bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanism of a Hair Cell Bioinspired Sensor with Ultrasensitivity to Weak and Low Frequency Vibration Signals
Authors: Liu L. J. , Lei Y.
Published: November 2013

Although significant progresses have been made in sensor technology, it is still a challenging task to develop ultrasensitive sensors to monitor very weak and low frequency vibration signal for early warning of natural disasters and efficient structural health monitoring of infrastructures. It has been reported from previous experiments that some fishes have acute sensitivities to extremely low frequency linear acceleration due to the otolith organs of the inner ear. In this paper, based on the experimental results and qualitative mechanism of the infrasound sensitivity of some fishes conducted by other researchers, a bioinspired gating spring model with negative stiffness is established to simulate the mechanical-electricity transduction of the hair cell in fish ear. Then, numerical analyses of the mechanical model subject to static and dynamic loading are conducted, respectively. It is shown that the gating model has adaptive amplification capability to weak and low frequency excitation compared with the corresponding linear model. This mechanism can be used for the design of bioinspired ultrasensitive sensors for monitoring weak and low frequency vibration signal.
Screening and Scoring of Antimicrobial and Biological Activities of Italian Vulnerary Plants against Major Oral Pathogenic Bacteria
Authors: Ferrazzano Gianmaria F. , Roberto Lia , Catania Maria Rosaria , Chiaviello Angela , De Natale Antonino , Roscetto Emanuela , Pinto Gabriele , Pollio Antonino , Ingenito Aniello , Palumbo Giuseppe
Published: November 2013

This study aims to evaluate the activity of Italian vulnerary plants against the most important oral pathogenic bacteria. This estimate was accomplished through a fivefold process: (a) a review of ethnobotanical and microbiological data concerning the Italian vulnerary plants; (b) the development of a scoring system to rank the plants; (c) the comparative assessment of microbiological properties; (d) the assessment of potential cytotoxic effects on keratinocyte-like cells and gingival fibroblasts in culture by XTT cell viability assay; (e) clinical evaluation of the most suitable plant extract as antibacterial agent in a home-made mouthwash. The study assays hexane (H), ethanol (E), and water (W) extracts from 72 plants. The agar diffusion method was used to evaluate the activity againstStreptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus,Lactobacillus casei,andActinomyces viscosus. Twenty-two plants showed appreciable activity. The extracts showing the strongest antibacterial power were those fromCotinus coggygriaScop.,Equisetum hyemaleL.,Helichrysum litoreumGuss,Juniperus communisL., andPhyllitis scolopendrium(L.) Newman subsp.scolopendrium. The potential cytotoxic effect of these extracts was assessed. On the basis of these observations, a mouth-rinse containing the ethanolic extract ofH. litoreumhas been testedin vivo, resulting in reduction of the salivary concentration ofS. mutans.
Severe Hemorrhage from the Umbilical Cord at Birth: A Preventable Cause of Neonatal Shock
Authors: Singh Neetu , Suresh Gautham
Published: November 2013

Posthemorrhagic anemia is a rare but important cause of anemia in neonates, second only to hemolytic anemia of newborn. Most cases of posthemorrhagic anemia are reported from fetomaternal hemorrhage or umbilical cord accidents in utero. This case report describes a preterm infant who developed severe anemia and shock immediately after delivery related to an acute hemorrhage through patent umbilical cord vessels secondary to a tear in the umbilical cord at the site of cord clamping. We believe that umbilical cord bleeding from errors in cord clamping could be an important cause of acute blood loss in the delivery room and that it may result in significant clinical morbidity, especially in extremely premature infants.
Behavioural Risk Factors of Noncommunicable Diseases among Nepalese Urban Poor: A Descriptive Study from a Slum Area of Kathmandu
Authors: Oli Natalia , Vaidya Abhinav , Thapa Gobardhan
Published: November 2013

There has been a rapid rise in the burden of noncommunicable diseases in low-income countries like Nepal. Political and economical instability leading to internal migration give rise to haphazard urbanization in Nepal. This, coupled with negative effects of globalization, is largely responsible for changing lifestyle and developing risky behaviour among the urban poor that put them at high risk of developing noncommunicable diseases. A descriptive cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted from September to December 2012 in an urban slum of Kathmandu to explore the prevalence of four major behaviour risk factors namely physical inactivity, low fruit and vegetable consumption, and tobacco and alcohol use and to measure the burden of obesity and hypertension in the population. We used WHO NCDs Risk Factor steps 1 and 2 questionnaires in all the 689 households of the slum. The major behavioral risk factors for noncommunicable diseases were very common with at least a quarter of the population having the major risk factors. The results may serve to form a framework to future planning, policy-making, implementation, and evaluation of any measures undertaken to reduce these risk factors, especially as the government is planning to unveil the National Urban Health Policy soon.
Multi‐Objective Approach for Energy‐Aware Workflow Scheduling in Cloud Computing Environments
Authors: Yassa Sonia , Chelouah Rachid , Kadima Hubert , Granado Bertrand
Published: November 2013

We address the problem of scheduling workflow applications on heterogeneous computing systems like cloud computing infrastructures. In general, the cloud workflow scheduling is a complex optimization problem which requires considering different criteria so as to meet a large number of QoS (Quality of Service) requirements. Traditional research in workflow scheduling mainly focuses on the optimization constrained by time or cost without paying attention to energy consumption. The main contribution of this study is to propose a new approach for multi‐objective workflow scheduling in clouds, and present the hybrid PSO algorithm to optimize the scheduling performance. Our method is based on the Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling (DVFS) technique to minimize energy consumption. This technique allows processors to operate in different voltage supply levels by sacrificing clock frequencies. This multiple voltage involves a compromise between the quality of schedules and energy. Simulation results on synthetic and real‐world scientific applications highlight the robust performance of the proposed approach.
New Delay-Dependent Stability Conditions for Time-Varying Delay Systems
Authors: Qian Wei , Karimi Hamid Reza
Published: November 2013

This paper addresses the delay-dependent stability for systems with time-varying delay. First, by taking multi-integral terms into consideration, new Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional is defined. Second, in order to reduce the computational complexity of the main results, reciprocally convex approach and some special transformations are introduced, and new delay-dependent stability criteria are proposed, which are less conservative and have less decision variables than some previous results. Finally, two well-known examples are given to illustrate the correctness and advantage of our theoretical results.
Compact Ultra Wide Band Microstrip Bandpass Filter Based on Multiple‐Mode Resonator and Modified Complementary Split Ring Resonator
Authors: Marcotegui J. Antonio , Illescas Jesús Miguel , Estevez Aritz , Falcone Francisco
Published: November 2013

A new class of broadband microstrip filters for Ultra Wide Band (UWB) applications is proposed. In the design, different stages of parallel‐coupled microstrip line and other stages with a Modified Complementary Split Ring Resonator (MCSRR)—a concept proposed here for the first time—are adjusted to obtain the desired response with broadband, sharp rejection, low insertion loss, and low return loss. Full wave simulation results as well as measurement results from fabricated prototypes are presented, showing good agreement. The proposed technique offers a new alternative to implement low‐cost high‐performance filter devices, applicable to a wide range of communication systems.
The Most Trustworthy Path Selection in Online Social Networks
Authors: Liu Lianggui
Published: November 2013

In online social networks, it is crucial for a service consumer to find the most trustworthy path to a target service provider from numerous social trust paths between them. The selection of the most trustworthy path (namely, optimal social trust path (OSTP)) with multiple end-to-end quality of trust (QoT) constraints has been proved to be NP-Complete. Heuristic algorithms with polynomial and pseudo-polynomial-time complexities are often used to deal with this challenging problem. However, existing solutions cannot guarantee the efficiency of searching; that is, they can hardly avoid obtaining partial optimal solutions during searching process. Quantum annealing uses delocalization and tunneling to avoid falling into local minima without sacrificing execution time. It has been proved to be a promising way to many optimization problems in recently published literature. In this paper, for the first time, QA based OSTP algorithm (QA_OSTP) is applied to the selection of the most trustworthy path. The experiment results show that QA based algorithm has better performance than its heuristic opponents.
The Anisotropic Glassy Properties of Decagonal Quasicrystals
Authors: Anghel Dragoş-Victor , Churochkin Dmitry V.
Published: November 2013

We use an extended version of the standard tunneling model to explain the anisotropic sound absorption in decagonal quasicrystals. The glassy properties are determined by an ensemble of two level systems (TLSs), arbitrarily oriented. The TLS is characterized by a 3 × 3 symmetric tensor, [T], which couples to the strain field, [S], through a 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 tensor of coupling constants, [R]. The structure of [R] reflects the symmetry of the quasicrystal. We also analyze the probability distributions of the elements of [T] in this particular model for a better understanding of the characteristics of “isotropic” and “anisotropic” distributions of the ensemble of TLSs. We observe that the distribution of the elements is neither simple nor intuitive and therefore it is difficult to guess ita priory, using qualitative arguments based on the symmetry properties.
Pectinesterase Inhibitor from Jelly Fig (Ficus awkeotsangMakino) Achene Inhibits Surface Antigen Expression by Human Hepatitis B Virus
Authors: Huang Yu-Chuen , Jiang Chii-Ming , Chen Yu-Jen , Chen Yu-Yawn
Published: November 2013

Pectinesterase inhibitor (PEI) isolated from jelly fig (Ficus awkeotsangMakino) is an edible component of a popular drink consumed in Asia. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is prevalent in Asia, and current treatments for HBV infection need improvement. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of PEI on the surface antigen expression by HBV (HBsAg). Human hepatoma cell lines Hep3B and Huh7 served as in vitro models for assessing the cytotoxicity and HBsAg expression. A culture of primary hepatocytes cultured from mice served as the normal counterpart. Cell viability was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay. HBsAg expression was evaluated by measuring HBsAg secretion into the culture medium using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results showed that PEI did not affect the viability of the human hepatoma cell lines or primary mouse hepatocytes. PEI inhibited the expression of HBsAg in hepatoma cell lines harboring endogenous (Hep3B) and integrated (Huh7) HBV genomes in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, thus implicating a universal activity against HBV gene expression. In conclusion, it suggests that PEI from jelly fig inhibits the expression of human HBsAg in host cells without toxic effects on normal primary hepatocytes.
Role of Toll-Interacting Protein Gene Polymorphisms in Leprosy Mexican Patients
Authors: Montoya-Buelna Margarita , Fafutis-Morris Mary , Tovar-Cuevas Alvaro J. , Alvarado-Navarro Anabell , Valle Yeminia , Padilla-Gutierrez Jorge R. , Muñoz-Valle Jose F. , Figuera-Villanueva Luis E.
Published: November 2013

Background. Leprosy is a debilitating infectious disease of human skin and nerves. Genetics factors of the host play an important role in the disease susceptibility. Toll-interacting protein (TOLLIP) is an inhibitory adaptor protein within the toll-like receptor (TLR) pathway, which recognizes structurally conserved molecular patterns of microbial pathogens, initiating immune responses. The objective of this study was to investigate the association of variants in theTOLLIPgene with susceptibility to leprosy in Mexican patients.Methods.TOLLIPpolymorphisms were studied using a case-control design of Mexican patients with lepromatous leprosy (LL). The polymorphisms ofTOLLIPat loci −526 C>G (rs5743854), 1309956C>T (rs3750920), 1298430C>A (rs5744015), and 1292831 G>A (rs3750919) were analyzed by PCR, with sequence-specific primers in LL patients and healthy subjects (HS) as controls.Results. Genotype distributions were in Hardy Weinberg equilibrium for all sites except for rs3750920. Neither genotype nor allele frequencies were statistically different between LL patients and controls (P>0.05). The maximum pairwise D’ coefficient reached was 0.44 of linkage (P=0.01) for all the polymorphisms except for rs5743854. The three loci haplotype comparison yielded no significant differences between groups.Conclusions. Just the individuals with genotype C/C of rs3750920 have a trend of protective effect to developing LL.
Facile Fabrication of a Hierarchical Superhydrophobic Coating with Aluminate Coupling Agent Modified Kaolin
Authors: Li Hui , Qu Mengnan , Sun Zhe , He Jinmei , Zhou Anning
Published: November 2013

A superhydrophobic coating was fabricated from the dispersion of unmodified kaolin particles and aluminate coupling agent in anhydrous ethanol. Through surface modification, water contact angle of the coating prepared by modified kaolin particles increased dramatically from 0° to 152°, and the sliding angle decreased from 90° to 3°. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the surface morphology. A structure composed of micro‐nano hierarchical component, combined with the surface modification by aluminate coupling agent which reduced the surface energy greatly, was found to be responsible for the superhydrophobicity. The method adopted is relatively simple, facile, and cost‐effective and can potentially be applied to large water‐repellent surface coatings.
Value Distribution of Meromorphic Solutions and Their Derivatives of Complex Differential Equations
Authors: El Farissi Abdallah
Published: November 2013

We deal with the relationship between the small functions and the derivatives of solutions of higher-order linear differential equations f(k)+Ak-1f(k-1)+⋯+A0f=0,   k≥2, where Aj(z)  (j=0,1,…,k-1) are meromorphic functions. The theorems of this paper improve the previous results given by El Farissi, Belaïdi, Wang, Lu, Liu, and Zhang.
Spasticity as the First Manifestation of Ischaemic Lesions Involving the Cingulum
Authors: Alves Ivânia , Tedim Cruz Vítor , Grebe Hans Peter
Published: November 2013

Background and Purpose. Spasticity is a positive sign of upper motor neuron syndrome that usually develops weeks after a stroke. The mechanisms that lead to its appearance are not completely understood, namely, the cortical regions whose lesion may induce spasticity.Summary of Cases. We report two patients with an ischaemic stroke entailing the anterior cingulate gyrus (pericallosal artery territory), who presented with acute hemiplegia and spasticity since symptom onset. Spasticity resolved within days after onset.Conclusions. The acute destruction of the anterior cingulate region, interrupting inhibitory projections towards lower motor centres, probably explains the acute onset of spasticity that occurred in these two patients. Further studies addressing the role of this region in acute and chronic disturbances of muscular tone are necessary.
New Lax Pairs and Darboux Transformation and Its Application to a Shallow Water Wave Model of Generalized KdV Type
Authors: Yang Huizhang , Rui Weiguo
Published: November 2013

New Lax pairs of a shallow water wave model of generalized KdV equation type are presented. According to this Lax pair, we constructed a new spectral problem. By using this spectral problem, we constructed Darboux transformation with the help of a gauge transformation. Applying this Darboux transformation, some new exact solutions including double-soliton solution of the shallow water wave model of generalized KdV equation type are obtained. In order to visually show dynamical behaviors of these double soliton solutions, we plot graphs of profiles of them and discuss their dynamical properties.
VCAST: Scalable Dissemination of Vehicular Information with Distance-Sensitive Precision
Authors: Kulathumani V. , Moparthi R. A. , Fallah Y. P.
Published: November 2013

Real-time information about the state (location, speed, and direction) of other vehicles in the system is critical for both safety and navigation applications in future intelligent transportation systems. However, reliably obtaining this information over multiple hops in a capacity constrained, contention-prone wireless network poses a significant challenge. In this paper, we describe an algorithm VCAST that addresses this challenge by exploiting a notion of distance sensitivity in information propagation, in which information is forwarded at a rate that decreases linearly with distance from the source. By doing so, the required communication overhead per node can be significantly reduced, thereby reducing channel contention, allowing higher information supply rates, and scaling to larger network sizes. VCAST can be used to improve safety against collisions and to enable dynamic routing and navigation techniques by providing aggregate traffic information in an extended neighborhood. The performance of VCAST is validated using extensive ns-3 simulations under different network sizes and densities with an IEEE 802.11b transmission model and the advantages of VCAST in comparison to non-distance-sensitive approaches are highlighted.
Aqueous Extract ofAnnona macroprophyllata: A Potentialα-Glucosidase Inhibitor
Authors: Brindis F. , González-Trujano M. E. , González-Andrade M. , Aguirre-Hernández E. , Villalobos-Molina R.
Published: November 2013

Annona genus contains plants used in folk medicine for the treatment of diabetes. In the present study, an aqueous extract prepared fromAnnona macroprophyllata(Annonaceae, also known asA. diversifolia) leaves was evaluated on both the activity of yeastα-glucosidase (anin vitroassay) and sucrose tolerance in Wistar rats. The results have shown that the aqueous extract fromA. macroprophyllatainhibits the yeastα-glucosidase with an IC50 = 1.18 mg/mL, in a competitive manner with aKi= 0.97 mg/mL, a similar value to that of acarbose (Ki= 0.79 mg/mL). The inhibitory activity ofA. macroprophyllatawas reinforced by its antihyperglycemic effect, at doses of 100, 300, and 500 mg/kg in rats. Chromatographic analysis identified the flavonoids rutin and isoquercitrin in the most polar fractions ofA. macroprophyllatacrude extract, suggesting that these flavonoids are part of the active constituents in the plant. Our results support the use ofA. macroprophyllatain Mexican folk medicine to control postprandial glycemia in people with diabetes mellitus, involving active constituents of flavonoid nature.
Sleep-Wake Cycle and Daytime Sleepiness in the Myotonic Dystrophies
Authors: Romigi A. , Albanese M. , Liguori C. , Placidi F. , Marciani M. G. , Massa R.
Published: November 2013

Myotonic dystrophy is the most common type of muscular dystrophy in adults and is characterized by progressive myopathy, myotonia, and multiorgan involvement. Two genetically distinct entities have been identified, myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1 or Steinert’s Disease) and myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2). Myotonic dystrophies are strongly associated with sleep dysfunction. Sleep disturbances in DM1 are common and include sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), periodic limb movements (PLMS), central hypersomnia, and REM sleep dysregulation (high REM density and narcoleptic-like phenotype). Interestingly, drowsiness in DM1 seems to be due to a central dysfunction of sleep-wake regulation more than SDB. To date, little is known regarding the occurrence of sleep disorders in DM2. SDB (obstructive and central apnoea), REM sleep without atonia, and restless legs syndrome have been described. Further polysomnographic, controlled studies are strongly needed, particularly in DM2, in order to clarify the role of sleep disorders in the myotonic dystrophies.
A SIRS Epidemic Model Incorporating Media Coverage with Random Perturbation
Authors: Liu Wenbin
Published: November 2013

We investigate the complex dynamics of a SIRS epidemic model incorporating media coverage with random perturbation. We first deal with the boundedness and the stability of the disease—free and endemic equilibria of the deterministic model. And for the corresponding stochastic epidemic model, we prove that the endemic equilibrium of the stochastic model is asymptotically stable in the large. Furthermore, we perform some numerical examples to validate the analytical finding, and find that if the conditions of stochastic stability are not satisfied, the solution for the stochastic model will oscillate strongly around the endemic equilibrium.
New Exact Solutions of Ion-Acoustic Wave Equations by (G′/G)-Expansion Method
Authors: Taha Wafaa M. , Noorani M. S. M. , Hashim I.
Published: November 2013

The (G′/G)-expansion method is used to study ion-acoustic waves equations in plasma physic for the first time. Many new exact traveling wave solutions of the Schamel equation, Schamel-KdV (S-KdV), and the two-dimensional modified KP (Kadomtsev-Petviashvili) equation with square root nonlinearity are constructed. The traveling wave solutions obtained via this method are expressed by hyperbolic functions, the trigonometric functions, and the rational functions. In addition to solitary waves solutions, a variety of special solutions like kink shaped, antikink shaped, and bell type solitary solutions are obtained when the choice of parameters is taken at special values. Two- and three-dimensional plots are drawn to illustrate the nature of solutions. Moreover, the solution obtained via this method is in good agreement with previously obtained solutions of other researchers.
Lifetime Paid Work and Mental Health Problems among Poor Urban 9‐to‐13‐Year‐Old Children in Brazil
Authors: Bordin Isabel A. , Pires Ivens H. , Paula Cristiane S.
Published: November 2013

Objective. To verify if emotional/behavioral problems are associated with lifetime paid work in poor urban children, when taking into account other potential correlates. Methods. Cross‐sectional study focused on 9‐to‐13‐year‐old children (n = 212). In a probabilistic sample of clusters of eligible households (women 15–49 years and son/daughter <18 years), one mother‐child pair was randomly selected per household (n = 813; response rate = 82.4%). CBCL/6‐18 identified child emotional/behavioral problems. Potential correlates include child gender and age, socioeconomic status/SES, maternal education, parental working status, and family social isolation, among others. Multivariate analysis examined the relationship between emotional/behavioral problems and lifetime paid work in the presence of significant correlates. Findings. All work activities were non‐harmful (e.g., selling fruits, helping parents at their small business, and baby sitting). Children with lower SES and socially isolated were more involved in paid work than less disadvantaged peers. Children ever exposed to paid work were four times more likely to present anxiety/depression symptoms at a clinical level compared to non‐exposed children. Multivariate modeling identified three independent correlates: child pure internalizing problems, social isolation, and low SES. Conclusion. There is an association between lifetime exposure to exclusively non‐harmful paid work activities and pure internalizing problems even when considering SES variability and family social isolation.
Plasmonic Coupling in Three‐Dimensional Au Nanoparticle Assemblies Fabricated by Anodic Aluminum Oxide Templates
Authors: Sohn Ahrum , Gwon Minji , Choi Dukhyun , Kim Dong-Wook
Published: November 2013

We investigated optical properties of three‐dimensional (3D) assemblies of Au nanoparticles (NPs), which were fabricated by dewetting of thin Au layers on anodic aluminum oxides (AAO). The NP assembly had hexagonal array of repeated multiparticle structures, which consisted of six trimers on the AAO surface and one large NP in the AAO pore (pore‐NP). We performed finite‐difference time‐domain simulation to explain the optical response of the NP assemblies and compared the calculation results with experimental data. Such complementary studies clearly revealed how the plasmonic coupling between the constituent NPs influenced the spectral response of our NP assemblies. In particular, comparison of the assemblies with and without pore‐NPs suggested that strong plasmonic coupling between trimers and pore‐NP significantly affected the spectra and the field distribution of the NP assemblies. Plasmonic multi‐NP assemblies could provide us new platforms to realize novel optoelectronic devices.
A Novel Transformation Electromagnetic Theory-Based Coverage Optimization Method for Wireless Network
Authors: Li Yuanxuan , Zhu Gang , Lin Siyu , Guan Ke , Li Yan
Published: November 2013

Improving the reliability of the radio coverage in shadow area is always an important issue for the wireless communications. The emergence of the transformation electromagnetic (TE) technique provides a new method to control the propagation direction of the radio signal. This paper proposes a coverage optimization method based on the TE technique; a cloak which covers the surface of obstacle is designed to improve the coverage performance in shadow area. The material parameters of cloak are calculated by the transformation electromagnetic method. To solve the calculation problem for the rectangular obstacle, the Fourier series is used to approximately describe the rectangular boundaries. The effectiveness of the proposed cloak for the coverage optimization is validated by the theoretical analysis and simulation results. The simulation results show that the coverage performance can be improved significantly.
Some Endpoint Results for β‐Generalized Weak Contractive Multifunctions
Authors: Alikhani H. , Gopal D. , Miandaragh M. A. , Rezapour Sh. , Shahzad N.
Published: November 2013

We introduce β‐generalized weak contractive multifunctions and give some
results about endpoints of the multifunctions. Also, we give some results about role of a
point in the existence of endpoints.
Importance Effects on Age Differences in Performance in Event-Based Prospective Memory
Authors: Hering Alexandra , Phillips Louise H. , Kliegel Matthias
Published: November 2013

Background: Most laboratory-based studies on prospective memory show a decline with increasing age. Theoretical explanations for age differences focus on the allocation of attentional resources to support prospective remembering. The recruitment of prospective memory target monitoring seems to be influenced by perceived task importance. Objective: In the present study, we investigated the influence of task importance on the magnitude of age differences in event-based prospective memory. Methods: Healthy younger (n = 25) and older (n = 25) adults were instructed a priori to prioritize either the ongoing or the prospective memory task before performing an event-based prospective memory task. Results: We found an interaction between age and task importance: instructed higher importance of the ongoing task compared to the prospective memory task component produced significant age-related declines in prospective remembering. By contrast, if older adults treated the prospective memory task component as more important than the ongoing task, they achieved equivalent levels of prospective memory performance as their younger counterparts, but did so at a cost to ongoing task performance. Conclusions: The present data indicate that task importance is one of the factors determining the presence or absence of age deficits in prospective remembering. Findings are discussed in the context of limited processing resources in old age and theoretical frameworks of event-based prospective memory.
Evaluation of an Optimal Gestational Age Cut-Off for the Definition of Early- and Late-Onset Fetal Growth Restriction
Authors: Savchev Stefan , Figueras Francesc , Sanz-Cortes Magda , Cruz-Lemini Monica , Triunfo Stefania , Botet Francesc , Gratacos Eduard
Published: November 2013

Objective: The terms early- and late-onset fetal growth restriction (FGR) are commonly used to distinguish two phenotypes characterized by differences in onset, fetoplacental Doppler, association with preeclampsia (PE) and severity. We evaluated the optimal gestational age (GA) cut-off maximizing differences among these two forms. Patients and Methods: A cohort of 656 consecutive singleton pregnancies with FGR was created. We used the decision tree analysis to evaluate the GA cut-off that best discriminated perinatal mortality, association with PE and adverse perinatal outcome (fetal demise, early neonatal death, neonatal acidosis at birth, and 5-min Apgar score <7). Results: We identified 32 weeks at diagnosis as the optimal cut-off, resulting in two groups with 7.1 and 0%, p < 0.001 perinatal mortality, 35.1 and 12.1%, p < 0.001 association with PE, and 13.4 and 4.6%, p < 0.001 composite adverse perinatal outcome. Abnormal versus normal umbilical artery (UA) Doppler classified two groups with 10.6 and 0.2%, p < 0.001 perinatal mortality, 50.0 and 11.8%, p < 0.001 association with PE, and 18.2 and 4.2%, p < 0.001 composite adverse perinatal outcome. Conclusions: UA Doppler discriminated better the two forms of FGR with average early- and late-onset presentation, higher association with PE and poorer outcome. In the absence of UA information, a GA cut-off of 32 weeks at diagnosis maximizes differences between early- and late-onset FGR.
Cardiac Issues of Noncardiac Drugs: The Rising Story of Avastin in Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Cruess Alan F. , Giacomantonio Nicholas
Published: November 2013

Emerging safety data, accompanied with recent demographic trends, point to the need for an in-depth review and consideration of potential consequences that might arise from continuing use of bevacizumab (Avastin®) to treat elderly patients presenting with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Although it is expected that lower doses of Avastin used for intravitreal administration and an intact blood-retina barrier would reduce the systemic exposure of the drug, both animal and human studies suggest that this may not be the case. In addition, emerging real-world and clinical trial data continue to point toward compromises in both cardio- and cerebrovascular safety with Avastin. Thus, clinicians are urged to adopt the highest possible standard of care in the treatment of an already fragile AMD population. Furthermore, postmarketing surveillance and pharmacovigilance with intravitreal anti-VEGF inhibitors should remain a priority.
Characteristics, Treatment and Prognostic Factors of Patients with Gynaecological Malignancies Treated in a Palliative Care Unit at a University Hospital
Authors: Aeckerle Samantha , Moor Marina , Pilz Lothar R. , Gencer Deniz , Hofheinz Ralf-Dieter , Hofmann Wolf-Karsten , Buchheidt Dieter
Published: November 2013

Background: Limited clinical data have been published on patients suffering from advanced gynaecological malignancies treated in palliative care units, and little is known about prognostic factors. Methods: In a retrospective study, the data of 225 patients with breast, ovarian and cervical cancer treated in the palliative care unit of a university hospital between 1998 and 2009 were assembled. Clinical aspects and baseline symptoms, laboratory parameters, the clinical course, and outcome were evaluated. Results: 225 patients (497 cases; cancer diagnoses: breast 79%, ovarian 13%, and cervix 8%) were included in the analysis. The main symptoms were weakness/fatigue (71%), pain (65%), anorexia/nausea (62%), and dyspnea (46%). Pain control was achieved in 85% of all cases, satisfying control of other symptoms in 80%. The median overall survival (OS) was 59 days. 53% of the patients died at the palliative care unit. In the Cox proportional hazards model, 8 parameters indicated an unfavourable outcome: anorexia/nausea, disordered mental status, elevated lactate dehydrogenase, γ-glutamyltransferase, leukocyte count, hypoalbuminaemia, anaemia and hypercalcaemia. Based on these parameters 3 risk groups were defined: low risk (0-2 factors), intermediate risk (3-5 factors), and high risk (6-8 factors). Median survival for high-risk group was 13 days, for intermediate group 61 days, and for low-risk patients 554 days (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Weakness/fatigue, pain and anorexia were the main symptoms leading to the hospitalisation of patients with gynaecological malignancies. Symptom and pain control was accomplished in 80% of cases. 8 parameters were identified as indicating a poor outcome, and patients showing at least 6 or more of these factors had a very limited prognosis. Although studied retrospectively, these results may be helpful for individual treatment decisions in patients with advanced gynaecological malignancies. Prospective data and the introduction of documentation systems could help to gain more powerful knowledge about the quality of palliative care.
Maintaining Normal Levels of Ionized Calcium during Citrate-Based Renal Replacement Therapy Is Associated with Stable Parathyroid Hormone Levels
Authors: Raimundo Mário , Crichton Siobhan , Lei Katie , Sanderson Barnaby , Smith John , Brooks John , Ng Josephine , Lemmich Smith Joanna , McKenzie Catherine , Beale Richard , Dickie Helen , Ostermann Marlies
Published: November 2013

Background/Aims: Citrate is an effective anticoagulant during continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Previous studies showed raised parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels when aiming for serum ionized calcium [Cai] between 0.8 and 1.1 mmol/l. Our objective was to assess whether citrate-based CRRT with physiologic target systemic [Cai] between 1.12 and 1.20 mmol/l could maintain stable PTH levels. Methods: Measurement of intact PTH (PTHi) in 30 consecutive critically ill patients treated with citrate-based CRRT. Results: Thirty patients [mean age: 70.4 (SD 11.3) years; 56.7% males] were enrolled. Mean serum [Cai] was 1.16 mmol/l (SD 0.09), 1.13 mmol/l (SD 0.09), 1.17 mmol/l (SD 0.05) and 1.16 mmol/l (SD 0.04) at baseline, 12, 24 and 48 h, respectively (p = 0.29). Median PTHi levels (interquartile range) at baseline, 12, 24 and 48 h were 66.5 (43-111), 109 (59.5-151.5), 88.5 (47-133) and 85 pg/ml (53-140), respectively. The differences between baseline and 12 h and across all time points were statistically not significant (p = 0.16 and p = 0.49, respectively). In a mixed-effects model, each 0.1 mmol/l increase in serum [Cai] was associated with a 31.2% decrease in PTHi (p < 0.001). Results were unchanged after adjustment for age, gender, magnesium, phosphate, arterial pH and time spent on CRRT. Conclusions: Maintaining systemic [Cai] within the physiologic range was associated with stable PTHi levels.
A de novo POU3F3 Deletion in a Boy with Intellectual Disability and Dysmorphic Features
Authors: Dheedene A. , Maes M. , Vergult S. , Menten B.
Published: November 2013

We describe a boy presenting with intellectual disability and dysmorphic features in whom a cryptic microdeletion in chromosome band 2q12.1 was identified with array CGH. The deletion results in a loss of the POU3F3 and MRPS9 genes. In this paper, we discuss the possible role of POU3F3 haploinsufficiency in relation to the boy's phenotype.
Scleromyxedema with Subcutaneous Nodules: Successful Treatment with Thalidomide and Intravenous Immunoglobulin
Authors: Dolenc-Voljč M. , Jurčić V. , Hočevar A. , Tomšič M.
Published: November 2013

Scleromyxedema is a rare cutaneous mucinosis, usually presenting with generalized papular eruption and sclerodermoid induration, monoclonal gammopathy and systemic manifestations. An atypical clinical presentation with cutaneous and subcutaneous nodules has been reported rarely. In recent years, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) appears to be the therapy of choice for scleromyxedema. Treatment experiences in atypical manifestations with mucinous nodules are limited to sporadic reports. We report the case of male patient with atypical scleromyxedema without underlying paraproteinemia, presenting with generalized papular and sclerodermoid skin eruption and multiple nodular mucinous lesions on the fingers and face as well as on the eyelids, and associated systemic symptoms. Complete regression of all cutaneous lesions and extracutaneous symptoms with sustained remission was achieved by combined treatment with thalidomide and IVIg.
Toric Intraocular Lens Implantation for Correction of Astigmatism in Cataract Patients with Corneal Ectasia
Authors: Parikakis Efstratios A. , Chatziralli Irini P. , Peponis Vasileios G. , David Georgios , Chalkiadakis Spyridon , Mitropoulos Panagiotis G.
Published: November 2013

Our purpose was to examine the long-term efficacy of toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in cataract patients with high astigmatism due to corneal ectasia, who underwent phacoemulsification cataract surgery. Five eyes of 3 cataract patients with topographically stable keratoconus or pellucid macular degeneration (PMD), in which phacoemulsification with toric IOL implantation was used to correct high astigmatism, are reported. Objective and subjective refraction, visual acuity measurement and corneal topography were performed in all cases before and after cataract surgery. In all cases, there was a significant improvement in visual acuity, as well as refraction, which remained stable over time. Specifically, in subjective refraction, all patients achieved visual acuity from 7/10 to 9/10 with up to -2.50 cyl. Corneal topography also remained stable. Postoperative follow-up was 18-28 months. Cataract surgery with toric IOL implantation seems to be safe and effective in correcting astigmatism and improving visual function in cataract patients with topographically stable keratoconus or PMD.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Placental Growth Factor in Women With Suspected Preeclampsia
Authors: Chappell Lucy C. , Duckworth Suzy , Seed Paul T. , Griffin Melanie , Myers Jenny , Mackillop Lucy , Simpson Nigel , Waugh Jason , Anumba Dilly , Kenny Louise C. , Redman Christopher W.G. , Shennan Andrew H.
Published: November 2013

Background—

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are a major contributor to death and disability for pregnant women and their infants. The diagnosis of preeclampsia by using blood pressure and proteinuria is of limited use because they are tertiary, downstream features of the disease. Placental growth factor (PlGF) is an angiogenic factor, a secondary marker of associated placental dysfunction in preeclampsia, with known low plasma concentrations in the disease.

Methods and Results—

In a prospective multicenter study, we studied the diagnostic accuracy of low plasma PlGF concentration (<5th centile for gestation, Alere Triage assay) in women presenting with suspected preeclampsia between 20 and 35 weeks’ gestation (and up to 41 weeks’ gestation as a secondary analysis). The outcome was delivery for confirmed preeclampsia within 14 days. Of 625 women, 346 (55%) developed confirmed preeclampsia. In 287 women enrolled before 35 weeks’ gestation, PlGF <5th centile had high sensitivity (0.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.89–0.99) and negative predictive value (0.98; 0.93–0.995) for preeclampsia within 14 days; specificity was lower (0.55; 0.48–0.61). Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for low PlGF (0.87, standard error 0.03) for predicting preeclampsia within 14 days was greater than all other commonly used tests, singly or in combination (range, 0.58–0.76), in women presenting with suspected preeclampsia (
P
<0.001 for all comparisons).

Conclusions—

In women presenting before 35 weeks’ gestation with suspected preeclampsia, low PlGF has high sensitivity and negative predictive value for preeclampsia within 14 days, is better than other currently used tests, and presents an innovative adjunct to management of such women.
On the Problem of Theoretical Terms in Empirical Computational Linguistics
Authors: Riezler Stefan
Published: November 2013

Philosophy of science has pointed out a problem of theoretical terms in empirical sciences. This problem arises if all known measuring procedures for a quantity of a theory presuppose the validity of this very theory, because then statements containing theoretical terms are circular. We argue that a similar circularity can happen in empirical computational linguistics, especially in cases where data are manually annotated by experts. We define a criterion of T-non-theoretical grounding as guidance to avoid such circularities, and exemplify how this criterion can be met by crowdsourcing, by task-related data annotation, or by data in the wild. We argue that this criterion should be considered as a necessary condition for an empirical science, in addition to measures for reliability of data annotation.
Four new cavernicolous species of the millipede genus Eutrichodesmus Silvestri, 1910 from southern China (Diplopoda: Polydesmida: Haplodesmidae)
Authors: LIU WEIXIN , TIAN MINGYI
Published: November 2013

Four new species of the large oriental genus Eutrichodesmus Silvestri, 1910 are described from caves in southern China: E. digitatus sp. n. (Guangdong), E. simplex sp. n. (Jiangxi), E. spinatus sp. n. (Hunan) and E. planatus sp. n. (Guangxi).
Two new species of Centruroides Marx 1890 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Oaxaca, Mexico
Authors: Santibáñez-López Carlos E. , Contreras-Félix Gerardo A.
Published: November 2013

Centruroides franckei, n. sp. and Centruroides rodolfoi, n. sp. are described from Oaxaca, Mexico. These species belong to the “striped” group within the genus. Thirteen species of the genus are reported for the state, six of them belonging to the “striped” group (infamatus-nigrovariatus subgroup). Both new species are compared to their most morphological similar species. A map with the six “striped” (infamatus-nigrovariatus subgroup) species in the state is also provided.
Scolopendromorph centipedes (Chilopoda: colopendromorpha) in the Natural History Museum (London): A review of the hitherto unidentified species collected in Africa, with remarks on taxonomy and distribution, and a new species of Otostigmus (Parotostigmus)
Authors: SIMAIAKIS STYLIANOS MICHAIL , EDGECOMBE GREGORY D.
Published: November 2013

The collection of centipedes in the Natural History Museum (NHM) in London is one of the most taxonomically and geographically complete in the world. Type material includes many species described by William Leach, George Newport, and especially Reginald I. Pocock. The present paper provides a survey of previously unidentified centipedes in the collections in the NHM, and is focused on scolopendromorph specimens collected during expeditions to Africa between 1892 and 1967. It deals with material gathered in numerous regions, provinces and islands across the African continent, mainly by British naturalists. Species of the genera Alipes Imhoff, 1854, Asanada Meinert, 1886, Cormocephalus Newport, 1844, Cryptops Leach, 1815, Ethmostigmus Pocock, 1898, Otostigmus Porat, 1876, Rhysida Wood, 1862, Scolopendra Linnaeus, 1758 and Scolopocryptops Newport, 1844, were examined. A total of 32 species and subspecies are identified, one of which, is described as new: Otostigmus (Parotostigmus) coltellus n. sp., from São Tome, while many of them are new to the fauna of certain African regions/countries. The syntypes of Otostigmus (Parotostigmus) productus Karsch, 1888, include two species, one of which is O. (P.) coltellus; a lectotype is selected to stabilize the name. Cormocephalus westwoodi anceps and Rhysida lithobioides paucidens have been returned to specific rank.
Modeling the Effects of Groundwater-Fed Irrigation on Terrestrial Hydrology over the Conterminous United States
Authors: Leng Guoyong , Huang Maoyi , Tang Qiuhong , Gao Huilin , Leung L. Ruby
Published: November 2013

Human alteration of the land surface hydrologic cycle is substantial. Recent studies suggest that local water management practices including groundwater pumping and irrigation could significantly alter the quantity and distribution of water in the terrestrial system, with potential impacts on weather and climate through land–atmosphere feedbacks. In this study, the authors incorporated a groundwater withdrawal scheme into the Community Land Model, version 4 (CLM4). To simulate the impact of irrigation realistically, they calibrated the CLM4 simulated irrigation amount against observations from agriculture censuses at the county scale over the conterminous United States. The water used for irrigation was then removed from the surface runoff and groundwater aquifer according to a ratio determined from the county-level agricultural census data. On the basis of the simulations, the impact of groundwater withdrawals for irrigation on land surface and subsurface fluxes were investigated. The results suggest that the impacts of irrigation on latent heat flux and potential recharge when water is withdrawn from surface water alone or from both surface and groundwater are comparable and local to the irrigation areas. However, when water is withdrawn from groundwater for irrigation, greater effects on the subsurface water balance are found, leading to significant depletion of groundwater storage in regions with low recharge rate and high groundwater exploitation rate. The results underscore the importance of local hydrologic feedbacks in governing hydrologic response to anthropogenic change in CLM4 and the need to more realistically simulate the two-way interactions among surface water, groundwater, and atmosphere to better understand the impacts of groundwater pumping on irrigation efficiency and climate.
Diurnal Shear Instability, the Descent of the Surface Shear Layer, and the Deep Cycle of Equatorial Turbulence
Authors: Smyth W. D. , Moum J. N. , Li L. , Thorpe S. A.
Published: November 2013

A new theory of shear instability in a turbulent environment is applied to eight days of velocity and density profiles from the upper-equatorial Pacific. This period featured a regular diurnal cycle of surface forcing, together with a clear response in upper-ocean mixing. During the day, a layer of stable stratification and shear forms at the surface. During late afternoon and evening, this stratified shear layer descends, leaving the nocturnal mixing layer above it. Using high-resolution current measurements, the detailed structure of the descending shear layer is seen for the first time. Linear stability analysis is conducted using a new method that accounts for the effects of preexisting turbulence on instability growth. Shear instability follows a diurnal cycle linked to the afternoon descent of the surface shear layer. This cycle is revealed only when the effect of turbulence is accounted for in the stability analysis. The cycle of instability leads the diurnal mixing cycle, typically by 2–3 h, consistent with the time needed for instabilities to grow and break. Late at night, the resulting turbulence suppresses further instabilities, lending an asymmetry to the mixing cycle that has not been noticed in previous measurements. Deep cycle mixing is triggered by instabilities formed as the descending shear layer merges with the marginally unstable shear of the Equatorial Undercurrent. In the morning, turbulence decays and the upper ocean restratifies. Wind accelerates the near-surface flow to form a new unstable shear layer, and the cycle begins again.