bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spectral optical layer properties of cirrus from collocated airborne measurements – a feasibility study
Authors: Finger F. , Werner F. , Klingebiel M. , Ehrlich A. , Jäkel E. , Voigt M. , Borrmann S. , Spichtinger P. , Wendisch M.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. Spectral optical layer properties of cirrus are derived from simultaneous and vertically collocated measurements of spectral upward and downward solar irradiance above and below the cloud layer and concurrent in situ microphysical sampling. From the irradiance data spectral transmissivity, absorptivity, reflectivity, and cloud top albedo of the observed cirrus layer are obtained. At the same time microphysical properties of the cirrus were sampled. The close collocation of the radiative and microphysical measurements, above, beneath and inside the cirrus, is obtained by using a research aircraft (Learjet 35A) in tandem with a towed platform called AIRTOSS (AIRcraft TOwed Sensor Shuttle). AIRTOSS can be released from and retracted back to the research aircraft by means of a cable up to a distance of 4 km. Data were collected in two field campaigns above the North and Baltic Sea in spring and late summer 2013. Exemplary results from one measuring flight are discussed also to illustrate the benefits of collocated sampling. Based on the measured cirrus microphysical properties, radiative transfer simulations were applied to quantify the impact of cloud particle properties such as crystal shape, effective radius reff, and optical thickness τ on cirrus optical layer properties. The effects of clouds beneath the cirrus are evaluated in addition. They cause differences in the layer properties of the cirrus by a factor of 2 to 3, and for cirrus radiative forcing by up to a factor of 4. If low-level clouds below cirrus are not considered the solar cooling due to the cirrus is significantly overestimated.
Water savings potentials of irrigation systems: global simulation of processes and linkages
Authors: Jägermeyr J. , Gerten D. , Heinke J. , Schaphoff S. , Kummu M. , Lucht W.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. Global agricultural production is heavily sustained by irrigation, but irrigation system efficiencies are often surprisingly low. However, our knowledge of irrigation efficiencies is mostly confined to rough indicative estimates for countries or regions that do not account for spatiotemporal heterogeneity due to climate and other biophysical dependencies. To allow for refined estimates of global agricultural water use, and of water saving and water productivity potentials constrained by biophysical processes and also non-trivial downstream effects, we incorporated a process-based representation of the three major irrigation systems (surface, sprinkler, and drip) into a bio- and agrosphere model, LPJmL. Based on this enhanced model we provide a gridded world map of irrigation efficiencies that are calculated in direct linkage to differences in system types, crop types, climatic and hydrologic conditions, and overall crop management. We find pronounced regional patterns in beneficial irrigation efficiency (a refined irrigation efficiency indicator accounting for crop-productive water consumption only), due to differences in these features, with the lowest values (< 30 %) in south Asia and sub-Saharan Africa and the highest values (> 60 %) in Europe and North America. We arrive at an estimate of global irrigation water withdrawal of 2469 km3 (2004–2009 average); irrigation water consumption is calculated to be 1257 km3, of which 608 km3 are non-beneficially consumed, i.e., lost through evaporation, interception, and conveyance. Replacing surface systems by sprinkler or drip systems could, on average across the world's river basins, reduce the non-beneficial consumption at river basin level by 54 and 76 %, respectively, while maintaining the current level of crop yields. Accordingly, crop water productivity would increase by 9 and 15 %, respectively, and by much more in specific regions such as in the Indus basin. This study significantly advances the global quantification of irrigation systems while providing a framework for assessing potential future transitions in these systems. In this paper, presented opportunities associated with irrigation improvements are significant and suggest that they should be considered an important means on the way to sustainable food security.
Sales and Donations of Self-Created Art, Literature, and Music
Authors: Newman Joel S.
Published: July 2015

Sales and Donations of Self-Created Art, Literature, and Music
My Last Time
Authors: Brown William J.
Published: July 2015

My Last Time
Strategic Organizational Factors Evaluation Method
Authors: Morais Rogerio dos Santos , Camello Lima Carlos Roberto
Published: July 2015

Strategic success requires a sound, firm structure and an effective system with which to analyze the competition, suppliers, and consumers, including structured and non-structured data (or “Big Data”).The more detailed the profiles of those players, the more useful the analyses will be to managers who ordinarily do not use a model to assess competition factors. This paper proposes a method of evaluating organizational strategic factors based on data concerning suppliers, consumers, and contenders in a strong competition sector. The methodology was based on a literature review, supplemented by a case study of the model’s application to a telecommunication services provider. The results, detailed in tables, are proven to enable the quantitative measurement of the strategic factors needed to support decision making.
Asylum Seekers and Resettled Refugees in Australia: Predicting Social Policy Attitude From Prejudice Versus Emotion
Authors: Hartley Lisa K. , Pedersen Anne
Published: July 2015

While most of the world's refugees reside in developing countries, their arrival to western countries is highly politicised, giving rise to questions about the types of entitlements and rights that should, or should not, be granted. In this study, using a mixed-methods community questionnaire (N = 185), we examined attitudes towards social policies aimed at providing assistance to two categories of new arrivals to Australia: resettled refugees (who arrive via its official refugee resettlement program) and asylum seekers (who arrive via boat and then seek refugee status). Social policy attitude was examined as a consequence of feelings of anger, fear, and threat, as well as levels of prejudice. Participants felt significantly higher levels of anger, fear, threat, and prejudice towards asylum seekers compared to resettled refugees. For both resettled refugees and asylum seekers, prejudice was an independent predictor of more restrictive social policy attitudes. For resettled refugees, fear and perceived threat were independent predictors for more restrictive social policy whereas for asylum seekers anger was an independent predictor of restrictive social policy. The qualitative data reinforced the quantitative findings and extended understanding on the appraisals that underpin negative attitudes and emotional responses. Practical implications relating to challenging community attitudes are discussed.
Improving the Post-Stroke Therapeutic Potency of Mesenchymal Multipotent Stromal Cells by Cocultivation With Cortical Neurons: The Role of Crosstalk Between Cells
Authors: Babenko Valentina A. , Silachev Denis N. , Zorova Ljubava D. , Pevzner Irina B. , Khutornenko Anastasia A. , Plotnikov Egor Y. , Sukhikh Gennady T. , Zorov Dmitry B.
Published: July 2015

The goal of the present study was to maximally alleviate the negative impact of stroke by increasing the therapeutic potency of injected mesenchymal multipotent stromal cells (MMSCs). To pursue this goal, the intercellular communications of MMSCs and neuronal cells were studied in vitro. As a result of cocultivation of MMSCs and rat cortical neurons, we proved the existence of intercellular contacts providing transfer of cellular contents from one cell to another. We present evidence of intercellular exchange with fluorescent probes specifically occupied by cytosol with preferential transfer from neurons toward MMSCs. In contrast, we observed a reversed transfer of mitochondria (from MMSCs to neural cells). Intravenous injection of MMSCs in a postischemic period alleviated the pathological indexes of a stroke, expressed as a lower infarct volume in the brain and partial restoration of neurological status. Also, MMSCs after cocultivation with neurons demonstrated more profound neuroprotective effects than did unprimed MMSCs. The production of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor was slightly increased in MMSCs, and the factor itself was redistributed in these cells after cocultivation. The level of Miro1 responsible for intercellular traffic of mitochondria was increased in MMSCs after cocultivation. We conclude that the exchange by cellular compartments between neural and stem cells improves MMSCs' protective abilities for better rehabilitation after stroke. This could be used as an approach to enhance the therapeutic benefits of stem cell therapy to the damaged brain.

Significance

The idea of priming stem cells before practical use for clinical purposes was applied. Thus, cells were preconditioned by coculturing them with the targeted cells (i.e., neurons for the treatment of brain pathological features) before the transfusion of stem cells to the organism. Such priming improved the capacity of stem cells to treat stroke. Some additional minimal study will be required to develop a detailed protocol for coculturing followed by cell separation.
Validation of a Method for Quantitation of Soybean Lectin in Commercial Varieties
Authors: Breeze Matthew L. , Leyva‐Guerrero Elisa , Yeaman Grant R. , Dudin Yelena , Akel Ryan , Brune Phil , Claussen Fred , Dharmasri Cecil , Golbach Jenny , Guo Rong , Maxwell Carl , Privalle Laura , Rogers Hilary , Liu Kai , Shan Guomin , Yarnall Michele , Thiede Denise , Gillikin Nancy
Published: July 2015

Soybean agglutinin (SBA) protein, also known as soybean lectin, is regarded as an anti‐nutrient due to its negative effect on the ability of monogastric animals to gain weight following consumption of raw soybean seed. Historically, SBA has been measured using a time‐consuming and cumbersome hemagglutination procedure. The objective of our research was to obtain a validated methodology that is precise and accurate in the measurement of SBA while allowing minimally equipped laboratories to effectively conduct the analysis, thus our focus was on evaluating an existing commercially available ELISA, an enzyme‐linked‐lectin‐assay (ELLA), and a hybrid ELISA/ELLA. A new ELLA technique that can detect and quantify lectins was chosen and modified specifically for the quantitation of SBA in soybean seed. The proposed ELLA methodology is similar to a standard sandwich ELISA, and uses polyacrylamide‐linked N‐acetylgalactosamine (Gal–NAc–PAA) for a capture phase and the biotinylated version (Gal–NAc–PAA–Biotin) for detection. Based upon the validation data, the ELLA method can precisely and accurately determine soybean lectin levels in soybean seed. The validated ELLA method was used to quantify SBA in nine commercial soybean varieties introduced between 1972 and 2008 and demonstrated that the natural variability of SBA is subject to the effects of genotype and environment.
Supercritical Fluid Extraction and Chromatography of Lipids in Bilberry
Authors: Jumaah Firas , Sandahl Margareta , Turner Charlotta
Published: July 2015

A supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) method has been developed for the extraction of lipids in bilberry. Experimental design was used to optimize pressure, temperature and extraction time using CO2 as solvent. Best SFE condition for total lipids was 450 bar, 60 °C and 45 min. The SFE method was compared to conventional Bligh & Dyer (B&D) extraction. The amount of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) was found to be 4.84 ± 0.06 mg and 4.564 ± 0.003 mg per g of the freeze‐dried bilberry sample for the developed SFE and B&D methods, respectively, while the amount of total lipids was found to be 54.40 ± 6.06 mg and 65.70 ± 0.67 mg per g of sample for SFE and B&D, respectively. This discrepancy between FAME and total lipids could be explained by the presence of wax esters, sterol esters, carotenoids and phospholipids, as determined by supercritical fluid chromatography.
Determinants of the labour market institutions in post-socialist economies
Authors: Pilc Michał
Published: July 2015

The aim of this study was to identify common determinants of the shape of labour market institutions in the group of 25 post-socialist countries during the transition period. The exclusion of countries’ fixed effects (with the use of least squares dummy variable — LSDV model) showed that conducted market reforms (especially the privatisation of state-owned companies and enterprise restructuring) have determined the shape of labour market institutions in post-socialist countries. However, the levels of political liberty, protection of property rights, international trade freedom and government expenditures did not occur to have influenced the labour market institutions in these economies.
The log behaviour of the Reynolds shear stress in accelerating turbulent boundary layers
Authors: Araya Guillermo , Castillo Luciano , Hussain Fazle
Published: July 2015

Direct numerical simulation of highly accelerated turbulent boundary layers (TBLs) reveals that the Reynolds shear stress,$\overline{u^{\prime }v^{\prime }}^{+}$, monotonically decreases downstream and exhibits a logarithmic behaviour (e.g. $-\overline{u^{\prime }v^{\prime }}^{+}=-(1/A_{uv})\ln y^{+}+B_{uv}$) in the mesolayer region (e.g. $50\leqslant y^{+}\leqslant 170$). The thickness of the log layer of$\overline{u^{\prime }v^{\prime }}^{+}$increases with the streamwise distance and with the pressure gradient strength, extending over a large portion of the TBL thickness (up to 55 %). Simulations reveal that$V^{+}\,\partial U^{+}/\partial y^{+}\sim 1/y^{+}\sim \partial \overline{u^{\prime }v^{\prime }}^{+}/\partial y^{+}$, resulting in a logarithmic$\overline{u^{\prime }v^{\prime }}^{+}$profile. Also,$V^{+}\sim -y^{+}$is no longer negligible as in zero-pressure-gradient (ZPG) flows. Other experimental/numerical data at similar favourable-pressure-gradient (FPG) strengths also show the presence of a log region in$\overline{u^{\prime }v^{\prime }}^{+}$. This log region in$\overline{u^{\prime }v^{\prime }}^{+}$is larger in sink flows than in other spatially developing FPG flows. The latter flows exhibit the presence of a small power-law region in$\overline{u^{\prime }v^{\prime }}^{+}$, which is non-existent in sink flows.
Separation of upslope flow over a uniform slope
Authors: Hocut C. M. , Liberzon D. , Fernando H. J. S.
Published: July 2015

Motivated by the importance of understanding mountain weather during periods of thermal convection, a laboratory study was conducted to investigate the separation of an upslope (anabatic) flow on a two-dimensional heated mountainous slope in the absence of a background mean flow. Three flow regimes were identified. In the first, at slope angles${\it\beta}$larger than a critical value${\it\beta}_{c}\approx 20^{\circ }$, the separated flow generated a rising plume completely fed by the anterior upslope flow. For this case, a simple model based on a balance between the opposing vorticities of baroclinicity and shear was proposed to predict the location of the separation point relative to the mountain base. The model also predicts the velocity and length scales at separation as well as those of the rising plume after separation. In the second regime,$10^{\circ }<{\it\beta}\leqslant {\it\beta}_{c}$, the volume flow of the separated plume was not fully supplied by the upslope flow, requiring entrainment of additional ambient fluid at the base of the plume source. The third regime occurred when${\it\beta}\leqslant 10^{\circ }$, wherein the plume almost completely engulfed the slope, similar to a buoyant plume emanating from a source of finite dimensions, thus overshadowing the upslope flow. Measurements of the separation point conducted during the MATERHORN field research program were consistent with the results of the laboratory experiments and modelling.
Effect of external noise on the hysteresis characteristics of a thermoacoustic system
Authors: Gopalakrishnan E. A. , Sujith R. I.
Published: July 2015

We present the effect of noise on the hysteresis characteristics of a prototypical thermoacoustic system, a horizontal Rijke tube. As we increase the noise intensity, we find that the width of the hysteresis zone decreases. However, we find that the rate of decrease in hysteresis width is constant for all the mass flow rates considered in the present study. We also show that the subcritical transition observed in the absence of noise is no longer discernible once the intensity of noise is above a threshold value and the transition appears to be continuous. We compare our experimental observations with the results obtained from a numerical model perturbed with additive Gaussian white noise and we find a qualitative agreement between the experimental and the numerical results.
Diurnal variation of fish and macrobenthic invertebrate community structure in an isolated oceanic island of the South Atlantic
Authors: Brewin Paul Edwin , Brown Judith , Brickle Paul
Published: July 2015

The trophic structure of Ascension Island's sub-tidal reef assemblages is poorly understood. Unlike other tropical reef systems, sub-tidal habitats have very low abundance of both coral and macrophyte species. Visually dominant is a diverse assemblage of fish species, with particularly high densities ofMelichthys niger, a voracious omnivore. In contrast, the nocturnal species assemblage is notably different, visually dominated by benthic invertebrates. To quantify the difference between day and night visible assemblages, we conducted day/night pairs of transect surveys of fish and invertebrates across three depths, and spanning 9 months, assigning all species to one of 10 functional groups. Multivariate analysis of surveys revealed significant turnover in species between day and night surveys and between survey periods, with concomitant changes in species rank-abundance distributions. Juveniles of a number of fish species were determinate in observed differences. Conversely, diversity of functional groups between day/night surveys and between seasons were not different, however there was significant species turnover within functional groups between day and night assemblages. The lack of proportional change in functional groups but a turn-over of species between day and night assemblages suggest that there may be a degree of functional redundancy in Ascension Island's marine trophic profile. Further investigation into the spatio-temporal variation in trophic profile and functional diversity around the island will benefit conservation and fisheries management in this isolated and poorly understood marine system.
Power, Agency, Relationality and Welfare Practice
Authors: DOBSON RACHAEL
Published: July 2015

This article argues that constructions of social phenomena in social policy and welfare scholarship think about the subjects and objects of welfare practice in essentialising ways, with negativistic effects for practitioners working in ‘regulatory’ contexts such as housing and homelessness practice. It builds into debates about power, agency, social policy and welfare by bringing psychosocial and feminist theorisations of relationality to practice research. It claims that relational approaches provide a starting point for the analysis of empirical practice data, by working through the relationship between the individual and the social via an ontological unpicking and revisioning of practitioners' social worlds.
Design and control of cooperative ball juggling DELTA robots without visual guidance
Authors: Shareef Zeeshan , Just Viktor , Teichrieb Heinrich , Trächtler Ansgar
Published: July 2015

Cooperative ball juggling is one of the most difficult tasks when performed through autonomous robots. States of the ball (position and velocity) play a vital role for the stability and duration of a long rally. Cameras are normally used in ball juggling to calculate these parameters, the use of which is not only computationally expensive but also requires a lot of hardware to determine. In this paper, we propose a control loop for cooperative ball juggling using parallel DELTA robots without visual guidance. In contrast to using a visual system for ball states feedback, an observer based on the reflection laws is designed to calculate the continuous position and velocity of the ball during juggling. Besides the conventional controller blocks, the proposed control loop consists of the ball prediction and the plate striking movement generation blocks. Two controllers are designed for the stability and tracking of variable reference height of the ball during juggling: One controller calculates the velocity of the striking plate to achieve the reference height of the ball during juggling and the second controls the actuator angles. A simulation study and hardware experiments show applicability of the designed observer and validation of the proposed control loop.
Care Ideals in the Netherlands: Shifts between 2002 and 2011
Authors: van den Broek Thijs , Dykstra Pearl A. , van der Veen Romke J.
Published: July 2015

La prémisse de notre étude était que les croyances au sujet des soins normatives peuvent éclairer le débat actuel sur la politique de soins. Nous avons réalisé des analyses impliquant la régression de classe latente sur deux vagues de données (n=4 163) de la Netherlands Kinship Panel Study parenté pour distinguer les idéaux pour les soins qui ont capturé simultanément des dimensions multiples de croyances de soins normatifs. Nous avons également évalué comment ces idéaux en matière de soins ont changé au début du 21ièmesiècle. Nous avons distingué quatre idéaux pour les soins: chauds-modernes (la famille et l'État conjointement responsables de soins, rôles égalitaires des sexes); froids-modernes (grande responsabilité de l'État, responsabilité de la famille restreinte, rôles égalitaires des sexes); traditionnels (responsabilité limitée de l'État, grande responsabilité de la famille, rôles des sexes modérément traditionnels); et froids-traditionnels (grande responsabilité de l'État, responsabilité de la famille restreinte, rôles des sexes traditionnels). De 2002 à 2011 il y a eu un éloignement des idéaux de soins chauds-modernes envers les idéaux de soins froids-modernes. Ceci est remarquable, parce que les décideurs néerlandais ont de plus en plus encouragé les membres de famille à prendre un rôle actif dans les soins aux parents dépendants.
Epidemiological dynamics of nephropathia epidemica in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, during the period of 1997–2013
Authors: KHISMATULLINA N. A. , KARIMOV M. M. , KHAERTYNOV K. S. , SHURALEV E. A. , MORZUNOV S. P. , KHAERTYNOVA I. M. , IVANOV A. A. , MILOVA I. V. , KHAKIMZYANOVA M. B. , SAYFULLINA G. SH. , GAYNULLIN A. A. , IVANOV A. V. , RIZVANOV A. A. , KHAIBOULLINA S. F.
Published: July 2015

This report summarizes epidemiological data on nephropathia epidemica (NE) in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia. NE cases identified in the period 1997–2013 were investigated in parallel with the hantavirus antigen prevalence in small rodents in the study area. A total of 13 930 NE cases were documented in all but one district of Tatarstan, with most cases located in the central and southeastern districts. The NE annual incidence rate exhibited a cyclical pattern, with the highest numbers of cases being registered once in every 3–5 years. The numbers of NE cases rose gradually from July to November, with the highest morbidity in adult males. The highest annual disease incidence rate, 64·4 cases/100 000 population, was observed in 1997, with a total of 2431 NE cases registered. NE cases were mostly associated with visiting forests and agricultural activities. The analysis revealed that the bank voleMyodes glareolusnot only comprises the majority of the small rodent communities in the region, but also consistently displays the highest hantavirus prevalence compared to other small rodent species.
Prenatal diagnosis of CHDs: a simple ultrasound prediction model to estimate the probability of the need for neonatal cardiac invasive therapy
Authors: Marantz Pablo , Grinenco Sofía , Pestchanker Fabio , Meller César H. , Izbizky Gustavo
Published: July 2015

Objectives

To develop a prediction model based on echocardiographic findings to estimate the probability of the need for neonatal cardiac invasive therapy, including cardiac surgery or catheter-based therapy, in foetuses with CHD.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study: a prediction model was developed based on echocardiographic findings on the examination of thefour-chamber, thethree-vessel, and thethree-vessel and tracheal views.We assessed performance using the area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic.

Results

Among 291 patients with prenatal diagnosis of CHD and complete follow-up, 175 (60.1%) required neonatal cardiac invasive therapy. The variables “functionally single ventricle”, “great artery reverse flow”, and “congenital heart block” had a discrimination value of 100% and were excluded from the model. In univariate and multivariate analysis, “non-visualisation of a great vessel”, “asymmetry of the great vessels”, “visualisation of one atrioventricular valve”, and “ventricular asymmetry” were significantly associated with the need for neonatal cardiac invasive therapy. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.9324 (95% CI 0.92–0.97).

Conclusions

A prediction model based on echocardiographic findings in foetuses with CHD, even without a definite diagnosis, allows an accurate estimation of the probability of requiring neonatal cardiac invasive therapy. This can modify patient care, especially in regions where a Foetal Medicine Specialist or a Paediatric Cardiologist is not available and referral may be extremely difficult due to social and economic barriers.
Prevalence of ophthalmological abnormalities in children and adolescents with CHD: systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies
Authors: Vilela Manuel A. P. , Sbruzzi Graciele , Pellanda Lucia C.
Published: July 2015

Background

CHDs form a complex and heterogeneous group of clinical entities, with high morbidity and mortality. With the advancement of surgical and invasive techniques and clinical treatment, the survival of these patients has increased significantly, and there are reports of a high prevalence of ocular abnormalities in this group. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of ocular findings in children and adolescents diagnosed with CHD.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted in the following databases: MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL, in addition to a manual search on studies published on the patient, from inception until August, 2014. Observational studies assessing the prevalence of ocular abnormalities in children and adolescents with CHDs were included.

Results

Of the 2413 articles identified, eight were included, comprising a total of 1061 patients. Among them, the lowest and highest prevalences observed were 6.3 and 65%, respectively. The weighted average prevalence of ocular abnormalities was 32.5% (CI95% 19.3–49.3). Strabismus, cataracts, and retinopathy were the most frequently observed alterations.

Conclusion

The prevalence of ocular abnormalities in children and adolescents with CHDs was 32.5%, demonstrating that ocular consequences are not uncommon in this population and may have relevant clinical impact. These results reinforce the need for ophthalmological evaluation of patients with CHDs.
Outpatient echocardiography in the evaluation of innocent murmurs in children: utilisation benchmarking
Authors: Frias Patricio A. , Oster Matthew , Daley Patricia A. , Boris Jeffrey R.
Published: July 2015

Objectives

We sought to benchmark the utilisation of echocardiography in the outpatient evaluation of heart murmurs by evaluating two large paediatric cardiology centres.

Background

Although criteria exist for appropriate use of echocardiography, there are no benchmarking data demonstrating its utilisation.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of outpatients aged between 0 and 18 years at the Sibley Heart Center Cardiology and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Division of Cardiology, given a sole diagnosis of “innocent murmur” from 1 July, 2007 to 31 October, 2010. Using internal claims data, we compared the utilisation of echocardiography according to centre, patient age, and physician years of service.

Results

Of 23,114 eligible patients (Sibley Heart Center Cardiology: 12,815, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Division of Cardiology: 10,299), 43.1% (Sibley Heart Center Cardiology: 45.2%, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Division of Cardiology: 40.4%; p<0.001) underwent echocardiography. There was wide variability in the utilisation of echocardiography by individual physicians at both centres (Sibley Heart Center Cardiology 18.3–85.5%, median 45.4%; Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Division of Cardiology 13.9–81.8%, median 34.7%, p=0.45). Children in their first month of life represented the group with highest utilisation of echocardiography (62.3%), whereas children aged >1–5 years had the lowest utilisation (32.7%).

Conclusions

In two large paediatric cardiology practices, the overall utilisation of echocardiography by physicians with a sole diagnosis of innocent murmur was similar. There was significant and similar variability in utilisation by provider at both centres. Although these data serve as initial benchmarking, the variability in utilisation highlights the importance of appropriate use criteria.
Effect of steroids on inflammatory markers and clinical parameters in congenital open heart surgery: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Amanullah Muhammad M. , Hamid Mohammad , Hanif Hashim M. , Muzaffar Marium , Siddiqui Maria T. , Adhi Fatima , Ahmad Khabir , Khan Shahjahan , Hasan Zahra
Published: July 2015

Background

Cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with systemic inflammatory response. Steroids suppress this response, although the therapeutic evidence remains controversial. We hypothesised that intravenous steroids in children undergoing open-heart surgery would decrease inflammation leading to better early post-operative outcomes. We conducted a randomised controlled trial to evaluate the trends in the levels of immunomodulators and their effects on clinical parameters.

Objective

To assess the effects of intravenous steroids on early post-operative inflammatory markers and clinical parameters in children undergoing open-heart surgery.

Materials and methods

A randomised controlled trial involving 152 patients, from one month up to 18 years of age, who underwent open-heart surgery for congenital heart disease from April 2010–2012 was carried out. Patients were randomised and administered either three scheduled intravenous pulse doses of dexamethasone (1 mg/kg) or placebo. Blood samples were drawn at four time intervals and serum levels of inflammatory cytokines – Interleukin-6, 8, 10, 18, and tumour necrosis factor-alpha – were measured. Clinical parameters were also assessed.

Results

Blood cytokine levels were compared between the dexamethasone (n=65) and placebo (n=64) groups. Interleukin-6 levels were lower at 6 and 24 hours post-operatively (p<0.001), and Interleukin-10 levels were higher 6 hours post-operatively (p<0.001) in the steroid group. Interleukin-8, 18, and tumour necrosis factor-alpha levels did not differ between the groups at any time intervals. The clinical parameters were similar in both the groups.

Conclusion

Dexamethasone caused quantitative suppression of Interleukin-6 and increased Interleukin-10 activation, contributing to reduced immunopathology, but it did not translate into clinical benefit in the short term.
Prevention in practice: Teaching IHL in US legal academia
Authors: Jastram Kate , Quintin Anne
Published: July 2015

This paper assesses the evolution of teaching international humanitarian law (IHL) in law schools in the United States since 2007, analyzes progress made in overcoming challenges to more effective integration of IHL content in law school curricula, and provides a measure of the contribution of promotional initiatives and strategies undertaken by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to this effort. The findings and recommendations should serve to support law faculty and law schools in the US and elsewhere, as well as the ICRC, in expanding opportunities for teaching and scholarship, and in encouraging law students and professors to pursue their interest in this field.
A Novel, Stable, Estradiol-Stimulating, Osteogenic Yam Protein with Potential for the Treatment of Menopausal Syndrome
Authors: Lok Wong Kam , Ming Lai Yau , Li Ka Wan , Fai Lee Kai , Ng Tzi Bun , Pan Cheung Ho , Bo Zhang Yan , Lao Lixing , Ngok-Shun Wong Ricky , Chui Shaw Pang , Ho Wong Jack , Zhang Zhang-Jin , Lam Jenny Ka Wing , Ye Wen-cai , Wing Sze Stephen Cho
Published: July 2015

A novel protein, designated as DOI, isolated from the Chinese yam (Dioscorea opposita Thunb.) could be the first protein drug for the treatment of menopausal syndrome and an alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which is known to have undesirable side effects. DOI is an acid- and thermo-stable protein with a distinctive N-terminal sequence Gly-Ile-Gly-Lys-Ile-Thr-Thr-Tyr-Trp-Gly-Gln-Tyr-Ser-Asp-Glu-Pro-Ser-Leu-Thr-Glu. DOI was found to stimulate estradiol biosynthesis in rat ovarian granulosa cells; induce estradiol and progesterone secretion in 16- to 18-month-old female Sprague Dawley rats by upregulating expressions of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor and ovarian aromatase; counteract the progression of osteoporosis and augment bone mineral density; and improve cognitive functioning by upregulating protein expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and TrkB receptors in the prefrontal cortex. Furthermore, DOI did not stimulate the proliferation of breast cancer and ovarian cancer cells, which suggest it could be a more efficacious and safer alternative to HRT.
Hydroprocessing of Jatropha Oil for Production of Green Diesel over Non-sulfided Ni-PTA/Al2O3 Catalyst
Authors: Liu Jing , Lei Jiandu , He Jing , Deng Lihong , Wang Luying , Fan Kai , Rong Long
Published: July 2015

The non-sulfided Ni-PTA/Al2O3 catalyst was developed to produce green diesel from the hydroprocessing of Jatropha oil. The Ni-PTA/Al2O3 catalyst was prepared by one-pot synthesis of Ni/Al2O3 with the co-precipitation method and then impregnanting Ni/Al2O3 with PTA solution. The catalysts were characterized with BET, SEM-EDX, TEM, XRD, XPS, TGA and NH3-TPD. The Ni and W species of the Ni-PTA/Al2O3 catalyst were much more homogeneously distributed on the surface than that of commercial Al2O3. Catalytic performance in the hydroprocessing of Jatropha oil was evaluated by GC. The maximum conversion of Jatropha oil (98.5 wt%) and selectivity of the C15-C18 alkanes fraction (84.5 wt %) occurred at 360 °C, 3.0 MPa, 0.8 h−1. The non-sulfided Ni-PTA/Al2O3 catalyst is more environmentally friendly than the conventional sulfided hydroprocessing catalyst and it exhibited the highest catalytic activity than the Ni-PTA catalyst supported with commercial Al2O3 grain and Al2O3 powder.
Meta-genomic analysis of toilet waste from long distance flights; a step towards global surveillance of infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance
Authors: Nordahl Petersen Thomas , Rasmussen Simon , Hasman Henrik , Carøe Christian , Bælum Jacob , Charlotte Schultz Anna , Bergmark Lasse , Svendsen Christina A. , Lund Ole , Sicheritz-Pontén Thomas , Aarestrup Frank M.
Published: July 2015

Human populations worldwide are increasingly confronted with infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance spreading faster and appearing more frequently. Knowledge regarding their occurrence and worldwide transmission is important to control outbreaks and prevent epidemics. Here, we performed shotgun sequencing of toilet waste from 18 international airplanes arriving in Copenhagen, Denmark, from nine cities in three world regions. An average of 18.6 Gb (14.8 to 25.7 Gb) of raw Illumina paired end sequence data was generated, cleaned, trimmed and mapped against reference sequence databases for bacteria and antimicrobial resistance genes. An average of 106,839 (0.06%) reads were assigned to resistance genes with genes encoding resistance to tetracycline, macrolide and beta-lactam resistance genes as the most abundant in all samples. We found significantly higher abundance and diversity of genes encoding antimicrobial resistance, including critical important resistance (e.g. blaCTX-M) carried on airplanes from South Asia compared to North America. Presence of Salmonella enterica and norovirus were also detected in higher amounts from South Asia, whereas Clostridium difficile was most abundant in samples from North America. Our study provides a first step towards a potential novel strategy for global surveillance enabling simultaneous detection of multiple human health threatening genetic elements, infectious agents and resistance genes.
Photoacoustic image patterns of breast carcinoma and comparisons with Magnetic Resonance Imaging and vascular stained histopathology
Authors: Heijblom M. , Piras D. , Brinkhuis M. , van Hespen J. C. G. , van den Engh F. M. , van der Schaaf M. , Klaase J. M. , van Leeuwen T. G. , Steenbergen W. , Manohar S.
Published: July 2015

Photoacoustic (optoacoustic) imaging can visualize vasculature deep in tissue using the high contrast of hemoglobin to light, with the high-resolution possible with ultrasound detection. Since angiogenesis, one of the hallmarks of cancer, leads to increased vascularity, photoacoustics holds promise in imaging breast cancer as shown in proof-of-principle studies. Here for the first time, we investigate if there are specific photoacoustic appearances of breast malignancies which can be related to the tumor vascularity, using an upgraded research imaging system, the Twente Photoacoustic Mammoscope. In addition to comparisons with x-ray and ultrasound images, in subsets of cases the photoacoustic images were compared with MR images and with vascular staining in histopathology. We were able to identify lesions in suspect breasts at the expected locations in 28 of 29 cases. We discovered generally three types of photoacoustic appearances reminiscent of contrast enhancement types reported in MR imaging of breast malignancies and first insights were gained into the relationship with tumor vascularity.
Identifying Orbital Angular Momentum of Vectorial Vortices with Pancharatnam Phase and Stokes Parameters
Authors: Zhang Dengke , Feng Xue , Cui Kaiyu , Liu Fang , Huang Yidong
Published: July 2015

In this work, an explicit formula is deduced for identifying the orbital angular moment (OAM) of vectorial vortex with space-variant state of polarization (SOP). Different to scalar vortex, the OAM of vectorial vortex can be attributed to two parts: 1. the azimuthal gradient of Pancharatnam phase; 2. the product between the azimuthal gradient of orientation angle of SOP and relevant solid angle on the Poincaré sphere. With our formula, a geometrical description for OAM of light beams can be achieved under the framework of the traditional Poincaré sphere. Numerical simulations for two types of vectorial vortices have been carried on to confirm our presented formula as well as demonstrate the geometrical description of OAM. Furthermore, this work would pave the way for precise characterization of OAM charge of vectorial vortices.
Unexpected in-situ Free Radical Generation and Catalysis to Ag/Polymer Nanocomposite
Authors: Pang Yifan , Wei Ruixue , Wang Jintao , Wei Liuhe , Li Chunhui
Published: July 2015

In this study, we discover unexpectedly that simple reaction of AgNO3 with oleic acid (OA) without solvent and surfactant could generate alkyl free radical which can catalyze double-bond polymerization of OA to form 1D polymeric oleic acid (POA) chain. In certain conditions, these POA chains circumvolute tightly each other to form microspheres and micro-plates in which monodisperse 4-5 nm Ag nanoparticles (NPs) were absorbed. It has been revealed that alkyl free radical generated during the redox reaction of carboxyl group of OA with Ag+ at relative low temperature. Then, the alkyl free radical catalyzed the double-bond polymerization of OA when the reaction temperature was further increased. Different from commonly-seen hydrophobic nanoparticles prepared in oleic acid-based microemulsion system, the nanocomposites cannot dispersed in n-hexane and could dispersed in ethanol and THF. The unusual dispersion behavior has been explained in terms of their structure and polarity of POA chain. The method combines the nucleation of Ag nanoparticles and the polymerization of monomer in a facile one-pot reaction, which provides a novel way for metal-polymer microsphere nanocomposite with low-cost, easy-operation and high-yield.
CGMD: An integrated database of cancer genes and markers
Authors: Pradeepkiran Jangampalli Adi , Sainath Sri Bhashyam , Kramthi Kumar Konidala , Balasubramanyam Lokanada , Vidya Prabhakar Kodali , Bhaskar Matcha
Published: July 2015

Integrating cancer genes and markers with experimental evidence might provide valuable information for the further investigation of crosstalk between tumor genes and markers in cancer biology. To achieve this objective, we developed a database known as the Cancer Gene Marker Database (CGMD), which integrates data on tumor genes and markers based on experimental evidence. The major goal of CGMD is to provide the following: 1) current systematic treatment approaches and recent advances in different cancer treatments; 2) the aggregation of different genes and markers by their molecular characteristics and pathway associations; and 3) free access to the data compiled by CGMD at http://cgmd.in/. The database consists of 309 genes and 206 markers, as well as a list of 40 different human cancers, with detailed descriptions of all characterized markers. CGMD provides complete cancer annotations and molecular descriptions of cancer genes and markers such as CpG islands, promoters, exons, PDB structures, active sites and domains.
Extracellular protein analysis of activated sludge and their functions in wastewater treatment plant by shotgun proteomics
Authors: Zhang Peng , Shen Yu , Guo Jin-Song , Li Chun , Wang Han , Chen You-Peng , Yan Peng , Yang Ji-Xiang , Fang Fang
Published: July 2015

In this work, proteins in extracellular polymeric substances extracted from anaerobic, anoxic and aerobic sludges of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) were analyzed to probe their origins and functions. Extracellular proteins in WWTP sludges were identified using shotgun proteomics and 130, 108 and 114 proteins in anaerobic, anoxic and aerobic samples were classified, respectively. Most proteins originated from cell and cell part and their most major molecular functions were catalytic activity and binding activity. The results exhibited that the main roles of extracellular proteins in activated sludges were multivalence cations and organic molecules binding, as well as in catalysis and degradation. The catalytic activity proteins were more widespread in anaerobic sludge compared with those in anoxic and aerobic sludges. The structure difference between anaerobic and aerobic sludges could be associated with their catalytic activities proteins. The results also put forward a relation between the macro characteristics of activated sludges and micro functions of extracellular proteins in biological wastewater treatment process.
Ancient DNA sequence revealed by error-correcting codes
Authors: Brandão Marcelo M. , Spoladore Larissa , Faria Luzinete C. B. , Rocha Andréa S. L. , Silva-Filho Marcio C. , Palazzo Reginaldo
Published: July 2015

A previously described DNA sequence generator algorithm (DNA-SGA) using error-correcting codes has been employed as a computational tool to address the evolutionary pathway of the genetic code. The code-generated sequence alignment demonstrated that a residue mutation revealed by the code can be found in the same position in sequences of distantly related taxa. Furthermore, the code-generated sequences do not promote amino acid changes in the deviant genomes through codon reassignment. A Bayesian evolutionary analysis of both code-generated and homologous sequences of theArabidopsis thalianamalate dehydrogenase gene indicates an approximately 1 MYA divergence time from the MDH code-generated sequence node to its paralogous sequences. The DNA-SGA helps to determine the plesiomorphic state of DNA sequences because a single nucleotide alteration often occurs in distantly related taxa and can be found in the alternative codon patterns of noncanonical genetic codes. As a consequence, the algorithm may reveal an earlier stage of the evolution of the standard code.
Leptin administration restores the altered adipose and hepatic expression of aquaglyceroporins improving the non-alcoholic fatty liver of ob/ob mice
Authors: Rodríguez Amaia , Moreno Natalia R. , Balaguer Inmaculada , Méndez-Giménez Leire , Becerril Sara , Catalán Victoria , Gómez-Ambrosi Javier , Portincasa Piero , Calamita Giuseppe , Soveral Graça , Malagón María M. , Frühbeck Gema
Published: July 2015

Glycerol is an important metabolite for the control of lipid accumulation in white adipose tissue (WAT) and liver. We aimed to investigate whether exogenous administration of leptin improves features of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in leptin-deficient ob/ob mice via the regulation of AQP3 and AQP7 (glycerol channels mediating glycerol efflux in adipocytes) and AQP9 (aquaglyceroporin facilitating glycerol influx in hepatocytes). Twelve-week-old male wild type and ob/ob mice were divided in three groups as follows: control, leptin-treated (1 mg/kg/d) and pair-fed. Leptin deficiency was associated with obesity and NAFLD exhibiting an AQP3 and AQP7 increase in WAT, without changes in hepatic AQP9. Adipose Aqp3 and hepatic Aqp9 transcripts positively correlated with markers of adiposity and hepatic steatosis. Chronic leptin administration (4-weeks) was associated with improved body weight, whole-body adiposity and hepatosteatosis of ob/ob mice and to a down-regulation of AQP3, AQP7 in WAT and an up-regulation of hepatic AQP9. Acute leptin stimulation in vitro (4-h) induced the mobilization of aquaglyceroporins towards lipid droplets (AQP3) and the plasma membrane (AQP7) in murine adipocytes. Our results show that leptin restores the coordinated regulation of fat-specific AQP7 and liver-specific AQP9, a step which might prevent lipid overaccumulation in WAT and liver in obesity.
Proteomic analysis of murine testes lipid droplets
Authors: Wang Weiyi , Wei Suning , Li Linghai , Su Xueying , Du Congkuo , Li Fengjuan , Geng Bin , Liu Pingsheng , Xu Guoheng
Published: July 2015

Testicular Leydig cells contain abundant cytoplasmic lipid droplets (LDs) as a cholesteryl-ester store for releasing cholesterols as the precursor substrate for testosterone biosynthesis. Here, we identified the protein composition of testicular LDs purified from adult mice by using mass spectrometry and immunodetection. Among 337 proteins identified, 144 were previously detected in LD proteomes; 44 were confirmed by microscopy. Testicular LDs contained multiple Rab GTPases, chaperones and proteins involved in glucuronidation, ubiquination and transport, many known to modulate LD formation and LD-related cellular functions. In particular, testicular LDs contained many members of both the perilipin family and classical lipase/esterase superfamily assembled predominately in adipocyte LDs. Thus, testicular LDs might be regulated similar to adipocyte LDs. Remarkably, testicular LDs contained a large number of classical enzymes for biosynthesis and metabolism of cholesterol and hormonal steroids, so steroidogenic reactions might occur on testicular LDs or the steroidogenic enzymes and products could be transferred through testicular LDs. These characteristics differ from the LDs in most other types of cells, so testicular LDs could be an active organelle functionally involved in steroidogenesis.