bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
One-year Followup Study on Clinical Findings and Changes in Magnetic Resonance Imaging-based Disease Activity Scores in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Authors: Hemke Robert , van Veenendaal Mira , van den Berg J. Merlijn , Dolman Koert M. , van Rossum Marion A.J. , Maas Mario , Kuijpers Taco W.
Published: December 2013

Objective.

To evaluate whether clinical disease activity findings during 1-year followup of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is associated with changes of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based disease activity scores.

Methods.

Patients with JIA who had active knee involvement were studied using an open-bore MRI. After followup of a median of 1.3 years, patients were re-evaluated and classified as improved or unimproved according to the American College of Rheumatology Pediatric-50 (ACR-Ped50) criteria. Baseline and followup MRI features were scored by 2 readers using the Juvenile Arthritis MRI Scoring (JAMRIS) system, comprising validated scores for synovial hypertrophy, bone marrow changes, cartilage lesions, and bone erosions.

Results.

Data of 40 patients were analyzed (62.5% female, mean age 12.2 yrs). After followup, 27 patients (67.5%) were classified as clinically improved, whereas 13 patients (32.5%) showed no clinical improvement. The clinically improved patients showed a significant reduction in synovial hypertrophy scores during followup (p < 0.001), with substantial effects (standardized response mean −0.70). No such changes were observed for any of the other MRI features. Significant differences were detected regarding a change in synovial hypertrophy scores comparing clinically improved and unimproved patients (p = 0.004), without statistically significant differences for changes in scores for bone marrow changes (p = 0.079), cartilage lesions (p = 0.165), and bone erosions (p = 0.078).

Conclusion.

This is one of the first studies to provide evidence for MRI-based improvement upon followup in JIA patients with knee involvement. There is a strong association with clinical improvement according to the ACR-Ped50 criteria and changes in MRI-based synovial hypertrophy scores, supporting the role of MRI as a responsive outcome measure to evaluate disease activity with antiinflammatory treatment strategies.
Effect of Biologic Treatments on Growth in Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Authors: Uettwiller Florence , Perlbarg Julie , Pinto Graziella , Bader-Meunier Brigitte , Mouy Richard , Compeyrot-Lacassagne Sandrine , Melki Isabelle , Wouters Carine , Prieur Anne-Marie , Landais Paul , Polak Michel , Quartier Pierre
Published: December 2013

Objective.

Growth retardation is a frequent complication of severe juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Biologic treatments may improve growth velocity by controlling systemic inflammation and reducing corticosteroids. Our goals were to compare growth velocity before and after the onset of biologic therapy and to determine whether the JIA subtype, the use of steroids, the requirement of one or several biologic agents, or the disease activity influenced growth velocity.

Methods.

We retrospectively analyzed the growth of children with JIA who never received growth hormone treatment, who started biologic treatment before puberty, and who were followed for at least 6 months afterward.

Results.

We included 100 children (33 boys). Median patient age was 7.1 years (range: 1.6–15.7) at the onset of biologic treatment and 11.0 years (range: 2.3–19.5) at the latest followup. Forty-six patients had received corticosteroid and 34 had received more than 1 biologic agent. Patient median height expressed as SD score (SDS) was 0.31 (range: −2.47 to 5.46) at disease onset, −0.24 (−3.63 to 2.90) at biologic therapy onset (p < 0.0001), and −0.15 (−4.95 to 3.52) at the latest followup (p = 0.171 compared to biologic treatment onset). Patients who required several biologics and systemic patients had a significantly lower growth velocity after the onset of biologic treatment. At the latest followup, 18% of our study group had low growth velocities and 19% were below −2SD or shorter than genetically programmed.

Conclusion.

In a subset of patients, particularly systemic JIA patients and patients who required more than 1 biologic, biologic therapy may be insufficient to restore normal growth velocity.
Interleukin 28B Gene Polymorphisms in Hepatitis C Virus-related Cryoglobulinemic Vasculitis
Authors: Sansonno Domenico , Russi Sabino , Serviddio Gaetano , Conteduca Vincenza , D’Andrea Giovanna , Sansonno Loredana , Pavone Fabio , Lauletta Gianfranco , Mariggiò Maria Addolorata , Dammacco Franco
Published: December 2013

Objective.

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the interleukin 28B (IL-28B) gene region are strongly predictive of the response of infected patients to antiviral therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV). We sought to determine the prevalence of SNP IL-28B rs12979860 C/C and non-C/C (C/T plus T/T) genotypes in HCV-related cryoglobulinemic vasculitis (CV), as compared with HCV-positive patients without CV. We also searched for their association with peculiar clinical manifestations of CV and potential influence on the complete response (virological, molecular, and immunological) to the therapy.

Methods.

The study cohort comprised 159 and 172 HCV-infected patients with and without CV, respectively, prospectively followed starting from 1990. SNP rs12979860 genotyping was performed by Taq-Man allelic discrimination. In 106 patients (66.6%) with CV, the profile of circulating B cell clonalities was determined as well. All patients with CV were treated with pegylated interferon-α/ribavirin-based antiviral therapy.

Results.

The T/T IL-28B genotype was more common in patients with CV than in those without (17% vs 8.1%, p = 0.02). In patients with CV, compared with non-C/C variants, the IL-28B C/C genotype was associated with a higher rate of complete response (52.6% vs 39.2%, p = 0.13), whereas a treatment response of 61.4% was demonstrated when solely virological response was considered (p = 0.008). A higher frequency of expanded B cell clonalities in the circulation (84.2% vs 55.9%; p = 0.005), kidney involvement (21% vs 2.9%; p = 0.003), and B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (17.5% vs 6.8%; p = 0.048), were also observed.

Conclusion.

In HCV-positive patients with CV, the IL-28B C/C genotype is distinguished biologically by a higher frequency of restriction of B cell response and clinically by a higher risk of cryoglobulinemic nephropathy and B cell malignancies, while acting as an independent predictor of a sustained virological response to antiviral therapy. In addition, we found that IL-28B T/T variant was more prevalent in patients with CV than in those without.
Fat Infiltration on Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Sacroiliac Joints Has Limited Diagnostic Utility in Nonradiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis
Authors: Weber Ulrich , Pedersen Susanne J. , Zubler Veronika , Rufibach Kaspar , Chan Stanley M. , Lambert Robert G.W. , Østergaard Mikkel , Maksymowych Walter P.
Published: December 2013

Objective.

To explore whether morphological features of fat infiltration (FI) on sacroiliac joint (SIJ) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contribute to diagnostic utility in 2 inception cohorts of patients with nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA).

Methods.

Four blinded readers assessed SIJ MRI in 2 cohorts (A/B) of 157 consecutive patients with back pain who were ≤ 50 years old, and in 20 healthy controls. Patients were classified according to clinical examination and pelvic radiography as having nr-axSpA (n = 51), ankylosing spondylitis (n = 34), or nonspecific back pain (n = 72). Readers recorded FI, bone marrow edema (BME), and erosion, predefined morphological features of FI (distinct border, homogeneity, subchondral location), and anatomical distribution of SIJ FI. The proportion of SIJ quadrants affected by FI and frequencies of various SIJ FI features were analyzed descriptively. We calculated positive/negative likelihood ratios (LR) to estimate the diagnostic utility of various features of FI, with and without associated BME, and erosion.

Results.

Of the patients with nr-axSpA in cohorts A/B, 45.0%/48.4% had FI in ≥ 2 SIJ quadrants. Of those, 25.0%/22.6% and 20.0%/25.8% showed FI with distinct border or homogeneous pattern, respectively, and 50% to 100% of those patients displayed concomitant BME or erosion. FIper sein ≥ 2 SIJ quadrants had no diagnostic utility (LR+ 1.62/1.91). FI with distinct border (LR+ 8.29/2.13) or homogeneity (LR+ 6.24/3.78) demonstrated small to moderate diagnostic utility.

Conclusion.

SIJ FIper sewas not of clinical utility in recognition of nr-axSpA. Distinct border or homogeneity of FI on SIJ MRI showed small to moderate diagnostic utility in nr-axSpA, but were strongly associated with concomitant BME or erosion, highlighting the contextual interpretation of SIJ MRI.
Les multiples déterminants de la mémoire à court terme verbale : Implications théoriques et évaluatives
Authors: Majerus Steve
Published: December 2013

Résumé Les tâches d’empan (empan de chiffres ; empan de mots) sont traditionnellement considérées comme mesurant les capacités limitées d’un système de mémoire à court terme verbale spécialisé tel que la boucle phonologique décrite par Baddeley et Hitch (1974). Cependant, de plus en plus de données montrent que ces tâches, en apparence très simples, recrutent en réalité des processus cognitifs complexes, en partie partagés avec d’autres fonctions cognitives. Parmi ces processus nous identifierons : (1) l’activation temporaire du système langagier, (2) l’attention sélective, (3) le traitement de l’ordre sériel. Nous proposerons un modèle théorique intégrant ces trois éléments comme principes de base de la mémoire à court terme verbale et de son développement chez l’enfant. Ensuite, nous développerons les implications pour l’évaluation de la mémoire à court terme verbale et les adaptations nécessaires afin de pouvoir mesurer l’intervention de chacun de ces trois éléments.
EVAL MATER : Dépistage des troubles d'apprentissage en maternelle dans la région PACA
Authors: Mancini Julien , Pech-Georgel C. , Brun-Henin Florence , George F. , Livet M.O. , Massoulier A. , Suzineau E. , Guagliardo V. , Verger Pierre
Published: December 2013

Résumé Objectifs : Améliorer la prévention des troubles d’apprentissage. Population et Méthodes : les auteurs proposent une approche standardisée des compétences langagières et motrices d’enfants âgés de 3 ans 6 mois à 4 ans 6 mois lors de la visite systématique réalisée en école maternelle par les médecins de protection maternelle et infantile. Dans ce but une évaluation de prévalence a été réalisée chez 2 660 enfants, suivie d’une évaluation des performances chez 99 d’entre eux. 261 enfants ont ensuite été revus 2 ans plus tard et soumis à un BSEDS (Bilan de Santé Evaluation du Développement pour la Scolarité 5 à 6 ans). Résultats et discussion : l’exploitation statistique des résultats obtenus aux 2 enquêtes (prévalence puis évaluation des performances) a permis de définir des scores aidant à la décision d’une demande de bilan à visée diagnostique. La spécificité et la sensibilité des épreuves augmentent avec l’âge et sont meilleures dans le cadre des épreuves de langage. Ce nouveau bilan a reçu un accueil très positif de la part des médecins utilisateurs.
Comment l'ordinateur peut-il devenir un outil de compensation efficace de la dysgraphie pour la scolarité ?
Authors: Guillermin Anne-Laure , Leveque-Dupin Sophie
Published: December 2013

Lorsque la dysgraphie de l’enfant est telle qu’elle entrave le bon déroulement de sa scolarité, il est tout à fait légitime de proposer l’ordinateur comme outil de compensation. Néanmoins, son utilisation nécessite un apprentissage et une réorganisation pratique et matérielle qui peuvent s’avérer complexes. Or, il est indispensable que cet outil ne mette pas l’enfant en situation de surhandicap. Après s’être assuré de la motivation de l’enfant et de la coopération des différents partenaires, l’ergothérapeute va donc configurer l’ordinateur pour qu’il corresponde aux besoins de l’élève en situation scolaire. Parallèlement, il accompagnera l’enfant dans l’apprentissage de la frappe au clavier puis il lui proposera des mises en situation pratiques au travers d’exercices scolaires afin d’automatiser cet apprentissage.
Troubles d'écriture et dyslexie : revue théorique, aspects cliniques et approche expérimentale
Authors: Brun-Henin Florence , Velay Jean-Luc , Beecham Yaël , Cariou Sophie
Published: December 2013

L’association fréquente à la dyslexie de troubles d’écriture voire d’une dysgraphie périphérique, ou d’autres comorbidités comme le TAC ou le TDAHA est observée de longue date et amène à soulever la question d’une étiologie neurobiologique commune pouvant expliquer la co-occurrence de ces troubles chez un même sujet. Plusieurs hypothèses ont été évoquées dans ce sens, en particulier la théorie motrice de la dyslexie ou théorie cérébelleuse et plus récemment la théorie du déficit de l’apprentissage procédural, qui suggère l’atteinte des réseaux neuronaux impliqués dans la mémoire procédurale pour le langage et pour la motricité. Le retentissement de ces comorbidités sur la vie scolaire et l’avenir socioprofessionnel des sujets dyslexiques justifie une approche pluridisciplinaire pour mieux les reconnaître et les prendre en charge. Les recherches expérimentales portant sur l’étude des variables spatio-temporelles de l’écriture par l’enregistrement digitalisé sur tablette graphique permettent de mieux appréhender les processus en cause dans les troubles d’écriture, notamment dans la dyslexie.
Online Brand Expansion towards the Offline Setting
Authors: Bravo Rafael , Hem Leif E. , Pina José M.
Published: December 2013

Brand extension and brand alliances are two possible strategies to expand the brand towards different product categories. In this chapter, the authors focus on brands that are well-known for their online services launching offline products. They analyse the results of these strategies in terms of their effects on parent brand image and under different conditions of initial brand image and perceived fit. In order to meet these aims, an empirical study was conducted to 407 undergraduates in a Spanish University. Data are analysed through multivariate analysis of variance. Main results lead us to conclude that: (1) the effects of extensions and alliances are mainly negative on the online brand image, (2) the impact is focused specially on the functional and emotional dimensions of brand image, (3) the effect is more negative for online brands with higher image than for online brands with lower image, and (4) the effect is more negative in the case of an alliance with an offline brand with low image than in the case of an alliance with an offline brand with high image or in a brand extension. This work covers some gaps in the previous literature in online branding. The authors apply concepts and theories used in brand extensions and alliances literature in an offline setting by delving into the differences of these effects on the brand image dimensions. The results obtained in this work may help brand practitioners expand their brands towards different product categories.
A Case Study for Business Integration as a Service
Authors: Chang Victor
Published: December 2013

This chapter presents Business Integration as a Service (BIaaS) to allow two services to work together in the Cloud to achieve a streamline process. The authors illustrate this integration using two services, Return on Investment (ROI) Measurement as a Service (RMaaS) and Risk Analysis as a Service (RAaaS), in the case study at the University of Southampton. The case study demonstrates the cost-savings and the risk analysis achieved, so two services can work as a single service. Advanced techniques are used to demonstrate statistical services and 3D Visualisation services under the remit of RMaaS and Monte Carlo Simulation as a Service behind the design of RAaaS. Computational results are presented with their implications discussed. Different types of risks associated with Cloud adoption can be calculated easily, rapidly, and accurately with the use of BIaaS. This case study confirms the benefits of BIaaS adoption, including cost reduction and improvements in efficiency and risk analysis. Implementation of BIaaS in other organisations is also discussed. Important data arising from the integration of RMaaS and RAaaS are useful for management and stakeholders of University of Southampton.
The Macondo 252 Disaster
Authors: Matanovic Davorin
Published: December 2013

The disaster of the Deepwater Horizon platform, while drilling the Macondo 252 well in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 is for now the last of numerous tragedies, blowouts, and oil spills resulting from petroleum engineering activities. After the accident, several commissions, investigation groups, advisory committees, and company reports were prepared. They investigate causes and consequences of the disaster from different standpoints, but mainly come to the same conclusions. The “nth” approach is presented in this chapter.
Gathering Systems and Processing Facilities Risk Analysis
Authors: Dubovski Svijetlana
Published: December 2013

Gathering system is defined as one or more segments of pipeline, usually interconnected to form a network that transports oil and natural gas from the production wells to one or more production facilities, gas processing plant, storage facility, or a shipping point. There are two types of pipeline networks: radial and trunk system. Produced well fluids are often complex mixtures of the liquid hydrocarbons, gas, and some impurities that can have detrimental effects on the integrity of the gathering pipelines. It is necessary to eliminate most of the impurities before oil and natural gas can be stored and sold. Complexity of the processing facility depends on the treated fluid composition. Environmental impacts during the oil and gas transportation and processing phase will cause long-term habitat changes. To minimize that, it is very important to implement appropriate activities across the designing, construction, operational, and decommissioning phases.
The Moderating Role of Video Game Play in the Relationship Between Stress and Externalising Behaviours in Adolescent Males
Authors: Yates Michael , Hurry Jane
Published: December 2013

The focus of this research was to investigate whether video game play reframed into the context of cumulative stress could play a moderating role on externalising behavioural outcomes. A sample of 14-15 year old adolescent boys (N = 197) were administered self-report measures relating to video game use, cumulative stress and externalising behaviours. Results showed that video gaming, as measured by time spent playing or genre played had no relationship with externalising behaviours in general. This was true when considered within the context of stress also. Although video game use was not related to conduct disorder, a positive relationship with hyperactivity was found. This may signify that game play is attractive to adolescents who are hyperactive, and that hyperactivity could affect the propensity to play more. Implications of these findings for future research are discussed.
New Evidence of Impacts of Cell Phone Use on Driving Performance
Authors: Chen Quan , Yan Zheng
Published: December 2013

Mobile phone use when driving is widely considered to be a major cause of car accidents. This paper attempts to review the existing literature by focusing on three key issues: (a) Whether and how seriously does mobile phone use impair driving? (b) How and why does mobile phone use impair driving? (c) What should be done to best prevent from accident? The authors identified a total of 90 epidemiological studies, experimental studies, and observational studies that were published during 2007 to 2012. These most recent studies were systematically reviewed in three major categories, (a) the effect of using a mobile phone when driving on drivers’ performance in terms of information processing and vehicle control, (b) variables related to driving, such as characteristics of drivers and mobile phone types, and (c) context and content of conversation during driving. Both limitations of existing research and future research directions are discussed.
Lead Generation and E-Health
Authors: Abdolvand Mohammad Ali , Behboudi Mehdi , Hasanabad Hamideh Mokhtari
Published: December 2013

The emergence of lead generation companies has created a tremendous change in the world of data collection. This opportunity has enhanced the possibility of tracing and offering classified packages of user behavior in the virtual world. As such, this paper aims at discovering the possible connections between the lead generation and electronic health. The recent trends were followed to present the main research interests in this area. This study presents a theoretical framework to find out about the use of lead generation facilities in e-health area. At the end, managerial implications have been proposed for better presenting the practical aspects of the capacities of lead generation for the advancement of business practice.
An Experimental Investigation for Optimization of Ytterbium Fiber Laser Parameter during Machining of Al/5 Wt%Al2O3-MMC
Authors: Ghosal Arindam , Manna Alakesh , Lall Aurn K.
Published: December 2013

This paper presents experimental investigation into the influence of machining parameters of Ytterbium fiber laser during machining of Al/5 wt%Al2O3-MMC. The response surface methodology (RSM) is used to achieve optimum responses i.e. minimum tapering and maximum material removal rate. A comprehensive mathematical model for correlating the interactive and second-order influences of Ytterbium fiber laser machining parameters such as laser power, modulation frequency, gas pressure, wait time, pulse width on metal removal rate and tapering phenomena has been developed for achieving controlled over fiber laser machining process. Test results reveal that the MRR is high at 15 bar gas pressure and 0.1s wait time. MRR is less at moderate gas pressure and moderate wait time. The gas pressure and pulse width both have great effect on taper. At low gas pressure i.e. 15 bar and low pulse width i.e.75% of duty cycle the taper is minimum.
Magnetic Fluid Lubrication of a Rough, Porous Composite Slider Bearing
Authors: Patel N. D. , Deheri G. M. , Patel H. C.
Published: December 2013

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the performance of a magnetic fluid based rough, porous composite slider bearing. The bearing surfaces are assumed to be transversely rough. The random roughness of the surfaces is characterized by a stochastical variance with non zero mean, variance and skewness. The associated Reynolds Equation is stochastical averaged with respect to this random roughness parameter solving this Equation in view of suitable boundary conditions. The expression for pressure distribution is obtained leading to the calculation of load carrying capacity. Friction is also computed. It is clearly observed that the load carrying capacity increases due to the magnetization parameter and the bearing surfaces owing to transverse surface roughness in general. However this investigation offers some scope to mitigate the negative effect of roughness by the magnetic fluid lubrication at least in the case of negatively skewed roughness. It is interesting to note that the magnetization fails to alter the friction.
A Novel Prototyping and Evaluation Framework for NoC-Based MPSoC
Authors: Tatas K. , Siozios K. , Bartzas A. , Kyriacou C. , Soudris D.
Published: December 2013

This paper presents a framework for high-level exploration, Register Transfer-Level (RTL) design and rapid prototyping of Network-on-Chip (NoC) architectures. From the high-level exploration, a selected NoC topology is derived, which is then implemented in RTL using an automated design flow. Furthermore, for verification purposes, appropriate self-checking testbenches for the verification of the RTL and architecture files for the semi-automatic implementation of the system in Xilinx EDK are also generated, significantly reducing design and verification time, and therefore Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE) cost. Simulation and FPGA implementation results are given for four case studies multimedia applications, proving the validity of the proposed approach.
Using Business Intelligence in College Admissions
Authors: Amburgey W. O. Dale , Yi John
Published: December 2013

Higher education often lags behind industry in the adoption of new or emerging technologies. As competition increases among colleges and universities for a diminishing supply of prospective students, the need to adopt the principles of business intelligence becomes increasingly more important. Data from first-year enrolling students for the 2006-2008 fall terms at a private, master’s-level institution in the northeastern United States was analyzed for the purpose of developing predictive models. A decision tree analysis, a neural network analysis, and a multiple regression analysis were conducted to predict each student’s grade point average (GPA) at the end of the first year of academic study. Numerous geodemographic variables were analyzed to develop the models to predict the target variable. The overall performance of the models developed in the analysis was evaluated by using the average square error (ASE). The three models had similar ASE values, which indicated that any of the models could be used for the intended purpose. Suggestions for future analysis include expansion of the scope of the study to include more student-centric variables and to evaluate GPA at other student levels.
Intelligent Analytics
Authors: Iyer Lakshmi S. , Raman Rajeshwari M.
Published: December 2013

Organizations use web analytic tools and technologies to measure, collect, analyze, and report web usage data to help optimize websites. Traditionally, most of this data tends to be non-transactional and non-identifiable. In this regard, there has not been much integration with transactional data that is collected, stored, analyzed, and reported through Business Intelligence (BI). Emerging trends in web analytics provide organizations the ability to aggregate and analyze web analytics data with transactional data to provide valuable insights for building better customer relationship strategies. In this paper, the authors give an overview of web analytics tools, key players, new technology trends and capabilities to integrate web analytics with BI so organizations can leverage intelligent analytics for new marketing initiatives. While the benefits are significant, there are some challenges associated with the integration and a few possible solutions to address.
Lidocaine Reduces Neutrophil Recruitment by Abolishing Chemokine-Induced Arrest and Transendothelial Migration in Septic Patients
Authors: Berger Christian , Rossaint Jan , Van Aken Hugo , Westphal Martin , Hahnenkamp Klaus , Zarbock Alexander
Published: November 2013

The inappropriate activation, positioning, and recruitment of leukocytes are implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple organ failure in sepsis. Although the local anesthetic lidocaine modulates inflammatory processes, the effects of lidocaine in sepsis are still unknown. This double-blinded, prospective, randomized clinical trial was conducted to investigate the effect of lidocaine on leukocyte recruitment in septic patients. Fourteen septic patients were randomized to receive either a placebo (n = 7) or a lidocaine (n = 7) bolus (1.5 mg/kg), followed by continuous infusion (100 mg/h for patients >70 kg or 70 mg/h for patients <70 kg) over a period of 48 h. Selectin-mediated slow rolling, chemokine-induced arrest, and transmigration were investigated by using flow chamber and transmigration assays. Lidocaine treatment abrogated chemokine-induced neutrophil arrest and significantly impaired neutrophil transmigration through endothelial cells by inhibition of the protein kinase C-θ while not affecting the selectin-mediated slow leukocyte rolling. The observed results were not attributable to changes in surface expression of adhesion molecules or selectin-mediated capturing capacity, indicating a direct effect of lidocaine on signal transduction in neutrophils. These data suggest that lidocaine selectively inhibits chemokine-induced arrest and transmigration of neutrophils by inhibition of protein kinase C-θ while not affecting selectin-mediated slow rolling. These findings may implicate a possible therapeutic role for lidocaine in decreasing the inappropriate activation, positioning, and recruitment of leukocytes during sepsis.
The role of microRNAs in stemness of cancer stem cells
Authors: Hosseini Rad Seyed Mohammad Ali , Shanaki Bavarsad Mahsa , Arefian Ehsan , Jaseb Kaveh , Shahjahani Mohammad , Saki Najmaldin
Published: December 2013

Cancer is one of the most important diseases of humans, for which no cure has been found so far. Understanding the causes of cancer can pave the way for its treatment. Alteration in genetic elements such as oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes results in cancer. The most recent theory for the origin of cancer has been provided by cancer stem cells (CSCs). Tumor-initiating cells (T-ICs) or CSCs are a small population isolated from tumors and hematologic malignancies. Since CSCs are similar to embryonic stem cells (ESCs) in many aspects (such as pluripotency and self-renewal), recognizing the signaling pathways through which ESCs maintain their stemness can also help identify CSC signaling. One component of these signaling pathways is non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). ncRNAs are classified in two groups: microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). miRNAs undergo altered expression in cancer. In this regard, they are classified as Onco-miRNAs or tumor suppressor miRNAs. Some miRNAs play similar roles in ESCs and CSCs, such as let-7 and miR-302. This review focuses on the miRNAs involved in stemness of ESCs and CSCs by presenting a summary of the role of miRNAs in other tumor cells.
Extraction of User Preference for Video Stimuli Using EEG‐Based User Responses
Authors: Moon Jinyoung , Kim Youngrae , Lee Hyungjik , Bae Changseok , Yoon Wan Chul
Published: December 2013

Owing to the large number of video programs available, a method for accessing preferred videos efficiently through personalized video summaries and clips is needed. The automatic recognition of user states when viewing a video is essential for extracting meaningful video segments. Although there have been many studies on emotion recognition using various user responses, electroencephalogram (EEG)‐based research on preference recognition of videos is at its very early stages. This paper proposes classification models based on linear and nonlinear classifiers using EEG features of band power (BP) values and asymmetry scores for four preference classes. As a result, the quadratic‐discriminant‐analysisbased model using BP features achieves a classification accuracy of 97.39% , and the models based on the other nonlinear classifiers using the BP features achieve an accuracy of over 96%, which is superior to that of previous work only for binary preference classification. The result proves that the proposed approach is sufficient for employment in personalized video segmentation with high accuracy and classification power.
Fine‐Pitch Solder on Pad Process for Microbump Interconnection
Authors: Bae Hyun‐Cheol , Lee Haksun , Choi Kwang‐Seong , Eom Yong‐Sung
Published: December 2013

A cost‐effective and simple solder on pad (SoP) process is proposed for a fine‐pitch microbump interconnection. A novel solder bump maker (SBM) material is applied to form a 60‐μm pitch SoP. SBM, which is composed of ternary Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu (SAC305) solder powder and a polymer resin, is a paste material used to perform a fine‐pitch SoP through a screen printing method. By optimizing the volumetric ratio of the resin, deoxidizing agent, and SAC305 solder powder, the oxide layers on the solder powder and Cu pads are successfully removed during the bumping process without additional treatment or equipment. Test vehicles with a daisy chain pattern are fabricated to develop the fine‐pitch SoP process and evaluate the fine‐pitch interconnection. The fabricated Si chip has 6,724 bumps with a 45‐μm diameter and 60‐μm pitch. The chip is flip chip bonded with a Si substrate using an underfill material with fluxing features. Using the fluxing underfill material is advantageous since it eliminates the flux cleaning process and capillary flow process of the underfill. The optimized bonding process is validated through an electrical characterization of the daisy chain pattern. This work is the first report on a successful operation of a fine‐pitch SoP and microbump interconnection using a screen printing process.
An Immersive Augmented‐Reality‐Based e‐Learning System Based on Dynamic Threshold Marker Method
Authors: Lim Sukhyun , Lee Junsuk
Published: December 2013

In recent years, augmented reality (AR) technologies have been the subject of great interest among many communities. In education applications, old‐fashioned materials (or textbooks) are still used, despite remarkable AR developments in the industrial area. We present an AR system for education. Our system consists of an authoring tool that can be used to create educational content, a viewer that plays that content, and an engine to manage the tool and viewer. In our system, a marker unit recognizes a marker printed on a plane or a cubic plane by adaptively adjusting the threshold to have an excellent recognition rate in diverse environments and acquires corresponding data of the marker. Based on the system, we test 142 elementary school students for increased educational benefits using our system.
Short vertical-wavelength inertia-gravity waves generated by a jet–front system at Arctic latitudes — VHF radar, radiosondes and numerical modelling
Authors: Réchou A. , Kirkwood S. , Arnault J. , Dalin P.
Published: December 2013

Abstract. Inertia-gravity waves with very short vertical wavelength (λz < 1000 m) are a very common feature of the lowermost stratosphere as observed by the 52 MHz radar ESRAD in northern Scandinavia (67.88° N, 21.10° E). The waves are seen most clearly in radar-derived profiles of buoyancy frequency (N). Here, we present a case study of typical waves from the 21 February to the 22 February 2007. Very good agreement between N2 derived from radiosondes and by radar shows the validity of the radar determination of N2. Large-amplitude wave signatures in N2 are clearly observed by the radar and the radiosondes in the lowermost stratosphere, from 9 km to 14–16 km height. Vertical profiles of horizontal wind components and potential temperature from the radiosondes show the same waves. Mesoscale simulations with the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model are carried out to complement the analysis of the waves. Good agreement between the radar and radiosonde measurements and the model (except for the wave amplitude) shows that the model gives realistic results and that the waves are closely associated to the upper-level front in an upper-troposphere jet–front system. Hodographs of the wind fluctuations from the radiosondes, show that the waves propagate upward in the lower stratosphere confirming that the origin of the waves is in the troposphere. The observations and modelling all indicate vertical wavelengths of 700 + 200 m. The model and the radiosonde hodograms indicate horizontal wavelengths between 37 and 100 km and intrinsic periods between 6 and 9 h. The wave amplitudes indicated by the model are however, an order of magnitude less than in the observations. We show finally that the profiles of N2 measured by the radar can be used to estimate wave amplitudes, horizontal wavelengths, intrinsic periods and momentum fluxes which are consistent with the estimates from the radiosondes.
Nighttime observation and chemistry of HOx in the Pearl River Delta and Beijing in summer 2006
Authors: Lu K. , Rohrer F. , Holland F. , Fuchs H. , Brauers T. , Oebel A. , Dlugi R. , Hu M. , Li X. , Lou S. , Shao M. , Zhu T. , Wahner A. , Zhang Y. , Hofzumahaus A.
Published: December 2013

Abstract. Nighttime HOx chemistry was investigated in two ground-based field campaigns (PRIDE-PRD2006 and CAREBEIJING2006) in summer 2006 in China by comparison of measured and modelled concentration data of OH and HO2. The measurement sites were located in a rural environment in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) under urban influence and in a suburban area close to Beijing, respectively. In both locations, significant nighttime concentrations of radicals were observed under conditions with high total OH reactivities of about 40–50 s−1 in PRD and 25 s−1 near Beijing. For OH, the nocturnal concentrations were within the range of (0.5–3) × 106 cm s−3 implying a signficant nighttime oxidation rate of pollutants in the order of several ppb per hour. The measured nighttime concentration of HO2 was about (0.2–5) × 108 cm −3 containing a significant, model-estimated contribution from RO2 as an interference. A chemical box model based on an established chemical mechanism is capable to reproduce the measured nighttime values of the measured peroxy radicals and kOH, but underestimates in both field campaigns the observed OH by about one order of magnitude. Sensitivity studies with the box model demonstrate that the OH discrepancy between measured and modelled nighttime OH can be resolved, if an additional \\chem{RO_x} production process (about 1 ppb h s−1) and additional recycling (RO2 → HO2 → OH) with an efficiency equivalent to 1 ppb NO is assumed. The additional recycling mechanism was also needed to reproduce the OH observations at the same locations during daytime for conditions with NO mixing ratios below 1 ppb. This could be an indication that the same missing process operates at day and night. In principle, the required primary c source can be explained by ozonolysis of terpenoids, which react faster with ozone than with OH in the nighttime atmosphere. However, the amount of these highly reactive biogenic VOC would require a strong local source, for which there is no direct evidence. A more likely explanation for an additional s−1 source is the vertical downward transport of radical reservoir species in the stable nocturnal boundary layer. Using a simplified 1-dimensional two-box model, it can be shown that ground-based NO emissions could generate a large vertical gradient causing a downward flux of PAN and MPAN. The downward transport and the following thermal decomposition of these compounds can produce up to 0.3 ppb h−1 radicals in the atmospheric layer near the ground. Although this rate is not sufficient to explain the complete OH discrepancy, it indicates the potentially important role of vertical transport in the lower nighttime atmosphere.
Systematic comparison of dust BSC-DREAM8b modeled profiles with Potenza EARLINET lidar database
Authors: Mona L. , Papagiannopoulos N. , Basart S. , Baldasano J. , Binietoglou I. , Cornacchia C. , Pappalardo G.
Published: December 2013

Abstract. In this paper, we report the first systematic comparison between dust extinction profiles forecasted by a model and measured by a Raman lidar. We use the BSC-DREAM8b model, one of the most widely used dust regional models in the Mediterranean, and Potenza EARLINET lidar profiles for Saharan dust cases, the largest one-site database of dust extinction profiles. A total of 310 dust cases were compared for the May 2000–July 2012 period. The model well reconstructs the measured layering: profiles are correlated within 5% of significance for 60% of the cases and the dust layer center of mass as measured by lidar and modeled by BSC-DREAM8b differ on average 0.3 ± 1.0 km. Cases with a dust optical depth lower than 0.1 account for 70% of uncorrelated profiles. Although the good agreement in terms of profile shape and extinction value order of magnitude, the comparison with extinction profiles measured by the Raman lidar shows that BSC-DREAM8b typically underestimate the dust extinction coefficient in particular below 3.5 km and for low concentrations and overestimates the occurrence of dust layer top height above 15 km.
Role of the residual layer and large-scale subsidence on the development and evolution of the convective boundary layer
Authors: Blay-Carreras E. , Pino D. , Van de Boer A. , De Coster O. , Darbieu C. , Hartogensis O. , Lohou F. , Lothon M. , Pietersen H. , Vilà-Guerau de Arellano J.
Published: December 2013

Abstract. Observations, mixed-layer theory and the Dutch Large-Eddy Simulation model (DALES) are used to analyze the dynamics of the boundary layer during an intensive operational period (1 July 2011) of the Boundary Layer Late Afternoon and Sunset Turbulence campaign. Continuous measurements made by remote sensing and in situ instruments in combination with radio soundings, and measurements done by remotely piloted airplane systems and two aircrafts probed the vertical structure and the temporal evolution of the boundary layer during the campaign. The initial vertical profiles of potential temperature, specific humidity and wind, and the temporal evolution of the surface heat and moisture fluxes prescribed in the numerical simulations are inspired by some of these observations. The research focuses on the role played by the residual layer during the morning transition and by the large-scale subsidence on the evolution of the boundary layer. By using DALES, we show the importance of the dynamics of the boundary layer during the previous night in the development of the boundary layer at the morning. DALES numerical experiments including the residual layer are capable to model the observed sudden increase of the boundary-layer depth during the morning transition and the subsequent evolution of the boundary layer. The simulation shows a large increase of the entrainment buoyancy heat flux when the residual layer is incorporated into the mixed layer. We also examine how the inclusion of the residual layer above a shallow convective boundary layer modifies the turbulent kinetic energy budget. Large-scale subsidence mainly acts when the boundary layer is fully developed and, for the studied day, it is necessary to be considered to reproduce the afternoon observations. Additionally, we investigate how carbon dioxide (CO2) mixing ratio stored the previous night in the residual layer plays a fundamental role in the evolution of the CO2 mixing ratio during the following day.
Technical Note: SWIFT – a fast semi-empirical model for polar stratospheric ozone loss
Authors: Rex M. , Kremser S. , Huck P. , Bodeker G. , Wohltmann I. , Santee M. L. , Bernath P.
Published: December 2013

Abstract. An extremely fast model to estimate the degree of stratospheric ozone depletion during polar winters is described. It is based on a set of coupled differential equations that simulate the seasonal evolution of vortex-averaged hydrogen chloride (HCl), nitric acid (HNO3), chlorine nitrate (ClONO2), active forms of chlorine (ClOx = Cl + ClO + 2 ClOOCl) and ozone (O3) on isentropic levels within the polar vortices. Terms in these equations account for the chemical and physical processes driving the time rate of change of these species. Eight empirical fit coefficients associated with these terms are derived by iteratively fitting the equations to vortex-averaged satellite-based measurements of HCl, HNO3 and ClONO2 and observationally derived ozone loss rates. The system of differential equations is not stiff and can be solved with a time step of one day, allowing many years to be processed per second on a standard PC. The inputs required are the daily fractions of the vortex area covered by polar stratospheric clouds and the fractions of the vortex area exposed to sunlight. The resultant model, SWIFT (Semi-empirical Weighted Iterative Fit Technique), provides a fast yet accurate method to simulate ozone loss rates in polar regions. SWIFT's capabilities are demonstrated by comparing measured and modeled total ozone loss outside of the training period.
Harmonized dataset of ozone profiles from satellite limb and occultation measurements
Authors: Sofieva V. F. , Rahpoe N. , Tamminen J. , Kyrölä E. , Kalakoski N. , Weber M. , Rozanov A. , von Savigny C. , Laeng A. , von Clarmann T. , Stiller G. , Lossow S. , Degenstein D. , Bourassa A. , Adams C. , Roth C. , Lloyd N. , Bernath P. , Hargreaves R. J. , Urban J. , Murtagh D. , Hauchecorne A. , Dalaudier F. , van Roozendael M. , Kalb N. , Zehner C.
Published: December 2013

Abstract. In this paper, we present a HARMonized dataset of OZone profiles (HARMOZ) based on limb and occultation measurements from Envisat (GOMOS, MIPAS and SCIAMACHY), Odin (OSIRIS, SMR) and SCISAT (ACE-FTS) satellite instruments. These measurements provide high-vertical-resolution ozone profiles covering the altitude range from the upper troposphere up to the mesosphere in years 2001–2012. HARMOZ has been created in the framework of the European Space Agency Climate Change Initiative project. The harmonized dataset consists of original retrieved ozone profiles from each instrument, which are screened for invalid data by the instrument teams. While the original ozone profiles are presented in different units and on different vertical grids, the harmonized dataset is given on a common pressure grid in netCDF (network common data form)-4 format. The pressure grid corresponds to vertical sampling of ~ 1 km below 20 km and 2–3 km above 20 km. The vertical range of the ozone profiles is specific for each instrument, thus all information contained in the original data is preserved. Provided altitude and temperature profiles allow the representation of ozone profiles in number density or mixing ratio on a pressure or altitude vertical grid. Geolocation, uncertainty estimates and vertical resolution are provided for each profile. For each instrument, optional parameters, which are related to the data quality, are also included. For convenience of users, tables of biases between each pair of instruments for each month, as well as bias uncertainties, are provided. These tables characterize the data consistency and can be used in various bias and drift analyses, which are needed, for instance, for combining several datasets to obtain a long-term climate dataset. This user-friendly dataset can be interesting and useful for various analyses and applications, such as data merging, data validation, assimilation and scientific research. The dataset is available at http://www.esa-ozone-cci.org/?q=node/161 or at doi:10.5270/esa-ozone_cci-limb_occultation_profiles-2001_2012-v_1-201308.
Scale model for the confluent area of debris flow and main river: a case study of the Wenjia Gully
Authors: Zhang J. , Guo Z. X. , Cao S. Y. , Singh V. P.
Published: December 2013

Abstract. When debris flow discharges into the main river, the deposition of debris raises the river bed, occupies the path of water conveyance and damages or even destroys buildings, resulting in considerable economic loss and possibly fatalities. Mathematical models are normally employed to compute debris flow. However, most of these models employ empirical formulae and coefficients and their results are seldom reliable. On the other hand, scale model tests associated with debris flow have seldom been conducted due to the lack of corresponding similarity laws and the difficulty of achieving the grain diameter scale. Focusing on pseudo-one-phase flow, this paper discusses the laws of similarity for the confluence of debris flow and main river and conducts a case study of the debris flow that occurred on 13 August 2010, in the Wenjia Gully, China. After satisfying the roughness scale, the kinematic viscosity coefficient scale, and the momentum ratio scale, it was found that the deposition terrain in the model test is consistent with the one in the prototype.