bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of comorbidities and therapeutic approach for allergic rhinitis in a pediatric population in Spain
Authors: Ibáñez María Dolores , Valero Antonio Luis , Montoro Javier , Jauregui Ignacio , Ferrer Marta , Dávila Ignacio , Bartra Joan , del Cuvillo Alfonso , Mullol Joaquim , Sastre Joaquín
Published: September 2013

Background

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is the most common chronic disease in children. The main objective of this study was to analyze the comorbidities and therapeutic approaches for AR in a Spanish pediatric population.

Methods

Children aged 6 to 12 years with AR were included in an observational, cross‐sectional, multicenter study.

Results

1,275 children were recruited from 271 centers. AR was intermittent in 59.5% of cases, persistent in 40.5%, seasonal in 60.7%, and perennial in 39.3% of patients. The most frequent comorbidities were conjunctivitis (53.6%), asthma (49.5%), atopic dermatitis (40%), rhinosinusitis(26.1%), otitis media (23.8%), and adenoid hypertrophy (17.3%). Overall, patients with persistent, moderate or severe, AR were more likely to present comobidities, except for food allergy and urticaria. The most common drugs used for treatment of AR were oral antihistamines(76%), nasal corticosteroids(49%) and a combination of both (45%). Antihistamines and nasal corticosteroids were used on demand (<18 days) in 38 and 41% of patients, respectively; for 18–30 days in 22 and 27%; for 1–3 months in 31 and 29%; and for more than 3 months in 8 and 3%, respectively. Eye drops were used in 32% and specific immunotherapy in 21% of patients.

Conclusion

Comorbidities are frequent in children with AR, supporting the notion of allergy as a systemic disease. Severity and duration of AR were significantly associated with presence of most of comorbidities. The most common drugs used for AR treatment were oral antihistamines, followed by nasal corticosteroids and a combination of both used on demand.
I Cannot Afford to Have a Life: Employee Adaptation to Feelings of Job Insecurity
Authors: Boswell Wendy R. , Olson‐Buchanan Julie B. , Harris T. Brad
Published: September 2013

This study examines the links between employee perceptions of job insecurity, the work–nonwork interface, and stress‐related outcomes. Drawing on an adaptation perspective, we expect employees feeling greater job insecurity to engage in adaptive work behaviors including less use of work–nonwork support programs and greater willingness to let work permeate into one's personal life, which in turn will associate with greater work–nonwork conflict and emotional exhaustion. Data were collected from employees within a large energy company at 2 points in time. Results support the model, offering important insights into employee behavioral responses to job insecurity and key mechanisms through which insecurity may foster diminished employee well‐being.
Dynamic Epistemic Logic II: Logics of Information Change
Authors: Pacuit Eric
Published: September 2013

This is the second paper in a two‐part series introducing logics for reasoning about the dynamics of knowledge and beliefs. Part I introduced different logical systems that can be used to reason about the knowledge and beliefs of a group of agents. In this second paper, I show how to adapt these logical systems to reason about the knowledge and beliefs of a group of agents during the course of a social interaction or rational inquiry. Inference, communication and observation are typical examples of informative events, which have been subjected to a logical analysis. The main goal of this article is to introduce the key conceptual and technical issues that drive much of the research in this area.
Semantic Inferentialism and the Evolutionary Argument Against Naturalism
Authors: Collin James Henry
Published: September 2013

Alvin Plantinga's evolutionary argument against naturalism makes the case that the conjunction of evolutionary theory and naturalism cannot be rationally believed, as, if both evolutionary theory and naturalism were true, it would be highly unlikely that our cognitive faculties are reliable. I present Plantinga's evolutionary argument against naturalism and survey a theory of meaning espoused by Robert Brandom, known as semantic inferentialism. I argue that if one accepts semantic inferentialism, as it is developed by Brandom, then Plantinga's motivation for the evolutionary argument against naturalism is undermined.
Divine Passibility: God and Emotion
Authors: Scrutton Anastasia
Published: September 2013

While the impassibility debate has traditionally been construed in terms of whether God suffers, recent philosophy of religion has interpreted it in terms of whether God has emotions more generally. This article surveys the philosophical literature on divine im/passibility over the last 25 years, outlining major arguments for and against the idea that God has emotions. It argues that questions about the nature and value of emotions are at the heart of the im/passibility debate. More specifically, it suggests that presuppositions about the dichotomy between emotions and reason (or the ‘heart and the head’) have negatively impacted the debate. It contends that the debate can only move forward in response to serious reflection on our affects as we experience them, aided by historical and anthropological as well as contemporary philosophical perspectives.
Hannah Arendt and Global Justice
Authors: Parekh Serena
Published: September 2013

This essay explores recent scholarship on Hannah Arendt's contribution to the field of global justice. I show that many of Arendt's ideas have been brought to bear fruitfully on some of the most pressing global issues of our day. I turn first to the area in which Arendt has, arguably, been most influential, namely human right. I then look at recent scholarship on Arendt and various issues in global justice, including immigration, statelessness, human security, global poverty, political reconciliation, and global democracy. This essay offers a critical analysis of the ways that Arendt's work has been employed in discussions of global justice and highlights the contributions that she has made to this field of thought.© 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Gaita's Moral Philosophy and the Rational Soul
Authors: Buckle Stephen
Published: September 2013

Raimond Gaita's moral philosophy has a Platonic emphasis on “goodness beyond virtue.” But it also displays an anti‐rationalist tendency, subordinating reason to the immediate responsiveness of human beings to each other. However, Gaita's account of the lucidity on which moral life depends fits ill with this subordination. Some Wittgensteinian remarks that have influenced Gaita are deployed to show that a Platonic rationalist psychology better serves his purposes than does his own, implicitly empiricist, psychology. The conclusion notes that Gaita's more recent work evidences less hostility to rationality.
Silencing of Erwinia amylovora sy69 AHL‐quorum sensing by a Bacillus simplex AHL‐inducible aiiA gene encoding a zinc‐dependent N‐acyl‐homoserine lactonase
Authors: Hanano A. , Harba M. , Al‐Ali M. , Ammouneh H.
Published: September 2013

Quorum sensing in Gram‐negative bacteria is regulated by diffusible signal molecules called N‐acyl‐l‐homoserine lactones (AHLs). These molecules are degraded by lactonases. In this study, six Bacillus simplex isolates were characterized and identified as a new quorum‐quenching species of Bacillus. An aiiA gene encoding an AHL‐lactonase was identified based on evidence that: (i) it showed high homology with other aiiA genes of Bacillus sp.; (ii) the deduced amino acid sequence contained two conserved regions, 104SHLHFDH111 and 165TPGHTPGH173, characteristic of the metallo‐β‐lactamase superfamily; and (iii) the protein had zinc‐dependent AHL‐degrading activity. Additionally, the expression of the aiiA gene was significantly up‐regulated by 3‐oxo‐AHL. The AHL‐lactonase inhibited multiplication of the 3‐oxo‐C6‐AHL‐producing plant pathogen Erwinia amylovora sy69 both in vitro and in planta. The results provide support for the use of the quorum‐quenching functionality of B. simplex in the integrated control of the devastating fire blight pathogen.
Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Placement with Peritoneoscopic Technique and Successful Initiation of Peritoneal Dialysis in a Patient with Diastasis Recti
Authors: Abdelsalam Mohamed Said , Althaf Mohammed Mahdi , Albaqumi Mamdouh Nasser , Alfurayh Osman , Korbi Lutfi , Haq Naveed Ul
Published: September 2013

Preserved anatomical integrity of the anterior abdominal wall is considered important in the presurgical evaluation of a patient who is being considered for placement of a peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter. Diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) is the excessive widening or separation between the two bellies of the rectus abdominis muscle. The separation can occur anywhere along the linea alba and at times has been found to span the entire length from the xiphosternal angle to the pubic bone. Presence of DRA can pose a surgical challenge in the peritoneoscopic placement of peritoneal dialysis catheter. In this report, we discuss a case of successful placement of peritoneal dialysis catheter with peritoneoscope technique and successful initiation of peritoneal dialysis in a chronic kidney disease patient with DRA.
Optimal detection of a jump in the intensity of a Poisson process or in a density with likelihood ratio statistics
Authors: Rivera Camilo , Walther Guenther
Published: September 2013

We consider the problem of detecting a ‘bump’ in the intensity of a Poisson process or in a density. We analyze two types of likelihood ratio‐based statistics, which allow for exact finite sample inference and asymptotically optimal detection: The maximum of the penalized square root of log likelihood ratios (‘penalized scan’) evaluated over a certain sparse set of intervals and a certain average of log likelihood ratios (‘condensed average likelihood ratio’). We show that penalizing thesquare rootof the log likelihood ratio — rather than the log likelihood ratio itself — leads to a simple penalty term that yields optimal power. The thus derived penalty may prove useful for other problems that involve a Brownian bridge in the limit. The second key tool is an approximating set of intervals that is rich enough to allow for optimal detection, but which is also sparse enough to allow justifying the validity of the penalization scheme simply via the union bound. This results in a considerable simplification in the theoretical treatment compared with the usual approach for this type of penalization technique, which requires establishing an exponential inequality for the variation of the test statistic. Another advantage of using the sparse approximating set is that it allows fast computation in nearly linear time. We present a simulation study that illustrates the superior performance of the penalized scan and of the condensed average likelihood ratio compared with the standard scan statistic.
Analysis of plasma surfactant protein D levels in lung transplant recipients
Authors: Bejvl I. , Weseslindtner L. , Strassl R. , Jaksch P. , Kundi M. , Klepetko W. , Puchhammer‐Stöckl E.
Published: September 2013

In lung transplant recipients (LTRs), severe clinical complications, such as microbial infections of the lung or transplant rejection, may occur. Surfactant protein D (SP‐D) is a C‐type lectin that is mainly produced in alveolar type II cells. Plasma SP‐D levels are usually low, but may increase when the lung–blood barrier is impaired. In this study, we analyzed whether plasma SP‐D concentrations reflect rejection or infection of the lung allograft. An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure SP‐D levels in plasma samples from 58 LTRs during intervals without pathologic respiratory findings and during episodes of acute cellular rejection (ACR), microbial colonization, and microbial pneumonia. Median plasma SP‐D levels were significantly increased during episodes of microbial pneumonia, but not in the absence of pathologic respiratory findings, during microbial colonization, or during ACR up to grade A2–A3 (P < 0.05). During pneumonia, an increased plasma SP‐D level was detected in 60% of LTRs and this was further associated with a significantly higher risk for the patients to develop stage III bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS III) or to die within the subsequent 6 months after pneumonia (P = 0.0093). All patients with a plasma SP‐D level of >300 ng/mL during pneumonia developed BOS III and/or died within 6 months of follow‐up (P = 0.001). The determination of SP‐D levels in plasma during pneumonia in LTRs may be of prognostic value and warrants further evaluation.
Identifying the superior measure of rapid fibrosis for predicting premature cirrhosis after liver transplantation for hepatitis C
Authors: Howell J. , Sawhney R. , Angus P. , Fink M. , Jones R. , Wang B.Z. , Visvanathan K. , Crowley P. , Gow P.
Published: September 2013

Background

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) recurrence post liver transplant is universal, with a subgroup of patients developing rapid hepatic fibrosis. Various clinical definitions of rapid fibrosis (RF) have been used to identify risks for rapid progression, but their comparability and efficacy at predicting adverse outcomes has not been determined.

Methods

Retrospective data analysis was conducted on 100 adult patients with HCV who underwent liver transplantation at a single center. We measured year 1 fibrosis progression (RF defined as METAVIR F score ≥1 at 1‐year liver biopsy), time to METAVIR F2‐stage fibrosis, and fibrosis rate (calculated using liver biopsies graded by METAVIR scoring F0–4; fibrosis rate = fibrosis stage/year post transplant). RF was defined as ≥0.5 units/year.

Results

Multivariate analysis revealed that donor age and peak HCV viral load were significant risks for RF, when fibrosis rate was used to define RF. Advanced donor age was a risk for rapid progression to F2‐stage fibrosis, whereas genotype 2 or 3 HCV infection was protective. Fibrosis rate had the strongest correlation with time to cirrhosis development (P < 0.0001, r = −0.76) and was the most accurate predictor of rapid graft cirrhosis (P < 0.0001, area under the curve 0.979, sensitivity 100%, specificity 94%).

Conclusion

Different measures of RF progression identify different risks for RF and are not directly comparable. Fibrosis rate was the most accurate predictor of rapid graft cirrhosis.
Markers of iron metabolism in retired racing Greyhounds with and without osteosarcoma
Authors: Caro J. T. , Marín L. M. , Iazbik M. C. , Zaldivar‐López S. , Borghese H. , Couto C. G.
Published: September 2013

Background

Greyhounds have well‐described clinicopathologic idiosyncrasies, including a high prevalence of osteosarcoma (OSA). Hematocrit, HGB, and HGB oxygen affinity are higher than in other dogs, while haptoglobin concentration is lower, so we hypothesized that Greyhounds have a different iron metabolism. To our knowledge, there are no reports on serum iron profiles in Greyhounds.

Objectives

To elucidate iron metabolism in Greyhounds, we wanted to compare serum iron concentration, total iron‐binding capacity (TIBC), and percent transferrin saturation (%SAT) in healthy retired racing Greyhounds (RRGs) with OSA (RRGs –OSA), and also with non‐Greyhounds (NGs), without and withOSA(NGs –OSA).

Methods

Serum iron concentration and unsaturated iron‐binding capacity (UIBC) were measured by standard methods, andTIBCand %SATwere calculated inRRGs (n = 25),RRGs –OSA(n = 28),NGs (n = 30), andNGs –OSA(n = 32).

Results

TIBCwas lower inRRGs than inNGs (P < .0001), and inRRGs –OSAthan inNGs –OSA(P < .0001).NGs –OSAhad lowerTIBCthan healthyNGs (P = .003). PercentSATwas higher inRRGs than inNGs (P < .0001) and inRRGs –OSA(P = .008), and %SATwas also lower inNGs than inNGs –OSA(P = .004). PercentSATwas also higher inRRGs –OSAthan inNGs –OSA(P = .001). BothRRGs –OSA(P = .02) andNGs –OSA(P < .0001) had lower serum iron concentrations than their healthy counterparts.

Conclusion

LowerTIBCand higher %SATmay constitute another Greyhound idiosyncrasy compared with other dogs. In this study, all dogs withOSAhad higher serum iron concentrations and %SATthan healthy dogs.
A Reduced-Order Meshless Energy Model for the Vibrations of Mistuned Bladed Disks—Part I: Theoretical Basis
Authors: McGee O. G. , Fang C. , El-Aini Y.
Published: September 2013

In this paper, a reduced order model for the vibrations of bladed disk assemblies was achieved. The system studied was a 3D annulus of shroudless, “custom-tailored,” mistuned blades attached to a flexible disk. Specifically, the annulus was modeled as a spectral-based “meshless” continuum structure utilizing only nodal data to describe the arbitrary volume in which the system's dynamical energy was minimized. An extended Ritz variational procedure was used to minimize this energy, subjected to constraints imposed by an assumed 3D displacement field of mathematically complete, orthonormal “blade-disk” polynomials multiplied by generalized coefficients. The coefficients were determined by constraining the polynomial series to satisfy the extended Ritz stationary equations and essential boundary conditions of the bladed disk. From this, the governing equations of motion were generated into their usual dynamical forms to calculate upper-bounds on the actual free and forced responses of bladed disks. No conventional finite elements and element connectivity or component substructuring data were needed. This paper, Part I, outlines the theoretical foundation of the present model, and through extensive Monte Carlo simulations, establishes the analytical basis, predictive accuracy, and re-analysis efficiency of the present technology in the prediction of 3D maximum response amplitude of mistuned bladed disks having increasing numbers of nodal diameter excitations. Further applications validating the 3D approach against conventional finite element procedures of free and forced response prediction of a mistuned Integrally-Bladed Rotor used in practice is presented in a companion paper, Part II (Fang, McGee, and El-Aini, 2013, “A Reduced-Order Meshless Energy Model for the Vibrations of Mistuned Bladed Disks—Part II: Finite Element Benchmark Comparisons, ASME J. Turbomach., to be published.
Detailed Velocity and Turbulence Measurements in an Inclined Large-Scale Film Cooling Array
Authors: El-Gabry Lamyaa A. , Thurman Douglas R. , Poinsatte Philip E. , Heidmann James D.
Published: September 2013

A large-scale model of an inclined row of film cooling holes is used to obtain detailed surface and flow field measurements that will enable future computational fluid dynamics code development and validation. The model consists of three holes of 1.9-cm diameter that are spaced three hole diameters apart and inclined 30 deg from the surface. The length to diameter ratio of the coolant holes is about 18. Measurements include film effectiveness using IR thermography and near wall thermocouples, heat transfer using liquid crystal thermography, flow field temperatures using a thermocouple, and velocity and turbulence quantities using hotwire anemometry. Results are obtained for blowing ratios of up to 2 in order to capture severe conditions in which the jet is lifted. For purposes of comparison with prior art, measurements of the velocity and turbulence field along the jet centerline are made and compare favorably with two data sets in the open literature thereby verifying the test apparatus and methodology are able to replicate existing data sets. In addition, a computational fluid dynamics model using a two-equation turbulence model is developed, and the results for velocity, turbulent kinetic energy and turbulent dissipation rate are compared with experimentally derived quantities.
Heat Transfer Coefficient Measurements on the Film-Cooled Pressure Surface of a Transonic Airfoil
Authors: Kodzwa Paul M. , Eaton John K.
Published: September 2013

This paper presents isoenergetic temperature and steady-state film-cooled heat transfer coefficient measurements on the pressure surface of a modern, highly cambered transonic airfoil. A single passage model simulated the idealized two-dimensional flow path between blades in a modern transonic turbine. This set up offered a simpler construction than a linear cascade but produced an equivalent flow condition. Furthermore, this model allowed the use of steady-state, constant surface heat fluxes. We used wide-band thermochromic liquid crystals (TLCs) viewed through a novel miniature periscope system to perform high-accuracy (±0.2 °C) thermography. The peak Mach number along the pressure surface was 1.5, and maximum turbulence intensity was 30%. We used air and carbon dioxide as injectant to simulate the density ratios characteristic of the film cooling problem. We found significant differences between isoenergetic and recovery temperature distributions with a strongly accelerated mainstream and detached coolant jets. Our heat transfer data showed some general similarities with lower-speed data immediately downstream of injection; however, we also observed significant heat transfer attenuation far downstream at high blowing conditions. Our measurements suggested that the momentum ratio was the most appropriate variable to parameterize the effect of injectant density once jet lift-off occurred. We noted several nonintuitive results in our turbulence effect studies. First, we found that increased mainstream turbulence can be overwhelmed by the local augmentation of coolant injection. Second, we observed complex interactions between turbulence level, coolant density, and blowing rate with an accelerating mainstream.
The Map Fitting Tool Methodology: Gas Turbine Compressor Off-Design Performance Modeling
Authors: Sethi Vishal , Doulgeris Georgios , Pilidis Pericles , Nind Alex , Doussinault Marc , Cobas Pedro , Rueda Almudena
Published: September 2013

This paper describes the structure and the implementation of an extended parametric representation of compressor characteristics for a modern object oriented gas turbine performance simulation software (PROOSIS). The proposed methodology is the map fitting tool (MFT) methodology. The proposed MFT methodology for modeling the off design performance of gas turbine turbomachinery components (fans, compressors, and turbines) is based on a concept conceived and developed collaboratively by General Electric (GE) and NASA. This paper provides a short description of both BETA and MFT compressor maps, as well as the development of compressor component models in PROOSIS capable of using both types of maps for off design compressor performance prediction. The work presented in this paper is the outcome of a collaborative effort between Snecma Moteurs and Cranfield University as part of the European Cycle Program of the EU FP6 collaborative project—VIVACE. A detailed description of the MFT map methodology is provided with a “step-by-step” calculation procedure. Synergies between compressor MFT and compressor BETA calculations are also highlighted and a description of how these two components have been integrated into an object oriented simulation software with component hierarchy is also presented. Advanced parametric representations of fan and turbine characteristics have also been developed within PROOSIS. However, a description of these methodologies is beyond the scope of this publication. Additionally, a comparison between the advantages and disadvantages between BETA and MFT maps is an interesting debate. However, this is also beyond the scope of this paper.
Integer Frequency Veering of Mistuned Blade Integrated Disks
Authors: Klauke T. , Strehlau U. , Kühhorn A.
Published: September 2013

As a result of more balanced blade aspect ratios of modern blade-integrated disks (blisks), interactions between disk-dominated and blade-dominated modes are becoming more and more important, especially if blade mistuning is considered. The specific vibration behavior in these transition regions is characterized by a mix of both fundamental mode types into “coupled” modes. In this paper, numerical and experimental investigations based on a front high-pressure compressor (HPC) blisk stage were carried out in order to determine the effect of blade mistuning on those regions in detail. At this, effects like mode localization and amplitude magnification are found to be weakened in an integer frequency-veering zone. Contrary to this, blisks are very sensitive to mistuning in regions of pure blade-dominated mode families with high modal density.
Studies on the Reduction Mechanism of Oxygen on Ag/C Catalysts in Alkaline Solutions
Authors: Han Jia-Jun , Liu De-Li , Geng Lin
Published: September 2013

Carbon-supported silver (Ag/C) catalysts with different Ag contents are prepared using the Ag (I) coordination polymer, [Ag(C7H6NO2)(C6H12N4)(H2O)]n. The mechanism and activity of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on these Ag/C catalysts are investigated by the cyclic voltammetry and the rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) in alkaline solutions. The test results indicate that, under the same Ag crystallite sizes, the activities increase with increasing Ag contents from 5 to 20 wt.% and the ORR proceeds by a four-electron pathway on Ag/C catalysts, but with decreasing Ag contents, the ORR is catalyzed via the four-electron pathway and the two-electron pathway simultaneously.
Three-step growth of metamorphic GaAs on Si(001) by low-pressure metal organic chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Wang Yifan , Wang Qi , Jia Zhigang , Li Xiaoyi , Deng Can , Ren Xiaomin , Cai Shiwei , Huang Yongqing
Published: September 2013

In this study, metamorphic growth of GaAs on Si(001) substrate was investigated via three-step growth in a low-pressure metal organic chemical vapor deposition reactor. Three-step growth was achieved by simply inserting an intermediate temperature GaAs layer between the low temperature GaAs nucleation layer and the high temperature GaAs epilayer. Compared with conventional two-step growth, three-step growth could further reduce surface roughness and etch pit density. By combining three-step growth with thermal-cycle annealing, the authors have grown a 1.8-μm-thick GaAs epilayer with root mean square roughness of only 1.8 and 0.73 nm in 10 × 10 μm2 and 2 × 2 μm2 scanning areas, respectively. The threading dislocation density of the 1.8-μm-thick GaAs epilayer was as low as 1.1 × 107 cm−2, as calculated directly from the double crystal x-ray diffraction ω-scan full width at half maximum of the GaAs diffraction peak. The corresponding etch pit density was only 3 × 106 cm−2.
Low dose tomographic fluoroscopy: 4D intervention guidance with running prior
Authors: Flach Barbara , Kuntz Jan , Brehm Marcus , Kueres Rolf , Bartling Sönke , Kachelrieß Marc
Published: September 2013

Purpose:

Todayˈs standard imaging technique in interventional radiology is the single‐ or biplane x‐ray fluoroscopy which delivers 2D projection images as a function of time (2D+T). This state‐of‐the‐art technology, however, suffers from its projective nature and is limited by the superposition of the patientˈs anatomy. Temporally resolved tomographic volumes (3D+T) would significantly improve the visualization of complex structures. A continuous tomographic data acquisition, if carried out with todayˈs technology, would yield an excessive patient dose. Recently the authors proposed a method that enables tomographic fluoroscopy at the same dose level as projective fluoroscopy which means that if scanning time of an intervention guided by projective fluoroscopy is the same as that of an intervention guided by tomographic fluoroscopy, almost the same dose is administered to the patient. The purpose of this work is to extend authorsˈ previous work and allow for patient motion during the intervention.

Methods:

The authors propose the running prior technique for adaptation of a prior image. This adaptation is realized by a combination of registration and projection replacement. In a first step the prior is deformed to the current position via affine and deformable registration. Then the information from outdated projections is replaced by newly acquired projections using forward and backprojection steps. The thus adapted volume is the running prior. The proposed method is validated by simulated as well as measured data. To investigate motion during intervention a moving head phantom was simulated. Realin vivo data of a pig are acquired by a prototype CT system consisting of a flat detector and a continuously rotating clinical gantry.

Results:

With the running prior technique it is possible to correct for motion without additional dose. For an application in intervention guidance both steps of the running prior technique, registration and replacement, are necessary. Reconstructed volumes based on the running prior show high image quality without introducing new artifacts and the interventional materials are displayed at the correct position.

Conclusions:

The running prior improves the robustness of low dose 3D+T intervention guidance toward intended or unintended patient motion.
Use of dMLC for implementation of dynamic respiratory‐gated radiation therapy
Authors: Pepin Eric W. , Wu Huanmei , Shirato Hiroki
Published: September 2013

Purpose:

To simulate and evaluate the use of dynamic multileaf collimators (dMLC) in respiratory gating to compensate for baseline drift.

Methods:

Tumor motion tracking data from 30 lung tumors over 322 treatment fractions was analyzed with the finite state model. A dynamic respiratory gating window was established in real‐time by determining the average positions during the previous two end‐of‐expiration breathing phases and centering the dMLC aperture on a weighted average of these positions. A simulated dMLC with physical motion constraints was used in dynamic gating treatment simulations. Fluence maps were created to provide a statistical description of radiation delivery for each fraction. Duty cycle was also calculated for each fraction.

Results:

The average duty cycle was 2.3% greater under dynamic gating conditions. Dynamic gating also showed higher fluences and less tumor obstruction. Additionally, dynamic gating required fewer beam toggles and each delivery period was longer on average than with static gating.

Conclusions:

The use of dynamic gating showed better performance than static gating and the physical constraints of a dMLC were shown to not be an impediment to dynamic gating.
Simultaneous 99mTc‐MDP/123I‐MIBG tumor imaging using SPECT‐CT: Phantom and constructed patient studies
Authors: Rakvongthai Yothin , Fakhri Georges El , Lim Ruth , Bonab Ali A. , Ouyang Jinsong
Published: September 2013

Purpose:

Authors’ goal is to evaluate the performance of simultaneous99mTc‐MDP/123I‐MIBG tumor imaging with fast Monte‐Carlo (MC) based joint iterative reconstruction as compared to sequential 99mTc‐MDP and 123I‐MIBG tumor imaging.

Methods:

Noise‐free99mTc and 123I SPECT projections were acquired separately using an anthropomorphic torso phantom modified to include a fillable tube around the lungs to mimic ribs. Additionally, 99mTc and 123I projections were acquired separately using a 1‐cm spherical “tumor” placed at various distances from one detector. Tumor‐present data were generated by adding tumor projections to the torso phantom data, which were scaled to the total counts in typical clinical studies. Twenty‐five noise realizations were generated by adding Poisson noise to the projection data for each radionuclide. Dual‐radionuclide data were synthesized by summing the 99mTc and 123I projections. Image reconstruction was performed using: (1) SR‐OSEM, ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM) without scatter correction (SC) using single‐radionuclide (SR) data; (2) SR‐MC‐OSEM, OSEM with a fast MC‐based SC using SR data; (3) DR‐OSEM, OSEM without SC using dual‐radionuclide (DR) data; and (4) DR‐MC‐JOSEM, joint OSEM with a fast MC‐based SC using DR data. Ten 99mTc‐MDP and ten 123I‐MIBG data sets, which had tumors mathematically inserted, were also used to evaluate the performance of authors’ approach. For the phantom study, relative bias and relative standard deviation of tumor uptake were computed for each tumor using the tumor uptake in the noise‐free single‐radionuclide images, which were reconstructed by SR‐MC‐OSEM, as the gold standard. For both the phantom and constructed patient studies, mean contrast and standard deviation of contrast were computed for each tumor for both the single‐ and dual‐radionuclide images. Additionally, contrast recovery was computed as the ratio between mean contrast and the mean contrast for SR‐MC‐OSEM.

Results:

For the phantom study, DR‐MC‐JOSEM yielded 2.7% on average relative bias of tumor uptake using the images, which were reconstructed from the noise‐free SR data with SR‐MC‐OSEM, as the gold‐standard. For both the phantom and constructed patient studies, DR‐MC‐JOSEM yielded 94.7% and 95.2% tumor contrast recovery on average using SR‐MC‐OSEM as the reference, in the phantom and constructed patient studies, respectively. DR‐MC‐JOSEM yielded comparable relative standard deviation of bias and standard deviation of contrast to SR‐MC‐OSEM.

Conclusions:

Simultaneous99mTc‐MDP/123I‐MIBG tumor imaging using authors’ dual‐radionuclide reconstruction approach yielded comparable image quality to sequential 99mTc‐MDP and 123I‐MIBG imaging. For patients who need to undergo both scans, authors’ approach offers perfectly registered dual‐tracer images under identical conditions without compromising image quality, and reduces the imaging cost while increasing patient throughput.
Marine Taxa Track Local Climate Velocities
Authors: Pinsky Malin L. , Worm Boris , Fogarty Michael J. , Sarmiento Jorge L. , Levin Simon A.
Published: September 2013

Local Speeding

Early responses of species to climate change seemed to predict a general poleward response (or upward in mountains and downward in the ocean).

Pinsky
et al.

(p.
1239
) test an alternative hypothesis that relates more to the nature of climate change than to changes in temperature. Using nearly 50 years of coastal survey data on >350 marine taxa, they found that climate velocity was a much better predictor of patterns of change than individual species' characteristics or life histories. The findings suggest that responses to climate change largely track changes in local conditions.
Comment on “Influence of HLA-C Expression Level on HIV Control”
Authors: Lo Monaco Elisa , Tremante Elisa , Biswas Priscilla , Cranage Martin P. , Zipeto Donato , Beretta Alberto , Giacomini Patrizio
Published: September 2013

Apps
et al
. (Reports, 5 April 2013, p. 87) found that high human leukocyte antigen C (HLA-C) expression favors HIV-1 control. However, as noted here, HLA-C was assessed with a monoclonal antibody (DT9) that cross-reacts with HLA-E. In the context of the available evidence, this is consistent with the idea that the two leukocyte antigens collaborate to keep the HIV-1 virus at bay.
Safeguards for Cell Cooperation in Mouse Embryogenesis Shown by Genome-Wide Cheater Screen
Authors: Dejosez Marion , Ura Hiroki , Brandt Vicky L. , Zwaka Thomas P.
Published: September 2013

Keeping Cells Cooperating

Multicellular organisms have certain advantages over those that are single-celled. To evolve, however, they must surmount a persistent challenge: ensuring that their constituent cells cooperate with one another rather than “cheat” or compete with each other for resources.

Dejosez
et al.

(p.
1511
, published online 12 September) performed a genome-wide screen in induced pluripotent stem cells to search for genes that promote cell cooperation. A number of genes were identified of which knockdown allowed competitive behavior to dominate. These genes formed a network centered on p53, topoisomerase 1, and olfactory receptors. Thus, a genetic mechanism may promote cooperation in the developing embryo.
In Situ Observations of Interstellar Plasma with Voyager 1
Authors: Gurnett D. A. , Kurth W. S , Burlaga L. F. , Ness N. F.
Published: September 2013

Finally Out

Last summer, it was not clear if the Voyager 1 spacecraft had finally crossed the heliopause—the boundary between the heliosphere and interstellar space.

Gurnett
et al.

(p.
1489
, published online 12 September) present results from the Plasma Wave instrument on Voyager 1 that provide evidence that the spacecraft was in the interstellar plasma during two periods, October to November 2012 and April to May 2013, and very likely in the interstellar plasma continuously since the series of boundary crossings that occurred in July to August 2012.
Direct Spectroscopic Characterization of a Transitory Dirhodium Donor-Acceptor Carbene Complex
Authors: Kornecki Katherine P. , Briones John F. , Boyarskikh Vyacheslav , Fullilove Felicia , Autschbach Jochen , Schrote Kaitlin E. , Lancaster Kyle M. , Davies Huw M. L. , Berry John F.
Published: September 2013

Catching a Carbene >>

Divalent carbon fragments, or carbenes, vary widely in their stability, depending on their substituents. Some, such as
N
-heterocyclic carbenes, are independently isolatable. Others can be isolated in coordination complexes with metals.

Kornecki
et al.

(p.
351
, published online 12 September) synthesized a carbene coordinated to a rhodium dimer representative of an elusive class of short-lived intermediates long postulated to underlie a series of cyclopropanation and C-H insertion reactions.
Opportunities Knock with a More Stable Optical Clock
Authors: Margolis Helen S.
Published: September 2013

Improvements in the stability of atomic clocks could enable local gravity measurements and tests of fundamental physics.

[Also see Report by

Hinkley
et al.

]
Cold Atom Cosmology
Authors: Schmiedmayer Jörg , Berges Jürgen
Published: September 2013

The emergence of density fluctuations in a cloud of interacting cold atoms shows characteristic aspects of the evolution of the early universe.

[Also see Report by

Hung
et al.

]
It's Official—Voyager Has Left the Solar System
Authors: Kerr Richard A.
Published: September 2013

Voyager leaves the solar system, taking the controversy about its whereabouts with it.
Novel Craft Sets Out to Probe the Mysteries of Moondust
Authors: Bhattacharjee Yudhijit
Published: September 2013

A new robotic mission from NASA will seek answers to old questions about the moon.
Complete Genome Sequence of SfII, a Serotype-Converting Bacteriophage of the Highly Prevalent Shigella flexneri Serotype 2a
Authors: George Divya T. , Stephenson David P. , Tran Elizabeth , Morona Renato , Verma Naresh K.
Published: September 2013

SfII is a serotype-converting temperate bacteriophage of the highly prevalent
Shigella flexneri
serotype 2a. We isolated the SfII phage from a wild-type strain of
S. flexneri
serotype 2a. Here, we present the complete genome sequence of this phage.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Cellulolytic Bacterium Clostridium papyrosolvens C7 (ATCC 700395)
Authors: Zepeda Veronica , Dassa Bareket , Borovok Ilya , Lamed Raphael , Bayer Edward A. , Cate Jamie H. D.
Published: September 2013

We report the draft genome sequence of the cellulose-degrading bacterium
Clostridium papyrosolvens
C7, originally isolated from mud collected below a freshwater pond in Massachusetts. This Gram-positive bacterium grows in a mesophilic anaerobic environment with filter paper as the only carbon source, and it has a simple cellulosome system with multiple carbohydrate-degrading enzymes.
Genome Sequence of the Bacterium Bifidobacterium longum Strain CMCC P0001, a Probiotic Strain Used for Treating Gastrointestinal Disease
Authors: Yu Hongjing , Liu Lu , Chang Zhen , Wang Shasha , Wen Bin , Yin Peijun , Liu Datao , Chen Bei , Zhang Jundong
Published: September 2013

Bifidobacterium longum
subsp.
longum
CMCC P0001, a standard probiotic strain in China, has been widely used in clinical medicine for more than 20 years. Here we report the genome features of
B. longum
strain CMCC P0001.
Draft Genome Sequence of Entomopathogenic Bacterium Photorhabdus temperata Strain M1021, Isolated from Nematodes
Authors: Park Gun-Seok , Khan Abdur Rahim , Hong Sung-Jun , Jang Eun-Kyung , Ullah Ihsan , Jung Byung Kwon , Choi JungBae , Yoo Na-Kyung , Park Keun-Joon , Shin Jae-Ho
Published: September 2013

Photorhabdus temperata
strain M1021 is an entomopathogenic bacterium belonging to the family
Enterobacteriaceae
and is symbiotically associated with nematodes. The draft genome sequence of
P. temperata
strain M1021 consists of 5,598,253 bp with a G+C content of 43.7%, and it has 6,120 protein-coding genes.
Effects of Acupuncture on the Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression Caused by Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
Authors: Carvalho Fabiana , Weires Kelly , Ebling Márcia , de Souza Rabbo Padilha Maristela , Ferrão Ygor Arzeno , Vercelino Rafael
Published: September 2013

Objective

The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the effects of acupuncture and sham acupuncture on the symptoms of anxiety and depression brought on by premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

Methods

In a single-blind randomised clinical trial, 30 volunteers with PMDD were assigned alternately to group 1 (acupuncture) or group 2 (sham acupuncture), and completed an evaluation of symptoms of anxiety and depression using the Hamilton Anxiety (HAM-A) and Hamilton Depression (HAM-D) Rating Scales. The procedure was performed twice a week for two menstrual cycles, for a total of 16 attendances for each participant.

Results

Before the intervention the mean HAM-A and HAM-D scores did not differ between groups. Following the intervention symptoms of anxiety and depression were reduced in both groups; however, the improvement was significant in group 1 compared to group 2, as shown by a mean reduction in HAM-A scores of 58.9% in group 1 and 21.2% in group 2 (p<0.001). The reduction in the mean HAM-D scores was 52.0% in group 1 and 19.6% in group 2, resulting in a significant difference (p=0.012).

Conclusions

The results suggest that acupuncture could be another treatment option for PMDD patients.
Inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm: a persistent painful hip
Authors: Baskaran Dinnish , Ashraf Nadeem , Ahmad Adil , Menon Jay
Published: September 2013

The presentation of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with isolated hip pain is a rare phenomenon. We present an atypical case of a 58-year-old previously fit man who presented with a 6-month history of progressively worsening left hip pain associated with unintentional weight loss, tender bilateral testicular swellings and a large non-tender palpable mass on abdominal examination. Urgent abdominal CT scan findings revealed a 15 cm infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm extending to the aortic bifurcation associated with an extensive left hydronephrosis. In theatre, the diagnosis of inflammatory AAA (IAAA) was confirmed following the presence of pyuria and a successful repair with an open approach using a bifurcated dacron graft was performed.
Secondary atlanto-odontoid osteoarthritis with osteoradionecrosis of upper cervical spine mimicking metastasis
Authors: Raza Ali , Islam Mueedul , Lakshmanan Pal
Published: September 2013

Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) is a known entity in patients with head and neck malignancy treated by radiotherapy. Involvement of mandible (0.8–37%) and maxilla (2–11%) is quiet common but upper cervical spine involvement is rare. One needs to have a high index of suspicion for the diagnosis of ORN after radiotherapy in the head and neck region. It may mimic either metastasis or an infection and needs histopathology to make definitive diagnosis. We reported the successful treatment of a patient with ORN involving upper cervical spine by posterior decompression and stabilisation. In addition, a new technique of reaching the odontoid process from posterior aspect for biopsy has been described.
Corticosteroid treatment buys time in case of a newly diagnosed hypophysitis with visual deterioration
Authors: Broekman Marike , Goedee Stephan Hendrik , Nieuwlaat Willy-Anne , Depauw Paul
Published: September 2013

Hypophysitis is an important differential diagnosis for a pituitary mass, especially in young women at the end of or shortly after pregnancy. It commonly results in hypopituitarism and can be differentiated from adenoma on MRI. Typical MRI characteristics of hypophysitis are symmetry, loss of posterior bright spot, intense and homogeneous gadolinium enhancement, a thickened pituitary stalk and intact sellar floor. Treatment of choice in the acute phase of a hypophysitis is corticosteroids. Adequate corticosteroid treatment may effectively buy time and avoid unnecessary surgical treatment and is related to further decrease of pituitary function, even in progressive cases of deterioration due to compression of the chiasm. Strict monitoring of the vision and a control MRI is obligatory to evaluate the treatment after 48–36 h. Tissue diagnosis is mandatory when there are multiple relapses. We present a case of progressive visual deterioration in hypophysitis, successfully treated with high-pulse dose prednisolone.
Morning–evening differences in response to exhaustive severe-intensity exercise
Authors: Hill David W.
Published: September 2013

The aim was to investigate the effect of time of day on 4 variables that are related to sport performance. Twenty healthy young men (mean ± SD: 22 ± 3 years, 1.78 ± 0.08 m, 72.0 ± 7.0 kg) performed exhaustive severe-intensity cycle ergometer tests at 278 ± 35 W (3.8 ± 0.4 W·kg–1) in the morning (between 0630 h and 0930 h) and in the evening (between 1700 h and 2000 h). Despite that gross efficiency was lower in the evening (estimated oxygen demand was 6% higher, P < 0.05), time to exhaustion was 20% greater (P < 0.01) in the evening (329 ± 35 s) than in the morning (275 ± 29 s). Performance in the evening was associated with a 4% higher (P < 0.01) maximal oxygen uptake (54 ± 7 mL·kg–1·min–1 vs. 52 ± 6 mL·kg–1·min–1, for the evening and the morning, respectively) and a 7% higher (P < 0.01) anaerobic capacity (as reflected by maximal accumulated oxygen deficit: 75 ± 9 mL·kg–1 vs. 70 ± 7 mL·kg–1, for the evening and the morning, respectively). In addition, oxygen uptake kinetics was faster in the evening, which resulted in slower utilization of the anaerobic reserves. It is concluded that modest morning–evening differences in maximal oxygen uptake, anaerobic capacity, and oxygen uptake kinetics conflate to produce a markedly longer performance in the evening than in the morning. Time of day must be considered for exercise testing and perhaps for exercise training.