bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The CONFINE (Comorbidities and Outcome iN patients with chronic heart Failure: a study in INternal mEdicine units) study: a new epidemiologic observational study on heart failure in the internal medicine departments in Italy
Authors: Biagi P.
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND The burden of heart failure (HF) is enormous and its prevalence increases sharply with age. It has been estimated that heart failure affects up to 3% of the general population and 10% of the elderly. It contributes to hospital admission for most of them, mainly elder adults (admitted in internal medicine units) with more than one comorbidity, cognitive disorders, impairment and so on. Despite the increasing prevalence of heart failure, its exact incidence and prevalence remain largely unknown and probably underestimated due to a lack of accurate epidemiological data and difficulties associated with comorbidities and correct diagnosis: over 40% of recurrent hospitalization causes, either cardiac or extracardiac, cannot be determined due to the lack of data. AIM OF THE STUDY The objective of this study estimated the prevalence and the primary care burden associated with comorbidities in internal medicine units. METHOD The design: a longitudinal multicentric observational study using spot analysis three data sheets were filled in during the hospital stay according to three crucial moments: enrolment (“the index day”), admission and discharge. Will be analyzed the following primary outcomes: total and cardiovascular mortality, intensive unit care admission, recurrent cardiovascular disorders, length of stay, hospital readmission, changes in activities of daily living, need for care. Second outcomes: clinical, therapeutic, instrumental and laboratory changes during the admission process. Deep analysis of the following comorbidities will be also taken into account: acute and chronic kidney failure, anaemia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, muscle loss, nutritional status, cirrhosis of the liver, neoplasms, blood cell disorders, chronic inflammatory diseases. Further evalutation items: cognitive impairment, self-sufficiency and perception of quality life.
Diagnostic pathways in acute pulmonary embolism: recommendations of the PIOPED II investigators
Authors: Campanini M.
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a potentially fatal disease. Diagnosis is challenging for clinicians because clinical presentation is variable and there is no diagnostic test that combines sufficiently high sensitivity and specificity to be used alone in clinically suspected PE. AIM OF THE STUDY PIOPED II investigators have formulated recommendations for the diagnostic approach to patients with suspected PE based on randomized trials. METHODS Diagnostic work-up recommendations were formulated based on the results of the Prospective Investigation of Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis II and outcomes studies. RESULTS In many patients that present the combination of low or moderate clinical probability with negative D-dimer PE can be safely excluded. In other patients with suspected PE and positive D-dimer a CT angiography in combination with CT venography is recommended. PIOPED II investigators have also formulated recommendations for patients with suspected PE and allergy to iodinated contrast medium, with impaired renal function, and for women at fertile age and during pregnancy. In patients with discordant findings between clinical assessment and CTA o CTA/CTV, and with segmental or sub-segmental EP, further evaluation may be necessary and the diagnosis should be re-assessed. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS PIOPED II recommendations are of particular interest because consider, after the right clinical evaluation necessary for risk stratification of PE, the most recent, sensitive and specific imaging techniques for definitive diagnosis, such as CTA and CTV. D-dimer evaluation is recommended but, however, its low specificity is not underlined. The importance of combining CTA and CTV for a complete evaluation of the deep venous system is stated, but the difficulties of a routinary similar approach are not considered and alternative techniques, like compressive ultrasound and Colour Doppler ultrasound, are not proposed. The study faces also the issue of segmental and sub-segmental embolism, that presents a difficult clinical interpretation: the recommendations are, before starting the therapy, to re-evaluate and confirm the diagnosis, to avoid the risk of overtreatment.
FASTCAP study on the management of hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia: pharmacoeconomic analysis of the prospective phase
Authors: Lazzaro C. , Iori I. , Gussoni G.
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND The economic evaluation of guide-lines based hospital management of Community- Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) with antibiotic therapy is rarely reported in literature. AIM OF THE STUDY To compare costs and effectiveness of 5 different antibiotic courses administered to Fine IV and V class patients with CAP, hospitalized in 31 Italian Internal Medicine (IM) Departments and enrolled in the prospective phase of the multicentre FASTCAP study after the implementation of the Italian Federation of Internal Medicine (FADOI) recommendations on the management of patients with CAP admitted to IM. METHODS 5 main antibiotic courses, administered to 786 patients, were considered (3 monotherapies: levofloxacin, 213 patients; amoxycillin/clavulanate, 134 patients; ceftriaxone, 166 patients; 2 combination therapies: amoxycillin/clavulanate + advanced macrolide, 137 patients; ceftriaxone + advanced macrolide, 136 patients). A cost analysis and two cost/effectiveness analyses (comparing, after the 1st cycle of therapy, cost to outcome for both Fine IV and V classes and cost to avoided mortality during hospitalization for Fine V class only) were carried out adopting the hospital viewpoint. Health care cost, reported in euros 2007, included: drugs acquisition; nursing time; devices for ev administration; hospitalization in inpatient setting. RESULTS The least and the most costly therapies are levofloxacin (3,032.19 ± 2,045.34 euros) and ceftriaxone (3,666.95 ± 2,389.46 euros) in Fine IV class and amoxycillin/clavulanate (2,989.37 ± 2,242.15 euros) and ceftriaxone + advanced macrolide (4,633.59 ± 2,491.57 euros) in Fine V class. As far as the therapeutic outcome is concerned, levofloxacin dominates comparators in Fine IV class, whereas amoxycillin/clavulanate + advanced macrolide is both the most costly (3,433.16 ± 1,725.63 euros) and the most effective option (69.6%; 95% CI: 54.3-82.3%) in Fine V class. In Fine V class ceftriaxone + advanced macrolide reports both the highest cost and the highest proportion of avoided mortality during hospitalization (95.1%; 95% CI: 83.5-99.4%). Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of primary findings. DISCUSSION Our pharmacoeconomic results are consistent with the FADOI recommendations. CONCLUSIONS Levofloxacin outperforms other antibiotic courses among Fine IV class patients, whereas the cost/effectiveness of ceftriaxone or amoxycillin/clavulanate both + advanced macrolide depends upon per patient available budget in Fine V class.
The role of the internal medicine specialist in the management of infective complications in general surgical wards
Authors: Zoboli Patrizia , Chesi Giuseppe , Boni Fabrizio , Maselli Federica , Zambianchi Lisa
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND Internal medicine specialists are often asked to evaluate a patient before surgery. Perioperative risk evaluation for elderly patients is important, because complications increase with age. The increasing age of the general population increases the probabilities of surgery in the older patients. The manifestation of a surgical problem, is more likely to be severe and complicated in the elderly patients. In fact, emergency surgery treatment occurs more frequently in the elderly (e.g., it is much more common to see intestinal obstruction complicating colorectal cancer in the elderly compared with a younger population). Old age is an independent factor for long hospital stay after surgery. The role of the preoperative medical consultant is to identify and evaluate a patient’s current medical status and provide a clinical risk profile, in order to decide whether further tests are indicated prior to surgery, and to optimise the patient’s medical condition in the attempt of reducing the risk of complications. The medical consultant must know which medical condition could eventually influence the surgery, achieve a good contact and communication between the medical and surgical team, in order to obtain the best management planning. AIM OF THE STUDY This paper focuses on the rational use of antibiotic prophylaxis and on the treatment of the complications of post-surgery infections (e.g., pulmonary complication, peritonitis, intra-abdominal infection). Specific aspects of pre-operative risk evaluation and peri and post-operative management are discussed. CONCLUSIONS The internal medicin specialist in collaboration with the surgical team is necessary in the peri and post-surgery management.
Chronic asymptomatic hyperamylasemia unrelated to pancreatic disease
Authors: Uomo Generoso , Miraglia Simona , Rabitti Pier Giorgio
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND Almost all patients presenting with chronic hyperamylasemia undergo an expensive, long, difficult and often repeated diagnostic workup even if this occurrence is not associated with symptoms or with known pancreatotoxic factors. This is in relationship with the poor knowledge that, beside hyperenzymemia secondary to pancreatic diseases and systemic illnesses, various non-pathological forms of chronic hyperamylasemia can occur in clinical practice. AIM OF THE STUDY This study was addressed to assess the clinical characteristics of patients presenting with chronic hyperamylasemia unrelated to pancreatic diseases (CHUPD). PATIENTS AND METHODS Data of all patients with CHUPD were retrospectively reviewed (June 1997-March 2007). Forty patients were included in the study; median follow- up was 33 months (range 3-84 months). CHUPD was secondary to: a) chronic benign pancreatic hyperamylasemia, 16 patients (40%); b) macroamylasemia, 15 patients (37.5%); c) salivary hyperamylasemia, 9 patients (22.5%). Gilbert’s syndrome was present in 13 patients (32.5%; 8 with macroamylasemia) and hyperdyslipidemia in 8 patients (20%; 5 with chronic benign pancreatic hyperamylasemia). Diagnostic exams (all in the normal range) performed before our observation were: Ca19-9 serum level in 37/40 (92.5%), ultrasonography and computed tomography-scan in all patients, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in 21/40 (52.5%), abdominal magnetic resonance in 14/40 (35%). Previous diagnosis in these asymptomatic subjects were: chronic pancreatitis in 26 cases (65%); recurrent pancreatitis in 10 cases (25%); the remaining 4 patients (10%) were addressed without a specific diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS In clinical practice, the occurrence of an unexplained chronic hyperamylasemia very often allows to an unappropriate diagnostic workup due to the poor familiarity with CHUPD conditions.
The role of anagrelide in the treatment of essential thrombocytaemia
Authors: Civardi Giuseppe , Zanlari Luca , Bassi Emanuele , Bonassi Roberta , Marvisi Maurizio
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND Essential thrombocytaemia is a myeloproliferative disease, characterized by an increased number of platelets in the peripheral blood, due to an increased production of such particles by the bone marrow. The primary event is the abnormal proliferation of megacariocytes. The objectives of treatment are the reduction of thrombohaemorragic events that occur in the course of the disease in high risk patients, because life expectancy is not affected. Nowadays hydroxyurea is the drug of choice to this purpose, but its use was related to a leukemogenic effect, although clinical data are still controversial. MECHANISMS OF ACTION Anagrelide is an oral agent that is able to significatively reduce the platelets count in these patients without effects on cell replication and nucleic acid synthesis. The mechanisms of action of this drug affect maturation, differentiation and growth of megacariocytes, by reducing intracellular cyclic AMP. Because the drug acts by inhibiting the phosphodiesterase enzyme, there are some important cardiovascular side effects, like vasodilatation, tachycardia, increase in cardiac output and hypotension. THERAPEUTIC EFFICACY AND STRATEGY Like hydroxyurea, anagrelide reduces the occurrence of thrombohaemorragic events in these patients, but venous thrombosis is more reduced than arterial, expecially when compared with hydroxyurea. To date, the role of anagrelide in the treatment of essential thrombocytaemia is the therapy of patients intolerant or refractory to the hydroxyurea: in perspective, its use could be proposed in younger patients (expecially women with child bearing potential) for long term treatment, or as second choice (after interferon) in pregnant women.
An unusual “pulseless disease”
Authors: Di Donato Carlo , D’Andrea Paolo , Bozzoli Mara , Loi Stefano , Pulitanò Vincenzo , Monetti Francesco
Published: May 2013

Simultaneous loss of upper extremity pulses, excluding shock, is present in clinical pictures like aortic dissection (type 1 sec. De Backey), but remarkably in Takayasu’s arteritis, named “pulseless disease”. We describe a case of loss of upper extremities pulses secondary to bilateral simultaneous artery embolization during atrial fibrillation.
Depression and Internal Medicine
Authors: Panuccio Domenico
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND Depression is 2-4 times more frequent in medically ill patients than in the general population, it significantly undermines the quality of life and makes prognosis worse in terms of morbidity and mortality. Nevertheless the majority of cases are not recognized or appropriately treated. A growing body of evidence suggests that mood disorders and many medical illnesses are linked in a bidirectional way by several biological mechanisms. Autonomic function changes, hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, increases in plasma cortisol, elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines, increased platelet activation and hypercoagulability, all of them occur in patients with depression and all of them are causal factors in development and progression of atherothrombotic lesions or they are implicated in the pathogenesis of neoplasm and other illness such as chronic pain, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, rheumatoid arthritis and so on. CONCLUSIONS Although antidepressant use has not been shown to reduce mortality rates in patients with medical illness, it alleviates depression, improves the quality of life and reduces morbidity. Clinicians should be aware of this association and should make an effort in detecting and treating not only biological illness but also mood disorders.
Thyroid diseases and pregnancy
Authors: Grandi Marco , Scanelli Giovanni , Gallerani Massimo , Boari Benedetta , Sacchetti Carla , Pederzoli Stefano , Torri Cinzia , Sgarbi Ilaria
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND Thyroid diseases and diabetes mellitus are the most common endocrine diseases during pregnancy. Internal Medicine doctors could be involved in the management of pregnant women affected by thyroid diseases, in particular if an Endocrine Unit lacks in the hospital; it is mandatory that they have the skills to cope with these diseases. METHODS In this work authors describe the most common thyroid abnormalities that can occur during pregnancy: hypothyroidism (clinical and subclinical), hyperthyroidism (clinical and sub-clinical), autoimmune thyroiditis (in particular the so called post-partum thyroiditis), nodular diseases and cancer. They discuss moreover the peculiar pathophysiologic mechanisms by which these diseases appear, the diagnostic tools and the therapies, according to their own experience and the more recent international guidelines. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS It is important to evaluate thyroid function tests before and during pregnancy, at 16th and 28th gestational week; it is mandatory to cure also the “sub-clinical” hypothyroidism during pregnancy, when TSH level are higher than 5 μIU/mL; the optimal dose of levo-thyroxine during pregnancy is, average, 30-50% higher than that used before pregnancy; it is not correct to treat mild or sub-clinical hyperthyroidism; propylthyouracil is the best drug to treat hyperthyroidism during pregnancy; the post-partum thyroiditis is generally transient, so that a careful monitoring of thyroid function is advisable, in particular after 9-12 months of therapy; thyroid cancer, if discovered during pregnancy, generally has no negative effects on the outcome of the pregnancy; it would be better to treat surgically thyroid cancer during the last trimester of the pregnancy.
Low doses of terlipressin and albumin in the type I hepatorenal syndrome
Authors: Pulvirenti Davide , Tsami Aikaterini
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND Hepatorenal syndrome is a pre-renal like dysfunction that generally onsets in cirrhotic patients presenting ascites. MATERIALS AND METHODS We investigated the improvement of renal function in subjects with hepatorenal syndrome after terlipressin administration and the survival times after this treatment. 30 patients affected by cirrhosis, with diagnosis of type I hepatorenal syndrome were treated with intravenous terlipressin plus albumin (group A) or with albumin alone (group B). Liver function, renal function, sodium plasma level and plasma renin activity were monitored. RESULTS Patients of group A showed a significant improvement (p < 0.001) of renal function valued by creatinine rate compared with the results obtained in group B. The probability of survival was higher in the group A (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Our results seem to confirm that the administration of terlipressin plus albumin improves renal function in patients with cirrhosis and type I hepatorenal syndrome and that a reversal of hepatorenal syndrome is strongly associated with an improved survival.
The dual blockade of the renin-angiotensin system in Internal Medicine: after ONTARGET trial
Authors: Rondoni F. , Rossetti F.
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND In the increasing progress of scientific knowledge, every new discovery is a basis for new problems. In fact, after the success of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE)-inhibitors in different cardiovascular diseases, the evidence of the “escape” of ACE and the discovery of Angiotensin- Receptor Blockers (ARBs) became the basis for a new question: is a dual blockade of the Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) correct? DISCUSSION The different trials carried out (also the latest ONTARGET) didn’t give reliable answers, because differences were found both in the various diseases (hypertension, heart failure, coronary disease, nephropathy, diabetic or not), and between the single drugs of the class. We can say that this combination treatment didn’t show reliable clinical efficacy yet, except in heart failure and in some subgroups of hypertensive patients, checking carefully serum electrolytes and renal function. But even though we haven’t got certain outcomes, the research goes on quickly and some other sites of modulation of RAS were identified, from its first phases (aliskiren as prototype of direct renin inhibitors).
CPAP in chronic heart failure
Authors: Lari F. , Bragagni G.P. , Pilati G. , Di Battista N.
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) represents worldwide a clinical condition with increasing prevalence, high social, economical and epidemiological impact. Even if new pharmacological and non-pharmacological approachs have been recently used, mortality remains high in general population and quality of life is poor in these patients. DISCUSSION The association between CHF and sleep disorders is frequent but still undervalued: sleep apnoeas in CHF produce negative effects on cardiovascular system and an aggravation of prognosis. CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) is commonly used to treat sleep apnoeas in patients without cardiac involvement and it is also used in first line treatment of acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema thanks to its hemodynamic and ventilatory effects. The addition of nightly CPAP to standard aggressive medical therapy in patients with CHF and sleep apnoeas reduces the number of apnoeas, reduces the blood pressure, and the respiratory and cardiac rate, reduces the activation of sympathetic nervous system, the left ventricular volume and the hospitalization rate; besides CPAP increases the left ventricular ejection fraction, amd the oxygenation, it improves quality of life, tolerance to exercise and seems to reduce mortality in patients with a higher apnoeas suppression. CONCLUSIONS These implications suggest to investigate sleep apnoeas in patients with CHF in order to consider a possible treatment with CPAP. Further studies need to be developed to confirm the use of CPAP in patients with CHF without sleep disorders.
The justice, the glycosylated haemoglobin and the government of appropriateness
Authors: Camerotto A. , Formenton F. , Natali G.F. , Di Liddo R. , Pozzato A. , Furin M.T.
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND The misappropriateness is one of the principal critical situations in the Laboratory Medicine by an estimation of about 30-40% of all demands. It results in a very high number of requested tests with possible relapses on the patient health. Obviously, the problem is also economic, therefore, undoubtedly, in the view of a principle of justice, the limited SSN economic resources must be diverted only to prescriptions useful for public welfare. AIM OF STUDY In this work, the prescription of the glycosylated haemoglobin test is evaluated in the prospective of the “justice”. This test is considered as an example of all prescriptions whose rational modalities of use have not yet been overall accepted by the scientific community. The critical situation obviously reflects on the functional use of resources, which are becoming more and more limited and therefore have to be directed only to the procedures really useful to the patient. We remark how the three principal government systems of offered laboratory services (political/administrative measures such as sanitary ticket, active rules related to scientific/health care criteria and guide lines) have demonstrated evident drawbacks whose basic indicator is represented by high rates of misappropriateness. Therefore, more diligence and involvement of physicians are required in order to propose real solutions coming from scientific premises for better diagnostic test prescriptions. It is underlined that without a direct, effective control of appropriateness, and consequently of the costs, by the clinical staff, it is inevitable that there will be somebody else who will decide and govern the demand of prescriptions in the absence of any scientific rules. CONCLUSIONS At last, solutions are proposed for reducing the number of misappropriated requests. The opportunities coming from the information technology could permit a structural solution to the problem using a software that can automatically drive prescriptions. The aim is to give the physicians a series of “measures of prescription”, produced by experts, that are then progressively spread to the majority of laboratory services. The instructions can be real timeupdated and allow a widespread and well-blended knowledge all over the national territory. Prescriptions in agreement with “the instructions” would be carried out also in the hospital place.
Strome van lewende water: Nuwe-Testamentiese perspektiewe op die missionêre karakter van die kerk
Authors: Buys Flip P.J.
Published: May 2013

Oor ’n wye front word besorgdheid uitgespreek oor die stagnering en kwynende getallegroei van hoofstroom-reformatoriese kerke in Suid-Afrika. Die besorgdheid word egter ook uitgespreek dat predikante en kerke in hulle ywer om kerklike vernuwing teweeg te bring, soveel kompromieë maak dat die kerk sy eie aard as heilge volk van God in die wêreld verloor. Daar is ’n internasionale tendens te bespeur by reformatoriese kerke, in Suid-Afrika, Noord Amerika, Australië, Nederland, Duitsland en die Verenige Koninkryk om die na-binne-gerigtheid van kerke om te draai om werklik missionêre kerke te kan wees. Daar is ook tekens van ’n groeiende ontwakende passie om die onbereikte taalgroepe tot by die uithoeke van die aarde te bereik met die evangelie. Daar is oor ’n wye front lewendige debatte aan die gang wat vra vir ’n herevaluering van oorgeërfde ekklesiologiese tradisies en gebruike en ’n herbesinning oor Bybelse beginsels. In die lig van hierdie ontwikkelings is die doel van hierdie artikel om Nuwe-Testamentiese beginsels op te som en te onderstreep en as boustene aan te bied om die profiel van ’n missionêre kerk te skets. Grave concerns are expressed about the decline of mainline reformed churches in South Africa, especially the Reformed Churches in South Africa. At the same time fears are expressed that efforts to facilitate renewal in churches in order to become healthy and more effective missional churches, are making too many compromises with the gospel, so that the church is in danger of losing its very character as God’s holy people in the world. There is also an international phenomenon of reformed and evangelical type churches in North America, the Netherlands, Germany, the UK and Australia endeavouring to outgrow their ingrown vision and become part of God’s mission to reach unreached people groups in every corner of the world. There are lively debates on reviewing and rethinking inherited ecclesiological theological traditions and practices in churches. This article endeavours to gather basic building bricks by summarising and emphasising the most basic New Testament principles for outlining the profile of a missional church.
Grotesque manifestations of power in Dance of the vampires by Bole Butake
Authors: Nkealah Naomi
Published: May 2013

This article is an analysis of Dance of the vampires by Cameroonian playwright, Bole Butake. It looked at how the play projects itself as a narrative of the nation and, conversely, how the nation in the play functions as a narrative text on which ideologies of power are inscribed or expunged. Butake’s vision of the nation encompasses various discourses of power that are explored against the backdrop of the grotesque in systems of domination, as enunciated by Achille Mbembe. This article argues that whilst the play hinges on the ambivalence in power relations, the writer’s vision is un-ambivalent in its utopian conception of political change and its gendered representation of women within nationalist discourses.
A Patient with Hashimoto's Encephalopathy Presenting with Convulsive Seizure Alone as the Initial Symptom
Authors: Mizuma Atsushi , Goto Yoshiaki , Takahashi Wakoh , Takizawa Shunya , Takagi Shigeharu
Published: May 2013

A 71-year-old Japanese woman with Sjögren syndrome, Hashimoto's disease and a 6-month history of cognitive impairment was admitted to our hospital because of consciousness disturbance and convulsion. Her convulsive seizure disappeared by intravenous administration of diazepam following carbamazepine, and conscious level became alert the next day. But, her cognitive function was persistently deteriorated, and a score of mini-mental state examination (MMSE) was 17/30 points. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) of the brain did not show any abnormal findings. The electroencephalogram showed increased slow waves in bilateral parieto-occipital regions. Serum anti-thyroglobulin antibodies were elevated (1780 U/ml), but thyroid function was within the normal range. In addition, anti-NAE (NH2-terminal of α-enolase) antibodies were positive. We diagnosed Hashimoto's encephalopathy, and started steroid therapy. Her cognitive function gradually improved after steroid therapy, and convulsive seizure did not recur until 3 months later.

We emphasize that Hashimoto's encephalopathy should be considered even in patients with convulsive seizure of adult onset without thyroid dysfunction.
OGS improvements in the year 2011 in running the Northeastern Italy Seismic Network
Authors: Bragato P. L. , Pesaresi D. , Saraò A. , Di Bartolomeo P. , Durì G.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. The Centro di Ricerche Sismologiche (CRS, Seismological Research Center) of the Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale - OGS (Italian National Institute for Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics) in Udine (Italy) after the strong earthquake of magnitude Mw = 6.4 occurred in 1976 in the Italian Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, started to operate the Northeastern Italy Seismic Network: it currently consists of 12 very sensitive broad band and 21 simpler short period seismic stations, all telemetered to and acquired in real time at the OGS-CRS data centre in Udine. Real time data exchange agreements in place with other Italian, Slovenian, Austrian and Swiss seismological institutes lead to a total number of 93 seismic stations acquired in real time, which makes the OGS the reference institute for seismic monitoring of Northeastern Italy, as shown in Fig. 1 (Bragato et al., 2011; Saraò et al., 2010). Since 2002 OGS-CRS is using the Antelope software suite as the main tool for collecting, analyzing, archiving and exchanging seismic data, initially in the framework of the EU Interreg IIIA project "Trans-national seismological networks in the South-Eastern Alps" (Bragato et al., 2010; Pesaresi et al., 2008). SeisComP is also used as a real time data exchange server tool. In order to improve the seismological monitoring of the Northeastern Italy area, at OGS-CRS we tuned existing programs and created ad hoc ones like: a customized web server named PickServer to manually relocate earthquakes, a script for automatic moment tensor determination, scripts for web publishing of earthquake parametric data, waveforms, state of health parameters and shaking maps, noise characterization by means of automatic spectra analysis, and last but not least scripts for email/SMS/fax alerting. A new OGS-CRS real time seismological website (http://rts.crs.inogs.it/) has also been operative since several years.
Improvement of broadband seismic station installations at the Observatoire de Grenoble (OSUG) seismic network
Authors: Langlais M. , Vial B. , Coutant O.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. We describe in this paper different improvements that were brought to the installation of seismic broadband stations deployed by the Observatoire de Grenoble (OSUG) in the northern French Alps. This work was realized in the frame of a French-Italian ALCOTRA project (RISE), aimed at modernizing the broadband seismic networks across our common border. We had the opportunity with this project to improve some of our seismic recording sites, both in term of sensor installation quality, and in term of reliability. We detail in particular the thermal and barometric protection system that we designed and show its effect on the reduction of long period noise above 20 s.
Variability and trend of diurnal temperature range in China and their relationship to total cloud cover and sunshine duration
Authors: Xia X.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. This study aims to investigate the effect of total cloud cover (TCC) and sunshine duration (SSD) in the variation of diurnal temperature range (DTR) in China during 1954–2009. As expected, the inter-annual variation of DTR was mainly determined by TCC. Analysis of trends of 30-year moving windows of DTR and TCC time series showed that TCC changes could account for that of DTR in some cases. However, TCC decreased during 1954–2009, which did not support DTR reduction across China. DTRs under sky conditions such as clear, cloudy and overcast showed nearly the same decreasing rate that completely accounted for the overall DTR reduction. Nevertheless, correlation between SSD and DTR was weak and not significant under clear sky conditions in which aerosol direct radiative effect should be dominant. Furthermore, 30–60% of DTR reduction was associated with DTR decrease under overcast conditions in south China. This implies that aerosol direct radiative effect appears not to be one of the main factors determining long-term changes in DTR in China.
Net sea–air CO2 flux uncertainties in the Bay of Biscay based on the choice of wind speed products and gas transfer parameterizations
Authors: Otero P. , Padin X. A. , Ruiz-Villarreal M. , García-García L. M. , Ríos A. F. , Pérez F. F.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. The estimation of sea–air CO2 fluxes is largely dependent on wind speed through the gas transfer velocity parameterization. In this paper, we quantify uncertainties in the estimation of the CO2 uptake in the Bay of Biscay resulting from the use of different sources of wind speed such as three different global reanalysis meteorological models (NCEP/NCAR 1, NCEP/DOE 2 and ERA-Interim), one high-resolution regional forecast model (HIRLAM-AEMet), winds derived under the Cross-Calibrated Multi-Platform (CCMP) project, and QuikSCAT winds in combination with some of the most widely used gas transfer velocity parameterizations. Results show that net CO2 flux estimations during an entire seasonal cycle (September 2002–September 2003) may vary by a factor of ~ 3 depending on the selected wind speed product and the gas exchange parameterization, with the highest impact due to the last one. The comparison of satellite- and model-derived winds with observations at buoys advises against the systematic overestimation of NCEP-2 and the underestimation of NCEP-1. In the coastal region, the presence of land and the time resolution are the main constraints of QuikSCAT, which turns CCMP and ERA-Interim in the preferred options.
Improved soil physics for simulating high latitude permafrost regions by the JSBACH terrestrial ecosystem model
Authors: Ekici A. , Beer C. , Hagemann S. , Hauck C.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. State-of-the-art climate models postulate disproportionately large climate warming in the northern latitudes. Ground and satellite observations indicate recent warming is already altering the environment, evidenced by increasing permafrost temperature, deepening active layers, accelerating glacier melt and increasing river runoff. It is estimated that the circum-arctic regions contain vast amounts of soil organic carbon, whose fate is governed by climate; if temperature continues to rise, thawing of permafrost could release historic carbon initiating a positive climate-carbon cycle feedback. Consequently, projecting the future state of ecosystems in permafrost regions under changing environmental conditions is a major research challenge, but most of the associated processes are not yet adequately represented in current Earth system models. The new version of JSBACH incorporates phenomena specific to high latitudes: freeze/thaw processes, coupling thermal and hydrological processes in a layered soil scheme, defining a multi-layer snow representation and an insulating moss cover. Evaluations using the most comprehensive Arctic datasets show improvements at the site, basin, continental and circum-arctic scales. Such improvements highlight the need to include processes relevant to high latitude systems in order to capture the dynamics, and therefore realistically predict the evolution of this climatically critical biome.
An Analysis of Japanese versus American Automakers' Supplier Relationships in Thailand
Authors: Mejza Michael , Laosirihongthong Tritos , Prajogo Daniel I.
Published: May 2013

In the context of the US automobile market, past comparisons of automakers' supplier management practices show Japanese assemblers besting American counterparts along a number of dimensions despite American automakers' efforts to emulate Japanese practices. But recent studies suggest emergent American practices differ from traditional Japanese vertical keiretsu practices. Such a departure could affect American-allied Japanese automakers in Thailand, a major global automotive export hub. This exploratory study of 383 automobile part and component suppliers in Thailand finds suppliers to Japanese assemblers distinguishable by higher priorities placed on delivery and flexibility, but on an equal basis with suppliers to American assemblers in terms of cost and quality priorities.
Já jako učitelka: profesní sebepojetí studentky učitelství v posledním ročníku pregraduální přípravy
Authors: Pravdová B.
Published: May 2013

Studie vymezuje profesní sebepojetí studentky učitelství v závěrečném ročníku pregraduální přípravy. V textu jsou uvedeny studie věnované problematice sebepojetí a profesního sebepojetí učitele, je doložen význam pozitivního profesního sebepojetí na počátku profesní dráhy a termíny jsou konceptualizovány pro potřebu kvalitativního výzkumu. Obsahová analýza volné výpovědi a hloubkového rozhovoru zaměřená na hledání dominantních aspektů sebepojetí, jeho popis ve vztahu k sebediskrepanční teorii a sledování úvah o možném vývoji profesního Já ukazuje, že nejvýraznějším znakem sebepojetí studentky učitelství jsou obavy pramenící z diskrepance mezi ideálním a skutečným Já, i mezi požadovaným a skutečným Já. Přestože studentka formuluje své učitelské sebepojetí, jeho základy staví na zkušenostech získaných téměř výhradně v roli studenta a žáka. V souvislosti s tímto zjištěním je diskutována otázka, jakým způsobem lze ovlivňovat utváření profesního sebepojetí v rámci pregraduální přípravy studentů učitelství.
Wastewater management training critical to future success of utilities in US‐Mexico border region
Authors: Flores Juan Antonio , Garcia Sharon
Published: May 2013

A new binational program to train wastewater treatment operators at facilities on the US‐Mexico border has been launched and will provide both classroom and hands‐on training in the operation and maintenance of wastewater treatment plants to facilitate compliance with current effluent quality standards.
Thirsty for gold! Slaking the diggings from California to Bendigo
Authors: Russell Geoff
Published: May 2013

Nineteenth century gold rushes in California and Australia spurred a frenzied scramble to secure ample year‐round supplies of water for gold washing and for sustaining life in primitive frontier mining settlements teeming with diggers struck with “gold fever.”
New Training Requirement for Utility Employees
Authors: Spence Shannon , Herndon Christine , Taschereau Amber
Published: May 2013

If you use, manage, or handle hazardous materials, chances are you have seen a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). MSDSs serve as a mechanism to communicate the hazards of specific chemicals in order to comply with 29 CFR 1910.1200. Although an MSDS includes standard sections, those sections have some flexibility in how the manufacturer classifies the chemical and health statements. As a result, the same chemical could be labeled differently by multiple companies.
The qanat of the Greatest Western Erg
Authors: Remini Boualem , Achour Bachir
Published: May 2013

Building on the ancient functional principles of qanat design, the authors propose a new type of qanat that would draw groundwater from the Greatest Western Erg.
Louisiana: Let's Take a Road Trip
Authors: Hildebrandt Martha E. , Biglan Barbara , Budd Lisa
Published: May 2013

Use license plates and local scenes to take your students on an adventure to sharpen their math skills and explore fun ways to apply them.
“We Do Care,” Say Parents
Authors: Mistretta Regina M.
Published: May 2013

Forms of inquiry and related findings describe investigative efforts to acquire an understanding of how and why parents and children work together in mathematics the way they do.
Quand les documentaristes de l’ONF « fictionnalisent » les potentialités télévisuelles
Authors: Scheppler Gwenn
Published: May 2013

En 1953, l’ONF inaugure ses deux premières séries documentaires spécialement conçues pour la télévision de Radio-Canada :Sur le vif/On the SpotetRegards sur le Canada/Window on Canada. Ces deux séries hebdomadaires, qui vont garder l’antenne jusqu’en 1956 pour la première et 1955 pour la seconde, vont connaître un accueil mitigé de la part du public, en particulierRegards sur le Canada. Chacune de ces séries est différente dans son principe, même si les artisans de l’une sont souvent ceux de l’autre (notamment Bernard Devlin). Alors queSur le viffonctionne à la manière d’un reportage divertissant simulant le direct télévisuel,Regards sur le Canadafonctionne plutôt à la manière d’un ciné-club éducatif, où un présentateur-conférencier fait jouer d’anciens films qu’il commente ensuite avec des invités sur un plateau de télévision. Le dispositif de ces deux séries est donc significatif, d’un point de vue historique tout autant qu’esthétique : ils marquent, chacun à sa façon, une transition entre le cinéma et la télévision, une phase d’adaptation et d’expérimentation que l’auteur documente et analyse.
Arrays of Arbitrarily Shaped Nanoparticles: Overlay‐Errorless Direct Ion Write
Authors: Gervinskas Gediminas , Seniutinas Gediminas , Rosa Lorenzo , Juodkazis Saulius
Published: May 2013

A simple solution to lithographically write down to 20–30 nm features over micrometer‐sized nanoparticle arrays with high fidelity of pattern transfer from the designed to fabricated architectures is shown. It is achieved via a two‐step approach: (i) fabrication of basic shape nanoparticles by electron beam lithography, gold deposition via sputtering and lift‐off, then (ii) nano‐patterning by focused ion beam lithography. Application potential of 3D tailored nanoparticles for nanotweezers is discussed on the basis of numerical modeling and experimental measurements of extinction.
Autism spectrum disorders: The quest for genetic syndromes
Authors: Zafeiriou Dimitrios I. , Ververi Athina , Dafoulis Vaios , Kalyva Efrosini , Vargiami Euthymia
Published: May 2013

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disabilities with various etiologies, but with a heritability estimate of more than 90%. Although the strong correlation between autism and genetic factors has been long established, the exact genetic background of ASD remains unclear. A number of genetic syndromes manifest ASD at higher than expected frequencies compared to the general population. These syndromes account for more than 10% of all ASD cases and include tuberous sclerosis, fragile X, Down, neurofibromatosis, Angelman, Prader–Willi, Williams, Duchenne, etc. Clinicians are increasingly required to recognize genetic disorders in individuals with ASD, in terms of providing proper care and prognosis to the patient, as well as genetic counseling to the family. Vice versa, it is equally essential to identify ASD in patients with genetic syndromes, in order to ensure correct management and appropriate educational placement. During investigation of genetic syndromes, a number of issues emerge: impact of intellectual disability in ASD diagnoses, identification of autistic subphenotypes and differences from idiopathic autism, validity of assessment tools designed for idiopathic autism, possible mechanisms for the association with ASD, etc. Findings from the study of genetic syndromes are incorporated into the ongoing research on autism etiology and pathogenesis; different syndromes converge upon common biological backgrounds (such as disrupted molecular pathways and brain circuitries), which probably account for their comorbidity with autism. This review paper critically examines the prevalence and characteristics of the main genetic syndromes, as well as the possible mechanisms for their association with ASD. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Substantial genetic link between iq and working memory: Implications for molecular genetic studies on schizophrenia. the european twin study of schizophrenia (EUTwinsS)
Authors: Goldberg Ximena , Alemany Silvia , Rosa Araceli , Picchioni Marco , Nenadic Igor , Owens Sheena F. , Rijsdijk Fruhling , Rebollo Irene , Sauer Heinrich , Murray Robin M. , Fañanás Lourdes , Toulopoulou Timothea
Published: May 2013

While evidence is accumulating to support specific neurocognitive deficits as putative endophenotypes for schizophrenia, the heritability of these deficits in healthy subjects and whether they share common genetic influences, is not well established. In the present study, 529 healthy adult twins from two centers within the European Twin Study Network on Schizophrenia (EUTwinsS) were assessed on two domains that are consistently found to be particularly compromised in schizophrenia. Specifically, Intellectual Quotient Score (IQ) and the Letter–Number Sequencing Test (LNS), a measure of working memory, were measured in all twins. Latent variable components were explored through structural equation modeling, and common genetic underpinnings were examined using bivariate analyses. Results showed that the phenotypic correlation between IQ and working memory was almost entirely attributed to shared genetic variance (95.5%). We discuss the potential use of a combined measure of IQ and working memory to improve the power of molecular studies in detecting the genetic mechanisms underlying schizophrenia. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A novel membrane diffusion process for the preparation of chitosan/hydroxyapatite composite
Authors: Tachaboonyakiat Wanpen , Sahawat Dusida
Published: May 2013

The aim of this study was to create a suitable method to hybridize hydroxyapatite into chitosan solution with a good dispersion of inorganic matter in the organic phase. The preparation of chitosan/hydroxyapatite composites via a membrane diffusion process was evaluated and optimized. A diffusion time of 3 days, and chitosan, calcium chloride, and disodium hydrogen phosphate with the concentrations of 1.75 % w/v, 0.20M, and 0.12M, respectively, were found to be the optimal conditions. Scanning electron microscope observations showed a cluster of needle‐shaped hydroxyapatite across the composite film when synthesized with 0.2M of calcium chloride solution and 0.12M of disodium hydrogen phosphate solution, whereas hydroxyapatite was observed in larger diffuse aggregates when synthesized at a higher concentration of both solutions. Attenuated total reflection‐Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer and X‐ray diffraction analyses displayed the specific peaks for the phosphate group and 2‐θ peaks of hydroxyapatite crystals, respectively. These results indicated that hydroxyapatite can be hybridized into a chitosan solution with good dispersion through a membrane diffusion process. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1632–1638, 2013
Water state in chemically and physically crosslinked chitosan membranes
Authors: Ostrowska‐Czubenko Jadwiga , Pieróg Milena , Gierszewska‐Drużyńska Magdalena
Published: May 2013

Chemically and physically crosslinked chitosan membranes were prepared by treating chitosan (Ch) with glutaraldehyde (GA) and sulfuric acid (SA). FTIR and XRD results were employed to confirm the formation of covalent and ionic crosslinks between Ch, GA, and SA. The states of water in non‐crosslinked and covalently and ionically crosslinked chitosan membranes containing different amount of water were investigated by low temperature differential scanning calorimetry measurements. The equilibrium swelling in water was examined gravimetrically. Two types of water were found in the polymer samples, i.e., freezing water and non‐freezing water. The effect of crosslinking process on water state and water uptake was analyzed. The water uptake decreased after chitosan crosslinking with GA, but significantly increased after later crosslinking with SA. The amount of non‐freezing water was generally smaller in crosslinked membranes. An impact of molecular and supermolecular structure on water uptake and state of water in non‐crosslinked and crosslinked chitosan membranes was discussed. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1707–1715, 2013