bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is Ultrasound-guided Central Venous Port Placement Effective to Avoid Pinch-off Syndrome?
Authors: Tamura Akio , Sone Miyuki , Ehara Shigeru , Kato Kenichi , Tanaka Ryoichi , Nakasato Tatsuhiko , Itabashi Tetsuya
Published: May 2014

Purpose

Ultrasound (US)-guided internal jugular vein access has been the standard practice of central venous port (CVP) placement. The subclavian vein (SCV) access has also been preferred, but has potential risk of pinch-off syndrome (POS). The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of US-guided SCV access to avoid POS in patients with CVP.

Methods

Included in this study were patients who had undergone CVP placement via the SCV. We mainly assessed the computed tomography (CT) findings from two different placement techniques of a CVP via the SCV: (i) venipuncture point described by the ratio between the distance from the venipuncture point to the sternoclavicular joint and the clavicular length; and (ii) presence of direct attachment of the catheter to the clavicle. Secondary outcome was POS rate associated with two different placement techniques of CVP via the SCV.

Results

A total of 237 patients were included in this study between August 2007 and January 2011. A total of 100 patients (42.2%) underwent CVP placement using the landmark technique while 137 patients (57.8%) underwent CVP placement by US guidance. CT revealed that the US-guided technique tended to be lateral SCV approach compared with the landmark technique (p<0.001). A total of four patients (1.7%) experienced POS, all of them in the landmark group.

Conclusion

Our results showed that the US-guided technique determines a more lateral SCV approach, with a reduced POS risk than the landmark venipuncture technique.
Cephalic Arch Stenosis in Dialysis Patients: Review of Clinical Relevance, Anatomy, Current Theories on Etiology and Management
Authors: Sivananthan Gajan , Menashe Leo , Halin Neil J.
Published: May 2014

Arteriovenous hemodialysis fistulas (AVFs) serve as a lifeline for many individuals with end-stage renal failure. A common cause of AVF failure is cephalic arch stenosis. Its high prevalence compounded with its resistance to treatment makes cephalic arch stenosis important to understand. Proposed etiologies include altered flow in a fistulized cephalic vein, external compression by fascia, the unique morphology of the cephalic arch, large number of valves in the cephalic outflow tract and biochemical changes that accompany renal failure. Management options are also in debate and include angioplasty, cutting balloon angioplasty, bare metal stents, stent grafts and surgical techniques including flow reduction with minimally invasive banding as well as more invasive venovenostomy with transposition surgeries for refractory cases. In this review, the evidence for the clinical relevance of cephalic arch stenosis, its etiology and management are summarized.
Hybrid Simultaneous Treatment of Thrombosed Prosthetic Grafts for Hemodialysis
Authors: Troisi Nicola , Chisci Emiliano , Frosini Pierfrancesco , Romano Eugenio , Setti Marco , Mingardi Giulio , Michelagnoli Stefano
Published: May 2014

Purpose

The aim of the study was to evaluate our experience in the hybrid simultaneous treatment (open and endovascular) of acute thrombosis of prosthetic grafts for hemodialysis.

Methods

Between January 2011 and June 2013, 23 patients with acute thrombosis of a prosthetic graft for hemodialysis were urgently treated with a hybrid simultaneous treatment in order to obtain a prompt restoration of the flow. A new puncture of the graft was scheduled after 24 hours.

Results

Intraoperative technical success was 100% with a completion angiography showing the restored patency of the graft. As adjunctive procedures, in 6 patients (26.1%) locoregional thrombolysis was necessary and in all cases further endovascular manoeuvres (angioplasty/stenting) were immediately performed to solve a significant stenosis of the venous anastomosis/first tract of the vein. At 24 hours when the first puncture was done, three grafts were occluded resulting in a primary patency of 87%. During the follow-up (mean duration 5.6 months) four reocclusions occurred. In-stent restenosis occurred in all patients undergone stenting. At 1 year the rates of primary patency, primary assisted patency and secondary patency were 58.7%, 78.3% and 87%, respectively.

Conclusions

In our series the combined simultaneous hybrid approach in urgency maximizes the use of different available techniques, which appeared to improve overall success rate to save a thrombosed graft for hemodialysis. The great difference showed between primary and primary assisted patency demonstrates the necessity of a close follow-up.
Is the pH of Vancomycin an Indication for Central Venous access?
Authors: Moureau Nancy L.
Published: May 2014

All vascular access devices (VADs) have associated risks and benefits. Therefore, the decision to place a particular VAD rests on the assumption that the benefits of that device will outweigh the risks and allow for effective delivery of the treatment plan. The study by Caparas and colleagues, in the present issue of JVA, challenges the pH restrictions presented in the Standards. Caparas and her team have reconfirmed the previously reported findings that peripheral venous administration of vancomycin carries a low risk of phlebitis and extravasation and an even lower risk of catheter-related bloodstream infection. Central venous administration of vancomycin, on the other hand, carries the greater risk of central line associated bloodstream infection and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). In light of these findings and a lack of evidence to the contrary, the decision to place a central venous access device based solely on the pH of the intended therapy, vancomycin in particular, is not supported by the evidence and findings of this study. From a risk-benefit perspective, based on Caparas's study evidence, midline catheters are a safe option for patients for the administration of vancomycin, under specific concentrations, and for many other indicated medications and solutions.
Flushing the Central Venous Catheter: Is Heparin Necessary?
Authors: Dal Molin Alberto , Allara Elias , Montani Doriana , Milani Simona , Frassati Cristina , Cossu Simonetta , Tonella Simone , Brioschi Dania , Rasero Laura
Published: May 2014

Purpose

The aim of this systematic review was to assess the efficacy of heparin flushing in the lock of central venous catheters.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE and CINAHL databases. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials evaluating the use of heparin versus normal saline or other solution in the flushing of central catheter among adult patients. No language restrictions were applied. Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts in order to identify relevant publications. The same two reviewers retrieved and evaluated full texts. Parameter estimates regarding catheter occlusion were pooled using network meta-analysis with Bayesian hierarchical modeling.

Results

We identified 462 references. Eight studies were included. There was no evidence that heparin was more effective than normal saline in reducing occlusions. It was unclear whether urokinase and lepirudin were more effective than heparin in reducing occlusions. Vitamin C solution does not appear to prolong catheter patency.

Conclusions

There is no evidence of a different effectiveness between heparin flushing and normal saline or other solutions in reducing catheter occlusions. Due to the little and inconclusive evidence available in this field, further studies might be necessary.
Application of Human Type I Pancreatic Elastase (PRT-201) to the venous Anastomosis of Arteriovenous Grafts in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Dwivedi Amit J. , Roy-Chaudhury Prabir , Peden Eric K. , Browne Barry J. , Ladenheim Eric D. , Scavo Vincent A. , Gustafson Pamela N. , Wong Marco D. , Magill Marianne , Lindow Francesca , Blair Andrew T. , Jaff Michael R. , Franano F. Nicholas , Burke Steven K.
Published: May 2014

Purpose

To explore the safety and efficacy of PRT-201 applied to the outflow vein of a newly created arteriovenous graft (AVG).

Methods

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-dose escalation study of PRT-201 (0.01 to 9 mg) applied to the graft-vein anastomosis and adjacent outflow vein immediately after AVG placement. The primary outcome measure was safety. The efficacy measures were intraoperative increases in outflow vein diameter and blood flow rate, primary unassisted patency, and secondary patency by dose groups (placebo, low, medium, high and All PRT-201).

Results

A total of 89 patients were treated (28 placebo and 61 PRT-201). There were no significant differences in the proportion of placebo and PRT-201 patients reporting adverse events. Intraoperative outflow vein diameter increased 5% (p=0.14) in the placebo group compared with 13% (p=0.01), 15% (p=0.07) and 12% (p<0.001), in the low, medium and high groups, respectively. The comparison between the high and placebo groups was marginally statistically significant (p=0.06). The intraoperative blood flow did not change in the placebo group, and increased in the low, medium and high groups by 19% (p=0.34), 36% (p=0.09) and 46% (p=0.02), respectively. The low group had the longest primary unassisted and secondary patency and the fewest procedures to restore or maintain patency; however, the differences between groups were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

PRT-201 was well tolerated and increased AVG intraoperative outflow vein diameter and blood flow. Low dose tended to increase secondary patency and decrease the rate of procedures to restore or maintain patency. Larger studies with these doses will be necessary to confirm these results.
The Prevalence of Overactive Bladder Syndrome and Urinary Incontinence in a Turkish Women Population; Associated Risk Factors and Effect on Quality of Life
Authors: Sarici Hasmet , Ozgur Berat Cem , Telli Onur , Doluoglu Omer Gokhan , Eroglu Muzaffer , Bozkurt Selen
Published: May 2014

Aims

To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of overactive bladder syndrome and urinary incontinence in Turkish women; furthermore, to assess the impact on the quality of life.

Materials and Methods

A cross-sectional, epidemiological study was carried out in women of reproductive age to define overactive bladder syndrome, urinary incontinence, ICIQ-SF score and medical care seeking.

Results

The women's average age was 34.4 ± 5.26 years. The prevalence of UI was 26.9%. Stress UI was the predominant form. The prevalence of UI increased with age, BMI, number of pregnancies and children delivered. The prevalence of OAB was 20.7%. Women with OAB were older and had greater number of pregnancies than women without OAB. History of nocturnal enuresis was a significant risk factor for OAB and UUI. Women with MUI had more frequent and more abundant leakage of urine. 10.7% of women sought medical care for their condition.

Conclusions

Although prevalence estimates differ across studies, the available evidence indicates that UI and OAB are highly prevalent conditions among women. UI had negative effect on QoL, but only severely-affected women sought medical care. Public health and clinical management programs are needed to determine diagnosis and management of these social problems.
5ARIs and PSA: Evidences
Authors: Morgia Giuseppe , Urzì Daniele , Russo Giorgio Ivan
Published: May 2014

Objective

The 5α-reductase inhibitors (5ARIs) represent a valid therapeutic option in the long-term treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). One of the most debated topics is the interpretation of the variation of the serum PSA during treatment with 5ARIs. The objective of this review was to analyze the change in serum PSA levels over time and to evaluate its sensitivity and specificity in the screening for prostate cancer (CaP) during treatment.

Methods

An extensive search using PubMed and Scopus was performed including the following key words: “5ARI”, “finasteride”, “dutasteride”, “prostate cancer”, “benign prostatic hyperplasia”, “PSA”, “kinetics”, “PSA derivatives”.

Results

The reduction of serum PSA during treatment with 5ARIs can be observed up to 48 months after the beginning of the therapy. This category of drugs seems to improve the diagnostic performance of PSA in screening CaP. On the other hand, there is a reduction of the diagnosis of indolent cancers. Any increase in PSA from nadir should be considered suspicious for malignancy. However, if the choice of a biopsy depended only on an increase of the values of serum PSA, a variable percentage of potentially aggressive tumors could not be diagnosed. Therefore, it is important to consider in the clinical and diagnostic follow-up other factors such as digital rectal examination, age, family history of CaP and imaging techniques.

Conclusions

5-ARIs have a positive impact on the specificity of PSA but they must not be the only tool that can identify CaPs with poor prognosis.
Exile in Postwar Polish Women’s Prose
Authors: Karwowska Bożena
Published: May 2014

The article deals with the lives of postwar Polish emigration as portrayed in literary works by Polish émigré women writers. It begins with the “domestic” theme whose prominence in the works in question can be at least partly explained by the fact that in Poland, for historical and political reasons, the public and private spheres had acquired a different character than in the West. The blurring of the line separating the two spaces and the image of Matka Polka (a patriotic mother) are then used as points of departure for the description and analysis of the role of women of the first generation of postwar émigrés as wives and mothers. This is followed by a discussion of women authors as observers of their new countries (Great Britain, France, Argentina, and the United States) and their inhabitants (including other émigré diasporas and visible minorities). Their view of social change and the beginnings of the feminist movement is largely shaped by the “domestic” patriotic perspective typical of Polish women of their generation. Finally, the article discusses the problems that the mothers encounter in raising the next generation (and generation one-and-a-half) in the context of the cultures and mores of their new countries.
Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus onset preceded by Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease
Authors: Di Lernia Vito , Bajocchi Gianluigi , Piana Simonetta
Published: May 2014

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is an uncommon clinicopathological entity characterized by fever and lymphadenopathy, predominantly involving cervical lymph nodes, accompanied by chills and leukopenia. The diagnosis relies primarily on the presence of typical morphological features in the swelling lymph nodes. KFD can occur as a benign and self-limiting lymphadenopathy, but it can sporadically precede, postdate or coincide with the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The authors report a case of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) in a 42-year-old female preceded by prolonged fever, anemia, leukopenia, and cervical necrotizing lymphadenopathy. About two months later, the patient developed facial and scalp plaques suggestive of lupus skin disease. Histologic and immunologic investigations lead to the diagnosis of SCLE. It is not clear whether KFD associated with lupus skin disease are true KFD or a histopathologic feature of SLE.
Glowing in the dark: case report of a clue-poor melanoma unmasked by polarized dermatoscopy
Authors: Cohen Yoon K. , Elpern David J. , Wolpowitz Dean , Rosendahl Cliff
Published: May 2014

We report a case of a melanoma arising in a congenital-type compound nevus, which was excised because it was observed by both the patient and the treating dermatologist to have changed. Because the lesion was routinely photo-documented with both polarized and non-polarized dermatoscopy images prior to excision, these images were available for subsequent examination. Matched images are presented in what appears to be unique in the published literature: polarizing-specific white lines are identified as a compelling clue to the diagnosis of melanoma in a lesion that contains no clues apparent in the non-polarized image. Dermatopathology images reveal that the melanoma is arising in conjunction with a congenital type nevus. As expected, dermatoscopic polarizing-specific white lines are evident on the melanoma but not the nevus, and while a possible explanation is discussed, this remains speculative.
Effect of plasma torus density variations on the morphology and brightness of the Io footprint
Authors: Payan A. P. , Rajendar A. , Paty C. S. , Crary F.
Published: May 2014

We develop a 2‐D‐layered model of the Io plasma torus to study the apparent “shutoff” of the Io footprint in 2007, when it disappeared beneath a region of diffuse emissions, roughly coincident with a massive eruption of Tvashtar Paterae. First, we investigate the effects of Io's location in the plasma torus and validate our model results against Hubble UV observations of the Io footprint. We are able to qualitatively reproduce variations in the morphology of the footprint due to Io's changing latitudinal location with respect to the center of the plasma torus, capturing the bright leading spot and the dimmer tail. Then, we consider the effects of an increase in the local plasma density on the brightness and morphology of the Io footprint. Our results show a correlation between a local density increase in the plasma torus and the dimming of the Io footprint as observed in 2007. In particular, we find that a local density enhancement at Io of fivefold compared to the nominal value is sufficient to produce the observed shutoff of the footprint.
Response of the Jovian thermosphere to variations in solar EUV flux
Authors: Tao Chihiro , Miyoshi Yoshizumi , Achilleos Nick , Kita Hajime
Published: May 2014

Examining the response to solar extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation is an established diagnostic method used to understand the physics of planetary environments. In this study, we focus on the response of the Jovian thermosphere to variations in the solar EUV flux and discuss the consequences for the coupled thermosphere‐ionosphere‐magnetosphere system. We use a model that simulates both the thermospheric dynamics and the magnetospheric plasma velocity distribution under conditions of angular momentum transport between these regions. The simulations show that when the EUV flux increases by ~100% and 200%, the thermospheric neutral wind velocity at ~45° latitude increases by 16% and 22%, respectively. The short‐term variation over a few Earth days causes an increased velocity at middle latitudes which are magnetically conjugate to the Jovian radiation belt. Increased heating due to solar EUV contributes to this velocity change. The other contribution arises ~30 planetary rotations after the initial solar EUV flux increase. This second (“delayed”) effect is due to propagation of momentum from high latitudes (the auroral region), where Joule heating is dominant, and is related to the behavior of the ionospheric conductance and magnetosphere‐ionosphere coupling currents. The modeled velocity enhancement is smaller than that required to explain the observed enhancement of the synchrotron emission by radial diffusion of the trapped energetic electrons. In this context, we discuss the sensitivity of the underlying thermosphere‐ionosphere response to short‐wavelength solar radiation and the ensuing three‐dimensional wind fields.
Peculiarities of cosmic ray modulation in the solar minimum 23/24
Authors: Alania M. V. , Modzelewska R. , Wawrzynczak A.
Published: May 2014

We study changes of the galactic cosmic ray (GCR) intensity for the ending period of the solar cycle 23 and the beginning of the solar cycle 24 using neutron monitors experimental data. We show that an increase of the GCR intensity in 2009 is generally related with decrease of the solar wind velocity U, the strength B of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), and the drift in negative (A < 0) polarity epoch. We present that temporal changes of rigidity dependence of the GCR intensity variation, before reaching maximum level in 2009 and after it, do not noticeably differ from each other. The rigidity spectrum of the GCR intensity variations calculated based on neutron monitors data (for rigidities > 10 GV) is hard in the minimum and near‐minimum epoch. We do not recognize any nonordinary changes in the physical mechanism of modulation of the GCR intensity in the rigidity range of GCR particles to which neutron monitors respond. We compose 2‐D nonstationary model of transport equation to describe variations of the GCR intensity for 1996–2012 including the A > 0 (1996–2001) and the A < 0 (2002–2012) periods; diffusion coefficient of cosmic rays for rigidity 10–15 GV is increased by ~ 30% in 2009 (A < 0) comparing with 1996 (A > 0). We believe that the proposed model is relatively realistic, and obtained results are satisfactorily compatible with neutron monitors data.
Technique for measuring and correcting the Taylor microscale
Authors: Chuychai P. , Weygand J. M. , Matthaeus W. H. , Dasso S. , Smith C. W. , Kivelson M. G.
Published: May 2014

We discuss and develop methods to estimate and refine measurements of the Taylor microscale from discrete data sets. To study how well a method works, we construct a time series of discrete data with a known power spectrum and Taylor scale, but with various truncations of the resolution that eliminate higher frequencies in a controlled fashion. We compute the second‐order structure function and correlation function, assuming that the unresolved dissipation range spectrum has various values of spectral index. A series of Taylor scale estimates are obtained from parabolic fits to subsets of the correlation function data, and these are extrapolated to the limit of zero separation. The error in this procedure, for finite time resolution sampling, depends on the spectral index in the dissipation range. When the spectral form is known, we can compute a correction factor that improves the estimate of the Taylor microscale value determined from the extrapolation method and band‐limited data. Application of this technique to spacecraft observations of solar wind fluctuations is illustrated.
Mixed‐phase cloud radiative properties over Ross Island, Antarctica: The influence of various synoptic‐scale atmospheric circulation regimes
Authors: Scott Ryan C. , Lubin Dan
Published: May 2014

Spectral downwelling shortwave irradiance measurements made beneath overcast stratiform cloud decks at Ross Island, Antarctica (77.5°S, 167°E), are used in conjunction with discrete ordinates‐based radiative transfer simulations to examine how mixed‐phase clouds influence shortwave irradiance at the surface during austral spring‐summer. From 10 October 2012 until 4 February 2013, an Analytical Spectral Devices (ASD, Inc.) spectroradiometer deployed at the Arrival Heights (77.82°S, 166.65°E) laboratory of McMurdo Station measured in 1 min averages the downwelling spectral hemispheric (direct plus diffuse) irradiance spanning visible (VIS) and near‐infrared regions of the solar spectrum, from 350 to 2200 nm. Conservative‐scattering cloud optical depth τc is retrieved in the interval 1022–1033 nm, where the albedo of the snow‐covered surface is lower than at VIS wavelengths. The impact of liquid versus mixed‐phase cloud properties on the surface shortwave energy budget is discerned using irradiances in the 1.6 μm window. Five case studies employ NASA A‐Train satellite and ancillary meteorological data sets to investigate the macrophysical, microphysical, and shortwave radiative characteristics of clouds possessing distinct meteorological histories. Cloud systems within marine air masses arriving at Ross Island after transiting the West Antarctic ice sheet (WAIS) and the Ross Ice Shelf are radiatively dominated by the ice phase. In contrast, moist marine air moving directly onshore from the Ross Sea brings low clouds with a stronger influence of liquid water. Deep cyclonic disturbances over the Ross Sea are seen to be limited in their ability to deliver significant moisture as far south as Ross Island, where clouds are mainly optically thin.
Simulating water markets with transaction costs
Authors: Erfani Tohid , Binions Olga , Harou Julien J.
Published: May 2014

This paper presents an optimization model to simulate short‐term pair‐wise spot‐market trading of surface water abstraction licenses (water rights). The approach uses a node‐arc multicommodity formulation that tracks individual supplier‐receiver transactions in a water resource network. This enables accounting for transaction costs between individual buyer‐seller pairs and abstractor‐specific rules and behaviors using constraints. Trades are driven by economic demand curves that represent each abstractor's time‐varying water demand. The purpose of the proposed model is to assess potential hydrologic and economic outcomes of water markets and aid policy makers in designing water market regulations. The model is applied to the Great Ouse River basin in Eastern England. The model assesses the potential weekly water trades and abstractions that could occur in a normal and a dry year. Four sectors (public water supply, energy, agriculture, and industrial) are included in the 94 active licensed water diversions. Each license's unique environmental restrictions are represented and weekly economic water demand curves are estimated. Rules encoded as constraints represent current water management realities and plausible stakeholder‐informed water market behaviors. Results show buyers favor sellers who can supply large volumes to minimize transactions. The energy plant cooling and agricultural licenses, often restricted from obtaining water at times when it generates benefits, benefit most from trades. Assumptions and model limitations are discussed.
Application of multiobjective optimization to scheduling capacity expansion of urban water resource systems
Authors: Mortazavi‐Naeini Mohammad , Kuczera George , Cui Lijie
Published: May 2014

Significant population increase in urban areas is likely to result in a deterioration of drought security and level of service provided by urban water resource systems. One way to cope with this is to optimally schedule the expansion of system resources. However, the high capital costs and environmental impacts associated with expanding or building major water infrastructure warrant the investigation of scheduling system operational options such as reservoir operating rules, demand reduction policies, and drought contingency plans, as a way of delaying or avoiding the expansion of water supply infrastructure. Traditionally, minimizing cost has been considered the primary objective in scheduling capacity expansion problems. In this paper, we consider some of the drawbacks of this approach. It is shown that there is no guarantee that the social burden of coping with drought emergencies is shared equitably across planning stages. In addition, it is shown that previous approaches do not adequately exploit the benefits of joint optimization of operational and infrastructure options and do not adequately address the need for the high level of drought security expected for urban systems. To address these shortcomings, a new multiobjective optimization approach to scheduling capacity expansion in an urban water resource system is presented and illustrated in a case study involving the bulk water supply system for Canberra. The results show that the multiobjective approach can address the temporal equity issue of sharing the burden of drought emergencies and that joint optimization of operational and infrastructure options can provide solutions superior to those just involving infrastructure options.
Hydraulic and thermal effects of in‐stream structure‐induced hyporheic exchange across a range of hydraulic conductivities
Authors: Menichino Garrett T. , Hester Erich T.
Published: May 2014

In‐stream structure‐induced hyporheic exchange and associated thermal dynamics affect stream ecosystems. Their importance is controlled by spatial variability of sediment hydraulic conductivity (K). We calibrated a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of surface and groundwater hydraulics near a channel‐spanning weir (represents log dams, boulder weirs) to field data and varied K from 10−7 to 10−2 m/s (silt to gravel). Surface water stopped cresting the weir for K > 10−3 m/s. Non‐Darcy hyporheic flow was also prevalent for K > 10−3 m/s, and velocity errors using non‐CFD models ranged up to 32.2%. We also modeled weir‐induced heat transport during summer. As K increased from 10−7 to 10−3 m/s, weir‐induced hyporheic heat advection steadily increased. Cooling and buffering along hyporheic flow paths decreased with increasing K, particularly above K = 10−5 and 10−4 m/s, respectively. Vertical heat conduction between surface water and groundwater near the weir decreased with increasing K, particularly for K > 10−5 m/s. Conduction between hyporheic flow paths and adjacent groundwater helped cool hyporheic flow. Downstream surface water cooling by hyporheic advection increased steadily with K as increases in hyporheic flow overwhelmed decreases in cooling along hyporheic flow paths. Yet such effects were small (0.016°C) even at K = 10−3 m/s. The largest thermal effect of weir‐induced exchange was therefore spatial expansion of subsurface diel variability (particularly for K > 10−5 m/s) which affects benthic habitat and chemical reactions. The specific values of K where such trend shifts occur is likely variable among streams based on flow conditions, but we expect the presence of such trend shifts to be widespread.
Physical and observable characteristics of cloud‐to‐ground lightning over the Pearl River Delta region of South China
Authors: Liu Yonglin , Chan L. Y. , Lin Qinhao , Feng Wanxing , Bi Xinhui , Chen Jiahong , Tao Hantao , Wang Xinming , Chen Duohong , Sheng Guoying , Fu Jiamo
Published: May 2014

Cloud‐to‐ground (CG) lightning characteristic parameters deduced from the lightning location system (LLS) for five differing microenvironmental areas relative to megacity, city, municipal town, hilly suburban area, and mountainous rural area conditions were examined in our 2009–2011 Pearl River Delta (PRD) study. Our LLS data analysis showed that there were high variation of lightning characteristics and phenomenal changes among these areas. As a supplement to the usual study of physical characteristics, an observation‐based methodology had been developed to study the lightning behavior, while the respective thunderstorms were traversing through these observation areas. Special features and phenomenal changes related to the lightning characteristic parameters, such as observable lightning stroke days (OLSDs) and observable lightning stroke frequency and density for an OLSD, were also addressed. Microenvironmental variation due to change in topography, degree of urbanization, urban effect, and thunderstorm strength was found to affect the spatial distribution of lightning stroke and the severity of lightning activities over the observation areas. This approach increases our understanding of lightning in subtropical China. It also tells us more about the behavior of lightning while the thunderstorm traverses through an observation area. This information is lacking in previous studies.
GaSe Formation at the Cu(In,Ga)Se2/Mo Interface–A Novel Approach for Flexible Solar Cells by Easy Mechanical Lift‐Off
Authors: Fleutot Benoit , Lincot Daniel , Jubault Marie , Li Kao Zacharie Jehl , Naghavi Negar , Guillemoles Jean‐François , Donsanti Frédérique
Published: May 2014

Implementing photovoltaic devices based on high efficiency thin‐film technologies on cheap, light‐weight and flexible polymeric substrates is highly appealing to cut down costs in industrial production and to accelerate very large scale deployment of photovoltaics in the upcoming years. Lift‐off processes, which allow separating active layers from primary substrates and subsequent transfer onto an alternative substrate without modifying the upstream production process and without performance losses, are an emerging alternative to direct growth on polymeric substrates. This study concerns the feasibily of direct mechanical lift‐off process for high efficiency Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) thin film solar cells grown by coevaporation on glass/molybdenum substrates without performance losses. The study presents an in depth characterization (SEM,AFM,GIXRD,XPS) of samples leading to excellent lift‐off properties. They are explained by a specific gallium rich CIGS graded interface structure according to the interfacial sequence glass/Mo/MoSe2/GaxSey/Ga‐rich‐CIGS. The interfacial layer, attributed to GaSe, has a layered structure and out performs the molybdenum diselenide layered layer which forms spontaneously at the interface Mo/CIGS. It allows a very easy lift‐off process at the interface GaSe/CIGS thanks to Van‐der‐Waals adhesion mechanism in GaSe. Key physical‐chemical parameters are identified and analyzed. After lift‐off, an efficiency of 14.3%, higher than the initial reference CIGS solar cell efficiency (13.8%) is measured.
Contact Doping with Sub‐Monolayers of Strong Polyelectrolytes for Organic Photovoltaics
Authors: Mor Gopal K. , Jones David , Le Thinh P. , Shang Zhengrong , Weathers Patrick J. , Woltermann Megumi K. B. , Vakhshouri Kiarash , Williams Bryan P. , Tohran Sarah A. , Saito Tomonori , Verduzco Rafael , Salleo Alberto , Hickner Michael A. , Gomez Enrique D.
Published: May 2014

Barriers to charge transfer at electrode‐semiconductor contacts are ubiquitous and limit the applicability of organic semiconductors in electronic devices. Molecular or ionic doping near contacts can alleviate charge injection or extraction problems by enabling charge tunneling through contact barriers, but the soft nature of organic materials allows for small molecule dopants to diffuse and migrate, degrading the performance of the device and limiting effective interfacial doping. Here, it is demonstrated that contact doping in organic electronics is possible through ionic polymer dopants, which resist diffusion or migration due to their large size. Sub‐monolayer deposition of non‐conjugated strong polyelectrolytes, e.g., sulfonated poly(sulfone)s, at the anode‐semiconductor interface of organic photovoltaics enables efficient hole extraction at the anode. The performance of contact‐doped organic photo­voltaics nearly matches the performance of devices composed of traditional hole transport layers such as poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS). The degree of sulfonation of the dopant polymer and the thickness of the ionic dopant layer is shown to be critical for optimizing doping and the efficiency of the device.
Using injury severity to improve occupational injury trend estimates
Authors: Sears Jeanne M. , Bowman Stephen M. , Hogg‐Johnson Sheilah
Published: May 2014

Background

Hospitalization‐based estimates of trends in injury incidence are also affected by trends in health care practices and payer coverage that may differentially impact minor injuries. This study assessed whether implementing a severity threshold would improve occupational injury surveillance.

Methods

Hospital discharge data from four states and a national survey were used to identify traumatic injuries (1998–2009). Negative binomial regression was used to model injury trends with/without severity restriction, and to test trend divergence by severity.

Results

Trend estimates were generally biased downward in the absence of severity restriction, more so for occupational than non‐occupational injuries. Restriction to severe injuries provided a markedly different overall picture of trends.

Conclusions

Severity restriction may improve occupational injury trend estimates by reducing temporal biases such as increasingly restrictive hospital admission practices, constricting workers' compensation coverage, and decreasing identification/reporting of minor work‐related injuries. Injury severity measures should be developed for occupational injury surveillance systems. Am. J. Ind. Med. 57:928–939, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Occupational cadmium exposure‐associated oxidative stress and erythrocyte fragility among jewelry workers in India
Authors: Moitra Subhabrata , Brashier Bill B. , Sahu Subhashis
Published: May 2014

Background

Cadmium‐induced pulmonary and renal target organ effects are well‐established although its association with oxidative stress and associated hematological effects for human toxicity remain understudied.

Methods

In a population of cadmium‐exposed male jewelry manufacturing workers (n = 32) and referents without direct exposure (n = 21), all with urinary cadmium quantification, we measured plasma antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase), lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde), erythrocyte fragility, and surface irregularity of the erythrocyte membrane.

Results

Compared to referents, exposed workers manifested significantly lower plasma antioxidant enzymes, and increased malondialdehyde and erythrocyte fragility (for all, P < 0.01). Consistent with the exposure subcategories, activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were reduced and lipid peroxidation and erythrocyte fragility were enhanced (P < 0.01 for all) in terms of Cd‐effect indicating a strong impact on hematological system and oxidative stress.

Conclusion

Cd exposure contributes to oxidative stress and related erythrocyte effects thus making the hematological system another end‐organ target for chronic Cd toxicity. Am. J. Ind. Med. 57:1064–1072, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Adult neuropsychiatric expression and familial segregation of 2q13 duplications
Authors: Costain Gregory , Lionel Anath C. , Fu Fiona , Stavropoulos Dimitri J. , Gazzellone Matthew J. , Marshall Christian R. , Scherer Stephen W. , Bassett Anne S.
Published: May 2014

New genomic disorders associated with large, rare, recurrent copy number variations (CNVs) are being discovered at a rapid pace. Detailed phenotyping and family studies are rare, however, as are data on adult phenotypic expression. Duplications at 2q13 were recently identified as risk factors for developmental delay/autism and reported in the prenatal setting, yet few individuals (all children) have been extensively phenotyped. During a genome‐wide CNV study of schizophrenia, we identified two unrelated probands with 2q13 duplications. In this study, detailed phenotyping and genotyping using high‐resolution microarrays was performed for 12 individuals across their two families. 2q13 duplications were present in six adults, and co‐segregated with clinically significant later‐onset neuropsychiatric disorders. Convergent lines of evidence implicated GABAminergic dysfunction. Analysis of the genic content revealed promising candidates for neuropsychiatric disease, includingBCL2L11,ANAPC1, andMERTK. Intrafamilial genetic heterogeneity and “second hits” in one family may have been the consequence of assortative mating. Clinical genetic testing for the 2q13 duplication and the associated genetic counseling was well received. In summary, large rare 2q13 duplications appear to be associated with variable adult neuropsychiatric and other expression. The findings represent progress toward clinical translation of research results in schizophrenia. There are implications for other emerging genomic disorders where there is interest in lifelong expression. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Allelic association, DNA resequencing and copy number variation at the metabotropic glutamate receptor GRM7 gene locus in bipolar disorder
Authors: Kandaswamy Radhika , McQuillin Andrew , Curtis David , Gurling Hugh
Published: May 2014

Genetic markers at the GRM7 gene have shown allelic association with bipolar disorder (BP) in several case–control samples including our own sample. In this report, we present results of resequencing the GRM7 gene in 32 bipolar samples and 32 random controls selected from 553 bipolar cases and 547 control samples (UCL1). Novel and potential etiological base pair changes discovered by resequencing were genotyped in the entire UCL case–control sample. We also report on the association between GRM7 and BP in a second sample of 593 patients and 642 controls (UCL2). The three most significantly associated SNPs in the original UCL1 BP GWAS sample were genotyped in the UCL2 sample, of which none were associated. After combining the genotype data for the two samples only two (rs1508724 and rs6769814) of the original three SNP markers remained significantly associated with BP. DNA sequencing revealed mutations in three cases which were absent in control subjects. A 3′‐UTR SNP rs56173829 was found to be significantly associated with BP in the whole UCL sample (P = 0.035; OR = 0.482), the rare allele being less common in cases compared to controls. Bioinformatic analyses predicted a change in the centroid secondary structure of RNA and alterations in the miRNA binding sites for the mutated base of rs56173829. We also validated two deletions and a duplication within GRM7 using quantitative‐PCR which provides further support for the pre‐existing evidence that copy number variants at GRM7 may have a role in the etiology of BP. © 2014 The Authors. American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B: Neuropsychiatric Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Diversity and molecular phylogeny of mitochondrial DNA of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) in Bangladesh
Authors: Hasan M. Kamrul , Feeroz M. Mostafa , Jones‐Engel Lisa , Engel Gregory A. , Kanthaswamy Sree , Smith David Glenn
Published: May 2014

While studies of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) in the eastern (e.g., China) and western (e.g., India) parts of their geographic range have revealed major genetic differences that warrant the recognition of two different subspecies, little is known about genetic characteristics of rhesus macaques in the transitional zone extending from eastern India and Bangladesh through the northern part of Indo‐China, the probable original homeland of the species. We analyzed genetic variation of 762 base pairs of mitochondrial DNA from 86 fecal swab samples and 19 blood samples from 25 local populations of rhesus macaque in Bangladesh collected from January 2010 to August 2012. These sequences were compared with those of rhesus macaques from India, China, and Myanmar. Forty‐six haplotypes defined by 200 (26%) polymorphic nucleotide sites were detected. Estimates of gene diversity, expected heterozygosity, and nucleotide diversity for the total population were 0.9599 ± 0.0097, 0.0193 ± 0.0582, and 0.0196 ± 0.0098, respectively. A mismatch distribution of paired nucleotide differences yielded a statistically significantly negative value of Tajima's D, reflecting a population that rapidly expanded after the terminal Pleistocene. Most haplotypes throughout regions of Bangladesh, including an isolated region in the southwestern area (Sundarbans), clustered with haplotypes assigned to the minor haplogroup Ind‐2 from India reflecting an east to west dispersal of rhesus macaques to India. Haplotypes from the southeast region of Bangladesh formed a cluster with those from Myanmar, and represent the oldest rhesus macaque haplotypes of Bangladesh. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that rhesus macaques first entered Bangladesh from the southeast, probably from Indo‐China, then dispersed westward throughout eastern and central India. Am. J. Primatol. 76:1094–1104, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sleeping site selection by proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) in West Kalimantan, Indonesia
Authors: Feilen Katie L. , Marshall Andrew J.
Published: May 2014

Primates spend at least half their lives sleeping; hence, sleeping site selection can have important effects on behavior and fitness. As proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) often sleep along rivers and form bands (aggregations of one male groups) at their sleeping sites, understanding sleeping site selection may shed light on two unusual aspects of this species' socioecology: their close association with rivers and their multilevel social organization. We studied sleeping site selection by proboscis monkeys for twelve months at Sungai Tolak, West Kalimantan, Indonesia to test two main hypotheses regarding the drivers of sleeping site selection: reduction of molestation by mosquitoes and anti‐predator behavior. We identified to genus and collected data on the physical structure (diameter at breast height, relative height, branch structure, and leaf coverage) of sleeping trees and available trees in three forest types. We used resource selection function models to test specific predictions derived from our two hypotheses. The monkeys preferred to sleep in large trees with few canopy connections located along rivers. The selection of large emergent trees was consistent with both of our main hypotheses: decreased molestation by mosquitoes and reduced potential entry routes for terrestrial predators. Although we are only beginning to understand how sleeping sites might influence behavior, grouping, and potential survival of this species, our study has shown that proboscis monkeys (at Sungai Tolak) have a very strong preference for large trees located near the river. As these trees are often the first to be logged by local villagers, this may exacerbate the problems of forest loss for these endangered monkeys. Am. J. Primatol. 76:1127–1139, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
How Does a Coordinated Radical Ligand Affect the Spin Crossover Properties in an Octahedral Iron(II) Complex?
Authors: Schmitz Markus , Seibel Manuel , Kelm Harald , Demeshko Serhiy , Meyer Franc , Krüger Hans‐Jörg
Published: May 2014

The influence of a coordinated π‐radical on the spin crossover properties of an octahedral iron(II) complex was investigated by preparing and isolating the iron(II) complex containing the tetradentate N,N′‐dimethyl‐2,11‐diaza[3.3](2,6)pyridinophane and the radical anion of N,N′‐diphenyl‐acenaphtene‐1,2‐diimine as ligands. This spin crossover complex was obtained by a reduction of the corresponding low‐spin iron(II) complex with the neutral diimine ligand, demonstrating that the reduction of the strong π‐acceptor ligand is accompanied by a decrease in the ligand field strength. Characterization of the iron(II) radical complex by structural, magnetochemical, and spectroscopic methods revealed that spin crossover equilibrium occurs above 240 K between an S=1/2 ground state and an S=3/2 excited spin state. The possible origins of the fast spin interconversion observed for this complex are discussed.
Structural Basis of Chitin Oligosaccharide Deacetylation
Authors: Andrés Eduardo , Albesa‐Jové David , Biarnés Xevi , Moerschbacher Bruno M. , Guerin Marcelo E. , Planas Antoni
Published: May 2014

Cell signaling and other biological activities of chitooligosaccharides (COSs) seem to be dependent not only on the degree of polymerization, but markedly on the specific de‐N‐acetylation pattern. Chitin de‐N‐acetylases (CDAs) catalyze the hydrolysis of the acetamido group in GlcNAc residues of chitin, chitosan, and COS. A major challenge is to understand how CDAs specifically define the distribution of GlcNAc and GlcNH2 moieties in the oligomeric chain. We report the crystal structure of the Vibrio cholerae CDA in four relevant states of its catalytic cycle. The two enzyme complexes with chitobiose and chitotriose represent the first 3D structures of a CDA with its natural substrates in a productive mode for catalysis, thereby unraveling an induced‐fit mechanism with a significant conformational change of a loop closing the active site. We propose that the deacetylation pattern exhibited by different CDAs is governed by critical loops that shape and differentially block accessible subsites in the binding cleft of CE4 enzymes.