bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brain perfusion SPECT can differentiate clinical subtypes of Parkinson's diseases
Authors: Song In‐Uk , Chung Yong‐An , Huh Ryoong
Published: August 2013

The clinical heterogeneity of Parkinson's disease (PD) is well recognized. It is possible to distinguish two main clinical subgroups, a tremor dominant PD (TP) and nontremor dominant PD (NTP). However studies compared the regional cerebral blood flow between subtypes of PD had rarely been performed yet, although the classification of subtypes was very important because of difference of disease progression and prognosis between subtypes of PD. We recruited 43 patients with PD (21 TP and 22 NTP). All patients with PD underwent brain perfusion SPECT and evaluated motor severity by using the Hoehn and Yahr stage and Part III of the unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS). We also compared tremor and nontremor symptoms with motor phenotype scores between two subtypes of PD. Brain perfusion SPECT showed significant hypoperfusion in TP compared with NTP in the left occipital lobe and middle occipital gyrus, left frontal lobe and superior frontal gyrus, cerebellar hemisphere, left lentiform nucleus. On the other hand, brain perfusion SPECT of NTP compared with TP showed hypoperfusion in right parietal lobe and precuneus, left temporal lobe and inferior temporal gyrus, both frontal lobe and inferior frontal gyrus. The present study indicates that pathophysiology of TP compared to NTP has more closely association with neuronal circuits including cerebellar pathway, such as CTC circuit. Therefore, we cautiously assert that neuronal systems other than the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system are likely involved in the generation of tremor in PD. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 23, 222–226, 2013
Brain MRI denoizing and segmentation based on improved adaptive nonlocal means
Authors: Aksam Iftikhar Muhammad , Jalil Abdul , Rathore Saima , Ali Ahmad , Hussain Mutawarra
Published: August 2013

Denoizing of magnetic resonance (MR) brain images has been focus of numerous studies in the past. The performance of subsequent stages of image processing, in automated image analysis, is substantially improved by explicit consideration of noise. Nonlocal means (NLM) is a popular denoizing method which exploits usual redundancy present in an image to restore noise free image. It computes restored value of a pixel as weighted average of candidate pixels in a search window. In this article, we propose an improved version of the NLM algorithm which is modified in two ways. First, a robust threshold criterion is introduced, which helps selecting suitable pixels for participation in the restoration process. Second, the search window size is made adaptive using a window adaptation test based on the proposed threshold criterion. The modified NLM algorithm is named as improved adaptive nonlocal means (IANLM). An alternate implementation of IANLM is also proposed which exploits the image smoothness property to yield better denoizing performance. The computational burden is reduced significantly due to proposed modifications. Experiments are performed on simulated and real brain MR images at various noise levels. Results indicate that the proposed algorithm produces not only better denoizing results (quantitatively and qualitatively), but is also computationally more efficient. Moreover, the proposed technique is incorporated in an already proposed segmentation framework to check its validity in the practical scenario of segmentation. Improved segmentation results (quantitative and qualitative) verify the practical usefulness of the proposed algorithm in real world medical applications. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 23, 235–248, 2013
A new images segmentation method based on modified particle swarm optimization algorithm
Authors: Hamdaoui Fayçal , Ladgham Anis , Sakly Anis , Mtibaa Abdellatif
Published: August 2013

The partitioning of an image into several constituent components is called image segmentation. Many approaches have been developed; one of them is the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm, which is widely used. PSO algorithm is one of the most recent stochastic optimization strategies. In this article, a new efficient technique for the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain images segmentation thematic based on PSO is proposed. The proposed algorithm presents an improved variant of PSO, which is particularly designed for optimal segmentation and it is called modified particle swarm optimization. The fitness function is used to evaluate all the particle swarm in order to arrange them in a descending order. The algorithm is evaluated by performance measures such as run time execution and the quality of the image after segmentation. The performance of the segmentation process is demonstrated by using a defined set of benchmark images and compared against conventional PSO, genetic algorithm, and PSO with Mahalanobis distance based segmentation methods. Then we applied our method on MRI brain image to determinate normal and pathological tissues. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 23, 265–271, 2013
Vertebral Size, Bone Density, and Strength in Men and Women Matched for Age and Areal Spine BMD
Authors: Bruno Alexander G , Broe Kerry E , Zhang Xiaochun , Samelson Elizabeth J , Meng Ching-An , Manoharan Rajaram , D'Agostino John , Cupples L Adrienne , Kiel Douglas P , Bouxsein Mary L
Published: August 2013

To explore the possible mechanisms underlying sex-specific differences in skeletal fragility that may be obscured by two-dimensional areal bone mineral density (aBMD) measures, we compared quantitative computed tomography (QCT)-based vertebral bone measures among pairs of men and women from the Framingham Heart Study Multidetector Computed Tomography Study who were matched for age and spine aBMD. Measurements included vertebral body cross-sectional area (CSA, cm2), trabecular volumetric BMD (Tb.vBMD, g/cm3), integral volumetric BMD (Int.vBMD, g/cm3), estimated vertebral compressive loading and strength (Newtons) at L3, the factor-of-risk (load-to-strength ratio), and vertebral fracture prevalence. We identified 981 male-female pairs (1:1 matching) matched on age (± 1 year) and QCT-derived aBMD of L3 (± 1%), with an average age of 51 years (range 34 to 81 years). Matched for aBMD and age, men had 20% larger vertebral CSA, lower Int.vBMD (–8%) and Tb.vBMD (–9%), 10% greater vertebral compressive strength, 24% greater vertebral compressive loading, and 12% greater factor-of-risk than women (p < 0.0001 for all), as well as higher prevalence of vertebral fracture. After adjusting for height and weight, the differences in CSA and volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) between men and women were attenuated but remained significant, whereas compressive strength was no longer different. In conclusion, vertebral size, morphology, and density differ significantly between men and women matched for age and spine aBMD, suggesting that men and women attain the same aBMD by different mechanisms. These results provide novel information regarding sex-specific differences in mechanisms that underlie vertebral fragility. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Subcellular Elevation of Cytosolic Free Calcium Is Required for Osteoclast Migration
Authors: Wheal Benjamin D , Beach Ryan J , Tanabe Natsuko , Dixon S Jeffrey , Sims Stephen M
Published: August 2013

Osteoclasts are multinucleated cells responsible for the resorption of bone and other mineralized tissues during development, physiological remodeling, and pathological bone loss. Osteoclasts have the ability to resorb substrate while concurrently migrating. However, the subcellular processes underlying migration are not well understood. It has been proposed that, in other cell types, cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) regulates cell protrusion as well as retraction. Integration of these distinct events would require precise spatiotemporal patterning of subcellular Ca2+. The large size of osteoclasts offers a unique opportunity to monitor patterns of Ca2+ during cell migration. We used ratiometric imaging to map [Ca2+]i within rat and mouse osteoclasts. Migration was characterized by lamellipodial outgrowth at the leading edge, along with intermittent retraction of the uropod. Migrating osteoclasts displayed elevation of [Ca2+]i in the uropod, that began prior to retraction. Dissipation of this [Ca2+]i gradient by loading osteoclasts with the Ca2+ chelator BAPTA abolished uropod retraction, on both glass and mineralized substrates. In contrast, elevation of [Ca2+]i using ionomycin initiated prompt uropod retraction. To investigate downstream effectors, we treated cells with calpain inhibitor-1, which impaired uropod retraction. In contrast, lamellipodial outgrowth at the leading edge of osteoclasts was unaffected by any of these interventions, indicating that the signals regulating outgrowth are distinct from those triggering retraction. The large size of mature, multinucleated osteoclasts allowed us to discern a novel spatiotemporal pattern of Ca2+ involved in cell migration. Whereas localized elevation of Ca2+ is necessary for uropod retraction, lamellipod outgrowth is independent of Ca2+—a heretofore unrecognized degree of specificity underlying the regulation of osteoclast migration. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Sonographic examination of the buttock
Authors: Lee Ryan Ka Lok , Griffith James F. , Ng Alex Wing Hung , Hung Eric Liu Kin
Published: August 2013

The buttock is a common site of pathology and ultrasound and is often the first‐line imaging modality to examine soft tissue lesions of the buttock region. This review describes the ultrasound technique used, the relevant ultrasound anatomy, and the sonographic appearances of common and uncommon pathological conditions found in the buttock region. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 41:546–555, 2013.
A multidimensional approach to the analysis of chemical shift titration experiments in the frame of a multiple reaction scheme
Authors: D'Aléo Anthony , Dumont Elise , Maury Olivier , Giraud Nicolas
Published: August 2013

We present a method for fitting curves acquired by chemical shift titration experiments, in the frame of a three‐step complexation mechanism. To that end, we have implemented a fitting procedure, based on a nonlinear least squares fitting method, that determines the best fitting curve using a “coarse grid search” approach and provides distributions for the different parameters of the complexation model that are compatible with the experimental precision. The resulting analysis protocol is first described and validated on a theoretical data set. We show its ability to converge to the true parameter values of the simulated reaction scheme and to evaluate complexation constants together with multidimensional uncertainties. Then, we apply this protocol to the study of the supramolecular interactions, in aqueous solution, between a lanthanide complex and three different model molecules, using NMR titration experiments. We show that within the uncertainty that can be evaluated from the parameter distributions generated during our analysis, the affinities between the lanthanide derivative and each model molecule can be discriminated, and we propose values for the corresponding thermodynamic constants. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Block copolymer technology applied to nanoelectronics
Authors: Tallegas Salomé , Baron Thierry , Gay Guillaume , Aggrafeil Claire , Salhi Billel , Chevolleau Thierry , Cunge Gilles , Bsiesy Ahmad , Tiron Raluca , Chevalier Xavier , Navarro Christophe , Aissou Karim , Otsuka Issei , Halila Sami , Fort Sébastien , Borsali Redouane
Published: August 2013

For the last ten years, the authors of this paper have been actively involved in studying the self‐assembly of block copolymers for their high potential in nano‐patterns fabrication. The aim of this paper is to give an overview of this important work by focusing on the main systems, process and results that have been obtained. In the first part of this paper, it will be shown that, a bi‐layer and tri‐layer strategies to transfer a diblock copolymer pattern into the subjacent substrate have been developed. As a result, a generic CMOS compatible lift‐off strategy for transferring a block copolymer template to a semiconductor substrate is demonstrated. An aluminum oxide (Al2O3) hard mask is selectively deposited by atomic layer deposition in an organized array of holes obtained in a polystyrene (PS) matrix via polystyrene‐b‐poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS‐b ‐PMMA) self‐assembled layer. The Al2O3 nanodots act as a highly resistant mask to plasma etching, and are used to pattern high aspect ratio (> 10) silicon nanowires and nanopillars. Then, we report a synoptic methodology to optimize the long‐range order induced by graphoepitaxy of block copolymer (BCP) self‐assembly. Pre‐patterned structures used in the graphoepitaxy approach have been generated by e‐beam lithography on a commercial hydrogen silsquioxane resist. In a more prospective but promising approach, the second part of this paper focus on the study of the self‐assembly of rod‐coil amylose‐b‐polystyrene (Mal‐b‐PS) block copolymer. Interestingly, the nano‐organization of this block copolymer falls in an interdomain spacing of about 10 nm, much smaller than flexible‐flexible petrol block copolymer systems. In addition, hydrogen‐bonding interactions between carbohydrate rods (amylose) and 40,4‐bipyridine (bipy) molecules induce phase transitions. Such kind of systems coupled with the transferring approach and graphoepitaxy strategies exposed in this paper could permit to get ultra small (<10 nm) and well‐organized patterns. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Visual servoing of mobile robots for posture stabilization: from theory to experiments
Authors: Zhang Xuebo , Fang Yongchun , Sun Ning
Published: August 2013

On the basis of the kinematic model of a unicycle mobile robot in polar coordinates, an adaptive visual servoing strategy is proposed to regulate the mobile robot to its desired pose. By regarding the unknown depth as model uncertainty, the system error vector can be chosen as measurable signals that are reconstructed by a motion estimation technique. Then, an adaptive controller is carefully designed along with a parameter updating mechanism to compensate for the unknown depth information online. On the basis of Lyapunov techniques and LaSalle's invariance principle, rigorous stability analysis is conducted. Because the control law is elegantly designed on the basis of the polar‐coordinate‐based representation of error dynamics, the consequent maneuver behavior is natural, and the resulting path is short. Experimental results are provided to verify the performance of the proposed approach. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The challenge of using the W band in satellite communication
Authors: Riva C. , Capsoni C. , Luini L. , Luccini M. , Nebuloni R. , Martellucci A.
Published: August 2013

This contribution outlines the scenario of the expected atmospheric impairments, which affect a satellite radio link operating in the W band, as derived by the present theoretical and experimental knowledge. The paper discusses the contributions to signal fade due to gases, clouds, scintillation and rain (with emphasis also on the impact of the hydrometeor size distribution), as well as to the depolarization of the electromagnetic waves. The main objective is to assess the constraints to face in the design of a satellite telecommunication system operating in the W band. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A software architecture for virtualized educational multimedia games in IPTV environments
Authors: Rodríguez‐Silva Daniel A. , Rodríguez‐Cruz Iria , González‐Castaño Francisco J.
Published: August 2013

T‐Learning makes it possible to deliver educational content to home TVs. TV operators, which manage huge populations of devices such as set‐top‐boxes (STBs) in user homes, are considering t‐Learning as an interesting option for expanding the service they offer. However, typical STB hardware configurations are limited in terms of satisfying operator needs and do not easily support all types of applications or content. In this work, we consider graphic < e‐Adventure > educational games, which are not directly executable on typical STBs. To cover this gap and guarantee an enjoyable user experience, we present an architecture based on a combination of streaming and remote desktop protocols that relies on virtualized servers deployed in a cloud computing infrastructure. It features an original image‐encoding signalling mechanism that identifies multimedia content in educational games and permits seamless protocol switching at the client side. This architecture is a complete technological solution to virtualize heavy educational games and execute them smoothly on STB light clients over Internet Protocol Television networks. We present performance results that show that our proposal is an efficient scalable solution to deliver t‐Learning to home environments. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Grouted connections for offshore wind turbine structures
Authors: Fehling Ekkehard , Leutbecher Torsten , Schmidt Michael , Ismail Mohammed
Published: August 2013

In many cases, the design checks of grouted connections follow international standards which contain analytical design equations. In order to also obey mechanical consistency especially for structures with significant bending moment and to satisfy basic requirements according to the Eurocodes, different mechanical models have been used in practice in a number of cases. In this regard, non‐linear finite element models as well as analysis with strut and tie models have been applied. Findings from these calculations as well as from experimental investigations on both the material and the structural level are analysed and compared. In conclusion, an improved design approach based on a strut model which is easy to handle is presented and exemplified.
The Engineering of Plurilingualism Following a Blueprint for Multilingualism: The Case of Vanuatu's Education Language Policy
Authors: Willans Fiona
Published: August 2013

This article examines recent proposals in Vanuatu for a new, plurilingual education system. The article discusses these proposals with reference to three principles of plurilingualism upon which the proposals are ostensibly based: the need to value the linguistic repertoires with which children start school, the development of further linguistic resources to enhance individual potential, and the holistic integration of these resources within linguistic repertoires. The author argues that the proposals are driven not by concerns for the fostering of individual plurilingualism, but rather by an agenda of an imagined societal multilingualism within which certain languages are prioritised over all others. The result is an attempt to engineer plurilingual competence by following a blueprint for multilingualism, thus working against the needs of individuals. The article proposes a more flexible model of plurilingualism, within which teachers and learners have the freedom to negotiate meaning through whichever linguistic resources are available to them, rather than stipulating which languages should be used at any given time.
Has the World Really Survived the Population Bomb? (Commentary on “How the World Survived the Population Bomb: Lessons From 50 Years of Extraordinary Demographic History”)
Authors: Becker Stan
Published: August 2013

In his PAA presidential address and corresponding article in Demography, David Lam (Demography 48:1231–1262, 2011) documented the extraordinary progress of humankind—vis-à-vis poverty alleviation, increased schooling, and reductions in mortality and fertility—since 1960 and noted that he expects further improvements by 2050. However, although Lam briefly covered the problems of global warming and pollution, he did not address several other major environmental problems that are closely related to the rapid human population growth in recent decades and to the progress he described. This commentary highlights some of these problems to provide a more balanced perspective on the situation of the world. Specifically, humans currently are using resources at an unsustainable level. Groundwater depletion and overuse of river water are major problems on multiple continents. Fossil fuel resources and several minerals are being depleted. Other major problems include deforestation, with the annual forest clearing globally estimated to be an area the size of New York State; and species extinction, with rates estimated to be 100 to 1,000 times higher than background rates. Principles of ecological economics are presented that allow an integration of ecology and economic development and better potential for preservation of the world for future generations.
The enzyme carbonic anhydrase as an integral component of biogenic Ca‐carbonate formation in sponge spicules
Authors: Müller Werner E.G. , Schröder Heinz C. , Schlossmacher Ute , Neufurth Meik , Geurtsen Werner , Korzhev Michael , Wang Xiaohong
Published: August 2013

The inorganic scaffold of the spicules, the skeletal elements of the calcareous sponges, is formed of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). The growth of the approximately 300‐μm large spicules, such as those of the calcareous sponge Sycon raphanus used in the present study, is a rapid process with a rate of about 65 μm/h. The formation of CaCO3 is predominantly carried out by the enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA). The enzyme from the sponge S. raphanus was isolated and prepared by recombination. The CA‐driven deposition of CaCO3 crystallites is dependent on temperature (optimal at 52 °C), the pH value of the reaction assay (7.5/8.0), and the substrate concentration (CO2 and Ca2+). During the initial phase of crystallite formation, ≈40 μm large round‐shaped deposits are formed that remodel to larger prisms. These crystal‐like prisms associate to each other and form either rope‐/bundle‐like aggregates or arrange perfectly with their smaller planes along opposing surfaces of the sponge spicule rays. The CA‐dependent CaCO3 deposition can be inhibited by the CA‐specific inhibitor acetazolamide. The Michaelis–Menten constant for the CA‐driven mineralization has been determined to be around 8 mM with respect to CaCO3. The deposits formed have a Martens hardness of ≈5 GPa. The data presented here highlights for the first time that calcite deposition in the sponge system is decisively controlled enzymatically. This data will contribute to the development of new strategies applicable for the fabrication of novel biomaterials.
Playful Aggression in Early Childhood Settings
Authors: Hart Jennifer L. , Tannock Michelle T.
Published: August 2013

Aggressive behaviour, more often observed in young boys, is a relatively common factor of sociodramatic play recognised in literature to be beneficial for child development. While educators are often uncomfortable with this form of play, it may be argued that the omission of aggressive play in early childhood programmes fosters the underdevelopment of social, emotional, physical, cognitive and communicative abilities in young children. This is particularly relevant for preschool-aged boys because they engage in aggressive sociodramatic play more often than girls. This article serves to clarify definitions of serious aggression and playful aggression, conceptualise the importance of various forms of sociodramatic play in child development, and provide strategies for educators when confronted with aggressive sociodramatic play in their classrooms.
Editorial
Authors: Sanders Rachael
Published: August 2013

For me, this month brings the familial duty of caring for a relative's beloved pet while they go on an extended vacation. Despite the inevitable worry that comes with caring for someone else's pet, it has been wonderful to observe the pure joy my daughter feels when playing, patting and ‘training’ the dog to literally jump through hoops. I think I can safely say that the dog has also gained much pleasure from being doted on by an enthusiastic seven-year-old. This observation started a stream of thought about what, if anything, we know about animals’ contributions to the well-being of children who live in out-of-home care (OHC). This, in turn, led to a brief examination of the literature on this topic, which I will share with you here.
THE FIXED POINT PROPERTY IN DIRECT SUMS AND MODULUS
Authors: WIŚNICKI ANDRZEJ
Published: August 2013

We show that the direct sum $\mathop{({X}_{1} \oplus \cdots \oplus {X}_{r} )}\nolimits_{\psi } $ with a strictly monotone norm has the weak fixed point property for nonexpansive mappings whenever $M({X}_{i} )\gt 1$ for each $i= 1, \ldots , r$. In particular, $\mathop{({X}_{1} \oplus \cdots \oplus {X}_{r} )}\nolimits_{\psi } $ enjoys the fixed point property if Banach spaces ${X}_{i} $ are uniformly nonsquare. This combined with the earlier results gives a definitive answer for $r= 2$: a direct sum ${X}_{1} {\mathop{\oplus }\nolimits}_{\psi } {X}_{2} $ of uniformly nonsquare spaces with any monotone norm has the fixed point property. Our results are extended to asymptotically nonexpansive mappings in the intermediate sense.
A horizontally polarizing liquid trap enhances the tabanid-capturing efficiency of the classic canopy trap
Authors: Egri Á. , Blahó M. , Száz D. , Kriska G. , Majer J. , Herczeg T. , Gyurkovszky M. , Farkas R. , Horváth G.
Published: August 2013

Host-seeking female tabanid flies, that need mammalian blood for the development of their eggs, can be captured by the classic canopy trap with an elevated shiny black sphere as a luring visual target. The design of more efficient tabanid traps is important for stock-breeders to control tabanids, since these blood-sucking insects can cause severe problems for livestock, especially for horse- and cattle-keepers: reduced meat/milk production in cattle farms, horses cannot be ridden, decreased quality of hides due to biting scars. We show here that male and female tabanids can be caught by a novel, weather-proof liquid-filled black tray laid on the ground, because the strongly and horizontally polarized light reflected from the black liquid surface attracts water-seeking polarotactic tabanids. We performed field experiments to reveal the ideal elevation of the liquid trap and to compare the tabanid-capturing efficiency of three different traps: (1) the classic canopy trap, (2) the new polarization liquid trap, and (3) the combination of the two traps. In field tests, we showed that the combined trap captures 2.4–8.2 times more tabanids than the canopy trap alone. The reason for the larger efficiency of the combined trap is that it captures simultaneously the host-seeking female and the water-seeking male and female tabanids. We suggest supplementing the traditional canopy trap with the new liquid trap in order to enhance the tabanid-capturing efficiency.
WOMEN'S KNOWLEDGE OF ABORTION LAW AND AVAILABILITY OF SERVICES IN NEPAL
Authors: THAPA SHYAM , SHARMA SHARAD K. , KHATIWADA NARESH
Published: August 2013

This paper assesses women's awareness of the liberalization of abortion law and their knowledge of a place for obtaining abortion services in Nepal. The data are from the 2011 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey. The results are compared with data from a similar survey conducted in 2006. Variations in the two measures among several population sub-groups are analysed by performing logistic regression. Among women aged 15–44, 38.7% (CI: 37.8, 39.6) were aware of the legal status of abortion and 59.8% (CI: 58.9, 60.7) knew of a place to have an abortion. The percentages of both measures varied considerably by various population sub-groups. Over a 5-year period, knowledge of the legality of abortion increased by 6.4 percentage points, and awareness of service delivery sites increased by 3.3 percentage points. The increases in both measures were, however, largely limited to higher wealth quintiles and those with higher educational attainment. The results suggest the need to intensify efforts to educate women in Nepal, particularly the most disadvantaged women, about abortion law, including the conditions under which abortion is permitted, and where to access safe abortion services.
Success rates of endoscopic-assisted probing for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children
Authors: Theodoropoulou S , Sutherland M S M , Haddow K , Blaikie A
Published: August 2013

Objective:

To determine the success rate of initial probing in children with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction at different ages, using nasal endoscopy.

Methods:

Fifty eyes of 38 consecutive children with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction underwent endoscopic nasolacrimal duct probing under general anaesthesia. Patients were followed up for at least three months. Probing success was defined as complete remission of symptoms and a normal fluorescein dye disappearance test result.

Results:

The age range of patients was 17–109 months. The success rates of probing were: 100 per cent (29 out of 29) for cases of stenosis at the lower nasolacrimal duct, 100 per cent (7 out of 7) for functional epiphora cases and 92.86 per cent (13 out of 14) for nasolacrimal atresia cases. Overall, there was only one child for whom the probing treatment for nasolacrimal duct obstruction was not successful; this child had Down's syndrome and a more complex developmental abnormality of the nasolacrimal duct. Age and site of obstruction were not found to significantly affect the outcome of probing.

Conclusion:

Probing of the nasolacrimal system using an endoscopic approach allows direct visualisation of the nasolacrimal duct. This can facilitate diagnosis of the anomaly and significantly increase the procedure success rate.
Encountering Romanitas: Characterising the Role of Agricultural Communities in Roman Britain
Authors: Taylor Jeremy
Published: August 2013

There has been a hesitancy in academic discussion of Roman Britain to address the potential significance of the identity and agency of rural communities in shaping the provincial landscape. This article seeks to address the reasons for this before delineating some avenues by which we might better investigate this issue. Through two case studies the importance of kinship, agricultural peers and occupational identity (being farmers) are recognised as potential drivers for the course of rural life in Roman Britain. In so doing the extent to which ‘being Roman’ was really a central concern of many agricultural communities is questioned.
Whitley Castle, Northumberland: An Analytical Survey of the Fort and its Setting
Authors: Went David , Ainsworth Stewart
Published: August 2013

Analytical earthwork and geophysical surveys have advanced our understanding of the lozenge-shaped Roman fort at Whitley Castle (Northumberland), which is notable for the exceptional depth of its outer defences. Built at a higher altitude than any other fort in England, it was almost certainly positioned to control the production and shipment of lead and silver from the Alston ore-fields. Its curious shape, tailored to that of the natural knoll, necessitated some adjustment of a standard fort plan, but accommodated six buildings to the rear of the central range and four to the front. An extramural settlement and terraced fields have been recorded to the west and north, and a swathe of ground to the south may have provided space for a parade ground. Post-Roman activity is evident from the cultivation and settlement remains that override the defences; two bastle-like buildings and an eighteenth-century farmhouse once stood within the fort itself.
Effects of focus and definiteness on children's word order: evidence from German five-year-olds' reproductions of double object constructions
Authors: HÖHLE BARBARA , HÖRNIG ROBIN , WESKOTT THOMAS , KNAUF SELENE , KRÜGER AGNES
Published: August 2013

Two experiments tested how faithfully German children aged 4 ;5  to 5 ;6  reproduce ditransitive sentences that are unmarked or marked with respect to word order and focus (Exp1) or definiteness (Exp2). Adopting an optimality theory (OT) approach, it is assumed that in the German adult grammar word order is ranked lower than focus and definiteness. Faithfulness of children's reproductions decreased as markedness of inputs increased; unmarked structures were reproduced most faithfully and unfaithful outputs had most often an unmarked form. Consistent with the OT proposal, children were more tolerant against inputs marked for word order than for focus; in conflict with the proposal, children were less tolerant against inputs marked for word order than for definiteness. Our results suggest that the linearization of objects in German double object constructions is affected by focus and definiteness, but that prosodic principles may have an impact on the position of a focused constituent.
Trends in paediatric, neonatal, and adult cardiology publications over the past 10 years
Authors: Menahem Samuel , Fink Daniel , Mimouni Francis B.
Published: August 2013

Objective:Medline classifies publications as clinical trials, randomised control trials, meta-analyses, practice guidelines, reviews, case reports, editorials, and letters. We tested the hypothesis that cardiology-related publications have increased with a shift in the type of publications over the past 10 years by age category.Methods:To retrieve from Medline the cardiology articles, we used the keyword “heart disease”, but limited the search to articles in English from 2000 to 2009. We repeated the search using one limit according to the publication type and using age tags. We used regression analysis to determine the effect of the year of publication on the number of publications of each type.Results:During the 10-year period, Medline registered 152,849 cardiology articles, doubling from 10,452 in 2000 to 20,841 in 2009, of which 8.5% were tagged as both paediatric and adult. There was a linear increase in the number over the study period in the total number of publications and in all categories, except for practice guidelines. There was almost a twofold increase in adult and neonatal articles, but ∼70% in paediatric articles. The rate of increase was 66% for randomised control trials, 73% for clinical trials, 124% for meta-analyses, 117% for editorials, 36% for reviews, and 103% for case reports. Practice guidelines remained very low, increasing significantly for paediatric and neonatal articles.Conclusions:There was a substantial increase in cardiology articles over the past 10 years, being greater for adult and neonatal articles compared with paediatric articles. The increase varied according to the type of article.
Psychosocial risk in families of infants undergoing surgery for a serious congenital heart disease
Authors: Hearps Simone J. , McCarthy Maria C. , Muscara Frank , Hearps Stephen J. C. , Burke Kylie , Jones Bryn , Anderson Vicki A.
Published: August 2013

Objective:The aim of this study was to explore the acute psychosocial risk in families with infants undergoing surgery for a congenital heart disease and, secondarily, to explore the psychosocial impact of antenatal versus post-natal diagnoses.Method:The study sample comprised 39 caregivers (28 mothers) of 29 children diagnosed with a congenital heart disease and requiring surgery within the first 4 weeks of life. Psychosocial risk was measured using the Psychosocial Assessment Tool, which was adapted to include four novel items examining infant risk factors, namely, sleeping, feeding, crying, and bonding difficulties. Parents’ psychosocial risk was measured within 4 weeks after their child's surgery and stratified into a three-tiered framework: Universal, Targeted, and Clinical risk.Results:Of the total sample, 61.5% of parents were classified as Universal, that is, at lowest risk; 35.9% as Targeted, and 2.6% as Clinical. The within-family parent total Psychosocial Assessment Tool score correlations were non-significant, and there were no differences between families of infants who received post-natal versus antenatal diagnosis or single ventricle versus biventricular repair. Linear regression found that a higher parent education significantly predicted a lower total Psychosocial Assessment Tool score.Conclusions:Findings indicate that, although the majority of parents adapt to the acute stress of surgery for a serious cardiac illness in their infant, the remaining 38.5% report an increased psychosocial risk associated with higher rates of emotional distress, which may impact on the parental quality of life and capacity for optimal parenting. The distribution of psychosocial risk in parents of children undergoing surgery for a congenital heart disease is consistent with that described for parents of children with other serious paediatric diagnoses.
Atrioventricular septal defect in a case of Shwachman–Diamond syndrome
Authors: Le Gloan Laurianne , Blin Nicolas , Langlard Jean-Marc
Published: August 2013

Shwachman–Diamond syndrome is an inherited bone marrow failure and cancer predisposition syndrome that affects multiple organ systems, including bone, pancreas, and, to a lesser extent, the heart. Myocardial fibrosis, necrosis, and a case of dilated cardiomyopathy have, so far, been described. We report the first case of atrioventricular septal defect in a patient with Shwachman–Diamond syndrome.
Sleep Related Beliefs and their Association with Alcohol Relapse Following Residential Alcohol Detoxification Treatment
Authors: Smith Neil , Hill Robert , Marshall Jane , Keaney Francis , Wanigaratne Shamil
Published: August 2013

Background: Alcohol dependence is known to impact upon sleep, and poor sleep has been shown to affect relapse rates following treatment for alcohol dependence. Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between sleep problems and relapse in dependent drinkers in an inpatient setting. This was done by studying sleep related cognitions in individuals undergoing medically assisted alcohol withdrawal. Method: Sleep and sleep-related cognitions data were collected for 71 individuals undergoing detoxification treatment. Sleep was measured using sleep diaries and actigraph motion monitors. Participants completed sleep-related cognition questionnaires and were subject to telephone follow-up interviews. The results were then used to predict relapse rates 4 weeks after discharge. Results: Longer sleep onset latency recorded on the unit predicted relapse at 4 weeks. Higher dysfunctional beliefs about sleep were found to be associated with lower relapse rates. Conclusions: This study suggests that some dysfunctional beliefs about sleep may support recovery following discharge from treatment. The study further supports the need for tailored cognitive-behavioural treatments for sleep difficulties in this population to reduce relapse rates.
Behavioural effects of directive cues on front-of-package nutrition information: the combination matters!
Authors: Koenigstorfer Joerg , Wąsowicz-Kiryło Grażyna , Styśko-Kunkowska Małgorzata , Groeppel-Klein Andrea
Published: August 2013

Objective

Nutrition information aims to reduce information asymmetries between manufacturers and consumers. To date, however, it remains unclear how nutrition information that is shown on the front of the packaging should be designed in order to increase both visual attention and the tendency to make healthful food choices. The present study aimed to address this gap in research.

Design

An experimental laboratory study applying mobile eye-tracking technology manipulated the presence of two directive cues, i.e. health marks and traffic light colour-coding, as part of front-of-package nutrition information on actual food packages.

Setting

Participants wore mobile eye-tracking glasses during a simulated shopping trip. After the ostensible study had finished, they chose one snack (from an assortment of fifteen snacks) as a thank you for participation. All products were labelled with nutrition information according to the experimental condition.

Subjects

Consumers (n 160) who were mainly responsible for grocery shopping in their household participated in the study.

Results

The results showed that, in the absence of traffic light colouring, health marks reduced attention to the snack food packaging. This effect did not occur when the colouring was present. The combination of the two directive cues (v. presenting traffic light colours only) made consumers choose more healthful snacks, according to the nutrient profile.

Conclusions

Public policy makers may recommend retailers and manufacturers implement consistent front-of-pack nutrition labelling that contains both health marks and traffic light colouring as directive cues. The combination of the cues may increase the likelihood of healthful decision making.
SSR-based and carotenoid diversity assessment of tropical yellow endosperm maize inbred lines
Authors: Adeyemo Oyenike , Omidiji Olusesan
Published: August 2013

Yellow endosperm maize can be used to reduce vitamin A deficiency among many pre-school children and women of reproductive age in sub-Saharan Africa. Assessment of the genetic diversity of tropical yellow endosperm maize inbred lines will have genetic gains in breeding design to develop lines with an enhanced level of provitamin A. We screened 122 tropical yellow endosperm maize inbred lines with 62 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and 51 SSR loci were polymorphic. We detected 190 alleles with an average of 3.72 alleles per locus, and polymorphic information content values among the inbred lines varied from 0.12 to 0.74 with an average of 0.43. Genetic distance (GD) values among all the pairs of the 122 inbred lines varied from 0.02 to 0.61 with an average of 0.41 for the SSR markers. The inbred lines exhibited a substantial level of genetic diversity. Genetic diversity was also evaluated using carotenoid data. The Euclidean GDs varied from 1.00 to 9.97 with an average of 3.81 for the carotenoid data. Cluster and principal coordinate analyses revealed clear separation of maize inbred lines into SSR-based groupings and carotenoid-based groupings. Cluster based on SSR markers were predominantly consistent with known pedigree data of the inbred lines. The correlation using Mantel's test between carotenoid-based GD estimates and SSR marker-based GD estimates gave a low r value ( − 0.06). The grouping of lines will facilitate the selection of parental lines for making crosses to develop new lines with enhanced provitamin A content.
A direct digital synthesis chirped pulse Fourier transform microwave spectrometer
Authors: Finneran Ian A. , Holland Daniel B. , Carroll P. Brandon , Blake Geoffrey A.
Published: August 2013

Chirped pulse Fourier transform microwave (CP-FTMW) spectrometers have become the instrument of choice for acquiring rotational spectra, due to their high sensitivity, fast acquisition rate, and large bandwidth. Here we present the design and capabilities of a recently constructed CP-FTMW spectrometer using direct digital synthesis (DDS) as a new method for chirped pulse generation, through both a suite of extensive microwave characterizations and deep averaging of the 10-14 GHz spectrum of jet-cooled acetone. The use of DDS is more suited for in situ applications of CP-FTMW spectroscopy, as it reduces the size, weight, and power consumption of the chirp generation segment of the spectrometer all by more than an order of magnitude, while matching the performance of traditional designs. The performance of the instrument was further improved by the use of a high speed digitizer with dedicated signal averaging electronics, which facilitates a data acquisition rate of 2.1 kHz.
Photoinduced aging and viscosity evolution in Se-rich Ge-Se glasses
Authors: Gueguen Yann , King Ellyn A. , Keryvin Vincent , Sangleboeuf Jean-Christophe , Rouxel Tanguy , Bureau Bruno , Lucas Pierre
Published: August 2013

We propose here to investigate the non-equilibrium viscosity of Ge-Se glasses under and after light irradiation. Ge10Se90 and Ge20Se80 fibers have been aged in the dark and under ambient light, over months. During aging, both the relaxation of enthalpy and the viscosity have been investigated. The viscosity was measured by shear relaxation-recovery tests allowing the measurement of non-equilibrium viscosity. When Ge10Se90 glass fibers are aged under irradiation, a relatively fast fictive temperature decrease is observed. Concomitantly, during aging under irradiation, the non-equilibrium viscosity increases and reaches an equilibrium after two months of aging. This viscosity increase is also observed in Ge20Se80 fibers. Nevertheless, this equilibrium viscosity is far below the viscosity expected at the configurational equilibrium. As soon as the irradiation ceases, the viscosity increases almost instantaneously by about one order of magnitude. Then, if the fibers are kept in the dark, their viscosity slowly increases over months. The analysis of the shear relaxation functions shows that the aging is thermorheologically simple. On the other side, there is no simple relaxation between the shear relaxation functions measured under irradiation and those measured in the dark. These results clearly suggest that a very specific photoinduced aging process occurs under irradiation. This aging is due to photorelaxation. Nevertheless, the viscosity changes are not solely correlated to photoaging and photorelaxation. A scenario is proposed to explain all the observed viscosity evolutions under and after irradiation, on the basis of photoinduced transient defects.
Determination of thickness and composition of high-k dielectrics using high-energy electrons
Authors: Grande P. L. , Vos M. , Venkatachalam D. K. , Nandi S. K. , Elliman R. G.
Published: August 2013

We demonstrate the application of high-energy elastic electron backscattering to the analysis of thin (2–20 nm) HfO2 overlayers on oxidized Si substrates. The film composition and thickness are determined directly from elastic scattering peaks characteristic of each element. The stoichiometry of the films is determined with an accuracy of 5%–10%. The experimental results are corroborated by medium energy ions scattering and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry measurements, and clearly demonstrate the applicability of the technique for thin-film analysis. Significantly, the presented technique opens new possibilities for nm depth profiling with high spatial resolution in scanning electron microscopes.
Optical properties of Ge1-x-ySixSny alloys with y > x: Direct bandgaps beyond 1550 nm
Authors: Xu Chi , Jiang Liying , Kouvetakis John , Menéndez José
Published: August 2013

Ge1-x-ySixSny alloys with y > x have been grown directly on Si substrates. Room temperature photoluminescence measurements indicate that the alloys have direct bandgaps below that of pure Ge, thus representing an alternative to tensile-strained Ge and to Ge1-ySny for long-wavelength applications. In comparison with binary Ge1-ySny alloys, ternary Ge1-x-ySixSny alloys have superior stability due to their increased mixing entropy. The observation of photoluminescence from these films confirms that high-quality material can be grown in spite of the large size mismatch between Si and Sn.
Current-driven domain wall motion along high perpendicular anisotropy multilayers: The role of the Rashba field, the spin Hall effect, and the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction
Authors: Martinez Eduardo , Emori Satoru , Beach Geoffrey S. D.
Published: August 2013

The current-induced domain wall motion along a thin cobalt ferromagnetic strip sandwiched in a multilayer (Pt/Co/AlO) is theoretically studied with emphasis on the roles of the Rashba field, the spin Hall effect, and the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction. The results point out that these ingredients, originated from the spin-orbit coupling, are consistent with recent experimental observations in three different scenarios. With the aim of clarifying which is the most plausible the influence of in-plane longitudinal and transversal fields is evaluated.