bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Renminbi Nominal Effective Exchange Rate for Third Market Competition: An Approach Based on Disaggregated Trade Data
Authors: Xu Qiyuan , Yang Panpan , Liu Yue
Published: September 2013

When measuring the nominal effective exchange rate (NEER), three factors should be considered: direct import competition, direct export competition and third market competition. The traditional NEER methodology using aggregated export trade data underestimates the competition between countries producing homogeneous goods, so that the weight of the effective exchange rates is too reliant on trade scale. Based on 2002 6‐digit items of the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, this paper employs the competitive stress index to adjust the weighting system of the renminbi NEER for third market competition. In the new weighting system, European countries and some emerging economies have higher weights compared with some of the developed countries, including the USA, Japan and resources‐dominated economies. This research will facilitate the understanding of changes in China's export competitiveness.
Industry‐specific Real Effective Exchange Rate for China: 2000–2009
Authors: Dai Mi , Xu Jianwei
Published: September 2013

This paper measures the industry‐specific real effective exchange rate (REER) for China by matching domestic and foreign industry‐level price and trade data series. We find that after 2005 the REER appreciates more in the “chemical, plastics, rubber and fuels industry” and the “machinery and equipment industry,” but remains roughly constant or even depreciates in other industries. The nominal exchange rate generally accounts for over 50 percent of the aggregate real effective exchange rate fluctuations, but this conclusion does not apply to three of nine industries. We apply the industry‐specific REER to re‐examine the relationship between the exchange rate and trade, and find that the industry‐specific REER index performs better than the traditional aggregate REER index. We recommend that the Chinese Government officially adopt industry‐specific exchange rates instead of using the aggregate effective exchange rates to evaluate the competitiveness of Chinese industries in the international market.
Is the classic diaspora transnational and hybrid? The case of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress
Authors: Mokrushyna Halyna
Published: September 2013

Scholars studying migration processes through the transnational prism have expanded the concept of ‘diaspora’ with a new meaning as a transnational, hybrid identity and condition, which has displaced the classical interpretation constructed around ethnicity and territory. By analyzing the activities of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, which represents the organised Ukrainian community in Canada, an old‐type diaspora, this paper argues that transnationality and hybridity have always been the inner attributes of diaspora identity and experience and stresses the importance of an essential characteristic of diaspora: the conscious effort to maintain a distinctive collective identity. Only if a community succeeds in maintaining its collective identity throughout multigenerational change can it qualify as a diaspora. These two dimensions – the self‐consciousness of diaspora as a distinctive group and the survival of its distinctive identity through multigenerational change – set diasporas apart from transnational communities.
Interactive nationhood: the relation between Croatian and Yugoslav national identity in the interwar period
Authors: Troch Pieter
Published: September 2013

Croatian and Yugoslav national identity have been closely connected throughout the nineteenth and twentieth century. This article questions the assumption that Croatian national identification inherently opposed the Yugoslav nationalising efforts of the interwar Yugoslav state by means of a study of commemorative activities. In the commemoration of the millennial anniversary of the Croatian Kingdom in 1925, the Yugoslav level of national identity was activated as a complement to Croatian national identity. During the 1930s, commemorations of Matija Gubec and the Illyrian movement conveyed a mutually exclusive relation between Croatian and Yugoslav national identity. I argue that the dismissal of grassroots Croatian historical commemorations that were indifferent but not averse to Yugoslav nationhood in the integral Yugoslav policy of the authoritarian state during the 1930s curtailed the potential of these commemorations as vehicles for Yugoslav national identification and complicated the concurrence of Croatian and Yugoslav nationhood.
The Challenge for Peace within South Vietnam's Catholic Community: A History of Peace Activism
Authors: Thị Liên Trần
Published: September 2013

Beyond the common vision of Vietnamese Catholics as a group who supported the defense of South Vietnam at all costs, this article brings to light the thinking of those who contemplated the end of the war and its significance in terms of reconciliation. The history of this Catholic engagement for peace is the story of activism at the crossroads of religious and political spheres during the period 1962–1975. This group was particularly productive through an impressive number of publications, which offer a large corpus of texts over 15 years. Confronted by many challenges (religious, economic, political), this progressive wing endeavored to produce an analytic reflection based on Vatican II values, on the Vietnamese situation, and to participate in the building of a political alternative for their country.
Constraints on the evolution of azole resistance in plant pathogenic fungi
Authors: Cools H. J. , Hawkins N. J. , Fraaije B. A.
Published: September 2013

The durability of azole fungicides in controlling agriculturally important pathogenic fungi is unique amongst modern single site fungicides. Today, azoles are still relied on to control pathogens of many crops including cereals, fruits and vegetables, canola and soybeans. Significantly, this widespread use continues despite many reports of azole‐resistant fungal strains. In this review, recent reports of azole resistance and the mechanisms associated with resistant phenotypes are discussed. The example of the complex evolution of the azole target sterol 14α‐demethylase (CYP51) enzyme in modern European populations of the wheat pathogen Mycosphaerella graminicola is used to describe the quantitative and epistatic effects on fungicide sensitivity and enzyme function of target site mutations, and to explore the hypothesis that constraints on CYP51 evolution have ensured the longevity of azoles. In addition, the threats posed by alternative resistance mechanisms causing cross‐resistance to all azoles or even unrelated fungicides are discussed, and postulations are made on how using new genomic technologies to gain a greater understanding of azole resistance evolution should enhance the ability to control azole‐resistant strains of plant pathogenic fungi in the future.
Adiabatic and Overall Effectiveness for the Showerhead Film Cooling of a Turbine Vane
Authors: Nathan Marc L. , Dyson Thomas E. , Bogard David G. , Bradshaw Sean D.
Published: September 2013

There have been a number of previous studies of the adiabatic film effectiveness for the showerhead region of a turbine vane, but no previous studies of the overall cooling effectiveness. The overall cooling effectiveness is a measure of the external surface temperature relative to the mainstream temperature and the inlet coolant temperature, and consequently is a direct measure of how effectively the surface is cooled. This can be determined experimentally when the model is constructed so that the Biot number is similar to that of engine components, and the internal cooling is designed so that the ratio of the external to internal heat transfer coefficient is matched to that of the engine. In this study, the overall effectiveness was experimentally measured on a model turbine vane constructed of a material to match Bi for engine conditions. The model incorporated an internal impingement cooling configuration. The cooling design consisted of a showerhead composed of five rows of holes with one additional row on both pressure and suction sides of the vane. An identical model was also constructed out of low conductivity foam to measure adiabatic film effectiveness. Of particular interest in this study was to use the overall cooling effectiveness measurements to identify local hot spots which might lead to failure of the vane. Furthermore, the experimental measurements provided an important database for evaluation of computational fluid dynamics simulations of the conjugate heat transfer effects that occur in the showerhead region. Continuous improvement in both measures of performance was demonstrated with increasing momentum flux ratio.
Flow Field Investigations on the Effect of Rib Placement in a Cooling Channel With Film-Cooling
Authors: Kunze Martin , Vogeler Konrad
Published: September 2013

This paper presents experimental investigations on flat plate film-cooling in combination with a ribbed cooling channel. The effect of rib placement on the film-cooling injection and the flow in the cooling channel was studied. The velocity fields were measured using optical laser measurement techniques including LDA (laser doppler anemometry) and PIV (particle image velocimetry). A row of three cylindrical film holes is placed in the center rib segment of the cooling channel. The dimensionless rib-to-hole position s/D is varied from 4.5 to 10.5. The investigations are conducted at isothermal conditions for a variation of the coolant Reynolds number Rec,Dh from 10,000 up to 60,000 and for three blowing rates M = 0.5, 0.75, and 1.00. The flow field results for the film-cooling injection showed only a small influence of the rib placement. Due to different coolant-to-main flow pressure ratios across the row, a slight nonuniform share of coolant flow occurs. Intense streamwise mixing and decay of the turbulence in the film jet was observed within the first 10 hole diameters. Enhancement of the turbulence intensity inside the jet core was found with increasing coolant Reynolds numbers. Inside the internal cooling channel, the flow field showed significant influence of the rib position which is most pronounced at low Reynolds number (Rec,Dh = 10,000) and high blowing ratios (M = 1.0). The effect becomes significantly smaller when the Reynolds number is increased. This is mainly attributed to the strongly increasing channel mass flow which equals to a decreasing suction ratio SR = uh/uc of the holes. The experimental results are compared to comprehensive numerical simulations.
Minimizing Invasiveness of Liver Resection Using an Integrated Tissue Ablation and Division Device With Blood Flow Sensing
Authors: Huang Wei-Hsuan , Chui Chee-Kong , Chang Stephen K. Y.
Published: September 2013

Liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer. Liver resection or hepatectomy has been performed to remove the cancerous portion of the liver organ. This paper reports an integrated surgical mechatronic device that minimizes blood loss during tissue resection and prevents excessive tissue ablation. The novel device integrates radio-frequency electrodes to induce coagulation to the blood vessels, a laser Doppler sensor to detect the stoppage of blood flow, and a retractable knife blade to divide the ablated tissue. Finite element simulation was used to improve upon the placement design of electrodes. Effectiveness of this device in reducing the invasiveness of tissue division was demonstrated with in vitro and in vivo animal experiments.
Comparison and Analysis of a Robotic Tendon and Jackspring™ Actuator for Wearable Robotic Systems
Authors: Sugar Thomas G. , Hollander Kevin W. , Boehler Alexander , Ward Jeffrey
Published: September 2013

Spring-based actuators are important in the design of wearable robotic systems. These actuators can store and release energy, and reduce the peak power requirements. Reducing these requirements allows the system to function with smaller and lighter-weight motors. Three actuators are compared: a lead screw actuator, a robotic tendon actuator, and a JackSpring™ actuator. The robotic tendon actuator adds a spring in series to the traditional actuator. The JackSpring actuator is a lead screw with a finite stiffness. A formal set of equations for the three actuators is added to Table 1 which summarizes the torque, angular speed, and power for each one. The traditional lead screw actuator cannot store and release energy and the power into the actuator must equal the power out of the actuator. The robotic tendon actuator stores and releases energy, and if a tuned spring is chosen, the power requirements can be greatly reduced. For example, if the desired external motion matches the natural frequency of the system, the motor does not need to rotate. The JackSpring actuator is a unique actuator because the stiffness and motion are coupled. It is shown that if the spring is tuned properly, the power requirements can be greatly reduced, as well.
Experimental and Numerical Investigation on Natural Convection Heat Transfer of TiO2–Water Nanofluids in a Square Enclosure
Authors: Hu Yanwei , He Yurong , Wang Shufu , Wang Qizhi , Inaki Schlaberg H.
Published: September 2013

An experimental and numerical investigation on natural convection heat transfer of TiO2–water nanofluids in a square enclosure was carried out for the present work. TiO2–water nanofluids with different nanoparticle mass fractions were prepared for the experiment and physical properties of the nanofluids including thermal conductivity and viscosity were measured. Results show that both thermal conductivity and viscosity increase when increasing the mass fraction of TiO2 nanoparticles. In addition, the thermal conductivity of nanofluids increases, while the viscosity of nanofluids decreases with increasing the temperature. Nusselt numbers under different Rayleigh numbers were obtained from experimental data. Experimental results show that natural convection heat transfer of nanofluids is no better than water and even worse when the Rayleigh number is low. Numerical studies are carried out by a Lattice Boltzmann model (LBM) coupling the density and the temperature distribution functions to simulate the convection heat transfer in the enclosure. The experimental and numerical results are compared with each other finding a good match in this investigation, and the results indicate that natural convection heat transfer of TiO2–water nanofluids is more sensitive to viscosity than to thermal conductivity.
Measurement of Interface Thermal Resistance With Neutron Diffraction
Authors: Lee Seung-Yub , Skorpenske Harley , Stoica Alexandru D. , An Ke , Wang Xun-Li , Noyan I. C.
Published: September 2013

A noncontact, nondestructive neutron diffraction technique for measuring thermal resistance of buried material interfaces in bulk samples, inaccessible to thermocouple measurements, is described. The technique uses spatially resolved neutron diffraction measurements to measure temperature, and analytical or numerical methods to calculate the corresponding thermal resistance. It was tested at the VULCAN instrument of the Spallation Neutron Source, Oak Ridge National Laboratories on a stack of three 6061 alloy aluminum plates (heat-source, middle-plate, and heat-sink), held in dry thermal contact, at low pressure, in ambient air. The results agreed with thermocouple-based measurements. This technique is applicable to all crystalline materials and most interface configurations, and it can be used for the characterization of thermal resistance across interfaces in actual engineering parts under nonambient conditions and/or in moving/rotating systems.
Load and Response Identification for a Nonlinear Flexible Structure Subject to Harmonic Loads
Authors: Chierichetti Maria
Published: September 2013

Experimental monitoring of dynamic response is generally limited to few locations in the system. However, the analysis of structural performance and design of control systems would benefit from a complete knowledge of the system dynamic during service. A numerical approach is developed to numerically reconstruct the load and response of a complete structure from few reference points, based on a modal approach for projecting the response at few points on the domain of the structure. This methodology is particularly advantageous when full-field monitoring of a structure is not a possible solution. An assembly of two beams joined by a nonlinear torsional spring is analyzed in case of different load distributions acting on its span. The approach is shown to be robust and reliable.
Electromagnetic Energy Conversion at Reconnection Fronts
Authors: Angelopoulos V. , Runov A. , Zhou X.-Z. , Turner D. L. , Kiehas S. A. , Li S.-S. , Shinohara I.
Published: September 2013

Observing Earth's Magnetotail

Magnetic reconnection is a process that converts magnetic energy to kinetic energy, thermal energy, and particle acceleration. The process operates in Earth's magnetotail, the narrow and elongated region of the magnetosphere that extends away from the Sun, and is believed to power Earth's auroras and other space physics phenomena.

Angelopoulos
et al.

(p.
1478
) present an observational study of energy conversion in the magnetotail and the associated transport of magnetic flux during a geomagnetic substorm.
Activity of Ceftaroline against Enterococcus faecium PBP5
Authors: Henry Xavier , Verlaine Oliver , Amoroso Ana , Coyette Jacques , Frère Jean-Marie , Joris Bernard
Published: September 2013

The opportunistic human pathogen
Enterococcus faecium
overproduces the low-affinity PBP5. In clinical strains, mutations in PBP5 further reduce its acylation rate by β-lactams. Previous studies have reported that ceftaroline had poor inhibitory activity against β-lactam-resistant
E. faecium
strains. In this study, we show that ceftaroline exhibits killing activity against our laboratory-derived ampicillin-resistant
E. faecium
mutant that overproduces a wild-type PBP5 and that ceftaroline inactivates PBP5 much faster than benzylpenicillin and faster than ceftobiprole.
Induction of Influx and Efflux Transporters and Cytochrome P450 3A4 in Primary Human Hepatocytes by Rifampin, Rifabutin, and Rifapentine
Authors: Williamson Beth , Dooley Kelly E. , Zhang Yuan , Back David J. , Owen Andrew
Published: September 2013

Rifampin is a potent inducer of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and transporters. Drug-drug interactions during tuberculosis treatment are common. Induction by rifapentine and rifabutin is understudied. Rifampin and rifabutin significantly induced
CYP3A4
(80-fold and 20-fold, respectively) in primary human hepatocytes. The induction was concentration dependent. Rifapentine induced CYP3A4 in hepatocytes from 3 of 6 donors. Data were also generated for ABCB1, ABCC1, ABCC2, organic anion-transporting polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1), and OATP1B3. This work serves as a basis for further study of the extent to which rifamycins induce key metabolism and transporter genes.
Adapted J6/JFH1-Based Hepatitis C Virus Recombinants with Genotype-Specific NS4A Show Similar Efficacies against Lead Protease Inhibitors, Alpha Interferon, and a Putative NS4A Inhibitor
Authors: Gottwein Judith M. , Jensen Sanne B. , Serre Stéphanie B. N. , Ghanem Lubna , Scheel Troels K. H. , Jensen Tanja B. , Krarup Henrik , Uzcategui Nathalie , Mikkelsen Lotte S. , Bukh Jens
Published: September 2013

To facilitate studies of hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS4A, we aimed at developing J6/JFH1-based recombinants with genotype 1- to 7-specific NS4A proteins. We developed efficient culture systems expressing NS4A proteins of genotypes (isolates) 1a (H77 and TN), 1b (J4), 2a (J6), 4a (ED43), 5a (SA13), 6a (HK6a), and 7a (QC69), with peak infectivity titers of ∼3.5 to 4.5 log
10
focus-forming units per ml. Except for genotype 2a (J6), growth depended on adaptive mutations identified in long-term culture. Genotype 1a, 1b, and 4a recombinants were adapted by amino acid substitutions F772S (p7) and V1663A (NS4A), while 5a, 6a, and 7a recombinants required additional substitutions in the NS3 protease and/or NS4A. We demonstrated applicability of the developed recombinants for study of antivirals. Genotype 1 to 7 NS4A recombinants showed similar responses to the protease inhibitors telaprevir (VX-950), boceprevir (Sch503034), simeprevir (TMC435350), danoprevir (ITMN-191), and vaniprevir (MK-7009), to alpha interferon 2b, and to the putative NS4A inhibitor ACH-806. The efficacy of ACH-806 was lower than that of protease inhibitors and was not influenced by changes at amino acids 1042 and 1065 (in the NS3 protease), which have been suggested to mediate resistance to ACH-806 in replicons. Genotype 1a, 1b, and 2a recombinants showed viral spread under long-term treatment with ACH-806, without acquisition of resistance mutations in the NS3-NS4A region. Relatively high concentrations of ACH-806 inhibited viral assembly, but not replication, in a single-cycle production assay. The developed HCV culture systems will facilitate studies benefitting from expression of genotype-specific NS4A in a constant backbone in the context of the complete viral replication cycle, including functional studies and evaluations of the efficacy of antivirals.
Characterization of a Novel Composite Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome
mec
(SCC
mec
-SCC
cad
/
ars
/
cop
) in the Neonatal Sepsis-Associated Staphylococcus capitis Pulsotype NRCS-A
Authors: Martins Simões P. , Rasigade J.-P. , Lemriss H. , Butin M. , Ginevra C. , Lemriss S. , Goering R. V. , Ibrahimi A. , Picaud J. C. , El Kabbaj S. , Vandenesch F. , Laurent F.
Published: September 2013

Multiresistant
Staphylococcus capitis
pulsotype NRCS-A has been reported to be a major pathogen causing nosocomial bacteremia in preterm infants. We report that the NRCS-A strain CR01 harbors a novel 60.9-kb composite staphylococcal cassette chromosome
mec
(SCC
mec
) element, composed of an SCC
mec
with strong homologies to
Staphylococcus aureus
ST398 SCC
mec
and of an SCC
cad/ars/cop
harboring resistance genes for cadmium, arsenic, and copper. Whole-genome-based comparisons of published
S. capitis
strains suggest that strain CR01 acquired the two elements independently.
Antifungal Prophylaxis with Posaconazole in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Dose Intensification Coupled with Avoidance of Proton Pump Inhibitors Is Beneficial in Shortening Time to Effective Concentrations
Authors: Cojutti Piergiorgio , Candoni Anna , Simeone Erica , Franceschi Loretta , Fanin Renato , Pea Federico
Published: September 2013

This study aimed to assess the influence of dose frequency and the presence or absence of cotreatment with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) on the time to a target trough concentration (
C
min
) of >700 ng/ml with posaconazole in the first 8 days of antifungal prophylaxis in hematological patients. This was a retrospective, observational study performed with 42 adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia who underwent posaconazole prophylaxis with 200 mg every 8 h (q8h) or 200 mg q6h after receiving induction chemotherapy and who had at least three subsequent therapeutic drug monitoring assessments during the first 8 days of treatment. The cohort was split into four groups (group 1, 200 mg q8h without PPI; group 2, 200 mg q8h with PPI; group 3, 200 mg q6h without PPI; group 4, 200 mg q6h with PPI). Rapid attainment of the target
C
min
was obtained only in group 3 (
P
< 0.01) (median
C
min
on day 4 of 935.5 ng/ml [interquartile range, 760.0 to 1,270.0 ng/ml] in group 3, versus 567.0 ng/ml [346 to 906 ng/ml] in group 1, 420.0 ng/ml [326.2 to 527.2 ng/ml] in group 2, and 514.0 ng/ml [403.7 to 564.7 ng/ml] in group 4). A linear accumulation of posaconazole over time was observed among patients in groups 1 and 3, regardless of the total daily dosage, differently from what occurred among those receiving PPI cotreatment (groups 2 and 4). Dose intensification (200 mg q6h) coupled with avoidance of PPI coadministration may represent a very powerful strategy to rapidly achieve effective concentrations with posaconazole in neutropenic hematological patients.
Surface Glycoproteins of an African Henipavirus Induce Syncytium Formation in a Cell Line Derived from an African Fruit Bat, Hypsignathus monstrosus
Authors: Krüger Nadine , Hoffmann Markus , Weis Michael , Drexler Jan Felix , Müller Marcel Alexander , Winter Christine , Corman Victor Max , Gützkow Tim , Drosten Christian , Maisner Andrea , Herrler Georg
Published: September 2013

Serological screening and detection of genomic RNA indicates that members of the genus
Henipavirus
are present not only in Southeast Asia but also in African fruit bats. We demonstrate that the surface glycoproteins F and G of an African henipavirus (M74) induce syncytium formation in a kidney cell line derived from an African fruit bat,
Hypsignathus monstrosus
. Despite a less broad cell tropism, the M74 glycoproteins show functional similarities to glycoproteins of Nipah virus.
Malaria vaccines: past, present and future
Authors: von Seidlein Lorenz , Bejon Philip
Published: September 2013

The currently available malaria control tools have allowed malaria elimination in many regions but there remain many regions where malaria control has made little progress. A safe and protective malaria vaccine would be a huge asset for malaria control. Despite the many challenges, efforts continue to design and evaluate malaria vaccine candidates. These candidates target different stages in the life cycle ofPlasmodia. The most advanced vaccine candidates target the pre-erythrocytic stages in the life cycle of the parasite and include RTS,S/AS01, which has progressed through clinical development to the stage that it may be licensed in 2015. Attenuated whole-parasite vaccine candidates are highly protective, but there are challenges to manufacture and to administration. Cellular immunity is targeted by the prime–boost approach. Priming vectors trigger only modest responses but these are focused on the recombinant antigen. Boosting vectors trigger strong but broad non-specific responses. The heterologous sequence produces strong immunological responses to the recombinant antigen. Candidates that target the blood stages of the parasite have to result in an immune response that is more effective than the response to an infection to abort or control the infection of merozoites and hence disease. Finally, the sexual stages of the parasite offer another target for vaccine development, which would prevent the transmission of malaria. Today it seems unlikely that any candidate targeting a single antigen will provide complete protection against an organism of the complexity ofPlasmodium. A systematic search for vaccine targets and combinations of antigens may be a more promising approach.
A comorbid case of multicentric Castleman's disease and pulmonary hyalinising granuloma successfully treated with tocilizumab and corticosteroid
Authors: Takeuchi Naoko , Arai Toru , Kitaichi Masanori , Inoue Yoshikazu
Published: September 2013

A 49-year-old man with superficial lymphadenopathy presented with symptoms of low-grade fever, general fatigue and weight loss. On examination, multiple superficial lymphadenopathies and brown macules were observed on the trunk. Laboratory studies revealed an elevation of serum C reactive protein and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in addition to polyclonal hyperimmunoglobulinaemia. High-resolution CT of the chest showed bilateral multiple nodules and patchy ground-glass opacities with interstitial thickening. Biopsy of the cervical lymph node and skin biopsy showed numerous perivascular plasma cells, which were characteristic of the plasma cell type of Castleman's disease. Surgical lung biopsy showed hyalinising granuloma, which are hyalinous nodular lesions surrounded by lymphoid cells. He was diagnosed with multicentric Castleman's disease complicated by pulmonary hyalinising granulomas; his symptoms improved by treatment with tocilizumab, which is a humanised antihuman IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibody and corticosteroid. This is the first report of a comorbid case successfully treated with tocilizumab and corticosteroid.
Vein of Galen malformation presenting as persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn (PPHN)
Authors: Tiwary Sangeeta , Geethanath Ruppa Mohanram , Abu-Harb Majd
Published: September 2013

Arteriovenous malformation is a recognised cause of persistent pulmonary hypertension in a newborn (PPHN). Vein of Galen malformation (VOGM) is a rare vascular malformation which can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated early. We describe a case of a term baby who presented at day 4 of life with PPHN secondary to VOGM. The neonate underwent two transarterial interventional embolisation procedures on day 9 and then another one due to developing ventricular dilation on day 44. He remains stable since and was doing well at clinical review at 10 weeks and 4 months of age. VOGM usually presents in the neonatal period with high-output cardiac failure. In a baby who presents atypically with pulmonary hypertension, a cranial ultrasound scan should be considered to look for extracardiac shunting in the brain, especially, VOGM.
What is this? VT versus SVT
Authors: Gupta Prabha Nini , Kumar Anup , Namboodiri Narayanan , Balachandran Anil
Published: September 2013

We present a patient who had a wide QRS tachycardia; it was initially difficult to determine whether it was superventricular tachycardia (SVT) or ventricular tachycardia (VT). By some criteria (sinus capture beats, pseudo-δ waves and wide QRS) the patient's ECG was suggestive of VT of epicardial origin. On the coronary angiogram it was found that this patient had significant coronary artery disease. He was stented with three stents and later had a full electrophysiological study .We present here the ECGs and the differential diagnosis and a brief review of the diagnostic features of epicardial VT.
Acute liver injury secondary to sertraline
Authors: Li Wai Suen Christopher F D , Boyapati Ray , Simpson Ian , Dev Anouk
Published: September 2013

Sertraline is widely prescribed to treat depression and anxiety disorders. However, hepatitis secondary to its use is a rare entity. We report the case of a 26-year-old woman in her 20th week of pregnancy presented with nausea, vomiting, malaise and dark urine. This occurred 6 months after sertraline 50 mg daily was started for the treatment of depression. Three weeks prior to her presentation, the dose of sertraline was increased to 100 mg daily. The patient's liver biochemical profile demonstrated increased transaminases. The biopsy of the liver showed lobular hepatitis, with a mild prominence of eosinophils, suggestive of a drug-induced or toxin-induced aetiology. Extensive biochemical work-up failed to show any other pathology to account for her hepatitis. Liver function tests normalised after cessation of sertraline, indicating a probable association between sertraline use and acute hepatocellular injury in our patient.
Emergency department-reported injuries associated with mechanical home exercise equipment in the USA
Authors: Graves Janessa M , Iyer Krithika R , Willis Margaret M , Ebel Beth E , Rivara Frederick P , Vavilala Monica S
Published: September 2013

The goal of this study was to generate national estimates of injuries associated with mechanical home exercise equipment, and to describe these injuries across all ages. Emergency department (ED)-treated injuries associated with mechanical home exercise equipment were identified from 2007 to 2011 from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System. Text narratives provided exercise equipment type (treadmill, elliptical, stationary bicycle, unspecified/other exercise machine). Approximately 70 302 (95% CI 59 086 to 81 519) mechanical exercise equipment-related injuries presented to US EDs nationally during 2007–2011, of which 66% were attributed to treadmills. Most injuries among children (≤4 years) were lacerations (34%) or soft tissue injuries (48%); among adults (≥25 years) injuries were often sprains/strains (30%). Injured older adults (≥65 years) had greater odds of being admitted, held for observation, or transferred to another hospital, compared with younger ages (OR: 2.58; 95% CI 1.45 to 4.60). Mechanical exercise equipment is a common cause of injury across ages. Injury awareness and prevention are important complements to active lifestyles.
North American Solitaire Stent Retriever Acute Stroke registry: post-marketing revascularization and clinical outcome results
Authors: Zaidat Osama O , Castonguay Alicia C , Gupta Rishi , Sun Chung-Huan J , Martin Coleman , Holloway William E , Mueller-Kronast Nils , English Joey D , Linfante Italo , Dabus Guilherme , Malisch Tim W , Marden Franklin A , Bozorgchami Hormozd , Xavier Andrew , Rai Ansaar T , Froehler Michael T , Badruddin Aamir , Nguyen Thanh N , Taqi M Asif , Abraham Michael G , Janardhan Vallabh , Shaltoni Hashem , Novakovic Roberta , Yoo Albert J , Abou-Chebl Alex , Chen Peng R , Britz Gavin W , Kaushal Ritesh , Nanda Ashish , Issa Mohammad A , Nogueira Raul G
Published: September 2013

Background

Limited post-marketing data exist on the use of the Solitaire FR device in clinical practice. The North American Solitaire Stent Retriever Acute Stroke (NASA) registry aimed to assess the real world performance of the Solitaire FR device in contrast with the results from the SWIFT (Solitaire with the Intention for Thrombectomy) and TREVO 2 (Trevo versus Merci retrievers for thrombectomy revascularization of large vessel occlusions in acute ischemic stroke) trials.

Methods

The investigator initiated NASA registry recruited North American sites to submit retrospective angiographic and clinical outcome data on consecutive acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients treated with the Solitaire FR between March 2012 and February 2013. The primary outcome was a Thrombolysis in Myocardial Ischemia (TIMI) score of ≥2 or a Treatment in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) score of ≥2a. Secondary outcomes were 90 day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score, mortality, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage.

Results

354 patients underwent treatment for AIS using the Solitaire FR device in 24 centers. Mean time from onset to groin puncture was 363.4±239 min, mean fluoroscopy time was 32.9±25.7 min, and mean procedure time was 100.9±57.8 min.Recanalization outcome:TIMI ≥2 rate of 83.3% (315/354) and TICI ≥2a rate of 87.5% (310/354) compared with the operator reported TIMI ≥2 rate of 83% in SWIFT and TICI ≥2a rate of 85% in TREVO 2.Clinical outcome:42% (132/315) of NASA patients demonstrated a 90 day mRS ≤2 compared with 37% (SWIFT) and 40% (TREVO 2). 90 day mortality was 30.2% (95/315) versus 17.2% (SWIFT) and 29% (TREVO 2).

Conclusions

The NASA registry demonstrated that the Solitaire FR device performance in clinical practice is comparable with the SWIFT and TREVO 2 trial results.
Cranial radiation exposure during cerebral catheter angiography
Authors: Chohan Muhammad Omar , Sandoval Daniel , Buchan Andrew , Murray-Krezan Cristina , Taylor Christopher L
Published: September 2013

Background

Radiation exposure to patients and personnel remains a major concern in the practice of interventional radiology, with minimal literature available on exposure to the forehead and cranium.

Objective

In this study, we measured cranial radiation exposure to the patient, operating interventional neuroradiologist, and circulating nurse during neuroangiographic procedures. We also report the effectiveness of wearing a 0.5 mm lead equivalent cap as protection against radiation scatter.

Design

24 consecutive adult interventional neuroradiology procedures (six interventional, 18 diagnostic) were prospectively studied for cranial radiation exposures in the patient and personnel. Data were collected using electronic detectors and thermoluminescent dosimeters.

Results

Mean fluoroscopy time for diagnostic and interventional procedures was 8.48 (SD 2.79) min and 26.80 (SD 6.57) min, respectively. Mean radiation exposure to the operator's head was 0.08 mSv, as measured on the outside of the 0.5 mm lead equivalent protective headgear. This amounts to around 150 mSv/year, far exceeding the current deterministic threshold for the lens of the eye (ie, 20 mSv/year) in high volume centers performing up to five procedures a day. When compared with doses measured on the inside of the protective skullcap, there was a statistically significant reduction in the amount of radiation received by the operator's skull.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that a modern neurointerventional suite is safe when equipped with proper protective shields and personal gear. However, cranial exposure is not completely eliminated with existing protective devices and the addition of a protective skullcap eliminates this exposure to both the operator and support staff.
Treatment of 14 intracranial aneurysms with the FRED system
Authors: Diaz Orlando , Gist Taylor L , Manjarez Ginna , Orozco Fernando , Almeida Rafael
Published: September 2013

Background

Endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms via flow diversion has become increasingly popular over the past several years. The flow redirection endoluminal device (FRED; Microvention, Tustin, California, USA) system is a next generation closed cell paired stent flow diversion device.

Objective

Our initial clinical experience with the FRED system is described. We believe this series to be the first use of the FRED system in the western hemisphere.

Methods

14 aneurysms were treated utilizing the FRED system in 13 patients. Post-deployment angiography and fluoro CTs were obtained in all cases.

Results

Immediate post-treatment angiography demonstrated reduced flow into all aneurysms although no long term angiographic data are yet available. The device proved technically easy to deploy and recapture after partial deployment if needed. No complications, technical or otherwise, were encountered. Radiographic visibility and ability to maintain its internal cylindrical shape in tortuous arteries, as demonstrated by fluoro CT, was at least as good as the pipeline embolization device.

Conclusions

The FRED system was technically easy to deploy with no procedural complications occurring in this first reported series of 14 aneurysms. The ability of the FRED system to be recaptured after partial deployment and to maintain its internal shape in tortuous vessels was demonstrated well. Long term clinical and angiographic follow-up along with prospective studies are now needed to ascertain the role of the FRED in intracranial aneurysm treatment.
Occurrence and magnitude of low flows for Canadian rivers: an ecozone approach
Authors: Hulley Mike , Clarke Colin , Watt Ed
Published: September 2013

Low-flow occurrence and magnitude have been documented for Canada using the National Ecological Framework. The low flow database is composed of the 7-day low flow with 2-year return period (7Q2) values for 453 natural flow hydrometric stations with record lengths of at least 30 years; drainage areas ranged from 10 to 30 000 km2. Occurrence zones corresponding to predominant season for annual low flows are associated with ecozones. The ecozone scale was found to be suitable for regional analysis for several ecozones. For some ecozones there were insufficient data for regional analysis and for others finer resolution is required. Regional regression equations were developed for estimating 7Q2 in terms of area for ecozones containing at least 20 stations. The results of this work will help practitioners to identify the season of low flow occurrence and the appropriate method of analysis, and provide a means of estimating 7Q2 for ungauged sites for some ecozones.
Regional and local ice-flow history in the vicinity of the Izok Lake Zn–Cu–Pb–Ag deposit, Nunavut
Authors: Paulen Roger C. , McClenaghan M. Beth , Hicken Anna K.
Published: September 2013

Ice-directional indicators were compiled from detailed field mapping at the Izok Lake volcanogenic massive sulphide deposit, in the Point Lake region of western Nunavut and eastern Northwest Territories. Cross-cutting erosional relationships and depositional landforms indicate that the Izok Lake area was affected by four ice-flow phases. It is this new glacial history interpretation that is used to explain the gahnite indicator mineral dispersal train down-ice of the Izok Lake deposit as being the net effect of all ice-flow phases. Its fan-shaped morphology is a function of the duration and intensity of two dominant glacial trajectories. Field-based mapping of all glacial-flow indicators are essential, and must be properly interpreted, to detect palimpsest dispersal trains. The resultant dispersal fan serves as a model for future exploration in the glaciated terrain of the north-central part of the Slave Province.
SINGULARITIES AND THE FINALE OF BLACK HOLE EVAPORATION
Authors: XIANG LI , LING YI , SHEN YOU GEN
Published: September 2013

In this paper, we argue that once quantum gravitational effects change the classical geometry of a black hole and remove the curvature singularity, the black hole would not evaporate entirely but approach a remnant. In a modified Schwarzschild spacetime characterized by a finite Kretschmann scalar, a minimal mass of the black hole is naturally bounded by the existence of the horizon rather than introduced by hand. A thermodynamical analysis discloses that the temperature, heat capacity and the luminosity vanish naturally when the black hole mass approaches the minimal value. This phenomenon may be attributed to the existence of the minimal length in quantum gravity. It can also be understood heuristically by connecting the generalized uncertainty principle with the running of Newton's gravitational constant.
MORPHOLOGICAL AND CRYSTALLOGRAPHIC PROPERTIES OF RARE EARTH OXIDES COATINGS DEPOSITED BY DOUBLE DUAL BEAM-PLD
Authors: KHAMLICH S. , NGOM B. D. , KOTSEDI C. K. , BOUZIANE K. , MANIKANDAN E. , MAAZA M.
Published: September 2013

Various rare earth oxide nanostructures were synthesized for the first time by dual-double pulsed gas feeding/pulsed laser deposition. The optically transparent and insulating nanostructures do not exhibit the standard columnar configuration of rare earth oxide thin films but rather dense structures and a significant chemical stoichiometry. More precisely, they exhibit single crystallographic low temperature phases with preferential textures, generally similar to that of the bulk used powder targets. For the cubic fluorine type CeO 2 and Ho 2 O 3 films, an epitaxial growth is observed with a special feature noticed in the case of the Eu 2 O 3 nanostructure. For this latter, localized and very large oriented crystallites embedded in disordered packed pyramidal crystallites are observed.
ON LCM-STABLE MODULES
Authors: KIM HWANKOO , WANG FANGGUI
Published: September 2013

A torsion-free module M over a commutative integral domain R is said to be LCM-stable over R if (Ra ∩ Rb)M = Ma ∩ Mb for all a, b ∈ R. We show that if the module M is LCM-stable over a GCD-domain R, then the polynomial module M[X] is LCM-stable over R[X]; if R is a w-coherent locally GCD-domain, then LCM-stability and reflexivity are equivalent for w-finite type torsion-free R-modules. Finally, we introduce the concept of w-LCM-stability for modules over a domain. Then we characterize when the module M is w-LCM-stable over the domain in terms of localizations and t-Nagata modules, respectively. Also we characterize Prüfer v-multiplication domains and Krull domains in terms of w-LCM-stability.
STRONG KOSZULNESS OF TORIC RINGS ASSOCIATED WITH STABLE SET POLYTOPES OF TRIVIALLY PERFECT GRAPHS
Authors: MATSUDA KAZUNORI
Published: September 2013

We give necessary and sufficient conditions for strong Koszulness of toric rings associated with stable set polytopes of graphs.
Module parallel transports in fuzzy gauge theory
Authors: Schenkel Alexander
Published: September 2013

In this paper, we define and investigate a notion of parallel transport on finite projective modules over finite matrix algebras. Given a derivation-based differential calculus on the algebra and a connection on the module, we construct for every derivation X a module parallel transport, which is a lift to the module of the one-parameter group of algebra automorphisms generated by X. This parallel transport morphism is determined uniquely by an ordinary differential equation depending on the covariant derivative along X. Based on these parallel transport morphisms, we define a basic set of gauge invariant observables, i.e. functions from the space of connections to the complex numbers. For modules equipped with a Hermitian structure, we prove that this set of observables is separating on the space of gauge equivalence classes of Hermitian connections. This solves the gauge copy problem for fuzzy gauge theories.
ON THREE-VARIABLE EXPANDERS OVER FINITE FIELDS
Authors: VINH LE ANH
Published: September 2013

Let 𝔽q be the finite field with q elements and P(x, y) be a polynomial in 𝔽q[x, y]. Using additive character sum estimates, we study expander property of the function x1 + P(x2, x3). We give an alternative proof using spectra of sum–product graphs in the case of P(x, y) = xy, and also extend the problem in the setting of finite cyclic rings.
CONGRUENCES CONCERNING LUCAS SEQUENCES
Authors: SUN ZHI-HONG
Published: September 2013

Let p be a prime greater than 3. In this paper, by using expansions and congruences for Lucas sequences and the theory of cubic residues and cubic congruences, we establish some congruences for [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] modulo p, where [x] is the greatest integer not exceeding x, and m is a rational p-adic integer with m ≢ 0 ( mod p).
Mathematical models for some problems in textile engineering and its corresponding discussions
Authors: Zhang Li , You Xinhua , Chen Jun , Zhang Liang
Published: September 2013

Textile industry is very important to the development of Chinese industry and economy. Image processing techniques are beneficial to improve the quality of cotton goods. Suitable blending ratio of yarn is good for it. It is significant to measure the blending ratio of yarn in the practice of textile engineering. Combined with results done by other scholars, this paper uses the concepts of acreage index, abnormity index and fluctuation index. Based on these morphologic indices, it is convenient to construct corresponding eigenvector and to discuss useful mathematical method for the cluster analysis during the measurement of the blending ratio. This paper also sets up some kinds of nonlinear optimization model for the problem. Using classical integer programming algorithm, support vector machine algorithm and genetic algorithm to the problem, we get fine results for cluster analysis. Finally, we give out another problem of image processing and have some discussions about it.
Long-term time-lapse multimodal intravital imaging of regeneration and bone-marrow-derived cell dynamics in skin
Authors: Graf Benedikt W. , Chaney Eric J. , Marjanovic Marina , Adie Steven G. , De Lisio Michael , Valero M. Carmen , Boppart Marni D. , Boppart Stephen A.
Published: September 2013

A major challenge for translating cell-based therapies is understanding the dynamics of cells and cell populations in complex in vivo environments. Intravital microscopy has shown great promise for directly visualizing cell behavior in vivo. However, current methods are limited to relatively short imaging times (hours), by ways to track cell and cell population dynamics over extended time-lapse periods (days to weeks to months), and by relatively few imaging contrast mechanisms that persist over extended investigations. We present technology to visualize and quantify complex, multifaceted dynamic changes in natural deformable skin over long time periods using novel multimodal imaging and a non-rigid image registration method. These are demonstrated in green fluorescent protein (GFP) bone marrow (BM) transplanted mice to study dynamic skin regeneration. This technology provides a novel perspective for studying dynamic biological processes and will enable future studies of stem, immune, and tumor cell biology in vivo.