bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
National Scale Operational Mapping of Burnt Areas as a Tool for the Better Understanding of Contemporary Wildfire Patterns and Regimes
Authors: Kontoes Charalampos , Keramitsoglou Iphigenia , Papoutsis Ioannis , Sifakis Nicolas , Xofis Panteleimon
Published: August 2013

This paper presents the results of an operational nationwide burnt area mapping service realized over Greece for the years 2007–2011, through the implementation of the so-called BSM_NOA dedicated method developed at the National Observatory of Athens for post-fire recovery management. The method exploits multispectral satellite imagery, such as Landsat-TM, SPOT, FORMOSAT-2, WorldView and IKONOS. The analysis of fire size distribution reveals that a high number of fire events evolve to large and extremely large wildfires under favorable wildfire conditions, confirming the reported trend of an increasing fire-severity in recent years. Furthermore, under such conditions wildfires affect to a higher degree areas at high altitudes, threatening the existence of ecologically significant ecosystems. Finally, recent socioeconomic changes and land abandonment has resulted in the encroachment of former agricultural areas of limited productivity by shrubs and trees, resulting both in increased fuel availability and continuity, and subsequently increased burnability.
Early prediction of tumour response to PRRT
Authors: Reichmann K. , Yong-Hing C. , Damm M. , Risse J. , Ahmadzadehfar H. , Logvinski T. , Guhlke S. , Biersack H.-J. , Sabet A. , Ezziddin S.
Published: August 2013

[177Lu-DOTA0, Tyr3]-octreotate (177Lu-octreotate) in peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) offers direct intra-therapeutic dosimetry. The aim of this study was to compare tumour and non-tumour parameters and assess intra-individual variations. Patients, methods: Retrospective analysis of 53 consecutive PRRT treatment cycles (mean activity of 7.53 ± 0.46 GBq 177Lu-octreotate, intended four cycles at intervals of 10–14 weeks, standard nephroprotection) in 27 GEP NET patients. Extended planar dosimetry with serial wholebody imaging on selected, non-superimposed tumour and non-tumour regions; liver (LM), bone (BM), and other (OM) metastases. The per-cycle variation was compared with posttreatment response (CT/MRI three months post-treatment, modified SWOG criteria). Results: Residence time in tumor lesions (133–147 h) exceeded that in kidneys (93 h). Tumour-to-kidney absorbed dose ratios ranged from 14 to 28 (LM, BM, OM). Intra-individual per-cycle dose variation was insignificant for kidneys, but significant for metastases (LM, BM, and OM; p < 0.05). The mean per-cycle decrease of tumour absorbed dose (_D/A0[%]) was linked to morphologic response after PRRT. A mean decrease of >20% was predictive of a partial or minor remission in all 11 evaluable patients, while absent significant dose reduction indicated stable or progressive disease in 4/5 patients. The dose decrease was unrelated to volume effects and also observed for BM. Conclusion: Besides confirmation of a favourable tumour-to-kidney parameter relation for 177Lu-octreotate, stepwise intra-lesional comparison seems to imply a prognostic impact of tumor dosimetry: The early per-cycle change _D/A0 between treatment cycles may predict the outcome after PRRT. Larger studies are needed to confirm this finding.
Novel composite Zr/PBI-O-PhT membranes for HT-PEFC applications
Authors: Kondratenko Mikhail S , Ponomarev Igor I , Gallyamov Marat O , Razorenov Dmitry Yu , Volkova Yulia A , Kharitonova Elena P , Khokhlov Alexei R
Published: August 2013

Novel composite membranes for high temperature polymer-electrolyte fuel cells (HT-PEFC) based on a poly[oxy-3,3-bis(4′-benzimidazol-2″-ylphenyl)phtalide-5″(6″)-diyl] (PBI-O-PhT) polymer with small amounts of added Zr were prepared. It was shown in a model reaction between zirconium acetylacetonate (Zr(acac)4) and benzimidazole (BI) that Zr-atoms are capable to form chemical bonds with BI. Thus, Zr may be used as a crosslinking agent for PBI membranes. The obtained Zr/PBI-O-PhT composite membranes were examined by means of SAXS, thermomechanical analysis (TMA), and were tested in operating fuel cells by means of stationary voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy. The new membranes showed excellent stability in a 2000-hour fuel cell (FC) durability test. The modification of the PBI-O-PhT films with Zr facilitated an increase of the phosphoric acid (PA) uptake by the membranes, which resulted in an up to 2.5 times increased proton conductivity. The existence of an optimal amount of Zr content in the modified PBI-O-PhT film was shown. Larger amounts of Zr lead to a lower PA doping level and a reduced conductivity due to an excessively high degree of crosslinking.
Creating new populations of Apium bermejoi (Apiaceae), a critically endangered endemic plant on Menorca (Balearic Islands)
Authors: Rita Juan , Cursach Joana
Published: August 2013

Apium bermejoi is a stoloniferous plant endemic to the island of Menorca (Balearic Islands). It is found only at one locality, and it is listed as Critically Endangered (according to the IUCN criteria). We describe the main results of population restoration actions undertaken under the Recovery Plan for this species, including the following: 1) introduction at two new localities (2008), 2) reinforcement of the original wild and the introduced populations, and 3) a programme for monitoring population dynamics (including both wild and introduced populations) spanning four years (2006-2010). The plant material for the introduction and reinforcement projects was generated from seeds gathered in the wild. We carried out a monthly census of all of the individuals/patches and emerged seedlings, from which we assessed their survival at 3-4months. The survival rates of the planted individuals in the two new localities after three months were found to be 59.0% and 56.3%, and more than 80% of the surviving plants produced fruits. A seasonal pattern was observed based on the minimum cover values recorded in the censuses taken at the end of summer, with an increase detected during autumn, and maximal cover values recorded during May/June. The A. bermejoi populations showed large inter-annual fluctuations in both the number of patches and area of occupancy. The number of seedlings varied across the study years, and their survival was linked to specific meteorological events, such as severe storms and dry and hot spells during autumn. The initial phase of introduction for this species has been overall successful, but a final evaluation can only be made on a longterm basis.
Morphological description and ecology of some rare macroalgae in south-central Spanish rivers (Castilla-La Mancha Region)
Authors: Moreno Alcaraz Jose Luis , Monteagudo Canales Laura , Aboal Sanjurjo Marina
Published: August 2013

The Castilla-La Mancha Region (south-central Spain) is scarcely studied in terms of freshwater algae. However, both the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/CE) and the evaluation of the ecological state of European aquatic ecosystems have increased the intensity and frequency of water body monitoring, including the rivers, lakes and wetlands of this region. Thus, our knowledge on algal biodiversity and the geographical distribution of many species is rapidly increasing. In this study we describe the occurrence, ecological conditions and morphological characteristics of five algal species which are rare at the European level: Nostochopsis lobata Wood ex Bornet & Flahault, Batrachospermum atrum (Hudson) Harvey, Chroothece richteriana Hansg., Oocardium stratum Nägeli and Tetrasporidium javanicum Möbius. In addition, we include Hydrurus foetidus (Vill.) Trev., a more common alga in Spain, since this is the first record for the region. Finally, we compare morphological and ecological characteristics of the studied populations with other European records.
Strong inbreeding depression and individually variable mating system in the narrow endemic Erodium cazorlanum (Geraniaceae)
Authors: Alonso Conchita , García-Sevilla Marina
Published: August 2013

Angiosperms evolved different systems to attract effective pollinators while reducing selfing in hermaphroditic flowers. Selfing ability can be advantageous when pollinators and/or mates are scarce, although inbreeding depression may largely reduce those advantages. Recent comparative analyses suggested endemic species tend to evolve self-compatibility but a better understanding of the associated reproductive and genetic tradeoffs is required. Experimental hand-pollinations under greenhouse conditions were conducted to investigate the selfing ability and estimate inbreeding depression up to the offspring’ first reproductive event in Ero dium cazorlanum, a narrow endemic species restricted to dolomite outcrops in SE Spanish mountains. We found autonomous selfing ineffective. Further, when experimentally applied, pollen of the same flower produced significantly fewer fruits and seeds compared to geitonogamous and cross pollinations. The number of seeds per fruit was significantly higher after cross pollinations and strong inbreeding depression accumulated through the life-cycle. Interestingly, individual plants exhibited broad variation in selfing ability with six out of 14 individuals producing no seed after geitonogamy. Understanding the consequences of individual variation in self compatibility deserves further investigation in the field now that we know that strong inbreeding depression may limit recruitment of selfed progeny.
Genome size variation and polyploidy incidence in the alpine flora from Spain
Authors: Loureiro João , Castro Mariana , Cerca de Oliveira José , Mota Lucie , Torices Rubén
Published: August 2013

The interest to study genome evolution, in particular genome size variation and polyploid incidence, has increased in recent years. Still, only a few studies have been focused at a community level. Of particular interest are high mountain species, because of the high frequency of narrow endemics and their higher susceptibility to extinction due to the effects of climate change. In the present study we explored genome size variation and polyploidy incidence in the entomophilous plant communities of two distinct mountain ranges, the Sierra Nevada and Picos de Europa National Parks. For that, chromosome numbers and DNA ploidies were assessed through a review of the literature, and the genome size and incidence of polyploidy in 39 taxa from several key genera were estimated using flow cytometry. In this study, first genome size estimations are given for 32 taxa. The majority of the analyzed taxa presented very small to small genome sizes (2C ≤ 7.0 pg), with no differences being detected between genome size and geographic origin and distribution ranges. A low incidence of polyploid taxa was observed (23.3%), with polyploids being more common in Picos de Europa than in Sierra Nevada. Most taxa inferred as polyploids were high altitude plants, but no clear pattern between polyploidy incidence and endemic status was observed. The obtained results are discussed within the context of angiosperm’s genome size variation and of polyploidy incidence in alpine and arctic flora, contributing to the scientific knowledge of these natural communities of great biological importance.
Not only size matters: achene morphology affects time of seedling emergence in three heterocarpic species of Anacyclus (Anthemideae, Asteraceae)
Authors: Torices Rubén , Agudo Alicia , Álvarez Inés
Published: August 2013

The production of two or more distinct fruit types by an individual, i.e. heterocarpy, is considered as a mixed dispersal strategy in which a proportion of the offspring is able to colonize new sites, whilst others remain near the maternal location. Here, we aimed to explore the effects of achene morphology (winged vs. unwinged achenes) and achene size –measured here as achene mass– on post-dispersal life-history traits (probability and time of seedling emergence) in three heterocarpic Anacyclus species (Anthemideae, Asteraceae). Morphology, size and germination performance were studied in achenes from six populations of Anacyclus clavatus (Desf.) Pers., A. homogamos (Maire) Humphries, and A. valentinus L. Our results show that achene morphology and size were related to their position within the capitulum, such that outer, winged achenes were significantly heavier than the inner, unwinged ones. Additionally, winged achenes germinated faster than unwinged ones. This pattern may be related to the sequential achene time of release displayed by these species. Finally, our findings cast doubt on the role of wings as structures that favor dispersal by wind in these three species of Anacyclus.
Transplants of Western Pearlshell Mussels to Unoccupied Streams on Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, Southwestern Washington
Authors: Fernandez Marie K.
Published: August 2013

The western pearlshell mussel Margaritifera falcata is a species of freshwater mussel listed as vulnerable in the state of Washington. From 2007 to 2009, 265 western pearlshell mussels were transplanted from the Bear River to four streams within the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Washington. Transplanted western pearlshell mussels were monitored for survival and growth, as well as reproduction. Between 55% and 95% of the transplanted western pearlshell mussels could be accounted for in individual streams in 2010. Growth increments measured from September 2008 to March 2010 ranged up to 6.5 mm. Evidence of reproduction in western pearlshell mussels was observed in two streams. The project provided a rare opportunity to explore transplant techniques and gauge the success of these efforts for this species in the Pacific Northwest.
Impact of Economic Culture on the Development of Enterprises
Authors: Potocan Vojko , Nedelko Zlatko
Published: August 2013

Values of individuals, culture of groups, ethics of communities, and the resulting influential norms (i.e. VCEN) are interdependent. VCEN tend to crucially influence development and application of knowledge, skills, talents, and other resources. In the current very competitive and increasingly global economy, organizations and countries become more successful if their economic culture is innovation friendly. Economic culture reflects itself in the economic part of VCEN of nations as well, because organizations, such as enterprises, play a crucial role in a nation’s life. National resources are no longer enough, neither is investment, if it is not innovation enhancing. Thus, a new concept of economic VCEN is going to become necessary for people to find a new positive direction beyond the worrisome blind alley of the current economic crisis. The innovation of VCEN is, again, becoming more important than the technological innovation for development of countries and, indeed, for humankind. The contribution discusses two theses: (1) VCEN in organizations is importantly interdependent with the economic culture, and (2) the change of the economic culture in an organization is connected with the changes of the organizing methods and their management.
Agile Management for Multimedia
Authors: Sousa Ana Filipa , Almeida Ana Margarida
Published: August 2013

The past few years have seen a revolutionary transition in the field of project management that enlightened the strength of agile methodologies as a strategic attack towards the progressively faster development rhythms and growing innovation requirements. In this chapter, the authors present a study developed under this context that aims to discuss the suitability of agile project management to multimedia production through a case study focused on an academic context depleted in management formalities, the Laboratory SAPO/UA. The most prominent project of this setting is the SAPO Campus, and its team is analyzed and subjected to an agile project management model. Consequently, the authors anticipate an enhancement to the studied project and the gathering of arguments that empower a clear perspective on the fitness of agile project management to the context of multimedia development.
Trust in an Enterprise World
Authors: Gogoulos Fotios I. , Antonakopoulou Anna , Lioudakis Georgios V. , Kaklamani Dimitra I. , Venieris Iakovos S.
Published: August 2013

Web 2.0 technologies have fundamentally reshaped everyday users’ perceptions regarding online services by strengthening the importance of individual participation. This profound change is expanding to substantially affect modern enterprise operations and especially corporate information management practices. Well-established business models are upgraded to capture value from the establishment of dynamic coalitions and virtual organizations among remote stakeholders. However, these collaboration formulations dictate the concentration, use, and circulation of corporate information and sensitive personal data, and thus ignite severe security and privacy concerns. Enterprises against this background are more than willing to invest in terms cost and time in order to enforce the necessary countermeasures and thus build and maintain the trustworthiness of involved operations. This chapter studies how legislation and inherent characteristics of this new collaboration paradigm affect the qualities of trust and highlights prominent features of security and privacy protection measures that can deal with emerging trust issues.
Innovation and Diversification Policies in the Banking Sector
Authors: Liébana-Cabanillas Francisco J. , Muñoz-Leiva Francisco
Published: August 2013

This chapter describes innovation and diversification policies (i + d) and analyzes the main drivers of innovation in financial institutions. In addition, recent examples of financial innovations and their effect on banking policies are discussed. Specifically, the Internet has been the key to enabling financial institutions to extend and optimize their business by improving the information and services they can offer to their customers and prospects. Due to innovations and changes, the banking sector now takes a new approach in the design of their offices (“bank branch 2.0”) and Websites as a way to innovate and diversify business. This chapter explains the innovative strategies of the Urban@ program at the Caja Rural of Granada (Granada, Spain). The history and consolidation of the program, the internal institutional response, and the competition within the banking sector are described and analyzed. In general, the main strategies and achievements of this initiative are: (1) active customer listening, resulting in increased confidence and commitment from the staff; (2) use of up-sale strategies (cross-selling, reduced dropout rates, increased membership advantages), which increase both customer loyalty and customer satisfaction; and 3) a modern, more positive perception of the entity among the general public.
The Importance of ICT in the Social Support Networks and in the Citizenship of the Portuguese Elderly
Authors: Silva Marisa Carla Barros Fonseca
Published: August 2013

The Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) contain properties that easily convert into solutions for people with special needs, contributing to their inclusion in everyday life. The possibility to intervene and participate in acts of communication in interpersonal settings and distance learning, or simply the possibility of using a device that simulates the vocalization of requests, greetings, and caresses gain a redoubled sense in the efforts to include citizens with special needs, as it does to the senior citizens, in societies attempting to promote equal opportunities among its members. This chapter focuses on the interaction between the elderly and the information and communication technologies and the impact that that interaction has on their participation in society.
Impact of 2.0 on Contemporary Marketing
Authors: Simões Dora , Filipe Sandra
Published: August 2013

Contemporary marketing recognizes the scope and complexities of marketing activities. It is a multidimensional and a dynamic concept, known as holistic marketing, that asks and allows for the support systems in order to permanently connect to the parties, to create value and long-term relationships among all. In this context, this chapter presents a wide review about conceptualization of relationship marketing and its evolution and integration within the broader concept of contemporary marketing. It highlights that the development of a program for implementing and managing a successful Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system is an essential part of a strategic contemporary marketing plan. Additionally, it is imperative to assess it to better demonstrate its success or failure. The metrics to do this are also revisited in this chapter. Still, the emerging capabilities of CRM systems using Internet technologies are putting tremendous challenges on organizations and their human resources. Reference is made to some social media tools that can be a cheap and useful support in marketing strategies.
Attributes of Innovation Leaders
Authors: Soliman Fawzy
Published: August 2013

Many innovative companies pass through a number of transformation stages. The transformation is considered a chain of activities that begins with information that leads to knowledge, then into learning before it can finally be used for innovation. The chapter shows that transformational leadership is a key factor for moving the organisation from being information-based into knowledge-based and then into a learning organisation and an innovative company. The six important characteristics of the transformational leaders for the transformation are shown to be courage to switch off or terminate projects, rewarding performing staff, ability to appropriately time release of products to the market, ability to release products to the market within budget, and ability to inspire and be a role model for other staff. The chapter also shows that there are fourteen transformational leadership attributes that may be considered less critical than the above-mentioned six characteristics. Those non-critical characteristics include: degree of passion for the job, attracting talent, ability to build teams, coaching subordinates, communicating at all levels, driving projects successfully, enabling project-supporting environments, advising others managers, advocating for improvement, encouraging self-goal setting, ability of self rehearsal, ability of self reinforcement, ability of self-observation, and ability of self-expectation.
Online Social Networks
Authors: Torres Ana , Martins Francisco Vitorino
Published: August 2013

The chapter is conceptual, based on analysis and synthesis of social network theory and e-consumer literature. Despite a broad spectrum of disciplines that investigate social networks and the interest of marketing practitioners in the consequences of social networks, there are still areas open for research into networked-consumer behavior in marketing. Based on previous theoretical and empirical research, this study examines and discusses the influence of social network structure and ties in matched dyads, recommendation diffusion, social contagion and co-consumption influence, and individual motivations to spread market information. The chapter proposes a theory of matched dyadic ties in close networks of connections as a proxy for information about the potential market that is difficult and expensive for businesses to measure or access directly.
Valuing Learning Objects Shared in an Online Community
Authors: Guzmán Jacqueline , Motz Regina , da Silva Alberto Rodrigues
Published: August 2013

In this chapter, the authors analyze and discuss how the activity inside a social network impacts on the value of a Learning Object (LO) used in a collaborative e-learning platform. Recent works propose metrics for measuring LO reusability based on a variety of approaches. In this work, they combine and extend these approaches in order to design a valuation strategy which helps to identify the usage of LOs inside a social network. Their proposal is to identify the factors that are relevant for the valuation of a LO and determine which of them can be computed automatically from its context of usage, the level of success of its authors and its metadata. The authors’ analysis was performed on a particular social network called LOP (LO Poll) system, which strongly motivates the creation and collaborative valuation of LOs. They present preliminary conclusions obtained from an experiment performed in order to analyze the feasibility of the proposal.
Objective-Oriented Modeling of Enterprises under the Service Paradigm
Authors: Delgado José C.
Published: August 2013

Current enterprise architecture frameworks are inherently committed to the process paradigm by separating the data and application architectures. The N-tier architectural style is a good match to those methods, since it is based on the same separation principle. However, the process paradigm does not satisfy the information hiding and low semantic gap principles heralded by the object-oriented paradigm. This chapter presents an enterprise architecture framework that emphasizes the motivations (stemming from the business), the ends (expectations, what the business needs to achieve), and the means (what is needed to accomplish the ends), as the basis for a method to develop architectures better prepared for changes, either due to maintenance, adaptation, or enterprise integration and interoperability. The main tenets are to refine the ends into goals and objectives, increasing the level of concreteness as much as possible before delving into the design, and to adopt the service paradigm, for which a tierless architectural style is a more suitable match.
Towards E-Government Information Platforms for Enterprise 2.0
Authors: Rodrigues Mário , Dias Gonçalo Paiva , Teixeira António
Published: August 2013

Enterprise 2.0 aims to help employees, customers, and suppliers collaborate, share, and organize information. As governments are relevant partners for enterprises (legislation, contracts, etc.) e-government platforms need to be ready for Enterprise 2.0 to what concerns e-government interactions. The public sector holds huge quantities of information and just a small proportion is relevant to each enterprise. Enterprises should only be confronted with relevant information and not flooded with lots of data. This implies data organization with semantic description and services using open standards. The goal is to build a durable information infrastructure for government that can be readily accessed by enterprises. The authors propose a conceptual model for government information provisioning. The rationale for this proposal is to motivate the creation of durable, standard, and open government information infrastructures. The model acquires information from natural language documents and represents it using ontology. A proof-of-concept prototype and its preliminary results are presented.
Evaluation of South African Universities’ Web Portal Interfaces using a Triangulation of Ubiquitous Computing Evaluation Areas and Technology Acceptance Model
Authors: Booi Vathiswa M. , Ditsa George E.M.
Published: August 2013

There are growing concerns over the user friendliness and other usability issues of South African Universities’ Web Portal Interfaces (UWPIs), which obviously will negate the user acceptance of the UWPIs. The main goal of this study is to develop a framework that could be used to evaluate and provide additional guidelines to improve the Usability and User Acceptance of South African UWPIs. The study applies a triangulation of Ubiquitous computing Evaluation Areas (UEAs) and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as theoretical foundations to derive the research model. Multiple regression and stepwise regression analyses are used. The results suggest that Interaction and Invisibility of UWPIs are the most important measures that have a huge impact on user acceptance and usability, respectively. The results of the study provide guidelines for the design and development of South Africa UWPIs to meet their usability and user acceptance.
Emerging Options for the Management of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Binder Daniel , Hegenbarth Karin
Published: August 2013

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death in industrialized and developing countries. Approximately 80% of patients are diagnosed with non-small cell histology. Although a multidisciplinary approach is necessary for the treatment of patients at early or locally-advanced stages of the disease, further successes in the treatment of patients with advanced disease will largely rely on improved systemic tumor control. Although therapies directed against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have been incorporated into daily clinical practice, the value of other treatments remains to be elucidated. The current review highlights the most important driver mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and describes recent study results and the status of EGFR-directed therapy, anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-directed agents, antiangiogenic therapy, and mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (MET) inhibitors. However, many other agents with different modes of action are being examined in clinical research.
Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: Critical Review of Enzalutamide
Authors: El-Amm Joelle , Patel Nihar , Freeman Ashley , Aragon-Ching Jeanny B.
Published: August 2013

Enzalutamide, previously known as MDV300, is an oral, second-generation androgen receptor (AR) signaling inhibitor or antagonist that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2012 for the treatment of metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) postdocetaxel. Preclinical studies have demonstrated impressive affinity to the AR compared to the first-generation AR inhibitors. The landmark Phase III AFFIRM trial demonstrated improved overall survival benefit compared to placebo in addition to improvement in all tested parameters. Enzalutamide is currently being studied in several trials prechemotherapy and in earlier settings of prostate cancer. This review will discuss the mechanism of action of enzalutamide, its pharmacokinetics, the preclinical and clinical trials that led to its approval, the ongoing clinical trials, its safety and efficacy, as well as patterns of resistance, and discusses its place in therapy within the context of several recently approved agents for mCRPC.
Metagenomic identification, seasonal dynamics, and potential transmission mechanisms of a Daphnia‐associated single‐stranded DNA virus in two temperate lakes
Authors: Hewson Ian , Ng Gabriel , Li WenFang , LaBarre Brenna A. , Aguirre Isabel , Barbosa Jorge G. , Breitbart Mya , Greco Anthony W. , Kearns Colleen M. , Looi Alexander , Schaffner Lindsay R. , Thompson Philip D. , Hairston Nelson G.
Published: August 2013

We used a metagenomic approach to identify viruses that may be involved in the ecology of Daphnia spp. in Oneida and Cayuga lakes (upstate New York). We identified several highly represented, putative eukaryotic, circular, single‐stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) viral genomes. Among these, we discovered a genotype similar in both sequence and genomic architecture to a virus previously reported from a hyperthermal lake that shares characteristics of both single‐stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA) and single‐stranded DNA viruses. We used quantitative polymerase chain reactions to study the prevalence and viral load of both positive‐sense and negative‐sense strands of the Daphnia mendotae‐associated (Cladocera) hybrid virus (DMClaHV) over a summer season in Oneida and Cayuga lakes. DMClaHV had high prevalence within Daphnia populations, where viral load and the proportion of virus‐positive individuals were higher preceding host population decline. DMClaHV viral load was different between two species of Daphnia (D. mendotae and D. retrocurva), and the dynamics between viruses and their hosts varied between the two lakes. We detected DMClaHV in eggs (ephippia) retrieved from Oneida Lake sediments with an estimated age of 30 yr. Using transmission electron microscopy, we observed small (20 nm diameter) virus‐like particles in Daphnia that were well away from gut tissues and not associated with intracellular parasites. Because Daphnia plays a critical role in many lake ecosystems, DMClaHV may have important effects on herbivory and thus carbon flow through the lake ecosystem.
Sensory capabilities and food capture of two small copepods, Paracalanus parvus and Pseudocalanus sp
Authors: Tiselius Peter , Saiz Enric , Kiørboe Thomas
Published: August 2013

Detection, handling, and selection of prey are key features of suspension‐feeding copepods. Using high‐speed video, we determined detection distances and durations of all elements of the food gathering process in two small calanoid copepods, Paracalanus parvus and Pseudocalanus sp. Animals were freely swimming and presented with various phytoplankton species with equivalent spherical diameters ranging from 7 µm to 33 µm. Prey detection occurred very close—within a few cell radii—to the second antennae (53% of the cases) or the maxilliped (42%). There was no effect of prey size on detection distance, but larger prey caused a significantly longer handling time. Post‐detection processing of the cells was exceedingly fast. The time from detection to the cell being placed at the mouth lasted 35 ± 19 ms and rejection of unwanted cells 61 ± 21 ms. Grooming of antennules and carapace occurred intermittently and lasted 215–227 ms. The weak feeding current and fast response of the copepods allowed ample time for detection of cells entrained in the feeding current and no distant olfaction was observed. Modeled effect of cell size on cell surface concentration of cue chemicals show that only cells with a radius larger than ∼ 15 µm may be detected chemically and that only very much larger and/or very leaky cells can be detected at distance. Copepods have elaborate and exceedingly fast handling techniques that allow effective prey detection and capture, but there is no evidence of remote chemically mediated sensing when feeding on algal cells up to a size of 35 µm.
Contrasting mechanisms of dislodgement and erosion contribute to production of kelp detritus
Authors: de Bettignies Thibaut , Wernberg Thomas , Lavery Paul S. , Vanderklift Mathew A. , Mohring Margaret B.
Published: August 2013

We quantified simultaneously dislodgement and erosion for a dominant kelp species (Ecklonia radiata) over 1 yr, and related both to potential explanatory factors (wave exposure, temperature, and kelp fecundity). Erosion was the largest contributor of detritus, accounting for 80% of annual production. Most erosion occurred as a major pulse in autumn, whereas dislodgement was a minor and constant process throughout the year. Neither erosion nor dislodgement was correlated with water velocity (as often proposed), and this finding contradicts the common assumption that high dislodgement rates during peak wave action account for the bulk of detrital production. Together with low growth, the high erosion rate led to a severe reduction of individual kelp biomass in autumn (from 600 g to 300 g fresh weight kelp−1), reducing drag forces on kelp thalli by ∼ 50%, likely reducing their susceptibility to dislodgement during peak wave action. Instead, a pulse of detrital production coincided with periods of peak kelp fecundity. We propose that sporogenesis weakens the tissue, making E. radiata more susceptible to erosion, and that the ensuing changes in kelp morphology decouple detrital production from the wave‐action forces.
Study of Neuroimaging in Patients with Refractory Eclampsia
Authors: Patil Mithil M
Published: August 2013

Need

Despite availability of intensive care units and improved antenatal care some women still die from eclampsia. Eclampsia is associated with increased risk of maternal death from 1.8% in developing countries to 14% in developing countries. Cerebral complications are the major cause of death in eclampsia patients. Eclampsia along with hypercoagulopathy of pregnancy is a high risk patient for development of cerebrovascular thrombosis/ischemic strokes. Eclampsia patients who are refractory to the routine treatment have been found to have various CNS pathological conditions amenable to the medical treatment.

Aim and objectives

To study the neurological changes in patients with eclampsia and to delineate the pathophysiology in patients with refractory eclampsia.

Materials and methods

Prospective study design where 30 patients were included in the study. All patients were admitted in the eclampsia room with h/o convulsions. All patients were put on MgSO4therapy and antihypertensives. The patients who are refractory to the treatment, such as having recurrent convulsions despite on MgSO4were selected for neuroimaging with CT scan. neuroimaging is done with Phillips Tomoscan CT scanner where slices of 10 mm thickness were taken through the entire brain in the transaxial plane. Abdomen shielding is done with lead shield to prevent radiation hazard.

Results

Sr.FindingsNumber of patientsPercentage1

Cerebral edema

20

Mild to moderate

1756

Severe

3102Hypertensive encephalopathy5163Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome11364Cerebral infarction4135Cortical venous sinus thrombosis2166Tuberculomas267Meningitis138Hydrocephalus139Normal413

Conclusion

Eclampsia patients who were refactory to the treatment with MgSO4and antihypertensives have been found to have very significant and morbid CNS pathological conditions. Neuroimaging in this patients have done a pivotal role in identifying the abnormality and rectifying it with medical means which has surely improved patients condition and have reduced morbidity.

How to cite this article

Patil MM. Study of Neuroimaging in Patients with Refractory Eclampsia. J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 2013;5(1):4-7.
Prospective and Retrospective Analysis of Gestational Trophoblastic Disease over a Period of 5 Years
Authors: Singh Uma , Singh Nisha , Srivastava Sanghmitra
Published: August 2013

Objective

To study incidence and outcome of gestational trophoblastic disease and its variants and changes in gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) outcome since the use of FIGO 2002 scoring system.

Materials and method

A prospective and retrospective cohort study was conducted on all cases of GTD. Those admitted from Jan 2005 to Dec 2007 were retrospectively analyzed from hospital records. Cases admitted from Jan 2008 to Dec 2009 were followed prospectively. Data was analyzed in terms of methods of diagnosis, FIGO score, treatment methods, success and follow- up feasibility. Statistical analysis was done on SPSS 11 of Windows 2003.

Results

Forty-four patients of GTD were analyzed, 21 retrospectively and 23 prospectively. The incidence of GTD was 1.1 per 1,000 admissions and 1.5 per 1,000 deliveries. GTN constituted 1.44% of all the gynecological cancer cases admitted in 5 years. Invasive mole constituted 68% of GTN. Seventyone percent of the GTN belonged to stage 1 and 60% had low risk score. Prospective cases managed according to new FIGO (2002) scoring system showed a faster decline in βhCG, lower drug toxicity and higher complete cure rates.

Conclusion

Management of GTN according to new scoring system results in high cure rates. Centralized registry can achieve 100% follow-up and higher survival rates.

How to cite this article

Singh N, Singh U, Srivastava S. Prospective and Retrospective Analysis of Gestational Trophoblastic Disease over a Period of 5 Years. J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 2013;5(1):11-14.
Sublingual 400 μg Misoprostol vs Intravenous 0.2 mg Methylergometrine for Active Management of Third Stage of Labor
Authors: Bhute Sindhu , Shrivastava Deepti , Khamsara Deepali , Pandey Poonam
Published: August 2013

Objectives

To compare the efficacy and side effects of sublingual 400 μg misoprostol with 0.2 mg intravenous methylergometrine in active management of third stage of labor.

Materials and methods

In a prospective, randomized comparative study conduted in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, AVBRH, Wardha, 200 women at full-term gestation, without any high risk factors were studied in two groups of 100 each, for safety and efficacy of 400 μg sublingual misoprostol in comparison to 0.2 mg intravenous methylergometrine at the delivery of anterior shoulder from December 2010 to November 2011. Main parameters used were duration of 3rd stage, amount of blood loss, need of aditional uterotonic, complications of third stage, drop in hemoglobin and side effects. Results were analyzed by Student's t-test.

Results

Mean duration of third stage in misoprostol group was 9.67 ± 1.98 min, amount of blood loss was 203 ± 24 ml, need of additional uterotonics was 13%, drop in hemoglobin 0.59 ± 0.79 which were almost comparable with other group and side effects were mainly shivering and pyrexia in misoprostol group and vomiting and giddiness in methergine group.

Conclusion

Sublingual 400 μg misoprostol is almost equally effective as intravenous methergine for active management of third stage of labor with advantage of simplicity of storage of drug, route of administration and no risk of injection associated infections, which make it very much relevant in rural scenario.

How to cite this article

Shrivastava D, Khamsara D, Pandey P, Bhute S. Sublingual 400 μg Misoprostol vs Intravenous 0.2 mg Methylergometrine for Active Management of Third Stage of Labor. J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 2013;5(1):15-18.
Labor Analgesia: An Unmet Right of Laboring Women in India
Authors: Sharma Sudha , Menia Vinay , Bedi Jyoti , Dogra Sonica
Published: August 2013

Labor pain has been described as one of the worst pain experienced by women in their lives. Medical science has made a continuous effort in this field to find a better method to alleviate the pain of labor. Since the historical use of ether for labor analgesia (1847) various pharmacological and nonpharmacological methods for labor analgesia have been evolved, each having its own merits and demerits. But even today the hunt by medical science continues to find an ideal method for labor analgesia (simple, cheap, effective, easily available, and free of side effects). To date neuroaxial/regional analgesia remains the gold standard method for labor analgesia. More than 5 decades have passed since the establishment of its effectiveness and safety profile but even today it is not available to most laboring women in India, and the concept of labor analgesia is like a fairy tale story to them. High patient load in hospitals, high cost of equipment and poor doctor/patient ratio are important obstacles for this. Thus, providing labor analgesia which is a right of every woman remains an unmet need.

How to cite this article

Sharma S, Menia V, Bedi J, Dogra S. Labor Analgesia: An Unmet Right of Laboring Women in India. J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 2013;5(1):26-32.
Uterine Leiomyoma presenting with Hemoperitoneum
Authors: Dahiya Krishna , Walecha Nymphaea
Published: August 2013

Bleeding from uterine leiomyoma is a rare cause of hemoperitoneum. Although extremely rare, spontaneous bleeding from uterine leiomyoma should be in the differential diagnosis when there is no history of trauma, pregnancy, or other findings. This case report highlights that spontaneous vascular rupture in a fibroid can cause acute cardiovascular collapse, and that this should be borne in mind in cases of acute abdomen, especially in the presence of an abdomino-pelvic mass. Because surgical intervention is the only definitive treatment, emergency physicians should be aware of this rare complication.

How to cite this article

Dahiya K, Walecha N. Uterine Leiomyoma presenting with Hemoperitoneum. J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 2013;5(1):33-34.
A Rare Case of Portal Vein Cavernoma with Pregnancy
Authors: Gawande Madhuri , Ghike Sunita , Jain Sheela , Mitra Kajal , Senani Sanjana , Ratnaparkhi Chetna
Published: August 2013

Portal vein cavernoma is a rare disease resulting from extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis and development from collateral venous circulation. It is a rare condition affecting both adults and children with equal gender distribution. Both local and systemic factors may contribute to development of portal vein thrombosis. Once there is portal vein thrombosis, cavernous transformation occurs in 5 weeks to 12 months of thrombotic event. We report a case of primigravida with portal vein cavernoma who presented to us in last trimester. Cesarean section was done with primary indication with premature rupture of membrane with poor bishop score. Cesarean section was given priority considering associated digestive varices. Both maternal and fetal outcome was good.

How to cite this article

Ghike S, Gawande M, Mitra K, Jain S, Senani S, Ratnaparkhi C. A Rare Case of Portal Vein Cavernoma with Pregnancy. J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 2013;5(1):37-39.
Rare Case of Prolapsing Vaginal Cyst
Authors: Shah Neha , Valecha Shalini Mahana , Gandhewar Manisha , Shende Prajakta
Published: August 2013

Müllerian cysts typically are <2 cm in size and asymptomatic. Our patient presented with big mass coming out per vaginum and intermittent vaginal discharge. A provisional diagnosis of first degree uterovaginal descent with cystorectocele with small right lateral vaginal wall cyst was made. The patient was posted for vaginal hysterectomy with anteroposterior colporrhaphy with excision of the cyst. What we thought was a routine vaginal hysterectomy for prolapse allotting another few minutes for a small cyst removal, turned out to be a complicated procedure, requiring additional time and expertize. Not all patients presenting with mass coming out per vaginum, necessarily, are a case of prolapse. One should not minimize the importance of vaginal wall cysts, irrespective of their size. A detailed evaluation, using MRI scan is indicated, prior to proceeding with their removal.

How to cite this article

Valecha SM, Shah N, Gandhewar M, Shende P. Rare Case of Prolapsing Vaginal Cyst. J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 2013;5(1):40-41.
Evaluated kinetic and photochemical data for atmospheric chemistry: Volume VI – heterogeneous reactions with liquid substrates
Authors: Ammann M. , Cox R. A. , Crowley J. N. , Jenkin M. E. , Mellouki A. , Rossi M. J. , Troe J. , Wallington T. J.
Published: August 2013

Abstract. This article, the sixth in the ACP journal series, presents data evaluated by the IUPAC Task Group on Atmospheric Chemical Kinetic Data Evaluation. It covers the heterogeneous processes involving liquid particles present in the atmosphere with an emphasis on those relevant for the upper troposphere/lower stratosphere and the marine boundary layer, for which uptake coefficients and adsorption parameters have been presented on the IUPAC website since 2009. The article consists of an introduction and guide to the evaluation, giving a unifying framework for parameterisation of atmospheric heterogeneous processes. We provide summary sheets containing the recommended uptake parameters for the evaluated processes. The experimental data on which the recommendations are based are provided in data sheets in separate appendices for the four surfaces considered: liquid water, deliquesced halide salts, other aqueous electrolytes and sulfuric acid.