bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A 3D wavelet fusion approach for the reconstruction of isotropic‐resolution MR images from orthogonal anisotropic‐resolution scans
Authors: Aganj Iman , Lenglet Christophe , Yacoub Essa , Sapiro Guillermo , Harel Noam
Published: July 2011

Hardware constraints, scanning time limitations, patient movement, and signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) considerations, restrict the slice‐selection and the in‐plane resolutions of MRI differently, generally resulting in anisotropic voxels. This nonuniform sampling can be problematic, especially in image segmentation and clinical examination. To alleviate this, the acquisition is divided into (two or) three separate scans, with higher in‐plane resolutions and thick slices, yet orthogonal slice‐selection directions. In this work, a noniterative wavelet‐based approach for combining the three orthogonal scans is adopted, and its advantages compared with other existing methods, such as Fourier techniques, are discussed, including the consideration of the actual pulse response of the MRI scanner, and its lower computational complexity. Experimental results are shown on simulated and real 7 T MRI data. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A thermo‐mechanical model for variably saturated soils based on hypoplasticity
Authors: Mašín David , Khalili Nasser
Published: July 2011

The paper presents a mechanical model for non‐isothermal behaviour of unsaturated soils. The model is based on an incrementally non‐linear hypoplastic model for saturated clays and can therefore tackle the non‐linear behaviour of overconsolidated soils. A hypoplastic model for non‐isothermal behaviour of saturated soils was developed and combined with the existing hypoplastic model for unsaturated soils based on the effective stress principle. Features of the soil behaviour that are included into the model, and those that are not, are clearly distinguished. The number of model parameters is kept to a minimum, and they all have a clear physical interpretation, to facilitate the model usefulness for practical applications. The step‐by‐step procedure used for the parameter calibration is described. The model is finally evaluated using a comprehensive set of experimental data for the thermo‐mechanical behaviour of an unsaturated compacted silt. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Towards compartment size estimation in vivo based on double wave vector diffusion weighting
Authors: Koch Martin A. , Finsterbusch Jürgen
Published: July 2011

It has been shown that double wave vector diffusion weighting, which employs two gradient pulse pairs of independent directions, can provide information about tissue structure that is not easily available otherwise, such as cell size or shape in a tissue sample. One approach to measure cell size is based on the signal difference between parallel and antiparallel gradient orientations at small mixing times between the two diffusion weightings. A major difficulty for in vivo application is the small size of the signal difference if clinical MR systems with limited gradient hardware are employed. In this study, the method is applied to human brain tissue in vivo, using whole‐body gradients. Data are reported for the corticospinal tracts. The characteristics of the observed signal difference between parallel and antiparallel gradient orientations are consistent with both analytical and numerical predictions. As an estimate of pore size, the resulting mean squared radius of gyration of the pores amounts to approximately 4 µm2. An analysis that accounts for the finite values of gradient pulse duration and diffusion time yields a volume contribution‐weighted mean pore diameter of 13 μm if a cylindrical pore shape is assumed. The results demonstrate that the technique can be applied in vivo. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Video‐on‐Demand (VoD) deployment over hospitality networks
Authors: Salah Khaled , Hamodi Jamil , Baig Zubair A. , Al‐Haidari Fahd
Published: July 2011

Video‐on‐Demand (VoD) deployment over existing IP networks has recently gained significant popularity. Typically, the deployment of VoD is done in an arbitrary manner, without utilizing a proper engineering approach. In this paper, we present an engineering approach to deploy VoD services over IP‐based hospitality networks, such as those networks seen in hotels and hospitals. In particular, our approach aims to determine the total number of VoD sessions that can be sustained by an existing hospitality network, while satisfying the QoS requirements of all network services, and at the same time leaving adequate capacity for future growth. We gauge the capacity of the hospitality network to sustain VoD services using both analysis and simulation. The capacity is gauged considering VoD quality of service requirements of throughput and delay constraints. Our analysis utilizes the principles of queuing theory, and our simulation is performed using OPNET simulation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Energy‐optimal control of a particle in a dielectrophoretic system
Authors: Simha Harsha , Barve Hrushikesh A. , Banavar Ravi N.
Published: July 2011

Dielectrophoresis is an electrokinetics‐based phenomenon that involves the motion of a particle due to interaction between its dipole moment and an applied nonuniform electric field. This technique is very effective in particle manipulation and separation. In this paper, we consider an energy optimal transfer of a particle in a dielectrophoretic system from one specified location to another desired location. The system is described by a set of ordinary differential equations with a quadratic term in the control variable (the control being the applied voltage on the electrodes which induces the electric field), making the system nonaffine. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interaction of cations with 2′‐deoxythymidine nucleoside and analysis of the nature and strength of cation bonds
Authors: Shakourian‐Fard Mehdi , Fattahi Alireza , Jamshidi Zahra
Published: July 2011

Binding of Mg2+, Ca2+, Zn2+, and Cu+ metal ions with 2′‐deoxythymidine (dT) nucleoside was studied using a density functional theory method and a 6‐311++G(d,p) basis set. This work demonstrated that the interaction of dT with these cations is tri‐coordinated η (O2, O4′, O5′). Among the four types of cations, Zn2+ cation exhibited the most tendency to interact with the dT. Cations via their interaction with dT can affect the N‐glycosidic bond length, the values of pseudorotation of the sugar ring, the orientation of the base unit with respect to the sugar ring, and the acidity of the O5′H, O3′H, and N3H groups in the dT nucleoside. Natural bond orbital analysis was performed to calculate the charge transfer and natural population analysis of the complexes. Quantum theory of atoms in molecules was also applied to determine the nature of interactions. It was shown that in dT–Mg2+ and dT–Ca2+ complexes, the bonds are electrostatic (closed‐shell) interactions, although they are partially covalent and partially electrostatic interactions in dT–Zn2+ and dT–Cu+ complexes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perceptions of Patients and Physiotherapists on Patient Participation: A Narrative Synthesis of Qualitative Studies
Authors: Schoeb Veronika , Bürge Elisabeth
Published: July 2011

Background and Purpose

Patient participation is nowadays considered important for high quality patient care. Although the literature on health care professions provides some insights into this topic, specific aspects in the field of physiotherapy are less known. The objective of this review was to investigate how patients and physiotherapists perceive patient participation, especially in regards to what it means for them and the role patients play during physiotherapy treatment sessions.

Methods

We used a narrative synthesis of qualitative studies. We conducted a systematic search in six databases using a set of key words, extracted relevant data, performed quality assessment and synthesized findings from the selected studies.

Results

Out of 160 studies, 11 were retained. Two main themes emerged: the conceptualization of patient participation and the patients' role preferences. Patient participation included various activities including goal setting, information exchange, decision‐making and exercise training and often influenced the power relation between patient and physiotherapist. Patients' willingness to participate varied, and they often did not play their desired role.

Conclusions

Patients and physiotherapists perceived participation to be valuable yet challenging. Problems of conceptualization, power inequalities, lack of health professionals' skills and lack of the right attitude to share power and responsibility from both sides were some of the barriers that impeded optimal participation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anti‐tumor effects of endogenous prostate cancer‐specific CD8 T cells in a murine TCR transgenic model
Authors: Bruno Tullia C. , Rothwell Cristin , Grosso Joseph F. , Getnet Derese , Yen Hung Rong , Durham Nicholas M. , Netto George , Pardoll Drew M. , Drake Charles G.
Published: July 2011

BACKGROUND

The CD8 T‐cell response to prostate and other cancers is often functionally diminished or absent. This may occur via deletion of tumor‐specific T cells, through acquisition of an anergic phenotype, or via active suppression mediated by another population of cells.

METHODS

We used a double transgenic model in which mice express CD8 T cells specific for a prostate/prostate cancer antigen to study the response of CD8 T cells to evolving autochronous prostate tumors in TRAMP mice. CD8 T cells were analyzed for functionality by measuring IFN‐γ production via flow cytometry and via an in vivo CTL killing assay. In addition, pathological scoring of the prostates of the double transgenic mice was compared to scoring of tumor burden prostates of ProTRAMP mice.

RESULTS

Tumor‐specific CD8 T cells were not grossly deleted in these animals, but evidenced a clearly non‐functional phenotype. Interestingly, full lytic function was rapidly recovered upon removal from tumor‐bearing mice.

CONCLUSIONS

These data indicate a role for continuous antigen exposure in the maintenance of tumor‐specific CD8 T‐cell tolerance to prostate cancer. Prostate 72:514–522, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Chronic prostatitis does not influence urinary PCA3 score
Authors: Vlaeminck‐Guillem Virginie , Bandel Marion , Cottancin Martine , Rodriguez‐Lafrasse Claire , Bohbot Jean‐Marc , Sednaoui Patrice
Published: July 2011

BACKGROUND

The influence of chronic prostatitis on serum PSA level is well known. Whether it also influences potential new biomarkers of prostate cancer (PCa) has to be determined. We conducted a prospective study to evaluate the effect of chronic prostatitis on the PCa urinary marker PCA3.

METHODS

Included were 38 patients, mean‐aged of 37.5 years, with clinical suspicion of chronic prostatitis. A simplified version of the Meares–Stamey four‐glass localization test was performed and urine specimens were collected for cytological analysis and culture. A postprostatic massage urine sample was used for the urinary PCA3 test.

RESULTS

Four patients had an eventual diagnosis of urethritis and all had a PCA3 score less than 5. Among the remaining 34 patients, 7 had bacterial chronic prostatitis (NIH II prostatitis), 11 had abacterial chronic prostatitis (NIH IIIa), and 16 had non inflammatory prostatodynia (NIH IIIb). All these patients had a PCA3 score less than 28, that is, under the cutoff of 35, which is commonly used for prostate cancer diagnosis. Patients with NIH category IIIa prostatitis had significantly higher number of leukocytes and red cells as well as prostate cells in urine samples but their PCA3 scores did not differ from those of other prostatitis patients.

CONCLUSION

In this study, NIH II and III chronic prostatitis did not influence the PCA3 score. Our results suggest that increased PCA3 score is unlikely to be explained by the sole chronic prostatitis and warrants prostate biopsies to eliminate prostate cancer. Prostate 72:549–554, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Baseline risk assessment tool: A comprehensive risk management tool for process safety
Authors: Cherubin Paolo , Pellino Stefano , Petrone Annamaria
Published: July 2011

Large losses are typically the result of the failure of multiple safety barriers, often within complex scenarios. An innovative methodology accompanied by a dedicated software baseline risk assessment tool (BART) has been set up to cover all types of onshore and offshore installations and to allow any exploration and production organization to monitor all of its assets' status with a common and standardized approach. The BART tool combines a simplified quantitative risk assessment methodology with a bow‐tie model approach to identify and assess potential hazards and associated risks, that may arise from a process or activity carried out in an upstream onshore/offshore installation. The event sequence of any major incident is analyzed from the identification of primary root causes up to the determination of potential effects and associated impacts. Therefore, all existent safety barriers are identified and their prevention and mitigation risk reduction contributions are included in the analysis. The BART tool allows for a systematic monitoring of all major incident risks through the selection of effective control measures able to reduce the likelihood and/or to limit the potential effects of current risks. The BART methodology has been tested on some existing onshore and offshore oil and gas installations, and the main findings have been positively compared with alternative approaches. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2011
The Buncefield explosion: Were the resulting overpressures really unforeseeable?
Authors: Taveau Jérôme
Published: July 2011

On Sunday 11 December 2005, a severe unconfined vapor cloud explosion followed by several tank fires occurred at the Buncefield oil storage depot in England, near London, causing widespread damage to homes and businesses surrounding the site, hopefully without any victim.

The damage caused by the resulting blast wave(s) surprised all the process safety community and explosion experts, as common hazard assessments would have predicted overpressures of only 5 kPa (0.73 psi), instead of 200 kPa (29 psi) as suggested by the data collected onsite.

One of the particularities of the Buncefield oil storage depot is that it was surrounded by long and continuous rows of trees and bushes; this singularity is currently considered as a preponderant factor in the resulting high overpressures.

Recently, explanations of the resulting overpressures were given by some authors using data from large‐scale explosion tests and CFD simulations.

The objective of this article is to verify whether application of simple methodologies used in common risk assessments could allow to estimate the severity of the Buncefield explosion. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2012
Computational analysis of the amplification features of active plastic optical fibers
Authors: Ayesta I. , Arrue J. , Jiménez F. , Illarramendi M. A. , Zubia J.
Published: July 2011

Polymer optical fibers doped with organic dyes can be used as efficient optical amplifiers and lasers in the visible region. We computationally study the spectral evolution with distance of the pulses propagating along such fibers. The main goal is to analyze the lasing threshold and the slope efficiency as functions of the fraction of spontaneous emission that contributes to laser emission. The discussion focuses on rhodamine‐6G doped fibers.
Temperature‐dependent Raman investigation of CuInS2 with mixed phases of chalcopyrite and CuAu
Authors: Wu Kunjie , Wang Deliang
Published: July 2011

CuInS2 thin films with mixed phases of chalcopyrite (CH) and CuAu (CA) were prepared by using sulfurization of co‐evaporated CuIn alloy films. Detailed temperature‐dependent Raman scattering was carried out on the CuInS2 films at temperatures ranging from 83 to 693 K. The temperature dependences of Raman shifts were well fitted by using the Ridley model for both the CH and the CA A1 modes. The Raman frequency softening upon increasing the sample temperature could be well described by the combined contributions of both thermal expansion and three/four‐phonon anharmonic processes. Different Raman linewidths broadening behaviors were observed for the CH and CA A1 modes at temperature below ∼400 K. For the CH A1 mode, the fitting using multiple‐phonon anharmonic process matched the experimental linewidth data very well, while for the CA A1 mode, the multiple‐phonon fitting could only match the experimental linewidth data at high temperature. At low temperature, the unusual temperature‐dependent broadening of the CA A1 mode was believed to arise from the phonon scattering at the CH/CA phase boundary, which encompassed the nano‐sized CA domains embedded in the CH crystallite. It was found that the intensity ratio between CA A1 and CH A1 modes (I(CA)/I(CH)) was more reliable in assessment of CH crystallinity at different temperature than CH A1 linewidth. According to the temperature dependence of I(CA)/I(CH), it showed that no phase transformation took place during the test.
Capillary electrophoresis time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry for a confident elucidation of a glycopeptide map of recombinant human erythropoietin
Authors: Giménez Estela , Ramos‐Hernan Raquel , Benavente Fernando , Barbosa José , Sanz‐Nebot Victoria
Published: July 2011

Capillary electrophoresis coupled to orthogonal accelerated time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (CE/TOFMS) was used for the analysis of O‐ and N‐glycopeptides of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO). O126 and N83 with a tetraantennary complex type glycan (N83‐4Ant) were selected as glycopeptide models to develop an optimum CE/TOFMS methodology capable of detecting and characterizing the wide variety of glycopeptides present in the glycoprotein digest. Glycopeptide adsorption in the inner surface of the fused‐silica capillary was prevented after using a capillary conditioning of 1 M HAc between runs. On the other hand, different acidic conditions in the sheath liquid (SL) and in the background electrolyte (BGE) were tested with the aim of studying their influence in glycopeptide fragmentation. Finally, the fragmentor voltage value of the TOF‐MS instrument was optimized to avoid the involuntary fragmentation of the native glycopeptides. Hence, the established method may be regarded as an excellent starting point to obtain reliable glycopeptide maps of complex glycoproteins such as rhEPO by CE/TOFMS. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simple and accurate quantitative analysis of seven prohibited threshold substances in human urine by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry in doping control
Authors: Lee Kang Mi , Kim Ho Jun , Jeong Eun Sook , Yoo Hye Hyun , Kwon Oh Seung , Jin Changbae , Kim Dong Hyun , Lee Jaeick
Published: July 2011

A simple and accurate liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for the quantitative determination of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, methylephedrine, cathine, salbutamol, morphine and epitestosterone in human urine. Urine samples were spiked with internal standard and diluted with acetonitrile. After centrifugation, the supernatants were directly analyzed by LC/MS/MS using the selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode. The linearity, intra‐ and inter‐day precision, accuracy, limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were evaluated and the method was found to be accurate and reproducible for the quantitation of threshold substances. When the method was applied to the analysis of blind urine samples for the proficiency test, the results were close to the nominal concentrations, within 87.7–106.6% of nominal values, suggesting that the developed methods can be successfully applied to routine doping analyses. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Strain Rate Effect on Material Behavior of TRIP‐Steel/Zirconia Honeycomb Structures
Authors: Ehinger D. , Krüger L. , Martin U. , Weigelt C. , Aneziris C.G.
Published: July 2011

A pure TRIP‐steel alloy and a novel zirconia reinforced TRIP‐steel matrix composite were implemented in a 2D square‐celled honeycomb structure fabricated by a paste extrusion method, respectively. In terms of a series of compression tests in out‐of‐plane loading direction the buckling and the pronounced strain hardening behavior of the honeycomb structures are described with regard to different material compositions and varied nominal strain rates. Both the compressive flow behavior and the microstructure evolution in the crushed zones are controlled by the rate of formation of strain‐induced martensite and the ceramic particle/steel matrix interactions. The insertion of magnesia partially‐stabilized zirconia (Mg‐PSZ) particles in the austenitic steel matrix cause an increased yield strength and higher compression stresses up to certain deformations degrees. The limited ductility of the composite materials is a consequence of the rearrangement and fracture of zirconia particles initiating cracks and shear bands during deformation. Consistently, the visible strain rate effects on the mechanical responses of the honeycomb structures are similar to AISI 304L austenitic stainless steel specimens in the form of compact rods. However, at high local strain rates generated in drop weight impact tests a micro‐inertia factor support the failure behavior of the cellular structures.
Enhancing the Homogenized Diffusion of Chromium in Alloy Steel Ingot by Forging
Authors: Chen Kun , Yang Yitao , Shao Guangjie , Liu Kejia
Published: July 2011

The effects of forging on the diffusion of chromium (Cr) in alloy steel ingot are studied by diffusion model with finite element method (FEM) and verified by the experimental observations. Calculated results show that forging can enhance the diffusion of Cr in alloy steel ingot during the homogenization treatment, which is attributed to the geometry change and the increased diffusion coefficient caused by recrystallization. The geometry change caused by the forging is a factor to increase the diffusivity (from the high concentration region to the low one) of Cr. But, the diffusion coefficient of Cr in the deformed sample is obviously enhanced, the diffusivity is two orders of magnitude higher than that caused by geometry change. The enlarged diffusion coefficient is originated from the recrystallization, which plays a major role in enhancing the diffusion during the homogenization treatment. The experimental results are confirmed with the calculated predicts, the calculated deviation is less than 7%. It is shown that the effect of recrystallization is a new mechanism of enhancing the diffusion by forging .The theoretical explanations of the diffusion mechanism enhanced by forging are also proposed.
Orthogonal frequency division multiple access resource allocation in mobile multihop relay networks using an adaptive frame structure
Authors: Kwon Bongkyoung , Beyah Raheem A. , Lee Myunghwan , Copeland John A.
Published: July 2011

For wireless mobile multihop relay (MMR) networks, we have chosen orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) and time division duplex as a multiple access scheme and a duplex communication technique, respectively. We have also selected nontransparent relay stations (nt‐RSs) as relay nodes to extend the MMR network coverage. Through the nt‐RSs, far‐off subscriber stations (SSs) or hidden SSs can communicate with a base station (BS) that is connected to backhaul networks. In these MMR networks, the way in which a BS and nt‐RSs use OFDMA resources (e.g., OFDMA symbols and subcarriers) and share them might reduce system capacity and network throughput. Therefore, we proposed a new adaptive OFDMA frame structure for both the BS and the nt‐RSs. The proposed scheme is the first approach that incorporates the adaptive technique for wireless MMR networks. Based on the proposed adaptive OFDMA frame structure, an adaptive OFDMA resource allocation for SSs within a BS as well as nt‐RSs was proposed. To derive the maximum OFDMA resource that nt‐RSs can be assigned and to synchronize access zones and relay zones between a superior station and its subordinate nt‐RSs, three properties are introduced: a data relay property, a maximum balance property, and a relay zone limitation property. In addition, we propose max‐min and proportional fairness schemes of the proposed adaptive frame structure. Our numerical analysis and simulations show that the proposed OFDMA allocation scheme performs better than the nonadaptive allocation scheme in terms of network throughput and fairness especially in the asymmetric distribution of subscriber stations between access zones and relay zones in the MMR networks. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interference management in femtocell networks
Authors: Fan Zhong , Cao Fengming , Sun Yong , Zhu Ziming
Published: July 2011

Recently, smaller cells such as femtocells have been proposed to address the cellular coverage problem and provide a ‘greener’ solution to future high‐speed wireless access. On the other hand, interference is a serious problem that could impact the wide deployment of femtocells. The contributions of this paper are threefold. First, we focus on the trade‐off between energy efficiency and system performance. With realistic long‐term evolution system parameters, we have shown that femtocells can indeed improve energy efficiency of the network. However, this comes with a price—performance degradation due to interference, which is especially severe in densely deployed scenarios. Second, we propose a proactive approach to handover and access management in femtocell systems, focusing especially on the interference issue of closed subscriber group femtocells. Third, we propose an efficient data offloading mechanism for interference mitigation and mobility management, with the aim to avoid potential interference and save radio resources and signalling load in the network. Simulation results have been presented to demonstrate the benefits of the proposed schemes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An inductive characterization of matching in binding bigraphs
Authors: Damgaard Troels C. , Glenstrup Arne J. , Birkedal Lars , Milner Robin
Published: July 2011

We analyze the matching problem for bigraphs. In particular, we present a sound and complete inductive characterization of matching in bigraphs with binding. Our results yield a specification for a provably correct matching algorithm, as needed by our prototype tool implementing bigraphical reactive systems.
An inductive approach to strand spaces
Authors: Li Yongjian , Pang Jun
Published: July 2011

In this paper, we develop an inductive approach to strand spaces, by introducing an inductive definition for bundles. This definition provides us not only a constructive illustration for bundles, but also an effective and rigorous technique of rule induction to reason about properties of bundles. With this induction principle, we can prove that our bundle model is sound in the sense that a bundle is a causally well-founded graph. This approach also gives an alternative to rigorously prove a generalized version of authentication tests. To illustrate the applicability of our approach, we have performed case studies on verification of secrecy and authentication properties of the Needham–Schroeder–Lowe and Otway–Rees protocols. Our approach has been mechanized using Isabelle/HOL.
Automated transport service management in the future Internet: concepts and operations
Authors: Callegati Franco , Campi Aldo , Cerroni Walter
Published: July 2011

This paper describes a possible approach to provide advanced communication services for the Future Internet in an automated way. This is achieved by introducing a newCognitive Transport Servicelayer on top of the traditional transport layer, which is used by the network to automatically negotiate the required transport service with the applications. Experimental validation of the proposed solution is discussed with the help of two case studies: bandwidth reservation on a secure channel and dynamic bandwidth negotiation for variable-quality video streaming.
The Outcomes of Anterior Spinal Fusion for Cervical Compressive Myelopathy—A Retrospective Review
Authors: Tsz-King Suen , Kwok-Ho Wong , Yuen-Fong Ho
Published: July 2011

Background

This study examined the prognostic factors that affect the surgical outcome of anterior spinal fusion in patients with cervical compressive myelopathy (CCM).

Methods

A retrospective review of the result of surgical treatment in 49 cases of CCM using anterior spinal fusion surgical techniques. The study period was from June 1990 to June 2008, with a mean followup of 6.57 years. Seven patients died during the followup period because of other medical diseases. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association score for cervical myelopathy and recovery rate were used to assess the functional results of the remaining 42 cases.

Results

A mean Japanese Orthopaedic Association score improvement from 10.21 to 14.23 points after the operation was observed. The overall recovery rate was 65.38%, with excellent or good results of 80%. After a year of followup, we did not find significant improvement or deterioration on the neurological status on further followup. Acute complications were not common. One patient underwent reoperation because of slipping of the graft during resuscitation after early postoperative acute myocardial infarction. This patient showed postoperative neurological deterioration. Two patients had subsidence of the graft, three had pseudoarthrosis, and two had graft resorption. There were also three patients with degenerative changes of the adjacent vertebra. No reoperation was done for patients with these late complications in this review.

Conclusion

Anterior cervical decompression with bone fusion is a viable surgical option for patients with one level of anterior cervical cord compression, especially for patients with kyphosis or straight canal spine. For patients with two- to three-level involvement, anterior cervical decompression with bone fusion provides good functional result in proper selection of cases. We also identified some prognostic factors (male sex, symptoms less than 1 year, and age less than 70 years) in predicting a favourable outcome of anterior spinal fusion for CCM.
Ecological stability during the LGM and the mid-Holocene in the Alpine Steppes of Tibet?
Authors: Miehe Georg , Miehe Sabine , Bach Kerstin , Kluge Jürgen , Wesche Karsten , Yongping Yang , Jianquan Liu
Published: July 2011

Arid and Alpine ecosystems are known for extreme environmental changes during the Late Quaternary. We hypothesize that the world's largest Alpine arid ecosystem however, the Alpine Steppes of the Tibetan highlands, remained ecologically stable during the LGM and the mid-Holocene. This hypothesis is tested by distributional range of plant species, plant life forms and rate of endemism. The set of character species has a precipitation gradient between 50 and 350 mm/a, testifying for resilience to precipitation changes. 83% of the species have a wider vertical range than 1000 m used as a proxy for resilience to temperature changes. 30% of the species are endemic with 10 endemic genera, including plate-shaped cushions as a unique plant life form. These findings are in line with palaeo-ecological proxies (δ18O, pollen) allowing the assumption that Alpine Steppes persisted during the LGM with 3 to 4 K lower summer temperatures.

During the mid-Holocene, forests could have replaced Alpine Steppes in the upper catchments of the Huang He, Yangtze, Mekong, Salween and Yarlung Zhangbo, but not in the interior basins of the north-western highlands, because the basins were then flooded, suppressing forests and supporting the environmental stability of this arid Alpine grassland biome.
Freshwater control of ice-rafted debris in the last glacial period at Mono Lake, California, USA
Authors: Zimmerman Susan R. H. , Pearl Crystal , Hemming Sidney R. , Tamulonis Kathryn , Hemming N. Gary , Searle Stephanie Y.
Published: July 2011

The type section silts of the late Pleistocene Wilson Creek Formation at Mono Lake contain outsized clasts, dominantly well-rounded pebbles and cobbles of Sierran lithologies. Lithic grains > 425 μm show a similar pattern of variability as the > 10 mm clasts visible in the type section, with decreasing absolute abundance in southern and eastern outcrops. The largest concentrations of ice-rafted debris (IRD) occur at 67–57 ka and 46–32 ka, with strong millennial-scale variability, while little IRD is found during the last glacial maximum and deglaciation.

Stratigraphic evidence for high lake level during high IRD intervals, and a lack of geomorphic evidence for coincidence of lake and glaciers, strongly suggests that rafting was by shore ice rather than icebergs. Correspondence of carbonate flux and IRD implies that both were mainly controlled by freshwater input, rather than disparate non-climatic controls. Conversely, the lack of IRD during the last glacial maximum and deglacial highstands may relate to secondary controls such as perennial ice cover or sediment supply. High IRD at Mono Lake corresponds to low glacial flour flux in Owens Lake, both correlative to high warm-season insolation. High-resolution, extra-basinal correlation of the millennial peaks awaits greatly improved age models for both records.
A Theatre of Imagery: the Rock Carving of Döltorp, Skee Parish, Bohuslän, Sweden
Authors: Coles John
Published: July 2011

The parish of Skee, in western Bohuslän, has a wide variety of ancient monuments, among which is a small rock at Döltorp that displays a range of Bronze Age and Early Iron Age rock carvings. The new recording presented here identifies a number of hitherto unrecognized images and details. Some of the carvings are now considered to be of the late second millennium bc, while the bulk of the images are of mid-first millennium bc date. They include a particularly large decorated boat, with its crew finely detailed, as well as a number of carvings of warriors, discs, horses, spirals and smaller boats. The site lies in a landscape well inland from the Bronze Age shoreline, and its selection for carving was probably related to the existence of an earlier cairn high on a ridge to the west of the rock-carving site, perhaps linked to it by additional stones. Other sites in the immediate lowland region suggest that we should not view such sites as static creations; rather, we should consider them to have had long and episodic lives, maintaining and augmenting a societal awareness over many generations.
Evolution of Operative Interventions by Two University-Based Surgical Teams in Haiti during the First Month following the Earthquake
Authors: Sarani Babak , Mehta Samir , Ashburn Michael , Gupta Rajan , Dombroski Derek , Raymonville Maxi , Schwab C. William
Published: July 2011

Background: The earthquake that struck Haiti on 10 January 2010, killed 200,000 persons and injured thousands more. Working with Partners in Health, a non-governmental organization already present in Haiti, Dartmouth College, and the University of Pennsylvania sent multidisciplinary surgical teams to hospitals in the villages of Hinche and Cange. The purpose of this report is to describe the injuries seen and evolution of treatments rendered at these two outlying regional hospitals during the first month following the earthquake.

Methods: A retrospective review of the database maintained by each team was performed. In addition to a list of equipment taken to Haiti, information collected included patient age, American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) physical status, injuries sustained, procedures performed, wound management strategy, antibiotic therapy, and early outcomes.

Results: A total of 113 surgical procedures were performed in 15 days by both teams. The average patient age was 25 years and average ASA score was 1.4. The majority of injuries involved large soft tissue wounds and closed fractures, although 21–40% of the patients at each hospital had either an open fracture or amputation wound. Initially, wound debridement was the most common procedure performed, but after two weeks, skin grafting, fracture fixation, and amputation revision were the more commonly needed operations.

Conclusions: Academic surgical teams can ameliorate the morbidity and mortality following disasters caused by natural hazards by partnering with organizations that already have a presence in the affected region. A multidisciplinary team of surgeons and nurses can improve both mortality and morbidity following a disaster.
Risk of endometrial cancer in relation to individual nutrients from diet and supplements
Authors: Biel Rita K , Csizmadi Ilona , Cook Linda S , Courneya Kerry S , Magliocco Anthony M , Friedenreich Christine M
Published: July 2011

Objective

Intake of nutrients may influence the risk of endometrial cancer (EC). We aimed to estimate the association of intake of individual nutrients from food and from food plus supplements with EC occurrence.

Design

A population-based case–control study conducted in Canada (2002–2006).

Setting

Nutrient intakes from food and supplements were assessed using an FFQ. Logistic regression was used to estimate EC risk within quartile levels of nutrient intakes.

Subjects

Incident EC cases (n506) were identified from the Alberta Cancer Registry, and population controls were frequency- and age-matched to cases (n981).

Results

There existed little evidence of an association with EC for the majority of macronutrients and micronutrients examined. We observed a statistically significant increased risk associated with the highest, compared with the lowest, quartile of intake of dietary cholesterol (multivariable-adjusted OR = 1·51, 95 % CI 1·08, 2·11;Pfor trend = 0·02). Age-adjusted risk at the highest level of intake was significantly reduced for Ca from food sources (OR = 0·73, 95 % CI 0·54, 0·99) but was attenuated in the multivariable model (OR = 0·82, 95 % CI 0·59, 1·13). When intake from supplements was included in Ca intake, risk was significantly reduced by 28 % with higher Ca (multivariable-adjusted OR = 0·72, 95 % CI 0·51, 0·99,Pfor trend = 0·04). We also observed unexpected increased risks at limited levels of intakes of dietary soluble fibre, vitamin C, thiamin, vitamin B6and lutein/zeaxanthin, with no evidence for linear trend.

Conclusions

The results of our study suggest a positive association between dietary cholesterol and EC risk and an inverse association with Ca intake from food sources and from food plus supplements.
Prevalence and trends of stunting among pre-school children, 1990–2020
Authors: de Onis Mercedes , Blössner Monika , Borghi Elaine
Published: July 2011

Objective

To quantify the prevalence and trends of stunting among children using the WHO growth standards.

Design

Five hundred and seventy-six nationally representative surveys, including anthropometric data, were analysed. Stunting was defined as the proportion of children below −2sd from the WHO length- or height-for-age standards median. Linear mixed-effects modelling was used to estimate rates and numbers of affected children from 1990 to 2010, and projections to 2020.

Setting

One hundred and forty-eight developed and developing countries.

Subjects

Boys and girls from birth to 60 months.

Results

In 2010, it is estimated that 171 million children (167 million in developing countries) were stunted. Globally, childhood stunting decreased from 39·7 (95 % CI 38·1, 41·4) % in 1990 to 26·7 (95 % CI 24·8, 28·7) % in 2010. This trend is expected to reach 21·8 (95 % CI 19·8, 23·8) %, or 142 million, in 2020. While in Africa stunting has stagnated since 1990 at about 40 % and little improvement is anticipated, Asia showed a dramatic decrease from 49 % in 1990 to 28 % in 2010, nearly halving the number of stunted children from 190 million to 100 million. It is anticipated that this trend will continue and that in 2020 Asia and Africa will have similar numbers of stunted children (68 million and 64 million, respectively). Rates are much lower (14 % or 7 million in 2010) in Latin America.

Conclusions

Despite an overall decrease in developing countries, stunting remains a major public health problem in many of them. The data summarize progress achieved in the last two decades and help identify regions needing effective interventions.
The role of health-related, motivational and sociodemographic aspects in predicting food label use: a comprehensive study
Authors: Hess Rebecca , Visschers Vivianne HM , Siegrist Michael
Published: July 2011

Objective

Previous studies focused on a limited number of determinants of food label use. We therefore tested a comprehensive model of food label use consisting of sociodemographic, health-related and motivating variables. These three predictor groups were chosen based on the previous literature and completed with new predictors not yet examined in a comprehensive study of frequency of label use.

Design

We sent questionnaires to a random sample of households in the German-speaking part of Switzerland.

Setting

The respondents filled in the questionnaire at home and returned it by mail.

Subjects

We analysed the data of 1162 filled-in questionnaires (response rate = 38 %). Of the respondents, 637 were women (55 %), and their mean age was 53·54 (sd 15·68) years.

Results

Health-related variables were the most important group of predictors of label use, followed by motivating factors and sociodemographic variables. Placing importance on health, healthy eating and nutritional value of food, perceived vulnerability for diet-related diseases, nutrition knowledge, numeracy and gender were positively associated with frequency of food label use whereas shopping habits and seeing eating as something positive were negative predictors of frequency of label use.

Conclusions

People's health consciousness should be raised in order to increase the frequency of food label use. Furthermore, it should be stressed that reading labels and keeping a healthy diet do not contradict ‘good eating’, and that both of these aspects can be combined with the help of food labels.
Consumer food choices: the role of price and pricing strategies
Authors: Steenhuis Ingrid HM , Waterlander Wilma E , de Mul Anika
Published: July 2011

Objective

To study differences in the role of price and value in food choice between low-income and higher-income consumers and to study the perception of consumers about pricing strategies that are of relevance during grocery shopping.

Design

A cross-sectional study was conducted using structured, written questionnaires. Food choice motives as well as price perceptions and opinion on pricing strategies were measured.

Setting

The study was carried out in point-of-purchase settings, i.e. supermarkets, fast-food restaurants and sports canteens.

Subjects

Adults (n 159) visiting a point-of-purchase setting were included.

Results

Price is an important factor in food choice, especially for low-income consumers. Low-income consumers were significantly more conscious of value and price than higher-income consumers. The most attractive strategies, according to the consumers, were discounting healthy food more often and applying a lower VAT (Value Added Tax) rate on healthy food. Low-income consumers differ in their preferences for pricing strategies.

Conclusions

Since price is more important for low-income consumers we recommend mainly focusing on their preferences and needs.
A comparative copula‐based bivariate frequency analysis of observed and simulated storm events: A case study on Bartlett‐Lewis modeled rainfall
Authors: Vandenberghe S. , Verhoest N. E. C. , Onof C. , De Baets B.
Published: July 2011

Because of a lack of historical rainfall time series of considerable length, one often has to rely on simulated rainfall time series, e.g., in the design of hydraulic structures. One way to simulate such time series is by means of stochastic point process rainfall models, such as the Bartlett‐Lewis type of model. For the evaluation of model performance, with a focus on the reproduction of extreme rainfall events, often a univariate extreme value analysis is performed. Recently developed concepts in statistical hydrology now offer other means of evaluating the overall performance of such models. In this study, a copula‐based frequency analysis of storms is proposed as a tool to evaluate differences between the return periods of several types of observed and modeled storms. First, this study performs an analysis of several storm variables, which indicates a problem with the modeling of the temporal structure of rainfall by the models. Thereafter, the bivariate frequency analysis of storms, defined by their duration and volume, illustrates the underestimation and overestimation of the return period of the storms simulated by the models, which is partially explained by a large difference in the marginal distribution functions of the storm duration and storm volume, the difference in the degree of association between the latter, and a different mean storm interarrival time. The proposed methodology allows for the identification of some problems with the rainfall simulations from which recommendations for possible improvements to rainfall models can be made.
Baroclinic instability in the West Spitsbergen Current
Authors: Teigen S. H. , Nilsen F. , Skogseth R. , Gjevik B. , Beszczynska‐Möller A.
Published: July 2011

Baroclinic instability in the West Spitsbergen Current is investigated, based on data from an array of current meter moorings along 78.83°N, across the deeper (1000–2400 m) section of the continental slope west of Svalbard. Numerical linear stability analyses of the current are presented, utilizing a normal mode two‐layer linear model and idealizations of the baroclinic velocity field and the cross‐shelf bathymetry. The characteristic period, wavelength, and growth rate of unstable vorticity waves are revealed, appearing as two distinct peaks in growth rate, with typical wave periods of 35–75 h and wavelengths 15–30 km. The resulting vorticity wave structure of the dominant unstable mode is centered close to the position of the maximum current. Wavelet and rotary spectrum analysis of the current meter data from September 2007 to July 2009 detect transient signals with significant energy at similar oscillation periods as indicated by the linear stability analysis, which suggests that the baroclinic instability process is active during ∼30% of the measurement record and is most pronounced during winter/spring. Unstable vorticity waves represent an effective mechanism for cooling the core of the West Spitsbergen Current by isopycnal transport of water masses from the core to the surface. The heat loss associated with the most unstable mode is estimated to reach 240 W m−2, which is comparable with reported values of winter surface heat loss.
Long-term effects of ocean warming on the prokaryotic community: evidence from the vibrios
Authors: Vezzulli Luigi , Brettar Ingrid , Pezzati Elisabetta , Reid Philip C , Colwell Rita R , Höfle Manfred G , Pruzzo Carla
Published: July 2011

The long-term effects of ocean warming on prokaryotic communities are unknown because of lack of historical data. We overcame this gap by applying a retrospective molecular analysis to the bacterial community on formalin-fixed samples from the historical Continuous Plankton Recorder archive, which is one of the longest and most geographically extensive collections of marine biological samples in the world. We showed that during the last half century, ubiquitous marine bacteria of the Vibrio genus, including Vibrio cholerae, increased in dominance within the plankton-associated bacterial community of the North Sea, where an unprecedented increase in bathing infections related to these bacteria was recently reported. Among environmental variables, increased sea surface temperature explained 45% of the variance in Vibrio data, supporting the view that ocean warming is favouring the spread of vibrios and may be the cause of the globally increasing trend in their associated diseases.