bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decoupling and balancing of space and time errors in the material point method (MPM)
Authors: Steffen Michael , Kirby Robert M. , Berzins Martin
Published: December 2009

The material point method (MPM) is a computationally effective particle method with mathematical roots in both particle‐in‐cell and finite element‐type methods. The method has proven to be extremely useful in solving solid mechanics problems involving large deformations and/or fragmentation of structures, problem domains that are sometimes problematic for finite element‐type methods. Recently, the MPM community has focused significant attention on understanding the basic mathematical error properties of the method.

Complementary to this thrust, in this paper we show how spatial and temporal errors are typically coupled within the MPM framework. In an attempt to overcome the challenge to analysis that this coupling poses, we take advantage of MPM's connection to finite element methods by developing a ‘moving‐mesh’ variant of MPM that allows us to use finite element‐type error analysis to demonstrate and understand the spatial and temporal error behaviors of MPM. We then provide an analysis and demonstration of various spatial and temporal errors in MPM and in simplified MPM‐type simulations.

Our analysis allows us to anticipate the global error behavior in MPM‐type methods and allows us to estimate the time‐step where spatial and temporal errors are balanced. Larger time‐steps result in solutions dominated by temporal errors and show second‐order temporal error convergence. Smaller time‐steps result in solutions dominated by spatial errors, and hence temporal refinement produces no appreciative change in the solution. Based upon our understanding of MPM from both analysis and numerical experimentation, we are able to provide to MPM practitioners a collection of guidelines to be used in the selection of simulation parameters that respect the interplay between spatial (grid) resolution, number of particles and time‐step. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quality improvement of non‐manifold hexahedral meshes for critical feature determination of microstructure materials
Authors: Qian Jin , Zhang Yongjie , Wang Wenyan , Lewis Alexis C. , Qidwai M. A. Siddiq , Geltmacher Andrew B.
Published: December 2009

This paper describes a novel approach to improve the quality of non‐manifold hexahedral meshes with feature preservation for microstructure materials. In earlier works, we developed an octree‐based isocontouring method to construct unstructured hexahedral meshes for domains with multiple materials by introducing the notion of material change edge to identify the interface between two or more materials. However, quality improvement of non‐manifold hexahedral meshes is still a challenge. In the present algorithm, all the vertices are categorized into seven groups, and then a comprehensive method based on pillowing, geometric flow and optimization techniques is developed for mesh quality improvement. The shrink set in the modified pillowing technique is defined automatically as the boundary of each material region with the exception of local non‐manifolds. In the relaxation‐based smoothing process, non‐manifold points are identified and fixed. Planar boundary curves and interior spatial curves are distinguished, and then regularized using B‐spline interpolation and resampling. Grain boundary surface patches and interior vertices are improved as well. Finally, the optimization method eliminates negative Jacobians of all the vertices. We have applied our algorithms to two beta titanium data sets, and the constructed meshes are validated via a statistics study. Finite element analysis of the 92‐grain titanium is carried out based on the improved mesh, and compared with the direct voxel‐to‐element technique. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transition states in Ei reactions
Authors: Kingsbury Charles A.
Published: December 2009

The pyrolysis of amine oxides, sulfoxides, selenoxides, and esters to form alkenes is believed to be a concerted reaction with a cyclic transition state. Phosphine oxides, sulfones, and nitro compounds are unreactive. This study seeks to identify reasons for the lack of reactivity of the latter. Transition states were located for all substrates progressing from RHF/3‐21G* to the MP2/6‐31+G(d,p) level (in certain cases). For sulfones and nitro compounds, two possible reasons for lack of reactivity were considered: (1) Atoms approaching one another in the transition state may be considered to participate in a local nO → σ*CHinteraction. The second oxygen in the sulfone or nitro compound lowers the energy of the ‘non‐bonded electrons’ at oxygen leading to a greater mismatch in energy with the antibonding CH orbital (in comparison to the sulfoxide or amine oxide). (2) The sulfone and nitro ‘lone pairs’ are not really ‘alone’, and available to react. In fact, complex bonding arrangements exist in the SO2and NO2groups. The situation is less clear for phosphine oxides, although ground state stability of bonds is important. Implications concerning the Hammond postulate are covered. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antitumor and antiplatelet activity of alkaloids from veratrum dahuricum
Authors: Tang Jian , Li Hui‐Liang , Shen Yun‐Heng , Jin Hui‐Zi , Yan Shi‐Kai , Liu Xiao‐Hua , Zeng Hua‐Wu , Liu Run‐Hui , Tan Ye‐Xiong , Zhang Wei‐Dong
Published: December 2009

Ten steroidal alkaloids – cyclopamine, veratramine, jervine, 3, 15‐diangyloylgermine, 3‐angyloylzygadenine, 3‐veratroyl zygadenine, 15‐veratroylgermine, germine, veratrosine and pseudojervine – from Veratrum dahuricum, together with the ethanol extract and total alkaloids, were evaluated for their antitumor and antiplatelet activities. Cyclopamine, veratramine and germine significantly inhibited the hedgehog pathway in NIH/3T3 cells. Cyclopamine exerted a potent inhibitory effect against the growth of PANC‐1 tumors in mice, with inhibition rates of 40.64%, 44.37%, 46.77% at doses of 5.0, 15.0 and 50.0 mg kg‐1, respectively. Veratroylgermine was found to produce the strongest inhibition against the platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid, with inhibition rate of 92.0% at 100 μM. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mechanisms underlying vascular effect of chronic resveratrol in streptozotocin‐diabetic rats
Authors: Roghani Mehrdad , Baluchnejadmojarad Tourandokht
Published: December 2009

In this study, some underlying mechanisms responsible for the beneficial effect of chronic oral administration of resveratrol on aortic reactivity of streptozotocin (STZ)‐diabetic rats were investigated. Male diabetic rats received resveratrol (10 mg/kg/day) for 8 weeks, 1 week after diabetes induction. Treatment of diabetic rats with resveratrol produced a hypoglycaemic effect and there were appropriate changes regarding serum lipids. Resveratrol also attenuated the increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content and reduced activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in liver and aortic tissues. Maximum contractile response of endothelium‐intact aortic rings to KCl and phenylephrine (PE) was significantly lower in resveratrol‐treated diabetic rats relative to untreated diabetics. Endothelium removal abolished the significant difference between resveratrol‐treated and untreated diabetic groups regarding contractile response to KCl and PE. Meanwhile, endothelium‐dependent relaxation to acetylcholine (ACh) was significantly higher in resveratrol‐treated diabetic rats as compared to diabetic group and pretreatment with N(omega)‐L‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME) and indomethacin (INDO) significantly attenuated these responses. Chronic treatment with resveratrol may prevent diabetes‐related changes in vascular reactivity observed in diabetic rats directly and/or indirectly due to its hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic effects and attenuation of lipid peroxidation and through endothelial‐derived factors. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antiproliferative and proapoptotic actions of okra pectin on B16F10 melanoma cells
Authors: Vayssade Muriel , Sengkhamparn Nipaporn , Verhoef René , Delaigue Claire , Goundiam Oumou , Vigneron Pascale , Voragen Alphons G.J. , Schols Henk A. , Nagel Marie‐Danielle
Published: December 2009

The proliferation and apoptosis of metastatic melanoma cells are often abnormal. We have evaluated the action of a pectic rhamnogalacturonan obtained by hot buffer extraction of okra pods (okra RG‐I) on melanoma cell growth and survival in vitro. We added okra RG‐I containing an almost pure RG‐I carrying very short galactan side chains to 2D (on tissue culture polystyrene, tPS) and 3D (on poly(2‐hydroxyethylmethacrylate), polyHEMA) cultures of highly metastatic B16F10 mouse melanoma cells. We then analyzed cell morphology, proliferation index, apoptosis, cell cycle progression and the expression of adhesion molecules. Immunostaining and western blotting were used to assay galectin‐3 (Gal‐3) protein.

Incubation with okra RG‐I altered the morphology of B16F10 cells and significantly reduced their proliferation on both tPS and polyHEMA. The cell cycle was arrested in G2/M, and apoptosis was induced, particularly in cells on polyHEMA. The expression of N‐cadherin and α5 integrin subunit was reduced and that of the multifunctional carbohydrate‐binding protein, Gal‐3, at the cell membrane increased.

These findings suggest that okra RG‐I induces apoptosis in melanoma cells by interacting with Gal‐3. As these interactions might open the way to new melanoma therapies, the next step will be to determine just how they occur. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hypotensive effect of aqueous saffron extract (Crocus sativus L.) and its constituents, safranal and crocin, in normotensive and hypertensive rats
Authors: Imenshahidi Mohsen , Hosseinzadeh Hossein , Javadpour Yaser
Published: December 2009

In this study, the effects of saffron (Crocus sativus) stigma aqueous extract and two active constituents, crocin and safranal, were investigated on blood pressure of normotensive and desoxycorticosterone acetate‐induced hypertensive rats. Three doses of crocin (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg), safranal (0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg) and the aqueous extract (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg) were administered intravenously in different groups of normotensive and hypertensive animals and their effects on mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) and heart rate (HR) were evaluated. The aqueous extract of saffron stigma, safranal and crocin reduced the MABP in normotensive and hypertensive anaesthetized rats in a dose‐dependent manner. For example, administrations of 10 mg/kg of aqueous extract, 1 mg/kg of safranal and 200 mg/kg of crocin caused 60 ± 8.7, 50 ± 5.2 and 51 ± 3.8 mmHg reductions in MABP, respectively. It can be concluded that the aqueous extract of saffron stigma has hypotensive properties which appear to be attributable, in part, to the actions of two major constitutes of this plant, crocin and safranal. It seems that safranal is more important than crocin for lowering down blood pressure of rats. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial on the potential modes of action of sheaflex70tm in osteoarthritis
Authors: Cheras Phillip A. , Myers Stephen P. , Paul‐Brent Peta‐Anne , Outerbridge Kerry H. , Nielsen Gary V. L.
Published: December 2009

Extracts from the seed of the African shea tree Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertn have been used traditionally for the treatment of arthritic conditions. However, little is known about the mechanisms by which benefit is conferred. This single‐site, 15‐week randomized, double‐blind, parallel, placebo‐controlled study examined a range of biomarkers in 89 patients with osteoarthritis of the knees and/or hips to determine potential modes of action of SheaFlex70TM, a triterpene‐rich extract of Vitellaria paradoxa. In the group of participants with levels of osteoarthritis biomarkers in the upper quartile at baseline, there were significant decreases in inflammation and cartilage breakdown and trend level decreases in bone remodeling in the SheaFlex70TM group versus placebo between commencement and completion of the study. Inflammation marker TNF‐alpha fell 23.9% vs 6% (treatment vs placebo), p = 0.041. Cartilage degradation marker CTX‐II fell 28.7% vs an increase of 17.6% (treatment vs placebo), p = 0.018. This marker also showed significant falls across the entire study group, 10.6% vs an increase of 11.6%, (treatment vs placebo), p = 0.016. Osteocalcin levels fell 9.2%, p = 0.014 (treatment) vs 1.2%, ns (placebo), p = 0.096 (treatment vs placebo). These findings indicate that in patients with the highest levels of osteoarthritis biomarkers, SheaFlex70TM demonstrated multiple beneficial activities consistent with slowing the disease process. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nonadditive nature of nucleobases interactions in model d(GpG) dinucleotide steps
Authors: Cysewski Piotr
Published: December 2009

High nonadditive character of intermolecular interaction energy (IIE) has been found for many d(GpG) dinucleotide steps in B‐DNA conformations. Although three‐ and four‐body terms posses opposite signs in all cases, positive nonadditivity is observed. On the other hand, the pairwise additive simplification may still be applied because there is linear correlation between magnitude of additive and nonadditive terms of IIE. The application of the linear regression leads to a higher accuracy with values of standard deviation about 0.5 kcal/mol. The heterogeneity of intermolecular interactions in two subsequent GC pairs was identified as the main source of nonadditivity. The higher the difference between hydrogen bonding and interstrand stacking, the higher the absolute values of three‐ and four‐body terms. This trend is of linear character and may be used for both parametric correction and measure of nonadditivity in d(GpG) steps without necessity of energy calculations for the whole tetramer. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011
Nonlinear predictive control of smooth nonlinear systems based on Volterra models. Application to a pilot plant
Authors: Gruber Jorn K. , Bordons Carlos , Bars Ruth , Haber Robert
Published: December 2009

There is a large demand to apply nonlinear algorithms to control nonlinear systems. With algorithms considering the process nonlinearities, better control performance is expected in the whole operating range than with linear control algorithms. Three predictive control algorithms based on a Volterra model are considered. The iterative predictive control algorithm to solve the complete nonlinear problem uses the non‐autoregressive Volterra model calculated from the identified autoregressive Volterra model. Two algorithms for a reduced nonlinear optimization problem are considered for the unconstrained case, where an analytic control expression can be given. The performance of the three algorithms is analyzed and compared for reference signal tracking and disturbance rejection. The algorithms are applied and compared in simulation to control a Wiener model, and are used for real‐time control of a chemical pilot plant. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An iris recognition model for secured access to data
Authors: El Khoury Franjieh , Egea Marcel , Meskaoui Nada , Wakim Nagi
Published: December 2009

The exponential growth in the usage of the Internet as well as the emergence of advanced applications, increase the risk of unauthorized access to confidential information. For the last few years, biometric techniques, especially the ones related to iris recognition, have proven their reliability in providing secure access to shared resources in different domains. Many algorithms have been proposed for implementing the iris recognition biometric techniques. In this paper, we study and compare these proposals and propose an efficient new algorithm for iris recognition. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hybrid pattern matching for trusted intrusion detection
Authors: Soewito Benfano , Vespa Lucas , Weng Ning , Wang Haibo
Published: December 2009

Intrusion Detection Systems (IDSs) rely on pattern matching to detect and thwart a network attack by comparing packets with a database of known attack patterns. The key requirements of trusted intrusion detection are accurate pattern matching, adaptive, and reliable reconfiguration for new patterns. To address these requirements, this paper presents a trusted intrusion detection by utilizing hybrid pattern matching engines: FPGA‐based and multicore‐based pattern matching engine. To achieve synchronization of these two pattern matching engines, methodologies including multi‐threading DFA and clustered state coding have been developed. These hybrid pattern matching engines increases the reliability and trustworthy of intrusion detection systems. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative analysis of antral follicle number and size: a comparison of two‐dimensional and automated three‐dimensional ultrasound techniques
Authors: Deb S. , Campbell B. K. , Clewes J. S. , Raine‐Fenning N. J.
Published: December 2009

Objectives

To compare two‐dimensional (2D) ultrasound imaging with automated three‐dimensional (3D) ultrasound imaging for the measurement of antral follicle number and size.

Methods

Twenty‐four subjects aged < 40 years underwent transvaginal ultrasound examination (Voluson E8) in the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. A 2D ultrasound scan of both ovaries was performed; each antral follicle was identified and then measured by taking the mean of two diameters. A 3D ultrasound dataset of both ovaries was then acquired and analyzed using Sonography‐based Automated Volume Count (SonoAVC™). The time taken to measure the size of all antral follicles in both ovaries was recorded in seconds for each technique. Antral follicle size was recorded to the nearest millimeter and counts for each 1‐mm group were obtained. Antral follicle counts were also grouped according to five predefined size categories: 2.0–5.0 mm, 2.0–6.0 mm, 2.0–8.0 mm, 2.0–9.0 mm and 2.0–10.0 mm. Limits of agreement (LOA) and a paired t‐test or Wilcoxon signed ranks test were used to analyze the data depending on their distribution.

Results

When antral follicle numbers were compared for each 1‐mm follicle size group, 2D ultrasound imaging recorded more follicles measuring 3.0–3.99 mm (mean ± SD, 4.11 ± 3.70 vs. 2.63 ± 2.31; P = 0.019) and 4.0–4.99 mm (mean ± SD, 4.63 ± 4.86 vs. 2.68 ± 2.89; P = 0.013) than did SonoAVC. LOA were widest with follicles measuring 3.0–3.99 mm (LOA, 6.38 and −3.43) and 4.0–4.99 mm (LOA, 7.99 and −4.09). The antral follicle count in each of the five predefined size categories was significantly lower with SonoAVC than with 2D ultrasound imaging (P < 0.05). SonoAVC took significantly less time to measure the size and record the number of antral follicles than did 2D ultrasound imaging (mean ± SD, 132.05 ± 56.23 s vs. 324.47 ± 162.22 s; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Fewer antral follicles are evident overall when SonoAVC is used to analyze 3D ultrasound data. The clinical significance of this remains to be determined but the automated technique is significantly quicker than is making measurements using 2D ultrasound imaging. Copyright © 2010 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of ultrasound‐to‐delivery interval and maternal–fetal characteristics on validity of estimated fetal weight
Authors: Cohen J. M. , Hutcheon J. A. , Kramer M. S. , Joseph K. S. , Abenhaim H. , Platt R. W.
Published: December 2009

Objectives

To explore the effects of ultrasound‐to‐delivery interval and maternal–fetal characteristics on the distribution of measurement error in estimated fetal weights (EFWs), and to determine the predictive ability of EFW for diagnosis of small‐for‐gestational age (SGA) and large‐for‐gestational age (LGA) among infants delivered within 1 day of an ultrasound examination.

Methods

Percentage differences between EFW and birth weights were calculated in 3697 pregnancies. Linear regression was used to compare the accuracy of EFW for births on each of the 6 days after an ultrasound scan with the accuracy observed among births on the same day. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value for diagnosis of SGA and LGA according to EFW was assessed.

Results

The mean ± SD percentage difference among deliveries within 1 day of the last ultrasound scan was 0.2 ± 9.0%. Mean percentage differences were not significantly different from day 0 on days 1, 2 and 3; however, combining the data from these 4 days obscured a slight bias towards an overestimation of weight evident on day 0 and day 1. Among deliveries within 1 day of an ultrasound scan, the PPV was 61% for SGA diagnosis and 54% for LGA diagnosis.

Conclusion

Combining data from births > 1 day after the last ultrasound examination may lead to a false conclusion that there is systematic underestimation of weight. EFW tended to underestimate the weight of macrosomic fetuses and overestimate that of small fetuses which limited sensitivity and PPV. Maternal–fetal characteristics are weak predictors of individual errors in EFW. Copyright © 2010 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mixed tumor of the vagina: sonographic and magnetic resonance imaging findings
Authors: Laspas F. , Roussakis A. , Papadopoulos S. , Fanariotis I. , Kritikos N. , Kehagias D.
Published: December 2009

Mixed tumor of the vagina is a rare benign neoplasm that is composed of epithelial and mesenchymal cells. The majority of tumors are asymptomatic and simple tumor excision is curative. We report a case with pathological confirmation that was seen in a 42‐year‐old woman. On ultrasound examination the lesion appeared as an ovoid hypoechoic mass, 2.0 × 2.7 cm in size, arising from the lower third of the vagina. The lesion was well defined, solid and showed diffuse hypervascularity on color flow images. Magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis showed a well‐circumscribed ovoid mass (2.0 × 2.5 cm) on the left lateral vaginal wall. On T2‐weighted images the mass appeared as a homogeneous hyperintense lesion, while on T1‐weighted images it was difficult to discern the mass from the vaginal wall. After intravenous administration of gadolinium the mass showed progressively increasing homogeneous enhancement. The lesion was excised without complication and there was no evidence of recurrence at the 10‐month follow‐up. Copyright © 2009 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Outcome of primary repair of obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS): does the grade of tear matter?
Authors: Roos A.‐M. , Thakar R. , Sultan A. H.
Published: December 2009

Objectives

To assess risk factors and outcome of different grades of obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) after primary repair, and to assess the relationship between outcome of anal sphincter defects as diagnosed by endoanal ultrasound.

Methods

We included 531 consecutive women (of which eight were tertiary referrals) who had sustained OASIS, underwent primary sphincter repair and were followed up between July 2002 and July 2008. At follow‐up, defecatory symptoms and bowel‐related quality of life (QoL) were evaluated and anal manometry and endoanal ultrasound were performed.

Results

The mean time of follow‐up was 9 (SD, 5.9) weeks after delivery. Compared with women with a minor (Grade 3a/3b) tear, those with a major (Grade 3c/4) one had a significantly poorer outcome (P < 0.05) with respect to the development of defecatory symptoms and associated QoL as well as anal manometry. Women with major tears were significantly more likely to have an endosonographic isolated internal anal sphincter (IAS) or combined IAS and external anal sphincter (EAS) defect. Combined defects were associated with a higher risk of loose fecal incontinence and lower anal canal pressures. Use of epidural analgesia was the only independent factor predicting a major tear.

Conclusions

The greater likelihood of endosonographic anal sphincter defects in women with major tears compared with minor tears is the probable cause of the less favorable outcome of primary repair. Endosonographic combined defects are associated with poorer outcome and it is therefore important to identify the full extent of injury at delivery in women who sustain OASIS, and to pay particular attention to repair of IAS defects. Copyright © 2010 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Communication of adenomyosis with the endometrial cavity: visualization with saline contrast sonohysterography
Authors: Reeves M. F. , Goldstein R. B. , Jones K. D.
Published: December 2009

We report four cases of a finding of communication between the endometrial cavity and adenomyotic lesions observed during saline contrast sonohysterography. In each case there was a saline‐filled defect extending from the endometrial cavity into the myometrium in the region of previously suspected adenomyosis. We believe this finding represents the sonohysterographic correlate of endometrium invading the myometrium, as has been described histologically. Copyright © 2010 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prenatal diagnosis of primary pulmonary hypoplasia in fraternal twins
Authors: Chen S. , Ursell P. C. , Adatia I. , Hislop A. A. , Giannikopoulos P. , Hornberger L. K.
Published: December 2009

Primary pulmonary hypoplasia is a rare, usually lethal, condition presenting only after birth without other congenital abnormalities. We describe the first case of fraternal twins diagnosed prenatally with primary pulmonary hypoplasia. Both had diffuse hypoplasia of the pulmonary arteries initially identified by fetal echocardiography and confirmed at autopsy following termination. These cases permit examination of the histopathology of this disease in the fetal stage of development. Copyright © 2009 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Measurement of fetal head descent using the ‘angle of progression’ on transperineal ultrasound imaging is reliable regardless of fetal head station or ultrasound expertise
Authors: Dückelmann A. M. , Bamberg C. , Michaelis S. A. M. , Lange J. , Nonnenmacher A. , Dudenhausen J. W. , Kalache K. D.
Published: December 2009

Objectives

To assess whether ultrasound experience or fetal head station affects the reliability of measurement of fetal head descent using the angle of progression on intrapartum ultrasound images obtained by a single experienced operator, and to determine reliability of measurements when images were acquired by different operators with variable ultrasound experience.

Methods

One experienced obstetrician performed 44 transperineal ultrasound examinations of women at term and in prolonged second stage of labor with the fetus in the occipitoanterior position. Three midwives without ultrasound experience, three obstetricians with < 5 years' experience and three obstetricians with > 10 years' experience measured fetal head descent based on the angle of progression in the images obtained. The angle of progression was measured by two obstetricians in independent ultrasound examinations of 24 laboring women at term with the fetus in the cephalic position to allow assessment of the reliability of image acquisition. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to evaluate interobserver reliability and Bland–Altman analysis was used to assess interobserver agreement.

Results

In total, 444 measurements were performed and compared. Interobserver reliability with respect to offline image analysis was substantial (overall ICC, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.63–0.81). ICCs were 0.82 (95% CI, 0.70–0.89), 0.81 (95% CI, 0.71–0.88) and 0.61 (95% CI, 0.43–074) for observers with > 10 years', < 5 years' and no ultrasound experience, respectively. There were no significant differences between ICCs among observer groups according to ultrasound experience. Fetal head station did not affect reliability. Bland–Altman analysis indicated reasonable agreement between measurements obtained by two different operators with > 10 years' and < 5 years' ultrasound experience (bias, −1.09°; 95% limits of agreement, −8.76 to 6.58). The reliability of measurement of the angle of progression following separate image acquisition by two experienced operators was similar to the reliability of offline image analysis (ICC, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.70–0.93).

Conclusions

Measurement of the angle of progression on transperineal ultrasound imaging is reliable regardless of fetal head station or the clinician's level of ultrasound experience. Copyright © 2010 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mature ovarian dermoid cyst invading the urinary bladder
Authors: Tandon A. , Gulleria K. , Gupta S. , Goel S. , Bhargava S. K. , Vaid N. B.
Published: December 2009

Mature ovarian dermoid cysts are common lesions, accounting for up to 10–25% of all ovarian neoplasms. Uncomplicated dermoid cysts are often asymptomatic and are relatively easy to diagnose on imaging and to treat. Symptoms develop once complications set in and these may cause diagnostic dilemmas. Torsion (16%) is the most common complication, while rupture, suppuration and malignant transformation are relatively uncommon. Of all these complications, spontaneous rupture into the urinary bladder is least common. The diagnosis of this condition has been through the use of cystoscopy or laparotomy in all cases reported so far. We report a case of a 30‐year‐old patient with pyuria and dysuria, where ultrasound examination clearly demonstrated an ovarian dermoid cyst invading the urinary bladder. A clear‐cut imaging diagnosis helped to allow planning of surgery in advance and a mucosa‐sparing partial bladder resection could be performed. Copyright © 2009 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Deformable trailing edge flaps for modern megawatt wind turbine controllers using strain gauge sensors
Authors: Andersen Peter Bjoern , Henriksen Lars , Gaunaa Mac , Bak Christian , Buhl Thomas
Published: December 2009

The present work contains a deformable trailing edge flap controller integrated in a numerically simulated modern, variablespeed, pitch‐regulated megawatt (MW)‐size wind turbine. The aeroservoelastic multi‐body code HAWC2 acts as a component in the control loop design. At the core of the proposed controller, all unsteady loads are divided by frequency content. Blade pitching and generator moment react to low‐frequency excitations, whereas flaps deal with high‐frequency excitations. The present work should be regarded as an investigation into the fatigue load reduction potential when applying trailing edge flaps on a wind turbine blade rather than a conclusive control design with traditional issues like stability and robustness fully investigated. Recent works have shown that the fatigue load reduction by use of trailing edge flaps may be greater than for traditional pitch control methods. By enabling the trailing edge to move independently and quickly along the spanwise position of the blade, local small flutuations in the aerodynamic forces can be alleviated by deformation of the airfoil flap. Strain gauges are used as input for the flap controller, and the effect of placing strain gauges at various radial positions on the blade is investigated. An optimization routine minimizes blade root fatigue loads. Calculations are based on the 5 MW reference wind turbine part of the UpWind project primarily with a mean turbulent wind speed close to rated power. A fatigue load reduction of 25% in the blade root moment was obtained for a continuous 6.3 m long flap. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prognostic Significance of Host‐ and Tumor‐Related Factors in Patients with Gastric Cancer
Authors: Mohri Yasuhiko , Tanaka Kouji , Ohi Masaki , Yokoe Takeshi , Miki Chikao , Kusunoki Masato
Published: December 2009

Background

Various factors regarding the biological state of tumors or the nutritional status of patients have been reported individually to correlate with prognosis. Identification of defined patient groups based on a prognostic score may improve the prediction of survival and individualization of therapy. The aim of the present study was to identify clinically useful parameters obtainable before treatment that could be used for predicting clinical outcomes in patients with gastric cancer.

Methods

In 357 consecutive patients who had been treated for potentially curable gastric cancer, we retrospectively analyzed the following clinicopathological factors: sex, age, body mass index, body weight changes, hemoglobin, white blood cell count, neutrophil to lymphocyte (N/L) ratio, serum C‐reactive protein (CRP), serum albumin, serum cholinesterase, tumor location, tumor size, histology, and clinical tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage. Factors related to prognosis were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results

From univariate analysis, significant differences in survival were found for age, hemoglobin, N/L ratio, serum CRP, serum albumin, serum cholinesterase, tumor size, and clinical T and N grouping. N/L ratio, tumor size, and clinical T grouping were identified as independent prognostic indicators in multivariate analysis. A prognostic score was constructed using these variables to estimate the probability of death. The model gave an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.85 for prediction of death at 5 years.

Conclusions

This model based on N/L ratio, tumor size, and clinical T grouping before treatment offers a very informative scoring system for predicting prognosis of gastric cancer.
Relationship Between the Histological Type of Initial Lesions and the Risk for the Development of Remnant Gastric Cancers After Gastrectomy for Synchronous Multiple Gastric Cancers
Authors: Fujita Takeo , Gotohda Naoto , Takahashi Shinichiro , Nakagohri Toshio , Konishi Masaru , Kinoshita Taira
Published: December 2009

Background

Clinicopathological features of remnant gastric cancers after gastrectomy for synchronous multiple gastric cancers have not been fully addressed. In this study we evaluated the potential risk factors attributable to the development of remnant gastric cancers after initial gastrectomy for multiple gastric cancers.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 3042 patients diagnosed with gastric cancers who underwent a gastrectomy. Of these, 922 total gastrectomy cases were excluded and the remaining 2120 cases were clinicopathologically investigated.

Results

Among the 2120 patients, 1967 patients were histopathologically diagnosed with a solitary lesion and 153 patients with multiple lesions. The incidence of remnant gastric cancers was higher in patients with multiple lesions at initial surgery than in those with a solitary lesion (7/153 [4.5%] vs. 9/1967 [0.45%], p < 0.05). Among the patients with remnant gastric cancer, the percentages of cases with a combination of undifferentiated‐type carcinoma (Type C), differentiated‐type carcinoma (Type A), and differentiated‐ and undifferentiated‐type carcinoma (Type B) as initial lesions were 15.0, 3.3, and 2.7%, respectively. Compared with those with no remnant gastric cancer, the incidence of the combination of undifferentiated‐type carcinoma (Type C) as an initial lesion was significantly associated with a higher (p < 0.05) incidence of remnant gastric cancer.

Conclusion

As initial lesions, a combination of undifferentiated‐type carcinoma was a potential risk factor for the development of remnant gastric cancers after initial gastrectomy.
The fatty acid compositions of erythrocyte and plasma polar lipids in children with autism, developmental delay or typically developing controls and the effect of fish oil intake
Authors: Gordon Bell John , Miller Deborah , MacDonald Donald J. , MacKinlay Elizabeth E. , Dick James R. , Cheseldine Sally , Boyle Rose M. , Graham Catriona , O'Hare Anne E.
Published: December 2009

The erythrocyte and plasma fatty acid compositions of children with autism were compared in a case–control study with typically developing (TD) children and with children showing developmental delay (DD). Forty-five autism subjects were age-matched with TD controls and thirty-eight with DD controls. Fatty acid data were compared using pairedttests. In addition, blood fatty acids from treatment-naive autism subjects were compared with autism subjects who had consumed fish oil supplements by two-samplettests. Relatively few differences were seen between erythrocyte fatty acids in autism and TD subjects although the former had an increased arachidonic acid (ARA):EPA ratio. This ratio was also increased in plasma samples from the same children. No changes inn-3 fatty acids or ARA:EPA ratio were seen when comparing autism with DD subjects but some SFA and MUFA were decreased in the DD subjects, most notably 24 : 0 and 24 : 1, which are essential components of axonal myelin sheaths. However, if multiple comparisons are taken into account, and a stricter level of significance applied, most of these values would not be significant. Autism subjects consuming fish oil showed reduced erythrocyte ARA, 22 : 4n-6, 22 : 5n-6 and totaln-6 fatty acids and increased EPA, 22 : 5n-3, 22 : 6n-3 and totaln-3 fatty acids along with reducedn-6:n-3 and ARA:EPA ratios. Collectively, the autism subjects did not have an underlying phospholipid disorder, based on erythrocyte fatty acid compositions, although the increased ARA:EPA ratio observed suggested that an imbalance of essential highly unsaturated fatty acids may be present in a cohort of autism subjects.
Aspects of nitrogen metabolism in sheep-fed mixed diets containing tree and shrub foliages
Authors: Patra Amlan K.
Published: December 2009

Data on N utilisation by sheep-fed diets containing foliages were analysed to develop prediction equations for N excretion in faeces (FN) and urine (UN), and to determine endogenous N excretion. Overall, 218 dietary treatments from forty-four publications were compiled in the database. This database was split into three subsets: without foliage in the diets (FL-0); foliage levels (FL) in between 0 and 310 g/kg (FL-L); FL in between 310 and 800 g/kg diets (FL-H) to study the effects of foliages on metabolic faecal N (MFN) and endogenous urinary N (EUN). Nitrogen intake (NI) as single independent factor was the best predictor of FN (R20·75), UN (R20·81) and total N excretion (R20·86). Addition of dietary N concentration and FL for FN (R20·82), dietary N concentration and foliage NI for UN (R20·85), and FL and foliage NI for total N excretion (R20·92) as supporting predictors to this relationship slightly increasedR2values. The monomolecular and exponential models slightly improved the prediction of N excretion with NI as a predictor compared with the linear model. The excretion of MFN was greater for FL-H compared with FL-0, but was similar between FL-0 and FL-L, and FL-L and FL-H. However, EUN decreased in FL-H compared with FL-0 and FL-L, but was similar between FL-0 and FL-L. In conclusion, using NI as the primary predictor produced an accurate prediction of N excretion. Inclusion of foliages in the diets may shift N excretion from urine to faeces and increase the excretion of MFN and EUN.
Statistics of surface gravity wave turbulence in the space and time domains
Authors: NAZARENKO SERGEY , LUKASCHUK SERGEI , McLELLAND STUART , DENISSENKO PETR
Published: December 2009

We present experimental results on simultaneous space–time measurements for the gravity wave turbulence in a large laboratory flume. We compare these results with predictions of the weak turbulence theory (WTT) based on random waves, as well as with predictions based on the coherent singular wave crests. We see that the both wavenumber and frequency spectra are not universal and dependent on the wave strength, with some evidence in favour of the WTT at larger wave intensities when the finite-flume effects are minimal. We present further theoretical analysis of the role of the random and coherent waves in the wave probability density function (p.d.f.) and the structure functions (SFs). Analysing our experimental data we found that the random waves and the coherent structures/breaks coexist: the former show themselves in a quasi-Gaussian p.d.f. core and the low-order SFs and the latter in the p.d.f. tails and the high-order SFs. It appears that the x-space signal is more intermittent than the t-space signal, and the x-space SFs capture more singular coherent structures than the t-space SFs do. We outline an approach treating the interactions of these random and coherent components as a turbulence cycle characterized by the turbulence fluxes in both the wavenumber and the amplitude spaces.
Quantitative planar imaging of turbulent buoyant jet mixing
Authors: SU L. K. , HELMER D. B. , BROWNELL C. J.
Published: December 2009

Planar Rayleigh scattering provides quantitative mixing measurements in the developing region of axisymmetric turbulent helium jets issuing into air. The measurements focus on the relatively near field, in which the jets are primarily momentum driven. The imaging parameters are specified to ensure high spatial resolution. The mean jet fluid concentration fields attain self-similarity within the measurement region, though the forms of the mole fraction profiles indicate a reduction in turbulent transport at the jet outer boundary, arising from the reduced jet fluid density. Nevertheless, jet-like scaling pertains for the concentration fields. Mass fraction fluctuations on the jet centreline attain the expected asymptotic value of ≈23% of the centreline mass fraction values. The scalar dissipation rates, however, show an axial decay rate that is slower than theoretical predictions. The two-dimensional extent of the measurements also allows spatial filtering similar to that inherent in large-eddy simulations (LESs). The results confirm that fluctuation levels and scalar dissipation rates determined for the filtered fields are reduced as the effective resolution is reduced, but while the fluctuation profiles for the filtered fields are similar for the different filter sizes, the forms of the scalar dissipation profiles are highly dependent on filter size. These latter results in particular are of a form that will be useful for grid-dependent assessments of LES results.
What do barnacle larvae feed on? Implications in biofouling ecology
Authors: Gaonkar Chetan A. , Anil Arga Chandrashekar
Published: December 2009

Barnacles are one of the dominant macrofouling organisms found in the intertidal region throughout the world. Among the different species of barnaclesBalanus amphitrite(=Amphibalanus amphitrite) is a favoured candidate organism used in experimental studies. Larval development in this barnacle includes planktotrophic naupliar stages followed by pre-settling cyprid instar. Studies have shown that availability of food during naupliar development is of critical importance to successful metamorphosis of the cypris larva. Traditionally barnacle larvae are raised in the laboratory providing mono-algal cultures of diatoms as food organisms. Such a luxury is not a reality in the wild. Observations to quantify the food available for the nauplii deliberated by monitoring the faecal pellets egested by freshly captured larvae from a tropical estuarine environment (Dona Paula bay, Goa, west coast of India) influenced by monsoon and characteristic temporal variations in the phytoplankton abundance and diversity indicated that the percentage of defaecating larvae (an indicator of food consumed) was comparatively higher during the pre-monsoon season. Generally this season is characterized by lower chlorophyll-aconcentration. However, the average number of faecal pellets defaecated by a larva remained constant irrespective of the season. Earlier work in the study area depicts temporal changes in phytoplankton community structure; diatoms dominate during the post-monsoon season whereas dinoflagellates dominate during the pre-monsoon season. These observations indicate a possible shift in the food available for the larvae. As the faecal pellets did not always have remnants of diatom frustules, it is possible to say that the larvae survived on food material other than diatoms. Settlement of barnacles on panels of aluminium in the vicinity was monitored throughout the year and peaked during the pre-monsoon season. It is thus possible to infer successful larval development and metamorphosis in this barnacle species on varying forms of food.
Algal-dwelling Eophliantidae (Amphipoda): description of a new species and key to the world species, with notes on their biogeography
Authors: Lörz A.N. , Kilgallen N.M. , Thiel M.
Published: December 2009

Eophliantidae are poorly studied marine algal-dwelling amphipods with a wide distribution. A new species was found to excavate burrows across the main stem of Carpophyllum maschalocarpum (Turner) Grev. in the New Zealand subtidal, and a detailed morphological description of this amphipod is given. Bircenna macayai sp. nov. can be distinguished from other Bircenna species by a combination of the following characters: bilobed coxa 1, merus and carpus of pereopods 5–7 strongly extended posteriorly, crenulate basis of pereopod 7 and smooth posterior margin of epimeron 3, pereopod 7 basis longer than wide. A key to the fourteen world species of Eophliantidae is provided. Taxonomy, evolutionary sequences, functional morphology and biogeography of the Eophliantidae are briefly discussed. New Zealand and Australian shallow waters show the highest species diversity of Eophliantidae, containing both species bearing plesiomorphic and highly derived characters, suggesting that Australasia is an evolutionary centre for this amphipod family.
Aspects of the fishery, maturation and net selectivity of the wedge sole (Dicologoglossa cuneata) off south-western Iberia: implications for fishery management
Authors: Santos Miguel Neves , Lino Pedro Gil
Published: December 2009

The wedge sole (Dicologoglossa cuneata, Moreau 1881) is a commercially important species for the artisanal fleet operating off the south-western Iberian Peninsula. During 2004 and 2005 a study was undertaken aiming to provide a scientific basis for management. Data collection included information on aspects of the fishery, spawning season, size at first maturity, tangle and gill-net selectivity. Seven nominal mesh sizes were used (40, 45 and 50 mm tangle nets and 40, 50, 60 and 70 mm gill-nets). Spawning lasts from December to June, with peaks in March and May. Length at first maturity for females was estimated at 18.5 cm. Catch rates decreased sharply with increasing mesh size, with tangle nets providing the highest yields. The log-normal selectivity model provided the best fit for specimens that were wedged. The higher catch-per-unit-effort of the smaller mesh sizes and the modal length of the fitted selectivity curve being below the size-at-maturity for wedge sole, suggests that the 50 mm nominal mesh size tangle net is the most appropriate for ensuring the fishery sustainability. Nevertheless, the minimum legal size should increase to at least 18 cm and a time–area closure should be implemented off the Guadiana River mouth.