bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Co-registration and bias corrections of satellite elevation data sets for quantifying glacier thickness change
Authors: Nuth C. , Kääb A.
Published: March 2011

Abstract. There are an increasing number of digital elevation models (DEMs) available worldwide for deriving elevation differences over time, including vertical changes on glaciers. Most of these DEMs are heavily post-processed or merged, so that physical error modelling becomes difficult and statistical error modelling is required instead. We propose a three-step methodological framework for assessing and correcting DEMs to quantify glacier elevation changes: (i) remove DEM shifts, (ii) check for elevation-dependent biases, and (iii) check for higher-order, sensor-specific biases. A simple, analytic and robust method to co-register elevation data is presented in regions where stable terrain is either plentiful (case study New Zealand) or limited (case study Svalbard). The method is demonstrated using the three global elevation data sets available to date, SRTM, ICESat and the ASTER GDEM, and with automatically generated DEMs from satellite stereo instruments of ASTER and SPOT5-HRS. After 3-D co-registration, significant biases related to elevation were found in some of the stereoscopic DEMs. Biases related to the satellite acquisition geometry (along/cross track) were detected at two frequencies in the automatically generated ASTER DEMs. The higher frequency bias seems to be related to satellite jitter, most apparent in the back-looking pass of the satellite. The origins of the more significant lower frequency bias is uncertain. ICESat-derived elevations are found to be the most consistent globally available elevation data set available so far. Before performing regional-scale glacier elevation change studies or mosaicking DEMs from multiple individual tiles (e.g. ASTER GDEM), we recommend to co-register all elevation data to ICESat as a global vertical reference system.
Isotope hydrological studies of the perennial ice deposit of Saarhalle, Mammuthöhle, Dachstein Mts, Austria
Authors: Kern Z. , Fórizs I. , Pavuza R. , Molnár M. , Nagy B.
Published: March 2011

Abstract. A 5.28 m-long ice core was extracted from a major cave ice body in the Mammuthöhle cave system. The upper ~1.2 m of ice most likely originate from precipitation fallen before the 1960s (based on <8.5 TU). Characteristic fluctuations in electrical conductivity were observed in the cave ice profile, which seem to mirror the fluctuation of karst and surface water in the water supply of the ice accumulation. The stable isotope composition does not support the hypothesis that ice layers with low conductivity are formed by freezing out of water vapour. Isotope fractionation effects during the freezing process are indicated by the enrichment of heavy stable isotopes (2H, 18O) in the ice compared to the potential sources (local precipitation, karst water) and by the characteristically low d-excess values. In addition, the cave ice water line shows a slope coefficient of 8.13. A two-component open-system model (i.e. a depleted component mixed with the freezing water) can adequately explain the measured isotopic compositions of the Saarhalle cave ice.
Central Retinal Artery Occlusion Secondary to Orbital Cellulitis and Abscess following Dacryocystitis
Authors: Coşkun Mesut , İlhan Özgür , Keskin Uğurcan , Ayintap Emre , Tuzcu Esra , Semiz Hilal , Öksüz Hüseyin
Published: March 2011

Purpose

To report a case of dacryocystitis that progressed to orbital abscess resulting in the rare complication of central retinal artery occlusion.

Methods

A patient without any other known health problems presented with dacryocystitis complicated by orbital cellulitis, orbital abscess, and finally central retinal artery occlusion despite medical treatment.

Results

After 48 hours of medical treatment, there was no recovery, and there was loss of light perception; because of this, surgery indication was determined. Fundus fluorescein angiogram demonstrated findings of central retinal artery occlusion. There was no recovery of light perception after surgical intervention.

Conclusions

We report a case of orbital abscess following dacryocystitis in a healthy middle-aged woman resulting in the rare complication of central retinal artery occlusion. To our knowledge, this is the first report of central retinal artery occlusion secondary to orbital abscess following dacryocystitis.
Sciatic Nerve Localization Relative to the Position of the Hip, An Anatomical Study
Authors: Dikici Fatih , Kale Aysin , Ugras Ali A. , Gayretli Ozcan , Gurses Ilke A. , Kaya Ibrahim
Published: March 2011

The incidence of iatrogenic peripheral nerve injury during hip arthroplasty procedures has been reported to be between 0.6 and 1.3 percent. The relative risk of nerve palsy is higher in certain groups of patients such as women, patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip, and those who have undergone revision arthroplasty. In this study, the dynamic relationship between the acetabulum and the sciatic nerve, which is important for preventing sciatic nerve palsy during the hip surgery, was investigated. The sciatic nerve was exposed in 69 cadaveric hips. The relationship between the bony acetabulum and the sciatic nerve was examined in three different positions; as the ipsilateral hip was flexed; extended; or in neutral position. We found that the middle part of the posterior acetabular rim was closer to the sciatic nerve than its superior or inferior parts. The sciatic nerve was perilous when the ipsilateral hip was flexed and the middle part of the posterior acetabular rim was more risky than the superior or inferior parts, in terms of iatrogenic sciatic nerve injury.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Transient Bone Marrow Oedema Syndrome of the Hip
Authors: Capone Antonio , Podda Daniele , Ennas Franco , Iesu Cesare , Casciu Luigi , Civinini Roberto
Published: March 2011

Transient bone marrow oedema syndrome of the proximal femur is characterized by acute, progressive pain in the hip that is increased by weight-bearing. Treatment includes restricted weight-bearing and analgesic medication.

A prospective, randomized study was performed to compare two groups of patients affected by bone marrow oedema syndrome of the femoral head. 20 patients received pharmacological and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and a control group of 21 patients received pharmacological therapy alone. The overall average WOMAC score at 3 months was significantly higher (p>0.001) for the hyperbaric oxygen group (70.8 points) compared with the control group (56.4 points). Magnetic Resonance Imaging at 3 months showed resolution of bone marrow oedema in 55.0% of the patients treated with hyperbaric oxygen compared with 28% in the control group.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy appears to be effective in treating transient bone marrow oedema syndrome, resulting in an accelerated recovery of hip function compared to pharmacological therapy alone.
Neuroprotective effect of Erigeron Breviscapus (vant) Hand-mazz extract on retinal ganglion cells in rabbits with chronic elevated intraocular pressure
Authors: Zhong Yi-sheng , Xiang Min-hong , Ye Wen , Huang Ping , Cheng Yu , Jiang You-qin
Published: March 2011

Background: Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are protected in rats with acute elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) by Erigeron breviscapus (vant.) hand-mazz (EBHM). However, it is unclear whether EBHM has neuroprotective effect on RGCs in animal with chronic elevated IOP.

Objective: Investigate the protective effect of EBHM extract on RGCs in rabbits with chronic elevated IOP.

Methods: Unilateral chronic elevated IOP was produced in rabbits by repeated injection of 2% methylcellulose into the anterior chamber. Secondary degeneration was measured with and without EBHM extract treatment for 60 days. At 60 days, the cells density of the RGCs layer, the thickness of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and the optic nerve axons were observed and analyzed using an image analysis system. The ultrastructural changes of RGCs and optic nerve axons were observed using transmission electron microscopy.

Results: Compared with their contralateral control eyes with normal IOP, in the retinas of 3-4 mm from the optic disc, the cells density of the RGCs layer in the eyes with chronic elevated IOP was 23.2±6.5 cells (n = 6) and 36.0±8.9 cells (n = 10) per three 400x fields at 60 days in untreated and EBHM-treated group, respectively. The RNFL thickness in eyes with chronic elevated IOP was 3.4±0.4 μm (n = 6) and 5.0±1.0 μm (n = 10) at 60 days in untreated and EBHM-treated group, respectively. The axons number per 15057.8 μm2 in eyes with chronic elevated IOP was 370.4±41.0 (n = 6) and 439.0±50.8 (n = 10) at 60 days in untreated and EBHM-treated group, respectively. The number of the organelles in RGCs plasm appeared decreased and mitochondrion vacuolated in the elevated IOP eyes of EBHM-treated group, while some dispersive mitochondrion and rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum and ribosome still existed in the RGCs plasm. The myelin sheath plates condensed and degenerated, and the microfilaments and microtubules decreased or disappeared in the elevated IOP eyes, but the axons degeneration in the chronic elevated IOP with EBHM treatment was less than that in the chronic elevated IOP without treatment.

Conclusion: EBHM extract provided a neuroprotective effect on retinal ganglion cells in rabbits with chronic elevated IOP.
Expression of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in rats with thioacetamide-induced acute liver failure and encephalopathy: correlation with brain edema
Authors: Wang Li-Qing , Zhou Heng-Jun , Pan Cai-Fei , Zhu Sheng-Mei , Xu Lin-Mei
Published: March 2011

Background: Secondary brain edema is a serious complication of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Recently, it has been reported that proinflammatory cytokines are involved in the pathogenesis of brain edema during HE.

Objectives: Observe the dynamic expressions of brain and plasma proinflammatory cytokines in encephalopathy rats, and evaluate the relationship between proinflammatory cytokines and brain edema.

Methods: Acute HE rats were induced by intraperitoneal injection of thioacetamide (TAA) in 24 hours intervals for two consecutive days. Then, clinical symptom and stages of hepatic encephalopathy, motor activity counts, index of liver function, and brain water content were observed. The dynamic expressions of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in plasma and brain tissues were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: Typical clinical performances of hepatic encephalopathy were occurred in all TAA-administrated rats. The TAA rats showed lower motor activity counts and higher the index of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin and ammonia than those in control rats. Brain water content was significantly enhanced in TAA rats compared with the control. The expressions of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF- α in plasma and brain significantly increased in TAA rats. In addition, the expressions of cerebral proinflammatory cytokines were positively correlated with brain water content but negatively correlated with motor activity counts.Conclusion: Inflammation was involved in the pathogenesis of brain edema during TAA-induced HE.
Development of an automated method for the determination of human paraoxonase1 activity
Authors: Araoud Manel , Neffeti Fadoua , Douki Wahiba , Kenani Abderraouf , Najjar Mohamed Fadhel
Published: March 2011

Background: Human plasma paraoxonase1 (PON1) is an esterase catalyzing the hydrolysis of organophosphorus pesticides and other xenobiotics. The aims of this study were to develop a rapid method to determinate PON1 activity, evaluate some interference, and study the influence of storage temperature on PON1 activity assay.

Methods: Measurement of PON1 activity was performed for 369 samples by measuring the hydrolysis of paraoxon using a spectrophotometric method adapted on konelab 30 ⃞.

Results: The developed method facilitates the determination of PON1 activity at the rate of more than 200 samples per hour, and it is linear between 2 and 900 IU/L. Intra and inter-assay imprecision coefficients of variation were 2% and 5% respectively. PON1 activity in serum was correlated with those in heparinized plasma (r = 0.994, p < 0.001) and in plasma/EDTA (r = 0.962, p < 0.001). The mean inhibition of the PON1 activity was, by EDTA/K3, 41 ± 10 %. There was not significant PON1 activity variation after 40 days of storage at -20°C or at +4 ⃞ C. There were no substantial interferences from haemoglobin, jaundice and hyperlipidemia.

Conclusion: The developed method is reliable, reproducible, and suitable. It can also be performed on heparinized plasma for the determination of PON1 activity. Hence, it may be useful for assaying PON1 activity in several intoxications such as organophosphorus, sarin, and soman nerve agents.
Pneumatic reduction of intussusception: factors affecting outcome in Thailand
Authors: Kritsaneepaiboon Supika , Sangkhathat Surasak , Kanngurn Samornmas
Published: March 2011

Background: Pneumatic reduction has become a therapeutic method for intussusception instead of surgery. It is more successful than barium reduction, but it depends on how much the operator is familiar with the method and equipment.

Objective: Determine success rate and recurrent rate of intussusception and factors affecting outcome of pneumatic reduction in Thailand.

Materials and methods: Fifty-eight children with 73 numbers of intussusception who underwent pneumatic reduction at Songklanagarind Hospital, Thailand between January 2002 and March 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. Age, sex, clinical parameters, physical examination, imaging findings, and reduction technique were evaluated.

Results: Overall success rate was 54 out of the 73 episodes and recurrent rate was 10 out of 58 patients with intussusception. Long duration of symptom, rectal bleeding, dehydration, and leukocytosis significantly affected poor outcome. Radiographic findings of gut obstruction and ascites as well as sonographic findings of thickened colonic wall, trapped fluid between intussusceptum and intussuscipien, and small bowel obstruction could also predict the poor outcome.

Conclusion: Many factors from clinical presentation, plain radiographic, and sonographic findings affect poor outcome of pneumatic reduction. However, it can be performed unless peritonitis and sepsis/shock are present.
Connection up- and down-regulation expression analysis of microarrays (CU-DREAM): a physiogenomic discovery tool
Authors: Aporntewan Chatchawit , Mutirangura Apiwat
Published: March 2011

Background: Many microarray experiments have been conducted during recent years, and scores of gene expression data have been archived in public databases. The use of data from multiple experiments can provide valuable information. However, there is a lack of convenient tools to compare datasets in this manner.

Objective: Implement software, called CU-DREAM, to compare the datasets of two microarray experiments. CUDREAM is easy to use and compatible with Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO).

Subjects and methods: Five experiments were used to demonstrate the functionality of CU-DREAM. These are GSE6791, GSE7803, GSE5816, GSE4246, and GSE13638 for studies of cancers and RNA interference.

Results: All six showcases demonstrated the validity of the CU-DREAM approach. One showcase could confirm the regulation of genes identified in two independent experiments on cervical cancer. The statistical significance was lower compared with cervical and lung cancers. In addition, CU-DREAM could identify isoform changes in lung cancer. The last showcase demonstrated that Dicer- and Ago2-depleted cells or Dicer-depleted HeLa and HEK293 cells shared the same gene regulation pathways. CU-DREAM had seven main functions: 1) to identify genes that are up- and down-regulated in an experiment, 2) to validate significantly regulated genes using data from another experiment, 3) to determine if two different diseases have a similar effect on gene regulation, 4) to identify isoform-changed genes, 5) to determine if cells share gene regulation mechanisms, 6) to identify common gene regulation pathways even when comparing two different cell types, and 7) to identify down-stream genes that are regulated by the conditions of the analyzed experiments.

Conclusion: CU-DREAM is an effective tool for the pre-screening of drugs, substances or environmental insults or the identification of the genetic changes that are associated with pathological conditions (CU-DREAM can be downloaded from: http://pioneer.netserv.chula.ac.th/~achatcha/cu-dream).
Physicochemical properties, in vitro release and in vivo evaluation of tramadol hydrochloride rectal suppository and rectal gel
Authors: Reanmongkol Wantana , Kaewnopparat Nattha , Ratanajamit Chaveewan
Published: March 2011

Background: Tramadol is a centrally acting analgesic drug. Rectal administration of tramadol is useful in the treatment of post-operative pain or malignant pain in cases where it cannot be administered orally. In Thailand, tramadol is available only as a capsule for oral use and as a solution for injection.

Objective: Develop tramadol hydrochloride rectal suppositories and rectal gel preparations.

Methods: Tramadol rectal suppository and rectal gel were prepared. Physicochemical properties (viscosity, gel strength, mucoadhesive force) and the in vitro release of tramadol hydrochloride were investigated from different bases (Witepsol H15, polyethylene glycol, poloxamer, and hydroxyethylcellulose). The analgesic activity of rectal tramadol hydrochloride using the hot plate test was evaluated in rats.

Results: Tramadol hydrochloride rectal gel using poloxamer was more mucoadhesive to the rectal mucous membrane than was the gel with the hydroxyethylcellulose base. Tramadol hydrochloride was released rapidly in vitro from both the Witepsol H15 and polyethylene glycol bases. It was completely released from the polyethylene glycol suppository base within 15 minutes. The amount of tramadol hydrochloride release from the Witepsol H15 suppository base was about 93% at 120 minutes. When using poloxamer or hydroxyethylcellulose as a rectal base, tramadol hydrochloride was released from both bases rapidly and completely released within 15 minutes. Administration of a tramadol hydrochloride suppository in rats exhibited a more pronounced analgesic effect with the polyethylene glycol base than with the Witepsol H15-based suppositories. The rectal gel had a less pronounced analgesic effect when made with the hydroxyethylcellulose base than with the poloxamer base.

Conclusion: Tramadol hydrochloride suppositories and rectal gels with different bases showed rapid and almost complete drug release from the bases, prolonging the latency of a nociceptive response in in vivo experiments.
The beneficial effect of long-term supplementation of vitamin C on renal mitochondrial disturbances in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
Authors: Yusuksawad Mariem , Chaiyabutr Narongsak
Published: March 2011

Background: Oxidative stress induces renal dysfunction in diabetes, in which renal mitochondrial disturbance was implicated. Vitamin C (VC) supplementation may ameliorate the renal dysfunction in diabetics. However, it is not clear whether VC supplementation is effective for renal mitochondrial disturbances in diabetes.

Objective: Investigate whether long-term continuous VC supplementation could ameliorate the renal mitochondrial disturbances in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

Methods: Thirty-five male Sprague-Dawley rats were used, and diabetes was induced by an injection of STZ. The rats were divided into three groups: control rats (CON), STZ-induced diabetic rats (STZ), and diabetic rats supplemented by vitamin C (STZ-VC). The CON and STZ rats were given tap water, while STZ-VC rats received VC (1 g/L) every day for eight, 24 and 52 weeks. The kidney was isolated and homogenized. Oxygen comsumption (Vo2) was measured in mitochondria homogenate using an oxygen consumption monitor. Based on Vo2 tracings, the respiration control index (RCI) and P/O ratio (= ADP/ O ratio) were measured at week 8, 24 and 52.

Results: At week eight, using either glutamate plus malate (for site I) or succinate (for site II) as substrates, both RCI and P/O ratio were not significantly different among three groups. The P/O ratio in STZ and STZ-VC rats increased from eight to 52 weeks after VC supplementation. At week 24, the P/O ratio at site II was normalized in STZ-VC rat. The increased P/O ratio (only site I) and the increased RCI (only site II) of STZ-VC rats were slower than those of STZ rats.

Conclusion: Short-term VC supplementation might not influence the renal mitochondrial activity. The long-term VC supplementation could ameliorate the mitochondrial disturbances induced in STZ-induced diabetic rats.
Predictive factors of visual outcome in open globe injuries in Thailand: a prospective study
Authors: Sintuwong Sunisa , Winitchai Ruthairat
Published: March 2011

Background: Eye injuries, especially open globe injuries, cause visual morbidities and socioeconomic burden. It is an urgent task to require good database and stakeholder involvement for open globe injuries.

Objectives: Investigate the epidemiology and predictive factors of visual outcome in open globe injuries in an industrial area in Thailand.

Methods: Consecutive cases of in-patient open globe injuries in Mettapracharak Eye Centre between February 2009 and January 2010 were examined. Patients were interviewed at first visit and followed-up for six months. The Birmingham Eye Trauma Terminology was used to classify types of injuries. Demographic data, cost of treatment, length of stay, and predictive factors (initial visual acuity, presence of relative afferent pupillary defect, hyphema, vitreous hemorrhage, intraocular foreign bodies, retinal detachment, time-duration to surgery, and wound length) were assessed.

Results: Fifty-two out of 60 eyes were included. Most (82.7%) of patients were men and average age was 34.1 years (range: 8-68 years). About half (51.9%) were graduated from primary school and 65.3% were laborers. Most patients had not used protective devices. The endophthalmitis rate was 13.5%, and panophthalmitis rate was 5.8%. The enucleation rate was 9.6%. The median length of stay was nine days. Poor initial visual acuity and intraocular foreign bodies were significant predictive factors (p <0.05).

Conclusion: Open globe injuries caused visual morbidity especially in young adult male, laborers with low education. Initial visual acuity and intraocular foreign bodies were significant predictive factors.
Printed anesthetic-risk information and perioperative anxiety: a multi-center study
Authors: Suraseranivongse Suwannee , Wungpayon Busakorn , Akavipat Phuping , Prownpun Paron , Klanarong Sireeluck
Published: March 2011

Background: Currently, there is a considerable variation concerning the provision of preanesthetic-risk information, especially potential detrimental adverse outcomes.

Objective: Determine the effects of printed anesthetic-risk information before surgery including patients’ anxiety, refusal of surgery, knowledge perception of adverse events and factors affecting anxiety.

Methods: Patients in a university hospital, a tertiary care hospital, a secondary care hospital, and a neurological institute in Thailand, undergoing low-to-moderate risk surgery were randomly allocated to control group (C) and study group (S), where group C received printed general information in anesthesia, and group S received printed incidences of five anesthetic adverse events as sore throat, nausea/vomiting, tooth loss, not waking up after surgery, cardiac arrest. Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Scale (STAIS, STAIT) for anxiety and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for knowledge perception were recorded before and after information, and after surgery. Numbers of patients who refused surgery and needed anesthetic-risk information in the next surgery were also recorded. STAIS >45 were considered “high anxiety”.

Results: Eight-hundred and twenty-four patients were analyzed (group C: 414, group S: 410). There was no difference in age, sex, ASA physical status, salary, education level, habitat, anesthetic experience and operative risk between groups. STAIS and STAIT, proportion of patients with high anxiety, proportion of patients who refused surgery were not different between groups. Patients in control group needed anesthetic-risk information in the next surgery more than study group (p <0.001). VAS for knowledge about five adverse events in study group were significantly higher than control group (p <0.001). Risk factors by the multivariate analysis included patients with high baseline trait anxiety and low income of less than 10,000 Baht/month.

Conclusion: Printed anesthetic-risk information did not increase anxiety, but increased knowledge perception of the patients.
Use of the ISNT rule for optic disc evaluation in 40 to 79 year old patients seen in optometric practice
Authors: Lundmark Per O. , Skjöld Göran B. , Nævdal Paal A. , Volden Ole K. , Belgum Morten
Published: March 2011

The purpose this study was to investigate the association between intraocular pressure (IOP) and the outcome of ISNT rule assessment of the optic disc in healthy patients seen in mainstream optometric practice. Consecutive patients over the age of 40 years and with no known general- or ocular pathology were enrolled from 4 optometric practices in Norway and Sweden during a period of 9 months. The sample was stratified by age group (40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70-79 years) and ISNT rule outcome (obeyed or broken). Subjects underwent a full optometric examination including stereoscopic assessment of the optic disc with the use of the ISNT rule, followed by measurements of intraocular pressure (IOP), central corneal thickness (CCT) and vertical size of the optic disc. Odds ratio (OR) was used to assess the association between IOP and the outcome measure. Stratified and multivariable analyses were employed to investigate the effect of age, gender, CCT, refractive error and disc size on the association. IOP was dichotomized at a cut-off corresponding to the 75th percentile (18 mmHg), whereas numeric covariables were categorized at cut-offs corresponding to the 33rd (ONH 1.6 mm, CCT 545 μm) and 66th percentile (ONH 1.8 mm, CCT 571 μm), respectively. A total of 177 patients (F: 57%, age range 40-79 years) were included. IOP was significantly higher in patients with broken ISNT rule (16.6 vs. 15.5 mmHg, p = 0.046), corresponding to a crude OR of 2.0 (CI 0.95-4.24). In stratified and multivariable analyses the association between IOP and outcome of the ISNT rule was strengthened in males (OR 4.8) and in subjects with small discs (OR 2.2), however only the effect modification by gender reached significance. Further research is necessary to understand the possible implications of these findings on the assessment of optic discs with the use of the ISNT rule.
Pigment dispersion syndrome with possible visual field loss (in Norwegian)
Authors: Svarverud Ellen
Published: March 2011

Pigment dispersion syndrome (PDS) is a condition of the anterior segment of the eye characterised by pigment deposition on a number of ocular structures. The condition is usually bilateral but most commonly asymmetric. In PDS, pigment is released from the posterior surface of the iris due to friction between the zonules and the iris. In itself, the condition does not represent any problems for the patient, but pigment deposition in the trabecular meshwork may interfere with drainage of the anterior chamber fluid and cause pigmentary glaucoma (PG). This case report presents a young myopic female with many of the classic signs of PDS; Krukenberg’s spindle, transillumination of mid-peripheral iris, deep anterior chambers, concave iris profile and increased pigmentation in the trabecular meshwork. Various diagnostic methods were applied to reveal clinical signs and to establish the patient’s visual function. Optic nerve heads and intraocular pressure were normal, but visual fields were suspect. The patient was advised to make an appointment with an ophthalmologist. Risk factors for development of PG and management of patients with PDS will be discussed.
Salt Losing Obstructive Uropathy with Paradoxically Low Urinary Sodium Concentration: Salt Entrapment in an Obstructed Ectopic Ureterocele
Authors: Zangan Steven M. , Yousefzadeh David K.
Published: March 2011

A 6-month-old hyponatremic female with failure to thrive had low urinary sodium concentration. Renal sonography revealed a duplex left collecting system with obstruction of the upper moiety as a blind-ended ectopic ureterocele extending to the bladder base. The echogenicity of the urine within the upper pole system was greater than the bladder contents. We believed that low urinary sodium concentration represented a false negative test and the salt loss by the obstructed left kidney was entrapped in the upper pole collecting system. Prior to ureterocele repair, intraoperative bladder and ureterocele aspirates revealed discordant sodium concentration supporting the sonographic conclusion.
Variability and Accuracy of Target Displacement from Nonlinear Static Procedures
Authors: Goel Rakesh K.
Published: March 2011

This paper compares the target displacement estimate from four current nonlinear static procedures—FEMA-356 CM, ASCE-41 CM, ATC-40 CSM, and FEMA-440 CSM—with the value derived from recorded motions of five strongly shaken reinforced concrete buildings.This comparison provides useful insight into two important questions: (1) how much does the target displacement vary among the four nonlinear static procedures? and (2) can the engineering profession “accurately” predict the response of a real building during an earthquake event using currently available modeling techniques and pushover analysis procedures? It is shown that these procedures may lead to significantly different estimates of the target displacement, particularly for short-period buildings responding in the nonlinear range. Furthermore, various nonlinear static procedures applied to nonlinear models developed using generally accepted engineering practice provide either significant over estimation or under estimation of the target roof displacement when compared to the value derived from recorded motions.
Decoding of Turbo Codes in Symmetric Alpha-Stable Noise
Authors: Shafieipour Mohammad , Lim Heng-Siong , Chuah Teong-Chee
Published: March 2011

This paper investigates the decoding of turbo codes in impulsive symmetric α-stable (SαS) noise. Due to the nonexistence of a closed-form expression for the probability density function (pdf) of α-stable processes, numerical-based SαS pdf is used to derive branch transition probability (btp) for the maximum a posteriori turbo decoder. Results show that in Gaussian noise, the turbo decoder achieves similar performance using both the conventional and the proposed btps, but in impulsive channels, the turbo decoder with the proposed btp substantially outperforms the turbo decoder utilizing the conventional btp. Results also confirm that the turbo decoder incorporating the proposed btp outperforms the existing Cauchy-based turbo decoder in non-Cauchy impulsive noise, while the two decoders accomplish similar performance in Cauchy noise.
Did Rashi Notice a Janus Parallelism in Ezek 20:37?
Authors: Basser Herb
Published: March 2011

Rashi seems to have combined two understandings of māsōret (Ezek. 20:37): “restraining fetter (mōsēr)” and “divine promises God had handed down (māsar).”  “Fetter” looks backwards in the verse to God's yoke of obligations and forwards in the verse to the rewards of “the inherited covenantal promise”. Rashi's co-ordination of dual roots in his brief paraphrase seems to anticipate what modern scholars call “Janus parallelism”.
Characterizing Esther from the Outset: The Contribution of the Story in Esther 2:1–20
Authors: Jacobs Jonathan
Published: March 2011

This article approaches the characterization of the heroine in Esther 2:1-20 from three perspectives: her status prior to her meeting with the king; her status after meeting with the king; and a literary analogy between her and Ahasuerus.
Saul as a Just Judge in Josephus’ Antiquities of the Jews
Authors: Avioz Michael
Published: March 2011

This essay reconsiders Louis Feldman's assertion that Josephus characterized Saul as a king who administered justice. This assertion is examined against the narratives in 1 Samuel 14 and 22. My conclusion is that Josephus did not praise Saul for being a just king. In this regard, his  characterization of Saul is consistent with the biblical narratives in 1 Samuel 14 and 22, which denounce Saul for being a negative model of the king as supreme judge.
The Friends of Antiquities (in Heb. נאמני עתיקות): The Story of an Israeli Volunteer Group and Comparative Remarks
Authors: Kletter Raz
Published: March 2011

The ‘Friends of Antiquities” were members of a unique body of volunteers, which was active in Israel for forty years, since its creation in 1948. They were nominated by the Israel Department of Antiquities and Museums (IDAM), serving as its “eyes and ears” - reporting damage, safekeeping sites, assisting in excavations and maintaining the connection between IDAM and the general public. The present article is the first ever written on this body. It offers a detailed review and analysis of  the creation, development and decline of the “Friends”, as well as notes about their status in relation to other amateur and professional bodies in the field of archaeology.
In Search of the Ancient Name of Khirbet Qeiyafa
Authors: Na'aman Nadav
Published: March 2011

This article discusses the identity of the recently excavated stronghold of Khirbet Qeiyafa, a tenth century BCE site located near the Valley of Elah, in the area where the story of the battle between David and Goliath takes place. There is also the story of a battle between Elhanan the Bethlehemite and Goliath of Gath that takes place at Gob (2 Sam 21:19). In light of a comparison of the two episodes I suggest identifying Khirbet Qeiyafa with biblical Gob. A close reading of the four anecdotes related in 2 Sam 21:15-22 clarifies the message of the early biblical tradition of four battles fought between Israelite and Philistine elite warriors that culminated in the advance of the Israelite troops to the gates of Philistine Gath.
Letters of Kings about Votive Offerings, The God of Israel and the Aramaic Document in Ezra 4:8–6:18
Authors: Steinmann Andrew E.
Published: March 2011

Building on Bill’s Arnold’s thesis that the presence of Aramaic in Ezra presents a shift in perspective to an external point of view, Joshua Berman has theorized that Ezra 4:8—6:18 presents a narrator who is speaking from a gentile point of view as opposed to a Judean voice for the Hebrew that precedes and follows this Aramaic section. However, Berman’s thesis does not account for all of the narration in this Aramaic text. The narrative verses that link the individual letters in this section indicate that the controlling voice for the overall narration is pro-Judean. These verses employ the Judeo-centric language and demonstrate that the author had a Judean source for much of the information he presents. Moreover, the narrative that connects the letters demonstrates the narrator’s knowledge of the Judean prophets, their names, patronymics and office as prophets (5:1; 6:14), revealing his Judean perspective. Ultimately, this narrator reveals his viewpoint by placing the command of God next to the decrees of Persian kings (6:14). Thus, Ezra 4:8—6:18 is a single literary creation, a document that is the result of an archival search and is designed to persuade the reader that the Judeans ought to be allowed to build in Jerusalem. The inclusion of this Aramaic document in Ezra is the author/editor’s way of demonstrating that even under foreign dominance, the Judeans will ultimately prosper because their God controls the events of the narrative and speaks through pro-Judean narrators even in a foreign tongue.
The Doings of the Wicked in Qohelet 8:10
Authors: Pinker Aron
Published: March 2011

Minor and reasonable emendations produce the following reading: “and also I saw wicked frequenting graves, and necromancer, and place of a holy. And they were forgotten in the city in which they did so (correctly?). This too is absurd.” The verse is an observation regarding repenting evil-doers. Their acts of piety are forgotten in their own city, though they could have served as actual examples for justifying God’s being ‘slow to anger.’
Beyond Purity and Danger: Mary Douglas and The Hebrew Bible
Authors: Hendel Ronald , Olyan Saul M.
Published: March 2011

An introduction to the following five articles that engage Douglas’s studies of the Hebrew Bible from a variety of perspectives and on a variety of topics.
The Relationship between the Sacrificial Laws and the Other Laws in Leviticus 19
Authors: Marx Alfred
Published: March 2011

The present paper addresses the question of the surprising presence in Leviticus 19 of two sacrificial regulations among mainly moral commandments. It attempts to show that far from being out of place these laws sum up the ethic imposed on Israelites in two main principles: the principle of restraint when dealing with fellow countrymen and the principle of absence of all contact with spiritual beings other than God.
Loss of HNRNPU in Skeletal Muscle Increases Intramuscular Infiltration of Ly6C Positive Cells, leading to Muscle Atrophy through Activation of NF‐κB Signaling
Authors: Lee Eun‐Joo , Charles Julia F. , Sinha Indranil , Neppl Ronald L.
Published: May 2024

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U (hnRNPU) is known to play multiple biological roles by regulating transcriptional expression, RNA splicing, RNA stability, and chromatin structure in a tissue‐dependent manner. The role of hnRNPU in skeletal muscle development and maintenance has not been previously evaluated. In this study, skeletal muscle specific hnRNPU knock out mice is utilized and evaluated skeletal muscle mass and immune cell infiltration through development. By 4 weeks, muscle‐specific hnRNPU knockout mice revealed Ly6C+ monocyte infiltration into skeletal muscle, which preceded muscle atrophy. Canonical NF‐kB signaling is activated in a myofiber‐autonomous manner with hnRNPU repression. Inducible hnRNPU skeletal muscle knockout mice further demonstrated that deletion of hnRNPU in adulthood is sufficient to cause muscle atrophy, suggesting that hnRNPU's role in muscle maintenance is not during development alone. Treatment with salirasib, to inhibit proliferation of immune cells, prevents muscle atrophy in muscle‐specific hnRNPU knock out mice, indicating that immune cell infiltration plays causal role in muscle atrophy of hnRNPU knock out mice. Overall, the findings suggest that loss of hnRNPU triggers muscle inflammation and activates NF‐κB signaling in a cell‐autonomous manner, culminating in muscle atrophy.
Realization of Fully High‐Spin State and Strong Ferromagnetism in LaCoO3 Monolayer
Authors: Liu Junhua , Si Liang , Zhang Qinghua , Wang Xiao , Freese Jessica , Harris Grant , Wu Mei , Zhang Xinxin , Lin Ting , Sutarto Ronny , Herrero‐Martín Javier , Guillemard Charles , Valvidares Manuel , Li Lin , Gao Xiaofei , Ji Yaoyao , Deng Zhixiong , Hong Yuhao , Wei Long , Gan Yulin , Wang Lingfei , Cheng Guanglei , Gao Peng , Gu Lin , Zhang Jiandi , Hu Zhiwei , Tjeng Liu Hao , Green Robert J. , Chen Kai , Liao Zhaoliang
Published: May 2024

Perovskite LaCoO3 is a subject of extensive and ongoing investigation due to the delicate competition between high‐spin (HS) and low‐spin (LS) states of Co3+. On the other hand, their indistinct free energy boundary poses a significant challenge to annihilate the magnetically/electrically inert LS Co3+ for yielding fully HS state. Here, electronic transformation from the conventional isovalent mixed HS/LS state () into an unprecedented aliovalent fully HS state () is demonstrated in monolayer LaCoO3 confined by 5d SrIrO3 slabs via atomically constructing SrIrO3/LaCoO3 superlattices. Excitingly, this emergent fully HS monolayer exhibits not only remarkable 2D ferromagnetism beyond the Mermin–Wagner restriction, but also larger magnetization (≈1.8µB/Co) and higher Curie temperature (above 100 K) than that of conventional thick film and any previously reported oxide‐based monolayer ferromagnets. Furthermore, Ir/Co hybridization driven orbital reconstruction with polarization beyond standard crystal field expectations is observed, which is supported by DFT calculations. The findings not only expand the electronic phase domains of LCO into fully HS state, but also provide a fresh platform for investigating the 2D magnetic physics under strongly spin‐orbit coupled regime and developing new 2D spintronic devices.
Peroxidase‐Mimicking Iron‐Based Single‐Atom Upconversion Photocatalyst for Enhancing Chemodynamic Therapy
Authors: Le Xuan Thien , Nguyen Nguyen Thi , Lee Woo Tak , Yang Yunkyu , Choi Han‐Gon , Youn Yu Seok
Published: May 2024

Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) has emerged as a novel approach to overcome cancer resistance and enhance anticancer efficacy. Despite the considerable effort devoted to current chemodynamic therapeutic agents, developing efficient delivery systems to induce ferroptosis remains demanding due to their limited efficacy and lack of selectivity. Herein, an iron‐based single‐atom upconversion photocatalyst (UmFe‐OA@hPM) mimicking natural horseradish peroxidases has been developed. This nanoformulation not only targets tumors via the existence of a hybrid platelet membrane (hPM) coating but also generates excessive hydroxyl radicals in response to both tumor microenvironment and external laser irradiation. This nanoenzyme overcomes the low tissue penetration of UV light, which sensitizes the iron‐doped graphitic carbon nitride network, attributed to the unique anti‐Stokes shift from infrared to UV displayed by upconversion nanoparticles. Together with an increase in intracellular polyunsaturated fatty acid accumulation induced by oleanolic acid (OA), lipid peroxidation is significantly elevated, leading to the enhancement of CDT. UmFe‐OA@hPM is demonstrated to induce significant ferroptosis in vitro, superior antitumor efficacy in breast cancer mouse models, and suppression of metastasis status when incorporated with an immune checkpoint blockade. These findings provide a potential strategy for developing a precisely controlled CDT to deal with aggressive cancers, especially in combination with immunotherapy.
Atomically Precise Hexanuclear Ce(IV) Clusters as Functional Fluorescent Nanosensors for Rapid One‐Step Detection of PFAS
Authors: Hassan Mohamed H. , Khan Reem , Andreescu Daniel , Shrestha Shreetu , Cotlet Mircea , Andreescu Silvana
Published: May 2024

The presence of poly‐ and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment is associated with adverse health effects but measuring PFAS is challenging due to the associated high cost and technical complexities of the analysis. Here, the reactivity of atomically precise metal‐oxo clusters is reported and the foundation for their use is provided as fluorescent nanosensors for PFAS detection. The material comprises crystalline, water soluble, hexanuclear cerium‐oxo clusters [Ce6(µ3‐O)4(µ3‐OH)4]12+ decorated with glycine molecules (Ce‐Gly) characterized by fluorescence emission at 353 nm. The Ce‐Gly fluorescence is found sensitive to long chain carboxylated PFAS of CF3–(CF2)n –, where n ≥ 6, such as perfluorooctanoic, perfluorononanoic and perfluorodecanoic acids. This unique reactivity leads to a change in the emission spectra in a concentration dependent manner, enabling PFAS detection through ligand exchange and aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) enhancement. No significant cross‐reactivity from potentially co‐existing species, including sulfonated PFAS, octanoic and dodecanoic acids, humic acid, and inorganic ions is observed. With an optimal concentration of 3.3 µg mL−1 Ce‐Gly, the method demonstrated detection limits of 0.24 ppb for PFOA and 0.4 ppb for PFNA. These findings highlight the potential of fluorescence‐based detection strategies utilizing nanoscale probes such as Ce‐Gly as fluorescent probes and nanosensors for PFAS.
Novel Multifunctional Meta‐Surface Plasmon Resonance Chip Microplate for High‐Throughput Molecular Screening
Authors: Chen Youqian , Zhang Huazhi , Li Rui , Fan Hongli , Huang Junjie , Zhou Rui , Yin Shaoping , Liu Gang L. , Huang Liping
Published: May 2024

The utilization of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors for real‐time label‐free molecular interaction analysis is already being employed in the fields of in vitro diagnostics and biomedicine. However, the widespread application of SPR technology is hindered by its limited detection throughput and high cost. To address this issue, this study introduces a novel multifunctional MetaSPR high‐throughput microplate biosensor featuring 3D nanocups array structure, aiming to achieve high‐throughput screening with a reduced cost and enhanced speed. Different types of MetaSPR sensors and analytical detection methods have been developed for accurate antibody subtype identification, epitope binding, affinity determination, antibody collocation, and quantitative detection， greatly promoting the screening and analysis of early‐stage antibody drugs. The MetaSPR platform combined with nano‐enhanced particles amplifies the detection signal and improves the detection sensitivity, making it more convenient, sensitive, and efficient than traditional ELISA. The findings demonstrate that the MetaSPR biosensor is a new practical technology detection platform that can improve the efficiency of biomolecular interaction studies with unlimited potential for new drug development.
3D Intelligent Cloaked Vehicle Equipped with Thousand‐Level Reconfigurable Full‐Polarization Metasurfaces
Authors: Wang Zhedong , Qian Chao , Lin Pujing , Zheng Bin , Kim Gyeongtae , Noh Jaebum , Li Erping , Rho Junsuk , Chen Hongsheng
Published: May 2024

A crucial aspect in shielding a variety of advanced electronic devices from electromagnetic detection involves controlling the flow of electromagnetic waves, akin to invisibility cloaks. Decades ago, the exploration of transformation optics heralded the dawn of modern invisibility cloaks, which has stimulated immense interest across various physical scenarios. However, most prior research is simplified to low‐dimensional and stationary hidden objects, limiting their practical applicability in a dynamically changing world. This study develops a 3D large‐scale intelligent cloak capable of remaining undetectable even in non‐stationary conditions. By employing thousand‐level reconfigurable full‐polarization metasurfaces, this work has achieved an exceptionally high degree of freedom in sculpting the scattering waves as desired. Serving as the core computational unit, a hybrid inverse design enables the cloaked vehicle to respond in real‐time, with a rapid reaction time of just 70 ms. These experiments integrate the cloaked vehicle with a perception‐decision‐control‐execution system and evaluate its performance under random static positions and dynamic travelling trajectories, achieving a background scattering matching degree of up to 93.3%. These findings establish a general paradigm for the next generation of intelligent meta‐devices in real‐world settings, potentially paving the way for an era of “Electromagnetic Internet of Things.”