bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Retroperitoneal Schwannoma mimicking a Large Adrenal Incidentaloma: Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Shabiyullah Shafiq Rahman Abdul Gaffoor , Singaporewalla Reyaz M , Rao Anil Dinkar , Desai Vijayadwaja
Published: October 2014

Schwannomas are rare tumors originating from Schwann cells of peripheral nerve sheath (neurilemma) of the ectoderm. They are also referred to as neurilemmomas and are generally benign, solitary tumors arising from cranial and peripheral nerves. Rarely, they arise from the retroperitoneum and adrenal medulla. Retroperitoneal schwannomas constitute about 0.5 to 5% of all schwannomas and of which most of them are benign in nature. Most patients are asymptomatic or have vague abdominal symptoms. On imaging, they are often mistaken for adrenal tumors due to their location and preoperative diagnosis is often difficult. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the investigation of choice to demonstrate these lesions and its relation to other structures. Total excision is recommended as malignancy, although rare cannot be ruled out preoperatively. We present a case of a large retroperitoneal schwannoma that mimicked an adrenal incidentaloma and was excised laparoscopically. The imaging characteristics and management strategy are discussed.

How to cite this article

Shabiyullah SRAG, Singaporewalla RM, Rao AD, Desai V. Retroperitoneal Schwannoma mimicking a Large Adrenal Incidentaloma: Case Report and Review of Literature. World J Endoc Surg 2014;6(2):81-84.
Comparison of the diurnal variations of warm-season precipitation for East Asia vs. North America downstream of the Tibetan Plateau vs. the Rocky Mountains
Authors: Zhang Yuanchun , Zhang Fuqing , Sun Jianhua
Published: October 2014

Abstract. A wave-number-frequency spectral decomposition technique is used to analyze the high-resolution NOAA/Climate Prediction Center morphing technique (CMORPH) precipitation data set and to explore the differences and similarities of the diurnal variation of warm-season precipitation in the East Asia and North America downstream of big topography. The predominant phase speed of precipitation at different time scales for North America, averaged over all warm-season months (May–August) for 2003–2010, is ~20 ms−1, which is faster than the speed of ~14 ms−1 calculated for East Asia. Consistent with the recent studies of the precipitation diurnal cycles for these two regions, the difference in the diurnal phase propagation is likely due to the difference in the mean steering level wind speed for these two regions. The wave-number-frequency spectral analysis further reveals the complex, multi-scale, multi-modal nature of the warm-season precipitation variation embedded within the diurnal cycle over both continents, with phase speeds varying from 10 to 30 ms−1 and wave periods varying from diurnal to a few hours. At the diurnal frequency regulated by the thermodynamically driven mountains–plains solenoids (MPSs), increased precipitation for both continents first originates in the afternoon from the eastern edge of big topography and subsequently moves downslope in the evening and reaches the broad plains area at night. More complex diurnal evolutions are observed in East Asia due to the more complex, multistep terrains east of the Tibetan Plateau and the associated localized MPS circulations. Nevertheless, increased variation of precipitation at smaller spatial and temporal scales is evident in the active phase of the dominant diurnal cycle for both continents.
Intercomparison of vertically resolved merged satellite ozone data sets: interannual variability and long-term trends
Authors: Tummon F. , Hassler B. , Harris N. R. P. , Staehelin J. , Steinbrecht W. , Anderson J. , Bodeker G. E. , Bourassa A. , Davis S. M. , Degenstein D. , Frith S. M. , Froidevaux L. , Kyrölä E. , Laine M. , Long C. , Penckwitt A. A. , Sioris C. E. , Rosenlof K. H. , Roth C. , Wang H. J. , Wild J.
Published: October 2014

Abstract. In the framework of the SI2N (SPARC (Stratosphere–troposphere Processes And their Role in Climate)/IO3C (International Ozone Commission)/IGACO-O3 (Integrated Global Atmospheric Chemistry Observations – Ozone)/NDACC (Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change)) initiative, several long-term vertically resolved merged ozone data sets produced from satellite measurements have been analysed and compared. This paper presents an overview of the methods, assumptions, and challenges involved in constructing such merged data sets, as well as the first thorough intercomparison of seven new long-term satellite data sets. The analysis focuses on the representation of the annual cycle, interannual variability, and long-term trends for the period 1984–2011, which is common to all data sets. Overall, the best agreement amongst data sets is seen in the mid-latitude lower and middle stratosphere, with larger differences in the equatorial lower stratosphere and the upper stratosphere globally. In most cases, differences in the choice of underlying instrument records that were merged produced larger differences between data sets than the use of different merging techniques. Long-term ozone trends were calculated for the period of 1984 to 2011 using a piece-wise linear regression with a change in trend prescribed at 1997. For the 1984–1997 period, trends tend to be most similar between data sets (with largest negative trends ranging from −4 to −8% decade−1 in the mid-latitude upper stratosphere), in large part due to the fact that most data sets are predominantly (or only) based on SAGE-II. Trends in the middle and lower stratosphere are much smaller, and, particularly for the lower stratosphere, large uncertainties remain. For the later period (1998–2011), trends vary to a greater extent, ranging from approximately −1 to +5% decade−1 in the mid-latitude upper stratosphere. Again, middle and lower stratospheric trends are smaller and for most data sets not significantly different from zero. Overall, however, there is a clear shift from mostly negative to mostly positive trends between the two periods over much of the profile.
Dust-related ice nuclei profiles from polarization lidar: methodology and case studies
Authors: Mamouri R. E. , Ansmann A.
Published: October 2014

Abstract. A lidar technique is presented that permits the estimation of ice nuclei concentrations of mineral dust from polarization lidar measurements. The method is applied to lidar observations of the spaceborne lidar CALIOP (Cloud Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization) during two overpasses of the EARLINET (European Aerosol Research Lidar Network) lidar site at the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT), Limassol (34.7° N, 33° E), Cyprus. The good agreement between the CALIOP and CUT lidar observations regarding the retrieval of the aerosol particle concentration for particles larger than 280 nm in radius, APC280, and the ice nuclei concentrations, INC, corroborates the potential of CALIOP to provide 3-D global dust-related INC data sets. The method makes use of the polarization lidar technique for the separation of dust and non-dust aerosol components. The profile of dust extinction coefficient is converted to APC280 and, in a second step, to INC by means of an APC–INC relationship from the literature. The observed close relationship between dust extinction at 500 nm and APC280 is the key to a successful INC retrieval. The correlation between dust extinction coefficient and APC280 is studied by means of AERONET sun/sky photometer at Morocco, Cape Verde, Barbados, and Cyprus, during situations dominated by desert dust outbreaks.
The mechanisms of North Atlantic CO2 uptake in a large Earth System Model ensemble
Authors: Halloran P. R. , Booth B. B. B. , Jones C. D. , Lambert F. H. , McNeall D. J. , Totterdell I. J. , Völker C.
Published: October 2014

Abstract. The oceans currently take up around a quarter of the carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted by human activity. While stored in the ocean, this CO2 is not influencing Earth's radiation budget; the ocean CO2 sink therefore plays an important role in mitigating global warming. CO2 uptake by the oceans is heterogeneous, with the subpolar North Atlantic being the strongest CO2 sink region. Observations over the last two decades have indicated that CO2 uptake by the subpolar North Atlantic sink can vary rapidly. Given the importance of this sink and its apparent variability, it is critical that we understand the mechanisms behind its operation. Here we explore subpolar North Atlantic CO2 uptake across a large ensemble of Earth System Model simulations, and find that models show a peak in sink strength around the middle of the century after which CO2 uptake begins to decline. We identify different drivers of change on interannual and multidecadal timescales. Short-term variability appears to be driven by fluctuations in regional seawater temperature and alkalinity, whereas the longer-term evolution throughout the coming century is largely occurring through a counterintuitive response to rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations. At high atmospheric CO2 concentrations the contrasting Ravelle factors between the subtropical and subpolar gyres, combined with the transport of surface waters from the subtropical to subpolar gyre, means that the subpolar CO2 uptake capacity is largely satisfied from its southern boundary rather than through air–sea CO2 flux. Our findings indicate that: (i) we can explain the mechanisms of subpolar North Atlantic CO2 uptake variability across a broad range of Earth System Models, (ii) a focus on understanding the mechanisms behind contemporary variability may not directly tell us about how the sink will change in the future, (iii) to identify long-term change in the North Atlantic CO2 sink we should focus observational resources on monitoring subtropical as well as the subpolar seawater CO2, (iv) recent observations of a weakening subpolar North Atlantic CO2 sink suggests that the sink strength is already in long-term decline.
Natural and anthropogenic methane fluxes in Eurasia: a meso-scale quantification by generalized atmospheric inversion
Authors: Berchet A. , Pison I. , Chevallier F. , Paris J.-D. , Bousquet P. , Bonne J.-L. , Arshinov M. Yu. , Belan B. D. , Cressot C. , Davydov D. K. , Dlugokencky E. J. , Fofonov A. V. , Galanin A. , Lavrič J. , Machida T. , Parker R. , Sasakawa M. , Spahni R. , Stocker B. D. , Winderlich J.
Published: October 2014

Abstract. Eight surface observation sites providing quasi-continuous measurements of atmospheric methane mixing ratios have been operated since the mid-2000's in Siberia. For the first time in a single work, we assimilate all of these in situ data in an atmospheric inversion. Our objective is to quantify methane surface fluxes from anthropogenic and wetland sources at the meso-scale in the Siberian Lowlands for the year 2010. To do so, we first inquire into the way the inversion uses the observations and the fluxes are constrained by the observation sites. As atmospheric inversions at the meso-scale suffer from mis-quantified sources of uncertainties, we follow recent innovations in inversion techniques and use a new inversion approach which quantifies the uncertainties more objectively than the previous inversions. We find that, due to errors in the representation of the atmospheric transport and redundant pieces of information, only one observation every few days is found valuable by the inversion. The remaining high-resolution signals are representative of very local emission patterns. An analysis of the use of information by the inversion also reveals that the observation sites constrain methane emissions within a radius of 500 km. More observation sites are necessary to constrain the whole Siberian Lowlands. Still, the fluxes within the constrained areas are quantified with objectified uncertainties. At the end, the tolerance intervals for posterior methane fluxes are of roughly 20% (resp. 50%) of the fluxes for anthropogenic (resp. wetland) sources. About 50–70% of emissions are constrained by the inversion on average on an annual basis. Extrapolating the figures on the constrained areas to the whole Siberian Lowlands, we find a regional methane budget of 5–28 Tg CH4 for the year 2010, i.e. 1–5% of the global methane emissions. As very few in situ observations are available in the region of interest, observations of methane total columns from the Greenhouse Gas Observing SATellite (GOSAT) are used for the evaluation of the inversion results, but they exhibit marginal signal from the fluxes within the region of interest.
Sustainable management of river oases along the Tarim River in North-Western China under conditions of climate change
Authors: Rumbaur C. , Thevs N. , Disse M. , Ahlheim M. , Brieden A. , Cyffka B. , Doluschitz R. , Duethmann D. , Feike T. , Frör O. , Gärtner P. , Halik Ü. , Hill J. , Hinnenthal M. , Keilholz P. , Kleinschmit B. , Krysanova V. , Kuba M. , Mader S. , Menz C. , Othmanli H. , Pelz S. , Schroeder M. , Siew T. F. , Stender V. , Stahr K. , Thomas F. M. , Welp M. , Wortmann M. , Zhao X. , Chen X. , Jiang T. , Zhao C. , Zhang X. , Luo J. , Yimit H. , Yu R.
Published: October 2014

Abstract. The Tarim River Basin, located in Xinjiang, NW China, is the largest endorheic river basin of China and one of the largest in whole Central Asia. Due to the extremely arid climate with an annual precipitation of less than 100 mm, the water supply along the Aksu and Tarim River solely depends on river water. This applies for anthropogenic activities (e.g. agriculture) as well as for the natural ecosystems so that both compete for water. The on-going increase of water consumption by agriculture and other human activities in this region has been enhancing the competition for water between human needs and nature. Against this background, 11 German and 6 Chinese universities and research institutes formed the consortium SuMaRiO (www.sumario.de), which aims at gaining a holistic picture of the availability of water resources in the Tarim River Basin and the impacts on anthropogenic activities and natural ecosystems caused by the water distribution within the Tarim River Basin. The discharge of the Aksu River, which is the major tributary to the Tarim, has been increasing over the past 6 decades due to enhanced glacier melt. Alone from 1989 to 2011, the area under agriculture more than doubled. Thereby, cotton became the major crop and there was a shift from small-scale farming to large-scale intensive farming. The major natural ecosystems along the Aksu and Tarim River are riparian ecosystems: Riparian (Tugai) forests, shrub vegetation, reed beds, and other grassland. Within the SuMaRiO Cluster the focus was laid on the Tugai forests, with Populus euphratica as dominant tree, because the most productive and species-rich natural ecosystems can be found among those forests. On sites with groundwater distance of less than 7.5 m the annual increments correlated with river runoffs of the previous year. But, the further downstream along the Tarim River, the more the natural river dynamics ceased, which impacts on the recruitment of Populus euphratica. Household surveys revealed that there is a considerable willingness to pay for conservation of those riparian forests with the mitigation of dust and sandstorms considered as the most important ecosystem service. This interdisciplinary project will result in a decision support tool (DST), build on the participation of regional stakeholders and models based on results and field experiments. This DST finally shall assist stakeholders in balancing the water competition acknowledging the major external effects of any water allocation.
Large scale atmospheric forcing and topographic modification of precipitation rates over High Asia – a neural network based approach
Authors: Gerlitz L. , Conrad O. , Böhner J.
Published: October 2014

Abstract. The heterogeneity of precipitation rates in high mountain regions is not sufficiently captured by state of the art climate reanalysis products due to their limited spatial resolution. Thus there exists a large gap between the available data sets and the demands of climate impact studies. The presented approach aims to generate spatially high resolution precipitation fields for a target area in Central Asia, covering the Tibetan Plateau, the adjacent mountain ranges and lowlands. Based on the assumption, that observed local scale precipitation amounts are triggered by varying large scale atmospheric situations and modified by local scale topographic characteristics, the statistical downscaling approach estimates local scale precipitation rates as a function of large scale atmospheric conditions, derived from the ERA-Interim reanalysis, and high resolution terrain parameters. Since the relationships of the predictor variables with local scale observations are rather unknown and highly non-linear, an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) was utilized for the development of adequate transfer functions. Different ANN-architectures were evaluated with regard to their predictive performance. The final downscaling model was used for the cellwise estimation of monthly precipitation sums, the number of rainy days and the maximum daily precipitation amount with a spatial resolution of 1 km2. The model was found to sufficiently capture the temporal and spatial variations of precipitation rates in the highly structured target area and allows a detailed analysis of the precipitation distribution. A concluding sensitivity analysis of the ANN model reveals the effect of the atmospheric and topographic predictor variables on the precipitation estimations in the climatically diverse subregions.
Effects of rodent-induced land degradation on ecosytem carbon fluxes in alpine meadow in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, China
Authors: Peng F. , Quangang Y. , Xue X. , Guo J. , Wang T.
Published: October 2014

Abstract. Land degradation induced by rodent activities is extensively occurred in alpine meadow ecosystem in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau that would affect the ecosystem carbon (C) balance. We conducted a field experiment with six levels of land degradation (D1–D6, degradation aggravates from D1 to D6) to investigate the effects of land degradation on ecosystem C fluxes. Soil respiration (Rs), net ecosystem exchange (NEE), ecosystem respiration (ER) and gross ecosystem production (GEP) were measured from June to September 2012. Soil respiration, ER, GEP and above-ground biomass (AGB) was significantly higher in slightly degraded (D3 and D6) than in severely degraded land (D1, D2, D4 and D5). Positive averages of NEE in the growing season indicate that alpine meadow ecosystem is a weak C sink during the growing season. Net ecosystem exchange had no significant difference among different degraded levels, but the average NEE in slightly degraded group was 33.6% higher than in severely degraded group. Soil respiration, ER and NEE were positively correlated with AGB whereas soil organic C, labile soil C, total nitrogen (N) and inorganic nitrogen were associated with root biomass (RB). Our results highlight the decline of vegetation C storage of alpine meadow ecosystem with increasing number of rodent holes and suggest the control of AGB on ecosystem C fluxes, and the control of RB on soil C and N with development of land degradation.
Deliveries by caesarean sections on request of women: legal-medical evidence
Authors: Elvira Ventura Spagnolo , Giuseppe Cannavò , Cristina Mondello , Paolo Panagia , Stefania Zerbo , Antonella Argo , Francesca Giuffrida , Marta Manti , Giulio Cardia
Published: October 2014

Introduction: In Italy the use of caesarean delivery has a rising trend moving away from European standards appeared on Euro-Peristat on maternal and child health, presenting the highest percentage of use of this procedure with significant regional differences. This study have analyzed the most recent data of a Sicilian reality about normal delivery and caesarean sections carried out in a hospital situated in Messina (Italy). Materials and methods: A total number of 1,573 medical records from 1st January 2011 to 31st December 2013 were analyzed and data gathered were statistically examined to describe general and specific parameters of the sample making use of Epi Info 7.1.4 software (CDC Atlanta – USA). Chi-square test was used to show any statistic differences among studied population. Results: Overall data showed that were carried out 38.27% of spontaneous deliveries, 7.06% of induced labor, and 54.67% of caesarean deliveries. There were no significant statistical differences between recourse to caesarean section and vaginal delivery in relation to nationality, age, level of education and/or work. The enrolled group, based on the parameters examined, was divided into appropriate caesarean section, in 79.49% of cases, inappropriate in 7.20% (mother’s request) and unjustified in 13.31% (with no indication, incomplete medical record). An examination of the anesthetic medical records showed that the caesarean section was considered to be urgent in 31.74% of the cases; however in 17.92% of these cases there is no information in the medical records justifying the use of emergency procedures. Conclusion: The reported data from the study that we conducted, lead to medical-legal and juridical considerations, especially as regards the use of caesarean delivery on the woman request. The complexity of the phenomenon requires the development of a variety of intervention strategies, not only for issues related to the reduction of health care costs, but also with regard to the clinical risk management and medical legal aspects related to the several profiles of professional responsibility.
Comparative Effects of Breed and Sex on Carcass and Organ Profiles of Duck (Anas plantrynychos) and Guinea Fowl (Numidia meleagris) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
Authors: E. S. Apata , I. M. Koleoso , B. B. A. Taiwo , A. O. Okubanjo , L. A. Tijani
Published: October 2014

Carcass and organs characteristics of two breeds and sexes of poultry which include Duck and Guinea fowl (GF) were investigated. A total of twenty four matured birds with twelve from each breed were used for this study in a 2 × 2 (Breed × Sex) factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design. The birds were slaughtered in batches of four properly bled, defeathered and dressed, the carcasses and organs weighed. The birds carcasses were chilled at 4 ºC for 24hrs prior to fabrication into primal cuts. The results showed that duck had higher (P<0.05) carcass and organs weight and percentages than GF, also males irrespective of the breed gave higher (P<0.05) carcass and organs weight and percentages than their female counterparts. At interaction level male ducks still gave higher (P<0.05) cut-up parts weight and percentages than female, while female GF elicited higher (P<0.05) primal cuts weight and percentages. It was observed from this study that Duck and GF carcass and organs cut-up parts were heavy enough to supply needed protein like chicken. These birds can therefore, be integrated into commercial poultry production to make animal protein more available to consumers.
A System of Hourly Demand in the Italian Electricity Market
Authors: Bigerna Simona , Bollino Carlo Andrea
Published: October 2014

The purpose of this paper is to analyze and test demand behavior in the organized electricity market. According to a theoretical framework of heterogeneous agents’ behavior, we estimate a complete multi-stage system weakly separable using individual demand bid data in the Italian Power Exchange. The novel contribution of this paper is twofold. Firstly, we model hourly demand of heterogeneous groups of agents acting in the Italian electricity market with a simultaneous system for all 24 hours. Secondly, we empirically measure the entire structure of expenditure elasticities and cross price elasticities for all 24 hours of the day, ascertaining whether hourly electricity demands can be considered normal or luxury goods and substitutes or complements in an organized electricity market. Econometric estimation shows that price elasticity tends to be higher when hourly price peak. Moreover, electricity exhibits both substitutability and complementarity characteristic in different hours of the day, the former during the day and the latter during the night. Electricity appears to be a normal good during nighttime and a luxury good during daytime. The demand structure has welfare improving policy implications, because appropriate regulation can favor consumer behavior adjustment to shave consumption away from peak prices, thus yielding lower aggregate equilibrium expenditures. To this end, we advocate reforming the actual administered two-price tariff structure to introduce real time pricing options for Italian final users.
Is er behoefte aan bestendige wetgeving?
Authors: Evers G.J.M.
Published: October 2014

Is er behoefte aan bestendige wetgeving?

Klachten over het gebrek aan bestendigheid van wetgeving zijn niet nieuw. De overheid wil steeds opnieuw door wetgeving uitvoering geven aan nieuw beleid. Hierbij wordt de noodzaak van verandering niet altijd onderbouwd en worden de effecten van nieuwe wetgeving niet altijd goed onderzocht. Bestendigheid van wetgeving is belangrijk. Het draagt bij aan de uitvoerbaarheid, de handhaafbaarheid, de eenvoud, duidelijkheid en toegankelijkheid en de effectiviteit en efficiëntie van wetgeving. Tegelijkertijd is ook van belang dat de wetgeving een bestendig kader kan bieden zonder te veel aan flexibiliteit in de weg te staan. Het is de uitdaging om een balans te vinden tussen daadkracht en continuïteit, flexibiliteit en rechtszekerheid en snelheid en zorgvuldigheid.
Alles woelt hier om verandering … Bestendige omgevingswetgeving?
Authors: Drupsteen Th.G.
Published: October 2014

Alles woelt hier om verandering … Bestendige omgevingswetgeving?

Bestendigheid van wetgeving speelt geen rol van betekenis in de omgevingswetgeving. Deze wetgeving draagt in belangrijke mate een instrumenteel karakter. Zij is erop gericht om te komen tot een samenhangend en effectief milieubeleid. Veranderingen in de omgevingswetgeving zijn het gevolg van verschillende invloeden, waaronder de Europese omgevingsregelgeving. Deze veranderingen beogen steeds de omgevingswetgeving beter te laten beantwoorden aan haar doel.
Voordeelverrekening na het Verhaeg/Jenniskens-arrest
Authors: Bosch E.W.
Published: October 2014

Voordeelverrekening na het Verhaeg/Jenniskens-arrest

In zijn arrest van 28 november 1969 heeft de Hoge Raad als algemeen uitgangspunt bepaald dat uitkeringen uit hoofde van sommenverzekeringen niet verrekend mogen worden bij de vergoeding van letselschades. De Hoge Raad achtte het bestaan van een sommenverzekering een aangelegenheid die de laedens niet aangaat. De praktijk was echter weerbarstiger.

Met zijn arrest van 1 oktober 2010 inzake Verhaeg/Jenniskens heeft de Hoge Raad genoemd uitgangspunt genuanceerd. Sinds dit arrest zijn er inmiddels drie jaar verstreken en is er een aantal vonnissen en arresten gewezen. In deze bijdrage wordt onderzocht hoe deze uitspraken zich verhouden tot het arrest uit 2010 en welke invulling de lagere rechter geeft aan de gezichtspunten die door de Hoge Raad zijn geformuleerd.
Naar standaardisering van de kosten van de deelgeschilprocedure?
Authors: Kerekes I.D.
Published: October 2014

Naar standaardisering van de kosten van de deelgeschilprocedure?

De rechter dient per deelgeschil te beoordelen of en in hoeverre de kosten die een partij stelt te hebben gemaakt in het kader van de procedure als redelijk kunnen worden aangemerkt. In de praktijk blijkt het lastig te ontdekken wat onder ‘redelijke kosten’ dient te worden verstaan. Belangenbehartigers, verzekeraars en rechters hebben de behoefte geuit aan een handvat om de redelijkheid van de kosten te kunnen beoordelen en/of een betere inschatting te kunnen maken van het mogelijke kostenrisico. In de literatuur is betoogd dat standaardisering van de kosten in de deelgeschilprocedure tot meer transparantie en rechtszekerheid zal leiden. Met de evaluatie van de Wet deelgeschillen op komst lijkt dit een geschikt moment om het kostenprobleem en een aantal oplossingen die zijn aangedragen op een rij te zetten.
Fraudeonderzoek, privacy en onrechtmatig verkregen bewijsmateriaal
Authors: de Vries H.H. , Oskam P.
Published: October 2014

Fraudeonderzoek, privacy en onrechtmatig verkregen bewijsmateriaal

Het risico op bewijsuitsluiting vormt voor verzekeraars wellicht de ultieme sanctie op schending van regels ter bescherming van privacy en persoonsgegeven. Deze bijdrage schetst een overzicht van een aantal recente ontwikkelingen op dit gebied. De volgende vragen staan centraal: wanneer is fraudeonderzoek rechtmatig; is het uitsluiten van onrechtmatig verkregen bewijs een trend waarmee verzekeraars in toenemende mate rekening moeten houden bij het verzamelen van persoonsgegevens, of is van een ‘trend’ geen sprake; tegen welke andere sancties zouden verzekeraars aan kunnen lopen bij schending van het recht op privacy van verzekerden en benadeelden; en welke regels en bijbehorende sancties zullen in de toekomst voor verzekeraars gelden onder de komende Algemene verordening gegevensbescherming?
A Targetable Androgen Receptor–Positive Breast Cancer Subtype Hidden Among the Triple-Negative Cancers
Authors: Safarpour Damoun , Tavassoli Fattaneh A.
Published: October 2014

Context

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subgroup of breast cancers that by definition lack expression of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). A diverse group of tumors, TNBC shares some morphologic and molecular features with basal-like breast cancer, a category of breast cancer defined by gene expression profiling. More likely to occur in young women and African Americans, TNBCs may exhibit aggressive behavior and are associated with poor prognosis despite their initial response to conventional chemotherapy. Because hormonal or HER2-targeted therapies are ineffective for these tumors, the main therapeutic option is systemic chemotherapy. Therefore, identification of new targets for therapy is urgently needed for this group.

Objective

To review and present recent literature along with our own experience regarding the clinical and morphologic characteristics and the prevalence of androgen receptor (AR) expression in TNBC, and to discuss the potential use of AR as a therapeutic target for AR+ TNBC.

Data Sources

Data sources are published articles from peer-reviewed journals in PubMed (US National Library of Medicine).

Conclusions

AR is the most commonly expressed hormone receptor among all breast carcinomas, with a prevalence of 25% to 75% among TNBCs. Therefore, we strongly support the routine assessment of AR in TNBC, and preferably in all breast carcinomas.
A structural mechanism for bacterial autotransporter glycosylation by a dodecameric heptosyltransferase family
Authors: Yao Qing , Lu Qiuhe , Wan Xiaobo , Song Feng , Xu Yue , Hu Mo , Zamyatina Alla , Liu Xiaoyun , Huang Niu , Zhu Ping , Shao Feng
Published: October 2014

A large group of bacterial virulence autotransporters including AIDA-I from diffusely adhering E. coli (DAEC) and TibA from enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) require hyperglycosylation for functioning. Here we demonstrate that TibC from ETEC harbors a heptosyltransferase activity on TibA and AIDA-I, defining a large family of bacterial autotransporter heptosyltransferases (BAHTs). The crystal structure of TibC reveals a characteristic ring-shape dodecamer. The protomer features an N-terminal β-barrel, a catalytic domain, a β-hairpin thumb, and a unique iron-finger motif. The iron-finger motif contributes to back-to-back dimerization; six dimers form the ring through β-hairpin thumb-mediated hand-in-hand contact. The structure of ADP-D-glycero-β-D-manno-heptose (ADP-D,D-heptose)-bound TibC reveals a sugar transfer mechanism and also the ligand stereoselectivity determinant. Electron-cryomicroscopy analyses uncover a TibC–TibA dodecamer/hexamer assembly with two enzyme molecules binding to one TibA substrate. The complex structure also highlights a high efficient hyperglycosylation of six autotransporter substrates simultaneously by the dodecamer enzyme complex.
Gene swapping in the dead zone
Authors: Petersen Jillian , Dubilier Nicole
Published: October 2014

Viruses can swap DNA between bacteria that live in regions of the oceans with little or no oxygen.
The effect of horizontal resolution on simulation quality in the Community Atmospheric Model, CAM5.1
Authors: Wehner Michael F. , Reed Kevin A. , Li Fuyu , Prabhat  , Bacmeister Julio , Chen Cheng‐Ta , Paciorek Christopher , Gleckler Peter J. , Sperber Kenneth R. , Collins William D. , Gettelman Andrew , Jablonowski Christiane
Published: October 2014

We present an analysis of version 5.1 of the Community Atmospheric Model (CAM5.1) at a high horizontal resolution. Intercomparison of this global model at approximately 0.25°, 1°, and 2° is presented for extreme daily precipitation as well as for a suite of seasonal mean fields. In general, extreme precipitation amounts are larger in high resolution than in lower‐resolution configurations. In many but not all locations and/or seasons, extreme daily precipitation rates in the high‐resolution configuration are higher and more realistic. The high‐resolution configuration produces tropical cyclones up to category 5 on the Saffir‐Simpson scale and a comparison to observations reveals both realistic and unrealistic model behavior. In the absence of extensive model tuning at high resolution, simulation of many of the mean fields analyzed in this study is degraded compared to the tuned lower‐resolution public released version of the model.
Northern Hemisphere mid‐winter vortex‐displacement and vortex‐split stratospheric sudden warmings: Influence of the Madden‐Julian Oscillation and Quasi‐Biennial Oscillation
Authors: Liu Chuanxi , Tian Baijun , Li King‐Fai , Manney Gloria L. , Livesey Nathaniel J. , Yung Yuk L. , Waliser Duane E.
Published: October 2014

We investigate the connection between the equatorial Madden‐Julian Oscillation (MJO) and different types of the Northern Hemisphere mid‐winter major stratospheric sudden warmings (SSWs), i.e., vortex‐displacement and vortex‐split SSWs. The MJO‐SSW relationship for vortex‐split SSWs is stronger than that for vortex‐displacement SSWs, as a result of the stronger and more coherent eastward propagating MJOs before vortex‐split SSWs than those before vortex‐displacement SSWs. Composite analysis indicates that both the intensity and propagation features of MJO may influence the MJO‐related circulation pattern at high latitudes and the type of SSWs. A pronounced Quasi‐Biennial Oscillation (QBO) dependence is found for vortex‐displacement and vortex‐split SSWs, with vortex‐displacement (‐split) SSWs occurring preferentially in easterly (westerly) QBO phases. The lagged composites suggest that the MJO‐related anomalies in the Arctic are very likely initiated when the MJO‐related convection is active over the equatorial Indian Ocean (around the MJO phase 3). Further analysis suggests that the QBO may modulate the MJO‐related wave disturbances via its influence on the upper tropospheric subtropical jet. As a result, the MJO‐related circulation pattern in the Arctic tends to be wave number‐one/wave number‐two ~25–30 days following phase 3 (i.e., approximately phases 7–8, when the MJO‐related convection is active over the western Pacific) during easterly/westerly QBO phases, which resembles the circulation pattern associated with vortex‐displacement/vortex‐split SSWs.
Spatial and temporal characteristics of warm season convection over Pearl River Delta region, China, based on 3 years of operational radar data
Authors: Chen Xingchao , Zhao Kun , Xue Ming
Published: October 2014

This study examines the temporal and spatial characteristics and distributions of convection over the Pearl River Delta region of Guangzhou, China, during the May–September warm season, using, for the first time for such a purpose, 3 years of operational Doppler radar data in the region. Results show that convective features occur most frequently along the southern coast and the windward slope of the eastern mountainous area of Pearl River Delta, with the highest frequency occurring in June and the lowest in September among the 5 months. The spatial frequency distribution pattern also roughly matches the accumulated precipitation pattern. The occurrence of convection in this region also exhibits strong diurnal cycles. During May and June, the diurnal distribution is bimodal, with the maximum frequency occurring in the early afternoon and a secondary peak occurring between midnight and early morning. The secondary peak is much weaker in July, August, and September. Convection near the coast is found to occur preferentially on days when a southerly low‐level jet (LLJ) exists, especially during the Meiyu season. Warm, moist, and unstable air is transported from the ocean to land by LLJs on these days, and the lifting along the coast by convergence induced by differential surface friction between the land and ocean is believed to be the primary cause for the high frequency along the coast. In contrast, the high frequency over mountainous area is believed to be due to orographic lifting of generally southerly flows during the warm season.
Dopaminergic therapy affects learning and impulsivity in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Hiebert Nole M. , Seergobin Ken N. , Vo Andrew , Ganjavi Hooman , MacDonald Penny A.
Published: October 2014

Objective

The aim was to examine the effect of dopaminergic medication on stimulus‐response learning versus performing decisions based on learning.

Method

To see the effect of dopaminergic therapy on stimulus‐response learning and response selection, participants with Parkinson's disease (PD) were either tested on and/or off their prescribed dose of dopaminergic therapy during different testing days. Forty participants with PD and 34 healthy controls completed the experiment on consecutive days. On Day 1, participants learned to associate abstract images with spoken, “right” or “left” responses via feedback (Session 1). On Day 2, participants recalled these responses (Session 2) and indicated the location (i.e., right or left of center) of previously studied images intermixed with new images (Session 3).

Results

Participants with PD off medication learned stimulus‐response associations equally well compared to healthy controls. Learning was impaired by dopaminergic medication. Regardless of medication status, patients recalled the stimulus‐response associations from Day 1 as well as controls. In Session 3 off medication, patients demonstrated enhanced facilitation relative to controls and patients on medication, when the stimulus location was congruent with the spoken response that was learned for the stimulus in Session 1.

Interpretation

Learning in PD was comparable to that of healthy controls off medication. Learning was worsened by dopaminergic therapy in PD. We interpret greater facilitation in participants with PD off medication for congruent responses as evidence of greater impulsivity. This motor or reflexive impulsivity was normalized by medication in PD. These findings shed light on the cognitive profile of PD and have implications for dopaminergic treatment.
Benefits of variable structure techniques for parameter estimation in stochastic systems using least squares method and instrumental variables
Authors: Escobar Jesica , Poznyak Alexander
Published: October 2014

In this paper, we study the benefits of the equivalent control method, implemented on parameter estimation algorithms like the least squares method and instrumental variables on continuous‐time stochastic systems. Here, we show how the equivalent‐control, adapted to the stochastic case, improves the performance of these estimation algorithms in continuous‐time systems under white noise perturbations. Some numerical examples show the effectiveness of these techniques. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Blue Aggregation‐Induced Emission Luminogens: High External Quantum Efficiencies Up to 3.99% in LED Device, and Restriction of the Conjugation Length through Rational Molecular Design
Authors: Huang Jing , Sun Ning , Yang Jie , Tang Runli , Li Qianqian , Ma Dongge , Li Zhen
Published: October 2014

Great efforts have been devoted to seek novel approaches for constructing blue fluorescent materials, which is one of the most important prerequisites for the commercialization of OLEDs. In recent years, various outstanding luminogens with aggregation‐induced emission characteristic exhibit promising applications as emitters, but blue AIE fluorophores with excellent EL performance are still very scarce. Here, five hole‐dominated blue AIE molecules are demonstrated by adopting construction approaches of changing linkage modes and increasing intramolecular torsion together, with the aim to restrict conjugation lengths without sacrificing good EL data. Device results show that the novel synthesized materials could be applied as bifunctional materials, namely blue light‐emitting and hole‐transporting materials, with comparable EL efficiencies, and the ηC,max and ηext,max are up to 8.03 cd A−1 and 3.99% respectively, which is among the best EL performance for blue AIE luminogens.
Long Passage Times of Short ssDNA Molecules through Metallized Nanopores Fabricated by Controlled Breakdown
Authors: Kwok Harold , Waugh Matthew , Bustamante José , Briggs Kyle , Tabard‐Cossa Vincent
Published: October 2014

The fabrication of individual nanopores in metallized dielectric membranes using controlled breakdown directly in solution is described. Nanopores as small as 1.5‐nm in diameter are fabricated in Au‐coated silicon nitride membranes immersed in 1 m KCl by subjecting them to high electric fields. The physical and electrical characteristics of nanopores produced with this method are presented. The translocation of short single‐stranded DNA molecules is demonstrated through such nanopore devices without further passivation of the metallic surface. Metallized nanopores can prolong the translocation times of 50‐nt ssDNA fragments by as much as two orders of magnitude, while the slowest events can reach an average speed as slow as 2 nucleotides per millisecond. The mechanism for the long dwell‐time distribution is differentiated from prior studies, which relied on friction to slow down DNA, and is attributed to nucleotide‐Au interactions.
Polycarbonate polyurethane elastomers synthesized via a solvent‐free and nonisocyanate melt transesterification process
Authors: Dongdong Pan , Hengshui Tian
Published: October 2014

Soluble and thermally stable polycarbonate polyurethane elastomers were synthesized through a solvent‐free and nonisocyanate melt transesterification process. The conditions of this process were studied, and the optimum conditions were as follows: the catalyst dibutyltin oxide dosage was 0.125 wt %, the raw material molar (n) ratio of dimethyl 1,6‐hexamethylene dicarbamate (HDC) to poly(carbonate macrodiol) (PCDL) was n(HDC)/n(PCDL) = 1:0.99, the reactants were prepolymerized under 100°C for 1 h and then under 185°C and a high vacuum for 4 h. Three different PCDLs were selected to participate in the reaction under the conditions mentioned previously, and their structures were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction. The products obtained from this process were still stable under 280°C. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41377.
Effects of dianhydrides on the thermal behavior of linear and crosslinked polyimides
Authors: Kim Kwangin , Yoo Taewon , Kim Jinyoung , Ha Hyemin , Han Haksoo
Published: October 2014

To determine the thermal characteristics of linear and crosslinked polyimides (PIs), BTDA, ODPA, and 6FDA were used to synthesize polyimides. Thermal degradation temperature and glass transition temperature of the resulting PIs were measured using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). To measure the change in modulus and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) depending on dianhydride structure, a dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) and thermo‐mechanical analyzer (TMA) were used. The thermal degradation and glass transition temperature properties of linear PIs varied according to whether the linear chain adopted a bulky or flexible structure. Dynamic modulus and thermal expansion values of linear polyimides also showed good agreement with the TGA and DSC results. As we expected, linear polyimide with bulky 6FDA groups showed better thermal behavior than the flexible polyimides. Crosslinked polyimide nadic end‐capped (norbornene) with a bulky dianhydride group had a lower thermal degradation temperature and higher CTE than flexible BTDA and ODPA polyimides. Our results indicate that the mobility of the dianhydride group affects the thermal behaviors of linear and crosslinked polyimides in different ways. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41412.
A Kalman filter approach to dynamic OD flow estimation for urban road networks using multi‐sensor data
Authors: Lu Zhenbo , Rao Wenming , Wu Yao‐Jan , Guo Li , Xia Jingxin
Published: October 2014

Considerable efforts have been devoted to the development of dynamic origin‐destination (OD) estimation models, which are a key step to realizing self‐adaptive traffic control systems for urban traffic management. However, most of the models proposed to date estimate OD flows based on a single traffic data source, and their performance is limited by the coverage and accuracy of traffic sensors. The inherent difficulty in estimating the dynamic traffic assignment matrix means that dynamic OD estimation remains a challenge for real‐life applications. This paper proposes the use of a Kalman filter for dynamic OD estimation using multi‐source sensor data. The dynamic characteristic of changing OD flow over time is analyzed, and the problem of dynamic OD estimation is converted to a problem of estimating OD structural deviation. The resulting dynamic relationship between traffic volume and OD structural deviation is then used to establish the Kalman filter model. An improved traffic assignment approach is developed and embedded into the measurement equation of the Kalman filter model to enable dynamic updating of the traffic assignment matrix. A dual self‐adaptive mechanism based on the Kalman filter is used to calibrate the model. The proposed method was implemented on a real‐life traffic network in the downtown area of Kunshan City, China. The results show that the proposed method is more accurate than, and outperforms, the traditional link‐volume‐based and turning‐movement‐based methods. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The contribution of bacteria to algal growth by carbon cycling
Authors: Bai Xue , Lant Paul , Pratt Steven
Published: October 2014

Algal mass production in open systems is often limited by the availability of inorganic carbon substrate. In this paper, we evaluate how bacterial driven carbon cycling mitigates carbon limitation in open algal culture systems. The contribution of bacteria to carbon cycling was determined by quantifying algae growth with and without supplementation of bacteria. It was found that adding heterotrophic bacteria to an open algal culture dramatically enhanced algae productivity. Increases in algal productivity due to supplementation of bacteria of 4.8 and 3.4 times were observed in two batch tests operating at two different pH values over 7 days. A kinetic model is proposed which describes carbon limited algal growth, and how the limitation could be overcome by bacterial activity to re‐mineralize photosynthetic end products. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2015;112: 688–695. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.