seed germination II. Transversal organisation of radicle apical meristem
Authors: Kuraś Mieczysław
Published: February 2014

Series of microtome cross sections of the root apical meristem were investigated in the mature embryo and young seedling of rape. The cell patterns are described in 3 layers of promeristem. Radial sectors of the root cap and protoderm, formed by common dermatocalyptrogen initials, and radial sectors of the cortex, produced by periblem initials were identified on all cross sections of the root. Between these sectors 4 segmentation boundaries of proembryo quadrants were distinguished, running across the whole root proper. The boundaries between the 4 sectors of connecting cells arising from the upper hypophysis derivative and the boundaries between the 4 sectors of the columella originating from the lower hypophysis derivative do not follow the same course and are not identical with the boundaries of the proembryo quadrants. Therefore during the whole embryogenesis, the central connecting cells, considered generally as cortex initials (iec), take no part in the development of the cortex but they form the quiescent centre of the radicle. Neither do the columella initial cells participate in the development of the lateral parts of the root cap.
Development of the pericarp, septa and zone of dehiscence in the fruit of Cassia tora L.
Authors: Rao K. S. , Dave Y. S.
Published: February 2014

The pod of Cassia tora is the product of a single carpel consisting of 20-30 seeds enclosed one in each compartment formed by the ingrowth of the endocarpic tissue. There are three distinct histological zones of the pericarp Epicarp (a), Mesocarp (b) and Endocarp (c). The paracytic stomata and uniseriate multicellular trichomes are found only in the outermost layer of the epicarp. The epicarp is single layered. The outer mesocarp in later stages of its development has many collenchyma, particularly at dorsal and ventral margins. The mesocarp develops from the homogenous mesodermal tissue of the ovary wall. The middle mesocarpic tissue becomes sclerenchymatous above the :main bundles providing rigidity at the two sutures where the zones of dehiscence develop inbetween them. The endocarp develops from the inner epidermis and 2-3 hypodermal layers. Due to frequent periclinal and anticlinal divisions and enlargement of the cells in the inner hypodermal layers, the septa are formed which never fuse; thus the so called compartment of the seed is not completely closed and the seeds slide off on separation of the valves. The inner hypodermal layers form the band of sclerenchyma above the septal cells. The inner margins without septa and sclerenchyma provide easy opening of the two valves from the chamber side.
β-Carotene as a factor in the reconstitution of cyclic phospho rylation in damaged chloroplast membranes
Authors: Tukendorf Anna , Krupa Zbigniew , Baszyński Tadeusz
Published: February 2014

Phenazine methosulphate mediated cyclic phosphorylation suppressed by heptane extraction or galactolipase treatment of spinach chloroplasts is restored by β -carotene, in 100% and 50%, respectively. Xanthophylls are not able to reconstitute this reaction. β-Carotene replaces galactolipids in reactivation of galactolipase treated chloroplasts, indicating a nonspecific effect of lipids in photosystem I dependent reactions.