bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tracheid Length in Vital and Non Vital Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga Menziesii) in the Netherlands
Authors: de Kort Ingrid
Published: February 2014

Tracheid length in relation to growth ring width is recorded for five Douglas firs from different sites in the Netherlands. The investigated trees differed in vitality assessed by crown appearance. Non vital trees showed a growth reduction which coincides with a decrease in tracheid length. Temporary growth reductions in vital trees did not result in a decrease of tracheid length. The relations hip between tracheid length and ring width is discussed.
Torus Structure and Development in Species of Daphne
Authors: Dute Roland R. , Rushing Ann E. , Perry James W.
Published: February 2014

A torus is present in intervascular pit membranes in the wood of Daphne odora and D. cneorum, but not in D. mezereum. In the two former species, each torus is surrounded by a margo consisting of fibrillar material in a tightly woven pattern. Tori are of greater diameter than pit apertures and completely occlude the apertures during aspiration. Evidence from D. odora indicates that torus deposition is spatially associated with vesicles and a plexus of microtubules, and does not begin until pit border formation is complete. The material deposited during torus synthesis also impregnates the wall of the pre-existing pit membrane. The plasmalemma often is closely appressed to the pit membrane at the site of the developing torus. In half-bordered pit pairs between tracheary elements and parenchyma cells, a torus thickening is deposited only on the side of the tracheary element. As in Osmanthus americanus, it is hypothesised that the presence of tori in species of Daphne prevents rupture of the pit membrane during aspiration.
Wound Reaction of the Parenchyma in Betula
Authors: Schmitt Uwe , Liese Walter
Published: February 2014

Reactions in the xylem parenchyma of Betula pendula Roth following wounding in late spring have been investigated by light and electron microscopy. Structural changes in contact parenchyma cells are described in relation to the formation of plugs in vessels and fibres. Swelling of the Protective Layer (PL) with a simultaneous loss in electron density appears first. Fibrillar material is then synthesised, which accumulates outside the cytoplasm between the plasmalemma and the modified PL. The PL now consists of loosely packed fibrils with a structure similar to the accumulating fibrillar material. After extrusion of fibrils through the pit membrane into the lumina of adjacent vessels a membranous layer on the scalariform perforation plates as well as plugs are formed; the latter are also built up in fibres. These reactions spread axially less extensively in cells near the cambium than in the more centrally located ones.
Raw-Material Quality of Fast Grown Eucalyptijs Globulus During the First Year
Authors: Pereira Helena , Araújo Clara
Published: February 2014

The raw material quality of Eucalyptus globulus during the first year was assessed in an experimental plantation established under four management strategies (control, fertiliser, irrigation and fertiliser/irrigation). The variation of bark content, moisture content, specific gravity and fibre length along the stem for 6-months and II-months-old trees is presented. Bark content decreases with tree diameter and was lowest for the irrigated and fertilised trees. Wood moisture was negatively correlated with specific gravity. No correlation was found between specific gravity and growth rate and fibre length was generally independent of management strategy.
Anatomy and Properties of Japanese Hardwoods I. Variation of Fibre Dimensions and Tissue Proportions and their Relation to Basic Density
Authors: Fujiwara Shinji , Sameshima Kazuhiko , Kuroda Kenichi , Takamura Norio
Published: February 2014

Variations of tissue proportions and fibre dimensions (fibre length, fibre cross sectional area, fibre wall thickness, fibre wall area, percentage of fibre wall area) of 50 Japanese hardwoods are compared. The fibre cross sectional area showed large variations as compared to fibre length. There is no significant correlation between fibre cross sectional area and fibre wall thickness.

The multiple regression analysis showed that fibre wall thickness, percentage of fibre wall material and ray volume are the parameters most closely correlated with basic density.
Ultrastructure of Vestures on the Vessel Wall in Some Species of Prosopis (Leguminosae-Mimosoideae)
Authors: Castro María Agueda
Published: February 2014

Ultrastructural characteristics of the vessel wall of fourteen Argentinian species of Prosopis L. were studied with SEM and TEM.

Branched and 'wart-like' vestures are present on the inner surface of the vessel. TEM observations permitted to define them as outgrowths of the secondary wall covered by an electron dense layer, probably composed of polysaccharides.
Wood Anatomy of Trees and Shrubs from China. iii. Rosaceae
Authors: Zhang Shu-Yin , Baas Pieter
Published: February 2014

The wood anatomy of 162 species from China, belonging to 30 genera of the Rosaceae is described. The structural diversity is documented in a survey of characters, a family description, generic descriptions and tables. A key to the genera or groups of genera is presented. A number of genera is described wood anatomically for the first time. Vestured pits noted in some Spiraea species are newly recorded for the farnily . The phenomenon of fibre dimorphism in Spiraea is analysed in detail.
Anatomical Changes on Charring Six African Hardwoods
Authors: Prior Juliet , Gasson Peter
Published: February 2014

Charcoal often retains sufficient qualitative anatomical features for the family and genus of the wood to be identified. During the charring process however, considerable and sometimes unexpected changes in quantitative characters occur, which are of particular importance to species identification and ecological wood anatomy. Comparative measurements were made using charred and uncharred trunkwood from six common southern African savanna trees. SampIes were charred for 30 minutes at either 400 or 700°C. Charcoal yield and significant quantitative changes in vessel diameter and ray cells are related both to wood anatomy and to the process of combustion. Differences observed on charring were most closely correlated with the nature and quantity of the fibres. Axial parenchyma cells expanded after charring at both temperatures.
Wood Anatomy of Trees and Shrubs from China. V. Anacardiaceae
Authors: Dong Zhongmin , Baas Pieter
Published: February 2014

The wood anatomy of twenty species belonging to eleven genera of Anacardiaceae native to or commonly cultivated in China is described in detail and a generic wood anatomical key is given. The wood anatomical diversity pattern partly agrees with the traditional classification into the tribes Anacardieae (Anacardium, Buchanania, and Mangijera), Spondieae (Choerospondias, Dracontomelon, Lannea, and Spondias) and Rhoideae (Cotinus, Pistacia, Rhus, and Toxicodendron).
Computer Aided Wood Identification Using Csiroid
Authors: Ilic J.
Published: February 2014

A new wood identification programme, CSIROID, has been developed to replace the commercial package CARDBOX-PLUS (R). The programme is interactive, completely self contained and is capable of running any suitable identification key using original features. Two-feature states are used and an allowance is made for variable and uncoded features. One unknown sample can be identified at a time. Maximum key size is 500,000 taxa (species) with 2000 features. All communication and data access is performed via pop-up window displays.
Wood and Bark Anatomy of Aristolochiaceae; Systematic and Habital Correlations
Authors: Carlquist Sherwin
Published: February 2014

Wood of Aristolochiaceae has vessels with simple petforation plates; lateral wall pitting of vessels alternate to scalariform; tracheids, fibre-tracheids or libriform fibres present; axial parenchyma diffuse, diffuse-in-aggregates, scanty vasicentric, and banded apotracheal; rays wide and tall, paedomorphic, multiseriate only, little altered during ontogeny (new rays originate suddenly as wid~ multiseriate rays); ethereal oil cells present in rays; wood structure storied. All of these features occur in Lactoridaceae and Piperaceae, and support the grouping of Aristolochiaceae with these families and the nonwoody family Saururaceae. Chloranthaceae may be the family next closest to this assemblage. Druses characteristically occur in rays of Aristolochia. Tracheids in Aristolochia may be correlated with the lianoid habit, although Holostylis, a caudex perennial thought close to Aristolochia, also has tracheids. The fibre-tracheids and libriform fibres of Apama and Thottea may be related to the sympodial shrubby habit of those two genera. On the basis of one species each of Apama and Thottea, the genera differ with respect to wood anatomy. The paedomorphic ray structure of all genera of Aristolochiaceae suggests an herbaceous or minimally woody ancestry rather than ancestors with typically woody monopodial habit. Types of bark structure observed in the species surveyed are briefly characterised. Storied wood structure and presence of druses and ethereal oil cells in rays are newly reported for the family.
Fossil Woods from the El Cien Formation in Baja California Sur: Leguminosae
Authors: Cevallos-Ferriz Sergio R. S. , Barajas-Morales Josefina
Published: February 2014

Three types of fossil woods with similarities to the Leguminosae are described, Mimosoxylon tenax (Felix) Müller-Stoll ' Mädel, Bajacalijomioxylon cienense Cevallos-Ferriz ' Barajas-Morales, gen. et sp. nov., and Copaijeroxylon matanzensis Cevallos-Ferriz ' Barajas-Morales, sp. nov. These woods are from the EI Cien Formation in Baja California Sur, Mexico, which is dated as Zemorrian-Saucesian, i.e., late Oligocene–early Miocene. Although two of the names of the fossil woods suggest affinity with a particular extant taxon, differences in some quantitative and qualitative features preclude their identification with a single extant taxon. The similarity among wood of some groups of extant Leguminosae and limited knowledge of character variability in woods of this family explains this taxonomie uncertainty. These fossil woods from Baja California underscore the need for an extensive systematic study of the wood anatomy of Leguminosae, add to the poorly known plant history of the Peninsula, suggest a tropical South American influence in the fossil flora of Baja Califomia, and indicate that the climate during the Zemorrian- Saucesian was different from the xeric conditions that prevail today in the area.
Proportions of Wood Elements in Stem, Branch, and Root Wood of Black Oak (Quercus Velutina)
Authors: Douglas D. Stokke , Floyd G. Manwiller
Published: February 2014

The volumetrie proportions of vessel elements, fibres, rays, and axial parenchyma plus vasicentric tracheids were determined for the stern, branch and root wood of threc black oak (Quercus velutina Lam.) trees. There were statistical differences in the proportions of wood elements between locations within the trees sampled, i.e., branches, sterns, roots, oblique roots, and lateral roots. Branches had the highest proportion of vesseI elements, whereas sterns had the greatest proportion ofaxial parenchyma plus vasicentric tracheids. The highest proportions of rays were found in root wood. Fibre proportion was greatest in the stern and branch wood.
Wood Anatomy of the Tribe Swartzieae With Comments on Related Papilionoid and Caesalpinioid Leguminosae
Authors: Gasson Peter
Published: February 2014

The tribe Swartzieae, like the Sophoreae is a basal member of the Papilionoid legumes, lying at the boundary between this subfamily and the Caesalpinioideae (Polhill ' Raven 1981). Recent surveys have investigated the wood anatomy of 42 out of the 48 genera in the Sophoreae (Fujii ' Baas 1992; Fujii et al. 1994; Gasson 1994; Den Outer ' Van Veenendaal 1992). Similar work is needed on the Swartzieae ( II genera), and in the Caesalpinioideae on Caesalpinieae (47 genera) , Amherstieae (25 genera) and Detarieae (55 genera). The wood anatomy of Swartzieae is described here, the genus Baphiopsis apparently for the first time, and comparison is made especially with Sophoreae . There is no clear delim itation between the two tribes, which is confirmed by cladistic analysis on 12 wood characters of Swartz ieae alone, then combined Swartzieae and Sophoreae. Baphiopsis (Swartzieae) and Baphia (Sophoreae) are so similar anatomically that they should perhaps be in the same tribe, and Bocoa is not uniform anatomically, and may not be a coherent genus. The data presented here will assist in reaching conclusions on the correct delimitation of some genera and tribes in the Papilionoid legumes.
Wound Response in Fossil Trees from Antarctica and its Potential as a Paleoenvironmental Indicator
Authors: Putz Michelle K. , Taylor Edith L.
Published: February 2014

Numerous permineralized axes of Middle Triassic age from Fremouw Peak, Antarctica show evidence of mechanical wounding and wound responses. These consist of both elongate and triangular-shaped scars. Some scars can be detected beneath subsequent secondary xylem, indicating that wounding occurred early in stem development. In other stems, scars remained open suggesting late wounding and the permanent disruption of the cambium. In cross section most stems display little cal1ustissue, but wound periderm can be seen along the margin of the scar. In some stems the wound phellogen has formed phellem and phelloderm within the wounded area oriented perpendicular to the growth rings. Although some scars resemble those produced by fires, we were unable to document the presence of charcoal around scars. In modem ecosystems wounds may be caused by other agents, including debris drifting in floods, flowing ice, avalanche s, and animals . Each of these potential sources is reviewed in relationship to the paleoclimate in the region during the Triassic.
Fossil Wood Flora from the Lower Miocene Yanagida Formation, Noto Peninsula, Central Japan
Authors: Suzuki Mitsuo , Terada Kazuo
Published: February 2014

Silicified woods from the lower Miocene Yanagida Formation were collected from two sites, Mawaki and Uchiura, in the northeastern Noto Peninsula, central Japan. Among 80 specimens, 15 species representing 13 families were identified, including six new species: Torreya mioxyla (Taxaceae), Castanopsis uchiuraensis (Fagaceae), Camellia japonoxyla (Theaceae), Stewartia notoensis (Theaceae), Distylium chiharu-hirayae (Hamamelidaceae) and Aesculus mioxyla (Hippocastanaceae). The fossil wood floras from these two sites contain evergreen and deciduous dicotyledons and have a similar composition. These floras are compared to the fossil wood flora from Monzen and to the Daijima-type compression fossil flora. The composition of the fossil wood floras of Mawaki and Uchiura suggests they represent a mixed mesic forest of conifers, deciduous dicotyledons and evergreen dicotyledons.
Organic Crystals in the Tracheids of Torreya Yunnanensis
Authors: Kondo Yuki , Fujii Tomoyuki , Hayashi Yoshioki , Kato Atsushi
Published: February 2014

Organic crystals were found in tracheid lumina of some samples of Torreya yunnanensis Chen ' L. K. Fu imported from Yunnan, China. Tracheids with crystals were found in short to long tangential bands along the growth ring boundaries. Because the crystals were rapidly dissolved with ethanol and xylene, cross and tangential sections were mounted in de-ionized water without staining and observed by biological, polarised light, and phase-contrast microscopy. The crystals were sublimated under vacuum during routine sample preparation for conventional SEM and only the peripheral parts remained. With the aid of low vacuum-SEM and modified cryo-SEM procedure, the shape of the crystals was revealed. Some were styloid and large enough to fill tracheid lumina, while others were stacked appearing as slates filling tracheid lumina. X-ray diffraction applied to sections and isolated crystals showed that they were single crystals and orientated along the cell wall. UV spectra on isolated crystals and methanol dissolution of crystals suggested that they were composed of phenolic compounds. Crystals that were recrystallized from methanol were analysed by 1H and l3C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. These two techniques revealed that the major and minor components were o-methoxy cinnamic acid and o-methoxy cinnamic aldehyde.
Between- and Within-Tree Variation in the Anatomy and Specific Gravity of Wood in Oregon White Oak (Quercus Garryana Dougl.)
Authors: Lei Hua , Milota Michael R. , Gartner Barbara L.
Published: February 2014

In order to analyze the variation in wood properties within and between trees of an underutilized tree species, we sampled six Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana Dougl.) trees from an 80-year old mixed stand of Q. garryana and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) in the Coast Range of Western Oregon, USA. Fibre length, earlywood vessel diameter, tissue proportions, and specific gravity were measured on samples across the diameter at two heights. Trees had a slight lean (2-12°), so we sampled separately both radii of a diametric strip that ran from the lower to upper side of lean.
Intra-Ring and Inter-Ring Variations of Tracheid Length in Fast-Grown Versus Slow-Grown Norway Spruces (Picea Abies)
Authors: Herman Marc , Dutilleul Pierre , Avella-Shaw Tomas
Published: February 2014

Our study was conducted on 40 Norway spruces [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] from a stand located in the Belgian Ardennes. Twenty trees were randomly sampled from a slow-growth category, and twenty others from a fast -growth category. The hypothesis under testing is fourfold: increased tree growth rate may affect 1) the intra-ring weighted frequency distribution of tracheid length, 2) the inter-ring variation (from pith to bark) of the parameters describing this frequency distribution, 3) the interring variation of the mean tracheid length, and 4) the correlation between yearly mean tracheid length and yearly ring width.
Wood and Stem Anatomy of Petiveria and Rivina (Caryophyllales); Systematic Implications
Authors: Carlquist Sherwin
Published: February 2014

Petiveria and Rivina have been placed by various authors close to each other within Phytolaccaceae; widely separated from each other but both within Phytolaccaceae; and within a segregate family (Rivinaceae) but still within the order Caryophyllales. Wood of these monotypic genera proves to be alike in salient qualitative and even quantitative features, including presence of a second cambium, vessel morphology and pit size, nonbordered perforation plates, vasicentric axial parenchyma type, fiber-tracheids with vestigially bordered pits and starch contents, narrow multiseriate rays plus a few uniseriate rays, ray cells predominantly upright and with thin lignified walls and starch content, and presence of both large styloids and packets of coarse raphides in secondary phloem. Although further data are desirable, wood and stern data do not strongly support separation of Petiveria and Rivina from Phytolaccaceae. Quantitative wood features correspond to the short-lived perennial habit ofboth genera, and are indicative ofaxeromorphic wood pattern.
Wood Anatomy of Twelve Species with Potential for Reintroduction on Round Island, Mauritius
Authors: Gasson Peter , Jarvis Philip , Page Wayne
Published: February 2014

Round Island is a nature reserve of great biological importance which once supported a dry evergreen hardwood forest and palm community. Following eradication of goats in 1979 and rabbits in 1986, restoration of the flora and fauna of the island is underway. Since the past composition of the hardwood community is unknown, wood sampies from dead trees on the island have been examined and identified. This paper describes eleven dicotyledons and one monocotyledon from Mauritius known or suspected to have occurred naturally on Round Island, and demonstrates the practical application of wood anatomy in the conservation of an endangered flora.
Eccentric Deposition of Secondary Xylem in Stems of the Climber Ephedra Campylopoda (Gnetales)
Authors: Lev-Yadun Simcha
Published: February 2014

In Ephedra campylopoda, a woody climber of the Ephedraceae (Gnetales), the secondary xylem of the upper and lower sides of horizontal stems has the same structure. However, cambial activity in the lower side is greater, producing 1.5 times more xylem and 1.25 times more growth rings in thin stems and 1.8 times more xylem in thick stems. Gelatinous fibres are not formed in the upper side or elsewhere in the xylem. I suggest that this difference in cambial activity does not change the flexibility of the stems, an important adaptation for a climber.
Induction of Tyloses in Eucalyptus Globulus 'chips'
Authors: Leitch Mathew A. , Savidge Rodney A. , Downes Geoff M. , Hudson Irene L.
Published: February 2014

Cambial stem chips containing intact cambium between xylem and phloem, or with the phloem layer removed, were cut from the main stem axis of four-year-old Eucalyptus globulus during the winter and grown under controlled environmental conditions for seven weeks on fully defined culture media . Light microscopy revealed that tyloses were induced in sapwood vessels in the region adjacent to the cambium within these stem chips. When incubated in autoclaved double-distilled water (control medium) tyloses were produced in 3.7% and 4.7% of vessels in chips with the phloem layer intact and removed, respectively. When non-hormonal ingredients were included, tyloses developed in 69.5% and 76.1% of vessels in chips with the phloem layer intact and removed, respectively. Addition of 1.0 mg l-1 of l-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA, a synthetic auxin) to the medium had a slight, but significant, inhibitory effect on tylosis formation.
Vessel Chronologies from Teak in Northern Thailand and their Climatic Signal
Authors: Pumijumnong Nathsuda , Park Won-Kyu
Published: February 2014

Five teak trees in northem Thailand were selected for the study of vessels in terms of dendroclimatology. The tree rings were divided into earlywood and latewood, and fourparameters (average vessel area, average vessel diameter, average conductive area, and vessel density) were measured by automatie image analysis technique to obtain 50-year (1947-1996) time series. Two questions were addressed: 1) How strongly are the vessel characteristics related to climate and 2) are these relationships different from those of ring widths? All vessel parameters of the total ring and of the earlywood were negatively correlated with precipitation during the transitional period between the dry and the wet season. The latewood vessel parameters, however, are negatively correlated with J une temperature. The climatic signals of the vessel parameters and of the tree-ring width are different from each other.
Wood Anatomy of Bursera Longipes and Bursera Copallifera
Authors: Gómez-Vázquez B. Guillermina , Engleman E. Mark
Published: February 2014

The wood structure was studied of the main stem, branches and root of two species of the genus Bursera. B. longipes and B. copallifera, belonging to section Bursera (with exfoliating bark) and Bullockia (with non-exfoliating bark), respectively.
Some Unusual Features in the Wood of Sloanea Lasiocoma K. Schum. (Elaeocarpaceae) and Casearia Obliqua Spreng. (Flacourtiaceae)
Authors: Teixeira Lincoln Lopes
Published: February 2014

This paper reports the occurrence of perforated ray cells in the wood of Sloanea lasiocoma K. Schum. (Elaeocarpaceae) and on the occasional presence of scalariform perforation plates, of trabeculae in vessel elements and fibres, as well as series of perforated ray cells in the wood of Casearia obliqua Spreng. (Flacourtiaceae).
New typifications and synonyms in Senecio ser. Culcitium and related taxa (Asteraceae, Senecioneae)
Authors: Salomón Luciana , Freire Susana Edith
Published: February 2014

Seven lectotypes and three neotypes are designated for ten names applicable to species of Senecio sect. Senecio ser. Culcitium. Our results show that Senecio culcitenellus and S. vaginifolius are conspecific with S. magellanicus, while S. roripifolius is considered a synonym of S. aspleniifolius.
Work–nonwork conflict and burnout: A meta-analysis
Authors: Reichl Corinna , Leiter Michael P , Spinath Frank M
Published: February 2014

This study meta-analytically examines correlations between dimensions of work–nonwork conflict (work-to-nonwork and nonwork-to-work conflict) and burnout subscales (exhaustion, depersonalization/cynicism), with a special emphasis on the role of moderating variables. The meta-analysis is based on 220 coefficients from 91 samples with a total of 51,700 participants and employs a random-effects model. Primary studies relied on samples of working adults from different cultural backgrounds. Our results revealed that both directions of work–nonwork conflict were strongly related to emotional exhaustion as well as to cynicism (ρ between .34 and .61). The correlations were shown to be moderated differentially by gender, age, marital and parental status as well as by cultural background. Meta-analyses based on primary studies with multi-wave designs indicated that work interfering with nonwork and exhaustion have equal reciprocal effects when considering zero-order correlations. However, within meta-analytical structural equation modeling, cross-lagged relations between work-to-nonwork conflict and exhaustion across time did not improve the prediction of outcomes at Time 2 above the influence of stability coefficients.
The Relation Between Policy Types and Organizational Structures in U.S. Federal Agencies
Authors: Kim Yoonho
Published: February 2014

This study classifies U.S. federal agencies into five types, based on Lowi’s well-known policy scheme. It constructs and tests five hypotheses to identify any structural differences in formalization, span of control, headquarters ratio, and personnel mobility between five types of agencies. The five hypotheses were generally confirmed. One important contribution of this study is that it made the first attempt to do hypothesis testing on Lowi’s agency types. Another contribution of this research is in its sub-classification of Lowi’s fourth category, constituent agencies, into staff and foreign defense agencies. According to the data analyses, each type of these agencies had distinctive organizational structures compared with other types. This legitimizes the sub-classification of constituent agencies. Consequently, this study argues that any significant differences in organizational structures were contingent on the type of policy mission pursued by an agency. Thus, civil service reformers should carefully consider various structural elements that are contingent on the type of agency when implementing reforms.
The Overpowering Effect of Social Comparison Information
Authors: Van Yperen Nico W. , Leander N. Pontus
Published: February 2014

If people’s goals and evaluative standards were aligned, then individuals with mastery-based goals should, theoretically, primarily rely on temporal comparison information (i.e., on how they performed relative to before). In contrast, individuals with performance-based goals should rely on social comparison information (i.e., on how they performed relative to others). However, across three studies, we explored a misalignment phenomenon we call “the overpowering effect of social comparison information” (TOESCI). We found that, irrespective of individuals’ specific achievement goal (performance-based vs. mastery-based), there is a consistent, dominant reliance on social comparisons over temporal comparisons in their performance self-evaluations. These findings suggest that one’s goals and evaluation criteria do not always align—that explicitly endorsing mastery-based goals does not necessarily lead one to rely on temporal comparison information over social comparison information. Only after receiving an explicit reminder to consider their mastery-based goal did participants align their goal and performance self-evaluation criteria.
Blunt traumatic left atrial appendage rupture and cardiac herniation
Authors: Nhan Nguyen Huu , Anh Pham Tho Tuan , Trung Tran Minh , Pezzella A Thomas
Published: February 2014

A 42-year-old man sustained blunt thoracic trauma after a motor vehicle accident. He underwent an urgent operation. Operative findings included a large hematoma, a 4-cm tear in the left atrial appendage, and a long pleuropericardial rupture along the right phrenic nerve. We repaired the left atrial appendage without cardiopulmonary bypass, and closed the pericardial defect primarily. The patient recovered fully and was discharged on the 6th postoperative day.
The emerging role of dopamine–glutamate interaction and of the postsynaptic density in bipolar disorder pathophysiology: Implications for treatment
Authors: de Bartolomeis Andrea , Buonaguro Elisabetta F , Iasevoli Felice , Tomasetti Carmine
Published: February 2014

Aberrant synaptic plasticity, originating from abnormalities in dopamine and/or glutamate transduction pathways, may contribute to the complex clinical manifestations of bipolar disorder (BD). Dopamine and glutamate systems cross-talk at multiple levels, such as at the postsynaptic density (PSD). The PSD is a structural and functional protein mesh implicated in dopamine and glutamate-mediated synaptic plasticity. Proteins at PSD have been demonstrated to be involved in mood disorders pathophysiology and to be modulated by antipsychotics and mood stabilizers. On the other side, post-receptor effectors such as protein kinase B (Akt), glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk), which are implicated in both molecular abnormalities and treatment of BD, may interact with PSD proteins, and participate in the interplay of the dopamine–glutamate signalling pathway. In this review, we describe emerging evidence on the molecular cross-talk between dopamine and glutamate signalling in BD pathophysiology and pharmacological treatment, mainly focusing on dysfunctions in PSD molecules. We also aim to discuss future therapeutic strategies that could selectively target the PSD-mediated signalling cascade at the crossroads of dopamine-glutamate neurotransmission.
Posterior Tibial Slope Influences Static Anterior Tibial Translation in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Li Yue , Hong Lei , Feng Hua , Wang Qianqian , Zhang Jin , Song Guanyang , Chen Xingzuo , Zhuo Hongwu
Published: February 2014

Background:

Posterior tibial slope (PTS) has recently been identified as a risk factor for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries because of an associated increase in anterior tibial translation (ATT) and ACL loading. However, few studies concerning the correlation between PTS and postoperative ATT have been published.

Purpose:

To analyze the relationship between PTS and postoperative ATT in ACL reconstruction (ACLR).

Study Design:

Case control study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Included in this retrospective study were 40 consecutive patients who underwent ACLR (28 male, 12 female; median age, 22 years; range, 14-44 years) from October 2010 to June 2011. The patients were divided into 3 groups based on medial and lateral PTS values as measured on MRI. Demographic data and results of the manual maximum side-to-side difference with a KT-1000 arthrometer at 30° of knee flexion before ACLR and at final follow-up were collected; results were divided into ATT ≤2 mm, 2 mm < ATT < 5 mm, and ATT ≥5 mm. First, the distribution of ATT in the 3 groups was compared, and then correlation analysis and logistic regression were conducted to determine the correlation between PTS and ATT. Finally, the thresholds of medial and lateral PTS were calculated.

Results:

Results of the ATT measurements were collected at a mean of 27.5 months (range, 24.0-37.0 months) after ACLR. The group with a PTS ≥5° had significantly more cases of ATT ≥5 mm than the group with a PTS <3° (medial PTS: P = .005; lateral PTS: P = .016). There were statistically significant correlations with ATT for both medial ( r = 0.43, P = .005) and lateral ( r = 0.36, P = .02) PTS. Medial or lateral PTS resulted in the increased probability of ATT ≥5 mm, with an odds ratio of 1.76 ( P = .011) and 1.68 ( P = .008), respectively. The threshold of an increased risk of ATT ≥5 mm was a medial PTS >5.6° ( P = .003) or a lateral PTS >3.8° ( P = .002).

Conclusion:

There was a significant correlation between PTS and postoperative anterior knee static stability in this study. Patients with a steeper medial or lateral PTS showed a higher risk of ATT ≥5 mm at thresholds of 5.6° and 3.8°, respectively.
Buddhist ‘Genesis’ as a Narrative of Conflict Transformation: A Re-reading of the Aggañña-sutta
Authors: Satha-Anand Suwanna
Published: February 2014

Since January 2004, violent conflicts in the deep South of Thailand have caused 4,453 deaths, 7,239 injuries in 10,386 violent incidents. The numbers are increasing every day. Myriads of studies, strategies and proposals have been put forth to address and redress this deep-rooted problem. This paper is a modest attempt to find analysis and inspiration from the rich cultural resources of Buddhism to address the question of conflict and conflict transformation in Thai society.

The Buddhist “Genesis” or The Agganna-sutta has been analyzed by Thai and Western Buddhist scholars as offering an allegorical tale which details a long, inter-dependent process of human beings’ moral degradation on the one hand, and socio-political evolution on the other. This is considered to be the Buddhist equivalent of the Genesis without God.

This paper offers a re-reading of this important sutta as a narrative of conflict and conflict transformation. It argues that the personal conflict of the two young Brahmins aspiring to be fully ordained is transcended and transformed by the Buddha's allegorical tale of human socio-political evolution. This paper offers an analysis of the narration and demonstrates that in the narrating process, the Buddha was “substituting” the Hindu creation myth with the Discourse on What is Primary (Agganna-sutta). This narrative replacement subverts the deep-rooted cultural force of the Hindu creation myth which serves as a cosmological justification for a hierarchy of classes/castes in the social world. Once the creation Hindu myth is de-mythologized, the structure of meaning for the personal conflict of the two Brahmins evaporates. In this way, the Buddha's approach to conflict transformation addresses three dimensions simultaneously, namely, the personal, the socio-political and the cosmological.

This re-reading is one paradigmatic example of how to revitalize Buddhism to function as an agent of social transformation by offering a Buddhist creative approach to conflict transformation.
Squamous cell carcinoma complicating donovanosis not a thing of the past!
Authors: Sethi Sumit , Sarkar Rashmi , Garg Vijay , Agarwal Shipra
Published: February 2014

Donovanosis causes granulomatous ulceration of genitalia and neighbouring sites with little tendency to heal spontaneously. It is uncommonly seen nowadays in sexually transmitted infection clinics of north India. The present case is reported for its scarcity and to make clinicians aware of this disease which may rarely accompany carcinoma.
Incidence and risk analysis of aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a nationwide population-based study in Taiwan
Authors: Wang S-H , Chang Y-S , Liu C-J , Lai C-C , Chen T-J , Chen W-S
Published: February 2014

Objective

The objective of our study was to determine the incidence rates and risk factors of aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) using a nationwide population-based data set.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance database. Patients with SLE and age-, sex- and comorbidity-matched control patients without SLE were identified. The primary endpoint was the first occurrence of aortic aneurysm or aortic dissection. The incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were calculated based on a 95% confidence interval (CI). A Cox proportional-hazards model was used to evaluate the risk factors for aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection in the SLE cohort.

Results

Among the 15,209 patients with SLE (89.9% women and mean age of 38.3 years), 20 developed aortic aneurysm and 13 developed aortic dissection (overall incidence rate, 4.26 per 10,000 person-years). Compared with the control patients, the overall IRR for developing aortic aneurysm or aortic dissection was 3.34 (95% CI, 1.71–6.91; p < 0.001). The IRRs for aortic aneurysm or aortic dissection were 2.98 (95% CI, 1.41–6.70, p = 0.018) for women and 5.50 (95% CI, 1.10–53.15, p = 0.020) for men. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that age, male sex, an SLE diagnosis greater than three years prior and hypertension were associated with aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection.

Conclusion

Aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection occur at higher rates in SLE patients than in people without SLE and a longer disease duration is associated with a higher risk of these rare vascular complications.
Early Predictors of ASD in Young Children Using a Nationally Representative Data Set
Authors: Jeans Laurie M. , Santos Rosa Milagros , Laxman Daniel J. , McBride Brent A. , Dyer W. Justin
Published: February 2014

Current clinical diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) occurs between 3 and 4 years of age, but increasing evidence indicates that intervention begun earlier may improve outcomes. Using secondary analysis of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study–Birth Cohort data set, the current study identifies early predictors prior to the diagnosis of ASD at 4 years for approximately 100 children. Children with ASD were compared with children with other disabilities and children who were typically developing. Multinomial logistic regression analyses identified limited unique characteristics (e.g., self-regulation and sleep patterns) at the 9-month time point. A majority of the differences in communication and language, mental/cognitive function, motor function, social interaction, and self-regulation were found at the 2-year time point. Implications for research and practice are presented.
Controller design and experimental investigation of a 3-universal-prismatic-universal compliant manipulator for active vibration isolation
Authors: Li Yangmin , Yun Yuan , Xiao Shunli
Published: February 2014

For low frequency signals under 10 Hz, effective control methods are urgently needed to realize active vibration control for precision instruments. Based on our previous works on design and dynamical modeling of micro-parallel manipulators, a mixed [Formula: see text] control model is proposed for controlling a compliant three universal-prismatic-universal (3-UPU) parallel platform in this paper, which is established in a state-space framework considering the stiffness of flexure hinges. Moreover, other control methods in terms of LQR, H2 and [Formula: see text] are approached for a multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) active vibration isolation system, and the mixed [Formula: see text] method has proved more effective than the three methods mentioned above. Finally, an experimental system is built up to implement the active vibration control using an improved 3-UPU compliant parallel manipulator prototype. With the hardware and software developed, the real-time active vibration control methods have been tested at random signals; frequency rates at 0.5 Hz and 1 Hz are selected for illustrations. The experimental results demonstrate that the vibrations acting on the base and the moving platform are significantly reduced, and are limited to 0–10 Hz vibration signals. This active vibration control system provides a reliable experimental platform for validating the theoretical analysis work.
Multi-input multi-output random vibration control of a multi-axis electro-hydraulic shaking table
Authors: Guan Guang-feng , Wang Hai-tao , Xiong Wei
Published: February 2014

An online multi-input multi-output (MIMO) random vibration control method is presented for a multi-axis hydraulic shaking table system to replicate the reference acceleration power spectral density (PSD) by the reproduction of the acceleration time domain histories that are proportional to the reference. The offline iterations are implemented using conventional random vibration control to compensate for the changes in the frequency response function (FRF) of the system. The successful test mainly depended on the experience of the operator. In online MIMO random vibration control, the reference PSD is transformed into time domain histories by filtering white noise. The impedance matrix of the shaking table system, which is the inverse of the FRF, is calculated and updated online. The time histories are compensated based on the system impedance matrix and then used as the drive signals to the shaking table. The overlap-save method and fast Fourier transformation are proposed to implement the transformation and compensation online. Two-axis random vibration experimental results obtained with the proposed control method show that both the reference PSD and the time domain histories can be replicated with high precision in the output of the shaking table without operator intervention.
Filtering-based recursive least-squares identification algorithm for controlled autoregressive moving average systems using the maximum likelihood principle
Authors: Li Junhong , Ding Feng
Published: February 2014

This paper considers the parameter estimation problem of controlled autoregressive moving average systems. The basic idea is to use the noise polynomial to filter the input-output data, then a controlled moving average identification model and a noise model are obtained. A maximum likelihood recursive least squares algorithm and a recursive least squares algorithm are used to interactively estimate the parameters of the two identification models by using the hierarchical identification principle. A numerical example is provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms.
Reclaiming the European City and Lobbying for Privilege
Authors: Michel Boris , Stein Christian
Published: February 2014

Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are an increasing global phenomenon. In diverse places, they are established and sought of as helpful means to improve urban places. BIDs are frequently seen as a showcase for new forms of globalizing urban policies. This paper contrasts and broadens the frequent examples from the United States and the United Kingdom with experiences from Germany. We argue that this presents not just another example of BIDs as a mode of global neoliberal urban governance in yet another country. Instead, our case study highlights the elasticity and resilience of said concept and the impact of local trajectories on the mobilization of modes of urban governance. Compared with other places, BIDs in Germany remain relatively weak in terms of financial power. Nonetheless, the case of Hamburg shows how they are made suitable for discourses and practices of a neoliberalized “European City.”
Insights into multiple sclerosis provided by non-coding RNAs: meeting summary from the symposium ‘Non-coding RNAs in autoimmune disorders of the central nervous system’ on 5 April 2013 in Warsaw, Poland
Authors: Mycko Marcin P , Weiner Howard L , Selmaj Krzysztof W
Published: February 2014

More than 80% of the human genome is biochemically active, whereas less than 3% of the genome encodes proteins. The emerging field of non-coding ribonucleic acids (RNAs) that are products of the genome, but do not program proteins, has revolutionized our understanding of cell biology. This was followed by a growing interest in the role of non-coding RNAs in the pathogenesis of human diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS). In April 2013, a symposium in Warsaw, Poland, was the first meeting entirely dedicated to advances in the understanding of the roles of various subclasses of non-coding RNAs and showcased their involvement in autoimmune demyelination and MS. New mechanisms of action of small non-coding RNAs, as well as the advent of long non-coding RNAs were discussed, including the potential role of non-coding RNAs as MS biomarkers and their use for therapeutic intervention in MS.
Theoretical model to predict the effect of localized defect on dynamic behavior of cylindrical roller bearing at inner race and outer race
Authors: Patel Utkarshkumar Arvindbhai , Upadhyay Sanjay H
Published: February 2014

The dynamic response of bearing under load and speed often determine the performance limitations of the machines and it is necessary to be able to predict bearing dynamic performance as an integral part of machine design analysis. In this paper, a mathematical model has been developed to investigate a nonlinear dynamic behavior of a rotor-bearing system due to localized defects of inner race and outer race. In the mathematical formulation, the contacts between rolling elements and inner/outer race is considered as nonlinear springs whose stiffness is obtaining using Hertz contact stress theory. Here nonlinear damping is also taken into consideration for cylindrical roller bearing. The governing equations of motion are formulated by using energy approach. Contact force and contact stiffness having nonlinearity and is calculated by using Newton–Raphson method for n-unknown nonlinear simultaneous equation. The new mark implicit integration technique is coupled with the Newton–Raphson method to solve the differential equations. A computer program is developed to simulate the defect on inner race and outer race and all the results are represented in the time and frequency domain. Equations of motions are solved by using Newmark-β method for phase plot/Poincare map. The proposed mathematical model is also compared with experimental results having radial and axial load condition. From the results obtained from the predicted model for frequency spectrum and phase plot at various speeds, the mathematical modeling and experimental results are found quite similar.