bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Channeling in helium ion microscopy: Mapping of crystal orientation
Authors: Veligura Vasilisa , Hlawacek Gregor , van Gastel Raoul , Zandvliet Harold J W , Poelsema Bene
Published: July 2012

Background: The unique surface sensitivity and the high resolution that can be achieved with helium ion microscopy make it a competitive technique for modern materials characterization. As in other techniques that make use of a charged particle beam, channeling through the crystal structure of the bulk of the material can occur.

Results: Here, we demonstrate how this bulk phenomenon affects secondary electron images that predominantly contain surface information. In addition, we will show how it can be used to obtain crystallographic information. We will discuss the origin of channeling contrast in secondary electron images, illustrate this with experiments, and develop a simple geometric model to predict channeling maxima.

Conclusion: Channeling plays an important role in helium ion microscopy and has to be taken into account when trying to achieve maximum image quality in backscattered helium images as well as secondary electron images. Secondary electron images can be used to extract crystallographic information from bulk samples as well as from thin surface layers, in a straightforward manner.
Synthesis and in silico screening of a library of β-carboline-containing compounds
Authors: Brummond Kay M , Goodell John R , LaPorte Matthew G , Wang Lirong , Xie Xiang-Qun
Published: July 2012

The synthesis of a library of tetrahydro-β-carboline-containing compounds in milligram quantities is described. Among the unique heterocyclic frameworks are twelve tetrahydroindolizinoindoles, six tetrahydrocyclobutanindoloquinolizinones and three tetrahydrocyclopentenoneindolizinoindolones. These compounds were selected from a virtual combinatorial library of 11,478 compounds. Physical chemical properties were calculated and most of them are in accordance with Lipinski’s rules. Virtual docking and ligand-based target evaluations were performed for the β-carboline library compounds and selected synthetic intermediates to assess the therapeutic potential of these small organic molecules. These compounds have been deposited into the NIH Molecular Repository (MLSMR) and may target proteins such as histone deacetylase 4, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 6 and mitogen-activated protein kinase 1. These in silico screening results aim to add value to the β-carboline library of compounds for those interested in probes of these targets.
Expertise, politiques publiques et économie créative : le cas britannique
Authors: Schlesinger Philip , Junqua Frédéric
Published: July 2012

Résumé Cet article analyse le rôle des experts dans le débat public sur les politiques de soutien aux industries créatives au Royaume Uni. La première section offre un panorama de l’émergence de cette expertise gouvernementale et du développement des think tanks , dans le contexte plus large d’une sociologie des intellectuels. Elle analyse le développement d’une expertise propre au New Labour qui s’opposait au conservatisme thatchérien dans la lutte pour le contrôle de l’ordre du jour des politiques publiques. La deuxième section illustre la croissance de la « génération politique » du New Labour et l’essor d’un groupe d’experts dans le champ des médias, de la communication et de la culture, et analyse les différentes trajectoires qui ont mené ces experts jusqu’au gouvernement. La dernière section, basée sur des entretiens, met en lumière les jeux de pouvoir qui se cachent derrière l’élaboration des politiques du New Labour en direction des industries créatives. Elle prend en considération l’impact des changements ministériels sur le processus politique, illustre la façon dont les rivalités entre administrations augmentent la complexité du processus, et montre comment une expertise liée au service public peut être mobilisée pour neutraliser une expertise extérieure. La conclusion passe en revue les implications de cette analyse.
Notas nomenclaturales sobre anfibios actuales y fósiles
Authors: Martín C. , Alonso-Zarazaga M. A. , Sanchiz B.
Published: July 2012

Una revisión de anfibios extintos y actuales en estado fósil (Allocaudata, Anura y Caudata) ha permitido detectar diversos casos que precisan cambios nomenclaturales a fin de estabilizar la taxonomía del grupo. Los cambios nomenclaturales incluyen homonimias, correcciones de variantes gramaticales y autorías, disponibilidad de nombres, y en especial la propuesta de nuevas combinaciones, necesarias para ajustar algunos taxones paleontológicos a los modelos de relaciones evolutivas entre formas vivientes, fundamentados en filogenias moleculares.
Las nuevas combinaciones que se proponen son: Anaxyrus defensor para Bufo defensor Meylan, 2005; Anaxyrus hibbardi para Bufo hibbardi Taylor, 1937; Anaxyrus pliocompactilis para Bufo pliocompactilis Wilson, 1968; Anaxyrus repentinus para Bufo repentinus Tihen, 1962; Anaxyrus rexroadensis para Bufo rexroadensis Tihen, 1962; Anaxyrus spongifrons para Bufo spongifrons Tihen, 1962; Anaxyrus suspectus para Bufo suspectus Tihen, 1962; Anaxyrus tiheni para Bufo tiheni Auffenberg, 1957; Anaxyrus valentinensis para Bufo valentinensis Estes et Tihen, 1964; Ichthyosaura wintershofi para Triturus wintershofi Lunau, 1950; Incilius praevius para Bufo praevius Tihen, 1951; Lithobates bucella para Rana bucella Holman, 1965; Lithobates dubitus para Anchylorana dubita Taylor, 1942; Lithobates fayeae para Rana fayeae Taylor, 1942; Lithobates miocenicus para Rana miocenica Holman, 1965; Lithobates moorei para Anchylorana moorei Taylor, 1942; Lithobates parvissimus para Rana parvissima Taylor, 1942; Lithobates rexroadensis para Rana rexroadensis Taylor, 1942; Lithobates robustocondylus para Anchylorana robustocondyla Taylor, 1942; Ommatotriton roehrsi para Triturus roehrsi Herre, 1955; Pelophylax barani para Rana barani Rückert-Ülkumen, 1980; Pelophylax meriani para Rana meriani Meyer, 1853; Pelophylax pueyoi para Rana pueyoi Navás, 1922a; Pelophylax quellenbergi para Rana quellenbergi Navás, 1922; Philoria borealis para Kyarranus borealis Tyler, 1991; Pseudepidalea belogorica para Bufo belogoricus Ratnikov, 1993; Pseudepidalea plana para Bufo planus Ratnikov, 1993; Pseudepidalea prisca para Bufo priscus Spinar, Klembara et Meszáros, 1993, y Pseudepidalea stranensis para Bufo stranensis Nemec, 1972.
Los nombres Geyeriellinae Brame, 1958, Palaeurodelidae Brame, 1958, Prosalamandridae Stefano, 1903, Lipelucidae Huene, 1956, Rana temporaria fossilis Stefanov, 1951, Salteniidae Kuhn, 1962, Vieraellidae Reig, 1961, y Voigtiellinae Brame, 1958 se consideran nomenclaturalmente no disponibles. El nombre de familia basado en Scapherpeton Cope, 1876 es Scapherpetidae y no Scapherpetonidae ni Scapherpetontidae.
Leve diferenciación genética entre los límites occidental y oriental de distribución de Astroides calycularis (Pallas, 1776) (Anthozoa, Scleractinia, Dendrophylliidae), inferida a partir de secuencias de COI e ITS
Authors: Merino-Serrais P. , Casado-Amezúa P. , Ocaña Ó. , Templado J. , Machordom A.
Published: July 2012

El estudio de la estructura de las poblaciones y su diferenciación a nivel genético es de gran utilidad para la elaboración de planes de manejo y conservación de especies amenazadas. En este estudio, utilizamos marcadores nucleares y mitocondriales (espaciadores internos de genes ribosomales -ITS y citocromo oxidasa, subunidad I -COI) y métodos de análisis filogenéticos y de clados anidados (NCA), para realizar la primera valoración de la estructura genética del coral naranja Astroides calycularis (Pallas, 1766), una especie amenazada del Mediterráneo, a partir de muestras de 12 localidades a lo largo de su área de distribución. En las localidades situadas en la región más occidental del Mediterráneo se encontró cierta homogeneidad genética, mientras que al comparar estas localidades con las de las cuencas argelina y del mar Tirreno se observó una ligera diferenciación.
How to be an Effective Technical Writer?
Authors: Ali M Solaiman , Al-Othmany Dheya
Published: July 2012

Abstract--This paper has focused on technical writing as a skill for engineers. It has sought to define technical writing and throw light on the content and technique of writing the various components of successful technical reports (for example, articles, papers, or research reports, such as theses and dissertations). Then, it has highlighted other special features and principles of effective technical writing. The material in this paper is divided into seven major parts. Part 1 (Technical writing for engineers) stresses that a successful engineering career requires strong writing skills. Part 2 (How to write the major sections or elements of a report) describes the techniques of writing the abstract, introduction, literature review, procedure/methods & materials, results, discussion, conclusion, and recommendations. Part 3 (Special features of technical writing) brings into focus some of the special features of technical writing such as tables & graphs in the text, graphics in instructions, team writing, ethics (plagiarism), document sources, three citation styles and IEEE reference style. Part 4 (Technical usage) deals with writing abbreviations, initialisms and acronyms, numbers, units of measurement, and equations.Part 5 (Technical style) highlights the imperative writing style and other features of technical writing such as the use of active and passive voices, plain vs. complex syntax, avoiding redundant or superfluous expressions, and vague generalities, using words or expressions with visual impact, the past tense to describe experimental work, the present tense to describe hypotheses, principles, theories and truths, and breaking up the text of the report into short sections. Part 6 (Document specifications) emphasizes the technical writer’s need to conform to such document specifications as word count, format, font, number of words per line of text imposed. Part 7 (Reader-friendly technical writing) suggests choosing the varied writing modes (patterns of organization of information) to suit the technical writing task, checking for technical accuracy and following three levels of editing to help increase the readability of a technical text. Finally, in part 8 (Ethical/legal considerations for the technical writer), the authors suggest ways for the technical writer to overcome ethical/legal dilemmas on the job.
Ten years of eLearning within the Engineering Education in the Czech Republic
Authors: Simonova Ivana , Bilek Martin
Published: July 2012

This paper deals with the process of eLearning implementation in engineering education. It is structured into four parts which (1) analyze this process in the Czech Republic, (2) evaluate the contribution of eLearning seminars, conferences and competitions held at the Faculty of Informatics and Management, University of Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, (3) provide reflection of the situation in current research activities in this field and (4) present data collected at the University of Hradec Kralove.
Online teaching of Linear algebra using webMathematica
Authors: Vorob'ev Evgenii
Published: July 2012

We discuss the online teaching of Linear algebrs using webMathematica electronic tutorials developed by the author. We also consider some problems of webMathematica E-Pedagogy.
Soft Skill Development along the Education Path Evaluating expectations on and perceptions of student competencies in Software Engineering education
Authors: Böttcher Axel , Thurner Veronika , Winter Veronika
Published: July 2012

In our everyday teaching we experience that many first-year students are ill prepared for the demands of an academic study process in technical domains. Usually, the students’ problems are not rooted in a lack of intellectual capacity or previously acquired founding expertise in the chosen course of study. Rather, it is the deficiencies in more basic competencies such as practical and cognitive, self and social areas that place a major hurdle in the students’ learning process. In an attempt to elucidate and improve this situation, as a first step we develop a questionnaire that captures the high school teachers’ as well as the lecturers’ expectations on student competencies in these areas, as opposed to their perception of competencies that first-year students possess in reality. This questionnaire is also applied to capture the university-employer skill gap.
Engaging students by Moodleing a Course? Case studies at the Polytechnic of Porto â?? School of Engineering
Authors: Viegas Clara , Marques Arcelina , Alves Gustavo R. , Costa-Lobo Cristina
Published: July 2012

This work presents a comparative study covering four different courses lectured at the Polytechnic of Porto - School of Engineering, regarding the usage of a particular Learning Management System, i.e. Moodle, and its impact on students' results. This study addresses teachers who used this platform as a complement to their courses (b-learning) and identifies some particular issues in order to potentiate students' engagement and learning. Even though positive correlation factors exist, e.g. between the number of Moodle accesses versus the final exam grade obtained by each student, the explanation behind it may not be straightforward. Mapping this particular factor to course numbers reveals that the quality of the resources might be preponderant and not only their quantity. These results point to the fact that some dynamic resources might enlarge students' engagement.
Dropping behaviour in Aulacorthum solani (Hemiptera: Aphididae) following attack by Aphidus ervi (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): are sticky stem bands a useful integrated pest management method?
Authors: Gillespie David R. , Acheampong Susanna
Published: July 2012

We studied the dropping behaviour of the foxglove aphid, Aulacorthum solani (Kaltenbach) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), in response to disturbance by the parasitoid Aphidius ervi Haliday (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). We banded plant stems with sticky tape to prevent aphids from returning to the plants to determine if these would serve as an integrated pest management strategy for A. solani. Stem banding prevented A. solani that had dropped from returning to the plant; but the mortality associated with banding was not necessarily complementary to biological control by A. ervi. Up to 80% of aphids dropped in response to foraging by A. ervi, and thus could be killed on sticky stem bands. The fraction of aphids that dropped to the ground also contained as much as 90% of the parasitoid's offspring. Overall, mortality of aphids on sticky stem bands was not compatible with parasitoids. Although numbers of aphids declined more rapidly in the first 2 weeks of the trial in the presence of stem bands and parasitoids than in the presence of parasitoids alone, the numbers of aphids were identical in the two treatments from the 3rd week onward. Mortality on the stem bands replaced mortality from parasitoids, and reduced recruitment of parasitoids.
Cost-effective policy option in launching a community-based pneumococcal vaccination program among the elderly in Japan
Authors: Hoshi Shu-Ling , Kondo Masahide , Okubo Ichiro
Published: July 2012

In Japan, some municipalities introduced a publicly funded pneumococcal vaccination program for the elderly. The expansion of such program has become one of the current topics in the health policy arena. We aim to appraise the value for money of expanding such programs, or starting one in a municipality without a program. We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis with Markov modelling and calculated incremental cost-effectiveness ratio value of starting such a program with 36 different design options, 3 minimum age criteria for the entitlement to the subsidy and 12 levels of co-payment. We found that the introduction of vaccination programs costs more and gains more regardless of targeting ages and co-payment levels. Estimated incremental cost-effectiveness ratios range from ¥ 8,263,340 per year-of-life-saved (targeting age 65 or over, setting co-payment level at ¥ 0) to ¥ 10,351,324 per year-of-lifesaved (targeting age 75 or over, setting co-payment level at ¥ 5000). According to cost-effectiveness acceptability curves, the probability that a vaccination program is less than ¥ 10,000,000 (US $ 1 = ¥ 100) per life-year gained ranges from 28.5% to 57.5%. By adopting the threshold of the Committee to Study Priority for Vaccine Development in the US, US $ 100,000 per quality adjusted life year gain, all the programs are almost certainly judged cost-effective as vaccination strategies.
The gender-related alterations in the telomere lenght and subtelomeric methylation in patients with Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Maeda Toyoki , Guan Jing-Zhi , Koyanagi Masamichi , Makino Naoki
Published: July 2012

The aim of this study was to determine whether Parkinson’s disease (PD) affects somatic telomeric features. Some recent reports have shown that telomere length is not changed in patients with Parkinson’s disease. In this study, we more closely evaluated possible Parkinson’s disease-associated telomeric alterations than has been done previously. We analyzed the telomere length distribution, the subtelomeric methylation status, and their gender-related differences, as well as the mean telomere length in PD patients in comparison to age-matched controls. The telomeric parameters of the peripheral leukocytes of Parkinson’s disease outpatients and normal healthy volunteers, including family members of the participating outpatients were determined by analyzing the densitometries of the Southern blot results obtained with methylation- sensitive and insensitive isoschizomers. The Parkinson’s patients had gender relateddifferences in the alterations of their telomere length and subtelomeric status. Only female patients had significant Parkinson’s diseaseassociated telomeric and subtelomeric changes. The female Parkinson’s patients bore proportionally decreased long telomeres (>9.4 Kb) and less methylation of short telomeres (<4.4 Kb) in comparison with healthy controls, both of which have been regarded to be a part of aging-associated telomeric and subtelomeric changes. These results suggested that the aging-related telomeric and subtelomeric changes are accelerated specifically in female Parkinson’s patients, and that genomic DNA is more strongly affected by Parkinson’s disease in females than in males.
Successful Treatment of HCV/HBV/HDV-Coinfection with Pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin
Authors: Hartl Janine , Ott Claudia , Kirchner Gabriele , Salzberger Bernd , Wiest Reiner
Published: July 2012

Dual and triple infections with hepatitis virus C (HCV), B (HBV) and D (HDV) frequently lead to severe liver damage. Hereby we describe a 38-year-old Caucasian male coinfected with HCV (genotype 3a), HBV [positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen; negative hepatitis B e antigen (HbeAg) and antibody to hepatitis B e antigen (anti-HBe)] and HDV. Laboratory diagnostics revealed increased liver enzymes and histological examination of the liver showed signs of fibrosis with moderate inflammation. On therapy with pegIFN-a2b and ribavirin HCV-RNA was undetectable at week 8. After week 24 the antiviral therapy was stopped because of a HBs-seroconversion, the loss of HbeAg and the detection of anti-HBe. Furthermore the HCV-RNA was negative. Six months after successful treatment of the triple-infection, HCV- and HDV-RNA and HbsAg remained negative and the liver enzymes had been completely normalized. In conclusion, pegylated-interferon plus ribavirin may be an effective therapy for HCV, HBV and HDV-coinfected patients.
The use of hand-held magnetic susceptibility meters in the field: an invaluable tool in regional studies of dyke swarms
Authors: Bleeker W
Published: July 2012

Diabase dykes and sills, unmetamorphosed to very weakly metamorphosed, are typically magnetic, enough to cause minor compass deflections and to attract a small hand-held magnet in the field. On aeromagnetic maps, such intrusions reveal themselves by more or less
well-defined magnetic anomalies that contrast with more variable and typically less magnetic bedrock signatures. With some experience, one may be able to tell different dyke swarms apart simply by gauging the deflection of a hand-held magnet in the field, particularly in cases where weakly
metamorphosed dykes - with a greatly reduced magnetic susceptibility due to alteration and metamorphic reactions of Fe-Ti oxides to secondary minerals such as chlorite - are intermixed with younger, less altered dykes. Nevertheless, this simple observation remains somewhat subjective and fails to
take full advantage of the wide range of magnetic susceptibilities intrinsic to intrusive rocks of differing compositions. Mafic dyke rocks show magnetic susceptibilities (MS) that may vary over two full -3 orders of magnitude, from ~2 to ~200 x 10-3 SI units (factor not repeated
hereafter). Most fresh diabase dykes have MS >20, whereas dykes affected by weak alteration or incipient metamorphic recrystallization typically have reduced MS values <10. Fully hydrated metadiabases have MS values <1, typically converging on 0.7 ± 0.2. Here I
present preliminary results on a systematic survey of dyke susceptibilities in various parts of Canada, and a comparison of the utility of two different hand-held susceptibility meters. It is concluded that hand-held susceptibility meters are of great use in field studies of dykes, with applications
ranging from distinguishing between different dyke sets, and defining heterogeneities within individual dykes, to resolving dyke intersections.
‘Those who have been born of God do not sin, because God’s seed abides in them’ − Soteriology in 1 John
Authors: Van der Merwe Dirk G.
Published: July 2012

The author of 1 John states that ‘those who have been born of God do not sin, because God’s seed abides in them’. This is found explicitly four times (3:5; 3:6 bis; 3:9; 5:18), and implicitly once (2:29). The author links these assertions to the life of Jesus (1 Jn 3:5). Anyone reading these texts is likely to find them hard to bear, because the author appears to be discussing a doctrine of Christian perfection. However, in this research I shall attempt to show (using a socio- rhetorical approach) that, in fact, these assertions should not be interpreted literally by the reader. Instead, these texts are part of the author’s rhetorical construction to designate just how radical he sees the salvation event. The author substantiates the understanding and meaning of these radical assertions in his depiction of Christian existence as existence in a family, the familia Dei.
Solitary cerebellous metastasis after prolonged remission in a case of uterine cervical adenocarcinoma
Authors: Dadlani Ravi , Ghosal Nandita , Hegde Alangar Sathya
Published: July 2012

Intracranial metastasis of a uterine cervical carcinoma is a very rare occurrence. These metastases are characteristically multiple, supra-tentorial, associated with multiple systemic dissemination, usually occur relatively late in the course of the disease, and are most often seen in squamous carcinomas. We present an unusual case which defied these characteristics. This patient was in long-term remission (11 years), presented with a solitary cerebellous metastases, had no evidence of other systemic spread, and the pathology was an adenocarcinoma. We present this rare case with interesting clinical ramifications. This is probably the longest duration of remission prior to the metastasis in the published literature.
Idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis presenting with a superficial soft tissue mass
Authors: Keshavaraj Ajantha , Gamage Ranjanie , Jayaweera G M , Gooneratne Inuka Kishara
Published: July 2012

Idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis (IHP) is a chronic progressive diffuse inflammatory fibrosis of the duramater, leading to its diffuse enlargement. The following describes a case of IHP presenting with a superficial soft tissue mass. A 40-year-old female came to hospital with a subcutaneous lump over the left face and frontal headache for 6 months. An excision biopsy revealed chronic inflammation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showed left mastoiditis and early dural inflammation of the left temporal region. A few months later, she developed diplopia, complex partial seizures, and retrobulbar neuritis of the left optic nerve. Repeat MRI brain demonstrated meningeal thickening on both sides of the tentorium cerebelli extending to the left tempero-parietal meninges. The meningeal biopsy revealed markedly thickened fibro-connective dural tissue with infiltration of chronic inflammatory cells. There was no evidence of bacterial, fungal, tuberculous or neoplastic infiltration. IHP was diagnosed and steroid therapy initiated. Within weeks, she showed marked clinical improvement. IHP is a diagnosis of exclusion. The absence of underlying infective, neoplastic, or systemic autoimmune disease favors IHP. The above patient had headache, neuro-ophthalmic signs, seizures, which are features of IHP. However, superficial soft tissue involvement is rare.
Biomarkers of Disease and Treatment in Murine and Cynomolgus Models of Chronic Asthma
Authors: Louten Jennifer , Mattson Jeanine D. , Malinao Maria-Christina , Li Ying , Emson Claire , Vega Felix , Wardle Robert L. , Van Scott Michael R. , Fick Robert B. , McClanahan Terrill K. , De Waal Malefyt Rene , Beaumont Maribel
Published: July 2012

Background

Biomarkers facilitate early detection of disease and measurement of therapeutic efficacy, both at clinical and experimental levels. Recent advances in analytics and disease models allow comprehensive screening for biomarkers in complex diseases, such as asthma, that was previously not feasible.

Objective

Using murine and nonhuman primate (NHP) models of asthma, identify biomarkers associated with early and chronic stages of asthma and responses to steroid treatment.

Methods

The total protein content from thymic stromal lymphopoietin transgenic (TSLP Tg) mouse BAL fluid was ascertained by shotgun proteomics analysis. A subset of these potential markers was further analyzed in BAL fluid, BAL cell mRNA, and lung tissue mRNA during the stages of asthma and following corticosteroid treatment. Validation was conducted in murine and NHP models of allergic asthma.

Results

Over 40 proteins were increased in the BAL fluid of TSLP Tg mice that were also detected by qRT-PCR in lung tissue and BAL cells, as well as in OVA-sensitive mice and house dust mite-sensitive NHP. Previously undescribed as asthma biomarkers, KLK1, Reg3γ, ITLN2, and LTF were modulated in asthmatic mice, and Clca3, Chi3l4 (YM2), and Ear11 were the first lung biomarkers to increase during disease and the last biomarkers to decline in response to therapy. In contrast, GP-39, LCN2, sICAM-1, YM1, Epx, Mmp12, and Klk1 were good indicators of early therapeutic intervention. In NHP, AMCase, sICAM-1, CLCA1, and GP-39 were reduced upon treatment with corticosteroids.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

These results significantly advance our understanding of the biomarkers present in various tissue compartments in animal models of asthma, including those induced early during asthma and modulated with therapeutic intervention, and show that BAL cells (or their surrogate, induced sputum cells) are a viable choice for biomarker examination.
Spontaneous CSF Leaks and Meningoencephaloceles: Endoscopic Repair and Possible Etiology
Authors: Lopatin Andrey S , Kapitanov Dmitry N , Potapov Alexander A
Published: July 2012

Objective

To assess the outcomes of endonasal endoscopic repair of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea and to analyze its possible etiological factors.

Patients

During the period between January 1999 and November 2011, 173 patients who presented with spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea underwent endonasal endoscopic surgery. Preoperative examination included CT scans, nasal endoscopy, measurement of glucose concentration in the nasal discharge and, in some cases, cisternographic evaluation via CT or MRI. CSF fistula closure was performed using endonasal endoscopic technique under general anesthesia. In all, 186 surgeries (173 primary attempts and 13 revisions) were carried out over the 12-year period. A combination of different plastic materials, i.e. nasal septum cartilage, facia lata, abdominal fat, rotating middle turbinate flaps, and fibrin glue was used for fistula repair.

Results

At the time of the surgery, sites of the CSF fistula were determined as follows: Cribriform plate—70, fovea ethmoidalis—55, sphenoid sinus—45, frontal sinus—3. Extremely pneumatized lateral extension of the sphenoid sinus was found in 26 patients, and a meningo/encephalocele protruding through the bony defect was the source of the leak in 23 of them. In terms of up to 11 years, 165 patients were treated successfully after first attempt and five more recovered after revision endoscopic surgery. Success rate after the first surgery was 95.4%, overall success rate—97.7%. There were no postoperative complications.

Conclusion

Possible etiological factors of this disease include obesity, innate skull base malformations, overpneumatized sphenoid sinus, particularly presence of its lateral extensions and the empty sella syndrome. Endoscopic endonasal repair of spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea appears to be a safe and successful procedure. However, technique of endoscopic closure of CSF fistulas in the lateral part of the sphenoid sinus needs further perfection.
Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: Changing Trends
Authors: Lal Vivek , Kalsotra Gopika , Saini Vikas
Published: July 2012

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a disorder of raised ICP without any obvious underlying brain pathology. Early intervention remains the key to success. The patients with BIH and vision threatening papilloedema should be taken up for optic nerve fenestration and the results are favorable in terms of visual outcome. The procedure is safe with few intraoperative or postoperative complications.
Overcoming Challenges in the Endoscopic Management of Sinonasal Tumors
Authors: Kurup Balagopal
Published: July 2012

Introduction

The complex anatomical relationships of the sinonasal compartment with the surrounding vital structures make it vulnerable, yet simultaneously surgically accessible. Sinonasal tumors, especially those extending beyond, toward the anterior skull base and orbit have always posed a challenge, as far as theiren bloc, and when applicable, oncologically safe removal is concerned. Traditionally, numerous external approaches have been employed for their successful removal. With advancements in endoscopic sinus surgical techniques and instrumentation, a majority of these tumors can be removed via purely transnasal endoscopic, and sometimes endoscopicassisted procedures.

Materials and methods

A series of 61 sinonasal tumors have been managed by endoscopic or endoscopic-assisted procedures over the last 6 years. The principles of their management and the challenges posed have been highlighted. Methods to tackle the same, backed by evidence from numerous international studies have been applied to these, and the outcome discussed.

Conclusion

Endoscopic and endoscopic-assisted procedures are proving to be an effective alternative to the traditional external approaches for the management of sinonasal malignancies with comparable results. However, a long-term meta-analysis is imperative to corroborate these results.
Expanded Endonasal Approaches to the Anterior Skull Base
Authors: Kasemsiri Pornthep , Old Matthew , Filho Leo FS Ditzel , Lara Danielle de , Prevedello Daniel M , Otto Bradley A , Kassam Amin B , Carrau Ricardo L
Published: July 2012

Recent technological advances and growing cooperation between otorhinolaryngologists and neurosurgeons, coupled with an increasing knowledge of the anatomy of the ventral skull base, have led to the development of a series of surgical approaches to this region. Utilizing the nasal corridor, these expanded endonasal approaches (EEAs) benefit from the increased luminosity and definition provided by the endoscope to navigate through this corridor and reach a multitude o pathologies, both neoplastic and degenerative in nature. One of their common uses is to address tumors that arise from or invade the anterior cranial fossa; these lesions may include olfactory groove meningiomas, esthesioneuroblastomas and sinonasal malignancies. In order to safely resect these tumors through EEAs the surgical team must adhere to a series of steps, while planning the procedure as well as carrying it out. In this review article, the authors present these steps and describe the main patient selection criteria and complication avoidance strategies related to expanded endonasal approaches to the anterior skull base.
Ice nucleation efficiency of clay minerals in the immersion mode
Authors: Pinti V. , Marcolli C. , Zobrist B. , Hoyle C. R. , Peter T.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. Emulsion and bulk freezing experiments were performed to investigate immersion ice nucleation on clay minerals in pure water, using various kaolinites, montmorillonites, illites as well as natural dust from the Hoggar Mountains in the Saharan region. Differential scanning calorimeter measurements were performed on three different kaolinites (KGa-1b, KGa-2 and K-SA), two illites (Illite NX and Illite SE) and four natural and acid-treated montmorillonites (SWy-2, STx-1b, KSF and K-10). The emulsion experiments provide information on the average freezing behaviour characterized by the average nucleation sites. These experiments revealed one to sometimes two distinct heterogeneous freezing peaks, which suggest the presence of a low number of qualitatively distinct average nucleation site classes. We refer to the peak at the lowest temperature as "standard peak" and to the one occurring in only some clay mineral types at higher temperatures as "special peak". Conversely, freezing in bulk samples is not initiated by the average nucleation sites, but by a very low number of "best sites". The kaolinites and montmorillonites showed quite narrow standard peaks with onset temperatures 238 K
The role of the global cryosphere in the fate of organic contaminants
Authors: Grannas A. M. , Bogdal C. , Hageman K. J. , Halsall C. , Harner T. , Hung H. , Kallenborn R. , Klán P. , Klánová J. , Macdonald R. W. , Meyer T. , Wania F.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. The cryosphere is an important component of global organic contaminant cycles. Snow is an efficient scavenger of atmospheric organic pollutants while a seasonal snowpack, sea ice, glaciers and ice caps are contaminant reservoirs on time scales ranging from days to millennia. Important physical and chemical processes occurring in the various cryospheric compartments impact contaminant cycling and fate. A variety of interactions and feedbacks also occur within the cryospheric system, most of which are susceptible to perturbations due to climate change. In this article, we review the current state of knowledge regarding the transport and processing of organic contaminants in the global cryosphere with an emphasis on the role of a changing climate.
The role of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica in the cycling of trace elements
Authors: Sanz-Lázaro C. , Malea P. , Apostolaki E. T. , Kalantzi I. , Marín A. , Karakassis I.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica on the cycling of a wide set of trace elements (Ag, As, Ba, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, Tl, V and Zn). We measured the concentration of these trace elements in different compartments of P. oceanica (leaves, rhizomes, roots and epiphytes) in a non-polluted seagrass meadow representative of the Mediterranean and calculated the annual budget from a mass balance. We provide novel data on accumulation dynamics of many trace elements in P. oceanica compartments and demonstrate that trace element accumulation patterns are mainly determined by plant compartment rather than by temporal variability. Epiphytes were the compartment, which showed the greatest concentrations for most trace elements. Thus, they constitute a key compartment when estimating trace element transfer to higher trophic levels by P. oceanica. Trace element translocation in P. oceanica seemed to be low and acropetal in most cases. Zn, Cd, Sr and Rb were the trace elements that showed the highest release rate through decomposition of plant detritus, while Cs, Tl and Bi showed the lowest. P. oceanica acts as a sink of potentially toxic trace elements (Ni, Cr, As and Ag), which can be sequestered, decreasing their bioavailability. P. oceanica may have a relevant role in the cycling of trace elements in the Mediterranean.
Evaluation of drought propagation in an ensemble mean of large-scale hydrological models
Authors: Van Loon A. F. , Van Huijgevoort M. H. J. , Van Lanen H. A. J.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. Hydrological drought is increasingly studied using large-scale models. It is, however, not sure whether large-scale models reproduce the development of hydrological drought correctly. The pressing question is: how well do large-scale models simulate the propagation from meteorological to hydrological drought? To answer this question, we evaluated the simulation of drought propagation in an ensemble mean of ten large-scale models, both land-surface models and global hydrological models, that were part of the model intercomparison project of WATCH (WaterMIP). For a selection of case study areas, we studied drought characteristics (number of droughts, duration, severity), drought propagation features (pooling, attenuation, lag, lengthening), and hydrological drought typology (classical rainfall deficit drought, rain-to-snow-season drought, wet-to-dry-season drought, cold snow season drought, warm snow season drought, composite drought). Drought characteristics simulated by large-scale models clearly reflected drought propagation, i.e. drought events became less and longer when moving through the hydrological cycle. However, more differentiation was expected between fast and slowly responding systems, with slowly responding systems having less and longer droughts in runoff than fast responding systems. This was not found using large-scale models. Drought propagation features were poorly reproduced by the large-scale models, because runoff reacted immediately to precipitation, in all case study areas. This fast reaction to precipitation, even in cold climates in winter and in semi-arid climates in summer, also greatly influenced the hydrological drought typology as identified by the large-scale models. In general, the large-scale models had the correct representation of drought types, but the percentages of occurrence had some important mismatches, e.g. an overestimation of classical rainfall deficit droughts, and an underestimation of wet-to-dry-season droughts and snow-related droughts. Furthermore, almost no composite droughts were simulated for slowly responding areas, while many multi-year drought events were expected in these systems. We conclude that drought propagation processes are reasonably well reproduced by the ensemble mean of large-scale models in contrasting catchments in Europe and that some challenges remain in catchments with cold and semi-arid climates and catchments with large storage in aquifers or lakes. Improvement of drought simulation in large-scale models should focus on a better representation of hydrological processes that are important for drought development, such as evapotranspiration, snow accumulation and melt, and especially storage. Besides the more explicit inclusion of storage (e.g. aquifers) in large-scale models, also parametrisation of storage processes requires attention, for example through a global scale dataset on aquifer characteristics.
Impact of elevation and weather patterns on the isotopic composition of precipitation in a tropical montane rainforest
Authors: Windhorst D. , Waltz T. , Frede H.-G. , Breuer L.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. This study presents the spatial and temporal variability of δ18O and δ2H isotope signatures in precipitation of a south Ecuadorian montane cloud forest catchment (San Francisco Catchment). From 2 September to 25 December 2010, event sampling of open rainfall was conducted along an altitudinal transect (1800 m a.s.l. to 2800 m a.s.l.) to investigate possible effects of altitude and weather conditions on the isotope signature. The spatial variability is mainly affected by the altitude effect. The event based δ18O altitude effect for the study area averages −0.22‰ × 100 m−1 (δ2H: −1.12‰ × 100 m−1). The temporal variability is mostly controlled by prevailing air masses. Precipitation during the times of prevailing southeasterly trade winds is significantly enriched in heavy isotopes compared to precipitation during other weather conditions. In the study area, weather during austral winter is commonly controlled by southeasterly trade winds. Since the Amazon Basin contributes large amounts of recycled moisture to these air masses, trade wind-related precipitation is enriched in heavy isotopes. We used deuterium excess to further evaluate the contribution of recycled moisture to precipitation. Analogously to the δ18O and δ2H values, deuterium excess is significantly higher in trade wind related precipitation. Consequently, it is assumed that evaporated moisture is responsible for high concentrations of heavy isotopes during austral winter.
The identity approach for assessing socio-technical resilience to climate change: example of flood risk management for the Island of Dordrecht
Authors: Gersonius B. , Ashley R. , Zevenbergen C.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. Recent EU guidance on adaptation calls for the enhancement of socio-technical resilience to climate change. However, socio-technical resilience is relatively poorly defined and this makes it difficult to apply in practice. This paper uses the concept of identity as a vehicle to advance the definition and assessment of socio-technical resilience. Identity comprises four aspects (components, relationships, innovation, and continuity) that constitute the minimum of what has to be identified and specified if resilience is to be assessed. Characterising the identity of a socio-technical system requires the conceptualisation of these four aspects in relation to the particular function provided by the system (e.g. flood risk management) and also the identification of the specific variables and thresholds that reflect changes in identity. We have demonstrated the utility of the identity approach, using the example of flood risk management for the Island of Dordrecht, the Netherlands. Based on the results, socio-technical resilience has been redefined as the ability of the system to continue to function as expected in the face of change. This definition implies that a system is resilient when it can deliver performance without a change of identity by continuing compliance with standards and expectations.
Review article "Remarks on factors influencing shear wave velocities and their role in evaluating susceptibilities to earthquake-triggered slope instability: case study for the Campania area (Italy)"
Authors: Paoletti V.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. Shear wave velocities have a fundamental role in connection with the mitigation of seismic hazards, as their low values are the main causes of site amplification phenomena and can significantly influence the susceptibility of a territory to seismic-induced landslides. The shear wave velocity (Vs) and modulus (G) of each lithological unit are influenced by factors such as the degree of fracturing and faulting, the porosity, the clay amount and the precipitation, with the latter two influencing the unit water content. In this paper we discuss how these factors can affect the Vs values and report the results of different analyses that quantify the reduction in the rock Vs and shear modulus values connected to the presence of clay and water. We also show that significant results in assessing seismic-induced slope failure susceptibility for land planning targets could be achieved through a careful evaluation, based only on literature studies, of the geo-lithological and geo-seismic features of the study area.
Netlabels and democratization of the recording industry
Authors: Galuszka Patryk
Published: July 2012

Netlabels are platforms for online distribution and promotion of music released for free under Creative Commons or similar licenses. They are part of the free music scene, which has been developing dynamically since the advent of the Internet and digitalization. The article employs the concept of democratization to analyze the emergence of netlabels and their impact on the dissemination of music. This paper shows that although the democratizing potential of new technologies is to a certain extent disappointing, grassroots free music movements, such as netlabels, spontaneously build institutions that fulfill focusing and filtering functions to help artists and listeners find what they are looking for in the hyper-abundant musical marketplace.
Political Insights: Exploring partisanship in Web search queries
Authors: Borra Erik , Weber Ingmar
Published: July 2012

We developed Political Insights, an online searchable database of politically charged queries, which allows you to obtain topical insights into partisan concern. In this paper we demonstrate how you can discover such political queries and how to lay bare which issues are most salient to political audiences. We employ anonymized search engine queries resulting in a click on U.S. political blogs to calculate the probability that a query will land on blogs of a particular leaning. We are thus able to ‘charge’ queries politically and to group them along opposing partisan lines. Finally, by comparing the zip codes of users submitting these queries with election results, we find that the leaning of blogs people read correlates well with their likely voting behavior.
Quantification of Patellar Tendon Shortening in a Patient with Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Galli Manuela , Cimolin Veronica , Vimercati Sara , Albertini Giorgio , Brunner Reinald
Published: July 2012

Purpose

In the last few years the use of patellar tendon shortening procedure appears to give good results for the treatment of crouch gait in Cerebral Palsy (CP) patients. It offers a secondary approach in cases where conventional hamstrings lengthening failed. The evidence for the effectiveness of knee extensor shortening is poor and only one study quantitatively assessed the effects of this technique performed in addition to other procedures in CP patients. In this case study we used Gait Analysis (GA) to quantify the effects of patellar tendon shortening for the management of crouch gait persisting after hamstring lengthening.

Methods

Crouch persisted seven years after a first multilevel procedure including hamstring lengthening in a 15-year old male. Gait was assessed over time (before and from six to 18 months after knee extensor shortening) with Gait Analysis (GA).

Results

Before treatment the patient walked slowly and with a high duration stance phase; sagittal kinematics revealed excessive hip and knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion during the whole gait cycle. After surgery, data showed progressive significant improvements at all lower limb levels during the follow-ups considered; gait became more physiologic and lower limb joint kinematics improved overall.

Conclusions

The results demonstrated that addressing the other side and shortening the antagonists may be a valuable option to treat crouch gait in patients with CP especially if this persists after hamstring and knee extension surgery.