bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Image Steganographic Approach for Secure Communication Based on LSB Replacement Method
Authors: Darabkh Khalid , Jafar Iyad F. , T. Al-Zubi Raed , Hawa Mohammed
Published: September 2015

With the development of internet technologies and communication services, message transmissions over the internet still have to face all kinds of security problems. Hence, how to protect secret messages during transmission becomes a challenging issue for most of current researchers. It is worth mentioning that many applications in computer science and other related fields rely on steganography and watermarking techniques to ensure information safety during communication. Unlike cryptography that focuses on scrambling the secret message so that it cannot be understood, the main objective of steganography and watermarking is to communicate securely in such a way that the hidden data are not visible to the observer. In other words, it seeks for the imperceptibility of stego-images quality to an unintended party through embedding efficiently the secret message in a digital media such as image, video, or audio. In this paper, we propose a new steganographic method to embed the secret data inside a cover image based on least-significant-bit (LSB) replacement method. The embedding process predominantly concentrates on distributing the secret message inside one share of a color image to appear like a 3D geometric shape that is constructed according to well-analyzed geometric equations. The dimensions of the geometric shape are determined pursuant to the size of secret message. Data distribution process makes our method to be of a great interest as of being so difficult for the hackers or intruders to reconstruct the shape from stego-images, thereby the security is improved. Furthermore, we compare the performance of our approach with two other relevant approaches in terms of peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and payload. The contribution of our approach was immensely impressive.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.itc.44.3.8949
Security Weaknesses on a Delegation-Based Authentication Protocol for PCSs
Authors: Gope Prosanta , Hwang Tzonelih
Published: September 2015

Rapid development of wireless networks brings about many security problems in Portable Communication Systems (PCS), which can provide mobile users with an opportunity to enjoy global roaming services. In this regard, designing a secure user authentication scheme, especially for recognizing legal roaming users is indeed a challenging task. Recently, C-C Lee et al. proposed such scheme, which is claimed to be an improvement of T. F. Lee et al.’s protocol. However, in this article, we reveal that the scheme proposed by C-C Lee et al. still suffers from certain weaknesses like vulnerable to DoS attack, no perfect forward secrecy, loss of Untraceability, etc. Hence, C-C Lee et al.’s delegation-based protocol cannot guarantee secure communication for PCS environment.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.itc.44.3.9777
Traces, bones, desert: the extermination of the Armenians through the photographers eye
Authors: Kunth Anouche
Published: September 2015

Braving the Ottoman‘s ban on capturing any images of the persecuted Armenians, witnesses
dodged censorship and photographed pictures that would later be branded as proofat the
Paris Peace Conference in 1919–20. Despite the challenge of these images to
representations of the Armenian genocide, they were soon forgotten after the 1923 Treaty
of Lausanne erased the Armenian Question, while time took care of destroying the corpses
abandoned in the desert. This article will examine the image-disappearance dialectic
through distinct temporalities of remembrance,and commemoration, each of which mobilises
its own specific, iconographical semantics. In response to contemporary challenges, the
repertoire of images has not remained sealed; over the last decade it has been reopened
through depictions of bare landscapes and stretches of desert and bones,that suddenly
pierce through the earth. The article will show how these images implicitly speak of the
disappearance and seek meaning through emptiness.
Cortical microtubule nucleation can organise the cytoskeleton of Drosophila oocytes to define the anteroposterior axis
Authors: Khuc Trong Philipp , Doerflinger Hélène , Dunkel Jörn , St Johnston Daniel , Goldstein Raymond E
Published: September 2015

Many cells contain non-centrosomal arrays of microtubules (MTs), but the assembly, organisation and function of these arrays are poorly understood. We present the first theoretical model for the non-centrosomal MT cytoskeleton in Drosophila oocytes, in which bicoid and oskar mRNAs become localised to establish the anterior-posterior body axis. Constrained by experimental measurements, the model shows that a simple gradient of cortical MT nucleation is sufficient to reproduce the observed MT distribution, cytoplasmic flow patterns and localisation of oskar and naive bicoid mRNAs. Our simulations exclude a major role for cytoplasmic flows in localisation and reveal an organisation of the MT cytoskeleton that is more ordered than previously thought. Furthermore, modulating cortical MT nucleation induces a bifurcation in cytoskeletal organisation that accounts for the phenotypes of polarity mutants. Thus, our three-dimensional model explains many features of the MT network and highlights the importance of differential cortical MT nucleation for axis formation.
Perforin-2 is essential for intracellular defense of parenchymal cells and phagocytes against pathogenic bacteria
Authors: McCormack Ryan M , de Armas Lesley R , Shiratsuchi Motoaki , Fiorentino Desiree G , Olsson Melissa L , Lichtenheld Mathias G , Morales Alejo , Lyapichev Kirill , Gonzalez Louis E , Strbo Natasa , Sukumar Neelima , Stojadinovic Olivera , Plano Gregory V , Munson George P , Tomic-Canic Marjana , Kirsner Robert S , Russell David G , Podack Eckhard R
Published: September 2015

Perforin-2 (MPEG1) is a pore-forming, antibacterial protein with broad-spectrum activity. Perforin-2 is expressed constitutively in phagocytes and inducibly in parenchymal, tissue-forming cells. In vitro, Perforin-2 prevents the intracellular replication and proliferation of bacterial pathogens in these cells. Perforin-2 knockout mice are unable to control the systemic dissemination of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or Salmonella typhimurium and perish shortly after epicutaneous or orogastric infection respectively. In contrast, Perforin-2-sufficient littermates clear the infection. Perforin-2 is a transmembrane protein of cytosolic vesicles -derived from multiple organelles- that translocate to and fuse with bacterium containing vesicles. Subsequently, Perforin-2 polymerizes and forms large clusters of 100 Å pores in the bacterial surface with Perforin-2 cleavage products present in bacteria. Perforin-2 is also required for the bactericidal activity of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and hydrolytic enzymes. Perforin-2 constitutes a novel and apparently essential bactericidal effector molecule of the innate immune system.
Deployment of a retinal determination gene network drives directed cell migration in the sea urchin embryo
Authors: Martik Megan L , McClay David R
Published: September 2015

Gene regulatory networks (GRNs) provide a systems-level orchestration of an organism's genome encoded anatomy. As biological networks are revealed, they continue to answer many questions including knowledge of how GRNs control morphogenetic movements and how GRNs evolve. The migration of the small micromeres to the coelomic pouches in the sea urchin embryo provides an exceptional model for understanding the genomic regulatory control of morphogenesis. An assay using the robust homing potential of these cells reveals a ‘coherent feed-forward’ transcriptional subcircuit composed of Pax6, Six3, Six1/2, Eya, and Dach1 that is responsible for the directed homing mechanism of these multipotent progenitors. The linkages of that circuit are strikingly similar to a circuit involved in retinal specification in Drosophila suggesting that systems-level tasks can be highly conserved even though the tasks drive unrelated processes in different animals.
Modeling historical tuberculosis epidemics among Canadian First Nations: effects of malnutrition and genetic variation
Authors: Ackley Sarah F. , Liu Fengchen , Porco Travis C. , Pepperell Caitlin S.
Published: September 2015

Late 19th century epidemics of tuberculosis (TB) in Western Canadian First Nations resulted in peak TB mortality rates more than six times the highest rates recorded in Europe. Using a mathematical modeling approach and historical TB mortality time series, we investigate potential causes of high TB mortality and rapid epidemic decline in First Nations from 1885 to 1940. We explore two potential causes of dramatic epidemic dynamics observed in this setting: first, we explore effects of famine prior to 1900 on both TB and population dynamics. Malnutrition is recognized as an individual-level risk factor for TB progression and mortality; its population-level effects on TB epidemics have not been explored previously. Second, we explore effects of heterogeneity in susceptibility to TB in two ways: modeling heterogeneity in susceptibility to infection, and heterogeneity in risk of developing disease once infected. Our results indicate that models lacking famine-related changes in TB parameters or heterogeneity result in an implausibly poor fit to both the TB mortality time series and census data; the inclusion of these features allows for the characteristic decline and rise in population observed in First Nations during this time period and confers improved fits to TB mortality data.
The influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation on yam (Dioscoreaspp.) tuber weights and secondary metabolite content
Authors: Lu Fun-Chi , Lee Chen-Yu , Wang Chun-Li
Published: September 2015

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are widely distributed in nature. They live in the roots of higher plants, in a symbiotic relationship. In this study, five commercial species of yams (Dioscoreaspp.) were inoculated with six species of AMF,Glomus clarum,G. etunicatum,G. fasciculatum,Gigasporasp.,G. mosseae, andAcaulosporasp., in field cultivation conditions to investigate the influence of AMF inoculation on tuber weights and secondary metabolite content in yam tubers. The results showed that mycorrhizae formation rates ranged from 63.33% to 90%.G. etunicatuminoculation treatment increased the tube weights of the five species of yam tubers by 39%, 35%, 20%, 56%, and 40% for Tainung 1, Tainung 2, Ercih, Zihyuxieshu, and Tainung 5, respectively. The content of secondary metabolites, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanin, was significantly increased by the AMF treatment in tuber flesh and peel of all the tested yam species. Specifically, the maximums exchange of secondary metabolite contents increased to 40%, 42%, and 106% for polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanin, respectively, in the tuber fresh. This study revealed that different species of yam had varying degrees of affinity with various AMF species; selecting effective AMF species is necessary to facilitate yam growth and improve the quality and quantity of yam tubers.
The impact of Docker containers on the performance of genomic pipelines
Authors: Di Tommaso Paolo , Palumbo Emilio , Chatzou Maria , Prieto Pablo , Heuer Michael L. , Notredame Cedric
Published: September 2015

Genomic pipelines consist of several pieces of third party software and, because of their experimental nature, frequent changes and updates are commonly necessary thus raising serious deployment and reproducibility issues. Docker containers are emerging as a possible solution for many of these problems, as they allow the packaging of pipelines in an isolated and self-contained manner. This makes it easy to distribute and execute pipelines in a portable manner across a wide range of computing platforms. Thus, the question that arises is to what extent the use of Docker containers might affect the performance of these pipelines. Here we address this question and conclude that Docker containers have only a minor impact on the performance of common genomic pipelines, which is negligible when the executed jobs are long in terms of computational time.
Internal Carotid Artery Hypoplasia
Authors: Chen Pei-Ya , Liu Hung-Yu , Lim Kun-Eng , Lin Shinn-Kuang
Published: September 2015

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to determine the role of color‐coded carotid duplex sonography for diagnosis of internal carotid artery hypoplasia.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 25,000 color‐coded carotid duplex sonograms in our neurosonographic database to establish more diagnostic criteria for internal carotid artery hypoplasia.

Results

A definitive diagnosis of internal carotid artery hypoplasia was made in 9 patients. Diagnostic findings on color‐coded carotid duplex imaging include a long segmental small‐caliber lumen (52% diameter) with markedly decreased flow (13% flow volume) in the affected internal carotid artery relative to the contralateral side but without intraluminal lesions. Indirect findings included markedly increased total flow volume (an increase of 133%) in both vertebral arteries, antegrade ipsilateral ophthalmic arterial flow, and a reduced vessel diameter with increased flow resistance in the ipsilateral common carotid artery. Ten patients with distal internal carotid artery dissection showed a similar color‐coded duplex pattern, but the reductions in the internal and common carotid artery diameters and increase in collateral flow from the vertebral artery were less prominent than those in hypoplasia. The ipsilateral ophthalmic arterial flow was retrograde in 40% of patients with distal internal carotid artery dissection. In addition, thin‐section axial and sagittal computed tomograms of the skull base could show the small diameter of the carotid canal in internal carotid artery hypoplasia and help distinguish hypoplasia from distal internal carotid artery dissection.

Conclusions

Color‐coded carotid duplex sonography provides important clues for establishing a diagnosis of internal carotid artery hypoplasia. A hypoplastic carotid canal can be shown by thin‐section axial and sagittal skull base computed tomography to confirm the final diagnosis.
Transcranial Parenchymal Sonographic Findings in Patients With Cerebral Small Vessel Disease
Authors: Pavlović Aleksandra M. , Pekmezović Tatjana , Jovanović Zagorka , Medjedović Tamara Svabic , Veselinović Nikola , Norton Melanie C. , Sternić Nada
Published: September 2015

Objectives

Patients with cerebral small vessel disease often present with various motor, cognitive, and emotional changes, including gait disturbances, parkinsonism, and depression. Substantia nigra hyperechogenicity, brain stem raphe hypoechogenicity, ventricle diameters, and sonographic characteristics of other brain structures on transcranial sonography have been increasingly used as biomarkers in a range of neurologic diseases. We aimed to explore the frequency and clinical correlates of transcranial sonographic findings in symptomatic patients with small vessel disease.

Methods

In a cross‐sectional study, neurologic, cognitive, and emotional statuses and transcranial sonographic and magnetic resonance imaging findings were compared between 102 patients with small vessel disease and 45 healthy age‐ and sex‐matched control participants.

Results

Compared to healthy controls, small vessel disease cases had more frequent brain stem raphe hypoechogenicity (55.9% versus 11.1%; P < .0001), substantia nigra hyperechogenicity (30.4% versus 11.1%; P = .022), and enlarged third ventricles (P < .0001). Substantia nigra hyperechogenicity correlated with gait disturbances, extrapyramidal features, and cognitive impairment. Brain stem raphe hypoechogenicity was associated with the diagnosis of depression. Enlargement of the third and lateral ventricles was more frequent in patients with cognitive impairment. Pathologic substantia nigra hyperechogenicity and enlarged ventricles were associated with the severity of cerebral ischemic lesions.

Conclusions

Transcranial sonography shows pathologic findings in a substantial number of patients with small vessel disease, probably reflecting disruption of frontostriatal pathways.
Evaluation of a Standardized Program for Training Practicing Anesthesiologists in Ultrasound‐Guided Regional Anesthesia Skills
Authors: Mariano Edward R. , Harrison T. Kyle , Kim T. Edward , Kan Jack , Shum Cynthia , Gaba David M. , Ganaway Toni , Kou Alex , Udani Ankeet D. , Howard Steven K.
Published: September 2015

Objectives

Practicing anesthesiologists have generally not received formal training in ultrasound‐guided perineural catheter insertion. We designed this study to determine the efficacy of a standardized teaching program in this population.

Methods

Anesthesiologists in practice for 10 years or more were recruited and enrolled to participate in a 1‐day program: lectures and live‐model ultrasound scanning (morning) and faculty‐led iterative practice and mannequin‐based simulation (afternoon). Participants were assessed and recorded while performing ultrasound‐guided perineural catheter insertion at baseline, at midday (interval), and after the program (final). Videos were scored by 2 blinded reviewers using a composite tool and global rating scale. Participants were surveyed every 3 months for 1 year to report the number of procedures, efficacy of teaching methods, and implementation obstacles.

Results

Thirty‐two participants were enrolled and completed the program; 31 of 32 (97%) completed the 1‐year follow‐up. Final scores [median (10th–90th percentiles)] were 21.5 (14.5–28.0) of 30 points compared to 14.0 (9.0–20.0) at interval (P < .001 versus final) and 12.0 (8.5–17.5) at baseline (P < .001 versus final), with no difference between interval and baseline. The global rating scale showed an identical pattern. Twelve of 26 participants without previous experience performed at least 1 perineural catheter insertion after training (P < .001). However, there were no differences in the monthly average number of procedures or complications after the course when compared to baseline.

Conclusions

Practicing anesthesiologists without previous training in ultrasound‐guided regional anesthesia can acquire perineural catheter insertion skills after a 1‐day standardized course, but changing clinical practice remains a challenge.
Ultrasound Integration in Undergraduate Medical Education: Comparison of Ultrasound Proficiency Between Trained and Untrained Medical Students
Authors: Dinh Vi Am , Dukes William Seth , Prigge Jennifer , Avila Michael
Published: September 2015

Objectives

The benefit of formal ultrasound implementation in undergraduate medical education remains unclear. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasound curriculum implementation during year 1 medical student physical examination teaching on the ultrasound proficiency of medical students.

Methods

An ultrasound curriculum was formally implemented at our institution in August 2012 and since then has successfully trained 2 classes of medical students (year 1 and year 2). Year 3 and year 4 medical students did not receive any formal ultrasound training, as the curriculum had not yet been implemented during their preclinical years. With the use of a 22‐point ultrasound objective structured clinical examination (US‐OSCE), trained medical students were compared to untrained medical students. The US‐OSCE tested image acquisition and interpretation of the following systems: ocular, neck, vascular, pulmonary, cardiovascular, and abdominal. Emergency medicine (EM) residents formally trained in bedside ultrasound were also tested with the US‐OSCE to provide a reference standard.

Results

There were 174 year 1, 25 year 2, and 19 year 3/year 4 medical students and 30 EM residents tested on the US‐OSCE. Ultrasound‐trained medical students were compared to untrained medical students, and overall US‐OSCE scores ± SD were 91.4% ± 14.0% versus 36.1% ± 21.4% (P < .001), respectively. The EM resident group had an overall score of 99.1% ± 1.8%. The absolute percentage differences were 7.7% between EM resident and ultrasound‐trained medical student scores and 63.0% between EM resident and untrained medical student scores (P < .001).

Conclusions

Implementation of an ultrasound curriculum in undergraduate medical education showed a significant increase in trained versus untrained medical student ultrasound capabilities.
Prediction of Left Ventricular Filling Pressure by 3‐Dimensional Speckle‐Tracking Echocardiography in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Ma Hong , Xie Rong-Ai , Gao Li-Jian , Zhang Jin-Ping , Wu Wei-Chun , Wang Hao
Published: September 2015

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of 3‐dimensional (3D) speckle‐tracking echocardiography for estimating left ventricular filling pressure in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and a preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.

Methods

Altogether, 84 patients with CAD and 30 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy control participants in sinus rhythm were recruited prospectively. All participants underwent conventional and 3D speckle‐tracking echocardiography. Global strain values were automatically calculated by 3D speckle‐tracking analysis. The left ventricular end‐diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was determined invasively by left heart catheterization. Echocardiography and cardiac catheterization were performed within 24 hours.

Results

Compared with the controls, patients with CAD showed lower global longitudinal strain, global circumferential strain, global area strain, and global radial strain. Patients with CAD who had an elevated LVEDP had much lower levels of all 4 3D‐speckle‐tracking echocardiographic variables. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that the LVEDP correlated positively with the early transmitral flow velocity/early diastolic myocardial velocity (E/E′) ratio, global longitudinal strain, global circumferential strain, and global area strain. It correlated negatively with global radial strain. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that these 3D speckle‐tracking echocardiographic indices could effectively predict elevated left ventricular filling pressure (LVEDP >15 mm Hg) in patients with CAD (areas under the curve: global longitudinal strain, 0.78; global radial strain, 0.77; global circumferential strain, 0.75; and global area strain, 0.74). These parameters, however, showed no advantages over the commonly used E/E′ ratio (area under the curve, 0.84).

Conclusions

Three‐dimensional speckle‐tracking echocardiography was a practical technique for predicting elevated left ventricular filling pressure, but it might not be superior to the commonly used E/E′ ratio in patients with CAD who have a normal left ventricular ejection fraction.
Applying Ultrasound‐Guided Core Needle Biopsy for Diagnosis of Thyroid Masses
Authors: Kim Yong Hee , Kwon Hyeong Ju , Kim Eun-Kyung , Kwak Jin Young , Moon Hee Jung , Yoon Jung Hyun
Published: September 2015

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of conclusive results obtained with ultrasound (US)‐guided core needle biopsy (CNB) and how this method should be applied for diagnosis of thyroid nodules.

Methods

From January 2013 to November 2014, US‐guided CNB was performed in 84 thyroid lesions of 83 patients. Based on CNB pathologic reports, thyroid nodules were divided into 2 categories: conclusive (nodules reaching a definite pathologic diagnosis suggesting benignity or malignancy) and inconclusive (nodules that were not able to reach a definite diagnosis because of ambiguous results). Medical records and US examinations were reviewed and compared.

Results

The mean age of the 83 patients ± SD was 49.7 ± 14.1 years. Of the 84 thyroid nodules, 73 (86.9%) were diagnosed as benign or malignant and 11 (13.1%) as inconclusive by CNB pathologic analysis. Among the 11 nodules with inconclusive results, the possibility of a follicular neoplasm was suggested in 8 nodules (72.7%). No significant difference was seen in tumor size and US features when comparing the nodules with conclusive and inconclusive results (all P >.05).

Conclusions

Ultrasound‐guided CNB may have supplemental roles in addition to US‐guided fine‐needle aspiration for diagnosis of selected cases. A considerable proportion of inconclusive results are seen on US‐guided CNB, especially for diagnosis of follicular lesions, which must be considered when using this method for diagnosis of thyroid nodules.
Antidepressants and suicidality: History, the black-box warning, consequences, and current evidence
Authors: Noel Christopher
Published: September 2015

Introduction

The first published literature on the topic of antidepressants and suicidality dates back to the mid-1950s. Today, 10 years after the black-box warning was issued, this controversial topic is still debated. This article will review the data behind the black-box warning and its revision; address the subsequent impact the warning had on depression diagnoses, prescribing patterns, follow-up visits, and suicide rates in the United States; and summarize meta-analyses on this topic published since the revised warning was issued in 2007.

Methods

A PubMed database search using the MeSH terms Antidepressive Agents and Suicide was conducted from January 2012 through October 2014 to identify articles published on the impact the Food and Drug Administration's black-box warning had on health care at a national level and from January 2007 through October 2014 using the same MeSH terms to identify meta-analyses on the current research regarding the link between antidepressants and suicidality. Search results for both topics were further limited to those articles published in English on human participants with the age criteria Child: Birth – 18 years, Adolescent: 13-18 years, or Young Adult: 19-24 years.

Results

Due to the black-box warning, depression diagnoses and antidepressant prescription issuance rates declined in young patients. It is still debated whether the black-box warning had an untoward effect on suicide rates. Most of the meta-analyses identified a small risk of suicidality in the populations studied. Because of the varying nature of the meta-analyses and the major limitation of the limited availability of prospectively collected suicidality data, an absolute risk is still yet to be determined.

Discussion/Conclusion

More studies on antidepressants conducted to prospectively identify suicidality in patients with Major Depressive Disorder and other varying diagnoses need to be completed to truly identify the incidence of suicidal behavior and ideation when initiating antidepressants. Albeit seemingly low, there is a risk of suicidality when initiating antidepressants; there is also risk in not treating depressed patients with antidepressants in whom they are indicated. Clinicians must be cognizant of this risk and monitor high-risk patients per the Food and Drug Administration–recommended guidelines.
Lithium and clozapine in suicidality: shedding some light to get out of the dark
Authors: Riesselman Amber , Johnson Eric , Palmer Emma
Published: September 2015

Introduction

Suicide is currently on the rise with rates increasing alarmingly during the past decade. There are many risk factors for suicidal behavior, and mental illness is at the top of the list.

Methods

Although a variety of medications have been evaluated in the literature, lithium and clozapine continue to have the most evidence supporting their use in decreasing suicidality.

Results

It is clear that medications are indispensable regarding the reduction of suicidality; however, a holistic approach must be taken when caring for this patient population.

Discussion

This review focuses on the specific role that lithium and clozapine have in the reduction of suicidal behavior.
Black Sea temperature response to glacial millennial‐scale climate variability
Authors: Wegwerth Antje , Ganopolski Andrey , Ménot Guillemette , Kaiser Jérôme , Dellwig Olaf , Bard Edouard , Lamy Frank , Arz Helge W.
Published: September 2015

The Eurasian inland propagation of temperature anomalies during glacial millennial‐scale climate variability is poorly understood, but this knowledge is crucial to understanding hemisphere‐wide atmospheric teleconnection patterns and climate mechanisms. Based on biomarkers and geochemical paleothermometers, a pronounced continental temperature variability between 64,000 and 20,000 years ago, coinciding with the Greenland Dansgaard‐Oeschger cycles, was determined in a well‐dated sediment record from the formerly enclosed Black Sea. Cooling during Heinrich events was not stronger than during other stadials in the Black Sea. This is corroborated by modeling results showing that regular Dansgaard‐Oeschger cycles penetrated deeper into the Eurasian continent than Heinrich events. The pattern of coastal ice‐rafted detritus suggests a strong dependence on the climate background state, with significantly milder winters during periods of reduced Eurasian ice sheets and an intensified meridional atmospheric circulation.
Detection of short‐term response of the low ionosphere on gamma ray bursts
Authors: Nina Aleksandra , Simić Saša , Srećković Vladimir A. , Popović Luka Č.
Published: September 2015

In this paper, we study the possibility of detection of short‐term terrestrial lower ionospheric response to gamma ray bursts (GRBs) using a statistical analysis of perturbations of six very low or low‐frequency (VLF/LF) radio signals emitted by transmitters located worldwide and recorded by VLF/LF receiver located in Belgrade (Serbia). We consider a sample of 54 short‐lasting GRBs (shorter than 1 min) detected by the Swift satellite during the period 2009–2012. We find that a statistically significant perturbation can be present in the low ionosphere, and reactions on GRBs may be observed immediately after the beginning of the GRB event or with a time delay of 60 s–90 s.
CO2 wettability of caprocks: Implications for structural storage capacity and containment security
Authors: Iglauer Stefan , Al‐Yaseri Ahmed Zarzor , Rezaee Reza , Lebedev Maxim
Published: September 2015

Structural trapping, the most important CO2 geostorage mechanism during the first decades of a sequestration project, hinges on the traditional assumption that the caprock is strongly water wet. However, this assumption has not yet been verified; and it is indeed not generally true as we demonstrate here. Instead, caprock can be weakly water wet or intermediate wet at typical storage conditions; and water wettability decreases with increasing pressure or temperature. Consequently, a lower storage capacity can be inferred for structural trapping in such cases.
PV dynamics: The role of small‐scale turbulence, submesoscales and mesoscales
Authors: Canuto V. M.
Published: September 2015

The diabatic and frictional components of the PV fluxes J in the Haynes‐McIntyre conservation law have been studied with physical arguments, scaling laws and numerical simulations. We suggest a procedure that expresses J in terms of buoyancy and momentum fluxes by small‐scale turbulence SS, submesoscales SM and mesoscales M. We employ the latest parameterizations of these processes and derive analytic expressions of the diabatic and frictional J fluxes for arbitrary wind stresses; we then consider the case of an Ekman flow. Small‐scale turbulence: at z=0, down and up‐front winds contribute equally to the frictional component of J while the diabatic component is much larger than that of mesoscales. Submesoscales: the geostrophic contributions to both diabatic and frictional J have the same sign while the wind contributions have opposite signs. Their magnitude depends on the SM kinetic energy which is derived in terms of large‐scale parameters. Comparison with numerical simulations is limited since the ones available resolve M but not SM. They concluded that the field patterns of the J fluxes are very similar to those obtained without resolving M, in agreement with the present analysis; a second conclusion that the diabatic component of J is an order of magnitude larger than the frictional one, is also in accordance with present results. When wind stresses are accounted for, down‐front winds lower PV and up‐front winds increase it. The changes in Hoskins' criterion for the onset of symmetric instabilities are discussed.
Development and steady states of transverse dunes: A numerical analysis of dune pattern coarsening and giant dunes
Authors: Gao Xin , Narteau Clément , Rozier Olivier
Published: September 2015

We investigate the development and steady states of transverse dunes for ranges of flow depths and velocities using a cellular automaton dune model. Subsequent to the initial bed instability, dune pattern coarsening is driven by bed form interactions. Collisions lead to two types of coalescence associated with upstream or downstream dominant dunes. In addition, a single collision‐ejection mechanism enhances the exchange of mass between two adjacent bed forms (throughpassing dunes). The power law increases in wavelength and amplitude exhibit the same exponents, which are independent of flow properties. Contrary to the wavelength, dune height is limited not only by flow depth but also by the strength of the flow. Superimposed bed forms may propagate and continuously destabilize the largest dunes. We identify three classes of steady state transverse dune fields according to the periodicity in crest‐to‐crest spacing and the mechanism of size limitation. In all cases, the steady state is reached and maintained through the dynamic equilibrium between flow strength and dune aspect ratio. In the limit of low flow strength, where it becomes the primary factor of size limitation, the bed shear stress in the dune trough regions is close to its critical value for motion inception. Comparisons with natural dune fields suggest that many of them may have reached a steady state. Finally, we infer that the sedimentary patterns in the model may be used to bring new constraints on the development of modern and ancient dune fields.
Analysis of discontinuities across thin inhomogeneities, groundwater/surface water interactions in river networks, and circulation about slender bodies using slit elements in the Analytic Element Method
Authors: Steward David R.
Published: September 2015

Groundwater and surface water contain interfaces across which hydrologic functions are discontinuous. Thin elements with high hydraulic conductivity in a porous media focus groundwater, which flows through such inhomogeneities and causes an abrupt change in stream function across their interfaces, and elements with low conductivity retard flow with discontinuous head. Base flow interactions at the interface between groundwater and surface water transport water between these stores and generate a discontinuous normal component of flow. Thin objects in surface water with Kutta condition generate circulation by the discontinuous tangential component of flow across their interface. These discontinuities across hydrologic interfaces are quantified and visualized using the Analytic Element Method, where slit elements are formulated using the Joukowsky transformation with Laurent series and new influence functions to represent sinks and circulation, and methods are developed for these applications expressing discontinuities as Fourier series. The specific geometries illustrate solutions for a randomly generated heterogeneous porous media with nonintersecting inhomogeneities, for groundwater/surface water interaction in a synthetic river network, and for a slender body with geometry similar to the wings of the Wright Brothers. The mathematical details are reduced to series solutions and matrix multiplications, which are easily extensible to other geometries and applications.
American College of Rheumatology/Spondylitis Association of America/Spondyloarthritis Research and Treatment Network 2015 Recommendations for the Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis and Nonradiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis
Authors: Ward Michael M. , Deodhar Atul , Akl Elie A. , Lui Andrew , Ermann Joerg , Gensler Lianne S. , Smith Judith A. , Borenstein David , Hiratzka Jayme , Weiss Pamela F. , Inman Robert D. , Majithia Vikas , Haroon Nigil , Maksymowych Walter P. , Joyce Janet , Clark Bruce M. , Colbert Robert A. , Figgie Mark P. , Hallegua David S. , Prete Pamela E. , Rosenbaum James T. , Stebulis Judith A. , Van Den Bosch Filip , Yu David T. Y. , Miller Amy S. , Reveille John D. , Caplan Liron
Published: September 2015

Objective

To provide evidence‐based recommendations for the treatment of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis (SpA).

Methods

A core group led the development of the recommendations, starting with the treatment questions. A literature review group conducted systematic literature reviews of studies that addressed 57 specific treatment questions, based on searches conducted in OVID Medline (1946–2014), PubMed (1966–2014), and the Cochrane Library. We assessed the quality of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) method. A separate voting group reviewed the evidence and voted on recommendations for each question using the GRADE framework.

Results

In patients with active AS, the strong recommendations included use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), use of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) when activity persists despite NSAID treatment, not to use systemic glucocorticoids, use of physical therapy, and use of hip arthroplasty for patients with advanced hip arthritis. Among the conditional recommendations was that no particular TNFi was preferred except in patients with concomitant inflammatory bowel disease or recurrent iritis, in whom TNFi monoclonal antibodies should be used. In patients with active nonradiographic axial SpA despite treatment with NSAIDs, we conditionally recommend treatment with TNFi. Other recommendations for patients with nonradiographic axial SpA were based on indirect evidence and were the same as for patients with AS.

Conclusion

These recommendations provide guidance for the management of common clinical questions in AS and nonradiographic axial SpA. Additional research on optimal medication management over time, disease monitoring, and preventive care is needed to help establish best practices in these areas.
Surface‐Energy‐Driven Growth of ZnO Hexagonal Microtube Optical Resonators
Authors: Zhan Jinxin , Dong Hongxing , Sun Shulin , Ren Xiaodong , Liu Jianjun , Chen Zhanghai , Lienau Christoph , Zhang Long
Published: September 2015

A distinct “split and recoalescence” growth mechanism of tubular ZnO micro/nanostructures is observed for the first time. On the basis of experimental growth studies and first‐principles calculations, it is proposed that H2/H2O vapor, added to the traditional carbothermal reduction process, changes the intrinsic surface energy of ZnO crystal, which affects the ZnO crystal growth mode and subsequently controls the geometry of ZnO micro/nanotubes. It is shown that these tubular ZnO micro/nanostructures exhibit regular hexagonal cross sections and smooth outer and inner surfaces. Optical studies of ZnO micro/nanotubes reveal characteristic coherent intensity modulations of their emission spectra which reflect the excitation of either whispering gallery modes or wave‐guided modes. The specific type of mode can be selected by controlling the microtube geometry, specifically by its wall thickness to diameter ratio, as demonstrated both experimentally by photoluminescence spectroscopy, and theoretically by finite‐element‐method simulations.
The clinical presentation of attention deficit‐hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome
Authors: Niarchou Maria , Martin Joanna , Thapar Anita , Owen Michael J. , van den Bree Marianne B. M.
Published: September 2015

Background: Although attention deficit‐hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most prevalent psychiatric disorder in children with 22q11.2DS, it remains unclear whether its clinical presentation is similar to that in children with idiopathic ADHD. The aim of this study is to compare the ADHD phenotype in children with and without 22q11.2DS by examining ADHD symptom scores, patterns of psychiatric comorbidity, IQ and gender distribution. Methods: Forty‐four children with 22q11.2DS and ADHD (mean age = 9.6), 600 clinic children (mean age = 10.8) and 77 children with ADHD from a population cohort (mean age = 10.8) participated in the study. Psychopathology was assessed using parent‐report research diagnostic instruments. Results: There was a higher proportion of females in the 22q11.2DS ADHD sample in relation to the clinical sample (χ2 = 18.2, P < 0.001). The 22q11.2DS group showed a higher rate of ADHD inattentive subtype (χ2 = 114.76, P < 0.001), and fewer hyperactive‐impulsive symptoms compared to the clinical group (z = 8.43, P < 0.001). The 22q11.2DS ADHD group parents reported fewer oppositional defiant disorder/conduct disorder symptoms (z = 6.33, P < 0.001) and a higher rate of generalized anxiety disorder (χ2 = 4.56, P = 0.03) in relation to the clinical group. Two percent of the 22q11.2 DS ADHD sample had received ADHD treatment. The results were similar when the 22q11.2 ADHD group was compared to the population cohort ADHD group. Conclusions: The clinical presentation of ADHD and patterns of co‐morbidity in 22q11.2DS is different from that in idiopathic ADHD. This could lead to clinical under‐recognition of ADHD in this group. Examining psychopathology in 22q11.2DS can provide insights into the genetic origins of psychiatric problems with implications beyond the 22q11.2DS population. © 2015 The Authors. American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A systematic study on the effects of doping agents on polypyrrole coating of fabrics
Authors: Varesano Alessio , Belluati Andrea , Sanchez Ramirez Diego Omar , Carletto Riccardo Andrea , Vineis Claudia , Tonetti Cinzia , Bianchetto Songia Michela , Mazzuchetti Giorgio
Published: September 2015

Polypyrrole is widely used as coating to produce electrically conductive textiles. Counter‐ions (i.e. doping agents) were embedded in polypyrrole to improve electrical conductivity. Good electrical performances are required for several applications, such as microwave attenuation/electro‐magnetic interference shielding, heat generation, electro‐static discharge protection, sensing, and energy storage. In this work, a systematic study was carried out on the effects of doping agents in coating cotton fabrics with a thin polypyrrole layer. A total of 11 compounds were selected and compared as counter‐ions. The electrical performances of the coated fabrics were assessed with measures of electrical conductivity. Moreover, evenness and morphology of the resulting polypyrrole layer were discussed. As the final result, the best performances in terms of electrical conductivity (i.e. low surface resistivity) were measured using on dicyclohexyl sulfosuccinate, 2,6‐naphthalenedisulfonate or 1,5‐naphthalenedisulfonate as doping agents. The weight increases after polypyrrole deposition on the fabrics were greater than 15% and polypyrrole deposited on the fibers as a uniform film. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2016,132, 42831.
Geometric Morphometrics: Does the Appearance of the Septal Aperture Depend on the Shape of Ulnar Processes?
Authors: Kubicka Anna Maria , Myszka Anna , Piontek Janusz
Published: September 2015

Many theories have been suggested to explain the etiology of septal apertures (SA) of the humerus. The influence of genes, the size of ulnar processes, joint laxity, and bone robusticity, have been discussed; however, the problem has not yet been solved. The main aim of this study was to examine the influence of ulnar and humeri shape on septal aperture formation, using geometric morphometric analyses. Skeletal material from an early‐mediaeval cemetery located in Western Poland was used. The material comprised two groups: (1) ulnae and humeri with septal apertures, (2) ulnae and humeri without septal apertures. From a CT image, three‐dimensional reconstructions were obtained for all bones. Then, 25 landmarks were distributed on each proximal end of the ulnae and 30 landmarks on the distal ends of the humeri. Shape differences between ulnae in joints with and without SA were significant for the left and right sides of the body. The shapes of the left and right distal ends of humeri with SA differed significantly from those without SA. Similar results were obtained for the right side of the body. Ulnae from joints with SA were characterized by a more pronounced olecranon process, a smaller articulated coronoid process and a more tightly curved trochlear notch than ulnae from joints without SA. Humeri with SA included wider and deeper olecranon fossae and smaller and less curved articular surfaces. These results partly coincide with the results of other research indicating the influence of olecranon processes on lamina perforation. Anat Rec, 298:2030–2038, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Selective inhibition of dopamine‐beta‐hydroxylase enhances dopamine release from noradrenergic terminals in the medial prefrontal cortex
Authors: Devoto Paola , Flore Giovanna , Saba Pierluigi , Frau Roberto , Gessa Gian L.
Published: September 2015

Introduction

Disulfiram has been claimed to be useful in cocaine addiction therapy, its efficacy being attributed to dopamine‐beta‐hydroxylase (DBH) inhibition. Our previous results indicate that disulfiram and the selective DBH inhibitor nepicastat increase extracellular dopamine (DA) in the rat medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and markedly potentiated cocaine‐induced increase. Concomitantly, in rats with cocaine self‐administration history, cocaine‐seeking behavior induced by drug priming was prevented, probably through overstimulation of D1 receptors due to the DA increase. The present research was aimed at studying the neurochemical mechanisms originating the enhanced DA release.

Methods

Noradrenergic system ablation was attained by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of the neurotoxin anti‐DBH‐saporin (aDBH‐sap). DA, noradrenaline (NA), and DOPAC were assessed by HPLC after ex vivo tissue extraction or in vivo microdialysis. Control and denervated rats were subjected to microdialysis in the mPFC and caudate nucleus to evaluate the effect of nepicastat–cocaine combination on extracellular DA levels and their regulation by α2‐adrenoceptors.

Results

Fifteen days after neurotoxin or its vehicle administration, tissue and extracellular NA were reduced to less than 2% the control value, while extracellular DA was increased by approximately 100%. In control rats, nepicastat given alone and in combination with cocaine increased extracellular DA by about 250% and 1100%, respectively. In denervated rats, nepicastat slightly affected extracellular DA, while in combination with cocaine increased extracellular DA by 250%. No differences were found in the caudate nucleus. Clonidine almost totally reversed the extracellular DA elevation produced by nepicastat–cocaine combination, while it was ineffective in denervated rats.

Conclusions

This research shows that the increase of extracellular DA produced by nepicastat alone or in combination with cocaine was prevented by noradrenergic denervation. The results indicate that nepicastat enhances DA release from noradrenergic terminals supposedly by removing NA from α2‐autoreceptors. In addition to the inhibition of DA uptake, the latter mechanism may explain the synergistic effect of cocaine on nepicastat‐induced DA release.