bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Automated Waterline Detection in the Wadden Sea Using High-Resolution TerraSAR-X Images
Authors: Wiehle Stefan , Lehner Susanne
Published: June 2015

We present an algorithm for automatic detection of the land-water-line from TerraSAR-X images acquired over the Wadden Sea. In this coastal region of the southeastern North Sea, a strip of up to 20 km of seabed falls dry during low tide, revealing mudflats and tidal creeks. The tidal currents transport sediments and can change the coastal shape with erosion rates of several meters per month. This rate can be strongly increased by storm surges which also cause flooding of usually dry areas. Due to the high number of ships traveling through the Wadden Sea to the largest ports of Germany, frequent monitoring of the bathymetry is also an important task for maritime security. For such an extended area and the required short intervals of a few months, only remote sensing methods can perform this task efficiently. Automating the waterline detection in weather-independent radar images provides a fast and reliable way to spot changes in the coastal topography. The presented algorithm first performs smoothing, brightness thresholding, and edge detection. In the second step, edge drawing and flood filling are iteratively performed to determine optimal thresholds for the edge drawing. In the last step, small misdetections are removed.
Three-Dimensional Analysis of the Characteristics of the Femoral Canal Isthmus: An Anatomical Study
Authors: Su Xiu-yun , Zhao Jing-xin , Zhao Zhe , Zhang Li-cheng , Li Chen , Li Jian-tao , Zhou Jian-feng , Zhang Li-hai , Tang Pei-fu
Published: June 2015

Purpose. To establish a new approach for measuring and locating the femoral intramedullary canal isthmus in 3-dimensional (3D) space.Methods. Based on the computed tomography data from 204 Chinese patients, 3D models of the whole femur and the corresponding femoral isthmus tube were reconstructed using Mimics software (Materialise, Haasrode, Belgium). The anatomical parameters of the femur and the isthmus, including the femur length and radius, and the isthmus diameter and height, were measured accordingly.Results. The mean ratio of the isthmus height versus the femoral height was 55 ± 4.8%. The mean diameter of the isthmus was 10.49 ± 1.52 mm. The femoral length, the isthmus diameter, and the isthmus tube length were significantly larger in the male group. Significant correlations were observed between the femoral length and the isthmus diameter (r=0.24,p<0.01) and between the femoral length and the isthmus height (r=0.6,p<0.01). Stepwise linear regression analyses demonstrated that the femoral length and radius were the most important factors influencing the location and dimension of the femoral canal isthmus.Conclusion. The current study developed a new approach for measuring the femoral canal and for optimization of customer-specific femoral implants.
Stakeholders of Voluntary Forest Carbon Offset Projects in China: An Empirical Analysis
Authors: Lin Derong , Lin Yingzhi
Published: June 2015

Climate change is one of the defining challenges facing the planet. Voluntary forest carbon offset project which has the potential to boost forest carbon storage and mitigate global warming has aroused the global concern. The objective of this paper is to model the game situation and analyze the game behaviors of stakeholders of voluntary forest carbon offset projects in China. A stakeholder model and a Power-Benefit Matrix are constructed to analyze the roles, behaviors, and conflicts of stakeholders including farmers, planting entities, communities, government, and China Green Carbon Foundation. The empirical analysis results show that although the stakeholders have diverse interests and different goals, a win-win solution is still possible through their joint participation and compromise in the voluntary forest carbon offset project. A wide governance structure laying emphasis on benefit balance, equality, and information exchanges and being regulated by all stakeholders has been constructed. It facilitates the agreement among the stakeholders with conflicting or different interests. The joint participation of stakeholders in voluntary forest carbon offset projects might change the government-dominated afforestation/reforestation into a market, where all participators including government are encouraged to cooperate with each other to improve the condition of fund shortage and low efficiency.
An Exploratory Analysis of the Relationship between Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and Cognitive/Academic Performance among Adolescents
Authors: Yeh Ting-Kuang , Cho Ying-Chun , Yeh Ting-Chi , Hu Chung-Yi , Lee Li-Ching , Chang Chun-Yen
Published: June 2015

This exploratory study examines the relationship between cardiometabolic risk factors (blood pressure, waist circumference, BMI, and total cholesterol) and cognitive/academic performance. In this study, 1297 Taiwanese tenth-grade volunteers are recruited. Scores from the Basic Competency Test, an annual national competitive entrance examination, are used to evaluate academic performance. Cognitive abilities are accessed via the Multiple Aptitude Test Battery. The results indicate that systolic blood pressure is significantly, negatively associated with academic performance, both in male and female subjects. BMI and waist circumference are associated with verbal reasoning performance with an inverse U-shaped pattern, suggesting that both low and high BMI/waist circumference may be associated with lower verbal reasoning performance.
Statistical Inference in Dependent Component Hybrid Systems with Masked Data
Authors: Sha Naijun , Wang Ronghua , Hu Ping , Xu Xiaoling
Published: June 2015

Complex systems are usually composed of simple hybrid systems. In this paper,
we consider statistical inference for two fundamental hybrid systems: series-parallel
and parallel-series systems based on masked data. Assuming dependent lifetimes of
components modelled by Marshall and Olkin’s bivariate exponential distribution in
the system, we present maximum likelihood and interval estimation of parameters of
interest. Intensive simulation studies are performed to demonstrate the efficiency of
the methods.
Validation and Test-Retest Reliability of New Thermographic Technique Called Thermovision Technique of Dry Needling for Gluteus Minimus Trigger Points in Sciatica Subjects and TrPs-Negative Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Skorupska Elżbieta , Rychlik Michał , Samborski Włodzimierz
Published: June 2015

The aim of this study was to assess the validity and test-retest reliability of Thermovision Technique of Dry Needling (TTDN) for the gluteus minimus muscle. TTDN is a new thermography approach used to support trigger points (TrPs) diagnostic criteria by presence of short-term vasomotor reactions occurring in the area where TrPs refer pain.Method. Thirty chronic sciatica patients (n=15TrP-positive andn=15TrPs-negative) and 15 healthy volunteers were evaluated by TTDN three times during two consecutive days based on TrPs of the gluteus minimus muscle confirmed additionally by referred pain presence. TTDN employs average temperature (Tavr), maximum temperature (Tmax), low/high isothermal-area, and autonomic referred pain phenomenon (AURP) that reflects vasodilatation/vasoconstriction. Validity and test-retest reliability were assessed concurrently.Results. Two components of TTDN validity and reliability,Tavrand AURP, had almost perfect agreement according toκ(e.g., thigh: 0.880 and 0.938; calf: 0.902 and 0.956, resp.). The sensitivity forTavr,Tmax, AURP, and high isothermal-area was 100% for everyone, but specificity of 100% was forTavrand AURP only.Conclusion. TTDN is a valid and reliable method forTavrand AURP measurement to support TrPs diagnostic criteria for the gluteus minimus muscle when digitally evoked referred pain pattern is present.
Transmit Beamforming Optimization Design for Broadband Multigroup Multicast System
Authors: Zhang Zilong , Xu Xiaodong , Wu Yanan
Published: June 2015

Spectral efficient transmission techniques are necessary and promising for future broadband wireless communications, where the quality of service (QoS) and/or max-min fair (MMF) of intended users are often considered simultaneously. In this paper, both the QoS problem and the MMF problem are investigated together for transmit beamforming in broadband multigroup multicast channels with frequency-selective fading characters. We first present a basic algorithm by directly using the results in frequency-flat multigroup multicast systems (Karipidis et al., 2008), namely, the approximation algorithms in this paper, for both problems, respectively. Due to high computational consumption nature of the approximation algorithms, two reduced-complexity algorithms for each of the two problems are proposed separately by introducing the time-frequency correlations. In addition, parameters in the new time-frequency formulations, such as the number of optimization matrix variables and the taps of the beamformer with finite impulse response (FIR) structure, can be used to make a reasonable tradeoff between computational burden and system performance. Insights into the relationship between the two problems and some analytical results of the computational complexity of the proposed algorithms are also studied carefully. Numerical simulations indicate the efficiency of the proposed algorithms.
Drug Delivery Innovations for Enhancing the Anticancer Potential of Vitamin E Isoforms and Their Derivatives
Authors: Neophytou Christiana M. , Constantinou Andreas I.
Published: June 2015

Vitamin E isoforms have been extensively studied for their anticancer properties. Novel drug delivery systems (DDS) that include liposomes, nanoparticles, and micelles are actively being developed to improve Vitamin E delivery. Furthermore, several drug delivery systems that incorporate Vitamin E isoforms have been synthesized in order to increase the bioavailability of chemotherapeutic agents or to provide a synergistic effect. D-alpha-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate (Vitamin E TPGS or TPGS) is a synthetic derivative of natural alpha-tocopherol which is gaining increasing interest in the development of drug delivery systems and has also shown promising anticancer effect as a single agent. This review provides a summary of the properties and anticancer effects of the most potent Vitamin E isoforms and an overview of the various formulations developed to improve their efficacy, with an emphasis on the use of TPGS in drug delivery approaches.
The Effect of Land-Use Intensity on Surface Temperature in the Dongting Lake Area, China
Authors: Hu Wenmin , Zhou Weijun , He Hongshi
Published: June 2015

Land use and its environmental effects can be quantitatively expressed with land-use intensity. In this study, a land-use intensity metric was improved using a geographic mapping method. The relationships between observed rapid changes in land use and temperature in the Dongting Lake area from 2001 to 2010 were examined. The results revealed the following features: (1) The temperature increased when the land-use intensity increased via a hierarchical transition owing to grass and forest land reductions of 26.25% and 11.74%, respectively; built-up land increased by 48.45%. (2) The temperature increase was driven more by the external environment than by land-use intensity changes. Human activities produced larger effects in the western region than in the eastern or central region of the study area, according to the observed variations in the centres of gravity for temperature and land-use intensity. (3) The temperature response to land-use intensity changes was more sensitive in low-altitude areas than in high-altitude areas; the response presented a north-south gradient, possibly due to socioeconomic and urbanisation differences.
Mindful Emotion Regulation: Exploring the Neurocognitive Mechanisms behind Mindfulness
Authors: Grecucci Alessandro , Pappaianni Edoardo , Siugzdaite Roma , Theuninck Anthony , Job Remo
Published: June 2015

The purpose of this paper is to review some of the psychological and neural mechanisms behind mindfulness practice in order to explore the unique factors that account for its positive impact on emotional regulation and health. After reviewing the mechanisms of mindfulness and its effects on clinical populations we will consider how the practice of mindfulness contributes to the regulation of emotions. We argue that mindfulness has achieved effective outcomes in the treatment of anxiety, depression, and other psychopathologies through the contribution of mindfulness to emotional regulation. We consider the unique factors that mindfulness meditation brings to the process of emotion regulation that may account for its effectiveness. We review experimental evidence that points towards the unique effects of mindfulness specifically operating over and above the regulatory effects of cognitive reappraisal mechanisms. A neuroanatomical circuit that leads to mindful emotion regulation is also suggested. This paper thereby aims to contribute to proposed models of mindfulness for research and theory building by proposing a specific model for the unique psychological and neural processes involved in mindful detachment that account for the effects of mindfulness over and above the effects accounted for by other well-established emotional regulation processes such as cognitive reappraisal.
A Bullet Entered through the Open Mouth and Ended Up in the Parapharyngeal Space and Skull Base
Authors: Goswami Saileswar , Goswami Choitali
Published: June 2015

Shot from a revolver from a close range, a bullet pierced the chest of a policeman and entered through the open mouth of a young male person standing behind. The entry wound was found in the cheek mucosa adjacent to the left lower third molar. After hitting and fracturing the body and the ramus of the mandible, the bullet was deflected and was finally lodged in the parapharyngeal space and skull base, anterolateral to the transverse process of the atlas. The great vessels of the neck were not injured. The patient’s condition was very critical but his life could be saved. The bullet was approached through a modified Blair’s incision and was found to be lying over the carotid sheath. It was removed safely and the patient recovered completely.
The Effects of Guided Imagery on Heart Rate Variability in Simulated Spaceflight Emergency Tasks Performers
Authors: Yijing Zhang , Xiaoping Du , Fang Liu , Xiaolu Jing , Bin Wu
Published: June 2015

Objectives. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of guided imagery training on heart rate variability in individuals while performing spaceflight emergency tasks.Materials and Methods. Twenty-one student subjects were recruited for the experiment and randomly divided into two groups: imagery group (n=11) and control group (n=10). The imagery group received instructor-guided imagery (session 1) and self-guided imagery training (session 2) consecutively, while the control group only received conventional training. Electrocardiograms of the subjects were recorded during their performance of nine spaceflight emergency tasks after imagery training.Results. In both of the sessions, the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), the standard deviation of all normal NN (SDNN), the proportion of NN50 divided by the total number of NNs (PNN50), the very low frequency (VLF), the low frequency (LF), the high frequency (HF), and the total power (TP) in the imagery group were significantly higher than those in the control group. Moreover, LF/HF of the subjects after instructor-guided imagery training was lower than that after self-guided imagery training.Conclusions. Guided imagery was an effective regulator for HRV indices and could be a potential stress countermeasure in performing spaceflight tasks.
Nanosized Spinel Ferrites Synthesized by Sol‐Gel Autocombustion for Optimized Removal of Azo Dye from Aqueous Solution
Authors: Samoila Petrisor , Cojocaru Corneliu , Cretescu Igor , Stan Catalina Daniela , Nica Valentin , Sacarescu Liviu , Harabagiu Valeria
Published: June 2015

Nanosized spinel ferrites MFe2O4 (M = Ni, Co, and Zn) have been prepared by sol‐gel autocombustion method using citric acid as a fuel agent. The materials are characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The spinel ferrites have been applied for Congo‐Red (CR) dye adsorption using batch technique. Different kinetic and equilibrium models have been fitted by nonlinear regression to analyze the adsorption data. In accordance with Langmuir isotherm, the maximum adsorption capacity at 293 K is 14.06 mg/g for CoFe2O4 and 17.13 mg/g for NiFe2O4. The values of mean free energy determined from Dubinin‐Radushkevich isotherm are higher than 8 (kJ mol−1), indicating a chemisorption mechanism. Based on the calculated thermodynamic parameters (free energy, enthalpy, and entropy) the adsorption of CR onto ferrites is a spontaneous and endothermic process. Response surface methodology has been applied to construct the multiple regression models for prediction of the adsorption capacity and removal efficiency. The model‐based optimization has been performed using genetic algorithms and desirability function approach. The single‐objective optimization has yielded a maximum value of color removal efficiency of 98.995%, using NiFe2O4 adsorbent. The multiobjective optimization has resulted in the improvement of both removal efficiency and adsorption capacity.
Effects of Facial Expression and Language on Trustworthiness and Brain Activities
Authors: Morioka Shu , Osumi Michihiro , Okamoto Mari , Matsuo Atsushi
Published: June 2015

Social communication uses verbal and nonverbal language. We examined the degree of trust and brain activity when verbal and facial expressions are incongruent. Fourteen healthy volunteers viewed photographs of 8 people with pleasant (smile) or unpleasant expressions (disgust) alone or combined with a verbal [positive/negative] expression. As an index for degree of trust, subjects were asked to offer a donation when told that the person in the photograph was troubled financially. Positive emotions and degree of trust were evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Event-related potentials (ERPs) were obtained at 170–240 ms after viewing the photographs. Brain activity during incongruent conditions was localized using standardized Low Resolution Brain Electromagnetic Tomography (sLORETA). VAS scores for positive × smile condition were significantly higher than those for the other conditions (p<0.05). The donation offered was significantly lower for incongruence between verbal and facial expressions, particularly for negative × smile condition. EEG showed more activity in the parietal lobe with incongruent than with congruent conditions. Incongruence [negative × smile] elicited the least positive emotion, degree of trust, and amount of offer. Our results indicate that incongruent sensory information increased activity in the parietal lobe, which may be a basis of mentalizing.
Prospective Randomized Study Comparing Combined Phaco-ExPress and Phacotrabeculectomy in Open Angle Glaucoma Treatment: 12-Month Follow-Up
Authors: Konopińska Joanna , Deniziak Marta , Saeed Emil , Bartczak Agnieszka , Zalewska Renata , Mariak Zofia , Rękas Marek
Published: June 2015

Purpose of the Study. To compare the efficacy and safety of phacotrabeculectomy (P-Trab) and phacoemulsification with the ExPress (P-ExPress) mini glaucoma shunt implantation.Study Plan. Prospective randomized study.Material and Methods. 85 eyes with cataract and unregulated open angle glaucoma. There were 46 eyes in the P-ExPress and 39 the P-Trab group. Intraocular pressure (IOP), the number of antiglaucoma medications, qualified and complete surgical success (defined as IOP ≤ 18.0 mmHg), visual acuity (CDVA), the number of endothelial cells, and postoperative complications and additional procedures were assessed.Results. After 12 months of observation, the average IOP in the P-Express group went from 26.4 ± 9.3 down to 17.1 ± 5 mmHg (P<0.05) and from 27.9 ± 12.9 down to 15.9 ± 2.7 mmHg in the P-Trab group (P<0.05). No significant differences in the amount of medications used after surgery and CDVA were discovered between the groups. In the P-ExPress group, greater loss of endothelial cells was noted(CDloss%), compared to the P-Trab group.Conclusions. Both P-ExPress and P-Trab have comparable efficacy and similar early postoperative complication profile. The presence of additional implant (as is the case of the ExPress mini glaucoma shunt implantation) may cause progressive loss of endothelial cells.
Study on Clean Development Mechanism, Quantitative and Sustainable Mechanism
Authors: Yuan Donghai , Zheng Lipeng , Cao Yuan , Mao Xufeng , Huang Xueju , He Liansheng , Li Junqi , Zhang Mingshun
Published: June 2015

Aiming at the system and market problem of clean development mechanism (CDM), this study is carried out to establish the feasibility of certified emission reduction (CER) quantitative evaluation method and reserve mechanism in host country at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) level. After the introduction of CER quantitative and sustainable mechanism, the amount of CER that can enter the market was cut to a quarter, which reduces about 75% of the expected CER supply. Market CER from the technology types of higher CER market share and lower support for sustainable development appears to have different degrees of reduction. As for the technology types of lower CER market share and higher support for sustainable development, the amount of market CER is maintained in line with prevailing scenario, and market CER supply becomes more balanced.
Promoting Effects on Proliferation and Chondrogenic Differentiation of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Four “Kidney-Tonifying” Traditional Chinese Herbs
Authors: Cai Bin , Zhang Ai-guo , Zhang Xian , Ge Wen-jie , Dai Guo-da , Tan Xiang-ling , Roodrajeetsing Gopaul , Cai Jian-ping
Published: June 2015

Traditional Chinese medicine can promote the proliferation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). We chose four “Kidney-tonifying” Chinese herbal medicines, Radix Astragali, Salvia, Herba Epimedii, and Saussurea Involucrata, to evaluate whether they had positive effects on the proliferation of BMSCs and TGF-β1-induced chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs. The four Chinese herbal medicines were intragastrically administered to Sprague-Dawley rats, respectively, to prepare drug-containing serums of corresponding Chinese herbs. BMSCs were isolated, cultured, and exposed to culture solution containing 1%, 5%, 10%, and 15% (v/v) Radix Astragali-, Salvia-, Herba Epimedii-, and Saussurea Involucrata-containing serum, respectively. TGF-β1-induced BMSCs were addressed in the same manner. Collagen type II protein was assessed by immunofluorescence methods. To assess whether the drug-containing serums had positive effects on the proliferation of BMSCs and TGF-β1-induced BMSCs, MTT method was assessed. The proliferation of BMSCs was significantly enhanced when exposed to culture solutions containing 1% and 5% Radix Astragali-, 1% and 5% Salvia-, 5% Herba Epimedii-, and 1%, 5%, and 10% Saussurea Involucrata-containing serum. The proliferation of TGF-β1-induced BMSCs was significantly enhanced when exposed to 1%, 5%, and 15% Radix Astragali-, 10% and 15% Salvia-, 5%, and 15% Herba Epimedii-, and 1%, 5%, and 10% Saussurea Involucrata-containing serum.
Design of Robust Pulses to Insufficient Synchronization for OFDM/OQAM Systems in Doubly Dispersive Channels
Authors: Zhao Yu , Chen Xihong , Xue Lunsheng , Zhang Qun
Published: June 2015

This paper presents a pulse shaping method robust to insufficient synchronization in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing with offset quadrature amplitude modulation (OFDM/OQAM) systems over doubly dispersive (DD) channels. The proposed pulse is designed as a linear combination of several well localized Hermite functions. The coefficients optimization problem is modeled as a nonconvex constrained fractional programming problem based on the signal-to-interference ratio (SIR) maximization criterion. An efficient iterative algorithm is applied to simplify the problem to a series of quadratically constrained quadratic program (QCQP) problems which can be solved by semidefinite relaxation (SDR) method. Simulation results show that the proposed pulse is superior to traditional pulses with respect to SIR performance over DD channels in the presence of carrier frequency offset (CFO) and timing offset (TO).
Blink Number Forecasting Based on Improved Bayesian Fusion Algorithm for Fatigue Driving Detection
Authors: Sun Wei , Zhang Xiaorui , Wang Jian , He Jun , Peeta Srinivas
Published: June 2015

An improved Bayesian fusion algorithm (BFA) is proposed for forecasting the blink number in a continuous video. It assumes that, at one prediction interval, the blink number is correlated with the blink numbers of only a few previous intervals. With this assumption, the weights of the component predictors in the improved BFA are calculated according to their prediction performance only from a few intervals rather than from all intervals. Therefore, compared with the conventional BFA, the improved BFA is more sensitive to the disturbed condition of the component predictors for adjusting their weights more rapidly. To determine the most relevant intervals, the grey relation entropy-based analysis (GREBA) method is proposed, which can be used analyze the relevancy between the historical data flows of blink number and the data flow at the current interval. Three single predictors, that is, the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA), radial basis function neural network (RBFNN), and Kalman filter (KF), are designed and incorporated linearly into the BFA. Experimental results demonstrate that the improved BFA obviously outperforms the conventional BFA in both accuracy and stability; also fatigue driving can be accurately warned against in advance based on the blink number forecasted by the improved BFA.
Lithium and Valproate Levels Do Not Correlate with Ketamine’s Antidepressant Efficacy in Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Depression
Authors: Xu Annie J. , Niciu Mark J. , Lundin Nancy B. , Luckenbaugh David A. , Ionescu Dawn F. , Richards Erica M. , Vande Voort Jennifer L. , Ballard Elizabeth D. , Brutsche Nancy E. , Machado-Vieira Rodrigo , Zarate Carlos A.
Published: June 2015

Ketamine and lithium both inhibit glycogen synthase kinase 3. In addition, lithium and ketamine have synergistic antidepressant-like effects at individually subeffective doses in rodents. We hypothesized that ketamine’s antidepressant effects would be improved by therapeutic doses of lithium versus valproate and that serum lithium levels would positively correlate with ketamine’s antidepressant efficacy. Thirty-six patients with treatment-resistant bipolar depression maintained on therapeutic-dose lithium (n=23, 0.79 ± 0.15 mEq/L) or valproate (n=13, 79.6 ± 12.4 mg/mL) received 0.5 mg/kg ketamine infusion in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. The primary depression outcome measure—the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)—was assessed before infusion and at numerous postinfusion time points. Both lithium (F1,118= 152.08,p<0.001, andd=2.27) and valproate (F1,128= 20.12,p<0.001, andd=0.79) significantly improved depressive symptoms, but no statistically significant difference was observed between mood stabilizer groups (F1,28= 2.51,p=0.12, andd=0.60). Serum lithium and valproate levels did not correlate with ketamine’s antidepressant efficacy. Although the study was potentially underpowered, our results suggest that lithium may not potentiate ketamine’s antidepressant efficacy in treatment-resistant bipolar depression.
Measuring a Journey without Goal: Meditation, Spirituality, and Physiology
Authors: Buttle Heather
Published: June 2015

The secular practice of meditation is associated with a range of physiological and cognitive effects, including lower blood pressure, lower cortisol, cortical thickening, and activation of areas of the brain associated with attention and emotion regulation. However, in the context of spiritual practice, these benefits are secondary gains, as the primary aim is spiritual transformation. Despite obvious difficulties in trying to measure ajourney without goal, spiritual aspects involved in the practice of meditation should also be addressed by experimental study. This review starts by considering meditation in the form of the relaxation response (a counterpart to the stress response), before contrasting mindfulness research that emphasizes the role of attention and alertness in meditation. This contrast demonstrates how reference to traditional spiritual texts (in this case Buddhist) can be used to guide research questions involving meditation. Further considerations are detailed, along with the proposal that research should triangulate spiritual textual sources, first person accounts (i.e., neurophenomenology), and physiological/cognitive measures in order to aid our understanding of meditation, not only in the secular context of health benefits, but also in the context of spiritual practice.
Submacular Parasite Masquerading as Posterior Pole Granuloma
Authors: Singh Jatinder , Singh Rajbir
Published: June 2015

Parasites enter the eye through hematogenous spread. The interaction with host immune system may result in its destruction but not without collateral damage to the vital retinal structures. Currently, the accepted treatment for ocular parasitosis is surgical removal or direct laser photocoagulation. A 24-year-old Indian woman presented with abrupt painless loss of vision to 5/300. A large yellow-white lesion centered at macula was observed with associated retinal and subretinal hemorrhage and neurosensory retinal detachment. A parasite was seen protruding at the center of the lesion. Fluorescein angiography demonstrated disc leakage and vessel wall staining. Ultrasonography demonstrated a highly reflective subretinal lesion with aftershadowing. Serological test was positive for anti-cysticercus (IgM) antibody. Treatment with prednisolone and albendazole resulted in resolution of the lesion within 2 months with improvement of visual acuity to 20/400. A noncystic form of subretinal cysticercosis is likely with suggestive B-scan ultrasonography and serological investigations.
Nephroprotective Potential of Human Albumin Infusion: A Narrative Review
Authors: Wiedermann Christian J. , Joannidis Michael
Published: June 2015

Albumin infusion improves renal function in cirrhosis; however, mechanisms are incompletely understood. In clinical practice, human albumin is used in various intensive care unit indications to deal with a wide range of problems, from volume replacement in hypovolemic shock, or sepsis, to treatment of ascites in patients with liver cirrhosis. Against the background of the results of recent studies on the use of human albumin in septic patients, the importance of the natural colloid in these critically ill patients is being redefined. In addition to the hemodynamic effects of administration of human albumin impacting on sympathetic tone, attention is being paid to other effects in which its pharmacodynamics is associated with the physiological importance of endogenous albumin. The morbidity and mortality data discussed in this paper support the importance of both the hemodynamic and the pharmacological effects of the administration of human albumin in various indications. The contribution that human albumin could make towards the maintenance of renal function in the course and treatment of severe sepsis and cirrhosis of the liver is the subject of this narrative review.
Multilayered Pipe Cutting Test for Remote Handling Maintenance
Authors: Chen Haibin , Guo Jianwen , Sun Zhenzhong , Jia Xuejun , Tang Hong
Published: June 2015

Based on the requirements for remote handling maintenance (RHM) of China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS) multilayered pipes, pipes cutting tests were performed under remote handling maintenance conditions. In this study, the results were obtained from different cutting directions and supporting intensities of pipe baseplates comparisons: When enough power was provided and the blade gripper did not slip, the cutting direction had little impact on the cutting capacity but more on the fault surface; the clearance between the blades caused the rotating torque; for remote handling maintenance, good horizontal support of the long-handled lever of the hydraulic cutter was required. Significant conclusions were made for multilayered pipe cutting that are crucial for auxiliary tools development for remote handling maintenance.
Unexplained False Negative Results in Noninvasive Prenatal Testing: Two Cases Involving Trisomies 13 and 18
Authors: Hochstenbach R. , Page-Christiaens G. C. M. L. , van Oppen A. C. C. , Lichtenbelt K. D. , van Harssel J. J. T. , Brouwer T. , Manten G. T. R. , van Zon P. , Elferink M. , Kusters K. , Akkermans O. , Ploos van Amstel J. K. , Schuring-Blom G. H.
Published: June 2015

Noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) validation studies show high sensitivity and specificity for detection of trisomies 13, 18, and 21. False negative cases have rarely been reported. We describe a false negative case of trisomy 13 and another of trisomy 18 in which NIPT was commercially marketed directly to the clinician. Both cases came to our attention because a fetal anatomy scan at 20 weeks of gestation revealed multiple anomalies. Karyotyping of cultured amniocytes showed nonmosaic trisomies 13 and 18, respectively. Cytogenetic investigation of cytotrophoblast cells from multiple placental biopsies showed a low proportion of nontrisomic cells in each case, but this was considered too small for explaining the false negative NIPT result. The discordant results also could not be explained by early gestational age, elevated maternal weight, a vanishing twin, or suboptimal storage or transport of samples. The root cause of the discrepancies could, therefore, not be identified. The couples involved experienced difficulties in accepting the unexpected and late-adverse outcome of their pregnancy. We recommend that all parties involved in caring for couples who choose NIPT should collaborate to clarify false negative results in order to unravel possible biological causes and to improve the process of patient care from initial counseling to communication of the result.
Mindfulness Meditation Improves Mood, Quality of Life, and Attention in Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Authors: Bueno Viviane Freire , Kozasa Elisa H. , da Silva Maria Aparecida , Alves Tânia Maria , Louzã Mario Rodrigues , Pompéia Sabine
Published: June 2015

Objective. Adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) display affective problems and impaired attention. Mood in ADHD can be improved by mindful awareness practices (MAP), but results are mixed regarding the enhancement of attentional performance. Here we evaluated MAP-induced changes in quality of life (QoL), mood, and attention in adult ADHD patients and controls using more measures of attention than prior studies.Methods. Twenty-one ADHD patients and 8 healthy controls underwent 8 weekly MAP sessions; 22 similar patients and 9 controls did not undergo the intervention. Mood and QoL were assessed using validated questionnaires, and attention was evaluated using the Attentional Network Test (ANT) and the Conners Continuous Performance Test (CPT II), before and after intervention.Results. MAP enhanced sustained attention (ANT) and detectability (CPT II) and improved mood and QoL of patients and controls.Conclusion. MAP is a complementary intervention that improves affect and attention of adults with ADHD and controls.
A Challenging Case of MultifocalMycobacterium marinumOsteoarticular Infection in a Patient with Anorexia Nervosa
Authors: Sharff Katie , Min Zaw , Bhanot Nitin
Published: June 2015

Disseminated infection due toMycobacterium marinumis rare but has been described in immunosuppressed and transplant recipients. We describe a case of multifocal osteoarticular involvement by this pathogen in a patient with anorexia nervosa. Serial surgical debridements and a prolonged course of antimicrobial therapy including intravenous amikacin, imipenem, and oral ethambutol and azithromycin were needed to treat the infection. Cell mediated immune deficits related to the patient’s anorexia nervosa predisposed her to a severe infection withM. marinum.Aggressive surgical intervention in conjunction with multiple antimicrobial agents helped cure the infection.
Analysis of Climate and Land Use Changes Impacts on Land Degradation in the North China Plain
Authors: Li Zhihui , Deng Xiangzheng , Yin Fang , Yang Cuiyuan
Published: June 2015

Land degradation is a complex process which involves both the natural ecosystem and the socioeconomic system, among which climate and land use changes are the two predominant driving factors. To comprehensively and quantitatively analyze the land degradation process, this paper employed the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) as a proxy to assess land degradation and further applied the binary panel logit regression model to analyze the impacts of the driving factors on land degradation in the North China Plain. The results revealed that an increase in rainfall and temperature would significantly and positively contribute to the land improvement, and conversion from cultivated land to grassland and forest land showed positive relationship with land improvement, while conversion to built-up area will lead to land degradation. Besides, human agricultural intensification represented by fertilizer utilization will help to improve the land quality. The economic development may exert positive impacts on land quality to alleviate land degradation, although the rural economic development and agricultural production will exert negative impacts on the land and lead to land degradation. Infrastructure construction would modify the land surface and further resulted in land degradation. The findings of the research will provide scientific information for sustainable land management.
Unbiased Diffusion through a Linear Porous Media with Periodic Entropy Barriers: A Tube Formed by Contacting Ellipses
Authors: Chávez Yoshua , Vázquez Marco-Vinicio , Dagdug Leonardo
Published: June 2015

This work is devoted to the study of unbiased diffusion of point-like Brownian particles through channels with radial symmetry of varying cross-section and elliptic shape. The effective one-dimensional reduction is used with distinct forms of a position-dependent diffusion coefficient,D(x), found in literature, to obtain expressions for (I) narrow escape times from a single open-ended tube, (II) its correspondent effective diffusion coefficient, both as functions of the eccentricity of the tube,ε, whereε= 0 returns the system to a spherical vesicle with two open opposite sides, and (III) finally, Lifson-Jackson formula that is used to compute expressions to assess the mean effective diffusion coefficient for a periodic elliptic channel formed by contacting ellipses, also as a function of the eccentricity. Mathematical expressions are presented and contrasted against computational simulations to validate them.
Decitabine Enhances Lymphocyte Migration and Function and Synergizes with CTLA-4 Blockade in a Murine Ovarian Cancer Model
Authors: Wang Lei , Amoozgar Zohreh , Huang Jing , Saleh Mohammad H. , Xing Deyin , Orsulic Sandra , Goldberg Michael S.
Published: June 2015

The lack of second-line treatment for relapsed ovarian cancer necessitates the development of improved combination therapies. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy each confer clinical benefit, albeit limited as monotherapies. Ovarian cancer is not particularly responsive to immune checkpoint blockade, so combination with a complementary therapy may be beneficial. Recent studies have revealed that a DNA methyl transferase inhibitor, azacytidine, alters expression of immunoregulatory genes in ovarian cancer. In this study, the antitumor effects of a related DNA methyl transferase inhibitor, decitabine (DAC), were demonstrated in a syngeneic murine ovarian cancer model. Low-dose DAC treatment increases the expression of chemokines that recruit NK cells and CD8+ T cells, promotes their production of IFNγ and TNFα, and extends the survival of mice bearing subcutaneous or orthotopic tumors. While neither DAC nor immune checkpoint blockade confers durable responses as a monotherapy in this model, the efficacy of anti–CTLA-4 was potentiated by combination with DAC. This combination promotes differentiation of naïve T cells into effector T cells and prolongs cytotoxic lymphocyte responses as well as mouse survival. These results suggest that this combination therapy may be worthy of further consideration for improved treatment of drug-resistant ovarian cancer. Cancer Immunol Res; 3(9); 1030–41. ©2015 AACR.
МЕТОД ОЦІНКИ ФУНКЦІОНАЛЬНОГО СТАНУ ЛЮДИНИ НА ОСНОВІ ЯВИЩА СТАБІЛЬНОСТІ СЕРЕДНЬОЇ ВЕЛИЧИНИ ПРОВІДНОСТІ В МІКРОЗОНАХ
Authors: Strakhova O. P. , Ryzhov A. A.
Published: June 2015

Important research task is to find the integral criterion of rapid assessment the person's functional state and its current changes. Used for this purpose, the traditional methods do not always provide a complete and easy-to-interpret description of this subject. The methods of determining the functional state by a measuring skin conductance and existing rules for processing the results are considered here. Is illustrated a strategy for determining the functional state by electrocutaneous characteristics of acupuncture points, or micro-zones.
The investigation of human functional state by measuring the electrocutaneous characteristics of micro-zones led to the discovery of the phenomenon of the stability of the average value of the conductivity in electrodermal acupuncture “meridians source-point”. Mutual relations between the average values of the individual electrocutaneous characteristics in micro-zones turned out to be a stable and persist over time. Electrocutaneous characteristics of micro-zones reflect the current functional state of a person, so their measurement can be used to find the relative change in the condition of the person in the course of any activity.
The functional state of a person depends on the season, the degree of fatigue, has gender differences.
The proposed method of processing the measurements of the electrocutaneous characteristics in micro-zones has novelty; it allows determining the relative changes in the status of the body individual systems, and to carry out the quantitative calculations of such changes.
Given the non-chaotic mutual relative distribution of electrocutaneous characteristics of micro-zones mean values, we can assume that the micro-zones actually exist; each of them has some informative parameters (like the teeth of the ECG) and are functional reflections of skin -and- visceral connections. Probably it is a representation of one more regulatory system of an organism.
Determinants and Outcomes of Accelerated Arteriosclerosis
Authors: Loupy Alexandre , Vernerey Dewi , Viglietti Denis , Aubert Olivier , Duong Van Huyen Jean-Paul , Empana Jean-Philippe , Bruneval Patrick , Glotz Denis , Legendre Christophe , Jouven Xavier , Lefaucheur Carmen
Published: June 2015

Rationale:

The role of circulating antibodies in addition to traditional cardiovascular risk factors in the development of accelerated arteriosclerosis and their long-term clinical consequences have not been demonstrated.

Objective:

We investigated the role of circulating antibodies in accelerated arteriosclerosis and the role of immune-associated arteriosclerosis in graft and patient survival and the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events.

Methods and Results:

This was an observational prospective cohort study that included 1065 kidney transplant patients (principal cohort, n=744; validation cohort, n=321) between 2004 and 2010. Participants were assessed for traditional cardiovascular risk factors and circulating anti–human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies. All patients underwent allograft biopsies to assess arteriosclerotic lesions and endothelial activation, endarteritis, and complement deposition. In the principal cohort, 250 (33.6%) patients had severe arteriosclerosis (luminal narrowing >25% via fibrointimal arterial thickening). Circulating donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies were significantly associated with severe allograft arteriosclerosis (hazard ratio, 2.9;
P
<0.0001), independently of traditional risk factors. Patients with severe arteriosclerosis and anti-HLA antibodies (n=91, 12.2%) demonstrated allograft endothelial activation, endarteritis, and complement deposition. High levels of anti-HLA antibodies and their complement binding capacity were associated with increased severity of arteriosclerosis. Patients with antibody-associated severe arteriosclerosis had decreased allograft survival and increased mortality (
P
<0.0001); they exhibited a 2.5- and 4.1-fold increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events compared with patients who had severe arteriosclerosis without antibodies and patients with minimal arteriosclerosis, respectively (
P
<0.0005). Circulating donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies were significantly associated with occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (hazard ratio, 2.4;
P
=0.0004), independently of traditional risk factors.

Conclusions:

Circulating antibodies are major determinants of severe arteriosclerosis and major adverse cardiovascular events, independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
Codeform: A Balancing Act between Variation and Utility in Evolutionary Art
Authors: McCormack Jon
Published: June 2015

This paper describes the artwork Codeform, an interactive, evolutionary ecosystem of virtual “creatures” created by scanning museum visitor admission tickets at the Ars Electronica Center in Linz, Austria, in 2014. The paper first describes technical mechanisms used to realize the work and then discusses the issues of finding a genotypic representation that is terse but expressive—that is, one that maximizes the useful variations that the genotype is capable of expressing in phenotype space.
Achlya catenulata sp. nov., a new Saprolegniales (Oomycetes, Straminipila) from Brazilian mangrove swamp
Authors: Jesus Ana Lucia , Marano Agostina Virginia , De Souza José Ivanildo , James Timothy Young , Jerônimo Gustavo Henrique , Rocha Sarah Cristina Oliveira , Gonçalves Danilo Reis , Boro Marcela Castilho , Pires-Zottarelli Carmen Lidia Amorim
Published: June 2015

Achlya catenulata sp. nov. was collected from water samples in a mangrove swamp of the “Parque Estadual da Ilha do Cardoso”, São Paulo State, Brazil. This new species is characterized by the presence of achlyoid type of zoospore discharge from both primary and secondary sporangia, catenulate smooth-walled oogonia in chains of up to 11 oogonia, diclinous antheridial branches and eccentric oospores, which generally failed to mature. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses based on the ITS and LSU regions (rDNA) placed this species within the Achlya sensu stricto clade.
Lectotype designation for three North African names of Biscutella (Brassicaceae) published by Claude Thomas Alexis Jordan
Authors: Vicente Alicia , Alonso Mª Ángeles , Thiébaut Mélanie , Crespo Manuel B.
Published: June 2015

Three names of North African species described by Jordan in the end of the 19th century, Biscutella algeriensis, Biscutella choulettei and Biscutella mauritanica, are typified. Lectotypes are designated from syntypes conserved in the herbaria K, LY, MPU, P and W. Furthermore, some historical comments are reported that support type selection.
Aspidistra tillichiana (Asparagaceae), a new species from Northern Vietnam
Authors: Colin Olivier
Published: June 2015

In a recent summary, Tillich (2014) keyed 43 species of Aspidistra Ker Gawler (1822: 628) for Vietnam. Two of them, i.e. A. bicolor Tillich (2005: 317) and A. subrotata Wan & Huang (1987: 223), originally described from Guangxi (China), were found in Tam Dao NP, Vinh Phuc Prov. During a study trip in northern Vietnam, an additional new species of Aspidistra was discovered in Tam Dao National Park. The species which has features relating it to A. crassifila Y.Liu & C.-I Peng in Lin et al. (2013: 43) is described here.