bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
When interests clash: the right to water in South Sudan*
Authors: Lubett Fiona , Akhtarkhavari Afshin
Published: March 2014

Access to water is a significant twenty-first century concern but the right to it, couched in the context of the human rights discourse, while often able to assist with short-term solutions, particularly in developing countries, lacks the longer-term ability to protect ecosystem services. The right to a healthy environment, by contrast, is much broader in its reach and has potential to provide for longer-term and broader solutions to development challenges, particularly for countries emerging from war and conflict. This article draws on the situation in South Sudan to explore and critique the utility of the right to water in post-conflict resolution efforts. Given that the White Nile, and water more generally, was central to the violence that led to South Sudan's independence from Sudan, water continues to be a currency (for consumption and also for the agricultural sector) in addition to oil, which is a major source of income for the new country. Article 41 of the Transitional Constitution for South Sudan provides for the protection of the environment, which this paper argues, is more in line with the human right to a healthy environment and is more suited to long-term developments; not just of South Sudan's economy but also to its peace-building agenda. South Sudan is likely to be much better served by continuing to build momentum around initiatives that take account of access to water in the broader context of protecting the environment that it is sourced from. In this sense, the article provides a critique of the utility of the right to water discourse as a means of ensuring that people in developing countries have access to it. It argues that the use of the language and discourse of the right to water must at times be subservient to other kinds of rights, especially if the water right is likely to be narrowly interpreted, prohibiting ecological considerations from being properly taken into account.
Characterisation of a stratospheric sulphate plume from the Nabro volcano using a combination of passive satellite measurements in nadir and limb geometry
Authors: Penning de Vries M. J. M. , Dörner S. , Puķīte J. , Hörmann C. , Fromm M. D. , Wagner T.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. The eruption of the Nabro volcano (Eritrea), which started on 12 June 2011, caused the introduction of large quantities of SO2 into the lower stratosphere. The subsequently formed sulphate aerosols could be detected for several months following the eruption. It is generally assumed that the formation of sulphate aerosols in the stratosphere takes about a month, but in plumes from explosive eruptions significant amounts of aerosols have been seen to form within a few hours. We show that sulphate aerosols were present in the lower stratosphere within hours of the onset of the eruption of Nabro. Evidence comes from nadir UV Aerosol Index (UVAI) and SO2 measurements by SCIAMACHY, GOME-2 and OMI, and limb aerosol measurements by SCIAMACHY. The sulphate plume displays negative UVAI in the western part of OMI's swath and positive UVAI in the eastern part – an effect that is due to the strong viewing angle dependence of UVAI and can only be caused by a high-altitude (>11 km), non-absorbing (single-scattering albedo >0.97) aerosol plume. For the retrieval of the aerosol profile from limb measurements, the horizontal dimensions and the position of the aerosol plume need to be taken into account, otherwise both extinction and layer height may be underestimated appreciably. By combining nadir SO2 column density and UVAI with limb aerosol profiles, a stratospheric plume from Nabro could be tracked from 13 to 17 June, before the plumes from later, lower-altitude explosions started interfering with the signal. Our findings are in agreement with ground-based lidar and sun-photometer data from an MPLNET/AERONET station in Israel and with data from the satellite-borne CALIOP lidar.
Effect of hypoxia and anoxia on invertebrate behaviour: ecological perspectives from species to community level
Authors: Riedel B. , Pados T. , Pretterebner K. , Schiemer L. , Steckbauer A. , Haselmair A. , Zuschin M. , Stachowitsch M.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. Coastal hypoxia and anoxia have become a global key stressor to marine ecosystems, with almost 500 dead zones recorded worldwide. By triggering cascading effects from the individual organism to the community- and ecosystem level, oxygen depletions threaten marine biodiversity and can alter ecosystem structure and function. By integrating both physiological function and ecological processes, animal behaviour is ideal for assessing the stress state of benthic macrofauna to low dissolved oxygen. The initial response of organisms can serve as an early warning signal, while the successive behavioural reactions of key species indicate hypoxia levels and help assess community degradation. Here we document the behavioural responses of a representative spectrum of benthic macrofauna in the natural setting in the Northern Adriatic Sea (Mediterranean). We experimentally induced small-scale anoxia with a benthic chamber in 24 m depth to overcome the difficulties in predicting the onset of hypoxia, which often hinders full documentation in the field. The behavioural reactions were documented with a time-lapse camera. Oxygen depletion elicited significant and repeatable changes in general (visibility, locomotion, body movement and posture, location) and species-specific reactions in virtually all organisms (302 individuals from 32 species and 2 species groups). Most atypical (stress) behaviours were associated with specific oxygen thresholds: arm-tipping in the ophiuroid Ophiothrix quinquemaculata, for example, with the onset of mild hypoxia (< 2 mL O2 L−1), the emergence of polychaetes on the sediment surface with moderate hypoxia (< 1 mL O2 L−1), the emergence of the infaunal sea urchin Schizaster canaliferus on the sediment with severe hypoxia (< 0.5 mL O2 L−1) and heavy body rotations in sea anemones with anoxia. Other species changed their activity patterns, for example the circadian rhythm in the hermit crab Paguristes eremita or the bioherm-associated crab Pisidia longimana. Intra- and interspecific reactions were weakened or changed: decapods ceased defensive and territorial behaviour, and predator–prey interactions and relationships shifted. This nuanced scale of resolution is a useful tool to interpret present benthic community status (behaviour) and past mortalities (community composition, e.g. survival of tolerant species). This information on the sensitivity (onset of stress response), tolerance (mortality, survival), and characteristics (i.e. life habit, functional role) of key species also helps predict potential future changes in benthic structure and ecosystem functioning. This integrated approach can transport complex ecological processes to the public and decision-makers and help define specific monitoring, assessment and conservation plans.
Pulses of enhanced North Pacific Intermediate Water ventilation from the Okhotsk Sea and Bering Sea during the last deglaciation
Authors: Max L. , Lembke-Jene L. , Riethdorf J.-R. , Tiedemann R. , Nürnberg D. , Kühn H. , Mackensen A.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. Under modern conditions only North Pacific Intermediate Water is formed in the northwest Pacific Ocean. This situation might have changed in the past. Recent studies with general circulation models indicate a switch to deep-water formation in the northwest Pacific during Heinrich Stadial 1 (17.5–15.0 ka) of the last glacial termination. Reconstructions of past ventilation changes based on paleoceanographic proxy records are still insufficient to test whether a deglacial mode of deep-water formation in the North Pacific Ocean existed. Here we present deglacial ventilation records based on radiocarbon-derived ventilation ages in combination with epibenthic stable carbon isotopes from the northwest Pacific including the Okhotsk Sea and Bering Sea, the two potential source regions for past North Pacific ventilation changes. Evidence for most rigorous ventilation of the intermediate-depth North Pacific occurred during Heinrich Stadial 1 and the Younger Dryas, simultaneous to significant reductions in Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. Concurrent changes in δ13C and ventilation ages point to the Okhotsk Sea as driver of millennial-scale changes in North Pacific Intermediate Water ventilation during the last deglaciation. Our records additionally indicate that changes in the δ13C intermediate-water (700–1750 m water depth) signature and radiocarbon-derived ventilation ages are in antiphase to those of the deep North Pacific Ocean (>2100 m water depth) during the last glacial termination. Thus, intermediate- and deep-water masses of the northwest Pacific have a differing ventilation history during the last deglaciation.
Simulation of rainfall time-series from different climatic regions using the Direct Sampling technique
Authors: Oriani F. , Straubhaar J. , Renard P. , Mariethoz G.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. The Direct Sampling technique, belonging to the family of multiple-point statistics, is proposed as a non-parametric alternative to the classical autoregressive and Markov-chain based models for daily rainfall time-series simulation. The algorithm makes use of the patterns contained inside the training image (the past rainfall record) to reproduce the complexity of the signal without inferring its prior statistical model: the time-series is simulated by sampling the training dataset where a sufficiently similar neighborhood exists. The advantage of this approach is the capability of simulating complex statistical relations by respecting the similarity of the patterns at different scales. The technique is applied to daily rainfall records from different climate settings, using a standard setup and without performing any optimization of the parameters. The results show that the overall statistics as well as the dry/wet spells patterns are simulated accurately. Also the extremes at the higher temporal scale are reproduced exhaustively, reducing the well known problem of over-dispersion.
Monitoring of riparian vegetation response to flood disturbances using terrestrial photography
Authors: Džubáková K. , Molnar P. , Schindler K. , Trizna M.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. The distribution of riparian vegetation on river floodplains is strongly impacted by floods. In this study we use a new setup with high resolution ground-based cameras in an Alpine gravel bed braided river to quantify the immediate response of riparian vegetation to flood disturbance with the use of vegetation indices. Five largest floods with return periods between 1.4 and 20.1 years in the period 2008–2011 in the Maggia River were used to evaluate patterns of vegetation response in three distinct floodplain units (main bar, secondary bar, transitional zone) and to compare seven vegetation indices. The results show both negative (damage) and positive (enhancement) response of vegetation in a short period following floods, with a selective impact based on the hydrogeomorphological setting and the intensity of the flood forcing. The spatial distribution of vegetation damage provides a coherent picture of floodplain response in the three floodplain units with different flood stress. We show that the tested vegetation indices generally agree on the direction of predicted change and its spatial distribution. The average disagreement between indices was in the range 14.4–24.9% despite the complex environment, i.e. highly variable surface wetness, high gravel reflectance, extensive water–soil–vegetation contact zones. We conclude that immediate vegetation response to flood disturbance may be effectively monitored by terrestrial photography with potential for long-term assessment in river management and restoration projects.
Teaching Consilience:
Authors: Sugiyama Michelle Scalise
Published: March 2014

A question currently facing evolutionary literary study is how to implement consilient practices in the classroom. By definition, consilient study involves application of the scientific method to literary analysis and other interpretive fields that traditionally fall under the humanities umbrella. However, the training of literary scholars does not typically include scientific study or the application of scientific research to literary theory and explication. This article is therefore aimed at those unversed in choosing suitable scientific texts and applying them to literary exegesis in the classroom. It takes as its model a course I have developed called Children's Literature in Evolutionary Perspective. Discussion emphasizes course design: level of instruction, selection and organization of course content, assessment methods, and teaching format.
A naturally occurring TIPS?
Authors: Thomas Laura A. , Brownback Kyle R.
Published: March 2014

Portal-systemic encephalopathy in both cirrhosis and non-cirrhotic patients can occur when a large portal-systemic shunt forms within the venous system. Though most commonly found in patients with portal hypertension, after trauma, surgical intervention, and liver biopsy, one can also be idiopathic. A 78-year-old Latino male developed worsening confusion and lethargy during a hospitalization for bridging of his anticoagulation. An extensive laboratory and radiologic workup did not initially reveal the etiology of his delirium and decreased state of consciousness. On exam, he had tremulousness and fetor hepaticus without corresponding liver function abnormalities in his laboratory testing. An ultrasound of the liver demonstrated a large veno-venous shunt between the right portal vein and the right hepatic vein. After multiple episodes of encephalopathy and progressive heart failure from significant right ventricular overload, the shunt was closed by interventional radiology. This treatable cause of encephalopathy may not be evident without radiologic studies.
UNSUPERVISED DATA AND HISTOGRAM CLUSTERING USING INCLINED PLANES SYSTEM OPTIMIZATION ALGORITHM
Authors: Mozaffari Mohammad Hamed , Zahiri Seyed Hamid
Published: March 2014

Within the last decades, clustering has gained significant recognition as one of the data mining methods, especially in the relatively new field of medical engineering for diagnosing cancer. Clustering is used as a database to automatically group items with similar characteristics. Researchers aim to introduce a novel and powerful algorithm known as Inclined Planes system Optimization (IPO), with capacity to overcome clustering problems. The proposed method identifies each agent used in the algorithm to indicate the centroids of the clusters and automatically select the number of centroids in each time interval (unsupervised clustering). The evaluation method for clustering is based on the Davies Bouldin index (DBi) to show cluster validity. Researchers compare known algorithm on series of data bases from various studies to demonstrate the power and capability of the proposed method. These datasets are popular for pattern recognition with diversity in space dimension. Method performance was tested on standard images as a dataset. Study results show significant method advantage over other algorithms.
Flexible-Link Robot Control Using a Linear Parameter Varying Systems Methodology
Authors: Halalchi Houssem , Laroche Edouard , Bara Gabriela Iuliana
Published: March 2014

This paper addresses the issues of the Linear Parameter Varying (LPV) modelling and control of flexible-link robot manipulators. The LPV formalism allows the synthesis of nonlinear control laws and the assessment of their closed-loop stability and performances in a simple and effective manner, based on the use of Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMI). Following the quasi-LPV modelling approach, an LPV model of a flexible manipulator is obtained, starting from the nonlinear dynamic model stemming from Euler-Lagrange equations. Based on this LPV model, which has a rational dependence in terms of the varying parameters, two different methods for the synthesis of LPV controllers are explored. They guarantee the asymptotic stability and some level of closed-loop ℒ2-gain performance on a bounded parametric set. The first method exploits a descriptor representation that simplifies the rational dependence of the LPV model, whereas the second one manages the troublesome rational dependence by using dilated LMI conditions and taking the particular structure of the model into account. The resulting controllers involve the measured state variables only, namely the joint positions and velocities. Simulation results are presented that illustrate the validity of the proposed control methodology. Comparisons with an inversion-based nonlinear control method are performed in the presence of velocity measurement noise, model uncertainties and high-frequency inputs.
Current View of the Buffalo Industry
Authors: Zava M. , Berdugo J.
Published: March 2014

Nil
Mesopotamian Buffaloes (The Origin)
Authors: Alsaedy Jabbar Khliaf Makassar
Published: March 2014

The aim of this study to throw light on Iraqi Buffalo origin, comparing between past archeological theories based on ivory materials and cylindrical seals findings in Mesopotamia and recent molecular biological studies that based on DNA data.
The highest population density found in Mesopotamian Marshlands between three southern governorates (Basrah, The-qar and Missan), respectively which represented the home tract of buffalo and their typical breeders in Iraq, locally named Ma"dan, well known by their traditional community, and characteristic accent, mainly raising buffalo for production of famous dairy thick butter cream, widely consumed by Iraqis at breakfast, named (GAYMER). There is no justification to classify Iraqi buffaloes to a distinct breed, we have many phenotypes from black, piebald to albinoid, with traditional raising system.
There is no registration of cross breeding, only interbreeding, but latest country Karyotyping survey and body dimensions revealed that our buffaloes were from reverine type in most populations with large size and have good potentials for milk production.
There have been numerous archeological theories around world based on cylindrical seals and archeological materials in determining the origin of buffalo in Mesopotamia and Indus Valley. Developing in molecular genetics studies will appeared to throw light on these archeological evidences, there are three recent DNA basis studies, the most updated Microsatellites markers Iraqi study [1] showed that our buffaloes were originated in Iraq, not imported from India, while the two other studies [2, 3] support the theory that Mesopotamian buffaloes were brought to Iraq from the Indian subcontinent before thousands of years and their breeders (MA''DAN) from Marsh Arabs are descendants of the population Sumerians principals from the region.
According to archeological remains referring to buffalo raising in Mesopotamia before Christ confirming by recent Iraqi molecular studies, these updated data should leading us to register our buffalo as dependant breed in riverine group under the name of (Mesopotamian Buffalo) the home tract that had been raising, with achieving all tools to upgrading and protecting this old National Genetic resource all around country.
We need more phylogenic studies should be achieved on Iraqi buffaloes for confirming when and where originated and domestication was happened.
Still open question?
Nodular Fasciitis
Authors: Khuu Anthony , Yablon Corrie M. , Jacobson Jon A. , Inyang Alero , Lucas David R. , Biermann J. Sybil
Published: March 2014

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the imaging features of nodular fasciitis on sonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods

A retrospective search of the radiologic and pathologic databases over the past 10 years for the diagnosis of nodular fasciitis was performed. Sonographic and MRI features were described. Pathologic specimens were reviewed.

Results

Six pathologically confirmed cases of nodular fasciitis were found. The mean patient age was 19.5 years (range, 8–33 years); 3 patients were male and 3 were female. Four patients had sonography only; 1 patient had both sonography and MRI; and 1 patient had MRI only. Three masses were located in the subcutaneous tissue adjacent to fascia; 2 were at the subcutaneous/muscular border; and 1 was intramuscular; however, all were in contact with fascia and showed a fascial tail on sonography and MRI. On sonography and MRI, masses were oval with poorly defined lobulated borders, averaging 2.6 cm (range, 1.8–3.5 cm). On sonography, all masses were hypoechoic. On MRI, the masses were isointense to muscle on T1‐weighted sequences, hyperintense to muscle on fluid‐sensitive sequences, and enhanced avidly but heterogeneously. The masses were surrounded by fat.

Conclusions

When a rapidly growing oval mass in contiguity with a fascial plane is recognized, the diagnosis of nodular fasciitis should be entertained. More importantly, the possibility of an inaccurate diagnosis by core biopsy exists, which may warrant gross resection.
Contrast‐Enhanced Sonographically Guided Percutaneous 915‐MHz Microwave Ablation Therapy Compared to Local Hemostatic Drug Injection in a Renal Artery Injury Model
Authors: Zhang Guoming , Dong Lei , Tai Yanhong , Sun Yuanyuan , Liang Ping , Liu Xiaohong , Wang Hui , Zhang Yan , Shen Hong , Sun Na
Published: March 2014

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to show the contrast‐enhanced sonographic features of various levels of renal artery rupture and to validate the therapeutic effects of percutaneous 915‐MHz microwave ablation compared to hemostatic drug injection (batroxobin) using an in vivo canine renal artery injury model.

Methods

Three renal artery hemorrhage models (A, diameter <1 mm, subcapsular artery; B, diameter 1–2 mm, interlobar artery; and C, diameter 2–3 mm, segmental artery) were created in 24 canines for this study. Contrast‐enhanced sonography was used to show the bleeding features and guide hemostatic therapies using 915‐MHz microwave ablation and local batroxobin injection. Success rates were assessed according to amounts of bleeding, times required for hemostatic action, and volumes of fluid infusion required using pathologic examination as a reference standard.

Results

Contrast‐enhanced sonography clearly showed renal artery ruptures with active bleeding at various levels and degrees and was very useful to make diagnoses and guide therapies. The success rate in the microwave treatment group was higher than that in the drug injection group (except group A; P< .05). The time required for hemostasis and the volume of fluid infusion required in the microwave group were notably less than those in the drug injection group (P < .05).

Conclusions

Contrast‐enhanced sonography is a useful imaging method for assessing renal vessel injury and guide interventional therapies. Contrast‐enhanced sonographically guided percutaneous 915‐MHz microwave ablation is a preferred hemostatic technique for treatment of renal artery injury, with greater effectiveness and less tissue damage compared to local drug injection.
Effect of Carotid Artery Stenting on Ophthalmic Artery Flow Patterns
Authors: Altinbas Namik K. , Ustuner Evren , Ozcan Hasan , Bilgic Sadik , Sancak Tanzer , Dusunceli Ebru
Published: March 2014

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of carotid artery stenting on ophthalmic artery blood flow using transorbital color and spectral Doppler sonography and review the changes in relation to cerebral hemodynamics.

Methods

Twenty‐eight consecutive patients with severe internal carotid artery stenosis (≥70%) who were scheduled for carotid stenting were included. Ophthalmic artery Doppler sonography was performed bilaterally before and after stenting. The flow direction, peak systolic velocity (PSV), end‐diastolic velocity (EDV), pulsatility index (PI), and resistive index in the ophthalmic artery were recorded.

Results

Twenty male and 8 female patients with 10 right‐sided and 18 left‐sided stenoses were studied. The mean overall carotid stenosis ratio ± SD was 87.3% ± 9.9%. After stenting in the ophthalmic artery ipsilateral to the stenosis, significant increases in the PSV (−3.87 ± 48.81 to 46.70 ± 25.33 cm/s; P < .001), and EDV (−3.02 ± 16.31 to 11.24 ± 7.37 cm/s; P < .001) were detected, and the increase in the PI approached significance (1.40 ± 0.59 to 1.62 ± 0.52; P = .055). A change in the flow direction from retrograde to antegrade was noted in 11 patients (39%) after stenting, and in 1 patient with no detectable flow, reconstitution of flow was observed. Increases in the PSV and EDV (P= .03 for ΔEDV) were more pronounced in symptomatic patients than asymptomatic patients after stenting.

Conclusions

Substantially decreased ophthalmic artery velocity and retrograde flow are suggestive of high‐grade carotid artery stenosis (≳90%). Stenting improves ophthalmic artery perfusion and positively changes cerebral hemodynamics in high‐grade carotid artery stenosis, especially in symptomatic patients, which can be monitored with ophthalmic artery Doppler sonography.
Ultrasound Elastography in the Differential Diagnosis of Benign and Malignant Cervical Lesions
Authors: Lu Rong , Xiao Ying , Liu Minhui , Shi Dazun
Published: March 2014

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical value of ultrasound elastography in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant cervical lesions and to compare the accuracy of the elasticity score and strain ratio in differentiating cervical lesions.

Methods

B‐mode sonography and ultrasound elastography were performed on 84 cervical lesions (40 benign and 44 malignant) in 84 patients. All of the images were obtained transvaginally. The elasticity score was determined by a 5‐point scoring method. Calculation of the strain ratio was based on a comparison of the average strain measured in the lesion with the adjacent tissue of the same depth, size, and shape. The findings were compared with histopathologic results. With the use of receiver operating characteristic curves, the diagnostic value of the elasticity score and strain ratio methods was determined.

Results

The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the elasticity score in the differential diagnosis of cervical lesions were 81.8%, 85.0%, 83.3%, 85.7%, and 81.0%, respectively, whereas those of the strain ratio were 90.9%, 90.0%, 90.5%, 90.9%, and 90.0%. A strain ratio cutoff value of 4.525 was used as a standard to distinguish benign from malignant lesions. The strain ratio values of malignant lesions were much higher than those of benign lesions (range, 4.85–8.91 versus 0.62–4.50). The differences were statistically significant (P < .01).

Conclusions

Ultrasound elastography is a promising technique that is easy and rapid to perform and can help identify cervical lesions that are likely to be malignant. It is obvious that the strain ratio yielded better results than the elasticity score. Both methods are semiquantitative, but quantification of the strain ratio is finer than that of the elasticity score.
Impact of Gestational Age on Nuchal Fold Thickness in the Second Trimester
Authors: Singh Chanchal , Biswas Arijit
Published: March 2014

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to establish gestational age (GA)–specific nomograms for nuchal fold thickness between 16 and 24 weeks.

Methods

This retrospective cross sectional study included 32,207 women who underwent a second‐trimester anomaly scan at the Fetal Care Center of National University Hospital from January 2005 to April 2011. Nomograms were plotted for nuchal fold thickness at each gestation to study its variation with GA.

Results

Nuchal fold thickness increased with GA in a linear manner from 3.13 ± 0.68 mm (mean ± SD) at 16 weeks to 5.08 ± 0.76 mm at 24 weeks. The 95th percentile measurement at 24 weeks remained less than 6 mm.

Conclusions

A threshold of 6 mm appears to be appropriate for the diagnosis of a thick nuchal fold even for gestations between 20 and 24 weeks.
Outcomes of Pregnancies With a Low‐Lying Placenta Diagnosed on Second‐Trimester Sonography
Authors: Heller Howard T. , Mullen Katherine M. , Gordon Robert W. , Reiss Rosemary E. , Benson Carol B.
Published: March 2014

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to determine how often a low‐lying placenta, defined as a placenta ending within 2 cm of the internal cervical os but not covering it, diagnosed sonographically in the second trimester resolves before delivery.

Methods

After Institutional Review Board approval was obtained, 1416 pregnancies with a sonographically diagnosed low‐lying placenta between 16 and 24 weeks' gestation were identified from our ultrasound database over a 5‐year period. We reviewed medical records to determine the gestational age at which the low‐lying placenta was first diagnosed, the gestational age at which the placenta was no longer sonographically low lying or covering the cervix, and, of those whose placentas that never cleared the internal cervical os sonographically, how many went on to cesarean delivery as a result of placental location.

Results

In total, 1220 of 1240 low‐lying placentas (98.4%) that had sonographic follow up resolved to no previa before delivery; 89.9% of placentas cleared the cervix by 32 weeks, and 95.9% cleared by 36 weeks. Twenty patients (1.6%) had persistent sonographic placenta previa or a low‐lying placenta at or near term, including 5 complete previas, 7 marginal previas, 5 low‐lying placentas, and 3 vasa previas; all had cesarean deliveries.

Conclusions

A low‐lying placenta sonographically diagnosed in the second trimester typically resolves by the mid third trimester. Only rarely (1.6% of the time) does it persist to term or near term. Follow‐up sonography is warranted to diagnose persistent placenta previa or vasa previa, a complication of a low‐lying placenta.
Effect of Low‐Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound on Bone Regeneration
Authors: Pomini Karina T. , Andreo Jesus C. , de C. Rodrigues Antonio , de O. Gonçalves Jéssica B. , Daré Letícia R. , German Iris J. S. , Rosa Geraldo M. , Buchaim Rogerio L.
Published: March 2014

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of low‐intensity pulsed ultrasound at 1.0 MHz on the healing process of fractures with bone loss in the rat fibula by alkaline phosphate level measurement and radiologic analyses.

Methods

Thirty 70‐day‐old male Wistar rats underwent a bone resection of 2.5 to 3.0 mm between the proximal and middle third of the right fibular diaphysis. The animals were randomly divided into 3 experimental groups: reference (uninjured), control (injured only), and treated (injured and treated with 5 applications of ultrasound, interspersed by 2 days of rest, beginning 24 hours after the osteotomy). Euthanasia was performed at experimental periods of 7 and 14 days. The right hind limb was removed for radiologic analysis. The blood was collected via cardiac puncture to determine the serum alkaline phosphatase activity.

Results

The bone fractures had not been completely consolidated in the treated and control group when analysis of the bone took place. At day 7, the serum alkaline phosphatase activity was higher in the treated group (mean ± SD, 72.17 ± 7.02 U/L) compared to the control (65.26 ± 8.41 U/L) and reference (67.21 ± 7.86 U/L) groups. At day 14, higher alkaline phosphatase activity was seen in the control group (68.96 ± 8.12 U/L) compared to the treated (66.09 ± 8.46 U/L) and reference (67.14 ± 7.96 U/L) groups.

Conclusions

The biochemical and radiologic results suggest that low‐intensity pulsed ultrasound can be used as an auxiliary method to consolidate fractures and probably reduces the bone healing time, offering clinical benefits.
Posterior Thoracic Echocardiography for Assessment of Native and Prosthetic Aortic Valves in the Presence of Pleural Effusion
Authors: Lee Ming-Sum , Naqvi Tasneem Z.
Published: March 2014

Many patients with aortic stenosis have difficult imaging windows due to advanced age, kyphosis, prior chest surgeries, radiation‐induced skin changes, or hyperinflated lungs from pulmonary disease. Here we describe 4 cases to illustrate that in a subset of patients with pleural effusion, a posterior imaging approach can be used to obtain diagnostic images for native and prosthetic aortic valves. In these cases, nondiagnostic transthoracic echocardiographic images were obtained from conventional imaging windows, leading to inaccurate or incomplete assessment of the aortic valve. In all cases, images obtained from a posterior thoracic approach provided important additional diagnostic information.
Using VisANT to Analyze Networks
Authors: Hu Zhenjun
Published: March 2014

VisANT is a Web‐based workbench for the integrative analysis of biological networks that offers unique features such as exploratory navigation of interaction network and multi‐scale visualization and inference with integrated hierarchical knowledge. It provides functionalities for convenient construction, visualization, and analysis of molecular and higher‐order networks based on functional (e.g., expression profiles, phylogenetic profiles) and physical (e.g., yeast two‐hybrid, chromatin‐immunoprecipitation, and drug target) relations from either the Predictome database or user‐defined data sets. Analysis capabilities include network structure analysis, over‐representation analysis, expression enrichment analysis, etc. Additionally, networks can be saved, accessed, and shared online. VisANT is able to develop and display meta‐networks for meta‐nodes that are structural complexes, pathways, or any kind of sub‐networks. Further, VisANT supports a growing number of standard exchange formats and database‐referencing standards, e.g., PSI‐MI, KGML, BioPAX, and SBML (in progress). Multiple species are supported to the extent that interactions or associations are available (i.e., public datasets or Predictome database).Curr. Protoc. Bioinform. 45:8.8.1‐8.8.39. © 2014 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Common File Formats
Authors: Mills Lauren
Published: March 2014

An overview of the many file formats commonly used in bioinformatics and genome sequence analysis is presented, including various data file formats, alignment file formats, and annotation file formats. Example workflows illustrate how some of the different file types are typically used. Curr. Protoc. Bioinform. 45:A.1B.1‐A.1B.18. © 2014 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Acquiring, Recording, and Analyzing Pathology Data from Experimental Mice: An Overview
Authors: Scudamore Cheryl L.
Published: March 2014

Pathology is often underutilized as an end point in mouse studies in academic research because of a lack of experience and expertise. The use of traditional pathology techniques including necropsy and microscopic analysis can be useful in identifying the basic processes underlying a phenotype and facilitating comparison with equivalent human diseases. This overview aims to provide a guide and reference to the acquisition, recording, and analysis of high‐quality pathology data from experimental mice in an academic research setting. Curr. Protoc. Mouse Biol. 4:1‐10. © 2014 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Fault estimation and accommodation for networked control systems with nonuniform sampling periods
Authors: Aibing Qiu , Bin Jiang , Chenglin Wen , Zehui Mao
Published: March 2014

This paper deals with the problem of fault estimation and accommodation for a class of networked control systems with nonuniform uncertain sampling periods. Firstly, the reason why the adaptive fault diagnosis observer cannot be applied to networked control systems is analyzed. Based on this analysis, a novel robust fault estimation observer is constructed to estimate both continuous‐time fault and system states by using nonuniformly discrete‐time sampled outputs. Furthermore, using the obtained states and fault information, a nonuniformly sampled‐data fault tolerant control law is designed to preserve the stability of the closed‐loop system. The proposed scheme can not only guarantee the impact of continuous‐time uncertainties and discrete‐time sampled estimation errors on the faulty system to satisfy a H ∞  performance index but also repress the negative effect of the unknown intersample behavior of continuous‐time fault by use of an inequality technique. Finally, simulation results are included to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Losartan prevents acquired epilepsy via TGF‐β signaling suppression
Authors: Bar‐Klein Guy , Cacheaux Luisa P. , Kamintsky Lyn , Prager Ofer , Weissberg Itai , Schoknecht Karl , Cheng Paul , Kim Soo Young , Wood Lydia , Heinemann Uwe , Kaufer Daniela , Friedman Alon
Published: March 2014

Objective

Acquired epilepsy is frequently associated with structural lesions after trauma, stroke, and infections. Although seizures are often difficult to treat, there is no clinically applicable strategy to prevent the development of epilepsy in patients at risk. We have recently shown that vascular injury is associated with activation of albumin‐mediated transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β) signaling, and followed by local inflammatory response and epileptiform activity ex vivo. Here we investigated albumin‐mediated TGF‐β signaling and tested the efficacy of blocking the TGF‐β pathway in preventing epilepsy.

Methods

We addressed the role of TGF‐β signaling in epileptogenesis in 2 different rat models of vascular injury, combining in vitro and in vivo biochemical assays, gene expression, and magnetic resonance and direct optical imaging for blood–brain barrier permeability and vascular reactivity. Long‐term electrocorticographic recordings were acquired in freely behaving animals.

Results

We demonstrate that serum‐derived albumin preferentially induces activation of the activin receptor‐like kinase 5 pathway of TGF‐β receptor I in astrocytes. We further show that the angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist, losartan, previously identified as a blocker of peripheral TGF‐β signaling, effectively blocks albumin‐induced TGF‐β activation in the brain. Most importantly, losartan prevents the development of delayed recurrent spontaneous seizures, an effect that persists weeks after drug withdrawal.

Interpretation

TGF‐β signaling, activated in astrocytes by serum‐derived albumin, is involved in epileptogenesis. We propose losartan, a drug approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, as an efficient antiepileptogenic therapy for epilepsy associated with vascular injury. Ann Neurol 2014;75:864–875
Poly(vinyl alcohol) functionalization with aldehydes in organic solvents: Shining properties of poly(vinyl acetals)
Authors: Delattre Emilie , Lemière Gilles , Desmurs Jean‐Roger , Boulay Benjamin , Duñach Elisabet
Published: March 2014

Poly(vinyl alcohol) has been functionalized with aldehydes in tetrahydrofuran (THF) with a good control of the grafting. A wide library of poly(vinyl acetals) could be obtained in order to study some structure/property correlations. The influence of the aldehyde nature on the functionalization rates has been studied, in particular for optical properties by measurement of the shininess for further applications in the cosmetic field. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40677.
The aura of new goods: How consumers mediate newness
Authors: Coskuner‐Balli Gokcen , Sandikci Özlem
Published: March 2014

This article investigates newness and how it informs consumer practices. Past consumer research has primarily explored a technical sense of newness with attention to attribute novelty and consumer intrinsic factors for novelty seeking behavior. These studies, however, have not fully captured the culturally ambiguous and shifting meanings of newness. To address this oversight, this article explores newness as a liminal phase in the social and material life of objects. Our analysis unpacks the experiential and identity value of newness, identifies a set of practices consumers engage in to mediate newness, and discusses different modalities of newness. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance of the resolute zotarolimus‐eluting stent in small vessels
Authors: Caputo Ronald , Leon Martin , Serruys Patrick , Neumann Franz‐Josef , Yeung Alan , Windecker Stephan , Belardi Jorge A. , Silber Sigmund , Meredith Ian , Widimský Petr , Saito Shigeru , Mauri Laura
Published: March 2014

Background

Drug eluting stents for the treatment of small vessel coronary artery disease have traditionally yielded inferior clinical outcomes compared to the use of DES in large vessels. The benefit of the second‐generation Resolute zotarolimus‐eluting stent (R‐ZES) in small vessels was examined.

Methods

Two‐year clinical outcomes from five combined R‐ZES studies were compared between patients with small (reference vessel diameter [RVD] ≤2.5 mm; n = 1,956) and large (RVD >2.5 mm; n = 3174) vessels.

Results

Despite a higher incidence of comorbidities in the small vessel group, there was no significant difference in target lesion failure (TLF) (10.1% vs. 8.7%; P = 0.54) at 2 years. When the subgroup of patients with diabetes was examined (n = 1,553) there was no significant difference in 2‐year TLF in small compared to large vessels (11.2% vs. 11.1%; P = 0.17). Similarly, within the small vessel cohort, no significant difference was seen regarding TLF at 2 years between people with and without diabetes (11.2% vs 9.6%; P = 0.28).

Conclusion

When used for the treatment of small vessels, the R‐ZES appears to provide acceptable clinical results at 2 years when compared to its performance in large vessels. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Transjugular melody valve placement in a small child with protein losing enteropathy
Authors: Mallula Kiran K. , Kenny Damien , Hijazi Ziyad M.
Published: March 2014

The authors present a patient with situs inversus totalis, dextrocardia, and tetralogy of Fallot with complete AV canal who underwent pulmonary valve‐sparing complete repair during infancy but developed progressive pulmonary outflow obstruction on serial follow‐up. His right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) was prestented as a precursor for Melody valve placement. After this, he developed protein losing enteropathy (PLE) which was unresponsive to medical management. Finally, he received transcatheter Melody valve percutaneously in the pulmonic position that lead to clinical and biochemical resolution of his PLE symptoms. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Predicting vascular complications during transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement using computed tomography: A novel area‐based index
Authors: Krishnaswamy Amar , Parashar Akhil , Agarwal Shikhar , Modi Dhruv K. , Poddar Kanhaiya L. , Svensson Lars G. , Roselli Eric E. , Schoenhagen Paul , Tuzcu E. Murat , Kapadia Samir R.
Published: March 2014

Background

Computed tomography (CT) imaging has not been systematically studied for predicting vascular complications during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Methods

Clinical data were obtained from the electronic medical record and analysis was performed for each individual patient's iliofemoral CT angiogram. Sheath : femoral artery diameter ratio (SFAR) and sheath : femoral artery area ratio (SFAAR) were defined as the ratio of the sheath outer diameter to the femoral minimal lumen diameter (MLD) and sheath area to the femoral minimal lumen area (MLA), respectively.

Results

A total of 255 patients underwent TF‐TAVR with a 30‐day mortality of 0.4% and 30‐day stroke rate of 1.6%. Twenty‐eight (11%) patients suffered a vascular complication, the majority of whom (82%) were managed percutaneously. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated an SFAAR of 1.35 to predict the occurrence of vascular complications with a sensitivity of 78.6%. By comparison, similar analysis using SFAR provided a value of 1.45 with sensitivity of 64.2%. Multivariable modeling confirmed SFAR [OR (95% CI): 8.3(1.8–39.1)] and log‐transformed SFAAR [OR (95% CI): 40.1 (2.4–650.0)] as significant predictors of vascular complication.

Conclusions

Using CT analysis, an SFAR of 1.45 and an SFAAR of 1.35 are each significant predictors of vascular complications among patients undergoing TF‐TAVR. Utilization of CT‐based area may provide a more accurate screen for patients undergoing evaluation for TF‐TAVR as it takes into consideration the elliptical nature of the vessel. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Clinical outcomes with on‐label and off‐label use of the transcatheter heart valve in the United States
Authors: Lardizabal Joel A. , Macon Conrad J. , O'Neill Brian P. , Singh Vikas , Martinez Claudia A. , Alfonso Carlos , Cohen Mauricio G. , Williams Donald B. , O'Neill William W. , Heldman Alan W.
Published: March 2014

Objective

We explored the efficacy, safety, and clinical consequences of on‐label and off‐label transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in the real‐world setting.

Background

The transcatheter heart valve (THV) was initially approved only for transfemoral (TF) delivery (on‐label use) during TAVR in inoperable patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). Because of lack of alternative options in TAVR‐eligible patients with inadequate TF access, other routes have been utilized for THV implantation (off‐label use), outcomes of which were previously unknown.

Methods

Consecutive patients with severe inoperable AS who underwent clinical TAVR at our site were enrolled in a prospective database. Fifty subjects underwent TF‐TAVR (on‐label group), while non‐TF routes were utilized in 60 subjects (off‐label group). Procedural events, 30‐day clinical outcomes, and 1‐year all‐cause mortality data were analyzed.

Results

Technical device success was similar between on‐label and off‐label groups (88% vs. 87%, respectively; P = 0.92), as was the incidence of procedural complications and 30‐day clinical events. The on‐label group had lower 1‐year all‐cause death rate (12%) compared to the off‐label group (32%; P = 0.02). The 1‐year all‐cause mortality in the off‐label group was comparable to published clinical trial and registry data on TAVR, and appeared lower than historical outcomes with conservative medical therapy.

Conclusion

On‐label use of the THV in the real‐world setting was associated with favorable survival outcomes compared to off‐label TAVR and historical data. Off‐label use of the THV appeared to be safe and effective when used in select patients with inoperable AS who are not eligible for TAVR via TF approach. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
ChemInform Abstract: Theoretical Study of Thorium and Uranium Tetracarbide Molecules
Authors: Pogany Peter , Kovacs Attila , Konings Rudy J. M.
Published: March 2014

CASSCF/CASPT2 and B3LYP DFT calculations
ChemInform Abstract: Spatial Separation of Covalent, Ionic, and Metallic Interactions in Mg11Rh18B8 and Mg3Rh5B3.
Authors: Alekseeva Anastasia M. , Abakumov Artem M. , Leither‐Jasper Andreas , Schnelle Walter , Prots Yuri , Van Tendeloo Gustaaf , Antipov Eugene V. , Grin Yuri
Published: March 2014

The new title compounds are prepared from appropriate amounts of RhB (obtained by arc‐melting stoichiometric mixtures of the elements), Rh, and B (Ta container, 850—1200 °C, 7—14 d).
ChemInform Abstract: The Greenish‐Blue Emission and Thermoluminescent Properties of CaTa2O6:Pr3+.
Authors: Noto L. L. , Chithambo M. L. , Ntwaeaborwa O. M. , Swart H. C.
Published: March 2014

Polycrystalline CaTa2O6:Pr3+ phosphor is prepared by calcination of a stoichiometric mixture of Ta2O5 and CaCO3 plus a 0.5 mol% PrCl3 dopant level (1200 °C, 4 h).
ChemInform Abstract: Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis of a Nanocrystalline Cd0.6Zn0.4S Photocatalyst with a Twin Structure: The Effect of SDBS and Enhanced Performance for H2 Evolution.
Authors: Yu Yao‐Guang , Chen Gang , Zhou Yan‐Song , Wang Yu , Wang Chong
Published: March 2014

A nanocrystalline Cd0.6Zn0.4S photocatalyst with a nanotwin structure is prepared via microwave‐assisted deagglomeration using sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS) as surfactant.