bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rythmes et modalités de l'évolution du littoral syrien à l'Holocène (The evolution of Syrian coast in Holocene times : tempo and processes)
Authors: Sanlaville Paul , Dalongeville Rémi , Evin Jacques
Published: April 2015

Abstract. - On the calcareous Syrian coast, for the most part rocky but low, three different processes alternated several times during the Holocene : heavy sedimentation with prograding beaches ; mechanical erosion with receding coast and beach-rock formation ; organogenetic constructions (Vermetids) and biocorrosion. No less than three main aggradation phases occured (during the IVth millenium BC, lid millenium BC and medieval period) ; each of them can be correlated with an important alluvial discharge from the Lebanese and Syrian Wadis and rivers, removed by the South-North coastal drift and built into huge beaches. When the alluvial discharge diminished, former beach deposits were eroded by waves and currents, the coast receded and beach- rocks formed. Then biological and biochemical processes developed on the bed-rock and beach-rocks : Vermetid settled down and corrosion platforms developed. So, during the Holocene, the succession of several geomorphic processes occured, mainly linked to climatic oscillations, but probably also to anthropic factors. According to numerous 14C datings, the duration of each phase is about a millenium.
Accueil touristique et protection du milieu sur le littoral aquitain (Tourists accomodation and environment protection on the shore of Aquitaine)
Authors: Favennec J.
Published: April 2015

Résumé. - Peu fréquenté avant la seconde guerre mondiale, le littoral aquitain connaît un afflux touristique toujours accru qui compromet notamment la stabilité du cordon dunaire côtier. Des plans d'aménagement ont été mis en œuvre pour canaliser l'accès aux plages, aménager les sites, les pistes cyclables et minorer l'impact sur le milieu.
La perception sociale des derniers endiguements de la Mer des Wadden : résultats d'un sondage d'opinion réalisé en Frise du Nord (Social perception of the latest dyking up on the Wadden Sea coast : results of an opinion poll in Northern Friesland)
Authors: Goeldner Lydie
Published: April 2015

Résumé. - La régression des endiguements en Frise du Nord est en rapport avec la politique européenne de gel des terres et avec les pressions des écologistes, mais l'endiguement se poursuit pour compléter le système défensif existant. Un sondage d'opinion révèle des habitants, agriculteurs ou non, plus sensibles aux difficultés de l'activité agricole et à la protection contre les flots qu'aux préoccupations écologiques.
Le Rio de Janeiro du début du dix-neuvième siècle et ses différentes temporalités (Rio de Janeiro at the begining of the nineteenth century and its different temporalities)
Authors: Abreu Mauricio A.
Published: April 2015

Résumé. - Au début du dix-neuvième siècle, fuyant les troupes napoléoniennes qui envahirent la Péninsule ibérique, la monarchie portugaise fut transférée à Rio de Janeiro, sous l'escorte d'une escadre britannique. L'arrivée du sommet de la hiérarchie sociale portugaise en ce lieu, qui était sujet jusqu'alors aux rigueurs du statut colonial, transforma subitement une petite ville commerciale et esclavagiste en capitale de tout l'Empire lusitanien. La cour portugaise demeura au Brésil de 1808 à 1821. Ce furent treize ans de rapides et intenses transformations qui touchèrent l'économie, la politique et la culture du pays et qui changèrent substantiellement la physionomie de sa capitale. Ce fut également une époque où cohabitèrent, en un même lieu, des temporalités différentes et qui s'entrechoquèrent. Ce travail identifie et discute ces différentes temporalités, mettant l'accent sur les formes selon lesquelles elles se matérialisaient dans l'espace public de la ville.
The Potential Roles of EZH2 in Regenerative Medicine
Authors: Chou Ruey-Hwang , Chiu Lian , Yu Yung-Luen , Shyu Woei-Cherng
Published: April 2015

Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a catalytic component of polycomb repressive complex 2, serves as a histone methyltransferase toward histone H3K27 trimethylation and also recruits DNA methyltransferases to regulate gene expression and chromatin structure. Accumulating evidence indicates the critical roles of EZH2 in stem cell maintenance and cell fate decision in differentiation into specific cell lineages. In this article, we review the updated progress in the field and the potential application of EZH2 in regenerative medicine including nervous system, muscle, pancreas, and dental pulp regeneration.
Extramedullary Hematopoiesis (EMH) in Laboratory Animals: Offering an Insight into Stem Cell Research
Authors: Chiu Shao-Chih , Liu Hua-Hsing , Chen Chia-Ling , Chen Pin-Ru , Liu Ming-Chao , Lin Shinn-Zong , Chang Ko-Tung
Published: April 2015

Extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) is a pathological process secondary to underlying bone marrow (BM) insufficiency in adults. It is characterized by the emergence of multipotent hematopoietic progenitors scattered around the affected tissue, most likely in the spleen, liver, and lymph node, etc. EMH in patients frequently receives less medical attention and is neglected unless a compressive or obstructive hematopoietic mass appears to endanger the patient's life. However, on a biological basis, EMH reflects the alteration of relationships among hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) and their original and new microenvironments. The ability of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) to mobilize from the bone marrow and to accommodate and function in extramedullary tissues is rather complicated and far from our current understanding. Fortunately, many reports from the studies of drugs and genetics using animals have incidentally found EMH to be involved. Thereby, the molecular basis of EMH could further be elucidated from those animals after cross-comparison. A deeper understanding of the extramedullary hematopoietic niche could help expand stem cells in vitro and establish a better treatment in patients for stem cell transplantation.
Time-Dependent Profiles of MicroRNA Expression Induced by Ischemic Preconditioning in the Gerbil Hippocampus
Authors: Sun Miao , Yamashita Toru , Shang Jingwei , Liu Ning , Deguchi Kentaro , Feng Juan , Abe Koji
Published: April 2015

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are critically important in both normal neuronal development and neurological diseases. Although cerebral ischemia has been shown to alter the miRNA profiles of rats, the role of miRNA in the cornu ammonis 1 region of the gerbil hippocampus under ischemic tolerance has not been studied. In the present study, Mongolian gerbils were subjected to one or three times the nonlethal dose of 2-min transient common carotid artery occlusion (tCCAO). miRNA microarray technology detected 251 miRNAs and the expression of seven of these in terms of ischemic tolerance. They were compared at different time points: 1 day, 7 days, 1 month, and 6 months. mmu-miR-15a-5p, related to neurogenesis, showed increased expression after one dose of 2-min tCCAO and was much higher after three doses. An increase in sha-miR-24 and oan-let-7b-3p, related to transactivation response DNA-binding protein (TDP43), was observed after one dose of 2-min tCCAO, but the peak was accelerated to an earlier period of reperfusion after three doses. In contrast, mmu-miR-125b-5p and mmu-miR-132–5p, related to fused in sarcoma/translocated in liposarcoma (FUS/TLS), showed similar increases at both doses. mmu-miR-181c-5p and mmu-miR-378a-5p, related to heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), also showed accelerated expression after three doses. This data set provides new insight about miRNA expression during neurogenesis, and related to TDP43, FUS/TLS, and HSP70, which may be useful when pursuing further studies on the possible use of miRNAs as biomarkers in cerebral ischemic tolerance and neuroregeneration.
Intranasal Delivery of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improved Neurovascular Regeneration and Rescued Neuropsychiatric Deficits after Neonatal Stroke in Rats
Authors: Wei Zheng Zachory , Gu Xiaohuan , Ferdinand Anwar , Lee Jin Hwan , Ji Xiaoya , Ji Xun Ming , Yu Shan Ping , Wei Ling
Published: April 2015

Neonatal stroke is a major cause of mortality and long-term morbidity in infants and children. Currently, very limited therapeutic strategies are available to protect the developing brain against ischemic damage and promote brain repairs for pediatric patients. Moreover, children who experienced neonatal stroke often have developmental social behavior problems. Cellular therapy using bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) has emerged as a regenerative therapy after stroke. In the present investigation, neonatal stroke of postnatal day 7 (P7) rat pups was treated with noninvasive and brain-specific intranasal delivery of BMSCs at 6 h and 3 days after stroke (1 × 106cells/animal). Prior to transplantation, BMSCs were subjected to hypoxic preconditioning to enhance their tolerance and regenerative properties. The effects on regenerative activities and stroke-induced sensorimotor and social behavioral deficits were specifically examined at P24 of juvenile age. The BMSC treatment significantly reduced infarct size and blood-brain barrier disruption, promoted angiogenesis, neurogenesis, neurovascular repair, and improved local cerebral blood flow in the ischemic cortex. BMSC-treated rats showed better sensorimotor and olfactory functional recovery than saline-treated animals, measured by the adhesive removal test and buried food finding test. In social behavioral tests, we observed functional and social behavioral deficits in P24 rats subjected to stroke at P7, while the BMSC treatment significantly improved the performance of stroke animals. Overall, intranasal BMSC transplantation after neonatal stroke shows neuroprotection and great potential as a regenerative therapy to enhance neurovascular regeneration and improve functional recovery observed at the juvenile stage of development.
Transplantation of Human Placenta-Derived Multipotent Stem Cells Reduces Ischemic Brain Injury in Adult Rats
Authors: Wu Kou-Jen , Yu Seong-Jin , Chiang Chia-Wen , Cho Kuna-Hung , Lee Yu-Wei , Yen B. Linju , Kuo Li-Wei , Wang Yun
Published: April 2015

After the onset of stroke, a series of progressive and degenerative reactions, including inflammation, is activated, which leads to cell death. We recently reported that human placenta-derived multipotent stem cells (hPDMCs) process potent anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we examined the protective effect of hPDMC transplants in a rodent model of stroke. Adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were anesthetized. hPDMCs labeled with a vital dye of fluorescing microparticles, DiI, or vehicle were transplanted into three cortical areas adjacent to the right middle cerebral artery (MCA). Five minutes after grafting, the right MCA was transiently occluded for 60 min. Stroke animals receiving hPDMCs showed a significant behavioral improvement and reduction in lesion volume examined by T2-weighted images 4 days poststroke. Brain tissues were collected 1 day later. Human-specific marker HuNu immunoreactivity and DiI fluorescence were found at the hPDMC graft sites, suggesting the survival of hPDMCs in host brain. Grafting of hPDMCs suppressed IBA1 immunoreactivity and deramification of IBA1+ cells in the perilesioned area, suggesting activation of microglia was attenuated by the transplants. Taken together, our data indicate that hPDMC transplantation reduced cortical lesions and behavioral deficits in adult stroke rats, and these cells could serve as a unique anti-inflammatory reservoir for the treatment of ischemic brain injury.
Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells into Cardiomyocytes Used to Investigate the Cardioprotective Effect of Salvianolic Acid B through BNIP3 Involved Pathway
Authors: Huang Chih-Yang , Chen Shao-Yu , Fu Ru-Huei , Huang Yu-Chuen , Chen Shih-Yin , Shyu Woei-Cherng , Lin Shinn-Zong , Liu Shih-Ping
Published: April 2015

Cardiovascular diseases are related to many risk factors, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, and obesity. Myocardial infarction (MI), a cardiovascular disease, is the most common cause of cardiomyocyte death. In MI, hypoxia induces cardiomyocyte apoptosis; in particular, diabetes combined with MI has a synergistic effect that exacerbates cardiomyocyte death. The hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF1α) transcriptional factor and a BH-3 only protein, Bcl-2 adenovirus E1B 19-kDa interacting protein 3 (BNIP3), are known to play fundamental roles in both adaptive and cell death processes in response to hypoxia. In addition, most cardioprotective studies used H9c2 cells that were not beating, so H9c2 cells may not be the best model for testing cardioprotective effects. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are pluripotent stem cells that are able to differentiate into several types of cells, including cardiomyocytes. In this study, we reveal a simple method to differentiate ESCs into cardiomyocytes by using poly-d-lysine-coated plates combined with ITS and N2-containing medium and characterized the ESC-derived cardiomyocytes by cardiomyocyte marker staining. The ESC-derived cardiomyocytes were used to investigate the protective effect of salvianolic acid B (Sal-B) in high glucose combined with hypoxic conditions to mimic diabetes patients with ischemia. The results of MTT and TUNEL assays indicate that Sal-B suppresses the apoptotic effect of treatment with high glucose combined with hypoxia in ESC-derived cardiomyocytes. In particular, Sal-B inhibited HIF1α, BNIP3, and cleavage caspase 3 expression levels, thereby suppressing apoptosis. This is the first study to mention the correlation between BNIP3 and Sal-B for cardioprotective effects. In conclusion, we suggest that Sal-B may be suitable for use as a future cardioprotective medicine.
Irisflorentin Modifies Properties of Mouse Bone Marrow-Derived Dendritic Cells and Reduces the Allergic Contact Hypersensitivity Responses
Authors: Fu Ru-Huei , Tsai Chia-Wen , Tsai Rong-Tzong , Liu Shih-Ping , Chan Tzu-Min , Ho Yu-Chen , Lin Hsin-Lien , Chen Yue-Mi , Hung Huey-Shan , Chiu Shao-Chih , Tsai Chang-Hai , Wang Yu-Chi , Shyu Woei-Cherng , Lin Shinn-Zong
Published: April 2015

Irisflorentin is an isoflavone component derived from the roots of Belamcanda chinensis (L.) DC. In traditional Chinese medicine, this herb has pharmacological properties to treat inflammatory disorders. Dendritic cells (DCs) are crucial modulators for the development of optimal T-cell immunity and maintenance of tolerance. Aberrant activation of DCs can induce harmful immune responses, and so agents that effectively improve DC properties have great clinical value. We herein investigated the effects of irisflorentin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated maturation of mouse bone marrow-derived DCs in vitro and in the contact hypersensitivity response (CHSR) in vivo. Our results demonstrated that treatment with up to 40 μM irisflorentin does not cause cellular toxicity. Irisflorentin significantly lessened the proinflammatory cytokine production (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-12p70) by LPS-stimulated DCs. Irisflorentin also inhibited the expression of LPS-induced major histocompatibility complex class II and costimulatory molecules (CD40 and CD86) on LPS-stimulated DCs. In addition, irisflorentin diminished LPS-stimulated DC-elicited allogeneic T-cell proliferation. Furthermore, irisflorentin significantly interfered with LPS-induced activation of IκB kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and p38, as well as the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65. Subsequently, treatment with irisflorentin obviously weakened 2,4-dinitro-1-fluorobenzene-induced delayed-type hypersensitivity. These findings suggest new insights into the role of irisflorentin as an immunotherapeutic adjuvant through its capability to modulate the properties of DCs.
Electron-stimulated purification of platinum nanostructures grown via focused electron beam induced deposition
Authors: Lewis Brett B , Stanford Michael G , Fowlkes Jason D , Lester Kevin , Plank Harald , Rack Philip D
Published: April 2015

Platinum–carbon nanostructures deposited via electron beam induced deposition from MeCpPt(IV)Me3 are purified during a post-deposition electron exposure treatment in a localized oxygen ambient at room temperature. Time-dependent studies demonstrate that the process occurs from the top–down. Electron beam energy and current studies demonstrate that the process is controlled by a confluence of the electron energy loss and oxygen concentration. Furthermore, the experimental results are modeled as a 2nd order reaction which is dependent on both the electron energy loss density and the oxygen concentration. In addition to purification, the post-deposition electron stimulated oxygen purification process enhances the resolution of the EBID process due to the isotropic carbon removal from the as-deposited materials which produces high-fidelity shape retention.
Chemoselective O-acylation of hydroxyamino acids and amino alcohols under acidic reaction conditions: History, scope and applications
Authors: Kristensen Tor E
Published: April 2015

Amino acids, whether natural, semisynthetic or synthetic, are among the most important and useful chiral building blocks available for organic chemical synthesis. In principle, they can function as inexpensive, chiral and densely functionalized starting materials. On the other hand, the use of amino acid starting materials routinely necessitates protective group chemistry, and in reality, large-scale preparations of even the simplest side-chain derivatives of many amino acids often become annoyingly strenuous due to the necessity of employing protecting groups, on one or more of the amino acid functionalities, during the synthetic sequence. However, in the case of hydroxyamino acids such as hydroxyproline, serine, threonine, tyrosine and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), many O-acyl side-chain derivatives are directly accessible via a particularly expedient and scalable method not commonly applied until recently. Direct acylation of unprotected hydroxyamino acids with acyl halides or carboxylic anhydrides under appropriately acidic reaction conditions renders possible chemoselective O-acylation, furnishing the corresponding side-chain esters directly, on multigram-scale, in a single step, and without chromatographic purification. Assuming a certain degree of stability under acidic reaction conditions, the method is also applicable for a number of related compounds, such as various amino alcohols and the thiol-functional amino acid cysteine. While the basic methodology underlying this approach has been known for decades, it has evolved through recent developments connected to amino acid-derived chiral organocatalysts to become a more widely recognized procedure for large-scale preparation of many useful side-chain derivatives of hydroxyamino acids and related compounds. Such derivatives are useful in peptide chemistry and drug development, as amino acid amphiphiles for asymmetric catalysis, and as amino acid acrylic precursors for preparation of catalytically active macromolecular networks in the form of soluble polymers, crosslinked polymer beads or nanoparticulate systems. The objective of the present review is to increase awareness of the existence and convenience of this methodology, assess its competitiveness compared to newer and more elaborate procedures for chemoselective O-acylation reactions, spur its further development, and finally to chronicle the informative, but poorly documented history of its development.
Les femmes à la marge ?
Authors: Fidelis Malgorzata , Heiniger Alix , Christian Michel
Published: April 2015

L’article s’intéresse aux femmes en tant qu’actrices de l’histoire dans l’Europe de l’Est d’après-guerre. La première partie traite des apports récents de l’historiographie anglophone et souligne la nécessité d’étudier le genre comme outil de négociation des pouvoirs entre l’État et la société. La deuxième partie analyse les expériences des femmes qui ont occupé des postes de direction, qualifiés, dominés par les hommes, pendant la période stalinienne d’industrialisation de la Pologne. Bien que ces emplois fissent partie d’un projet mené par l’État pour promouvoir l’égalité des sexes, ces femmes ont souvent contesté les politiques étatiques et ont suivi leurs propres conceptions de l’émancipation.
Polina Jemtchoujina-Molotov et les femmes du Kremlin
Authors: Delaloye Magali
Published: April 2015

Le cercle du Kremlin sous Staline a souvent été considéré comme un groupe d’hommes d’où les femmes étaient absentes. Une approche anthropologique de ce sujet fait apparaître les épouses de dirigeants. Celles-ci participèrent à la construction de liens interindividuels qui formaient la structure de la clique stalinienne. En excluant les femmes du Kremlin, la Terreur a modifié les rapports de genre de ce microcosme et produit un groupe homosocial. En retour, ce type de rapports a eu une influence sur les formes prises par la Terreur, en faisant des femmes un enjeu dans les rapports de pouvoir. Le parcours de Polina Jemtchoujina-Molotov est un cas emblématique pour l’analyse tant du genre de la Terreur que des effets de la Terreur sur le genre.
Promotion et domination des militantes dans les réseaux locaux du Parti communiste français
Authors: Boulland Paul , Mischi Julian
Published: April 2015

Le Parti communiste français se singularise comme le parti politique français ayant la base militante la plus féminine de la Libération aux années 1970. Qui sont ces adhérentes et quelles places occupent-elles au sein de l’organisation ? L’exploitation d’archives internes au Parti communiste français permet de rendre compte de la promotion des militantes et de leur position dominée dans une organisation dirigée par une élite masculine d’origine ouvrière. En privilégiant une approche locale, cet article restitue les modalités spécifiques de l’engagement des femmes non seulement dans le Parti mais aussi au sein de ses réseaux (municipalités, syndicats, associations). Il apparaît notamment que les femmes responsables sont souvent cantonnées au « travail parmi les femmes ».
Les communistes allemands et leur héritage politique en RDA au prisme du genre
Authors: Heiniger Alix
Published: April 2015

En RDA, le Parti socialiste unifié (SED) a construit sa légitimité à exercer le pouvoir sur l’héritage de la lutte de ses militants contre le nazisme. Cet article analyse les dimensions genrées de cet héritage politique en s’intéressant aux acteurs et actrices du combat contre le nazisme en exil en Europe de l’Ouest pendant la guerre. En revenant sur l’histoire de ces militantes et militants, puis en examinant quels rôles leur sont attribués dans la reconstruction a posteriori des événements, il montre que la figure du résistant allemand n’est pas neutre du point de vue du genre, notamment dans le lien établi entre combativité et masculinité. L’article replace ce rapport entre lutte et figure masculine du militant dans l’histoire longue du Parti communiste allemand.
Femmes, communisme et internationalisme
Authors: Donert Celia , Christian Michel , Heiniger Alix
Published: April 2015

Cet article montre que les débats sur le genre et le communisme ne peuvent ignorer la question de l’internationalisme : l’idéologie internationaliste telle que les partis la revendiquaient, leurs activités internationales dans le domaine de la diplomatie culturelle, les organisations internationales et la coopération technique et non gouvernementale. En se fondant sur les archives des partis communistes et des organisations nationales de femmes en Europe centrale de 1945 à 1980, en particulier en République démocratique allemande (RDA) et en Tchécoslovaquie, cet article met en évidence l’importance des institutions telles que la Fédération internationale démocratique des femmes (FDIF) pour comprendre comment et pourquoi les régimes socialistes ont fait des droits des femmes une question politique pendant la guerre froide.
Aflatoxins in cereals: worldwide occurrence and dietary risk assessment
Authors: Andrade P.D. , Caldas E.D.
Published: April 2015

The worldwide occurrence of aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2), genotoxic mycotoxins, in raw maize, rice, sorghum and wheat samples collected since the year 2000 was evaluated using published data and occurrence data from the GEMS/Food database (https://extranet.who.int/gemsfood). Dietary risk assessments were conducted using GEMS/Food total aflatoxin occurrence and food consumption data obtained from the 17 Cluster Diets. Risk characterisation arising from aflatoxin exposure was conducted using both cancer risk and margin of exposure (MOE) approaches. A total of 89 publications were retrieved from the literature, reporting data related to 18,097 samples, of which 37.6% were positive for at least one aflatoxin. The total upper bound (UB) mean for all samples analysed was 13.6 μg/kg, and was higher for rice (24.6 μg/kg) and sorghum (25.9 μg/kg). Of data related to the analysis of 4,536 samples reported to GEMS/Food database, 12.7% were positive for at least one aflatoxin. The total UB mean was 1.9 μg/kg, and was higher for rice (2.4 μg/kg) and maize (1.6 μg/kg). Total intakes ranged from 3.0 ng/kg bw/day (Cluster C11) to 17.1 ng/kg bw/day (Cluster C09). On average, the consumption of rice contributed to 41.6% of the total aflatoxin intake in all clusters, followed by wheat (35.4%), maize (21.2%) and sorghum (1.8%). The lowest cancer risk was found in cluster C11 (0.057 cancers/year/105 individuals), and the highest in cluster C09 (0.467 cancers/year/105 individuals). MOE ranged from 56 (C11) to 10 (C09), indicating a potential risk to consumers. These results highlight the need for continuous action by health authorities to decrease aflatoxin contamination in cereals, as they are staple foods in diets worldwide. These actions include the enforcement of code of practices at the national level and the establishment of maximum contamination levels by the Codex System.
A Leap above Friedewald Formula for Calculation of Low-Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol
Authors: Kapoor Reema , Chakraborty Montosh , Singh Navpreet
Published: April 2015

Purpose: The purpose was to compare the different calculated methods of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) estimation and to determine which of them correlate best with the direct method.

Materials and Methods: The records of 480 samples for lipid profile were analyzed. Apart from the direct method, LDL-C was calculated by Friedewald low-density lipoprotein cholesterol method (F-LDL-C), modified Friedewald low-density lipoprotein cholesterol method (MF-LDL-C), and Anandaraja low-density lipoprotein cholesterol method (A-LDL-C). Paired t-test and Pearson correlation were evaluated between the different methods. Degree of agreement between the calculated methods and direct method was detected by Bland-Altman graphical plots.

Results: A strong correlation was found between all calculated LDL-C methods and direct low-density lipoprotein cholesterol method (D-LDL-C) assay, that is, F-LDL-C versus D-LDL-C = 0.94; A-LDL-C versus D-LDL-C = 0.93 and MF-LDL-C versus D-LDL-C = 0.95. No statistically significant difference was found between D-LDL-C and MF-LDL-C. Bland-Altman plot for MF-LDL-C showed minimal negative bias.

Conclusions: The study pointed out that MF-LDL-C correlated maximally with D-LDL-C estimation at all levels of triglycerides and MF-LDL-C can be used in place of D-LDL-C when the direct method cannot be afforded.
Melioidosis as a Cause of Acute Abdomen in Immuno-Competent Male from Eastern India
Authors: Karuna Tadepalli , Khadanga Sagar , Dugar Dharmendra , Sau Biyanka , Bhoi Priyadarshini
Published: April 2015

Though melioidosis is rare in India, it has gained importance as one of the most potent emerging infections. In India, the cases have been under-reported because of the lack of awareness. The majority of cases present with multifocal pyogenic infections with septicemia. We present an unusual case of melioidosis presenting as acute intestinal perforation. The organism was ceftazidime resistant, and we successfully treated the case with imipenem and doxycyclin. This case highlights ruling out the possibility of melioidosis in acute abdomen and existence of ceftazidime resistant cases in India.
Mimics of Duplication Cysts: Intraperitoneal Nodules in a 14-Year-Old Boy
Authors: Ohanessian Sara E. , Rocourt Dorothy V. , Millington Karmaine A.
Published: April 2015

Hemangiomas are the most common primary hepatic tumors, but there are few reports of their occurrence elsewhere in the abdomen. The concurrent existence of multiple fibrous nodules of the omentum, mesentery, and porta hepatis, along with a gastric hemangioma, in a child raises the question of syndromic association. Our search of the English literature revealed only rare mentions of hemangiomas involving the stomach and mesentery or omentum. These lesions have attracted clinical attention by symptoms of obstruction, gastrointestinal bleeding, intussusception, infection, perforation, or vague abdominal pain. Although some tumors exist unnoticed for many decades and are identified only incidentally, others present emergently and require immediate surgical attention. We report the case of a 14-year-old boy who presented with symptoms similar to those for appendicitis or duplication cyst, who was found to have a torsed gastric hemangioma and multiple benign fibrous nodules in the abdomen. The presence of multiple vascular or fibrous lesions is associated with genetic syndromes that can have lifelong and reproductive repercussions; so it is imperative that these tumors be recognized by diagnosticians.
Safety and Efficacy of Gadobutrol for Contrast-enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Central Nervous System: Results from a Multicenter, Double-blind, Randomized, Comparator Study
Authors: Gutierrez Juan E. , Rosenberg Martin , Seemann Jörg , Breuer Josy , Haverstock Daniel , Agris Jacob , Balzer Thomas , Anzalone Nicoletta
Published: April 2015

Purpose

Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the central nervous system (CNS) with gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) is standard of care for CNS imaging and diagnosis because of the visualization of lesions that cause blood–brain barrier breakdown. Gadobutrol is a macrocyclic GBCA with high concentration and high relaxivity. The objective of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of gadobutrol 1.0 M vs unenhanced imaging and vs the approved macrocyclic agent gadoteridol 0.5 M at a dose of 0.1 mmol/kg bodyweight.

Materials and Methods

Prospective, multicenter, double-blind, crossover trial in patients who underwent unenhanced MRI followed by enhanced imaging with gadobutrol or gadoteridol. Three blinded readers assessed the magnetic resonance images. The primary efficacy variables included number of lesions detected, degree of lesion contrast-enhancement, lesion border delineation, and lesion internal morphology.

Results

Of the 402 treated patients, 390 patients received study drugs. Lesion contrast-enhancement, lesion border delineation, and lesion internal morphology were superior for combined unenhanced/gadobutrol-enhanced imaging vs unenhanced imaging ( P < 0.0001 for all). Compared with gadoteridol, gadobutrol was non-inferior for all primary variables and superior for lesion contrast-enhancement, as well as sensitivity and accuracy for detection of malignant disease. The percentage of patients with at least one drug-related adverse event was similar for gadobutrol (10.0%) and gadoteridol (9.7%).

Conclusion

Gadobutrol is an effective and well-tolerated macrocyclic contrast agent for MRI of the CNS. Gadobutrol demonstrates greater contrast-enhancement and improved sensitivity and accuracy for detection of malignant disease than gadoteridol, likely because of its higher relaxivity.
On WKB Theoretic Transformations for Painlevé Transcendents on Degenerate Stokes Segments
Authors: Iwaki Kohei
Published: April 2015

The WKB theoretic transformation theorem established in [KT2] implies that the first Painlevé equation gives a normal form of Painlevé equations with a large parameter near a simple

P

-turning point. In this paper we extend this result and show that the second Painlevé equation

(P_{II})

and the third Painlevé equation

(P_{III'(D_7)})

of type

D_7

give a normal form of Painlevé equations on a degenerate

P

-Stokes segments connecting two different simple

P

-turning points and on a degenerate

P

-Stokes segment of loop-type, respectively. That is, any 2-parameter formal solution of a Painlevé equation is reduced to a 2-parameter formal solution of

(P_{II})

or

(P_{III'(D_7)})

on these degenerate

P

-Stokes segments by our transformation.
From the Drinfeld Realization to the Drinfeld–Jimbo Presentation of Affine Quantum Algebras: Injectivity
Authors: Damiani Ilaria
Published: April 2015

The surjective homomorphism

\psi

(see [Da1]) from the Drinfeld realization

U^{Dr}_q

to the Drinfeld and Jimbo presentation

\mathcal U^{DJ}_q

of affine quantum algebras is proved to be injective. A consequence of the arguments used in the paper is the triangular decomposition of the Drinfeld realization of affine quantum algebras also in the twisted case. A presentation of affine Kac–Moody algebras in terms of “Drinfeld generators” is also provided.
A Smooth Solution of a Singular Fractional Differential Equation
Authors: Lätt Kaido , Pedas Arvet , Vainikko Gennadi
Published: April 2015

In this article we examine the existence of a unique smooth solution to a singular fractional differential equation. We reformulate the singular equation with the help of cordial Volterra integral operators and then extend a result from cordial Volterra integral operator theory.
Uniqueness Criteria and Strong Solutions of the Boussinesq Equations in Completely General Domains
Authors: Komo Christian
Published: April 2015

Consider the instationary Boussinesq equations in a completely general domain

\Omega \subseteq \mathbb{R}^3

and a time interval

[0,T[

. We deal with existence of strong solutions of the Boussinesq equations. These results will be used to prove uniqueness criteria for the Boussinesq equations which are based on the local or global identification of a weak solution with a strong solution.
Optimal Control in Matrix-Valued Coefficients for Nonlinear Monotone Problems: Optimality Conditions II
Authors: Kogut Peter I. , Kupenko Ol'ga P. , Leugering Günter
Published: April 2015

In this paper we study an optimal control problem for a nonlinear monotone Dirichlet problem where the controls are taken as the matrix-valued coefficients in

L^{\infty}(\Omega; \mathbb R^{N \times N})

. Given a suitable cost function, the objective is to provide a substantiation of the first order optimality conditions using the concept of convergence in variable spaces. While in the first part [Z. Anal. Anwend. 34 (2015), 85–108] optimality conditions have been derived and analysed in the general case under some assumptions on the quasi-adjoint states, in this second part, we consider diagonal matrices and analyse the corresponding optimality system without such assumptions.
A Fourth-Order Dispersive Flow into Kähler Manifolds
Authors: Chihara Hiroyuki , Onodera Eiji
Published: April 2015

We discuss a short-time existence theorem of solutions to the initial value problem for a fourth-order dispersive flow for curves parametrized by the real line into a compact Kähler manifold. Our equations geometrically generalize a physical model describing the motion of a vortex filament or the continuum limit of the Heisenberg spin chain system. Our results are proved by using so-called the energy method. We introduce a bounded gauge transform on the pullback bundle, and make use of local smoothing effect of the dispersive flow a little.
Atmospheric oxidation of isoprene and 1,3-butadiene: influence of aerosol acidity and relative humidity on secondary organic aerosol
Authors: Lewandowski M. , Jaoui M. , Offenberg J. H. , Krug J. D. , Kleindienst T. E.
Published: April 2015

Abstract. The effects of acidic seed aerosols on the formation of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) have been examined in a number of previous studies, several of which have observed strong linear correlations between the aerosol acidity (measured as nmol H+ m−3 air sample volume) and the percent change in secondary organic carbon (SOC). The measurements have used several precursor compounds representative of different classes of biogenic hydrocarbons including isoprene, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes. To date, isoprene has displayed the most pronounced increase in SOC, although few measurements have been conducted with anthropogenic hydrocarbons. In the present study, we examine several aspects of the effect of aerosol acidity on the secondary organic carbon formation from the photooxidation of 1,3-butadiene, and extend the previous analysis of isoprene. The photooxidation products measured in the absence and presence of acidic sulfate aerosols were generated either through photochemical oxidation of SO2 or by nebulizing mixtures of ammonium sulfate and sulfuric acid into a 14.5 m3 smog chamber system. The results showed that, like isoprene and β-caryophyllene, 1,3-butadiene SOC yields linearly correlate with increasing acidic sulfate aerosol. The observed acid sensitivity of 0.11% SOC increase per nmol m−3 increase in H+ was approximately a factor of 3 less than that measured for isoprene. The results also showed that the aerosol yield decreased with increasing humidity for both isoprene and 1,3-butadiene, although to different degrees. Increasing the absolute humidity from 2 to 12 g m−3 reduced the 1,3-butadiene yield by 45% and the isoprene yield by 85%.
Effects of urban land expansion on the regional meteorology and air quality of Eastern China
Authors: Tao W. , Liu J. , Ban-Weiss G. A. , Hauglustaine D. A. , Zhang L. , Zhang Q. , Cheng Y. , Yu Y. , Tao S.
Published: April 2015

Abstract. Rapid urbanization throughout Eastern China is imposing an irreversible effect on local climate and air quality. In this paper, we examine the response of a range of meteorological and air quality indicators to urbanization. Our study uses the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF/Chem) to simulate the climate and air quality impacts of four hypothetical urbanization scenarios with fixed surface pollutant emissions during the month of July from 2008 to 2012. An improved integrated process rate (IPR) analysis scheme is implemented in WRF/Chem to investigate the mechanisms behind the forcing–response relationship at the process level. For all years, as urban land area expands, concentrations of CO, elemental carbon (EC), and particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) tend to decrease near the surface (below ~ 500 m), but increase at higher altitudes (1–3 km), resulting in a reduced vertical concentration gradient. On the other hand, the O3 burden averaged over all newly urbanized grid cells consistently increases from the surface to a height of about 4 km. Sensitivity tests show that the response of meteorology and pollutant concentrations to the spatial extent of urbanization are nearly linear near the surface, but nonlinear at higher altitudes. Over eastern China, each 10% increase in nearby urban land coverage (NULC) on average leads to a decrease of approximately 2% in surface concentrations for CO, EC, and PM2.5, while for O3 an increase of about 1% is simulated. At 800 hPa, each 10% increase in the square of NULC enhances air pollution concentrations by 5–10%, depending on species. This indicates that as large tracts of new urban land emerge, the influence of urban expansion on meteorology and air pollution would be amplified. IPR results indicate that, for primary pollutants, the enhanced sink (source) caused by turbulent mixing and vertical advection in the lower (upper) atmosphere could be a key factor in changes to simulated vertical profiles. The evolution of secondary pollutants is further influenced by the upward relocation of precursors that impact gas phase chemistry for O3 and aerosol processes for PM2.5. Our study indicates that dense urbanization has a moderate dilution effect on surface primary airborne contaminants, but may intensify severe haze and ozone pollution if local emissions are not well controlled.
Improved spectral fitting of nitrogen dioxide from OMI in the 405–465 nm window
Authors: van Geffen J. H. G. M. , Boersma K. F. , Van Roozendael M. , Hendrick F. , Mahieu E. , De Smedt I. , Sneep M. , Veefkind J. P.
Published: April 2015

Abstract. An improved nitrogen dioxide (NO2) slant column density retrieval for the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) in the 405–465 nm spectral region is presented. Since the launch of OMI on board NASA's EOS-Aura satellite in 2004, differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) retrievals of NO2 slant column densities have been the starting point for the KNMI DOMINO and NASA SP NO2 vertical column data as well as the OMI NO2 data of some other institutes. However, recent intercomparisons between NO2 retrievals from OMI and other UV/Vis and limb spectrometers, as well as ground-based measurements, suggest that OMI stratospheric NO2 is biased high. This study revises and, for the first time, fully documents the OMI NO2 retrieval in detail. The representation of the OMI slit function to convolve high-resolution reference spectra onto the relevant spectral grid is improved. The window used for the wavelength calibration is optimised, leading to much-reduced fitting errors. Ozone and water vapour spectra used in the fit are updated, reflecting the recently improved knowledge of their absorption cross section in the literature. The improved spectral fit also accounts for absorption by the O2–O2 collision complex and by liquid water over clear-water areas. The main changes in the improved spectral fitting result from the updates related to the wavelength calibration: the RMS error of the fit is reduced by 23% and the NO2 slant column by 0.85 × 1015 molec cm−2, independent of latitude, solar zenith angle and NO2 value. Including O2–O2 and liquid water absorption and updating the O3 and water vapour cross-section spectra further reduces NO2 slant columns on average by 0.35 × 1015 molec cm−2, accompanied by a further 9% reduction in the RMS error of the fit. The improved OMI NO2 slant columns are consistent with independent NO2 retrievals from other instruments to within a range that can be explained by photochemically driven diurnal increases in stratospheric NO2 and by small differences in fitting window and approach. The revisions indicate that current OMI NO2 slant columns suffered mostly from an additive positive offset, which is removed by the improved wavelength calibration and representation of the OMI slit function. It is therefore anticipated that the improved NO2 slant columns are most important to retrievals of spatially homogeneous stratospheric NO2 rather than to heterogeneous tropospheric NO2.
A methodology for investigating dust model performance using synergistic EARLINET/AERONET dust concentration retrievals
Authors: Binietoglou I. , Basart S. , Alados-Arboledas L. , Amiridis V. , Argyrouli A. , Baars H. , Baldasano J. M. , Balis D. , Belegante L. , Bravo-Aranda J. A. , Burlizzi P. , Carrasco V. , Chaikovsky A. , Comerón A. , D'Amico G. , Filioglou M. , Granados-Muñoz M. J. , Guerrero-Rascado J. L. , Ilic L. , Kokkalis P. , Maurizi A. , Mona L. , Monti F. , Muñoz-Porcar C. , Nicolae D. , Papayannis A. , Pappalardo G. , Pejanovic G. , Pereira S. N. , Perrone M. R. , Pietruczuk A. , Posyniak M. , Rocadenbosch F. , Rodríguez-Gómez A. , Sicard M. , Siomos N. , Szkop A. , Terradellas E. , Tsekeri A. , Vukovic A. , Wandinger U. , Wagner J.
Published: April 2015

Abstract. Systematic measurements of dust concentration profiles at continental scale were recently made possible by the development of synergistic retrieval algorithms using combined lidar and sun photometer data and the establishment of robust remote-sensing networks in the framework of Aerosols, Clouds, and Trace gases Research InfraStructure Network (ACTRIS)/European Aerosol Research Lidar Network (EARLINET). We present a methodology for using these capabilities as a tool for examining the performance of dust transport models. The methodology includes considerations for the selection of a suitable dataset and appropriate metrics for the exploration of the results. The approach is demonstrated for four regional dust transport models (BSC-DREAM8b v2, NMMB/BSC-DUST, DREAMABOL, DREAM8-NMME-MACC) using dust observations performed at 10 ACTRIS/EARLINET stations. The observations, which include coincident multi-wavelength lidar and sun photometer measurements, were processed with the Lidar-Radiometer Inversion Code (LIRIC) to retrieve aerosol concentration profiles. The methodology proposed here shows advantages when compared to traditional evaluation techniques that utilize separately the available measurements such as separating the contribution of dust from other aerosol types on the lidar profiles and avoiding model assumptions related to the conversion of concentration fields to aerosol extinction values. When compared to LIRIC retrievals, the simulated dust vertical structures were found to be in good agreement for all models with correlation values between 0.5 and 0.7 in the 1 to 6 km range, where most of dust is typically observed. The absolute dust concentration was typically underestimated with mean bias values of −40 to −20 μg m−3 at 2 km, the altitude of maximum mean concentration. The reported differences among the models found in this comparison indicate the benefit of the systematic use of the proposed approach in future dust model evaluation studies.
Improvements in 3-D digital mapping for geomorphological and Quaternary geological cartography
Authors: Ambrosi C. , Scapozza C.
Published: April 2015

Abstract. In recent decades, GIS tools have been directly applied to photo-interpretative geomorphological and geological mapping. Although these tools are powerful and effective tools in the creation of digital maps, it is often very difficult to obtain a correct recognition of the nature and boundaries of geomorphological landforms using two-dimensional images. In addition, the output typically requires some improvements, usually by means of field verifications or using oblique field photographs. The aim of this paper is to present the ArcGDS™ tool, which allows the direct exploitation, visualization and digitization of stereoscopic digital linear scanned images (e.g. digital image strips, ©swisstopo). Through two case studies, we show how 3-D digital mapping makes it possible to produce Quaternary geological and geomorphological maps with a limited complementary fieldwork approach and to provide a quantitative assessment of surface deformations through the acquisition of precise elevation coordinates. Combined with high-resolution digital elevation models, ArcGDS™ is a powerful tool, particularly over large areas, as well as under forest cover and on very steep slopes.