bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
OPTIMAL RESPONSES TO SHORELINE CHANGES: AN INTEGRATED ECONOMIC AND GEOLOGICAL MODEL WITH APPLICATION TO CURVED COASTS
Authors: JIN DI , ASHTON ANDREW D. , HOAGLAND PORTER
Published: May 2013

The placement of sandy fill on an eroding beach, also known as “beach nourishment,” is a soft‐structure response to property loss often undertaken by coastal property owners. Here, we examine optimal beach nourishment along a curved shoreline with a model that couples geomorphic shoreline evolution with human responses to that evolution. The model includes the exogenous effects of shoreline recession due to sea‐level rise and the endogenous shoreline changes due to gradients in alongshore sediment transport. Human responses (nourishments) to shoreline changes that are not constant along the coast will change the shoreline curvature, thereby influencing local rates of shoreline change. We examine the net benefits of two alternative strategies to undertake soft structural responses to erosion: (i) the decisions of property owners to respond independently and (ii) the decisions of property owners to coordinate their individual responses. Under plausible parameterization, we find that a strategy to coordinate can dominate a strategy to act independently, and the benefits of coordination increase with greater shoreline curvature. This integration of economic and geological models demonstrates how feedbacks between human activities and natural processes can affect the evolution of the shoreline.
A method for rapid production of heteromultimeric protein complexes in plants: assembly of protective bluetongue virus‐like particles
Authors: Thuenemann Eva C. , Meyers Ann E. , Verwey Jeanette , Rybicki Edward P. , Lomonossoff George P.
Published: May 2013

Plant expression systems based on nonreplicating virus‐based vectors can be used for the simultaneous expression of multiple genes within the same cell. They therefore have great potential for the production of heteromultimeric protein complexes. This work describes the efficient plant‐based production and assembly of Bluetongue virus‐like particles (VLPs), requiring the simultaneous expression of four distinct proteins in varying amounts. Such particles have the potential to serve as a safe and effective vaccine against Bluetongue virus (BTV), which causes high mortality rates in ruminants and thus has a severe effect on the livestock trade. Here, VLPs produced and assembled in Nicotiana benthamiana using the cowpea mosaic virus–based HyperTrans (CPMV‐HT) and associated pEAQ plant transient expression vector system were shown to elicit a strong antibody response in sheep. Furthermore, they provided protective immunity against a challenge with a South African BTV‐8 field isolate. The results show that transient expression can be used to produce immunologically relevant complex heteromultimeric structures in plants in a matter of days. The results have implications beyond the realm of veterinary vaccines and could be applied to the production of VLPs for human use or the coexpression of multiple enzymes for the manipulation of metabolic pathways.
The use of imaging to detect schistosomes and diagnose schistosomiasis
Authors: Skelly P. J.
Published: May 2013

Several imaging modalities have been employed to examine schistosomes and monitor schistosome‐induced pathology. Ultrasound is a noninvasive imaging method that has long been used in the laboratory and in the field to evaluate pathological changes, notably fibrosis, that arise as a consequence of the host response to schistosome eggs lodging in a variety of tissues. Ultrasonography has been widely used to monitor changes in the extent of fibrosis and in spleen/liver enlargement following chemotherapeutic treatment for schistosomiasis. Imaging methods to monitor schistosomes themselves in vivo (as opposed to detecting schistosome‐induced pathology) include positron emission tomography and fluorescence molecular tomography. Both approaches rely on schistosome uptake of tracers that are introduced into infected animals and that can be detected externally. These methods have been used to successfully detect schistosomes in vivo and to monitor their elimination following chemotherapeutic treatment. Direct monitoring of live schistosomes in vivo has been achieved using intravital microscopy, when the infected tissues of anaesthetized animals are exposed. Finally, schistosome eggs have been visualized by confocal laser scanning microscopy in infected mice as well as in a human patient with schistosomiasis hematobium. Further advances in imaging technologies seem likely to provide greater insight into disease progression and into the biology of schistosomes in the most relevant setting–within a live animal.
A review and SWOT analysis of aquaculture development in Indonesia
Authors: Rimmer Michael A. , Sugama Ketut , Rakhmawati Diana , Rofiq Rokhmad , Habgood Richard H.
Published: May 2013

Indonesia has a long history of aquaculture, dating from the 15th century. Subsequently, the country has become a significant contributor to global aquaculture production, destined for both international and domestic markets. In 2009 the Government of Indonesia announced its vision to see Indonesia become the highest (volume) producer of aquaculture products in the world by 2015, with production targets equivalent to an overall increase in production of 353% between 2009 and 2014. This paper comprises a PEEST (policy, economic, environmental, social, technical) review undertaken as a background study for a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis, the outcomes of the SWOT analysis and a discussion of possible approaches to support sustainable aquaculture development in Indonesia. To meet the vision of a dramatic expansion of aquaculture production, one or more of the following strategies is required: intensification and production segmentation, areal expansion, and/or production diversification. Most likely the continued development of aquaculture in Indonesia will be a combination of these three strategies, with the relative influence of each depending on production sector and market demands. A key issue identified in the PEEST review and SWOT analysis is the dominance (in terms of number) of Indonesian aquaculture by smallholder aquaculture farmers. We argue that a range of influences, including aquaculture production expansion and changing international market requirements, have the potential to negatively impact smallholder aquaculture farmers in Indonesia, and that further policy development should specifically address these issues.
Ethnic Swedish Parents' experiences of minority ethnic nurses' cultural competence in Swedish paediatric care
Authors: Tavallali Azar G. , Kabir Zarina Nahar , Jirwe Maria
Published: May 2013

Background

Sweden has a population of a little more than 9.4 million. The rapid growth of immigration in Sweden has resulted in an increased number of minority ethnic patients and minority ethnic nurses in the Swedish healthcare system. This also applies to paediatric care.

Aim

The purpose of this study was to explore how parents with ethnic Swedish backgrounds experience minority ethnic nurses' cultural competence and the care the nurses provide in a Swedish paediatric care context.

Method

This exploratory qualitative study is of 14 parents with an ethnic Swedish background whose child was in a ward at a children's hospital in Stockholm County Council. Data were collected using semi‐structured interviews to identify parents' perceptions and experiences of minority ethnic nurses' cultural competence. The interviews were analysed by qualitative content analysis.

Results

The analyses of the interviews led to four main categories: influence of nurses' ethnicity; significance of cross‐cultural communication; cross‐cultural skills; and the importance of nursing education.

Conclusions

Nurses' ethnicity did not have much impact on parents' satisfaction with their child's care. The parents attached importance to nurses' language skills and to their adaptation and awareness of Swedish culture. They also attached weight to nurses' professional knowledge and personal attributes. The role of nursing education to increase nurses' cultural awareness was highlighted too.
Identification of the novel HLA‐B*50:18 allele variant in an Italian unrelated bone marrow donor
Authors: Azzarone R. , Canossi A. , Cervelli C. , Scimitarra M. , Papola F.
Published: May 2013

The HLA‐B*50:18 allele differs from the closest related B*50:01:01 by one nucleotide substitution at position 454 in exon 3.
Peptide‐binding motifs and characteristics for HLA ‐B*13:01 molecule
Authors: Zhang J. , Yang H. , Li H. , Liu F. , Jia Q. , Duan H. , Niu Y. , Bin P. , Zheng Y. , Dai Y.
Published: May 2013

Trichloroethylene (TCE)‐induced hypersensitivity dermatitis is one of the critical occupational diseases among workers in China. Our previous studies have identified a strong linkage between the disease and the HLA‐B*13:01 allele. In this study, we searched for peptides bound to the HLA‐B*13:01 molecule; 57 HLA‐B*13:01‐bound peptides in total were identified and 54 peptides were used to calculate frequency of amino acid residues to obtain binding motifs of HLA‐B*13:01 molecule. The results showed P2, P3, and P9 were the primary binding anchor positions with the dominant anchor motifs of L, Q at P2, L at P9, D at P3. HLA‐B*13:01‐bound peptides were identified for the first time in our research, the results of which could contribute to the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐binding peptides database.
Dependence of structural and electrical properties of AlGaN/GaN HEMT on Si(111) on buffer growth conditions by MBE
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Partha , Chowdhury Subhra , Wowchak Andrew , Dabiran Amir , Chow Peter , Biswas Dhrubes
Published: May 2013

Multiple AlGaN/GaN heterostructure has been grown on Si(111) substrate by molecular beam epitaxy with different buffer growth conditions. Its influence on physical and electrical properties of two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) has been investigated. Correlation between growth temperature variation in AlN intermediate layer and thick GaN buffer layer on 2DEG transport property has been observed. Besides the variation in growth temperatures, dissimilar partial doping in the thick GaN buffer has also been studied. Impact of different silicon substrate doping has been examined to inspect the electrical properties of high electron mobility transistors (HEMT). DC characteristics of large area fabricated HEMT have been compared in terms of current, transconductance, and linearity for power amplifier applications.
New weighted maximum‐intensity‐projection images from cine CT for delineation of the lung tumor plus motion
Authors: Pan Tinsu , Riegel Adam C. , Ahmad Moiz U. , Sun Xiaojun , Chang Joe Y. , Luo Dershan
Published: May 2013

Purpose:

In treatment planning of the lung tumor with 4D‐CT, maximum‐intensity‐projection (MIP) images have been used for delineation of the gross tumor volume plus motion or iGTV, which can then be revised with the multiple phases of the 4D‐CT images. Although majority of contouring can be performed with MIP, the MIP images are not recommended for delineation of iGTV if the tumor is near or connected to the diaphragm or other structures of a similar density due to insufficient contrast between the tumor and the surrounding tissues in the MIP images. To remedy this shortcoming, the authors developed a new weighted MIP (wMIP) from cine CT without respiratory gating for contouring the iGTV.

Methods:

The wMIP images are obtained by keeping one phase of the cine CT images with the largest tumor in the overlap region of the tumor and the diaphragm. Outside the overlap region, the wMIP images are identical to the MIP images. Both MIP and wMIP images are obtained without respiratory gating from cine CT.

Results:

The authors demonstrated in a study of seven patients that wMIP can achieve 92% of the iGTV from 4D‐CT. The maximum surface separation of the two iGTVs between wMIP and 4D‐CT was 1.7 mm and six out of the seven studies had less than 1 mm in surface separation between the iGTVs of wMIP and 4D‐CT.

Conclusions:

This development has the potential of enabling many CT scanners capable of cine CT to assess the respiratory motion of a lung tumor without 4D‐CT.
Primary group A streptococcal septic shock syndrome simulating perforated appendicitis in a previously healthy girl
Authors: Patel Ramnik V , Kumar Hemant , More Bharat , Rajimwale Ashok
Published: May 2013

A previously healthy 6-year-old girl that initially presented with presumed viral gastrointestinal infection for a week and later developed catastrophic primary peritonitis and septic shock requiring resuscitation and emergency exploratory laparotomy without any identifiable intra-abdominal cause of the sepsis and the peritoneal exudates grew group A streptococci. Appropriate antibiotic therapy was instituted and she made a complete recovery.
Return to play after thigh muscle injury in elite football players: implementation and validation of the Munich muscle injury classification
Authors: Ekstrand Jan , Askling Carl , Magnusson Henrik , Mithoefer Kai
Published: May 2013

Background

Owing to the complexity and heterogeneity of muscle injuries, a generally accepted classification system is still lacking.

Aims

To prospectively implement and validate a novel muscle injury classification and to evaluate its predictive value for return to professional football.

Methods

The recently described Munich muscle injury classification was prospectively evaluated in 31 European professional male football teams during the 2011/2012 season. Thigh muscle injury types were recorded by team medical staff and correlated to individual player exposure and resultant time-loss.

Results

In total, 393 thigh muscle injuries occurred. The muscle classification system was well received with a 100% response rate. Two-thirds of thigh muscle injuries were classified as structural and were associated with longer lay-off times compared to functional muscle disorders (p<0.001). Significant differences were observed between structural injury subgroups (minor partial, moderate partial and complete injuries) with increasing lay-off time associated with more severe structural injury. Median lay-off time of functional disorders was 5–8 days without significant differences between subgroups. There was no significant difference in the absence time between anterior and posterior thigh injuries.

Conclusions

The Munich muscle classification demonstrates a positive prognostic validity for return to play after thigh muscle injury in professional male football players. Structural injuries are associated with longer average lay-off times than functional muscle disorders. Subclassification of structural injuries correlates with return to play, while subgrouping of functional disorders shows less prognostic relevance. Functional disorders are often underestimated clinically and require further systematic study.
Characteristics and outcomes of patients administered blood in the prehospital environment by a road based trauma response team
Authors: Bodnar Daniel , Rashford Stephen , Hurn Catherine , Quinn Jamie , Parker Lachlan , Isoardi Katherine , Williams Sue
Published: May 2013

Objective

To describe the characteristics, clinical interventions and the outcomes of patients administered packed red blood cells (pRBCs) by a metropolitan, road based, doctor-paramedic trauma response team (TRT).

Methods

A retrospective cohort study examining 18 months of historical data collated by the Queensland Ambulance Service TRT, the Pathology Queensland Central Transfusion Laboratory, the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital and the Princess Alexandra Hospital Trauma Services was undertaken.

Results

Over an 18-month period (1 January 2011 to 30 June 2012), 71 trauma patients were administered pRBCs by the TRT. Seven patients (9.9%) died on scene and 39 of the 64 patients (60.9%) transported to hospital survived to hospital discharge. 57 (89.1%) of the transported patients had an Injury Severity Score (ISS) > 15, with a mean ISS, Revised Trauma Score (RTS) and Trauma-Injury Severity Score of 32.11, 4.70 and 0.57, respectively. No patients with an RTS < 2 survived to hospital discharge. 53 patients (82.8%) received additional pRBCs in hospital with 17 patients (26.6%) requiring greater than 10 units pRBCs in the first 24 h. 47 patients (73.4%) required surgical or interventional radiological procedures in the first 24 h.

Conclusions

There is a potential role for prehospital pRBC transfusions in an integrated civilian trauma system. The RTS calculated using the initial set of observations may be a useful tool in determining in which patients the administration of prehospital pRBC transfusions would be futile.
Sexual and seasonal dimorphism in adult adfluvial bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus)
Authors: Nitychoruk J.M. , Gutowsky L.F.G. , Harrison P.M. , Hossie T.J. , Power M. , Cooke S.J.
Published: May 2013

Sexual dimorphism in fishes may be obvious during the reproductive period and less clear during the nonreproductive periods. Despite being difficult to discern during the nonreproductive period, sex-related differences in body condition and shape can yield important insights into a species’ behaviour and ecology. The purpose of this study was to test hypotheses about body condition and shape variation related to sex and season (nonreproductive and reproductive periods) in a population of adult adfluvial bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus (Suckley, 1859)), which is a poorly understood and imperiled species across much of its range. Geometric morphometric samples were collected by angling in the spring and late summer in a reservoir in British Columbia. Principal components analysis identified two principal components (PC) that were related to body condition and that varied according to season and sex. Spring-caught females were in better body condition than spring-caught males. There was a significant sex × season interaction on body condition such that late-summer males were not different from late-summer females. Spawning bull trout exhibited a decline in body condition during the summer season. An additional PC that described head size was found to vary significantly between sexes; however, an assignment test showed that it failed to reliably distinguish between the sexes. We hypothesized that the ecology of these animals, including sex-specific behaviour, is responsible for sexual and seasonal differences in bull trout body condition and morphology. This study offers new insight into the ecology of bull trout and shows that shape data for fishes can be obtained nonlethally, which is particularly important for species that are imperiled.
QUANTUM GLASS TRANSITION AT FINITE TEMPERATURE IN TWO-DIMENSIONAL ELECTRON LAYERS
Authors: NEILSON DAVID , HAMILTON ALEXANDER R. , THAKUR JAGDISH S.
Published: May 2013

We have investigated the formation of a quantum glass at finite temperatures in low-density two-dimensional conducting systems in semiconductor heterostructures. Using a memory function formalism we have determined the quantum glass melting curve for weak disorder as a function of density and temperature, and show that the glass-liquid transition is only weakly affected by increasing temperature at the least up to the Fermi temperature.
PHYTOSYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES USING CALLUS OF JATROPHA CURCAS: A BIOTECHNOLOGICAL APPROACH
Authors: DEMISSIE A. G. , LELE S. S.
Published: May 2013

The present study reports a rapid plant-based biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using callus extract of Jatropha curcas L. The particle size and morphological analyses were carried out using Zetasizer, SEM, TEM. The physicochemical properties were monitored using UV-Vis spectroscopic, IR and DSC. The formation of silver nanoparticle was confirmed by using UV-Vis spectrophotometer and absorbance peaks at 421 nm. The silver nanoparticle was found to be a negatively charged with size ranging from 2 nm to 50 nm. The morphology of the nanoparticle is uniformly spherical and has a dispersion ratio of 0.14. The physicochemical study using DSC indicated significant thermal stability and crystalline nature of the nanoparticle. This intracellular biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles is simple, cheap and eco-friendly than other mechanical and chemical approaches.
μ-Nitrido diiron octaethylporphyrin complex: synthesis and properties
Authors: Kudrik Evgeny V. , Albrieux Florian , Afanasiev Pavel , Sorokin Alexander B.
Published: May 2013

μ-nitrido diiron porphyrin complex ( OEPFe )2 N (OEP = octaethylporphyrinato dianion) was synthesized by the treatment of ( OEPFe ) Cl with hydrazoic acid followed by the thermal decomposition of formed ( OEPFe ) N 3 complex. The ( OEPFe )2 N complex was investigated by UV-vis, IR, HR ESI-TOF MS and EPR spectroscopic methods. EXAFS study indicated a very short Fe – Fe distance of 3.30 Å in this dimer compared with 3.48 Å distance between iron sites in the related μ-nitrido diiron complex on the tetraphenylporphyrin platform. This difference can be explained by the steric hindrance exerted by phenyl substituents in the latter. The spectral properties of the ( OEPFe )2 N complex are discussed. The catalytic properties of ( OEPFe )2 N were evaluated in the oxidation of cyclohexene and cyclohexane.
THE PERFORMANCE OF CONDENSER UNDER DIFFERENT VEHICLE SPEEDS
Authors: SHEN CHIH-CHIU , LU JAU-HUAI
Published: May 2013

Due to the concern in energy shortage and environmental protection, electric vehicle is considered to be a substitute for the conventional gasoline-powered vehicles due to its characteristics of high efficiency and no emission. However, the load of air conditioning causes a serious problem for electric vehicles, especially in tropical and subtropical areas. The compressor of conventional air conditioning system is driven by engine and its speed is thus coupled to vehicle speed. In electric vehicles, the compressor is driven by electric motors and compressor speed could be decoupled to vehicle speed. This mechanism provides an opportunity to improve the energy efficiency of electric vehicle since the operation of air conditioning system may be independent of vehicle speed. The purpose of this paper is to find out the electric fan operation model as vehicle speed is varied. This paper was to establish a theoretical model for the condenser of automotive air conditioner and to conduct simulation to evaluate the effect of vehicle speed on the cooling capacity and sub-cooling of condenser. Results of simulation demonstrated that vehicle with 6 km h-1 speed has the 5°C of sub-cooling at 0.0266 kg s-1 of refrigerant flow rate and the cooling capacity was 4.93 kW. In this study, an increase of 16.6% in cooling capacity can be reached as the speed of vehicle was raised from 6 to 110 km h-1 and can promote the sub-cooling to 19.5°C. It was also found that the cooling capacity of air conditioner is extremely sensitive to vehicle speed while the vehicle is running at low speed. Furthermore, increases in the vehicle speed resulted in reduction of the length of superheat region from 17.5 to 8.5 cm. Finally, a correlation among these variables and the simulated cooling capacity was obtained in this study, enabling the relevant researchers to evaluate automotive air conditioner performance under different vehicle speeds more easily.
EFFECT OF pH ON THE DETECTION OF EXPLOSIVE IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION USING A HYPERBRANCHED POLYTRIAZOLE WITH AGGREGATION-INDUCED EMISSION CHARACTERISTICS
Authors: WANG JIAN , MEI JU , SHEN XIAOYUAN , QIN ANJUN , SUN JING ZHI , TANG BEN ZHONG
Published: May 2013

The detection of explosives is crucial for civilian safety and environmental protection. The detection in harsh conditions, such as different pH values, is rarely reported. In this paper, using an AIE-active hyperbranched polymer (hb-P1a), the pH effect on explosive detection in aqueous was first studied. The hb-P1a aggregates are highly sensitive to explosive in acid to basic media, indicating that they are tolerant to various pH conditions. Improved detection efficiency of the polymer was recorded in the acid solution (K up to 8.26 × 104 M-1). Furthermore, the prototype devices of hb-P1a in filter papers could sense the PA in varying pH solutions. These advantages make the polymer a good candidate for explosive detection in various practical applications.
Reactive and Infective Dermatoses Associated with Adult-Onset Immunodeficiency due to Anti-Interferon-Gamma Autoantibody: Sweet's Syndrome and Beyond
Authors: Chan Jasper Fuk-Woo , Trendell-Smith Nigel Jeremy , Chan Johnny Chun-Yin , Hung Ivan Fan-Ngai , Tang Bone Siu-Fai , Cheng Vincent Chi-Chung , Yeung Chi-Keung , Yuen Kwok-Yung
Published: May 2013

Immunodeficiency due to anti-interferon-gamma autoantibody (anti-IFN-γ autoAb) is an emerging adult-onset immunodeficiency syndrome predominantly found in Southeast Asians. It is associated with severe or disseminated infections caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) and other opportunistic pathogens. We describe 3 patients with anti-IFN-γ autoAb who developed reactive and infective dermatoses, and thoroughly review the existing literature on dermatoses associated with the immunodeficiency syndrome. Case 1 developed Sweet's syndrome associated with Mycobacterium chelonae lymphadenitis and penicilliosis. Case 2 suffered from multiple episodes of lobular panniculitis during recurrent infections by NTM, Penicillium marneffei and Burkholderia pseudomallei. Both cases responded to immunomodulating agents including corticosteroid and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Case 3 had direct skin invasion by M. chelonae and responded to prolonged anti-mycobacterial therapy. A novel working algorithm is proposed for the diagnosis and treatment of these patients who may be encountered by the dermatologist and histopathologist in clinical practice.
Immunoreactive Endothelin-1 and Endothelin A Receptor in Basilar Artery Perivascular Nerves of Young and Adult Capybaras
Authors: Loesch Andrzej , Dashwood Michael R. , Coppi Antonio A.
Published: May 2013

The purpose of this qualitative morphological study was the immunocytochemical and ultrastructural comparison of perivascular nerves of the basilar artery (BA) of young (6-month-old) and adult (12-month-old) capybaras - adult capybaras showed regression of the internal carotid artery (ICA). The study focused on immunolabeling for the vasoactive peptide endothelin-1 (ET-1) and endothelin A receptor (ETA) as well as for the synapse marker synaptophysin (SYP). In the BA of young capybaras, immunoreactivity for ET-1, ETA receptor and SYP was detected in perivascular nerve varicosities and/or intervaricosities. Immunoreactivity for ET-1 and ETA receptor was also displayed by some Schwann cells, which accompanied perivascular nerves. In addition to the presence of the above-described perivascular nerve characteristics, the BA of adult animals also revealed structurally altered perivascular nerves, where axon profiles were irregular in shape with dense axoplasm, while the cytoplasm of Schwann cells was vacuolated and contained myelin-like figures. These structurally altered perivascular nerves displayed immunoreactivity for ET-1, ETA receptor and SYP. These results show that the ET-1 system is present in some of the BA perivascular nerves and it is likely that this system is affected during animal maturation when ICA regression takes place. The role of ET-1 in cerebrovascular nerves is still unclear but its involvement in neural (sensory) control of cerebral blood flow and nerve function is possible.
Paracrine Effects and Heterogeneity of Marrow-Derived Stem/Progenitor Cells: Relevance for the Treatment of Respiratory Diseases
Authors: Conese Massimo , Carbone Annalucia , Castellani Stefano , Di Gioia Sante
Published: May 2013

Stem cell-based treatment may represent a hope for the treatment of acute lung injury and pulmonary fibrosis, and other chronic lung diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is well established in preclinical models that bone marrow-derived stem and progenitor cells exert beneficial effects on inflammation, immune responses and repairing of damage in virtually all lung-borne diseases. While it was initially thought that the positive outcome was due to a direct engraftment of these cells into the lung as endothelial and epithelial cells, paracrine factors are now considered the main mechanism through which stem and progenitor cells exert their therapeutic effect. This knowledge has led to the clinical use of marrow cells in pulmonary hypertension with endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and in COPD with mesenchymal stromal (stem) cells (MSCs). Bone marrow-derived stem cells, including hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, MSCs, EPCs and fibrocytes, encompass a wide array of cell subsets with different capacities of engraftment and injured tissue-regenerating potential. The characterization/isolation of the stem cell subpopulations represents a major challenge to improve the efficacy of transplantation protocols used in regenerative medicine and applied to lung disorders.
The DSM-5 Personality Disorder Proposal and Future Directions in the Diagnostic Classification of Personality Disorder
Authors: Livesley John
Published: May 2013

Background: The compilation of DSM-5 presented a substantial opportunity to develop a coherent, evidence-based classification of personality disorder. The irremediable problems with DSM-IV are widely recognized, the field seemed ready for change, and the data and methods for constructing a scientific classification are readily available. Rather than seize this opportunity, DSM-5 advanced an incoherent proposal lacking in evidential support and too poorly organized for clinical use. Methods: This article examines the problems with the proposal based on a consideration of the basic requirements of a satisfactory classification. It is suggested that an adequate system should have an explicit and coherent conceptual structure, be based on the best available scientific evidence, possess clinical utility, and be as parsimonious as possible. Results: The DSM-5 proposal fails to meet these criteria. Problems with the product and process suggest the need for a radical reconsideration of how personality disorders are classified and how classifications are compiled. Conclusions: The article proposes that greater emphasis be placed on developing a classification that provides the diagnostic information clinicians need to treat personality disorder and that future classifications should be constructed through an explicit process that is open to public scrutiny.
Effects of Intermittent Hypoxia on Cognitive Performance and Quality of Life in Elderly Adults: A Pilot Study
Authors: Schega Lutz , Peter Beate , Törpel Alexander , Mutschler Harry , Isermann Berend , Hamacher Dennis
Published: May 2013

Background: Physical exercise has a positive effect on cognitive performance and quality of life (QoL). One reason for this is the upregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which improves brain plasticity. Intermittent hypoxia promotes first the proliferation of endogenous neuroprogenitors which leads to an increased number of newborn neurons and second the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the adult hippocampus. Intermittent hypoxia may, therefore, support synaptic plasticity, the process of learning and provoke antidepressant-like effects. Hence, intermittent hypoxia might also lead to improved cognitive functioning and QoL. Objective: This study aims to evaluate to what extent physical activity with preceded intermittent hypoxic training is more effective than solely strength-endurance training on cognitive performance and QoL. Methods: 34 retired people aged between 60 and 70 years were randomly assigned to a control group or intervention group. Contrarily to the control group, which was supplied with a placebo air mixture, the intervention group was supplied with an intermittent hypoxic training prior to a strength-endurance exercise program. The cognitive performance of individuals was examined using the d2 test and the Number Combination Test (ZVT) both before and after the exercise program. We assessed QoL with the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey (SF-12) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the strength-endurance capacity using the Spring test. Results: Regarding the d2 test, a time × group effect was observed. Speed of cognitive performance in seconds was measured using ZVT. Here, no interaction effect was discovered. An interaction effect was not found in the Physical Component Summary scores (SF-12). Regarding the Mental Component Summary, an interaction effect just failed to become statistically significant. Furthermore, we determined sleep quality with the PSQI. Here, an interaction effect was observed. The analysis of the strength-endurance test revealed no interaction effects. Conclusion: The data of the current study suggest that an additional intermittent hypoxic training combined with physical exercise augments the positive effects of exercise on cognitive performance and QoL in elderly humans.
Interhemispheric Communication Influences Reading Behavior
Authors: Van der Haegen Lise , Cai Qing , Stevens Michaël A. , Brysbaert Marc
Published: May 2013

We can read words at an amazing speed, with the left hemisphere taking the burden of the processing in most readers (i.e., over 95% of right-handers and about 75% of left-handers). Yet, it is a long-standing question whether word reading in central vision is possible without information transfer between the left and right hemispheres (LH/RH). Here we show that such communication is required by comparing word naming latencies and eye movement data of people with LH language dominance and a unique sample of healthy RH dominant people. The results reveal that individuals with LH speech dominance name words faster when they are allowed to fixate at the word beginning, whereas RH dominants are faster for fixations toward the end. In text reading, the eyes of LH dominants land more to the left than the eyes of RH dominants, making more information directly available to the dominant hemisphere. We conclude that the traditional view of bilateral projections in central vision is incorrect. In contrast, interhemispheric communication is needed in central vision, and eye movements are adjusted to optimize information uptake. Our findings therefore call into question the explanation of macular sparing in hemianopia based on a bilaterally projecting fovea. In addition, these results are in line with the increase of white matter in the splenium of the corpus callosum when people learn to read.
ERPs and Neural Oscillations during Volitional Suppression of Memory Retrieval
Authors: Depue Brendan Eliot , Ketz Nick , Mollison Matthew V. , Nyhus Erika , Banich Marie T. , Curran Tim
Published: May 2013

Although investigations of memory and the dynamics of ERP components and neural oscillations as assessed through EEG have been well utilized, little research into the volitional nature of suppression over memory retrieval have used these methods. Oscillation analyses conducted on the Think/No-Think (TNT) task and volitional suppression of retrieval are of interest to broaden our knowledge of neural oscillations associated not only during successful memory retrieval but also when retrieval is unwanted or suppressed. In the current study, we measured EEG during a TNT task and performed ERP and EEG spectral power band analyses. ERP results replicated other researchers' observations of increases in 500–800 msec parietal effects for items where retrieval was instructed to be elaborated compared with being suppressed. Furthermore, EEG analyses indicated increased alpha (8–12 Hz) and theta (3–8 Hz) oscillations across parietal electrodes for items that were instructed to be suppressed versus those to be elaborated. Additionally, during the second half of the experiment (after repeated attempts at control), increases in theta oscillations were found across both frontal and parietal electrodes for items that were instructed to be suppressed and that were ultimately forgotten versus those ultimately remembered. Increased alpha power for items that were instructed to be suppressed versus elaborated may indicate reductions of retrieval attempts or lack of retrieval success. Increased theta power for items that were instructed to be suppressed versus elaborated may indicate increased or prolonged cognitive control to monitor retrieval events.
New species of the cleptoparasitic bee genus Stelis (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae, Anthidiini) from the Nearctic Region
Authors: PARKER FRANK D. , GRISWOLD TERRY
Published: May 2013

Descriptions and diagnoses of ten new Nearctic species of Stelis subgenus Stelis are presented: S. alta, S. anasazi, S. an-thocopae, S. broemelingi, S. imperialis, S. joanae, S. lamelliterga, S. occidentalis, S. paiute, and S. shoshone. Six of these species have been reared from trapnests. Host associations, all within the tribe Osmiini (Megachilidae), are provided.
The Nonlinear and Nonlocal Nature of Climate Feedbacks
Authors: Feldl Nicole , Roe Gerard H.
Published: May 2013

The climate feedback framework partitions the radiative response to climate forcing into contributions from individual atmospheric processes. The goal of this study is to understand the closure of the energy budget in as much detail and precision as possible, within as clean an experimental setup as possible. Radiative kernels and radiative forcing are diagnosed for an aquaplanet simulation under perpetual equinox conditions. The role of the meridional structure of feedbacks, heat transport, and nonlinearities in controlling the local climate response is characterized. Results display a combination of positive subtropical feedbacks and polar amplified warming. These two factors imply a critical role for transport and nonlinear effects, with the latter acting to substantially reduce global climate sensitivity. At the hemispheric scale, a rich picture emerges: anomalous divergence of heat flux away from positive feedbacks in the subtropics; nonlinear interactions among and within clear-sky feedbacks, which reinforce the pattern of tropical cooling and high-latitude warming tendencies; and strong ice-line feedbacks that drive further amplification of polar warming. These results have implications for regional climate predictability, by providing an indication of how spatial patterns in feedbacks combine to affect both the local and nonlocal climate response, and how constraining uncertainty in those feedbacks may constrain the climate response.
Temperature Change on the Antarctic Peninsula Linked to the Tropical Pacific*
Authors: Ding Qinghua , Steig Eric J.
Published: May 2013

Significant summer warming over the eastern Antarctic Peninsula in the last 50 years has been attributed to a strengthening of the circumpolar westerlies, widely believed to be anthropogenic in origin. On the western side of the peninsula, significant warming has occurred mainly in austral winter and has been attributed to the reduction of sea ice. The authors show that austral fall is the only season in which spatially extensive warming has occurred on the Antarctic Peninsula. This is accompanied by a significant reduction of sea ice cover off the west coast. In winter and spring, warming is mainly observed on the west side of the peninsula. The most important large-scale forcing of the significant widespread warming trend in fall is the extratropical Rossby wave train associated with tropical Pacific sea surface temperature anomalies. Winter and spring warming on the western peninsula reflects the persistence of sea ice anomalies arising from the tropically forced atmospheric circulation changes in austral fall.
Observed versus GCM-Generated Local Tropical Cyclone Frequency: Comparisons Using a Spatial Lattice
Authors: Strazzo Sarah , Elsner James B. , LaRow Timothy , Halperin Daniel J. , Zhao Ming
Published: May 2013

Of broad scientific and public interest is the reliability of global climate models (GCMs) to simulate future regional and local tropical cyclone (TC) occurrences. Atmospheric GCMs are now able to generate vortices resembling actual TCs, but questions remain about their fidelity to observed TCs. Here the authors demonstrate a spatial lattice approach for comparing actual with simulated TC occurrences regionally using observed TCs from the International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS) dataset and GCM-generated TCs from the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) High Resolution Atmospheric Model (HiRAM) and Florida State University (FSU) Center for Ocean–Atmospheric Prediction Studies (COAPS) model over the common period 1982–2008. Results show that the spatial distribution of TCs generated by the GFDL model compares well with observations globally, although there are areas of over- and underprediction, particularly in parts of the Pacific Ocean. Difference maps using the spatial lattice highlight these discrepancies. Additionally, comparisons focusing on the North Atlantic Ocean basin are made. Results confirm a large area of overprediction by the FSU COAPS model in the south-central portion of the basin. Relevant to projections of future U.S. hurricane activity is the fact that both models underpredict TC activity in the Gulf of Mexico.
North-Central Pacific Tropical Cyclones: Impacts of El Niño–Southern Oscillation and the Madden–Julian Oscillation
Authors: Klotzbach Philip J. , Blake Eric S.
Published: May 2013

Both El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) have been documented in previous research to impact tropical cyclone (TC) activity around the globe. This study examines the relationship of each mode individually along with a combined index on tropical cyclone activity in the north-central Pacific. Approximately twice as many tropical cyclones form in the north-central Pacific in El Niño years compared with La Niña years. These differences are attributed to a variety of factors, including warmer sea surface temperatures, lower sea level pressures, increased midlevel moisture, and anomalous midlevel ascent in El Niño years. When the convectively enhanced phase of the MJO is located over the eastern and central tropical Pacific, the north-central Pacific tends to have more tropical cyclone activity, likely because of reduced vertical wind shear, lower sea level pressures, and increased vertical motion. The convectively enhanced phase of the MJO is also responsible for most of the TCs that undergo rapid intensification in the north-central Pacific. A combined MJO–ENSO index that is primarily associated with anomalous rising motion over the tropical eastern Pacific has an even stronger relationship with north-central Pacific TCs, as well as rapid intensification, than either individually.
A Quality Control Procedure for FY-3A MWTS Measurements with Emphasis on Cloud Detection Using VIRR Cloud Fraction
Authors: Li Juan , Zou Xiaolei
Published: May 2013

A quality control (QC) procedure for satellite radiance assimilation is proposed and applied to radiance observations from the Microwave Temperature Sounder (MWTS) on board the first satellite of the Chinese polar-orbiting Fengyun-3 series (FY-3A). A cloud detection algorithm is incorporated based on the cloud fraction product provided by the Visible and Infrared Radiometer (VIRR) on board FY-3A. Analysis of the test results conducted in July 2011 indicates that most clouds are identifiable by applying an FY-3A VIRR cloud fraction threshold of 37%. This result is verified with the cloud liquid water path data from the Meteorological Operational Satellite A (MetOp-A). On average, 56.1% of the global MWTS data are identified as cloudy by the VIRR-based cloud detection method. Other QC steps include the following: (i) two outmost field of views (FOVs), (ii) use of channel 3 if the terrain altitude is greater than 500 m, (iii) channel 2 over sea ice and land, (iv) coastal FOVs, and (v) outliers with large differences between model simulations and observations. About 82%, 74%, and 29% of the MWTS observations are removed by the proposed QC for channels 2–4, respectively. An approximate 0.5-K scan bias improvement is achieved with QC, with a large impact at edges of the field of regard for channels 2–4. After QC, FY-3A MWTS global data more closely resemble the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) forecast data, the global biases and standard deviations are reduced significantly, and the frequency distribution of the differences between observations and model simulations become more Gaussian.
After the Corporation
Authors: Davis Gerald F.
Published: May 2013

Shareholder-owned corporations were the central pillars of the US economy in the twentieth century. Due to the success of the shareholder value movement and the widespread “Nikefication” of production, however, public corporations have become less concentrated, less integrated, less interconnected at the top, shorter-lived, and less prevalent since the turn of the twenty-first century, and there is reason to expect that their significance will continue to dwindle. We are left with both pathologies (heightened inequality, lower mobility, and a fragmented social safety net) and new technologies suitable for being repurposed in more democratic forms. Local solutions for producing, distributing, and sharing can provide functional alternatives to corporations for both production and employment; what is needed is the social organization to match the tools that we already have, or will have shortly. The time for democratic local economic forms prophesied by generations of activists may finally be at hand.
In Vitro Hydrodynamics of Four Bileaflet Valves in Mitral Position
Authors: Feng Zhong Gang , Umezu Mitsuo , Fujimoto Tetsuo , Tsukahara Toshiya , Nurishi Masakazu , Kawaguchi Daisuke
Published: May 2013

Hydrodynamics of St. Jude Medical, Carbomedics, Advancing The Standard, and On-X bileaflet valves with an annular diameter of 25 mm were obtained using an in-vitro test system. Steady flow studies demonstrated different pressure drops due to differences in valve design, particularly the geometric orifice diameter and the opening angle. The On-X valve produced the least pressure drop, whereas the Carbomedics valve had the greatest pressure drop. In pulsatile flow experiments, the On-X and St. Jude Medical valves consistently produced the lowest mean positive pressure gradients, while the Carbomedics valve had the highest gradients. In spite of its parallel leaflets design, the On-X valve showed a closing volume as small as that of Carbomedics valve. The results indicate that a larger orifice diameter and greater opening angle can significantly reduce transvalvular pressure loss. This study also demonstrated that attempts to improve the hydrodynamic efficacy of the On-X valve were successful in reducing the pressure gradient as well as maintaining a low closing volume.
Unusual Left Ventricular Function and Survival in Peripartum Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Bhargava Mandeep , Singh Mandeep , Suresh Pujar Venkateshacharya , Juneja Rajneesh , Bali Harinder Kumar , Varma Jagmohan
Published: May 2013

A 34-year-old woman presented with congestive heart failure 3 months after her third pregnancy. She was stabilized in New York Heart Association functional class II with digoxin and diuretics for 21 years. She was readmitted with worsening symptoms and found to have a regional contraction abnormality. With the addition of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors to her medication, she has been maintained in functional class III for a further 4 years.
Giant Coronary Aneurysm Presenting as Acute Ventricular Septal Rupture
Authors: Naik Madhava Janardhan , Lim Chong Hee , Ding Zee Pin , Chua Yeow Leng
Published: May 2013

Giant coronary aneurysm presented initially as acute ventricular septal rupture in a 65-year-old man. At surgery, aneurysms measuring more than 10 cm each were found in the right coronary and left anterior descending arteries. The right coronary artery was bypassed and the aneurysm was plicated. A 2-cm ventricular septal defect was patched. Postoperatively, the patient's condition deteriorated and he succumbed to septic shock.