bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of GlcNAc-Processing Glycosidases by C-6-Azido-NAG-Thiazoline and Its Derivatives
Authors: Krejzová Jana , Šimon Petr , Kalachova Lubica , Kulik Natallia , Bojarová Pavla , Marhol Petr , Pelantová Helena , Cvačka Josef , Ettrich Rüdiger , Slámová Kristýna , Křen Vladimír
Published: March 2014

NAG-thiazoline is a strong competitive inhibitor of GH20 β-N-acetyl- hexosaminidases and GH84 β-N-acetylglucosaminidases. Here, we focused on the design, synthesis and inhibition potency of a series of new derivatives of NAG-thiazoline modified at the C-6 position. Dimerization of NAG-thiazoline via C-6 attached triazole linkers prepared by click chemistry was employed to make use of multivalency in the inhibition. Novel compounds were tested as potential inhibitors of β-N-acetylhexosaminidases from Talaromyces flavus, Streptomyces plicatus (both GH20) and β-N-acetylglucosaminidases from Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron and humans (both GH84). From the set of newly prepared NAG-thiazoline derivatives, only C-6-azido-NAG-thiazoline displayed inhibition activity towards these enzymes; C-6 triazole-substituted NAG-thiazolines lacked inhibition activity against the enzymes used. Docking of C-6-azido-NAG-thiazoline into the active site of the tested enzymes was performed. Moreover, a stability study with GlcNAc-thiazoline confirmed its decomposition at pH < 6 yielding 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-1-thio-α/β-D-glucopyranoses, which presumably dimerize oxidatively into S-S linked dimers; decomposition products of NAG-thiazoline are void of inhibitory activity.
Dietary Zinc Deficiency Affects Blood Linoleic Acid: Dihomo-γ-linolenic Acid (LA:DGLA) Ratio; a Sensitive Physiological Marker of Zinc Status in Vivo (Gallus gallus)
Authors: Reed Spenser , Qin Xia , Ran-Ressler Rinat , Brenna James , Glahn Raymond , Tako Elad
Published: March 2014

Zinc is a vital micronutrient used for over 300 enzymatic reactions and multiple biochemical and structural processes in the body. To date, sensitive and specific biological markers of zinc status are still needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate Gallus gallus as an in vivo model in the context of assessing the sensitivity of a previously unexplored potential zinc biomarker, the erythrocyte linoleic acid: dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (LA:DGLA) ratio. Diets identical in composition were formulated and two groups of birds (n = 12) were randomly separated upon hatching into two diets, Zn(+) (zinc adequate control, 42.3 μg/g zinc), and Zn(−) (zinc deficient, 2.5 μg/g zinc). Dietary zinc intake, body weight, serum zinc, and the erythrocyte fatty acid profile were measured weekly. At the conclusion of the study, tissues were collected for gene expression analysis. Body weight, feed consumption, zinc intake, and serum zinc were higher in the Zn(+) control versus Zn(−) group (p < 0.05). Hepatic TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 gene expression were higher in the Zn(+) control group (p < 0.05), and hepatic Δ6 desaturase was significantly higher in the Zn(+) group (p < 0.001). The LA:DGLA ratio was significantly elevated in the Zn(−) group compared to the Zn(+) group (22.6 ± 0.5 and 18.5 ± 0.5, % w/w, respectively, p < 0.001). This study suggests erythrocyte LA:DGLA is able to differentiate zinc status between zinc adequate and zinc deficient birds, and may be a sensitive biomarker to assess dietary zinc manipulation.
Spatio-Temporal Assessment of Tuz Gölü, Turkey as a Potential Radiometric Vicarious Calibration Site
Authors: Odongo Vincent , Hamm Nicholas , Milton Edward
Published: March 2014

The paper provides an assessment of Tuz Gölü, a site in Turkey proposed for the radiometric vicarious calibration of satellite sensors, in terms of its spatial homogeneity as expressed in visible and near-infrared (VNIR) wavelengths over a 25-year period (1984–2009). By combining the coefficient of variation (CV) and Getis statistic (Gi*), a spatially homogenous and temporally stable area at least 720 m × 330 m in size was identified. Analysis of mid-summer Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) images acquired over the period 1984–2009 showed that the hemispherical-directional reflectance factor of this area had a spatial variability, as defined by the CV, in the range of 0.99% to 3.99% in Landsat TM bands 2–4. This is comparable with the reported variability of other test sites around the world, but this is the first time an area has been shown to have this degree of homogeneity over such a long period of time.
On the Acoustic Filtering of the Pipe and Sensor in a Buried Plastic Water Pipe and its Effect on Leak Detection: An Experimental Investigation
Authors: Almeida Fabrício , Brennan Michael , Joseph Phillip , Whitfield Stuart , Dray Simon , Paschoalini Amarildo
Published: March 2014

Acoustic techniques have been used for many years to find and locate leaks in buried water distribution systems. Hydrophones and accelerometers are typically used as sensors. Although geophones could be used as well, they are not generally used for leak detection. A simple acoustic model of the pipe and the sensors has been proposed previously by some of the authors of this paper, and their model was used to explain some of the features observed in measurements. However, simultaneous measurements of a leak using all three sensor-types in controlled conditions for plastic pipes has not been reported to-date and hence they have not yet been compared directly. This paper fills that gap in knowledge. A set of measurements was made on a bespoke buried plastic water distribution pipe test rig to validate the previously reported analytical model. There is qualitative agreement between the experimental results and the model predictions in terms of the differing filtering properties of the pipe-sensor systems. A quality measure for the data is also presented, which is the ratio of the bandwidth over which the analysis is carried out divided by the centre frequency of this bandwidth. Based on this metric, the accelerometer was found to be the best sensor to use for the test rig described in this paper. However, for a system in which the distance between the sensors is large or the attenuation factor of the system is high, then it would be advantageous to use hydrophones, even though they are invasive sensors.
A Caregiver Support Platform within the Scope of an Ambient Assisted Living Ecosystem
Authors: Costa Angelo , Novais Paulo , Simoes Ricardo
Published: March 2014

The Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) area is in constant evolution, providing new technologies to users and enhancing the level of security and comfort that is ensured by house platforms. The Ambient Assisted Living for All (AAL4ALL) project aims to develop a new AAL concept, supported on a unified ecosystem and certification process that enables a heterogeneous environment. The concepts of Intelligent Environments, Ambient Intelligence, and the foundations of the Ambient Assisted Living are all presented in the framework of this project. In this work, we consider a specific platform developed in the scope of AAL4ALL, called UserAccess. The architecture of the platform and its role within the overall AAL4ALL concept, the implementation of the platform, and the available interfaces are presented. In addition, its feasibility is validated through a series of tests.
Symmetry Aspects of Dislocation-Effected Crystal Properties: Material Strength Levels and X-ray Topographic Imaging
Authors: Armstrong Ronald
Published: March 2014

Several materials science type research topics are described in which advantageous use of crystal symmetry considerations has been helpful in ferreting the essential elements of dislocation behavior in determining material properties or for characterizing crystal/polycrystalline structural relationships; for example: (1) the mechanical strengthening produced by a symmetrical bicrystal grain boundary; (2) cleavage crack formation at the intersection within a crystal of symmetrical dislocation pile-ups; (3) symmetry aspects of anisotropic crystal indentation hardness measurements; (4) X-ray diffraction topography imaging of dislocation strains and subgrain boundary misorientations; and (5) point and space group aspects of twinning. Several applications are described in relation to the strengthening of grain boundaries in nanopolycrystals and of multiply-oriented crystal grains in polysilicon photovoltaic solar cell materials. A number of crystallographic aspects of the different topics are illustrated with a stereographic method of presentation.
Understanding population structure and historical demography in a conservation context: Population genetics of the endangeredKirengeshoma palmata(Hydrangeaceae)
Authors: Yuan Na , Sun Yi , Comes Hans‐Peter , Fu Cheng‐Xin , Qiu Ying‐Xiong
Published: March 2014

•Premise of the study:Both historical and contemporary microevolutionary processes greatly influence the genetic patterns of East Asian plant endemics, but the spatial and temporal contexts of these processes remain poorly understood. Here, we investigate the relative influences of historical and contemporary gene flow and drift on the population genetic structure ofKirengeshoma palmata, a perennial herb from East China and South Japan.

•Methods:We used data from nine polymorphic microsatellite loci to assess the levels of genetic diversity, effective population size, and contemporary and historical gene flow for six of the seven known populations.

•Key results:We found high levels of inbreeding and allelic diversity within populations. Both contemporary and historical migration rates among populations were low, and a test of alternate models of population history strongly favored a model of long‐term drift–migration equilibrium. We inferred declines in population size ca. 10 000–100 000 yr ago, but failed to detect recent declines. Bayesian clustering dividedK. palmatapopulations into three genetic clusters, two of which were consistent with a glacial refugium hypothesis for two mountain ranges in East China.

•Conclusions:These results suggest that anthropogenic fragmentation has had little effect on the genetic characteristics of ChineseK. palmata. Rather, past decline in population size due to Late Pleistocene climate change as well as restricted pollen and seed dispersal may have contributed to low levels of both historical and contemporary gene flow, resulting in high genetic differentiation between adjacent mountain ranges due to genetic drift and inbreeding.
Copper–phenanthroline catalysts for regioselective synthesis of pyrrolo[3′,4′:3,4]pyrrolo[1,2-a]furoquinolines/phenanthrolines and of pyrrolo[1,2-a]phenanthrolines under mild conditions
Authors: Paira Rupankar , Anwar Tarique , Banerjee Maitreyee , Bharitkar Yogesh P , Mondal Shyamal , Kundu Sandip , Hazra Abhijit , Maulik Prakas R , Mondal Nirup B
Published: March 2014

A new series of pyrrolo[3′,4′:3,4]pyrrolo[1,2-a]furoquinolines/phenanthrolines and pyrrolo[1,2-a]phenanthrolines were efficiently built up from an 8-hydroxyquinoline derivative or phenanthroline via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction involving non-stabilized azomethine ylides, generated in situ from the parent furo[3,2-h]quinoliniums/phenanthroliums, in presence of a copper(II) chloride–phenanthroline catalytic system. The methodology combines general applicability with high yields.
Authenticity in Online Knowledge Sharing
Authors: Hermanrud Inge
Published: March 2014

Authenticity means that the closeness of observation matters for acceptance of new knowledge. The social norm of authenticity can have positive effects of colleagues to appreciate “better” knowledge within opportunity structures for knowledge sharing. However, how ICTs influence authenticity in knowledge sharing needs more attention in research on knowledge sharing through online networks. This chapter discusses recent findings of how ICTs (here the interactive tool GoToMeeting™) facilitate authenticity.
The Influence of Trust in the UTAUT Model
Authors: Esteva-Armida Eduardo , Rubio-Sanchez Alberto
Published: March 2014

This chapter tests the appropriateness of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model in the context of end user consumption by means of an online survey with 475 respondents (24% response rate). The study shows which factors have the greatest impact on the adoption process of VoIP technology in the US market in addition to the interactions of the main variables in the model (Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, Social Influence, and Behavioral Intention to Adopt) and whether Trust can improve the predictive value of the UTAUT model to explain intention to adopt. Partial Least Squares (PLS) is used to evaluate the interactions of the main variables. The model includes four moderator variables (Gender, Age, Experience, and Voluntariness of Use). The results support most of the relationships identified in the original UTAUT model. More specifically, Performance Expectancy appears to have the strongest influence on the Intention of a consumer to adopt a new technology. The study provides information about whether the inclusion of Trust can generate good results for industry.
Envisioning Mobile Learning as the Future of Teaching and Learning via Technology
Authors: Imtinan Umera , Chang Vanessa , Issa Tomayess
Published: March 2014

Technology has played a key role in reshaping the way education is being delivered in university environments. Mobile technologies are one of the latest technologies to enter the higher education arenas around the world, offering great potential for teaching and learning. Students and teachers have been using mobile devices for formal and informal collaboration, communication, and connectivity within learning environments for a couple of decades without recognizing it as mobile learning. Mobile learning needs to be researched and theorized in order to be included in formal educational Information and Communication Technologies and its full potential harnessed for the future generations. A number of mobile learning researchers borrowed traditional learning models as theoretical foundations for mobile learning research. However, theories from a diverse range of subject areas such as Education, Information Systems, Human-Computer Interaction, and Telecommunication Engineering have also been used as the basis for mobile learning projects around the world. This incorporation of a diversity of disciplines and subjects has made mobile learning a multidisciplinary research field. This chapter aims to review the current mobile learning theories, models, and frameworks with the lens of mobile learning characteristics and challenges pointed out by prominent mobile learning researchers across the world in order to present the case of mobile learning as the future of teaching and learning.
Hook selectivity of Giant Trevally (Caranx ignobilis) and Nakedbreast Trevally (Carangoides gymnostethus) (Carangidae) caught in the hook-and-line fishery off Negombo, Sri Lanka
Authors: Amarasinghe US , Wickramaratne IU , Wijeyaratne MJS
Published: March 2014

In the present study, an attempt was made to quantify hook selectivity of two carangid species (Caranx ignobilis and Carangoides gymnostethus) which were predominantly caught in the hook-and-line fishery off Negombo, Sri Lanka. As the length frequency data of C. ignobilis and C. gymnostethus recorded by hook size were skewed towards the larger fish, a modification of Baranov-Holt method for gillnet selection was employed. For both species there were positive significant relationships (p<0.001) between the hook size and optimal length while selection range was negatively related to hook size (p<0.001). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/sljas.v16i0.6712 Sri Lanka J. Aquat. Sci. 16 (2011): 11-26
Analysis of bile fluorescence profiles of feral Nile tilapia as biomarkers of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: associations with the rainfall
Authors: Hemachandra CK , Pathiratne A
Published: March 2014

The present study was conducted to evaluate the potential use of bile fluorescence patterns of feral Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) as biomarkers of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contaminations in tropical waters. Bile fluorescence profiles of the fish inhabiting two water bodies with different levels of PAH pollution (Weras Ganga and Bathalagoda reservoir) were investigated at regular intervals over two years (September 2007 to July 2009) using fixed wavelength fluorescence and synchronous fluorescence spectrometry. Despite temporal variability of the bile fluorescence patterns, the fluorescence signals corresponding to naphthalene-, phenanthrene-, pyrene- and benzo(a)pyrene- type metabolites were consistently higher in the fish from Weras Ganga compared to the fish from Bathalagoda reservoir and the laboratory maintained control fish indicating that the fish inhabiting Weras Ganga had been continuously exposed to higher levels of PAHs. Summated fluorescence for the four types of PAH metabolites and fluorescence signals corresponding to naphthalene- and pyrene- type metabolites in the fish from Weras Ganga were positively correlated (P < 0.05) with the rainfall pattern indicating more PAH inputs associated with the rainfall. Despite slight temporal variations, no significant associations were found between the biliary fluorescence signals in the fish from Bathalagoda reservoir and the rainfall pattern. This field study supports the use of bile fluorescence patterns in feral Nile tilapia as a simple and rapid method for screening contamination and bioavailability of PAH in tropical freshwater bodies. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/sljas.v16i0.6713 Sri Lanka J. Aquat. Sci. 16 (2011): 27-39
The spatial variation of macrobenthic community in the Negombo estuary in relation to physico-chemical parameters
Authors: Chandrasekera WU , Hettiarachchi AI
Published: March 2014

Analysis of physico-chemical parameters gives an insight to the the spatial distribution of benthic communities in estuaries. With this view the present study was carried out to see whether the spatial distribution of macrobenthic fauna is governed by the physico-chemical parameters in sediment and overlying water in Negombo estuary, Sri Lanka. This study also attempted to determine the key physico-chemical determinants that govern this spatial distribution. During the study, the macrobenthic fauna at Moya, Virisiyanu Duwa, Kadol Kele, Dungalpitya, and Pamunugama within the estuary were collected and their species diversity and species richness were determined. Physico-chemical parameters such as the pore water salinity, temperature, pH, sand %, silt %, clay % and OM % in sediment as well as the salinity, pH, temperature, conductivity, DO, BOD5 and NO3- concentration in the over lying water were measured and analyzed using appropriate standard techniques. Results revealed that the species richness, species diversity, structure of the macrobenthic community and the physico-chemical parameters in sediment and the over lying water and the varied significantly between the five study sites. However, the species diversity and the species richness were positively correlated with the salinity and sand % while they were negatively correlated with the BOD5, silt % and OM % in the sediment and overlying water. It is therefore evident that the spatial distribution of macrobenthic fauna in Negombo estuary is governed by a combination of some key physico-chemical parameters such as salinity, sand %, OM % and BOD5 in the sediment and over lying water in this tropical estuary. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/sljas.v16i0.6714 Sri Lanka J. Aquat. Sci. 16 (2011): 41-62
Dendritic Cell Motility and T Cell Activation Requires Regulation of Rho-Cofilin Signaling by the Rho-GTPase Activating Protein Myosin IXb
Authors: Xu Yan , Pektor Stefanie , Balkow Sandra , Hemkemeyer Sandra A. , Liu Zhijun , Grobe Kay , Hanley Peter J. , Shen Limei , Bros Matthias , Schmidt Talkea , Bähler Martin , Grabbe Stephan
Published: March 2014

Directed migration of stimulated dendritic cells (DCs) to secondary lymphoid organs and their interaction with Ag-specific T cells is a prerequisite for the induction of primary immune responses. In this article, we show that murine DCs that lack myosin IXB (Myo9b), a motorized negative regulator of RhoA signaling, exhibit increased Rho signaling activity and downstream acto-myosin contractility, and inactivation of the Rho target protein cofilin, an actin-depolymerizing factor. On a functional level, Myo9b−/− DCs showed impaired directed migratory activity both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, despite unaltered Ag presentation and costimulatory capabilities, Myo9b−/− DCs were poor T cell stimulators in vitro in a three-dimensional collagen matrix and in vivo, associated with altered DC–T cell contact dynamics and T cell polarization. Accordingly, Myo9b−/− mice showed an attenuated ear-swelling response in a model of contact hypersensitivity. The impaired migratory and T cell stimulatory capacity of Myo9b−/− DCs was restored in large part by pharmacological activation of cofilin. Taken together, these results identify Myo9b as a negative key regulator of the Rho/RhoA effector Rho-kinase [Rho-associated coiled-coil–forming kinase (ROCK)]/LIM domain kinase signaling pathway in DCs, which controls cofilin inactivation and myosin II activation and, therefore may control, in part, the induction of adaptive immune responses.
Resolvin D1 Stimulates Alveolar Fluid Clearance through Alveolar Epithelial Sodium Channel, Na,K-ATPase via ALX/cAMP/PI3K Pathway in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury
Authors: Wang Qian , Zheng Xia , Cheng Yang , Zhang Yi-Lan , Wen Hai-Xu , Tao Zhen , Li Hui , Hao Yu , Gao Ye , Yang Liang-Min , Smith Fang Gao , Huang Chang-Jiang , Jin Sheng-Wei
Published: March 2014

Resolvin D1 (7S,8R,17S-trihydroxy-4Z,9E,11E,13Z,15E,19Z-docosahexaenoic acid) (RvD1), generated from ω-3 fatty docosahexaenoic acids, is believed to exert anti-inflammatory properties including inhibition of neutrophil activation and regulating inflammatory cytokines. In this study, we sought to investigate the effect of RvD1 in modulating alveolar fluid clearance (AFC) on LPS-induced acute lung injury. In vivo, RvD1 was injected i.v. (5 μg/kg) 8 h after LPS (20 mg/kg) administration, which markedly stimulated AFC in LPS-induced lung injury, with the outcome of decreased pulmonary edema. In addition, rat lung tissue protein was isolated after intervention and we found RvD1 improved epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) α, γ, Na,K-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) α1, β1 subunit protein expression and Na,K-ATPase activity. In primary rat alveolar type II epithelial cells stimulated with LPS, RvD1 not only upregulated ENaC α, γ and Na,K-ATPase α1 subunits protein expression, but also increased Na+ currents and Na,K-ATPase activity. Finally, protein kinase A and cGMP were not responsible for RvD1’s function because a protein kinase A inhibitor (H89) and cGMP inhibitor (Rp-cGMP) did not reduce RvD1’s effects. However, the RvD1 receptor (formyl-peptide receptor type 2 [FPR2], also called ALX [the lipoxin A4 receptor]) inhibitor (BOC-2), cAMP inhibitor (Rp-cAMP), and PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) not only blocked RvD1’s effects on the expression of ENaC α in vitro, but also inhibited the AFC in vivo. In summary, RvD1 stimulates AFC through a mechanism partly dependent on alveolar epithelial ENaC and Na,K-ATPase activation via the ALX/cAMP/PI3K signaling pathway.
Regiones e infraestructura en la integración suramericana
Authors: Vieira Posada Edgar
Published: March 2014

El tema del desarrollo territorial y regional ha vuelto a adquirir importancia en el contextode la globalización contemporánea, donde elementos conceptuales de aglomeración en entornos de competencia imperfecta y de nuevas teorizaciones como la nueva geografía económica, se unen a un trabajo intenso de desarrollo de regiones en Europa y en otras latitudes, mientras Suramérica ha quedado rezagada por el poco avance en estos temas en los procesos de integración de la Comunidad Andina y del Mercosur. Sin embargo, la reciente formalización de la Unión de Naciones Suramericanas (Unasur) y el asumir a través del Consejo Suramericano de Infraestructura y Planeamiento (Cosiplan) la agenda de proyectos prioritarios de la que estaba encargada la Iniciativa parala Integración de la Infraestructura Regional Suramericana (IIRSA), abre la posibilidadde vincular las acciones de desarrollo de las regiones con proyectos de infraestructura determinados como prioritarios para Suramérica en el 2011 a ser desarrollados al 2022, pues sin superar la falta de infraestructura será difícil incorporar las variables locales y regionales al desarrollo suramericano
Innovation and reciprocity in applied linguistics
Authors: Weideman Albert
Published: March 2014

Applied linguistics is a discipline of design: it solves language problems by suggesting a plan, or blueprint, to handle them. These designs are sometimes promoted as highly innovative. Yet, are innovative language courses and tests in all respects truly new? This article will argue that most historically significant turning points in applied linguistic design demonstrate continuity with previously designed solutions. This was so for communicative teaching as well as for audio-lingualism. In testing, both interactive designs and socially responsible concerns have built on the past. Like innovation, reciprocity in design in applied linguistics is a foundational issue. How much reciprocity is there in the realms of language testing, language course design and language policy making? Why do we not explicitly check whether the design of a course should be as responsibly and carefully done as a test? How can we learn more from language policy development about making tests more accessible and accountable? What can test designers learn from course developers about specificity? There are many useful questions that we never seem to ask. The article will look across different levels of applied linguistic artefacts (language courses, language tests and language policies) at how we can enrich the principles of responsible design. We can continue to be surprised by innovation in the designed solutions that our profession provides, but we should also work on our understanding of what constitutes a responsible design framework. That foundation enables us to evaluate both the fleeting and the enduring in the new.
Utility of molecular tests in cytopathology
Authors: Somoza Arthur David , Aly F. Zahra
Published: March 2014

With the popularity of interventional radiology, diagnostic material obtained can be limited requiring critical decisions on making the best use of it. Molecular testing using nanogram amounts of tissue can add useful diagnostic information by improving sensitivity and/or specificity of the diagnosis. This review examines the use of molecular tests in cervical cytology, “indeterminate” thyroid cytology specimens, pancreatic cyst fluid, urinary tract and pulmonary adenocarcinoma cytologic material. Molecular human papillomavirus (HPV) testing combined with cervical cytology increases sensitivity of detection of high grade lesions. In cytologically negative cases, the HPV negative predictive value endorses longer screening intervals. With the high prevalence of benign thyroid nodules, cytology plays a vital role in screening. However, 10-40% of the specimens obtained are cytologically indeterminate. Molecular analysis of these specimens can predict the malignant risk in these cases. Increased detection of pancreatic cysts has necessitated accurate pre-operative diagnosis delineating non-mucinous from mucinous cysts, which have a potential for progression to adenocarcinoma. Multimodal diagnosis of pancreatic cysts and molecular analysis help to clarify neoplastic risk; and in cases of limited fluid, may be the only available diagnostic information. Urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the bladder, a common cancer with frequent recurrences, requires lifelong surveillance. The UroVysion ™ test kit can increase the sensitivity of detection of UC especially in cases of residual/recurrent carcinoma after therapy. Subsets of lung adenocarcinomas are now commonly targeted by therapies based on molecular mutation results of epidermal growth factor receptor, KRAS or echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4-anaplastic lymphoma kinase re-arrangements. The move toward standardization of reporting of cytology specimens commencing with cervical smears and more recently, thyroid cytology specimens is also changing the practice of cytopathology. Combining the stringent cytology criteria with ancillary molecular testing is expected to yield more discrete and diagnostic categories for research and reporting. The profession is at an exciting point of implementing novel molecular markers to refine diagnostic criteria and create clinically relevant classification systems.
Difficulty in Clinical Evaluation of Radial Nerve Injury due to Multiple Trauma to the Humerus, Wrist, and Hand
Authors: Sabri Balık Mehmet , Yılmaz Güvercin , Adem Erkut , Davut Keskin , Özlem Bilir
Published: March 2014

Radial nerve damage is frequently encountered in humeral fractures. The radial nerve is primarily damaged when the humerus gets fractured, while secondary damage maybe due to post-traumatic manipulations and surgical exploration. High impact traumatic nerve injury, serious neuropathic pain, lack of response to therapeutic interventions, and indifference to the Tinel test are indications for surgical intervention. Since most humeral fracture-induced low impact radial nerve injuries resolve spontaneously, conservative therapy is preferred. We present a patient with humeral fracture-associated radial nerve injury, accompanied with digital amputation and flexor tendon avulsion on the same arm. These injuries required immediate surgery, thus rendering the clinical evaluation of the radial nerve impossible. We would like to highlight and discuss the inherent difficulties associated with multiple trauma of the upper arm.
A Rare Case of Double-Chambered Right Ventricle Associated with Ventricular Septal Defect and congenital Absence of the Pulmonary Valve
Authors: Khoueiry Georges , Bhat Tariq , Tantray Mohmad , Meghani Mustafain , Rafeh Nidal Abi , Abdallah Mokhtar , Hoyek Wissam
Published: March 2014

Double-chambered right ventricle (DCRV) is a rare congenital heart disorder involving 2 different right ventricle (RV) pressure compartments that is often associated with ventricular septal defect (VSD). Usually, the obstruction is caused by an anomalous muscle bundle crossing the RV from the interventricular septum to the RV free wall. We are reporting a case of double-chambered right ventricle associated with ventricular septal defect and congenital absence of the pulmonary valve, a rare form of congenital infundibular pulmonary stenosis. In addition to ventricular septal defect, our patient had congenital absence of the pulmonary valve, which is very unusual and has never been reported to our knowledge.
Polynomial realizations of some combinatorial Hopf algebras
Authors: Foissy Loïc , Novelli Jean-Christophe , Thibon Jean-Yves
Published: March 2014

We construct explicit polynomial realizations of some combinatorial Hopf algebras based on various kinds of trees or forests, and some more general classes of graphs, ranging from the Connes–Kreimer algebra to an algebra of labelled forests isomorphic to the Hopf algebra of parking functions and to a new noncommutative algebra based on endofunctions admitting many interesting subalgebras and quotients.
Group quasi-representations and almost flat bundles
Authors: Dadarlat Marius
Published: March 2014

We study the existence of quasi-representations of discrete groups

G

into unitary groups

U(n)

that induce prescribed partial maps

K_0(C^*(G))\to \mathbb{Z}

on the K-theory of the group C*-algebra of

G

. We give conditions for a discrete group

G

under which the K-theory group of the classifying space

BG

consists entirely of almost flat classes.
Projective Dirac operators, twisted K-theory, and local index formula
Authors: Zhang Dapeng
Published: March 2014

We construct a canonical noncommutative spectral triple for every oriented closed Riemannian manifold, which represents the fundamental class in the twisted K-homology of the manifold. This so-called “projective spectral triple” is Morita equivalent to the well-known commutative spin spectral triple provided that the manifold is spin-c. We give an explicit local formula for the twisted Chern character for K-theories twisted with torsion classes, and with this formula we show that the twisted Chern character of the projective spectral triple is identical to the Poincaré dual of the

\hat{A}

-genus of the manifold.
Noncommutative residue of projections in Boutet de Monvel’s calculus
Authors: Gaarde Anders
Published: March 2014

Employing results by Melo, Nest, Schick and Schrohe on the K-theory of Boutet de Monvel’s calculus of boundary value problems, we show that the noncommutative residue introduced by Fedosov, Golse, Leichtnam and Schrohe vanishes on projections in the calculus. This partially answers a question raised in a recent collaboration with Grubb, namely whether the residue is zero on sectorial projections for boundary value problems: This is confirmed to be true when the sectorial projection is in the calculus.
Education in Quality Improvement for Practice in Primary Care During Residency Training and Subsequent Activities in Practice
Authors: Carek Peter J. , Dickerson Lori M. , Stanek Michele , Carter Charles , Godenick Mark T. , Jebaily Gerard C. , Sprague Stuart , Baxley Elizabeth
Published: March 2014

Background

Quality improvement (QI) is an integral aspect of graduate medical education and an important competence for physicians.

Objective

We examined the QI activities of recent family medicine residency graduates and whether a standardized curriculum in QI during residency resulted in greater self-reported participation in QI activities in practice after graduation.

Methods

The family medicine residency programs affiliated with the South Carolina Area Health Education Consortium (N  =  7) were invited to participate in this study. Following completion of introductory educational activities, each site implemented regularly occurring (at least monthly) educational and patient care activities using QI principles and tools. Semiannually, representatives from each participating site met to review project aims and to provide updates regarding the QI activities in their program. To examine the impact of this project on QI activities, we surveyed graduates from participating programs from the year prior to and 2 years after the implementation of the curriculum.

Results

Graduates in the preimplementation and postimplementation cohorts reported participating in periodic patient care data review, patient care registries, QI projects, and disease-specific activities (57%–71% and 54%–63%, respectively). There were no significant differences in QI activities between the 2 groups except in activities associated with status of their practice as a patient-centered medical home.

Conclusions

Most but not all family medicine graduates reported they were actively involved in QI activities within their practices, independent of their exposure to a QI curriculum during training.
Función renal, estado de volemia y furosemida en diálisis peritoneal
Authors: Cirera Segura Francisco , Martín Espejo Jesús Lucas , Gómez Castilla Antonia Concepción , Ojeda Guerrero Mª Ángeles , Andreu-Periz Dolores , Hidalgo-Blanco Miguel Ángel , Moreno-Arroyo Mª Carmen
Published: March 2014

El objetivo principal fue comparar la diuresis y la función renal de los pacientes incidentes en diálisis peritoneal y su evolución en función al uso de furosemida.
El objetivo secundario fue valorar si la furosemida puede mejorar el estado de volumen.
Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo, comparativo, longitudinal y multicéntrico. La muestra fueron 40 pacientes.
En una unidad se utilizaron diuréticos (grupo furosemida) y en otra no (grupo control). Se recogieron variables del estudio al inicio, 6 y 12 meses. El análisis se realizó con el SPSS 19.
Resultados: El 57,5% de los pacientes eran hombres. La edad media fue 56,45 + 16,2 años. La etiología más prevalente fue la nefritis intersticial. Ningún paciente presentó efectos secundarios.
La diuresis evolucionó igual en ambos grupos, siendo superiores en el grupo furosemida sin significación.
No hallamos diferencias significativas a lo largo del estudio para la diuresis, filtrado glomerular, peso, índice masa corporal y ultrafiltración media. El 40% de los pacientes del grupo control presentaron edemas a los 6 meses frente al 17,6% del grupo furosemida. El grupo control utilizó mayor número de intercambios hipertónicos durante el primer año.
El grupo furosemida mostró presiones arteriales sistólicas y diastólicas superiores y utilizó más hipotensores aunque sin significación.
Conclusiones: La administración de dosis bajas de diuréticos no ha mostrado diferencias significativas para la diuresis y la función renal durante el primer año en diálisis peritoneal.
Quizás por las bajas dosis, el uso de diuréticos no mejoró los parámetros relacionados con el estado de volumen.
Reparación de catéteres tunelizados de hemodiálisis con moldes de silicona
Authors: Alarcia Martín Angélica , Brázalez Tejerina Mónica , Franco Valdivieso Cristina , Melero Salas Laura , Rollán de la Sota Mª Jesús
Published: March 2014

Los pacientes que inician tratamiento renal sustitutivo son cada vez más añosos, lo que supone un mayor deterioro de la red vascular que influye negativamente en el desarrollo de la fístula arterio-venosa interna. Esto implica un aumento en el uso de catéteres tunelizados. El deterioro físico del catéter supone en ocasiones su recambio, comprometiendo la seguridad del paciente y aumentando innecesariamente el coste sanitario de su tratamiento. Para evitarlo se valora el uso del kit de reparación de catéteres peritoneales en los mencionados catéteres tunelizados, realizando un estudio retrospectivo en una población de tres pacientes a los que se detectó una fuga en el trayecto de su catéter. El tiempo de funcionamiento de estos catéteres tras su reparación fue variable, desde 9 meses hasta más de 3 años, estando uno de ellos en uso actualmente. Su retirada no estuvo relacionada en ningún caso con la técnica de reparación efectuada y sólo se registró una complicación menor en uno de los casos, por lo que se constata la eficacia de la técnica y el consiguiente ahorro en recursos materiales y humanos que supone.
Ontwikkelingen in sociale openheid en sociale uitsluiting - Een blik op het verleden en de toekomst
Authors: Maas Ineke
Published: March 2014

Changes in social openness and social exclusion: a view on the past and the future In contemporary societies, the likelihood to obtain attractive positions differs between men and women, between natives and migrant groups, and between people from different social backgrounds.
Societies are not completely ‘open’. It is often thought that this was even more the case one or two centuries ago. Research on long term changes in social openness and social exclusion is however relatively scarce. This article gives an overview of recent studies on this topic
and presents new questions that the results of these studies trigger off.
Statistical significance of rising and oscillatory trends in global ocean and land temperature in the past 160 years
Authors: Østvand L. , Rypdal K. , Rypdal M.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. Various interpretations of the notion of a trend in the context of global warming are discussed, contrasting the difference between viewing a trend as the deterministic response to an external forcing and viewing it as a slow variation which can be separated from the background spectral continuum of long-range persistent climate noise. The emphasis in this paper is on the latter notion, and a general scheme is presented for testing a multi-parameter trend model against a null hypothesis which models the observed climate record as an autocorrelated noise. The scheme is employed to the instrumental global sea-surface temperature record and the global land temperature record. A trend model comprising a linear plus an oscillatory trend with period of approximately 70 yr, and the statistical significance of the trends, are tested against three different null models: first-order autoregressive process, fractional Gaussian noise, and fractional Brownian motion. The parameters of the null models are estimated from the instrumental record, but are also checked to be consistent with a Northern Hemisphere temperature reconstruction prior to 1750 for which an anthropogenic trend is negligible. The linear trend in the period 1850–2010 AD is significant in all cases, but the oscillatory trend is insignificant for ocean data and barely significant for land data. However, by using the significance of the linear trend to constrain the null hypothesis, the oscillatory trend in the land record appears to be statistically significant. The results suggest that the global land record may be better suited for detection of the global warming signal than the ocean record.
Measurements of the dissolved inorganic carbon system and associated biogeochemical parameters in the Canadian Arctic, 1974–2009
Authors: Giesbrecht K. E. , Miller L. A. , Davelaar M. , Zimmermann S. , Carmack E. , Johnson W. K. , Macdonald R. W. , McLaughlin F. , Mucci A. , Williams W. J. , Wong C. S. , Yamamoto-Kawai M.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. We have assembled and conducted primary quality control on previously publicly unavailable water column measurements of the dissolved inorganic carbon system and associated biogeochemical parameters (oxygen, nutrients, etc.) made on 26 cruises in the subarctic and Arctic regions dating back to 1974. The measurements are primarily from the western side of the Canadian Arctic, but also include data that cover an area ranging from the North Pacific to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The data were subjected to primary quality control (QC) to identify outliers and obvious errors. This data set incorporates over four thousand individual measurements of total inorganic carbon (TIC), alkalinity, and pH from the Canadian Arctic over a period of more than 30 years and provides an opportunity to increase our understanding of temporal changes in the inorganic carbon system in northern waters and the Arctic Ocean. The data set is available for download on the CDIAC (Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center) website: http://cdiac.ornl.gov/ftp/oceans/IOS_Arctic_Database/ (doi:10.3334/CDIAC/OTG.IOS_ARCT_CARBN).
A two-step framework for over-threshold modelling of environmental extremes
Authors: Bernardara P. , Mazas F. , Kergadallan X. , Hamm L.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. The evaluation of the probability of occurrence of extreme natural events is important for the protection of urban areas, industrial facilities and others. Traditionally, the extreme value theory (EVT) offers a valid theoretical framework on this topic. In an over-threshold modelling (OTM) approach, Pickands' theorem, (Pickands, 1975) states that, for a sample composed by independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) values, the distribution of the data exceeding a given threshold converges through a generalized Pareto distribution (GPD). Following this theoretical result, the analysis of realizations of environmental variables exceeding a threshold spread widely in the literature. However, applying this theorem to an auto-correlated time series logically involves two successive and complementary steps: the first one is required to build a sample of i.i.d. values from the available information, as required by the EVT; the second to set the threshold for the optimal convergence toward the GPD. In the past, the same threshold was often employed both for sampling observations and for meeting the hypothesis of extreme value convergence. This confusion can lead to an erroneous understanding of methodologies and tools available in the literature. This paper aims at clarifying the conceptual framework involved in threshold selection, reviewing the available methods for the application of both steps and illustrating it with a double threshold approach.
Relationship between myocardial edema and left ventricular wall thickness in acute myocardial ischemia: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging study
Authors: Mikami Yoko , Kumar Andreas , Abdel-Aty Hassan , Friedrich Matthias G.
Published: March 2014

Purpose: We sought to assess the relationship between left ventricular regional end-diastolic myocardial wall thickness (EDWT) and myocardial edema defined using T2-weighted Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (CMR) after acute myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. Methods: T2-weighted and cine CMR images for 7 dogs at baseline, during coronary occlusion (mean 33 ± 4 minutes) and after reperfusion were studied. The EDWT was measured in segments with high signal intensity (SI) on T2-weighted images, adjacent segments and remote segments according to a 16-segment model. Results: The EDWT after reperfusion in segments with high SI on T2-weighted images was significantly increased compared to baseline (6.28 ± 1.06 mm and 5.51 ± 1.40 mm, p < 0.05), whereas EDWT after the reperfusion in adjacent and remote segments did not show significant difference compared to baseline (adjacent: 6.48 ± 1.55 mm and 6.38 ± 1.26 mm, p = N.S., remote: 6.41 ± 1.11mm and 6.42 ± 1.27mm, p = N.S.). The % increase in EDWT after reperfusion from baseline in segments with high SI on T2-weighted images was higher than those in adjacent and remote segments (19 ± 30%, 1.3 ± 15% and 1.5 ± 16%, respectively, p < 0.05). Conclusions: After a brief period of ischemia and reperfusion, edema as defined by high SI on T2-weighted CMR is related to an increase in EDWT. This increase however is too small to be clinically relevant to be used for the detection of acute myocardial injury. Edema imaging is more sensitive and is an essential part of the reliable assessment of acute ischemic myocardial injury.
Technology Tips: Teaching Inverses with Technology Is “Sweeeet”
Authors: Tamblyn Michael
Published: March 2014

A wonderful experience occurred in a class that I was teaching recently. It was a precalculus class, the last period of the day. The local university had brought over its cadre of preservice secondary school mathematics teachers to observe my class, so there were twenty-four additional eyes on me that day.
Back Page: My Favorite Lesson: Bridging Algebra and Calculus
Authors: Sole Marla A.
Published: March 2014

My favorite lesson introduces algebra students to a key concept from calculus: instantaneous rate of change. In this lesson, I help students develop an intuitive understanding of this abstract concept by framing questions within a real-world context.