bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
XXVIII. Corals and Coral Reefs
Authors: Goodchild J. G.
Published: September 2014

T
he
lecturer began by pointing out that the carbonate of lime, of which the hard parts of most corals consist, has been derived in the first instance from the decomposition of such eruptive rocks as basalt and dolerite. The lime is dissolved out of these rocks chiefly by the chemical action of the humus acids, which are formed by the action of bacteria upon the carbon compounds present in dead vegetable matter. One of the essential constituents of a coral is therefore drawn in the first place from the atmosphere, just as the other constituent, the lime, is derived from the heated interior of the globe. The carbonate of lime thus liberated is carried seawards from the land in the form of the soluble bicarbonate, which, at the zone where rivers enter the sea, is next converted into the sulphate of lime. In this form it is eventually diffused throughout the waters of the ocean, and from them it is continually being extracted by living organisms, by whose vital agencies it is then converted into the solid bicarbonate, of which the hard structures of marine organisms are usually built up.

The supply of sulphate of lime carried into the sea by rivers varies greatly according to local conditions, and within wide limits, but any extra demand upon that supply, such as must arise in those parts of the sea where great masses of coral reef are being built up, is sooner or later met by the supply carried thither by
IV.—
An explosion-breccia — appinite complex at Gleann Chàrnan, Argyll
Authors: Bowes D. R. , MacDonald A. S. , Matheson G. D. , Wright A. E.
Published: September 2014

Appinitic and syenitic intrusive masses occupy an explosion-breccia pipe which formed as the result of explosions of gases rising ahead of a volatile-rich basic magma. Transfusion of quartzite, as described by Reynolds (1936) from Colonsay, may be the origin of the syenitic masses and syenitic veins.
XI. The Volcanic History of the Old Red Sandstone Period, North of the Grampians
Authors: Horne John
Published: September 2014

A
t
the outset of his paper the author directed attention to the remarkable development of volcanic activity in Lower Old Red Sandstone times in the great midland valley of Scotland, between the Highlands and the Southern uplands. The volcanic materials, consisting of lavas and tuffs, which were erupted during that period, now form conspicuous hill ranges. They form the chains of the Sidlaws and Ochils, attaining a thickness of 6500 feet in the latter range. On the south side of the midland valley they stretch continuously from the Pentlands southwestwards into Ayrshire, where their thickness is no less remarkable. The contemporaneous volcanic rocks are there associated with great intrusive masses of quartz-felsite, the most conspicuous example of which is to be found in Tinto Hill in Lanarkshire. The volcanic action which gave rise to these great sheets of lava and agglomerate was prolonged into Lower Carboniferous times, of which there are abundant proofs in the midland valley. It is therefore an important matter to determine the proofs of volcanic activity during the Old Red Sandstone period to the north of the Grampians.

In his Monograph on the Old Red Sandstone of Western Europe, part I.,

*

Professor A. Geikie gave a summary of the evidence bearing on this question in the northern areas, but since that paper was written the investigations carried on by Mr. B. N. Peach and the author in Orkney and Shetland have thrown additional light on the subject.

The records of volcanic action during Lower Old Red
Optimization of Laser Transmission Joining Process Parameters on Joint Strength of PET and 316 L Stainless Steel Joint Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Dwivedi Shashi Prakash , Sharma Satpal
Published: September 2014

The objective of the present work is to study the effects of laser power, joining speed, and stand-off distance on the joint strength of PET and 316 L stainless steel joint. The process parameters were optimized using response methodology for achieving good joint strength. The central composite design (CCD) has been utilized to plan the experiments and response surface methodology (RSM) is employed to develop mathematical model between laser transmission joining parameters and desired response (joint strength). From the ANOVA (analysis of variance), it was concluded that laser power is contributing more and it is followed by joining speed and stand-off distance. In the range of process parameters, the result shows that laser power increases and joint strength increases. Whereas joining speed increases, joint strength increases. The joint strength increases with the increase of the stand-off distance until it reaches the center value; the joint strength then starts to decrease with the increase of stand-off distance beyond the center limit. Optimum values of laser power, joining speed, and stand-off distance were found to be 18 watt, 100 mm/min, and 2 mm to get the maximum joint strength (predicted: 88.48 MPa). There was approximately 3.37% error in the experimental and modeled results of joint strength.
Occurrence of the Retromolar Foramen in Dry Mandibles of South-Eastern Part of India: A Morphological Study with Review of the Literature
Authors: Potu Bhagath Kumar , Kumar Vinod , Salem Abdel-Halim , Abu-Hijleh Marwan
Published: September 2014

The retromolar foramen (RMF) is a rare anatomical structure situated in the retromolar fossa behind the third molar tooth. When it is present, the foramen is connected with the mandibular canal and is believed to transmit neurovascular structures that provide accessory source to the mandibular molars and the buccal area. Reports from the literature show that the presence of RMF could pose a challenge in complete blockage of the inferior alveolar nerve during mandibular surgeries. We report the incidence of retromolar foramen from ninety-four dry mandibles of south-eastern part of Karnataka State, India. The foramen was observed in 11 mandibles out of 94 included in the study (11.7%). In three mandibles, the foramen was present bilaterally (3.2%) and in three it was on the left side (3.2%) and in five it was on the right side (5.3%). For the first time, we also measured the dimensions of the retromolar area and distance of the foramen from third molar tooth to understand its risks during the surgical extraction of the lower third molar tooth. A thorough review of the literature has also been done to compare the present findings with the studies reported from the various populations.
Determination of Strong Acidic Drugs in Biological Matrices: A Review of Separation Methods
Authors: Mu Lingli , Xie Feifan , Li Sanwang , Yu Peng
Published: September 2014

Strong acidic drugs are a class of chemical compounds that normally have high hydrophilicity and large negative charges, such as organophosphatic compounds and organosulphonic compounds. This review focuses on sample preparation and separation methods for this group of compounds in biological matrices in recent years. A wide range of separation techniques, especially chromatographic method, are presented and critically discussed, which include liquid chromatography (e.g., ion-pair and ion-exchange chromatography), capillary electrophoresis (CE), and other types. Due to the extremely low concentration level of target analytes as well as the complexity of biological matrices, sample pretreatment methods, such as dilute and shoot methods, protein precipitation (PP), liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), solid-phase extraction (SPE), degradation, and derivatization strategy, also play important roles for the development of successful analytical methods and thus are also discussed.
Outage and Capacity Performance Evaluation of Distributed MIMO Systems over a Composite Fading Channel
Authors: Peng Wenjie , Li Yueheng , Ju Meiyan , Huang Ping , Tan Guoping , Jiang Defu
Published: September 2014

The exact closed‐form expressions regarding the outage probability and capacity of distributed MIMO (DMIMO) systems over a composite fading channel are derived. This is achieved firstly by using a lognormal approximation to a gamma‐lognormal distribution when a mobile station (MS) in the cell is in a fixed position, and the so‐called maximum ratio transmission/selected combining (MRT‐SC) and selected transmission/maximum ratio combining (ST‐MRC) schemes are adopted in uplink and downlink, respectively. Then, based on a newly proposed nonuniform MS cell distribution model, which is more consistent with the MS cell hotspot distribution in an actual communication environment, the average outage probability and capacity formulas are further derived. Finally, the accuracy of the approximation method and the rationality of the corresponding theoretical analysis regarding the system performance are proven and illustrated by computer simulations.
Effects of Short Term Exposure of Atrazine on the Liver and Kidney of Normal and Diabetic Rats
Authors: Jestadi Dinesh Babu , Phaniendra Alugoju , Babji Undru , Srinu Thupakula , Shanmuganathan Bhavatharini , Periyasamy Latha
Published: September 2014

The present study evaluates the effects of short term (15 days) exposure of low dose (300 μg kg−1) of atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-1,3,5-triazine) on antioxidant status and markers of liver and kidney damage in normal (nondiabetic) and diabetic male Wistar rats. Rats were divided into four groups: Group I as normal control, Group II as atrazine treated, Group III as diabetic control, and Group IV as atrazine treated diabetic rats. Atrazine administration resulted in increased MDA concentration as well as increased activities of SOD, CAT, and GPx in both liver and kidney of atrazine treated and atrazine treated diabetic rats. However, GSH level was decreased in both liver and kidney of atrazine treated and atrazine treated diabetic rats. Atrazine administration led to significant increase in liver damage biomarkers such as AST, ALT, and ALP as well as kidney damage biomarkers such as creatinine and urea in both normal and diabetic rats, but this increase was more pronounced in diabetic rats when compared to normal rats. In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrate that short term exposure of atrazine at a dose of 300 μg kg−1could potentially induce oxidative damage in liver and kidney of both normal and diabetic rats.
Factors Associated with Overcrowded Emergency Rooms in Thailand: A Medical School Setting
Authors: Wibulpolprasert Arrug , Sittichanbuncha Yuwares , Sricharoen Pungkava , Borwornsrisuk Somporn , Sawanyawisuth Kittisak
Published: September 2014

Background. Overcrowding in the emergency department (ED) is a significant public health problem in the US, Europe, and Asia. Factors associated with prolonged length of stay in Thailand are still limited.Methods. This study was conducted at the ED, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand, during July 2011. We selected 300 patients (5.77%) from a total of 5,202 who visited the ED during the study period by simple random sampling. Charts were retrospectively reviewed baseline characteristics, clinical factors, and duration of ED stay. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent factors for an ED stay more than or equal to 8 hours.Results. We excluded 33 patients (11%) due to incomplete data or stroke fast track enrollment. In total, 267 patients were in the analysis and 53 patients (19.85%) had an ED visit time more than or equal to 8 hours. The number of rounds of blood testing and the type of insurance were associated with prolonged ED stay of more than or equal to 8 hours.Conclusion. ED physicians may need to consider appropriate investigations to shorten the length of stay in the ED.
Multiobjective Traffic Signal Control Model for Intersection Based on Dynamic Turning Movements Estimation
Authors: Jiao Pengpeng , Sun Tuo
Published: September 2014

The real‐time traffic signal control for intersection requires dynamic turning movements as the basic input data. It is impossible to detect dynamic turning movements directly through current traffic surveillance systems, but dynamic origin‐destination (O‐D) estimation can obtain it. However, the combined models of dynamic O‐D estimation and real‐time traffic signal control are rare in the literature. A framework for the multiobjective traffic signal control model for intersection based on dynamic O‐D estimation (MSC‐DODE) is presented. A state‐space model using Kalman filtering is first formulated to estimate the dynamic turning movements; then a revised sequential Kalman filtering algorithm is designed to solve the model, and the root mean square error and mean percentage error are used to evaluate the accuracy of estimated dynamic turning proportions. Furthermore, a multiobjective traffic signal control model is put forward to achieve real‐time signal control parameters and evaluation indices. Finally, based on practical survey data, the evaluation indices from MSC‐DODE are compared with those from Webster method. The actual and estimated turning movements are further input into MSC‐DODE, respectively, and results are also compared. Case studies show that results of MSC‐DODE are better than those of Webster method and are very close to unavailable actual values.
Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy as a Manifestation of HELLP Syndrome
Authors: Maramattom Boby Varkey
Published: September 2014

Thrombotic microangiopathies (TMAs) are a group of disorders characterized by occurrence of thrombi of fibrin and/or platelets with microvascular occlusion and organ ischemia especially the kidney and brain. Hemolysis with a microangiopathic blood smear, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count (HELLP syndrome) is a type of TMA peculiar to pregnancy and may be associated with neurological complications. Visual complications in HELLP are usually related to cortical blindness. We present the first case of HELLP associated with bilateral anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION) and blindness which resolved with plasma exchange.
Prevalence and Aetiology of Left Ventricular Thrombus in Patients Undergoing Transthoracic Echocardiography at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital
Authors: Talle Mohammed Abdullahi , Buba Faruk , Anjorin Charles Oladele
Published: September 2014

Objectives. We sought to determine the prevalence and aetiology of LVT among patients undergoing echocardiography.Methods. We reviewed case notes and echocardiographic data of patient diagnosed with LVT using noncontrast transthoracic echocardiography. Definition of various conditions was made using standard guidelines. Mean ± SD were derived for continuous variables and comparison was made using Student’st-test.Results. Total of 1302 transthoracic echocardiograms were performed out of which 949 adult echocardiograms were considered eligible. Mean age of all subjects with abnormal echocardiograms was 44.73 (16.73) years. Abnormalities associated with LVT were observed in 782/949 (82.40%) subjects among whom 84/782 (8.85%) had LVT. The highest prevalence of 39.29% (33/84) was observed in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, followed by myocardial infarction with a prevalence of 29.76% (25/84). Peripartum cardiomyopathy accounted for 18/84 (21.43%) cases with some having multiple thrombi, whereas hypertensive heart disease was responsible for 6/84 (7.14%) cases. The lowest prevalence of 2.38% (2/84) was observed in those with rheumatic heart disease. Left ventricular EF of <35% was recorded in 55/84 (65.48%).Conclusions. Left ventricular thrombus is common among patients undergoing echo, with dilated cardiomyopathy being the most common underlying aetiology followed by myocardial infarction. Multiple LVTs were documented in peripartum cardiomyopathy.
A Time‐Efficient Solution to the General Resource Placement Problem in Cloud
Authors: Wei Wei , Zhang Yuhong , Liu Yang
Published: September 2014

Cloud based large‐scale online services are faced with
regionally distributed stochastic demands for various resources.
With multiple regional cloud data centers, a crucial problem that
needs to be settled is how to properly place resources to satisfy
massive stochastic demands from many different regions. For the
general stochastic demands oriented cross region resource placement
problem, the time complexity of existing optimal algorithm
is linear to total amount of resources and thus may be inefficient
when dealing with a large number of resources. To end this, we
propose an efficient algorithm, named discrete function based
unbound resource placement (D‐URP). Experiments show that
in scenarios with general settings, D‐URP can averagely achieve
at least 97% revenue of optimal solution, with reducing time
by three orders of magnitude. Moreover, due to the generality
of problem setting, it can be extended to get efficient solution
for a broad range of similar problems under various scenarios
with different constraints. Therefore, D‐URP can be used as
an effective supplement to existing algorithm under time‐tense
scheduling scenarios with large number of resources.
Penalized Maximum Likelihood Method to a Class of Skewness Data Analysis
Authors: Chen Xuedong , Zeng Qianying , Song Qiankun
Published: September 2014

An extension of some standard likelihood and variable selection criteria based on procedures of linear regression models under the skew‐normal distribution or the skew‐t distribution is developed.
This novel class of models provides a useful generalization of symmetrical linear regression models, since the random term distributions cover both symmetric as well as asymmetric and heavy‐tailed distributions. A generalized expectation‐maximization algorithm is developed for computing the penalized estimator. Efficacy of the proposed methodology and algorithm is demonstrated by simulated data.
Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Revealed by Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis in a Child
Authors: Benmiloud Sarra , Hbibi Mohamed , Chaouki Sana , Abourazzak Sana , Hida Moustapha
Published: September 2014

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a severe life-threatening disorder, responsible for extensive phagocytosis of hematopoietic cells and causing a multisystem organ failure. If lymphomas are common causes of HLH, the association with Hodgkin’s lymphoma is rarely described in children. We report a case of a 9-year-old boy presenting with HLH as an initial manifestation of Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He has been suffering from persistent high fever, asthenia, weight loss, and hepatosplenomegaly with no lymphadenopathy. The diagnosis of HLH secondary to infectious disease was initially worn. The patient received high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin with broad-spectrum antibiotics. However, his state got worse with the onset of dry cough and pleural effusion. Histopathologic examination of pleural fluid showed the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells. The outcome was favorable after treatment by corticosteroid and chemotherapy. Hodgkin’s lymphoma revealed by HLH is a source of delayed diagnosis and should be borne in mind in children.
Successful Management of Refractory Headache and Facial Pain due to Cavernous Sinus Meningioma with Sphenopalatine Ganglion Radiofrequency
Authors: Elahi Foad , Ho Kwo Wei David
Published: September 2014

Headaches and facial pain can be extremely difficult to manage for the patient and the clinician. In the medical literature, it has been suggested that the autonomic reflex plays an important role in the pathophysiology of facial neuralgia. The sphenopalatine ganglion is the largest parasympathetic ganglion outside the cranium. It is an easy accessible target for pain management. The application of radiofrequency nerve ablation was described in the medical literature. In this case report, we describe a 54-year-old female. She was diagnosed with a cavernous sinus meningioma. She underwent surgical resection and gamma knife radiosurgery. She was suffering from an intractable hemifacial pain for many years. Her pain started shortly after surgery and continued throughout many years. Sphenopalatine ganglion block in multiple occasions was able to provide temporary relief. The patient’s intractable hemicranial headaches and hemifacial pain responded to the sphenopalatine ganglion radiofrequency nerve ablation. The pain response remained unchanged for 12 months after procedure. This case report increased our current knowledge about the sphenopalatine ganglion role in the headache and facial intractable pain management. The failure of available antalgic medications to adequately control pain in similar patients underscores the need to develop an algorithm for therapies.
Potential Additive Effects of Ticagrelor, Ivabradine, and Carvedilol on Sinus Node
Authors: Di Serafino Luigi , Rotolo Francesco Luigi , Boggi Augusto , Colantonio Riccardo , Serdoz Roberto , Monti Francesco
Published: September 2014

A 51-year-old male patient presented to the emergency room with an anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction. After a loading dose of both ticagrelor and aspirin, the patient underwent primary-PCI on the left anterior descending coronary artery with stent implantation. After successful revascularization, medical therapy included beta-blockers, statins, and angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Two days later, ivabradine was also administered in order to reduce heart rate at target, but the patient developed a severe symptomatic bradycardia and sinus arrest, even requiring administration of both atropine and adrenaline. Ivabradine and ticagrelor have been then suspended and this latter changed with prasugrel. Any other similar event was not reported during the following days. This clinical case raised concerns about the safety of the combination of beta-blockers and ivabradine in patients treated with ticagrelor, particularly during the acute phase of an acute coronary syndrome. These two latter drugs, in particular, might interact with the same receptor. In fact, ivabradine directly modulates the If-channel which is also modulated by the cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels. These latter have been shown to increase after ticagrelor assumption via inhibition of adenosine uptake by erythrocytes. Further studies are warrant to better clarify the safety of this association.
Text Extraction from Historical Document Images by the Combination of Several Thresholding Techniques
Authors: Sari Toufik , Kefali Abderrahmane , Bahi Halima
Published: September 2014

This paper presents a new technique for the binarization of historical document images characterized by deteriorations and damages making their automatic processing difficult at several levels. The proposed method is based on hybrid thresholding combining the advantages of global and local methods and on the mixture of several binarization techniques. Two stages have been included. In the first stage, global thresholding is applied on the entire image and two different thresholds are determined from which the most of image pixels are classified intoforegroundorbackground. In the second stage, the remaining pixels are assigned toforegroundorbackgroundclasses based on local analysis. In this stage, several local thresholding methods are combined and the final binary value of each remaining pixel is chosen as the most probable one. The proposed technique has been tested on a large collection of standard and synthetic documents and compared with well-known methods using standard measures and was shown to be more powerful.
Self-Focusing of Hermite-Cosh-Gaussian Laser Beams in Plasma under Density Transition
Authors: Wani Manzoor Ahmad , Kant Niti
Published: September 2014

Self-focusing of Hermite-Cosh-Gaussian (HChG) laser beam in plasma under density transition has been discussed here. The field distribution in the medium is expressed in terms of beam-width parameters and decentered parameter. The differential equations for the beam-width parameters are established by a parabolic wave equation approach under paraxial approximation. To overcome the defocusing, localized upward plasma density ramp is considered, so that the laser beam is focused on a small spot size. Plasma density ramp plays an important role in reducing the defocusing effect and maintaining the focal spot size up to several Rayleigh lengths. To discuss the nature of self-focusing, the behaviour of beam-width parameters with dimensionless distance of propagation for various values of decentered parameters is examined by numerical estimates. The results are presented graphically and the effect of plasma density ramp and decentered parameter on self-focusing of the beams has been discussed.
Apolipoprotein E Mutation and Double Filtration Plasmapheresis Therapy on a New Chinese Patient with Lipoprotein Glomerulopathy
Authors: Li Wencheng , Wang Yang , Han Zhiwu , Luo Changqing , Zhang Chun , Xiong Jing
Published: September 2014

Background/Aims: Lipoprotein glomerulopathy (LPG) is a rare hereditary disease. In this study, we investigated the apoE mutation and the role of double filtration plasmapheresis therapy (DFPP) on a new Chinese patient with LPG. Methods: Renal biopsy was performed on this patient to allow a definitive diagnosis. The mutations in the coding sequence of apoE and the hereditary pedigree of this patient were investigated by DNA sequencing. The patient was treated with DFPP, and clinical parameters before and after DFPP were compared. Results: Two missense mutations were found in this patient: Cys112Arg and Arg25Cys. Arg25Cys was previously designated as APOE Kyoto. Family genotyping showed that Cys112Arg and Arg25Cys mutation were transmitted through his father and his mother, respectively. The patient's parents are healthy so far to date. Possibly there was a dose effect on apoE mutation induced LPG. Furthermore, DFPP treatment was first used on this patient and led to dramatic changes: Proteinuria and apo E values declined, and hemoglobin level increased significantly. Conclusion: APOE Kyoto mutation was found in a new Chinese patient with LPG, accompanied by Cys112Arg. More cases and further functional experiments are needed to investigate the role of these two mutations together in LPG. DFPP is an effective therapeutic modality for improving NS in patients with LPG.
Prognostic Significance of Pretreatment Plasma Fibrinogen and Platelet Levels in Patients with Early-Stage Cervical Cancer
Authors: Zhao Kelei , Deng Huan , Qin Yan , Liao Wenjun , Liang Weijiang
Published: September 2014

Background: Hyperfibrinogenaemia and thrombocytosis, which usually occur in cancer patients, have been shown to contribute to cancer cell growth, progression, and metastasis. The aims of the present study were to assess the prognostic significance of pretreatment plasma fibrinogen and platelet levels in early-stage cervical cancer patients. Methods: The present study was a retrospective analysis of 220 cervical cancer patients with stage I-IIA disease. The pretreatment plasma fibrinogen and platelet levels were investigated along with clinicopathological findings and survival data. Results: The incidences of hyperfibrinogenaemia and thrombocytosis were 11.8 and 25.5%, respectively. Elevated fibrinogen levels were associated with advanced tumour stage, older age, large tumour size, deep stromal invasion, and tumour recurrence, whereas higher platelet levels correlated significantly with advanced tumour stage, large tumour size, and tumour recurrence. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that hyperfibrinogenaemia and thrombocytosis were significantly associated with shorter disease-free and overall survival. Furthermore, patients with hyperfibrinogenaemia and thrombocytosis may suffer from a higher risk of recurrence. Multivariate survival analyses showed that fibrinogen levels, but not platelet levels, were an independent prognostic factor for poor survival in early-stage patients. Conclusion: Hyperfibrinogenaemia and thrombocytosis may be valuable biomarkers for predicting recurrence in patients with early-stage cervical cancer.
Allergenic Profile to Phleum pratense and Immunological Changes Induced after Grass Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy
Authors: Beitia Juan M. , López-Matas M. Angeles , Alonso Ana , Vega Aranzazu , Mateo Belén , Cárdenas Remedios , Carnés Jerónimo
Published: September 2014

Background: The introduction of molecular diagnoses has provided evidence of the existence of several different allergenic profiles in grass-sensitised individuals, reflecting the large number of allergens involved. This methodology has become a potent tool for a correct diagnosis and for the selection of the most appropriate immunotherapy. Based on these concepts, the objectives of this study were to determine the sensitisation profile of a grass-allergic population, and to treat them with specific immunotherapy. Methods: Patients suffering from rhinitis and/or asthma associated with grass pollen were recruited. The active group was treated with depigmented-polymerised allergenic extract of mixed grass pollen. sIgE and sIgG4 to Phleum pratense, and to its individual components (Phl p 1, 2, 4, 5b, 6, 7, 11 and 12) were determined at the beginning and end of the study. Results: The inclusion criteria were fulfilled by 139 individuals (36 in the control group and 103 in the active group). Phl p 1 (96.4%) and Phl p 4 (91.2%) were the most recognised allergens, and 15.3% of individuals had positive IgE to cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants. Levels of antigen-specific IgG4 increased significantly after treatment, and the IgE/IgG4 ratio decreased significantly in all allergens after receiving allergen-specific immunotherapy. Non-significant differences were observed in the control group. Conclusions: A high percentage of sensitisation to Phl p 4 was observed. Immunological efficacy was studied by measuring sIgG4 levels and the IgE/IgG4 ratio before and after treatment. Sensitisation profiles should be taken into consideration to prepare the most appropriate immunotherapy containing all the relevant and needed allergens.
Global Warming–Induced Changes in El Niño Teleconnections over the North Pacific and North America
Authors: Zhou Zhen-Qiang , Xie Shang-Ping , Zheng Xiao-Tong , Liu Qinyu , Wang Hai
Published: September 2014

El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) induces climate anomalies around the globe. Atmospheric general circulation model simulations are used to investigate how ENSO-induced teleconnection patterns during boreal winter might change in response to global warming in the Pacific–North American sector. As models disagree on changes in the amplitude and spatial pattern of ENSO in response to global warming, for simplicity the same sea surface temperature (SST) pattern of ENSO is prescribed before and after the climate warming. In a warmer climate, precipitation anomalies intensify and move eastward over the equatorial Pacific during El Niño because the enhanced mean SST warming reduces the barrier to deep convection in the eastern basin. Associated with the eastward shift of tropical convective anomalies, the ENSO-forced Pacific–North American (PNA) teleconnection pattern moves eastward and intensifies under the climate warming. By contrast, the PNA mode of atmospheric internal variability remains largely unchanged in pattern, suggesting the importance of tropical convection in shifting atmospheric teleconnections. As the ENSO-induced PNA pattern shifts eastward, rainfall anomalies are expected to intensify on the west coast of North America, and the El Niño–induced surface warming to expand eastward and occupy all of northern North America. The spatial pattern of the mean SST warming affects changes in ENSO teleconnections. The teleconnection changes are larger with patterned mean warming than in an idealized case where the spatially uniform warming is prescribed in the mean state. The results herein suggest that the eastward-shifted PNA pattern is a robust change to be expected in the future, independent of the uncertainty in changes of ENSO itself.
A Pulse Compression Waveform for Improved-Sensitivity Weather Radar Observations
Authors: Kurdzo James M. , Cheong Boon Leng , Palmer Robert D. , Zhang Guifu , Meier John B.
Published: September 2014

The progression of phased array weather observations, research, and planning over the past decade has led to significant advances in development efforts for future weather radar technologies. However, numerous challenges still remain for large-scale deployment. The eventual goal for phased array weather radar technology includes the use of active arrays, where each element would have its own transmit/receive module. This would lead to significant advantages; however, such a design must be capable of utilizing low-power, solid-state transmitters at each element in order to keep costs down. To provide acceptable sensitivity, as well as the range resolution needed for weather observations, pulse compression strategies are required. Pulse compression has been used for decades in military applications, but it has yet to be applied on a broad scale to weather radar, partly because of concerns regarding sensitivity loss caused by pulse windowing. A robust optimization technique for pulse compression waveforms with minimalistic windowing using a genetic algorithm is presented. A continuous nonlinear frequency-modulated waveform that takes into account transmitter distortion is shown, both in theory and in practical use scenarios. Measured pulses and weather observations from the Advanced Radar Research Center’s dual-polarized PX-1000 transportable radar, which utilizes dual 100-W solid-state transmitters, are presented. Both stratiform and convective scenarios, as well as dual-polarization observations, are shown, demonstrating significant improvement in sensitivity over previous pulse compression methods.
Detection of Television Frequency Interference with Satellite Microwave Imager Observations over Oceans
Authors: Zou Xiaolei , Tian Xiaoxu , Weng Fuzhong
Published: September 2014

The geostationary satellite television (TV) signals that are broadcasted over various continents can be reflected back to space when they reach ocean surfaces. If the reflected signals are intercepted by the antenna of the microwave imager on board polar-orbiting satellites, they are mixed with the thermal emission from the earth and result in direct contamination of the satellite microwave imager measurements. This contamination is referred to as television frequency interference (TFI) and can result in erroneous retrievals of oceanic environmental parameters (e.g., sea surface temperature and sea surface wind speed) from microwave imager measurements. In this study, a principal component analysis (PCA)-based method is applied for detecting the TFI signals over oceans from the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for the Earth Observing System (AMSR-E) Aqua satellite. It is found that the third principal component of the data matrix of the AMSR-E spectral difference indices from each AMSR-E swath captures the TFI contamination. The TFI-contaminated data on the AMSR-E descending node at both 10.65- and 18.7-GHz frequencies can be separated from uncontaminated data over oceanic areas near the coasts of Europe and the United States based on the intensity of the data projection onto the third principal component (PC). Compared to the earlier methods, the proposed PCA-based algorithm works well on the observations without a priori information and is thus applicable for broader user applications.
Reconciliation and truth in Kashmir: a case study
Authors: Iqbal Sajid , Hossain Zoheb , Mathur Shubh
Published: September 2014

The past two decades have witnessed two distinct phases of the conflict in Indian Administered Kashmir. What started out as a civil conflict in 1989, with active Kashmiri participation in an armed struggle for secession from India, based on the right to self-determination, as recognised by the United Nations Security Council has since transformed into a peaceful and non-violent agitation for the same right. The conflict has spawned massive violations of human rights, by both Indian security forces and ‘militants’ clashing with them, the former outnumbering the latter: the average Kashmiri has borne the brunt in either case. Though a fraction of what it was even seven years ago, the violence continues, causing severe social, economic and psychological crises among Kashmiris. This paper attempts to start a discussion on these problems, within a transitional justice framework, and explores the possibility of establishing a truth commission to address human rights violations committed by both sides of the conflict. The author contends that the transition in Kashmir from a ‘conflict’ to a ‘post-conflict’ situation has already begun, and that establishing a truth commission is an important way to formalise that break. The article is based on primary research, through interviews conducted in Kashmir in August 2009 with leaders of separatist and mainstream political parties, and with victims’ groups, to elicit their opinions on the need for a truth commission, and to ask them about the scope, composition and general powers they would envisage for any such commission, if it were established.
Resolving Kashmir: imperatives and solutions
Authors: Baba Noor Ahmad
Published: September 2014

The Kashmir problem has existed for over sixty years, since the British colonial rulers left and the subcontinent was partitioned between Pakistan and India, yet the issue continues to be unresolved. The promised plebiscite for the people of Kashmir to decide their future was never held. Various complexities borne out of the continuation of the dispute and divergent claims and positions on the issue still demand urgent attention. For many years, India and Pakistan squared up to one another, testing nuclear arms, amassing troops on the border. But post-Cold War developments, in tandem with their regional implications and a recognition that security threats are changing, have created conditions for rethinking the India-Pakistan relationship and the ‘problem’ of Kashmir. Today, generally, the traditional preoccupation with national security is giving way to a new discourse of human security and hard borders are giving way to soft borders and development in terms of regional co-operation. On the economic front, China is challenging India and its regional support, whilst India’s trade route westward is hampered by lack of access through Pakistan. And these developments, argues the author, could create space for readjusting relations and addressing the future of Kashmir and its people, thousands of whom have lost their lives as a result of the conflict. Since 1947, a variety of solutions from plebiscite and condominium status to a Northern Ireland-style Good Friday Agreement have been put forward, as yet to no avail. Frameworks prepared in the abstract cannot be applied to a complex problem like Kashmir. But there may be lessons to draw on from resolutions of similar conflicts, even if the Kashmir solution has to have its own particular parameters. The challenge for the region is to maximise current opportunities. In this, the international community and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) have a role in encouraging the peace process.
Sub-regional conflicts and selective autonomy in J&K: Hill Councils in power
Authors: Wani Gull
Published: September 2014

The State of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) is examined here in terms of its unique history, geography and cross-cultural composition. Its three regions are not just historically and culturally distinct but each have sub-regions and religious minorities with their own claims to autonomy and devolved power. The author examines the diversity of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh and assesses, from a personal study tour, the successes and failures of Hill Councils that have been established in Leh and Kargil (Ladakh) and the prospect of creating others in the Jammu region. Sub-regionalism becomes a potent force in the absence of strong regional consciousness, he argues. Regionalism in general is a product of India’s diversity; sub-regionalism the result of geographic, historical and socio-economic factors – J&K is a case in point.
Low-tech security: Files, notes, and memos as technologies of anticipation
Authors: Bonelli Laurent , Ragazzi Francesco
Published: September 2014

When it comes to anticipating terrorism, do recent technological advancements fundamentally change the modus operandi of intelligence services? Recent scholarship has focused on the new modes of reasoning brought about by ‘hi-tech’ forms analysis such as data mining, graph visualization and the algorithmic treatment of big data. While this article recognizes the increasing influence of these techniques, it argues they should not overshadow much more low-tech modalities through which a large part of counterterrorism work takes place. Low-tech counter-terrorism, based on qualitative methods and conjectural reasoning, still matters. Drawing on the case of French domestic intelligence services and based on qualitative interviews, observations and declassified documents, this article shows that the practices of security professionals, rooted in traditional institutional habituses developed over time, are largely in continuity with previous ‘low-tech’ forms of police work. In a context in which the uses of digital security technologies have generated discussions about politics and ethics, this article suggests that traditional techniques of intelligence gathering and processing therefore still merit a great amount of attention.
Characterisation of biological material with ToF-SIMS: A review
Authors: Fearn S.
Published: September 2014

Time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) has the unique ability to simultaneously obtain chemical information (elemental and molecular) with its spatial distribution on a subcellular scale. Recent progress in instrumentation, in particular the developments of cluster ion beam sources, has resulted in a growing interest in applying ToF-SIMS to a range of biological samples. In this review, the instrumental and methodological approaches responsible for this interest are presented along with some examples where the technique has been successfully applied.
Retirement intentions in the presence of technological change: theory and evidence from France
Authors: Messe Pierre-Jean , Moreno-Galbis Eva , Wolff Francois-Charles
Published: September 2014

This paper investigates the role of productivity as a determinant of the worker’s retirement intentions. Using an overlapping generation framework, we analyze the retirement decision of a cohort of workers being ability heterogeneous. The labor market is endogenously segmented between workers having the required ability level to occupy jobs where the productivity is indexed to the technological state via on-the-job training (complex jobs) and the rest of workers, who are employed in positions where productivity is relatively deteriorated in case of technological change due to the absence of on-the-job training (simple jobs). In case of technological change, workers in complex jobs delay their retirement date, whereas workers in simple positions will not modify their retirement decision unless taxes change. Using data from France, we find that after a technological change, older workers who benefit from a skill upgrading training program have a higher intended retirement age.

JEL

J14; J22; J24; J26
Female labour market participation in Europe: novel evidence on trends and shaping factors
Authors: Cipollone Angela , Patacchini Eleonora , Vallanti Giovanna
Published: September 2014

We investigate the changes in women’s participation patterns across 15 EU countries over the last 20 years using individual data from ECHP and EUSILC databases. Our findings show that the observed trends in female participation differ substantially both across countries and across different groups of women. We explore such heterogeneity in trends by looking at the effects of policies and labour market institutional factors on the participation of women with different family and individual characteristics. Our estimates reveal a role of policies and institutions that is stronger than what has so far been assessed. Labour market institutions and family-oriented policies explain almost 25% of the actual increase in labour force participation for young women, and more than 30% for highly educated women. Surprisingly, changes in the institutional and policy settings contribute less in explaining the participation of low-skilled women. We also find that reforming the institutional framework towards a model of “flexicure” labour market is effective in enhancing women labour supply only when deregulation is accompanied by sufficient social compensation.

JEL Classification

J11, J21, J2
Platelet aggregation and clot formation in comatose survivors of cardiac arrest treated with induced hypothermia and dual platelet inhibition with aspirin and ticagrelor; a prospective observational study
Authors: Kander Thomas , Dankiewicz Josef , Friberg Hans , Schött Ulf
Published: September 2014

Introduction

We conducted a prospective observational study in cardiac arrest survivors treated with mild induced hypothermia, evaluating different platelet function tests at hypo- and normothermia. We also investigated the relation between gastric emptying and vasodilator stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP).

Methods

Comatose survivors of out of hospital cardiac arrest were included and divided into two groups, depending on whether dual platelet inhibition with peroral ticagrelor and aspirin was given or not. The first blood samples (T1) were collected 12–24 hours after reaching target temperature (33°C) and were compared to blood samples collected 12–28 hours after reaching normothermia (37°C) (T2) within each group. All samples were analysed by Sonoclot viscoelasticity, flow cytometry based VASP and with multiple electrode aggregometry, Multiplate®; adenosine diphosphate (ADP), collagen (COL), thrombin receptor agonist peptide (TRAP) and arachidonic acid (ASPI). Sonoclot and Multiplate® instruments were set on in vivo temperatures. Gastric secretion from the nasogastric tube was measured to assess absorption of per orally administered antiplatelet drugs. Differences between T1 and T2 within each group were calculated using Wilcoxon matched pairs signed test. Significance levels were set at P <0.01.

Results

In total, 23 patients were included. In patients with dual platelet inhibition (n =14) Multiplate®-analyses showed no changes in ADP stimulated platelets. COL, TRAP and ASPI aggregations were higher at T2 compared to T1. Sonoclot-analyses showed that activated clotting time (ACT) was unchanged but both clot rate (CR) and platelet function (PF) were higher at T2 compared to T1. VASP decreased from 53 ± 28(T1) to 24 ± 22(T2), (P <0.001). The average volume of gastric secretion aspirated before T1 correlated well with VASP (T1), r =0.81 (P <0.001). In patients with no platelet inhibition, (n =9) similar changes between T1 and T2 were seen as in patients with dual platelet inhibition while VASP was unchanged.

Conclusions

We have demonstrated increased platelet aggregation and strengthened clot formation over time in out of hospital cardiac arrest patients treated with hypothermia. In patients on oral dual platelet inhibition, the effect of ticagrelor was delayed, probably due to slow gastric emptying.