bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of robotic and laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for small renal tumours
Authors: Simsek Abdulmuttalip , Yavuzsan Abdullah Hizir , Colakoglu Yunus , Atar Arda , Sahin Selcuk , Tugcu Volkan
Published: July 2017

Objective: To evaluate a single surgeon oncological and functional outcomes of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) compared to robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN) for pT1a renal tumours. Materials and methods: Between 2006 and 2016, a retrospective review of 42 patients who underwent LPN (n = 20) or RPN (n = 22) by same surgeon was performed. Patients were matched for gender, age, body mass index (BMI), American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) score, tumour side, RENAL and PADUA scores, peri-operative and post-operative outcomes. Results: There was no significant differences between the two groups with respect to patient gender, age, BMI, ASA score, tumours side, RENAL and PADUA scores. Mean operative time for RPN was 176 vs. 227 minutes for LPN (p = 0.001). Warm ischemia time was similar in both groups (p = 0.58). Estimated blood loss (EBL) was higher in the LPN. There was no significant difference with preoperative and postoperative creatinine and percent change in eGFR levels. Only one case in LPN had positive surgical margin. Conclusions: RPN is a developing procedure, and technically feasible and safe for small-size renal tumours. Moreover RPN is a comparable and alternative operation to LPN, providing equivalent oncological and functional outcomes, as well as saving more healthy marginal tissue and easier and faster suturing.
Characterization of cytoskeleton features and maturation status of cultured human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes
Authors: Zuppinger Christian , Gibbons George , Dutta-Passecker Priyanka , Segiser Adrian , Most Henriette , Suter Thomas M.
Published: July 2017

Recent innovations in stem cell technologies and the availability of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) have opened new possibilities for studies and drug testing on human cardiomyocytes in vitro. Still, there are concerns about the precise nature of such â€˜reprogrammedâ€™ cells. We have performed an investigation using immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy on several cellular features using commercially available hiPSC-CMs. For some selected developmentally regulated or cardiac chamber-specific proteins, we have compared the results from hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes with freshly isolated, ventricular cardiomyocytes from adult rats. The results show that all typical cardiac proteins are expressed in these hiPSC-CMs. Furthermore, intercalated disc-like structures, calcium cycling proteins, and myofibrils are present. However, some of these proteins are only known from early developmental stages of the ventricular myocardium or the diseased adult heart. A heterogeneous expression pattern in the cell population was noted for some muscle proteins, such as for myosin light chains, or incomplete organization in sarcomeres, such as for telethonin. These observations indicate that hiPSC-CMs can be considered genuine human cardiomyocytes of an early developmental state. The here described marker proteins of maturation may become instrumental in future studies attempting the improvement of cardiomyocyte in vitro models.Â
Histochemistry and immunolocalisation of glucokinin in antidiabetic plants used in traditional Mexican medicine
Authors: Laguna-Hernández Guillermo , Rio-Zamorano Carlos A. , Meneses-Ochoa Itzel G. , Brechú-Franco Alicia E.
Published: July 2017

Mexico is a megadiverse country that has 3,600 to 4,000 species of medicinal plants, of which approximately 800 are used to treat conditions related to diabetes mellitus (DM). DM is a chronic degenerative disease of energy metabolism that exists as two types: type 1 (DM1) and type 2 (DM2). DM is considered a public health problem that affects 7% of the Mexican population older than 20 years. DM is clinically controlled with hypoglycaemic drugs, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, insulin secretion stimulants or the direct application of insulin. The hypoglycaemic effectiveness of specific molecules has been determined only for some medicinal plants in Mexico used to treat DM2. The presence of molecules called glucokinins, wich are similar to animal insulin molecules, has been reported in some plant species; glucokinins act as both growth factors and regulators of glucose metabolism in plants. Therefore, we hypothesized that the hypoglycaemic effectiveness of some of the popularly used species for the control of DM could be due to the presence of glucokinin, as reported for Bauhinia variegata. The goal of this work was to use histochemistry to detect, the accumulation of protein that is immunocytochemically compatible with glucokinin in slide sections of hypoglycaemic species used as remedies for DM2. The top fourteen most used medicinal plants in Mexico were selected for study via microscopic sections. Proteins were histochemically detected using naphthol blue black and Johansenâ€™s quadruple stain, and the immunocytochemical correspondence of the proteins with glucokinin was investigated using an insulin antibody. All species studied reacted positively to proteins and glucokinin in the same structures. The presence of glucokinin in these structures and the corresponding hypoglycaemic effects are discussed in the contex of the actions of other compounds.
2017Spring PaduaMuscleDays, roots and byproducts
Authors: Carraro Ugo
Published: July 2017

The second 2017 issue of EJTM volume 27 contains the collection of abstracts from the 2017Spring PaduaMuscleDays conference, that was held March 23-25 in Montegrotto, Euganei Hills, Padova, Italy. In addition to a brief history of the Padova Myology Meetings held during the last 30 years, the present and the future of the PaduaMuscleDays conference are discussed with special reference to new media and the options they offer to spread to a larger audience the results of the many workshops held in the Hotel Augustus conference hall and in the Aula Guariento of the Accademia Galileiana di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti, one of the hidden treasures of the medioeval Padua, Italy. Preliminary announcements of the 2017 and 2018 events, in particular of the Giovanni Salviati Memorial, will follow.
Development of a method to extract and amplify the complete mitogenome of some Sparidae species
Authors: Mascolo Celestina , Ceruso Marina , Sordino Paolo , Palma Giuseppe , Anastasio Aniello , Pepe Tiziana
Published: July 2017

Previous studies showed that fish mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is set up by a closed circular molecule of 16-17 kilobases (kb), comprising 2 ribosomal RNA genes (rRNA), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNA), 13 protein-coding genes and 2 non-coding regions. The analysis of single mtDNA genes, such as Cytb, COI, 16S and 12S, or short segment of them, has been widely used against species substitution in both fresh and processed fish products. The analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of fishery products allows to better study and characterise fish species. The aim of this research was to extract and amplify the complete mtDNA of some fish species of commercial interest belonging to the Sparidae family. The studied species were Dentex dentex, Dentex gibbosus, Dentex nufar, Pagellus acarne and Pagellus erythrinus. The entire mitogenome was obtained by gene amplification using long polymerase chain reactions. The analysis of the complete mitochondrial sequences will allow to gain further insights on these species and to find polymorphic sites that assess the degree of genetic variability of the species belonging to the family Sparidae.
The effects of fasting during Ramadan on the concentration of serotonin, dopamine, brainderived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor
Authors: Bastani Abdolhossein , Rajabi Sadegh , Kianimarkani Fatemeh
Published: July 2017

Neurotransmitters and neurotrophic factors are signaling molecules that play a crucial role in cell proliferation, differentiation, survival and functions of neurons. It is believed that caloric restriction could help the health of the nervous system by affecting the synthesis of neurotrophins and neurotransmitter and oxygen radical metabolism. The objective was to investigate the plasma levels of serotonin, dopamine, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and nerve growth factor (NGF) in 29 healthy fasted subjects (22 women and 7 men) during the month of fasting in Ramadan. The levels of these factors were measured (using ELISA method) three times, 2 days before the fasting month as a control, on the 14th and 29th day of Ramadan as test groups. In addition, these factors were investigated in the group of women only. According to our investigation, the plasma levels of serotonin, BDNF and NGF were significantly increased during fasting month of Ramadan. In detail, the levels of these factors were increased in 14th and 29th day test groups compared to controls (P<0.05). Moreover, these levels were significantly increased on the 29th day compared to the 14th day test groups, but there were no differences between dopamine levels in all groups. Furthermore, the results obtained in women’s groups were the same as those obtained in previous groups. Our findings suggest that plasma levels of serotonin, BDNF and NGF were significantly increased during fasting month of Ramadan.
Bilateral cavernous sinus thrombosis as first manifestation of primary Burkitt lymphoma of the thyroid gland
Authors: Moghaddasi Mehdi , Nabovvati Mona , Razmeh Saeed
Published: July 2017

Cavernous sinus thrombosis (CST) is a rare condition that is usually associated with infections, pregnancy, vasculitis and some types of medication, such as the contraceptive pill and paraneoplastic. Primary Burkitt lymphoma (PBL) of the thyroid gland is very uncommon and the clinical description of such cases has been largely limited to case reports. In this paper, we present a case of CST as the first manifestation of PBL of the thyroid gland. To the best of our knowledge, our patient is the first case report of PBL of the thyroid gland that presents with bilateral CST.
Developing a comprehensive Cardio-Oncology Program at a Cancer Institute: the Moffitt Cancer Center experience
Authors: Fradley Michael G. , Brown Allen C. , Shields Bernadette , Viganego Federico , Damrongwatanasuk Rongras , Patel Aarti A. , Hartlage Gregory , Roper Natalee , Jaunese Julie , Roy Larry , Ismail-Khan Roohi
Published: July 2017

Cardio-oncology is a multidisciplinary field focusing on the management and prevention of cardiovascular complications in cancer patients and survivors. While the initial focus of this specialty was on heart failure associated with anthracycline use, novel anticancer agents are increasingly utilized and are associated with many other cardiotoxicities including hypertension, arrhythmias and vascular disease. Since its inception, the field has developed at a rapid pace with the establishment of programs at many major academic institutions and community practices. Given the complexities of this patient population, it is important for providers to possess knowledge of not only cardiovascular disease but also cancer subtypes and their specific therapeutics. Developing a cardio- oncology program at a stand-alone cancer center can present unique opportunities and challenges when compared to those affiliated with other institutions including resource allocation, cardiovascular testing availability and provider education. In this review, we present our experiences establishing the cardio-oncology program at Moffitt Cancer Center and provide guidance to those individuals interested in developing a program at a similar independent cancer institution.
The double-transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion: an innovative one-stage surgical technique for posterior kyphosis correction
Authors: Jäger Marcus , Tassemeier Tjark
Published: July 2017

Posttraumatic deformities after vertebral fractures are challenging for orthopedic surgeons in the non-operative and operative field. Especially osteoporotic fractures may cause a hyperkyphosis resulting in segmental or global sagittal imbalance and chronic back pain. Different vertebral osteotomies are potent to restore sagittal profile but show a very high perioperative risk including neurological and soft tissue complications. In addition, some of these extensive operations require a two-step procedure including posterior and anterior approaches. Therefore, these established techniques may be contraindicated in elderly or multimorbide patients suffering from concomitant diseases. The authors describe the double transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) osteotomy (DTO) as an innovative one-stage and low-invasive surgical technique to correct a fixed posttraumatic kyphosis in the thoracolumbar junction. The procedure includes posterior release (laminectomy, facettectomy, nucleotomy) combined with two expandable TLIF implants (sandwich technique) and posterior instrumentation and is illustrated by a case of a multimorbide 78-year old female.
Novel Therapies in Platinum-refractory Metastatic Germ Cell Tumor: A Case Report with a Focus on a PD-1 Inhibitor
Authors: Loh Kah Poh , Fung Chunkit
Published: July 2017

Testicular germ cell tumor (GCT) is the most common malignancy in young males between the ages of 15 to 35 years. Although the overall cure rate of GCTs approaches 95%, almost 25% of patients with distant metastases die from the cancer. Active investigations on novel treatment options for platinum-refractory GCTs include immunotherapies such as program-death 1 (PD-1)/program death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors. In this case, we report a patient with metastatic GCTs who was treated with pembrolizumab, a PD-L1 inhibitor, in a phase II study after failing several lines of chemotherapy. We highlighted the rationale for the use of PD-L1 inhibitor in this population.
A Case of Neuroendocrine Carcinoma Developing from the Broad Ligament of the Uterus
Authors: Itonaga Yui , Nishida Masakazu , Matsumoto Harunobu , Nasu Kaei , Narahara Hisashi
Published: July 2017

Neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC), also called small cell carcinoma or large cell carcinoma, is a rare and aggressive tumor that develops mainly in the lung and intestine. More rarely, NEC develops in gynecologic organs, with poor prognoses. We experienced a case of NEC in the broad ligament of the uterus. The patient was a 74-year-old woman with symptoms of abdominal distension and constipation. Ultrasound sonography detected an abdominal tumor larger than 10 cm. She was then admitted to our hospital. She underwent surgery under the diagnosis of ovarian cancer, but the bilateral ovaries and uterus were normal in appearance, and a tumor was developing instead from the broad ligament of the uterus. The patient then received a hysterectomy, salpingo-oophorectomies, and lymphadenectomy, and the peritoneal membrane was stripped around the pelvic space. Despite our suggestion, she never accepted the adjuvant treatment. She discontinued her periodic follow-up with and was followed in another hospital. Generally, the prognosis of NEC is poor, and there is no established treatment for a tumor in a gynecologic lesion. However, we anticipate that the accumulation of experience treating such cases will eventually lead to a standard treatment for NEC.
Grothendieck-Verdier duality patterns in quantum algebra
Authors: Manin Yuri Ivanovich
Published: July 2017

After a brief survey of the basic definitions of Grothendieck-Verdier
categories and dualities, I consider in this context dualities
introduced earlier in the categories of quadratic algebras and operads,
largely motivated by the theory of quantum groups.
Finally, I argue that Dubrovin's ‘almost duality’ in the theory of Frobenius
manifolds and quantum cohomology must also fit a (possibly extended)
version of Grothendieck-Verdier duality.
The apparent conflict of transcendentalism and immanentism in Kwame Gyekye and Kwasi Wiredu’s interpretation of the Akan concept of God
Authors: Agada Ada
Published: July 2017

In this paper I compare Kwame Gyekye’s transcendentalist interpretation of the Akan conception of God with Kwasi Wiredu’s immanentist interpretation. I highlight the tension between the two thinkers’ interpretations of Akan religious thought within the broader conflict between transcendence and immanence. Using the analytic, critical, and interpretative method, I show how the reconciliation of Gyekye and Wiredu’s divergent, yet paradoxically overlapping visions can be effected in the idea of panpsychism. In the process of effecting this reconciliation, I open up a new area of research in African philosophy of religion that African philosophers will find rewarding to engage.
Towards an African critical philosophy of race: Ubuntu as a philo-praxis of liberation
Authors: Dladla Ndumiso
Published: July 2017

Although 1994 is popularly represented as a year of major transition from an oppressive society to a democratic one in South African history, it did not mark the end of White Supremacy but instead its evolution from one constitutional form into another. This is because the so-called “right of conquest” remains affirmed in South Africa by the much celebrated constitution Act 108 of 1996. Since the early 90s, Ubuntu has been employed by the elite parties involved in the “negotiations” for the transition to the “new” South Africa, to justify the new society. This perverse employment of Ubuntu has been largely supported with the aid of sophistic academic posturing by the largely white academic establishment in South Africa and its network of international allies. Using African philosophical hermeneutics as a method, we will ground another interpretation of Ubuntu which stems from two interrelated roots. The first root is a firm understanding of and engagement with the Bantu languages and cultures which are its primordial philosophical basis (and thus crucial) on the one hand. The second is the study of the history of Ubuntu as lived and living philosophy responding to the challenge of the conquest of the indigenous people in the unjust wars of colonisation. Towards this end we will draw from the experience of Ubuntu-inspired movements in the history of the wars of resistance and the struggle for liberation ongoing since 1652.
Philosophical sagacity as conversational philosophy and its significance for the question of method in African philosophy
Authors: Ibanga Diana-Abasi
Published: July 2017

In this study, I aimed to carry out a comparative analysis of the methods of conversational philosophy and sage philosophy as contributions towards overcoming the problem of methodology in African philosophy. The purpose was to show their points of convergence and probably, if possible, their point of divergence as well. I did not intend to show that the method of one is superior or inferior to the other. The objective was to provide an analysis to show that the two methods are essentially the same with little variations. Thereafter, I highlighted their significance as methods of doing African philosophy and discussed their problems as well. I used the methods of analysis and hermeneutics. From the study, I concluded that conversational philosophy is an extension or a modified form of sage philosophy. The implication of this conclusion is that sage philosophy and conversational philosophy should overlap each other in research and purposes.Keywords: Sage Philosophy, Conversational Philosophy, African Philosophy, Philosophical place, Philosophical space, Methodology
Journalism, the pressures of verification and notions of post-truth in civil society
Authors: Martin Nora
Published: July 2017

‘Post-truth’ was not a new concept when it was selected as the international word of the year (2016) by Oxford Dictionaries. In the context of communications research, scholars were discussing journalism in the ‘post-factual’ age some thirty years ago (Ettema 1987). In the digital era, journalistic practice itself has changed; stories are generated by a multiplicity of actors in a participative and interactive way. This paper contemplates the nature of journalists’ information practices in the 21st century and relates these to the roles of information and social media in civil society. The methodology draws on the findings of pilot research studies investigating journalists’ information practices in the digital realm (Martin 2014; 2015) and investigates the pressures of verification. The author posits that that we are ostensibly living in a ‘post-truth’ society largely due to the impact of changes in the news milieu in the digital age. With so many diverse voices in the mix, it is increasingly difficult for citizens to separate fact from fiction; journalists thus have a role as verifiers. It is crucial for information consumers (citizenry) to have the requisite skills and knowledge to critically evaluate media content and deal with information and communication overload.
Automation and heat transfer characterization of immersion mode spectroscopy for analysis of ice nucleating particles
Authors: Beall Charlotte M. , Stokes M. Dale , Hill Thomas C. , DeMott Paul J. , DeWald Jesse T. , Prather Kimberly A.
Published: July 2017

Abstract. Ice nucleating particles (INPs) influence cloud properties and can affect the overall precipitation efficiency. Developing a parameterization of INPs in global climate models has proven challenging. More INP measurements – including studies of their spatial distribution, sources and sinks, and fundamental freezing mechanisms – must be conducted in order to further improve INP parameterizations. In this paper, an immersion mode INP measurement technique is modified and automated using a software-controlled, real-time image stream designed to leverage optical changes of water droplets to detect freezing events. For the first time, heat transfer properties of the INP measurement technique are characterized using a finite-element-analysis-based heat transfer simulation to improve accuracy of INP freezing temperature measurement. The heat transfer simulation is proposed as a tool that could be used to explain the sources of bias in temperature measurements in INP measurement techniques and ultimately explain the observed discrepancies in measured INP freezing temperatures between different instruments. The simulation results show that a difference of +8.4 °C between the well base temperature and the headspace gas results in an up to 0.6 °C stratification of the aliquot, whereas a difference of +4.2 °C or less results in a thermally homogenous water volume within the error of the thermal probe, ±0.2 °C. The results also show that there is a strong temperature gradient in the immediate vicinity of the aliquot, such that without careful placement of temperature probes, or characterization of heat transfer properties of the water and cooling environment, INP measurements can be biased toward colder temperatures. Based on a modified immersion mode technique, the Automated Ice Spectrometer (AIS), measurements of the standard test dust illite NX are reported and compared against six other immersion mode droplet assay techniques featured in Hiranuma et al. (2015) that used wet suspensions. AIS measurements of illite NX INP freezing temperatures compare reasonably with others, falling within the 5 °C spread in reported spectra. The AIS as well as its characterization of heat transfer properties allows higher confidence in accuracy of freezing temperature measurement, allows higher throughput of sample analysis, and enables disentanglement of the effects of heat transfer rates on sample volumes from time dependence of ice nucleation.
Global geomagnetic responses to the IMF Bz fluctuations during the September/October 2003 high-speed stream intervals
Authors: Echer Ezequiel , Korth Axel , Bolzan Mauricio José Alves , Friedel Reinhard Hans Walter
Published: July 2017

Abstract. In this paper, we follow the coupling from the solar wind to the Earth's magnetotail, geosynchronous orbit, auroral zone and to the ground, during periods of Alfvénic fluctuations in high-speed solar wind streams (HSSs) and their corotating interaction regions (CIRs). We employ cross-wavelet analysis of magnetic field, particle flux and auroral electrojet (AE) index data for the HSSs of September and October 2003. Our results show a remarkably consistent periodic response among all of these regions and across multiple substorm indicators, indicating a possible driven substorm response of the global magnetosphere to the solar wind interplanetary structures. Across the seven intervals studied we find a range of periodic responses from 1.8 to 3.1 h, which is consistent with the 2.75 h peak of the Borovsky et al. (1993) statistical study of inter-substorm periods.
Boreal coniferous forest density leads to significant variations in soil physical and geochemical properties
Authors: Bastianelli Carole , Ali Adam A. , Beguin Julien , Bergeron Yves , Grondin Pierre , Hély Christelle , Paré David
Published: July 2017

Abstract. At the northernmost extent of the managed forest in Quebec, Canada, the boreal forest is currently undergoing an ecological transition between two forest ecosystems. Open lichen woodlands (LW) are spreading southward at the expense of more productive closed-canopy black spruce–moss forests (MF). The objective of this study was to investigate whether soil properties could distinguish MF from LW in the transition zone where both ecosystem types coexist. This study brings out clear evidence that differences in vegetation cover can lead to significant variations in soil physical and geochemical properties.Here, we showed that soil carbon, exchangeable cations, and iron and aluminium crystallinity vary between boreal closed-canopy forests and open lichen woodlands, likely attributed to variations in soil microclimatic conditions. All the soils studied were typical podzolic soil profiles evolved from glacial till deposits that shared a similar texture of the C layer. However, soil humus and the B layer varied in thickness and chemistry between the two forest ecosystems at the pedon scale. Multivariate analyses of variance were used to evaluate how soil properties could help distinguish the two types at the site scale. MF humus (FH horizons horizons composing the O layer) showed significantly higher concentrations of organic carbon and nitrogen and of the main exchangeable base cations (Ca, Mg) than LW soils. The B horizon of LW sites held higher concentrations of total Al and Fe oxides and particularly greater concentrations of inorganic amorphous Fe oxides than MF mineral soils, while showing a thinner B layer. Overall, our results show that MF store three times more organic carbon in their soils (B+FH horizons, roots apart) than LW. We suggest that variations in soil properties between MF and LW are linked to a cascade of events involving the impacts of natural disturbances such as wildfires on forest regeneration that determines the vegetation structure (stand density) and composition (ground cover type) and their subsequent consequences on soil environmental parameters (moisture, radiation rate, redox conditions, etc.). Our data underline significant differences in soil biogeochemistry under different forest ecosystems and reveal the importance of interactions in the soil–vegetation–climate system for the determination of soil composition.
Growth responses of trees and understory plants to nitrogen fertilization in a subtropical forest in China
Authors: Tian Di , Li Peng , Fang Wenjing , Xu Jun , Luo Yongkai , Yan Zhengbing , Zhu Biao , Wang Jingjing , Xu Xiaoniu , Fang Jingyun
Published: July 2017

Abstract. Reactive nitrogen (N) increase in the biosphere has been a noteworthy aspect of global change, producing considerable ecological effects on the functioning and dynamics of the terrestrial ecosystems. A number of observational studies have explored responses of plants to experimentally simulated N enrichment in boreal and temperate forests. Here we investigate how the dominant trees and different understory plants respond to experimental N enrichment in a subtropical forest in China. We conducted a 3.4-year N fertilization experiment in an old-aged subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest in eastern China with three treatment levels applied to nine 20 m  ×  20 m plots and replicated in three blocks. We divided the plants into trees, saplings, shrubs (including tree seedlings), and ground-cover plants (ferns) according to the growth forms, and then measured the absolute and relative basal area increments of trees and saplings and the aboveground biomass of understory shrubs and ferns. We further grouped individuals of the dominant tree species, Castanopsis eyrei, into three size classes to investigate their respective growth responses to the N fertilization. Our results showed that the plot-averaged absolute and relative growth rates of basal area and aboveground biomass of trees were not affected by N fertilization. Across the individuals of C. eyrei, the small trees with a DBH (diameter at breast height) of 5–10 cm declined by 66.4 and 59.5 %, respectively, in N50 (50 kg N ha−1 yr−1) and N100 fertilized plots (100 kg N ha−1 yr−1), while the growth of median and large trees with a DBH of  >  10 cm did not significantly change with the N fertilization. The growth rate of small trees, saplings, and the aboveground biomass of understory shrubs and ground-cover ferns decreased significantly in the N-fertilized plots. Our findings suggested that N might not be a limiting nutrient in this mature subtropical forest, and that the limitation of other nutrients in the forest ecosystem might be aggravated by the enhanced N availability, potentially resulting in an adverse effect on the development of natural subtropical forest.
Seabed images from Southern Ocean shelf regions off the northern Antarctic Peninsula and in the southeastern Weddell Sea
Authors: Piepenburg Dieter , Buschmann Alexander , Driemel Amelie , Grobe Hannes , Gutt Julian , Schumacher Stefanie , Segelken-Voigt Alexandra , Sieger Rainer
Published: July 2017

Abstract. Recent advances in underwater imaging technology allow for the gathering of invaluable scientific information on seafloor ecosystems, such as direct in situ views of seabed habitats and quantitative data on the composition, diversity, abundance, and distribution of epibenthic fauna. The imaging approach has been extensively used within the research project DynAMo (Dynamics of Antarctic Marine Shelf Ecosystems) at the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research Bremerhaven (AWI), which aimed to comparatively assess the pace and quality of the dynamics of Southern Ocean benthos. Within this framework, epibenthic spatial distribution patterns have been comparatively investigated in two regions in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean: the shelf areas off the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, representing a region with above-average warming of surface waters and sea-ice reduction, and the shelves of the eastern Weddell Sea as an example of a stable high-Antarctic marine environment that is not (yet) affected by climate change. The AWI Ocean Floor Observation System (OFOS) was used to collect seabed imagery during two cruises of the German research vessel Polarstern, ANT-XXIX/3 (PS81) to the Antarctic Peninsula from January to March 2013 and ANT-XXXI/2 (PS96) to the Weddell Sea from December 2015 to February 2016. Here, we report on the image and data collections gathered during these cruises. During PS81, OFOS was successfully deployed at a total of 31 stations at water depths between 29 and 784 m. At most stations, series of 500 to 530 pictures ( >  15 000 in total, each depicting a seabed area of approximately 3.45 m2 or 2.3  ×  1.5 m) were taken along transects approximately 3.7 km in length. During PS96, OFOS was used at a total of 13 stations at water depths between 200 and 754 m, yielding series of 110 to 293 photos (2670 in total) along transects 0.9 to 2.6 km in length. All seabed images taken during the two cruises, including metadata, are available from the data publisher PANGAEA via the two persistent identifiers at https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.872719 (for PS81) and https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.862097 (for PS96).
Form and function in hillslope hydrology: characterization of subsurface flow based on response observations
Authors: Angermann Lisa , Jackisch Conrad , Allroggen Niklas , Sprenger Matthias , Zehe Erwin , Tronicke Jens , Weiler Markus , Blume Theresa
Published: July 2017

Abstract. The phrase form and function was established in architecture and biology and refers to the idea that form and functionality are closely correlated, influence each other, and co-evolve. We suggest transferring this idea to hydrological systems to separate and analyze their two main characteristics: their form, which is equivalent to the spatial structure and static properties, and their function, equivalent to internal responses and hydrological behavior. While this approach is not particularly new to hydrological field research, we want to employ this concept to explicitly pursue the question of what information is most advantageous to understand a hydrological system. We applied this concept to subsurface flow within a hillslope, with a methodological focus on function: we conducted observations during a natural storm event and followed this with a hillslope-scale irrigation experiment. The results are used to infer hydrological processes of the monitored system. Based on these findings, the explanatory power and conclusiveness of the data are discussed. The measurements included basic hydrological monitoring methods, like piezometers, soil moisture, and discharge measurements. These were accompanied by isotope sampling and a novel application of 2-D time-lapse GPR (ground-penetrating radar). The main finding regarding the processes in the hillslope was that preferential flow paths were established quickly, despite unsaturated conditions. These flow paths also caused a detectable signal in the catchment response following a natural rainfall event, showing that these processes are relevant also at the catchment scale. Thus, we conclude that response observations (dynamics and patterns, i.e., indicators of function) were well suited to describing processes at the observational scale. Especially the use of 2-D time-lapse GPR measurements, providing detailed subsurface response patterns, as well as the combination of stream-centered and hillslope-centered approaches, allowed us to link processes and put them in a larger context. Transfer to other scales beyond observational scale and generalizations, however, rely on the knowledge of structures (form) and remain speculative. The complementary approach with a methodological focus on form (i.e., structure exploration) is presented and discussed in the companion paper by Jackisch et al.(2017).
Synthetic tsunami waveform catalogs with kinematic constraints
Authors: Baptista Maria Ana , Miranda Jorge Miguel , Matias Luis , Omira Rachid
Published: July 2017

Abstract. In this study we present a comprehensive methodology to produce a synthetic tsunami waveform catalogue in the northeast Atlantic, east of the Azores islands. The method uses a synthetic earthquake catalogue compatible with plate kinematic constraints of the area. We use it to assess the tsunami hazard from the transcurrent boundary located between Iberia and the Azores, whose western part is known as the Gloria Fault. This study focuses only on earthquake-generated tsunamis. Moreover, we assume that the time and space distribution of the seismic events is known. To do this, we compute a synthetic earthquake catalogue including all fault parameters needed to characterize the seafloor deformation covering the time span of 20 000 years, which we consider long enough to ensure the representability of earthquake generation on this segment of the plate boundary. The computed time and space rupture distributions are made compatible with global kinematic plate models. We use the tsunami empirical Green's functions to efficiently compute the synthetic tsunami waveforms for the dataset of coastal locations, thus providing the basis for tsunami impact characterization. We present the results in the form of offshore wave heights for all coastal points in the dataset. Our results focus on the northeast Atlantic basin, showing that earthquake-induced tsunamis in the transcurrent segment of the Azores–Gibraltar plate boundary pose a minor threat to coastal areas north of Portugal and beyond the Strait of Gibraltar. However, in Morocco, the Azores, and the Madeira islands, we can expect wave heights between 0.6 and 0.8 m, leading to precautionary evacuation of coastal areas. The advantages of the method are its easy application to other regions and the low computation effort needed.
Revegetation in abandoned quarries with landfill stabilized waste and gravels: water dynamics and plant growth – a case study
Authors: Zhang Cheng-liang , Feng Jing-jing , Rong Li-ming , Zhao Ting-ning
Published: July 2017

Abstract. Large amounts of quarry wastes are produced during quarrying. Though quarry wastes are commonly used in pavement construction and concrete production, in-situ utilization during ecological restoration of abandoned quarries has its advantage of simplicity. In this paper, rock fragments of 2 ~ 3 cm in size were mixed with landfill stabilized waste (LSW) in different proportions (LSW: gravel, RL), which was called LGM. The water content, runoff and plant growth under natural precipitation were monitored for two years using a runoff plot experiment. LGM with a low fraction of LSW was compacted in different degrees to achieve an appropriate porosity; water dynamic and plant growth of compacted LGM were studied in a field experiment. The results showed that, (1) LGM can be used during restoration in abandoned quarries as growing material for plants. (2) RL had a significant effect on infiltration and water holding capacity of LGM, and thus influenced retention of precipitation, water condition and plant growth. LGM with RL ranging from 8 : 1 to 3 : 7 was suitable for plant growth, but the target species grew best when RL was intermediate. (3) Compaction significantly enhanced water content of LGM with a low RL of 2 : 8, but leaf water content of plants was lower or unchanged in the more compacted plots. Moderate compaction was beneficial to the survival and growth of Robinia pseudoacacia. Platycladus orientalis and Medicago sativa were not significantly affected by compaction, and they grew better under high degree of compaction which was disadvantageous for the uppermost layer of vegetation.
On the link between stress field and small-scale hydraulic fracture growth in anisotropic rock derived from microseismicity
Authors: Gischig Valentin S. , Doetsch Joseph , Maurer Hansruedi , Krietsch Hannes , Amann Florian , Evans Keith F. , Nejati Morteza , Jalali Mohammadreza , Valley Benoît , Obermann Anne , Wiemer Stefan , Giardini Domenico
Published: July 2017

Abstract. To characterize the stress field at the Grimsel Test Site (GTS) underground rock laboratory a series of hydrofracturing test and overcoring test were performed. Hydrofracturing was accompanied by seismic monitoring using a network of highly sensitive piezo sensors and accelerometers that were able to record small seismic events associated with decimeter-sized fractures. Due to potential discrepancies between the hydro-fracture orientation and stress field estimates from overcoring, it was essential to obtain high-precision hypocenter locations that reliably illuminate fracture growth. Absolute locations were improved using a transverse isotropic P-wave velocity model and by applying joint hypocenter determination that allowed computation of station corrections. We further exploited the high degree of waveform similarity of events by applying cluster analysis and relative relocation. Resulting clouds of absolute and relative located seismicity showed a consistent east-west strike and 70° dip for all hydro-fractures. The fracture growth direction from microseismicity is consistent with the principal stress orientations from the overcoring stress tests provided an anisotropic elastic model for the rock mass is used in the data inversions. σ1 is significantly larger than the other two principal stresses, and has a reasonably well-defined orientation that is subparallel to the fracture plane. σ2 and σ3 are almost equal in magnitude, and thus lie on a circle defined by the standard errors of the solutions. The poles of the microseismicity planes also lie on this circle towards the north. The trace of the hydraulic fracture imaged at the borehole wall show that they initiated within the foliation plane, which differs in orientation from the microseismicity planes. Thus, fracture initiation was most likely influenced by a foliation-related strength anisotropy. Analysis of P-wave polarizations suggested double-couple focal mechanisms with both thrust and normal faulting mechanisms present, whereas strike-slip and thrust mechanisms would be expected from the overcoring-derived stress solution. The reasons for these discrepancies are not well understood, but may involve stress field rotation around the propagating hydrofracture. Our study demonstrates that microseismicity monitoring along with high-resolution event locations provides valuable information for interpreting stress characterization measurements.
Subthreshold micropulse laser reduces anti-VEGF injection burden in patients with diabetic macular edema
Authors: Moisseiev Elad , Abbassi Sam , Thinda Sumeer , Yoon Joseph , Yiu Glenn , Morse Lawrence S.
Published: July 2017

Purpose:

To evaluate the efficacy of micropulse laser in the early treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) and its associated burden of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections.

Methods:

This retrospective comparative study compared a group of 19 eyes with DME treated with micropulse laser to a matched control group of 19 eyes with DME treated with ranibizumab injections without micropulse laser. Recorded parameters included previous medical and ocular history, previous and subsequent ranibizumab injections administered for DME, visual acuity (VA), central macular thickness throughout the follow-up period, and the occurrence of any complications.

Results:

The improvement in VA was comparable in both groups, at 12 months and at the final follow-up. Patients treated with micropulse laser required significantly fewer ranibizumab injections than their controls, both at 12 months (1.7 ± 2.3 vs 5.6 ± 2.1) and by the end of the follow-up (2.6 ± 3.3 vs 9.3 ± 5.1) (p<0.001 for both). No complications related to the micropulse laser were encountered.

Conclusions:

Micropulse laser is a safe and effective treatment for DME, which may achieve comparable improvement in VA along with a significant reduction in the burden of anti-VEGF injections. We suggest a treatment approach for its inclusion in the early stages of DME.
Intraoperative Fluoroscopy with a Direct Anterior Approach Reduces Variation in Acetabular cup Abduction Angle
Authors: Goodman Gens P. , Goyal Nitin , Parks Nancy L. , Hopper Robert H. , Hamilton William G.
Published: July 2017

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to compare acetabular cup position for 2 cohorts of total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients who had a direct anterior approach.

Methods

100 THA cases were performed with an anterior approach using intraoperative fluoroscopy (IF) to aid in cup positioning. Another group of 100 cases underwent THA with an anterior approach without the use of any fluoroscopy. Postoperative abduction and anteversion angles were measured using Martell's hip analysis software.

Results

Mean abduction angle was 43.2° (standard deviation (SD) = 4.5°) for the IF group versus 37.5°(SD = 7.4°) for cases without IF (p<0.001). 18% more cases with IF fell within the Lewinnek safe zone (p<0.001); however, a similar number of cases had over 50° of abduction. The mean anteversion angles of the two groups were also significantly different (IF 21.8° vs. 24.9°) (p<0.01).

Conclusions

There was significantly less variation in cup position among the cases using IF with regards to abduction.
Contamination Risk of Synovial Biopsy Cultures in Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Prospective Review of 100 Cases
Authors: Pattyn Christophe , De Bo Thomas , Anthonissen Joris , Willekens Philippe , Claeys Geert , Audenaert Emmanuel A.
Published: July 2017

Introduction

Cultures of deep synovial biopsies remain an important tool in diagnosing periprosthetic joint infection, a devastating complication following total hip arthroplasty (THA). Recent reports of unexpected positive intraoperative cultures in aseptic revision arthroplasty, however, challenge the validity and interpretation of these cultures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the contamination risk of synovial biopsy cultures collected intraoperatively during primary THA of healthy subjects.

Methods

Synovial biopsies for culture were collected during primary total hip arthroplasty procedures from 100 consecutive cases. The synovial biopsies were taken within the first 15 minutes after skin incision. Biopsy specimen were cultured on 4 different media for 8 or 15 days. Positive cultures were identified using Maldi-Tof spectrometry.

Results

16 cultures yielded a bacterium, suggesting a false positive result of 16%. The mean time for the cultures to become positive was 6.29 days (standard deviation [SD] 3.90) with a maximum of 15 days. Proprionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis were most commonly cultured with 6 positive results for both bacteria.

Conclusions

Our study yielded a 16% false positive rate in cultures of synovial biopsy taken during primary total hip arthroplasty of healthy subjects, suggesting that contamination risk of these synovial biopsy cultures may be larger than assumed by clinicians.
CPR, ECLS, BVAD and Successful Heart Transplantation within 2 Months: A Single-centre Case Series in Two Young, High-urgency Listed Patients
Authors: Schmidt Anna K. , Saeed Diyar , Mehdiani Arash , Sowinski Bozena , Westenfeld Ralf , Akhyari Payam , Lichtenberg Artur , Boeken Udo
Published: July 2017

Introduction

In times of organ shortage, death while on the heart waiting-list still represents a major problem. As a consequence, bridging to transplant as well as the decision when to escalate therapy play a very important role.

Methods and results

We report on two young patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and acute decompensation who were successfully bridged to heart transplantation with both left and temporary right ventricular assist devices in just 2 months.

Conclusions

As a permanent biventricular assist device (BVAD) would have definitely impaired the patients' outcome after HTX, we decided to implant an LVAD with a temporary RVAD. In our opinion, this represents a suitable strategy to reduce mortality in HU-listed patients with acute deterioration of cardiac pump function and should be further evaluated in future studies.