bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cell-Penetrating Peptide as a Means of Directing the Differentiation of Induced-Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Kaitsuka Taku , Tomizawa Kazuhito
Published: November 2015

Protein transduction using cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) is useful for the delivery of large protein molecules, including some transcription factors. This method is safer than gene transfection methods with a viral vector because there is no risk of genomic integration of the exogenous DNA. Recently, this method was reported as a means for the induction of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, directing the differentiation into specific cell types and supporting gene editing/correction. Furthermore, we developed a direct differentiation method to obtain a pancreatic lineage from mouse and human pluripotent stem cells via the protein transduction of three transcription factors, Pdx1, NeuroD, and MafA. Here, we discuss the possibility of using CPPs as a means of directing the differentiation of iPS cells and other stem cell technologies.
Dinuclear Lanthanide (III) Coordination Polymers in a Domino Reaction
Authors: Loukopoulos Edward , Griffiths Kieran , Akien Geoffrey , Kourkoumelis Nikolaos , Abdul-Sada Alaa , Kostakis George
Published: November 2015

A systematic study was performed to further optimise the catalytic room-temperature synthesis of trans-4,5-diaminocyclopent-2-enones from 2-furaldehyde and primary or secondary amines under a non-inert atmosphere. For this purpose, a series of dinuclear lanthanide (III) coordination polymers were synthesised using a dianionic Schiff base and their catalytic activities were investigated.
Seasonal Changes in Mycosporine-Like Amino Acid Production Rate with Respect to Natural Phytoplankton Species Composition
Authors: Ha Sun-Yong , Lee Yeonjung , Kim Min-Seob , Kumar K. , Shin Kyung-Hoon
Published: November 2015

After in situ incubation at the site for a year, phytoplanktons in surface water were exposed to natural light in temperate lakes (every month); thereafter, the net production rate of photoprotective compounds (mycosporine-like amino acids, MAAs) was calculated using 13C labeled tracer. This is the first report describing seasonal variation in the net production rate of individual MAAs in temperate lakes using a compound-specific stable isotope method. In the mid-latitude region of the Korean Peninsula, UV radiation (UVR) usually peaks from July to August. In Lake Paldang and Lake Cheongpyeong, diatoms dominated among the phytoplankton throughout the year. The relative abundance of Cyanophyceae (Anabaena spiroides) reached over 80% during July in Lake Cheongpyeong. Changes in phytoplankton abundance indicate that the phytoplankton community structure is influenced by seasonal changes in the net production rate and concentration of MAAs. Notably, particulate organic matter (POM) showed a remarkable change based on the UV intensity occurring during that period; this was because of the fact that cyanobacteria that are highly sensitive to UV irradiance dominated the community. POM cultured in Lake Paldang had the greatest shinorine (SH) production rate during October, i.e., 83.83 ± 10.47 fgC·L−1·h−1. The dominance of diatoms indicated that they had a long-term response to UVR. Evaluation of POM cultured in Lake Cheongpyeong revealed that there was an increase in the net MAA production in July (when UVR reached the maximum); a substantial amount of SH, i.e., 17.62 ± 18.34 fgC·L−1·h−1, was recorded during this period. Our results demonstrate that both the net production rate as well as the concentration of MAAs related to photoinduction depended on the phytoplankton community structure. In addition, seasonal changes in UVR also influenced the quantity and production of MAAs in phytoplanktons (especially Cyanophyceae).
Identification of Antiviral Agents Targeting Hepatitis B Virus Promoter from Extracts of Indonesian Marine Organisms by a Novel Cell-Based Screening Assay
Authors: Yamashita Atsuya , Fujimoto Yuusuke , Tamaki Mayumi , Setiawan Andi , Tanaka Tomohisa , Okuyama-Dobashi Kaori , Kasai Hirotake , Watashi Koichi , Wakita Takaji , Toyama Masaaki , Baba Masanori , De Voogd Nicole , Maekawa Shinya , Enomoto Nobuyuki , Tanaka Junichi , Moriishi Kohji
Published: November 2015

The current treatments of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) face a limited choice of vaccine, antibody and antiviral agents. The development of additional antiviral agents is still needed for improvement of CHB therapy. In this study, we established a screening system in order to identify compounds inhibiting the core promoter activity of hepatitis B virus (HBV). We prepared 80 extracts of marine organisms from the coral reefs of Indonesia and screened them by using this system. Eventually, two extracts showed high inhibitory activity (>95%) and low cytotoxicity (66% to 77%). Solvent fractionation, column chromatography and NMR analysis revealed that 3,5-dibromo-2-(2,4-dibromophenoxy)-phenol (compound 1) and 3,4,5-tribromo-2-(2,4-dibromophenoxy)-phenol (compound 2), which are classified as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), were identified as anti-HBV agents in the extracts. Compounds 1 and 2 inhibited HBV core promoter activity as well as HBV production from HepG2.2.15.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The EC50 values of compounds 1 and 2 were 0.23 and 0.80 µM, respectively, while selectivity indexes of compound 1 and 2 were 18.2 and 12.8, respectively. These results suggest that our cell-based HBV core promoter assay system is useful to determine anti-HBV compounds, and that two PBDE compounds are expected to be candidates of lead compounds for the development of anti-HBV drugs.
Eye Vision Testing System and Eyewear Using Micromachines
Authors: Riza Nabeel , Amin M. , Riza Mehdi
Published: November 2015

Proposed is a novel eye vision testing system based on micromachines that uses micro-optic, micromechanic, and microelectronic technologies. The micromachines include a programmable micro-optic lens and aperture control devices, pico-projectors, Radio Frequency (RF), optical wireless communication and control links, and energy harvesting and storage devices with remote wireless energy transfer capabilities. The portable lightweight system can measure eye refractive powers, optimize light conditions for the eye under testing, conduct color-blindness tests, and implement eye strain relief and eye muscle exercises via time sequenced imaging. A basic eye vision test system is built in the laboratory for near-sighted (myopic) vision spherical lens refractive error correction. Refractive error corrections from zero up to −5.0 Diopters and −2.0 Diopters are experimentally demonstrated using the Electronic-Lens (E-Lens) and aperture control methods, respectively. The proposed portable eye vision test system is suited for children’s eye tests and developing world eye centers where technical expertise may be limited. Design of a novel low-cost human vision corrective eyewear is also presented based on the proposed aperture control concept. Given its simplistic and economical design, significant impact can be created for humans with vision problems in the under-developed world.
Weighted-Fusion-Based Representation Classifiers for Hyperspectral Imagery
Authors: Peng Bing , Li Wei , Xie Xiaoming , Du Qian , Liu Kui
Published: November 2015

Spatial texture features have been demonstrated to be very useful for the recently-proposed representation-based classifiers, such as the sparse representation-based classifier (SRC) and nearest regularized subspace (NRS). In this work, a weighted residual-fusion-based strategy with multiple features is proposed for these classifiers. Multiple features include local binary patterns (LBP), Gabor features, and the original spectral signatures. In the proposed classification framework, representation residuals for a testing pixel from using each type of features are weighted to generate the final representation residual, and then the label of the testing pixel is determined according to the class yielding the minimum final residual. The motivation of this work is that different features represent pixels from different perspectives and their fusion in the residual domain can enhance the discriminative ability. Experimental results of several real hyperspectral image datasets demonstrate that the proposed residual-based fusion outperforms the original NRS, SRC, support vector machine (SVM) with LBP, and SVM with Gabor features, even in small-sample-size (SSS) situations.
Mapping CORINE Land Cover from Sentinel-1A SAR and SRTM Digital Elevation Model Data using Random Forests
Authors: Balzter Heiko , Cole Beth , Thiel Christian , Schmullius Christiane
Published: November 2015

The European CORINE land cover mapping scheme is a standardized classification system with 44 land cover and land use classes. It is used by the European Environment Agency to report large-scale land cover change with a minimum mapping unit of 5 ha every six years and operationally mapped by its member states. The most commonly applied method to map CORINE land cover change is by visual interpretation of optical/near-infrared satellite imagery. The Sentinel-1A satellite carries a C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and was launched in 2014 by the European Space Agency as the first operational Copernicus mission. This study is the first investigation of Sentinel-1A for CORINE land cover mapping. Two of the first Sentinel-1A images acquired during its ramp-up phase in May and December 2014 over Thuringia in Germany are analysed. 27 hybrid level 2/3 CORINE classes are defined. 17 of these were present at the study site and classified based on a stratified random sample of training pixels from the polygon-eroded CORINE 2006 map. Sentinel-1A logarithmic radar backscatter at HH and HV polarisation (May acquisition), VV and VH polarisation (December acquisition), and the HH image texture are used as input bands to the classification. In addition, a Digital Terrain Model (DTM), a Canopy Height Model (CHM) and slope and aspect maps from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) are used as input bands to account for geomorphological features of the landscape. In future, elevation data will be delivered for areas with sufficiently high coherence from the Sentinel-1A Interferometric Wide-Swath Mode itself. When augmented by elevation data from radar interferometry, Sentinel-1A is able to discriminate several CORINE land cover classes, making it useful for monitoring of cloud-covered regions. A bistatic Sentinel-1 Convoy mission would enable single-pass interferometric acquisitions without temporal decorrelation.
Kinematic Model-Based Pedestrian Dead Reckoning for Heading Correction and Lower Body Motion Tracking
Authors: Lee Min , Ju Hojin , Song Jin , Park Chan
Published: November 2015

In this paper, we present a method for finding the enhanced heading and position of pedestrians by fusing the Zero velocity UPdaTe (ZUPT)-based pedestrian dead reckoning (PDR) and the kinematic constraints of the lower human body. ZUPT is a well known algorithm for PDR, and provides a sufficiently accurate position solution for short term periods, but it cannot guarantee a stable and reliable heading because it suffers from magnetic disturbance in determining heading angles, which degrades the overall position accuracy as time passes. The basic idea of the proposed algorithm is integrating the left and right foot positions obtained by ZUPTs with the heading and position information from an IMU mounted on the waist. To integrate this information, a kinematic model of the lower human body, which is calculated by using orientation sensors mounted on both thighs and calves, is adopted. We note that the position of the left and right feet cannot be apart because of the kinematic constraints of the body, so the kinematic model generates new measurements for the waist position. The Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) on the waist data that estimates and corrects error states uses these measurements and magnetic heading measurements, which enhances the heading accuracy. The updated position information is fed into the foot mounted sensors, and reupdate processes are performed to correct the position error of each foot. The proposed update-reupdate technique consequently ensures improved observability of error states and position accuracy. Moreover, the proposed method provides all the information about the lower human body, so that it can be applied more effectively to motion tracking. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is verified via experimental results, which show that a 1.25% Return Position Error (RPE) with respect to walking distance is achieved.
Entrepreneurial Judgment and Value Capture, the Case of the Nascent Offshore Renewable Industry
Authors: Erikson Truls , Løvdal Nicolai , Aspelund Arild
Published: November 2015

Entrepreneurship may be regarded as the mechanism of change towards sustainability. Any entrepreneur that seeks to start a new venture in an emerging industry will face resource and time constraints. The question we raise here is how the entrepreneur should prioritize use of time and resources to increase likeliness of success. To address this question we depart from a theoretical perspective of entrepreneurship seen as judgment, and bridges it over to entrepreneurship seen as co-creation. In other words, we combine the subjective with the intersubjective, and explore the effects of the actions successful green technology entrepreneurs in the emerging offshore renewable energy industry make in building their new ventures in nascent markets. Inspired by earlier studies on market entry, combined with new ways to understand new venture emergence, we find that independent entrepreneurs benefit from leapfrogging typical stages in the technology development process and rather devote time and efforts on resource acquisition. We also find that the most important value-capturing, decision-making heuristics are those related to “hybrid governance”. We discuss implications for theory, practice, and policy.
New City Logistics Paradigm: From the “Last Mile” to the “Last 50 Miles” Sustainable Distribution
Authors: Faccio Maurizio , Gamberi Mauro
Published: November 2015

The distribution of goods in urban areas, together with private traffic flows, are among the main sources of energy consumption, air pollution and noise. As a consequence, in the 2000s, several EU cities started to implement logistical solutions for the sustainable city. In this context, this study addresses the implementation of a new eco-logistic system, which serves multiple adjacent cities by using electric vehicles to deliver goods of any type within their urban areas. This paper describes the results of a project developed in the province of Vicenza (northern Italy) and covering the main cities (Bassano del Grappa, Thiene, Schio and Valdagno) in the foothills (the so-called Pedemontana Veneta zone). The eco-logistic system aims to cover the last 50 miles of distribution (typical area of an Italian province) with a centralised platform that performs green deliveries with electric vehicles from/to the downtown areas. A preliminary and extensive “on field” analysis by means of door-to-door questionnaires was conducted to identify the performance required by the eco-logistic system. Therefore, the design of such a distribution system is performed to assess and define the conditions that make this solution profitable from both the economic and the environmental perspective.
Similarity and a Duality for Fullerenes
Authors: Edmond Jennifer , Graver Jack
Published: November 2015

Fullerenes are molecules of carbon that are modeled by trivalent plane graphs with only pentagonal and hexagonal faces. Scaling up a fullerene gives a notion of similarity, and fullerenes are partitioned into similarity classes. In this expository article, we illustrate how the values of two important fullerene parameters can be deduced for all fullerenes in a similarity class by computing the values of these parameters for just the three smallest representatives of that class. In addition, it turns out that there is a natural duality theory for similarity classes of fullerenes based on one of the most important fullerene construction techniques: leapfrog construction. The literature on fullerenes is very extensive, and since this is a general interest journal, we will summarize and illustrate the fundamental results that we will need to develop similarity and this duality.
Multiple glacial refugia lead to genetic structuring and the potential for reproductive isolation in a herbaceous plant
Authors: Barnard‐Kubow Karen B. , Debban Catherine L. , Galloway Laura F.
Published: November 2015

PREMISE OF THE STUDY:

Glacial cycles have influenced the genetic structure of many species. In addition to facilitating genetic divergence, isolation in multiple glacial refugia may have contributed to the development of genetic incompatibility and reproductive isolation. We examined the phylogeography of Campanulastrum americanum, a monocarpic herbaceous plant that exhibits strong intraspecific reproductive isolation, to determine whether the current genetic structure reflects a history of multiple glacial refugia.

METHODS:

Chloroplast loci and nuclear RAD sequencing were used to characterize the range‐wide phylogeography of C. americanum, in order to determine locations of potential glacial refugia and recolonization routes. Potential locations of refugia during the Last Glacial Maximum were also identified using ecological niche modeling.

KEY RESULTS:

Together, the chloroplast and nuclear phylogenies found support for three geographically structured, genetically divergent lineages, among which gene flow appears to be restricted. The distribution of these lineages indicates that C. americanum survived the Last Glacial Maximum in at least three refugia located in the Appalachians and on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. The ecological niche model also supported the existence of multiple refugia.

CONCLUSIONS:

The isolation of populations of C. americanum in multiple refugia has led to a degree of phylogeographic structure greater than that found in most previously studied plants in eastern North America, which may be attributable to its short generation time. Reproductively isolated populations of C. americanum belong to divergent lineages, which suggests that survival in multiple glacial refugia contributed to the development of reproductive isolation in this species.
Microsatellite markers isolated from Cabomba aquatica s.l. (Cabombaceae) from an enriched genomic library
Authors: Barbosa Tiago D. M. , Trad Rafaela J. , Bajay Miklos M. , Amaral Maria C. E.
Published: November 2015

Premise of the study:

Microsatellite primers were designed for the submersed aquatic plant Cabomba aquatica s.l. (Cabombaceae) and characterized to estimate genetic diversity parameters.

Methods and Results:

Using a selective hybridization method, we designed and tested 30 simple sequence repeat loci using two natural populations of C. aquatica s.l., resulting in 13 amplifiable loci. Twelve loci were polymorphic, and alleles per locus ranged from two to four across the 49 C. aquatica s.l. individuals. Observed heterozygosity, expected heterozygosity, and fixation index varied from 0.0 to 1.0, 0.0 to 0.5, and −1.0 to −0.0667, respectively, for the Manaus population and from 0.0 to 1.0, 0.0 to 0.6, and −1.0 to 0.4643 for the Viruá population.

Conclusions:

The developed markers will be used in further taxonomic and population studies within Cabomba. This set of microsatellite primers represents the first report on rapid molecular markers in the genus.
Visual Outcomes and Optical Quality After Femtosecond Laser Small Incision Lenticule Extraction: An 18-Month Prospective Study
Authors: Miao Huamao , Tian Mi , Xu Ye , Chen Yingjun , Zhou Xingtao
Published: November 2015

PURPOSE:

To investigate the long-term visual outcomes and optical quality after femtosecond laser small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) for moderate to high myopia correction.

METHODS:

Fifty-four patients (37 women, 17 men) who underwent SMILE were enrolled in this prospective clinical study. Patient ages ranged from 18 to 40 years, with a mean spherical equivalent of −6.50 ± 1.64 diopters. Data including refractive parameters, retinal image quality, intraocular scattering, and aberrations were collected at 6 and 18 months after surgery. Patient satisfaction was also evaluated.

RESULTS:

At 18 months after surgery, both the mean safety index and the efficacy index were 1.23 ± 0.23 (range: 0.80 to 1.50); there was no significant difference with indices measured at 6 months (
P
> .05). No patient lost two or more lines of corrected distance visual acuity. Total higher-order aberrations (HOAs) and coma significantly increased after SMILE (
P
< .05), whereas total spherical aberrations and trefoil changed only slightly. The mean modulation transfer function cutoff frequency was 36.66 ± 8.54 cycles per degree (cpd) before surgery and 37.81 ± 6.89 cpd at 18 months postoperatively; the mean objective scatter index was 0.62 ± 0.33 before surgery and 0.71 ± 0.38 at 18 months postoperatively. No significant difference was found between the three time points (
P
> .05). Mean patient satisfaction was 9.31 ± 0.64 (with a maximum score of 10).

CONCLUSIONS:

SMILE showed good safety, efficacy, and stability in correcting moderate to high myopia, and patients were highly satisfied. HOAs increased after SMILE, mainly due to the increase of coma, whereas retinal image quality and intraocular scattering barely changed.

[
J Refract Surg.
2015;31(11):726–731.]
Lenticule Quality After Continuous Curvilinear Lenticulerrhexis in SMILE Evaluated With Scanning Electron Microscopy
Authors: Zhao Yu , Li Meiyan , Sun Ling , Zhao Jing , Chen Yingjun , Zhou Xingtao
Published: November 2015

PURPOSE:

To evaluate the surface characteristics of lenticules extracted by continuous curvilinear lenticulerrhexis (CCL) in small incision lenticule extraction.

METHODS:

Twelve eyes treated with small incision lenticule extraction were included in the study and divided into two groups: the CCL and traditional groups. The extracted lenticules were examined with scanning electron microscopy. Both the anterior and the posterior surfaces of the lenticules were accessed. A scoring system was used to evaluate surface characteristics of the lenticules with a full mark of 16.

RESULTS:

All of the lenticules in the CCL group exhibited smoothness and regularity on both sides and received scores of 14 or 15. The average score of anterior surfaces was 14.83 ± 0.41 for the CCL group and 14.00 ± 2.45 for the traditional group. The average score for the posterior surfaces was 14.50 ± 0.55 for the CCL group and 14.83 ± 0.41 for the traditional group.

CONCLUSIONS:

The surfaces of lenticules extracted by the CCL technique in small incision lenticule extraction are of good quality.

[
J Refract Surg.
2015;31(11):732–735.]
La fracturation et les bandes de déformation dans la région d’El Kohol (Atlas saharien central, Algérie): analyse fractale, lois d’échelles et modèle de réseaux de fractures discrètes
Authors: Zazoun R. S. , Marok A. , Samar L. , Benadla M. , Mezlah H.
Published: November 2015

[fr] Ce travail porte sur l’étude de la fracturation naturelle et les bandes de déformation dans la structure plicative d’El Kohol, du le Djebel Amour, dans l’Atlas saharien central. Les observations et les mesures ont été effectuées à travers deux stations sur le flanc court ou avant de la structure, et deux stations sur le flanc long ou arrière. L’étude a montré l’existence de cinq familles de fractures et de trois familles de bandes de déformation. Les modèles de distribution des espacements et des longueurs des différentes familles de fractures obéit à une loi de type puissance. L’analyse mécanostratigraphique montre une subdivision des formations étudiées en douze unités mécaniques. Les bandes de déformation montrent une augmentation de leurs nombres, ainsi qu’une réduction de leurs espacements à l’approche des accidents majeurs. Les analyses fractales effectuées sur les failles, les fractures et sur les bandes de déformation montrent un caractère fractal de dimension 2. La comparaison des paramètres de densité et d’intensité (Pxy) obtenus à partir de la modélisation du réseau de fractures discrètes (DFN) avec ceux calculés sur le terrain montrent de bons coefficients de corrélation. Le modèle établi est discuté à la lumière des phases de déformation reconnues dans la région.
CD Nomenclature 2015: Human Leukocyte Differentiation Antigen Workshops as a Driving Force in Immunology
Authors: Engel Pablo , Boumsell Laurence , Balderas Robert , Bensussan Armand , Gattei Valter , Horejsi Vaclav , Jin Bo-Quan , Malavasi Fabio , Mortari Frank , Schwartz-Albiez Reinhard , Stockinger Hannes , van Zelm Menno C. , Zola Heddy , Clark Georgina
Published: November 2015

CD (cluster of differentiation) Ags are cell surface molecules expressed on leukocytes and other cells relevant for the immune system. CD nomenclature has been universally adopted by the scientific community and is officially approved by the International Union of Immunological Societies and sanctioned by the World Health Organization. It provides a unified designation system for mAbs, as well as for the cell surface molecules that they recognize. This nomenclature was established by the Human Leukocyte Differentiation Antigens Workshops. In addition to defining the CD nomenclature, these workshops have been instrumental in identifying and determining the expression and function of cell surface molecules. Over the past 30 y, the data generated by the 10 Human Leukocyte Differentiation Antigens Workshops have led to the characterization and formal designation of more than 400 molecules. CD molecules are commonly used as cell markers, allowing the identification and isolation of leukocyte populations, subsets, and differentiation stages. mAbs against these molecules have proven to be essential for biomedical research and diagnosis, as well as in biotechnology. More recently, they have been recognized as invaluable tools for the treatment of several malignancies and autoimmune diseases. In this article, we describe how the CD nomenclature was established, present the official updated list of CD molecules, and provide a rationale for their usefulness in the 21st century.
Cornwallis Island and adjacent smaller islands, Canadian Arctic Archipelago
Authors: Thorsteinsson R , Kerr J W
Published: November 2015

This report describes the bedrock geology of Cornwallis Island and adjacent smaller islands that lie near the geographic centre of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Five concordant rock successions separated by regional unconformities crop out within the report
area. From oldest to youngest the successions include: (1) Lower Ordovician to Lower Devonian marine carbonates, elastics, and evaporates, that total some 21, 000 feet in thickness and constitute the preponderance of bedrock within the area; (2) Lower Devonian red beds, and equivalent marine
carbonates; (3) Middle Devonian marine carbonates and elastics; (4) Upper Devonian marine elastics; and (5) Upper Cretaceous and Lower Tertiary non-marine elastics. The oldest succession was deposited within the Franklinian miogeosyncline. Subsequent successions were deposited as generally thin,
stable-platform sediments that are preserved in grabens, synclinal troughs, and along the downfaulted sides of normal faults. The regional unconformities that separate the various sedimentary successions mark successive tectonic movements of the Cornwallis fold belt. The two oldest unconformities,
one of Early Devonian age, the other of late Early or early Middle Devonian age, date the principal movements that established the northwesterly regional strike of the folds belt. The relative effects of later tectonic movements on the fold belt are not definitely known. Nevertheless, these
movements mark episodes of faulting, and some folding post-dates the two earliest movements.
Petroleum resources of the Scotian Shelf
Authors: Wade J A , Campbell G R , Procter R M , Taylor G C
Published: November 2015

From the inception of petroleum exploration in 1959 through the end of 1983, a total of 62 wildcat wells have been drilled on the Scotian Shelf. This activity has resulted in 13 significant discoveries with resources totalling 117 x 109 m3 gas and 14.5 x 106 m3
liquid hydrocarbons. This paper summarizes the history of exploration for gas and oil on the Scotian Shelf and provides details on the discoveries. It reviews the regional and petroleum geology and describes a set of play data used to develop an assessment of the ultimate recoverable hydrocarbon
resource potential of the area. Finally, it casts the expected resource endowment in terms of a series of pool sizes which, if discovered, could support a viable offshore development.
Long-Term Anatomical and Functional Results in Patients Undergoing Observation for Idiopathic Nontractional Epiretinal Membrane
Authors: Rouvas Alexandros , Chatziralli Irini , Androu Aggeliki , Papakonstantinou Sotirios , Kouvari Maria S. , Alonistiotis Dimitrios , Theodossiadis Panagiotis
Published: November 2015

Purpose

To evaluate the anatomical and functional course without surgical intervention in patients with nontractional epiretinal membrane (ERM) using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in a long-term follow-up of 38.2 ± 30.6 months.

Methods

Participants were 58 patients with nontractional ERM, which was defined as a tear or rip of the ERM in at least one line of OCT scan. All patients were observed without any surgical intervention. All patients underwent ophthalmologic examination, including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurement, funduscopy, and SD-OCT. Routine follow-up visits were performed every 6 months or earlier at the discretion of the investigator.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference in BCVA or central foveal thickness (CFT) at all time points of the follow-up. About 84.4% of patients presented improvement or stabilization in BCVA at the end of the follow-up, while 53.4% of patients had a decrease in CFT. All patients had intact ellipsoid zone and none of them needed surgical intervention at the end of the follow-up of 38.2 ± 30.6 months.

Conclusions

In patients with nontractional ERM, BCVA and CFT may remain stable in a long-term follow-up. Therefore, if ellipsoid zone is intact and there is a tear or rip of ERM in at least one OCT scan, patients can be monitored and surgery may be deferred because of high percentage of structural and functional stability.
Helicoid Peripapillary Chorioretinal Degeneration Complicated by Choroidal Neovascularization
Authors: Triantafylla Magdalini , Panos Georgios D. , Dardabounis Doukas , Nanos Panagiotis , Konstantinidis Aristeidis
Published: November 2015

Purpose

Helicoid peripapillary chorioretinal degeneration (HPCD) is a hereditary disease of the fundus that is characterized by atrophic chorioretinal areas that appear early in life and expand gradually from the optic disc towards the macula and the periphery.

Methods

We describe the case of an elderly man with a known diagnosis of HPCD who developed choroidal neovascular membrane (CNV) in both eyes during the course of the disease.

Results

The patient was treated with intravitreal injection of ranibizumab, to which he had excellent response. The CNV subsided with 2 injections in the right eye and 1 in the left. Two years after the initial diagnosis of CNV in the right eye, visual acuity was 5/10 OD and 9/10 OS.

Conclusions

Helicoid peripapillary chorioretinal degeneration is rarely complicated by CNV as the fundus lacks the trigger factors that would sustain this process. Although rare, HPCD complicated by CNV can be seen bilaterally, but responds well to few ranibizumab injections.
Predicting Cataract Surgery Time Based on Preoperative Risk Assessment
Authors: Achiron Asaf , Haddad Fady , Gerra Mohammed , Bartov Elisha , Burgansky-Eliash Zvia
Published: November 2015

Purpose

Operating room (OR) time is an expensive resource that should be optimized to reduce costs. Individual preoperative risk parameters (PORS) assessment may aid in predicting cataract surgery time.

Methods

Dedicated software was developed and known risk factors for cataract surgery were integrated into it. Preoperative risk parameters were assigned to each patient in the preoperative meeting and the risk score was calculated. A total of 153 patients were divided according to a standard classification into low-risk group (PORS ≤2) and high-risk group (PORS >5). Duration of surgery for each group was compared by Student t test and linear regression analysis was used to calculate the relation between change in OR time and change in risk score.

Results

Patients in the high PORS group had longer surgery times when compared with patients in the low PORS group (37.6 vs 19.6, p<0.001). Risk scores positively correlated with surgery time (r = 0.30, p<0.001). Prediction equations for the OR time demonstrated for 2 surgeons that every increase in 1 risk point added 2.2 or 3.3 minutes to the OR time. Outliers (more than 1 standard deviation [SD] from each surgeon's surgery mean time) had more than twice the risk score of cases within 1 SD from the mean.

Conclusions

The PORS system may be a useful tool for predicting OR time based on individual patient risk and may improve OR scheduling.
Big-Bubble Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty using Central vs Peripheral Air Injection: A Clinical Trial
Authors: Feizi Sepehr , Daryabari Seyed-Hashem , Najdi Danial , Javadi Mohammad Ali , Karimian Farid
Published: November 2015

Purpose

To compare 2 sites of air injection to achieve Descemet membrane (DM) detachment in big-bubble deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK).

Methods

In this prospective, randomized study, 48 eyes of 48 keratoconus-affected patients who underwent DALK by cornea fellows were enrolled. Each patient was randomly assigned into one of 2 groups. After trephination to approximately 80% of the corneal thickness, a 27-G needle was inserted into the stroma from the trephination site. The needle was moved radially inside the trephination site and advanced to the central or paracentral cornea in group 1. In group 2, the needle was inserted into the deep stroma from the trephination site and advanced into the peripheral cornea to approximately 1.5 mm anterior to the limbus. Air was gently injected into the deep stroma until a big bubble was formed. The rates of DM separation and complications were compared between the 2 groups.

Results

Big-bubble formation was successful in 79.2% of the eyes in the study group. A bare DM was achieved by central injection in 68.0% of group 1 and by peripheral injection in 69.6% of group 2 (p = 0.68). This rate was increased to 80.0% and 78.3% in groups 1 and 2, respectively, after the injection site was shifted when injections failed. The study groups were comparable in terms of complications including DM perforation and bubble bursting.

Conclusions

Both injection sites were equivalent in their rates of big-bubble formation and complications. Less experienced surgeons are advised to initially inject air outside the trephination.
Influence of Hyperopia and Amblyopia on Choroidal Thickness in Children
Authors: Öner Veysi , Bulut Asker , Büyüktarakçı Şeyma , Kaim Muhammet
Published: November 2015

Purpose

To compare subfoveal choroidal thicknesses (ChTs) of anisometropic hyperopic amblyopic, hyperopic nonamblyopic, and emmetropic control eyes and to investigate the associations between ChT and ambylopia, spherical equivalent (SE), and axial length in the pediatric population.

Methods

Forty-six hyperopic nonamblyopic (hyperopic group), 33 anisometropic hyperopic amblyopic (amblyopic group), and 42 emmetropic (emmetropic group) eyes were enrolled in this cross-sectional comparative study. Enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography was used for quantitative analysis of subfoveal ChT. ChT was quantified manually as the distance between the hyperreflective line corresponding to the retinal pigment epithelium and the chorioscleral interface at the subfoveal area.

Results

The mean age was 10.6 ± 3.3 years (range 5-17) in the hyperopic group, 10.7 ± 3.3 years (range 5-17) in the amblyopic group, and 11.2 ± 3.3 years (range 5-17 years) in the emmetropic group (p = 0.627). The hyperopic and amblyopic groups had significantly thicker choroid compared to the emmetropic group (p1 = 0.005 and p2 = 0.006, respectively). However, there was no significant difference between the hyperopic and amblyopic groups concerning subfoveal ChT (p = 0.857). In addition, covariance analysis showed that although SE was independently associated with subfoveal ChT (p = 0.014), amblyopia had no significant independent effect on subfoveal ChT (p = 0.671). Further, subfoveal ChT had weak correlations with the axial length (r = −0.297, p = 0.001) and SE (r = 0.274, p = 0.002).

Conclusions

Hyperopia was associated with subfoveal ChT, whereas amblyopia had no independent significant effect on subfoveal ChT in our study population.
A 5-Year Survival Analysis of 160 Biomet Magnum M2 metal-on-Metal Total Hip Prostheses
Authors: Koper Maarten C. , Mathijssen Nina M.C. , Vehmeijer Stephan B.W.
Published: November 2015

Background

Large-head metal-on-metal (MoM) total hip arthroplasties (THA) are associated with high failure rates and possible pseudotumour formation. This study reports the first results of 160 Biomet Magnum M2 large-head MoM total hip articulations.

Patients and methods

From 2006 to 2010 the Reinier de Graaf Hospital implanted 160 large-head Magnum M2 MoM THAs (Biomet Inc. Warsaw, Indiana, USA) in 150 patients. These patients were recalled after a warning from the Dutch Orthopaedic Association. Patients were offered a clinical and radiographic assessment of the hip prosthesis, serum control on cobalt and chromium ions, and an ultrasound of the hip. If indicated, additional MARS-MRI or CT scan was performed. Descriptive statistical analysis, correlations, t-tests, non-parametric tests and implant survival were calculated.

Results

The mean follow-up was 6.1 years (4.8-8.4). A cumulative survival rate of 93.1% (95% CI: 88.3-98%) was found after 5 years. Reasons for revision were loosening, pain, infection and pseudotumour formation. The prevalence of pseudotumour formation around the prostheses was 8.75%.

Conclusions

This study reports the first results of 160 MoM THAs implanted in our clinic from 2006-2010. In total, 13 (8.1%) of the THAs were eligible for revision after the recall. In most patients the reason for revision was pseudotumour formation. A total of 14 (8.75%) pseudotumours were diagnosed at the first recall. These results show that a comprehensive follow-up strategy is essential for MoM THAs to promptly identify and manage early complications.
TNF-α Suppression and Osteoprotegerin Overexpression Inhibits wear Debris-Induced Inflammation and Osteoclastogenesis in vitro
Authors: Peng Li , Zhang Haowei , Zhou Yongfei , Li Wenbo , Jiang Peng , Zhang Yunge , Song Keguan
Published: November 2015

Purpose

Periprosthetic osteolysis, involving RANK/RANKL/osteoprotegerin (OPG) and TNF-α/NFκB signaling, contributes to bone resorption and inflammation. We constructed lentivirus vectors to inhibit TNF-α and enhance OPG expression and assessed their impacts on wear debris-induced inflammation and osteoclastogenesis in an osteoclast/osteoblast coculture system.

Methods

We transduced mouse osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells with Lenti-negative control (Lenti-NC), Lenti-OPG or Lenti-siTNFα-OPG, and murine macrophage/monocyte RAW264.7 cells with Lenti-NC, Lenti-TNF-α siRNA or Lenti-siTNFα-OPG. Then, TNF-α and OPG protein levels were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We cocultured transduced MC3T3-E1 and RAW264.7 cells in transwell chambers in the presence of 0.1 mg/mL Ti particles to investigate the capacity of TNF-α inhibition to reduce wear debris-induced inflammation. We also assessed mRNA levels TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and OPG by RT-PCR as well as osteoclastogenesis by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase.

Results

Lenti-siTNFα-OPG ameliorated Ti-particle-induced expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 in MC3T3-E1/RAW264.7 cocultures, while enhancing mRNA and protein levels of OPG, and reducing the fraction of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)+ cells.

Conclusions

Lenti-siTNFα-OPG can inhibit the wear debris-induced inflammatory responses and osteoclastogenesis in vitro, and may represent a promising therapeutic candidate for the treatment or prevention of wear particle-induced osteolysis.
Study on the Heterosis of the First Generation of Hybrid between Chinese and Korean Populations of Scapharca broughtonii using Methylation-Sensitive Amplification Polymorphism (MSAP)
Authors: Sun Hailin , Zheng Yanxin , Zhao Chunnuan , Yu Tao , Lin Jianguo
Published: November 2015

DNA methylation is known to play an important role in the regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes. In this study, the author assessed the extent and pattern of cytosine methylation in the Scapharca broughtonii genome using the technique of methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism (MSAP).The results showed that, DNA methylation rate was negatively related to the shell length, the gross weight and the weight of soft body, but positively related to the shell broadness and the shell height; there was significantly different between the parents and the offspring: 31.6% of 5'-CCGG sites in the Patinopecten yessoensis of Korean populations genome were cytosine methylated, and in the Patinopecten yessoensis of Chinese populations were 33%, the methylation rates of F1 was 29.98%; four classes of patterns were identified in a comparative assay of cytosine methylation in the parents and hybrid, increased methylation was detected in the hybrid compared to the parents at some of the recognition sites, while decreased methylation in the hybrid was detected at other sites. It indicated that the alteration of methylation resulted from cross-breeding, and the inbreeding did not change the methylation ratio and patterns; The DNA cytosine methylation has a relationship with the heterosis.
L’adoption d’un produit alimentaire nouveau face à des freins culturels forts : le cas de l’entomophagie en France
Authors: Séré de Lanauze Gilles
Published: November 2015

L’entomophagie – le fait de consommer des insectes – est une pratique tout à fait étrangère à la culture occidentale. Elle est pourtant répandue dans de nombreux pays et est aujourd’hui présentée comme source de nombreux bénéfices nutritionnels, écologiques et durables. Alors que les consommateurs occidentaux développent une sensibilité grandissante à l’égard des questions environnementales et sociétales, les avantages perçus de l’entomophagie peuvent-ils favoriser l’essai et l’adoption d’un nouveau produit en butte à des freins culturels très forts ? L’étude exploratoire menée par entretiens auprès de 60 individus français montre que, si les consommateurs sont conscients des bénéfices de l’entomophagie, les nombreuses résistances envers une pratique si peu familière, seront davantage réduites par des leviers portant sur le produit lui-même et la situation expérientielle que par la prise en compte de ses bénéfices biosphériques.
The messy process of guiding proteins into membranes
Authors: White Stephen H
Published: November 2015

A new simulation protocol has revealed unexpected complexity in the folding of membrane proteins.
Images of Iceland and Greenland in the Late Seventeenth and First Half of the Eighteenth Century
Authors: Ísleifsson Sumarliði R.
Published: November 2015

This article considers external images of Iceland and Greenland from the latter part of the seventeenth century and the first half of the eighteenth century in terms of their perceived ‘otherness’ during that period. The main methodologies used are approaches derived from imagology, or image studies, and postcolonial studies. The principal sources used are published writings by Western European authors, mostly from Britain and Germany. In essence, the most common discourse on Iceland and Greenland during the period in question reflects that of other marginal lands and territories most under Western European influence. While images of these two countries did have their own characteristics because of their ‘islandness’, they were distinguished first and foremost as being situated in the high north. We can call the qualities that were attributed to them borealism, a kind of orientalism or tropicality of the high north. One of the dominant themes in the otherness of these two northern islands is what might be called ‘primitive utopia’. The representation of Iceland and Greenland as paradise islands, even treasure islands, was also familiar. Negative and dystopian ideas were also common, in fact much more so for most of the period. By these accounts, the countries were described as uninhabitable because of the prevailing cold and wildness, and their crude barbarian inhabitants were depicted as being hardly distinguishable from animals. The same kind of dualism found in the narratives of the European Other in general was clearly an important factor in the process of the identity formation of these two islands.
Characterizing seawater oxygen isotopic variability in a regional ocean modeling framework: Implications for coral proxy records
Authors: Stevenson S. , Powell B. S. , Merrifield M. A. , Cobb K. M. , Nusbaumer J. , Noone D.
Published: November 2015

Reconstructions of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) are often created using the oxygen isotopic ratio in tropical coral skeletons (δ18O). However, coral δ18O can be difficult to interpret quantitatively, as it reflects changes in both temperature and the δ18O value of seawater. Small‐scale (10–100 km) processes affecting local temperature and seawater δ18O are also poorly quantified and contribute an unknown amount to intercoral δ18O offsets. A new version of the Regional Ocean Modeling System capable of directly simulating seawater δ18O (isoROMS) is therefore presented to address these issues. The model is used to simulate δ18O variations over the 1979–2009 period throughout the Pacific at coarse (O(50 km)) resolution, in addition to 10 km downscaling experiments covering the central equatorial Pacific Line Islands, a preferred site for paleo‐ENSO reconstruction from corals. A major impact of downscaling at the Line Islands is the ability to resolve fronts associated with tropical instability waves (TIWs), which generate large excursions in both temperature and seawater δ18O at Palmyra Atoll (5.9°N, 162.1°W). TIW‐related sea surface temperature gradients are smaller at neighboring Christmas Island (1.9°N, 157.5°W), but the interaction of mesoscale features with the steep island topography nonetheless generates cross‐island temperature differences of up to 1°C. These nonlinear processes alter the slope of the salinity:seawater δ18O relationship at Palmyra and Christmas, as well as affect the relation between coral δ18O and indices of ENSO variability. Consideration of the full physical oceanographic context of reef environments is therefore crucial for improving δ18O‐based ENSO reconstructions.