bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Climate change implications for the glaciers of the Hindu-Kush, Karakoram and Himalayan region
Authors: Wiltshire A. J.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. The Hindu-Kush, Karakoram Himalaya (HKKH) region has a negative average glacial mass balance despite anomalous possible gains in the Karakoram. However, changes in climate may influence the mass balance across the HKKH. We use high resolution climate modelling to analyse the implications of unmitigated climate change on precipitation, snowfall, air temperature and accumulated degree days for the Hindu Kush, Karakoram, Jammu-Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and West Nepal regions, and East Nepal and Bhutan. In our analysis we focus on the climate drivers of change rather than the glaciological response. We find a complex regional response to climate change, with possible increases in snowfall over the western HKKH and decreases in the east. Accumulated degree days are less spatially variable than precipitation and show an increase in potential ablation in all regions. Overall, the eastern Himalayan glaciers are expected to be most sensitive to climate change due to the decreases in snowfall and increased ablation associated with warming. The eastern glaciers are therefore projected to decline over the 21st century despite increasing precipitation. The western glaciers are expected to decline at a slower rate over the 21st century as a response to unmitigated climate compared to the glaciers of the east. Importantly, the glacier response depends on important glaciological factors, such as the extent of debris cover, which may be of critical importance in moderating the response to climatic change. Decadal variability has a large effect highlighting the need for long-term observation records to fully understand the impact of climate on the glaciers of the HKKH cryosphere. Spatial variability in projected snowfall patterns are likely to be a key driver of glacier mass balance over the 21st century. Importantly, the regional trends in snowfall do not necessarily follow the trends in precipitation. A key change in the HKKH cryosphere is a switch from snowfall to rainfall in the eastern Himalaya. Although glacial mass balance is likely to be sensitive to climate change, as overall precipitation is projected to increase this may lead to an overall increase in water resources. In the west, projections suggest that glacial mass balance could respond less to climate change than those in the east. However, projection uncertainty covers a small increase to a decrease in precipitation for the western HKKH and Indus basin and as a result the water resources of the highly populated Indus region may be more vulnerable to unmitigated climate change.
Global Innovators Conference 2013 Cartoon
Authors: Wicks J.
Published: July 2013

Cartoon of the Global Innovators Conference 2013 - College of the North Atlanic-Qatar, 4-7th April 2013
Writing centres and the idea of community outreach
Authors: Pittman Kevin , Hayden Paula
Published: July 2013

The writing centre's history has been eventful, all the more as its pedagogical innovations increasingly set it in opposition to standard curricular practice. As, on the one hand, classroom instructors absorbed the student-centred philosophy of the writing centre, and on the other, deans and management pressed tutors/mentors to justify their roles and methods vis. curricular outcomes, writing centres struggled to articulate why they matter, other than as a remedial service for poor student writers. Community outreach offers writing centres an opportunity to revive the spirit of discovery and innovation that drove the work and writings of Kenneth Bruffee, Stephen North and others in the 1970s and 80s. The innovations devised in outreach 'laboratories' have pragmatic implications for their primary student clientele. Furthermore, community service offers writing centre scholarship a quarry of research that could contribute to the development of an overarching theory of the writing centre, which some scholars say is the necessary next step, and which others warn may lead to the death of writing centres as we know them.
Instructor tutoring in the classroom: A merger of domains
Authors: Balsom Edwin
Published: July 2013

Traditionally, teaching and tutoring have been considered interdependent realms of education, dedicated in mutual ways to improving students’ learning. Instructors in classrooms deliver course material, supervise skill development, and regularly test students to guarantee learning standards. In a supporting role, tutors work in help centers to improve students’ skills and knowledge of course content already covered by the instructor. From this perspective, these two domains are clearly symbiotic in nature, conjoined in purpose, but distinct in roles and responsibilities.
Practical teaching and its importance in teaching civil engineering
Authors: Shaaban Khaled
Published: July 2013

Students pursuing their civil engineering degree usually learn the theory part in class but may
struggle to relate theory to practice if the instructor has no industry experience. Engineering
graduates can benefit more when civil engineering courses are taught by instructors that have
both academic and practical experience. An instructor with industry experience can motivate
students, enable them to relate what was learned in the class with the real world, and allow
them to start developing their own engineering judgment, which is essential for the successful
practice of civil engineering. The paper discusses the importance of practical experience in civil
engineering education, problems facing practical teaching, and successful practices in practical
teaching.
Careers counsellors as change agents and innovators
Authors: Coutts Christine Elizabeth , Dismal Abdulridha Jaffar
Published: July 2013

The Kingdom of Bahrain seeks to make Bahraini youth the employees of choice, posing major
challenges for careers counsellors in counselling and supporting students to plan for their
futures in a way that contributes to the economic development of the country.
Giving students a voice to achieve positive change: Using appreciative inquiry to maximize student engagement
Authors: MacLeod Paul
Published: July 2013

Student engagement is an area of concern for many educators, as students with higher levels of engagement and motivation tend to learn more than their less-motivated or engaged peers (Schreiner, 2007). Research into strengths-based approaches shows that people working from their strengths display higher levels of motivation, confidence, satisfaction and competence and that they tend to learn and retain information more easily (Rath, 2007; Clifton & Harter 2003; Linley & Harrington, 2006; Peterson & Seligman, 2004). In addition, when teachers are both socially supportive and intellectually demanding students tend to be more engaged and positive about their own learning (Stipek, 2002; Turner, Meyer, Cox, DiCintio & Thomas, 1998).
One Side of the Equation
Authors: Coutts Christine Elizabeth , Dismal Abdulridha Jaffar
Published: July 2013

Student Services at Bahrain Polytechnic support students’ leadership and career development
through mentoring, coaching, advising and counselling. Student Services work closely with
Faculties to ensure a co-ordinated approach to meet student needs. In collaboration with
industry partners, the polytechnic ensures that its students receive a quality educational
experience that develops the technical and employability skills that will open the door to
rewarding career opportunities. Students are encouraged to make the most of the opportunities
available to them to develop themselves as leaders and as citizens.
Considering Climate Change in Road and Building Design
Authors: Jacobs Jennifer M. , Kirshen Paul H. , Daniel Jo Sias
Published: July 2013

What is the role of climate in infrastructure design? How can engineers design for a changing climate? How can climate scientists better inform the design process? These were the questions posed at the first Infrastructure and Climate Network (ICNet) Steering Committee Workshop, which was sponsored by a U.S. National Science Foundation research grant (CBET‐1231326) from the Research Coordination Networks‐Science, Engineering and Education for Sustainability (RCN‐SEES) program.
Discrete‐time periodic adaptive control for parametric systems with non‐sector nonlinearities
Authors: Yu Miao , Xu Jian‐Xin , Huang Deqing
Published: July 2013

In this paper, a periodic adaptive control approach is proposed for a class of discrete‐time parametric systems with non‐sector nonlinearities. The proposed periodic adaptive control law is characterized by either one‐period delayed parametric updating or two‐period delayed parametric updating when input gain contains periodic unknowns. Logarithmic‐type discrete Lyapunov function is employed to handle the difficulties caused by the uncertainties that do not satisfy the linear growth condition. Some extensions to nonlinear systems with multiple unknown parameters and time‐varying input gain, tracking tasks, as well as higher‐order systems in canonical form, are also discussed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extremely Flexible Transparent Conducting Electrodes for Organic Devices
Authors: Jung Sunghoon , Lee Sunghun , Song Myungkwan , Kim Do‐Geun , You Dae Sung , Kim Jong‐Kuk , Kim Chang Su , Kim Tae‐Min , Kim Kwon‐Hyeon , Kim Jang‐Joo , Kang Jae‐Wook
Published: July 2013

Extremely flexible transparent conducting electrodes are developed using a combination of metal‐embedding architecture into plastic substrate and ultrathin transparent electrodes, which leads to highly transparent (optical transmittance ≈93% at a wavelength of 550 nm), highly conducting (sheet resistance ≈13 Ω □−1), and extremely flexible (bending radius ≈ 200 μm) electrodes. The electrodes are used to fabricate flexible organic solar cells and organic light‐emitting diodes that exhibit performance similar or superior to that of devices fabricated on glass substrates. Moreover, the flexible devices do not show degradation in their performance even after being folded with a radius of ≈200 μm.
All‐Surface‐Atomic‐Metal Chalcogenide Sheets for High‐Efficiency Visible‐Light Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting
Authors: Sun Yongfu , Sun Zhihu , Gao Shan , Cheng Hao , Liu Qinghua , Lei Fengcai , Wei Shiqiang , Xie Yi
Published: July 2013

Artificial all‐surface‐atomic 2D sheets can trigger breakthroughs in tailoring the physical and chemical properties of advanced functional materials. Here, the conceptually new all‐surface‐atomic semiconductors of SnS and SnSe freestanding sheets are realized using a scalable strategy. As an example, all‐surface‐atomic SnS sheets undergo surface atomic elongation and structural disordering, which is revealed by X‐ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy and first‐principles calculations, endowing them with high structural stability and an increased density of states at the valence band edge. These exotic atomic and electronic structures make the all‐surface‐atomic SnS sheet‐based photoelectrode exhibit an incident photon‐to‐current conversion efficiency of 67.1% at 490 nm, much higher than the efficiencies of other visible‐light‐driven water splitting. A photocurrent density of 5.27 mA cm‐2, which is two orders of magnitude higher than that of the bulk counterpart, is also achieved for the all‐surface‐atomic SnS sheets‐based photoelectrode. This will allow the manipulation of the basic properties of advanced materials on the atomic scale, thus paving the way for innovative applications.
Spray Deposition of Silver Nanowire Electrodes for Semitransparent Solid‐State Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Margulis George Y. , Christoforo M. Greyson , Lam David , Beiley Zach M. , Bowring Andrea R. , Bailie Colin D. , Salleo Alberto , McGehee Michael D.
Published: July 2013

Transparent top electrodes for solid‐state dye‐sensitized solar cells (ssDSCs) allow for fabrication of mechanically stacked ssDSC tandems, partially transparent ssDSCs for building integration, and ssDSCs on metal foil substrates. A solution‐processed, highly transparent, conductive electrode based on PEDOT:PSS [poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate)] and spray‐deposited silver nanowires (Ag NWs) is developed as an effective top contact for ssDSCs. The electrode is solution‐deposited using conditions and solvents that do not damage or dissolve the underlying ssDSC and achieves high performance: a peak transmittance of nearly 93% at a sheet resistance of 18 Ω/square – all without any annealing that would harm the ssDSC. The role of the PEDOT:PSS in the electrode is twofold: it ensures ohmic contact between the ssDSC 2,2′,7,7′‐tetrakis‐(N,N‐di‐p‐methoxyphenylamine)9,9′‐spirobifluorene (Spiro‐OMeTAD) overlayer and the silver nanowires and it decreases the series resistance of the device. Semitransparent ssDSCs with D35 dye fabricated using this Ag NW/PEDOT:PSS transparent electrode show power conversion efficiencies of 3.6%, nearly as high as a reference device using an evaporated silver electrode (3.7%). In addition, the semitransparent ssDSC shows high transmission between 700–1100 nm, a necessity for use in efficient tandem devices. Such an electrode, in combination with efficient ssDSCs or hybrid perovskite‐sensitized solar cells, can allow for the fabrication of efficient, cost‐effective tandem photovoltaics.
Clofarabine, idarubicin, and cytarabine (CIA) as frontline therapy for patients ≤60 years with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Nazha Aziz , Kantarjian Hagop , Ravandi Farhad , Huang Xuelin , Choi Sangbum , Garcia‐Manero Guillermo , Jabbour Elias , Borthakur Gautam , Kadia Tapan , Konopleva Marina , Cortes Jorge , Ferrajoli Alessandra , Kornblau Steve , Daver Naval , Pemmaraju Naveen , Andreeff Michael , Estrov Zeev , Du Min , Brandt Mark , Faderl Stefan
Published: July 2013

Clofarabine is a second generation nucleoside analogue with activity in adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). A phase I trial of clofarabine, idarubicin, and cytarabine (CIA) in relapsed and refractory AML had shown an overall response rate (ORR) of 48%. To explore this combination further, we conducted a phase II study of (CIA) in patients with newly diagnosed AML ≤60 years. Patients ≥18–60 years with AML and adequate organ function were enrolled. Induction therapy consisted of clofarabine (C) 20 mg m−2 IV daily (days 1–5), idarubicin (I) 10 mg m−2 IV daily (days 1–3), and cytarabine (A) 1 g m−2 IV daily (days 1–5). Patients in remission received up to six consolidation cycles (C 15 mg m−2 × 3, I 8 mg m−2 × 2, and A 0.75 g m−2 × 3). Fifty‐seven patients were evaluable. ORR was 79%. With a median follow up of 10.9 months, the median overall survival (OS) was not reached, the median event‐free survival (EFS) was 13.5 months. Most toxicities were ≤grade 2. Four week mortality was 2%. In subgroup analysis, patients ≤40 years had better OS (P = 0.04) and EFS (P = 0.04) compared to patients >40 years. Compared to historical patients treated with idarubicin and cyarabine (IA), the OS and EFS were significantly longer for CIA treated patients. In multivariate analysis, CIA retained its favorable impact on OS compared to IA. Thus, CIA is an effective and safe therapy for patients ≤60 years with newly diagnosed AML. Am. J. Heamtol. 88:961–966, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
BiCl3‐catalyzed carbon‒carbon cross‐coupling of organoboronic acids with aryl iodides
Authors: Malik Payal , Joseph Desna , Chakraborty Debashis
Published: July 2013

A procedure for BiCl3‐catalyzed carbon‐carbon cross‐coupling reaction of organoboronic acids with aryl iodides is described. This protocol has a wide substrate scope and uses an inexpensive and non‐toxic catalyst. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Template‐less synthesis of polymer hollow spheres: an efficient catalyst for Suzuki coupling reaction
Authors: Choudhary Meenakshi , Islam Rafique Ul , Witcomb Michael J , Phali Motlatsi , Mallick Kaushik
Published: July 2013

We report here a method for the preparation of polymer hollow spheres in which 3‐aminoquinoline (3‐AQ) and palladium acetate were used as precursors. During the reaction 3‐AQ was oxidized and formed poly(3‐AQ). IR and Raman spectra provided information on the chemical structure of the polymer. The oxidation state of palladium was confirmed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopic analysis. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy were used to determine the size and morphology of the polymer. The palladium–poly(3‐AQ) supramolecular system was used as an effective catalyst for the Suzuki coupling reaction of aryl halides in the absence of a phosphine ligand. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ruthenium–Arene–β‐Carboline Complexes as Potent Inhibitors of Cyclin‐Dependent Kinase 1: Synthesis, Characterization and Anticancer Mechanism Studies
Authors: He Liang , Liao Si‐Yan , Tan Cai‐Ping , Ye Rui‐Rong , Xu Yu‐Wen , Zhao Meng , Ji Liang‐Nian , Mao Zong‐Wan
Published: July 2013

A series of RuII–arene complexes (1–6) of the general formula [(η6‐arene)Ru(L)Cl]PF6 (arene=benzene or p‐cymene; L=bidentate β‐carboline derivative, an indole alkaloid with potential cyclin‐dependent kinases (CDKs) inhibitory activities) is reported. All the complexes were fully characterized by classical analytical methods, and three were characterized by X‐ray crystallography. Hydrolytic studies show that β‐carboline ligands play a vital role in their aqueous behaviour. These complexes are highly active in vitro, with the most active complex 6 displaying a 3‐ to 12‐fold higher anticancer activity than cisplatin against several cancer cell lines. Interestingly, the complexes are able to overcome cross‐resistance to cisplatin, and show much lower cytotoxicity against normal cells. Complexes 1–6 may directly target CDK1, because they can block cells in the G2M phase, down‐regulate the expression of CDK1 and cyclin B1, and inhibit CDK1/cyclin B in vitro. Further mechanism studies show that the complexes can effectively induce apoptosis through mitochondrial‐related pathways and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) elevation.
NKp46 regulates allergic responses
Authors: Ghadially Hormas , Horani Amjad , Glasner Ariella , Elboim Moran , Gazit Roi , Shoseyov David , Mandelboim Ofer
Published: July 2013

Natural killer (NK) cells are cytotoxic cells that are able to rapidly kill viruses, tumor cells, parasites, bacteria, and even cells considered “self”. The activity of NK cells is controlled by a fine balance of inhibitory and activating signals mediated by a complex set of different receptors. However, the function of NK cells is not restricted only to the killing of target cells, NK cells also possess other properties such as the secretion of proangiogenic factors during pregnancy. Here, we demonstrate another unique NK‐cell activity, namely the regulation of T‐cell mediated allergic responses, which is dependent on the NK‐cell specific receptor NKp46 (Ncr1 in mice). Using mice in which the Ncr1 gene has been replaced with a green fluorescent protein, we demonstrate reduced delayed‐type hypersensitivity and airway hypersensitivity. Interestingly, we show that this reduction in airway hypersensitivity is due to differences in the stimulation of T cells resulting in an altered cytokine profile.
A new weighted upwind finite volume element method based on non‐standard covolume for time‐dependent convection–diffusion problems
Authors: Gao Fuzheng , Liang Dong
Published: July 2013

In modern numerical simulation of problems in energy resources and environmental science, it is important to develop efficient numerical methods for time‐dependent convection–diffusion problems. On the basis of nonstandard covolume grids, we propose a new kind of high‐order upwind finite volume element method for the problems. We first prove the stability and mass conservation in the discrete forms of the scheme. Optimal second‐order error estimate in L2‐norm in spatial step is then proved strictly. The scheme is effective for avoiding numerical diffusion and nonphysical oscillations and has second‐order accuracy. Numerical experiments are given to verify the performance of the scheme. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Toward low‐noise synthetic turbulent inflow conditions for aeroacoustic calculations
Authors: Sescu Adrian , Hixon Ray
Published: July 2013

The accuracy of boundary conditions for computational aeroacoustics is a well‐known challenge, due in part to the necessity of truncating the flow domain and replacing the analytical boundary conditions at infinity with numerical boundary conditions. In particular, the inflow boundary condition involving turbulent velocity or scalar fields is likely to introduce spurious waves into the domain, therefore degrading the flow behavior and deteriorating the physical acoustic waves. In this work, a method to generate low‐noise, divergence‐free, synthetic turbulence for inflow boundary conditions is proposed. It relies on the classical view of turbulence as a superposition of random eddies convected with the mean flow. Within the proposed model, the vector potential and the requirement that the individual eddies must satisfy the linearized momentum equations about the mean flow are used. The model is tested using isolated eddies convected through the inflow boundary and an experimental benchmark data for spatially decaying isotropic turbulence. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vascular risk factors, depression, and cognitive change among African American older adults
Authors: Carmasin Jeremy S. , Mast Benjamin T. , Allaire Jason C. , Whitfield Keith E.
Published: July 2013

Objective

Vascular burden has been linked to future depression and cognitive change in predominately European American samples. This study investigated these relationships in older African Americans.

Methods

To examine the connection between vascular risk factors, depression, and cognitive change, this study utilized data from 435 older African Americans. Specifically, the study examined the link between vascular risk at baseline with depression and cognitive functioning at a 2.5‐year follow‐up visit.

Results

High baseline vascular risk was associated with increased odds of future depression while controlling for age and current depression. A series of path analyses demonstrated links between baseline vascular risk, increases in depression, and decreases in processing speed.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that African Americans with greater vascular burden are at greater risk for depression and cognitive change. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spatial variations in the composition of turbidites due to hydrodynamic fractionation
Authors: Pyles David R. , Straub Kyle M. , Stammer Jane G.
Published: July 2013

This study uses measurements from physical experiments to document turbidity currents, which are density currents composed of suspended sediment and water, to be effective at hydrodynamically fractionating minerals on the basis of grain density and grain shape alone, resulting in large‐scale spatial variations in the composition of their deposits. While grain composition varies spatially, the population sampled at any one location is hydrodynamically equivalent. Spatial variations in composition of the deposits are modeled using exponential decay functions, which are based on initial concentration of grain types and their respective differences in settling velocity. We further discuss implications of this process for addressing practical geophysical problems, in which mineralogical distributions are important, such as provenance and geochronology studies, subsurface imaging, and predicting bulk properties of subsurface reservoirs.
Utilizing pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics modeling to simultaneously examine free CCL2, total CCL2 and carlumab (CNTO 888) concentration time data
Authors: Fetterly Gerald J. , Aras Urvi , Meholick Patricia D. , Takimoto Chris , Seetharam Shobha , McIntosh Thomas , de Bono Johann S. , Sandhu Shahneen K. , Tolcher Anthony , Davis Hugh M. , Zhou Honghui , Puchalski Thomas A.
Published: July 2013

The chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) promotes angiogenesis, tumor proliferation, migration, and metastasis. Carlumab is a human IgG1κ monoclonal antibody with high CCL2 binding affinity. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic data from 21 cancer patients with refractory tumors were analyzed. The PK/PD model characterized the temporal relationships between serum concentrations of carlumab, free CCL2, and the carlumab–CCL2 complex. Dose‐dependent increases in total CCL2 concentrations were observed and were consistent with shifting free CCL2. Free CCL2 declined rapidly after the initial carlumab infusion, returned to baseline within 7 days, and increased to levels greater than baseline following subsequent doses. Mean predicted half‐lives of carlumab and carlumab–CCL2 complex were approximately 2.4 days and approximately 1 hour for free CCL2. The mean dissociation constant (KD), 2.4 nM, was substantially higher than predicted by in vitro experiments, and model‐based simulation revealed this was the major factor hindering the suppression of free CCL2 at clinically viable doses.
Sonographic diagnosis of subungual intraosseous epidermoid cyst
Authors: Arora Arundeep , Srivastava Deep , Gupta Himanshu , Kumar Vijay , Kotwal P. P.
Published: July 2013

Intraosseous epidermoid cyst is an uncommon subungual mass. We report the sonographic findings in a case of intraosseous epidermoid cyst, which showed the characteristic whorled pattern of layers, previously described in other locations and unequivocally clinched the diagnosis in favor of this benign etiology and guided the management to phalangeal‐sparing surgery. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 41:35–37, 2013
Effects of hypoxia on pluripotency in murine iPS cells
Authors: Sugimoto Kouji , Yoshizawa Yuu , Yamada Shizuka , Igawa Kazunari , Hayashi Yoshihiko , Ishizaki Hidetaka
Published: July 2013

Retroviral transduction of four transcription factors (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and c‐Myc) or three factors, excluding c‐Myc, has been shown to initiate a reprogramming process that results in the transformation of murine fibroblasts to induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, and there has been a rapid increase in the number of iPS cell‐based preclinical trials. In this study, the effects of these transcription factors were evaluated regarding the growth and differentiation of murine iPS cells under hypoxia. Based on the results of RT‐PCR and alizarin red S staining, there were no statistical differences in the growth and differentiation of iPS cells or the induction of iPS cells to osteoblasts under hypoxia between the transcription factor groups. Furthermore, the function of hypoxia inducible factors (HIFs) in murine iPS cells under hypoxia was investigated in relation to the morphology and expression of transcription factors using RT‐PCR and Western blotting. The HIF‐2α knockdown group exhibited a decrease in the colony size of the iPS cells. The HIF‐2α or ‐3α knockdown group demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in the transcription factor expression compared to that observed in the control group. These results demonstrate that HIF‐2α among HIFs is the most influential candidate for the maintenance of the pluripotency of murine iPS cells. Microsc. Res. Tech., 76:1084–1092, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
May–September precipitation in the Bhutan Himalaya since 1743 as reconstructed from tree ring cellulose δ18O
Authors: Sano Masaki , Tshering Phuntsho , Komori Jiro , Fujita Koji , Xu Chenxi , Nakatsuka Takeshi
Published: July 2013

We developed a 50‐year tree ring δ18O chronology for each of three tree species (Juniperus indica, Larix griffithii, and Picea spinulosa) using a total of 12 trees (four trees per species) from the Bhutan Himalaya. Despite originating from different species sampled at two different altitudes, the δ18O chronologies are highly correlated with one another (r = 0.76–0.89). Response analyses reveal that tree ring δ18O values are controlled mainly by summer precipitation, irrespective of species. Based on these results, a robust 269‐year δ18O chronology was established to reconstruct the amount of May–September precipitation based on data from four larch trees. Our tree ring δ18O data show significant correlations with those from other regions of the Himalaya and the Tibetan Plateau, indicating that common signals related to monsoon activity are recorded in the data. However, at centennial timescales, our data from Bhutan show normal conditions during the 20th century, whereas records from sites in western Nepal and the southern/eastern Tibetan Plateau show weakening trends in monsoon intensity during the last 100–200 years; the weakening trends may be the result of a reduction in the meridional sea surface temperature gradient in the Indian Ocean during this time. At continental scales, the tree ring records show that areas more from ocean basins are particularly sensitive to reduced monsoon circulation. Correlation analyses suggest that the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) plays an important role in modulating summer precipitation. However, the teleconnected relationship disappears during the period 1951–1970, coinciding with a negative phase of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), implying interdecadal modulation of the PDO on the influence of the ENSO on precipitation in Bhutan.
Tropospheric ozone and nitrogen dioxide measurements in urban and rural regions as seen by IASI and GOME‐2
Authors: Safieddine S. , Clerbaux C. , George M. , Hadji‐Lazaro J. , Hurtmans D. , Coheur P.‐F. , Wespes C. , Loyola D. , Valks P. , Hao N.
Published: July 2013

Tropospheric ozone (O3) columns in urban and rural regions as seen by the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) are analyzed along with the Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment (GOME‐2) tropospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO2) columns. Results over nine cities of the Northern Hemisphere for the period 2008–2011 show a typical seasonal behavior of tropospheric O3, with a first maximum reached in late spring because of stratospheric intrusion mainly and a continuous rise till the summer because of the anthropogenic‐based ozone production. Over the East Asian cities, a decrease in the O3 tropospheric column is detected during the monsoon period. Seasonal cycling of tropospheric NO2 shows consistent higher values during winter because of the higher anthropogenic sources and longer lifetime. In rural regions, a complex relation between the O3 and NO2 columns is found, with good correlation in summer and winter. O3 concentrations in rural sites are found to be comparable to those closest to the anthropogenic emission sources, with peak values in spring and summer. Furthermore, the effect of the reduction of pollutant emissions in the Beijing region during the Olympic Games of 2008 compared to the same summer period in the following 3 years is studied. GOME‐2 NO2 measurements show a reduction up to 54% above Beijing during this period compared to the following 3 years. IASI O3 measurements show an increase of 12% during July 2008 followed by a decrease of 5–6% during the months of August and September.
Isolated Roux‐en‐Y anastomosis of the pancreatic stump in a duct‐to‐mucosa fashion in patients with distal pancreatectomy with en‐bloc celiac axis resection
Authors: Okada Ken‐ichi , Kawai Manabu , Tani Masaji , Hirono Seiko , Miyazawa Motoki , Shimizu Atsushi , Kitahata Yuji , Yamaue Hiroki
Published: July 2013

Background

A pancreatic fistula is one of the most serious complications in distal pancreatectomy with en bloc celiac axis resection (DP‐CAR), because the pancreatic transection is performed on the right side of the portal vein, which results in a large cross‐section surface, and because post‐pancreatectomy hemorrhage is hard to treat by interventional radiology. Therefore, a procedure to decrease the incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula is urgently needed.

Methods

Twenty‐six consecutive patients who underwent DP‐CAR between April 2008 and August 2012 were reviewed retrospectively. The first 13 consecutive patients underwent DP‐CAR with no anastomosis, and the subsequent 13 consecutive patients were treated with Roux‐en‐Y pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) in a duct‐to‐mucosa fashion.

Results

Extremely high amylase levels (>4000 IU/l) of all drainage fluid specimens on postoperative day (POD) 1, 3 and 4 were detected more frequently in cases with no anastomosis (n = 7) compared to those with PJ (n = 1) (P = 0.056).

Conclusion

The incidence of grade B/C pancreatic fistulas was 15.4% in cases with isolated Roux‐en‐Y anastomosis of the pancreatic stump performed in a duct‐to‐mucosa fashion, and we are currently examining whether this anastomosis method reduces the pancreatic fistula rate in a multicenter, randomized controlled trial for distal pancreatectomy patients (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01384617).
Non‐operative management of blunt liver injury: a new protocol for selected hemodynamically unstable patients under hypotensive resuscitation
Authors: Mitsusada Makoto , Nakajima Yasushi , Shirokawa Masamitsu , Takeda Toshiaki , Honda Hideki
Published: July 2013

Background

The objective of this study was to evaluate our new protocol for performing non‐operative management for selected unstable patients under hypotensive resuscitation using improved diagnostic imaging techniques.

Methods

This retrospective study included 77 consecutive patients with blunt liver injury. They were divided into two groups: those treated before and those treated after the revision. Under the new protocol, we attempted to manage the patients non‐operatively, usually with angioembolization, including those whose shock improved with fluid resuscitation and continuous loading, permitting the maintenance of a target systolic blood pressure of 80 mmHg. The outcomes of the two groups were evaluated and compared.

Results

While comparing the groups, although there was no change in the liver‐related morbidity and mortality rates, the urgent and overall laparotomy rates and transfusion requirements in 24 h significantly decreased after the protocol revision. While comparing the subgroups of high‐grade injury (AAST Grades 3–5), the overall laparotomy rates and transfusion requirements in 24 h significantly decreased after the protocol revision.

Conclusions

All the selected unstable patients were successfully managed non‐operatively after the protocol revision. The decrease in laparotomy rates and transfusion requirements confirmed the feasibility of our new protocol for these selected patients.
Behavioural Investigative Advice: Assistance to Investigative Decision‐making in Difficult‐to‐detect Murder
Authors: Cole Terri , Brown Jennifer
Published: July 2013

This paper considers the role of a Behavioural Investigative Adviser (BIA) in assisting with the decision‐making of a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) in difficult‐to‐detect murder investigations. It outlines the need for transparent evidence‐based decision‐making from both the SIO and the BIA. The paper then details a piece of relevant, applied research that can assist in this end. The research utilised a pragmatic psychology approach to analyse 312 detected murder cases from the Serious Crime Analysis Section database. Some significant patterns relating what is known about the offence at different stages of an investigation and inferences regarding the offender were found, indicating that certain offence information can lead to some reliable predictions and these can be refined as more information becomes available. However, the findings also indicate that base rate frequencies and a ‘best‐guess’ methodology may be as, if not more, useful than more complex statistical techniques when providing advice to investigations. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lateral pharyngoplasty reduces nocturnal blood pressure in patients with obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: de Paula Soares Carolina F. , Cavichio Luciano , Cahali Michel B.
Published: July 2013

Objectives/Hypothesis

To compare the values of 24‐hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), before and after lateral pharyngoplasty, and to investigate the influence of pre‐ and post‐treatment polysomnographic and anthropometric variations on changes in ABPM.

Study Design

Prospective study.

Methods

Arterial blood pressure with 24‐hour ABPM and nocturnal polysomnography were measured before and 6 months after surgery in 18 consecutively evaluated adults with OSA at a tertiary center.

Results

A total of 83.3% were normotensive patients. Nocturnal measurements showed a decrease of 5.3 mmHg in mean arterial pressure (MAP; P = .01), 7.4 mmHg in mean arterial systolic pressure (SP; P = .006), and 4.2 mmHg in mean arterial diastolic pressure (DP; P = .03), leading to significant reductions in all 24‐hour measurements: 3.6 mmHg in MAP, 4.8 mmHg in SP, and 2.9 mmHg in DP. There were also significant mean reductions in the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI), from 33.5 to 20.9 (P = .02), arousal index, from 31.6 to 16.7 (P = .005), and percentage of total sleep time with oxyhemoglobin saturation < 90%, from 10.6% to 0.9% (P = .008). No correlations were noted between the measurements of arterial blood pressure and polysomnographic or anthropometric variations.

Conclusions

In this small case series, lateral pharyngoplasty reduced the values obtained in the 24‐hour ABPM due to a significant reduction of blood pressures during sleep in patients with OSA 6 months after surgery. Although the patients presented with reductions in AHI, arousals, and desaturation time, this was not correlated with the improvement in arterial blood pressure.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 124:311–316, 2014
18‐FDG‐PET in the initial staging of sinonasal malignancy
Authors: Ramakrishnan Vijay R. , Lee Jennifer Y. , O'Malley Bert W. , Palmer James N. , Chiu Alexander G.
Published: July 2013

Objectives/Hypothesis

The utility of fluorine‐18 fluorodeoxyglucose‐positron emission tomography (PET) has been gradually defined for most head and neck cancers, However, its utility in the initial diagnosis of sinonasal malignancy has not been extensively studied. The aim of this study was to determine if PET scanning accurately diagnoses and stages malignant sinonasal lesions and if maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) correlates with clinically advanced disease.

Study Design

Retrospective chart review.

Methods

There were 51 patients with sinonasal malignancy who underwent diagnostic whole body PET or PET‐computed tomography scans that were analyzed for patient and disease characteristics, SUVmax, and staging.

Results

Of the 51 patients, 48 scans were positive at the primary site, with a sensitivity of 94%. Four patients were found to have intensely avid uptake, in which the numerical SUVmax was not documented, and three patients did not have any uptake in the region of their tumor. Mean SUVmax at the primary site was 16.1 (range, 3.1–59). Metastasis was detected in 31% (16/51) of the patients. There was a potential positive correlation between SUVmax at the primary site and detection of metastasis on univariate analysis (r = 0.19, P = .09), but on multivariate analysis, SUVmax was not found to correlate with T staging or metastasis.

Conclusions

For diagnosis of sinonasal malignancy, PET scans have a high sensitivity, although false negatives occurred in 6% of cases. PET scanning detected metastasis in 31% of patients, but SUVmax did not function as a marker for clinically advanced disease. The role of diagnostic PET for sinonasal malignancy is currently limited to cases with a high suspicion of metastatic disease.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 123:2962–2966, 2013
Beyond the nasoseptal flap: Outcomes and pearls with secondary flaps in endoscopic endonasal skull base reconstruction
Authors: Patel Mihir R. , Taylor Robert J. , Hackman Trevor G. , Germanwala Anand V. , Sasaki‐Adams Deanna , Ewend Matthew G. , Zanation Adam M.
Published: July 2013

Objectives/Hypothesis

Endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery defects require effective reconstruction. Although the nasoseptal flap (NSF) has become our institution's workhorse for large skull base defects with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks, situations where it is unavailable require secondary flaps. Clinical outcomes, pearls and pitfalls, and an algorithm will be presented for these secondary flaps.

Study Design

Clinical case series.

Methods

Medical records of all endoscopic endonasal skull base surgeries at a tertiary care academic medical center were reviewed for skull base defect type, reconstruction method, CSF leak rate, and flap necrosis rate.

Results

Of 330 flaps for reconstructing endoscopic endonasal skull base defects, secondary flaps were used in 34 cases (10%). These included 16 endoscopic‐assisted pericranial flaps, seven tunneled temporoparietal fascia flaps, three inferior turbinate flaps, two middle turbinate flaps, two anterior lateral nasal wall flaps, two palatal flaps, one occipital flap, and one facial artery buccinator flap. There were 19 anterior cranial fossa defects, 10 clival defects, three sellar defects, and one frontal and one lateral orbit/middle fossa defect. Twenty‐five of the 34 cases (73.5%) had either prior or postoperative radiation therapy. The most common pathology was sinonasal cancer, with 16 cases (47.1%). The postoperative CSF leak rate was 3.6% due to one middle turbinate flap necrosis.

Conclusions

Secondary flaps for skull base reconstruction can be harvested with minimally invasive techniques and demonstrate excellent success rates (97%) that are comparable to that of the NSF (>95%). Multiple flaps for complex skull base defects should be in the armamentarium of comprehensive skull base surgery centers.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 124:846–852, 2014
Stenting of the eustachian tube to prevent otitis media with effusion after maxillary swing approach nasopharyngectomy
Authors: Ho Ambrose Chung‐Wai , Chan Jimmy Yu‐Wai , Ng Raymond Wai‐Man , Ho Wai‐Kuen , Wei William Ignace
Published: July 2013

Objectives/Hypothesis

Our previous report recommended that the management of ipsilateral otitis media with effusion (OME) after maxillary swing nasopharyngectomy was observation. The idea of introducing a stent into the eustachian tube (ET) at the nasopharyngeal side after nasopharyngectomy may prevent postoperative OME. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of intraoperative ET stenting and the efficacy of preventing ipsilateral OME formation.

Study Design

Prospective cohort study.

Methods

From 2009 to 2011, 28 patients with nasopharyngectomy via the maxillary swing approach were recruited. Patients with curative resection were recruited (n = 21). ET stenting was performed intraoperatively using a 16‐gauge Angiocath (BD Medical Systems, Franklin Lakes, NJ) with dimensions of 1.7 mm × 30 mm. The stent stays inplace indefinitely. The otologic status was evaluated using otoscopy, pure‐tone audiogram, and tympanogram at 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after the surgery. The outcomes were analyzed and compared with historical control.

Results

There were 9 (43%) patients with no OME at 6 months after surgery, and 15 (71%) patients had no OME at 1 year postoperatively. The results were statistically significant (P < .0001) when compared with our historical control of no ET stenting. There was no incidence of adverse effects of the stenting, such as acute otitis media, dislodgement of the stent, otalgia, and nasal pain.

Conclusions

ET stenting was feasible after nasopharyngectomy. ET stenting prevented a significant number of patients from suffering from ipsilateral OME and alleviated the symptoms of unilateral aural fullness and unilateral conductive hearing impairment up to at least 1 year after the surgery. ET stenting is recommended in all patients after maxillary swing nasopharyngectomy.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 124:139–144, 2014
Nasal tip support: A finite element analysis of the role of the caudal septum during tip depression
Authors: Manuel Cyrus T. , Leary Ryan , Protsenko Dmitriy E. , Wong Brian J. F.
Published: July 2013

Objectives/Hypothesis

Although minor and major tip support mechanisms have been described in detail, no quantitative models exist to provide support for the relative contributions of the structural properties of the major alar cartilage, the fibrous attachments to surrounding structures, and the rigid support structures in an objective manner.

Study Design

The finite element method was used to compute the stress distribution in the nose during simple tip compression, and then identify the specific anatomic structures that resist deformation and thus contribute to tip support. Additionally, the impact of caudal septal resection on nasal tip support was examined.

Methods

The computer models consisted of three tissue components with anatomically correct geometries for skin and bone derived from computed tomographic data. Septum, upper lateral cartilages, and major alar cartilages were fitted within the model using three‐dimensional computer‐aided design software. Five‐millimeter nasal tip compression was performed on the models with caudal septal resection (3 and 5 mm) and without resection to simulate palpation, then the resulting spatial distribution of stress and displacement was calculated.

Results

The von Mises stress in the normal model was primarily concentrated along the medial crural angle. As caudal septum length was reduced, stress was redistributed to adjacent soft tissue and bone, resulting in less force acting on the septum. In all models, displacement was greatest near the intermediate crura.

Conclusions

These models are the first step in the comprehensive mechanical analysis of nasal tip dynamics. Our model supports the concept of the caudal septum and major alar cartilage providing the majority of critical load‐bearing support.

Level of Evidence

N/A Laryngoscope, 124:649–654, 2014
Corticosteroids directly reduce Staphylococcus aureus biofilm growth: An in vitro study
Authors: Goggin Rachel , Jardeleza Camille , Wormald Peter‐John , Vreugde Sarah
Published: July 2013

Objectives/Hypothesis

Clinical improvement in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) treated with steroids alone has previously been ascribed to the steroids' anti‐inflammatory properties rather than any direct effect on the bacteria. The aim of this study was to determine if commonly used intranasal steroids directly reduce bacterial biofilm production in vitro.

Study Design

In vitro comparative controlled trial.

Methods

Staphylococcus aureus biofilms were grown on minimum biofilm eradication concentration device pegs and treated with the commonly prescribed CRS topical steroids fluticasone, mometasone, or budesonide. These were dissolved in vehicle solvents and added to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) broth. Concentrations (including therapeutic doses) tested for fluticasone and mometasone ranged from 25 μg/200 μL to 400 μg/200 μL, and from 16 μg/200 μL to 2000 μg/200 μL for budesonide. Control pegs were exposed to equivalent volumes of the appropriate solvent/CSF broth. Confocal scanning laser microscopy and COMSTAT software were used to quantify biofilms at 24 hours after treatment.

Results

Significant differences from control were found for fluticasone at 400 μg/200 μL (difference = −0.3065 μm3/μm2, P = .007), mometasone at 300 μg/200 μL and 400 μg/200 μL (difference = −0.15 μm3/μm2, P = .006, and difference = −0.9193 μm3/μm2, P = .034, respectively), and budesonide at 750 μg/200 μL, 1000 μg/200 μL and 2000 μg/200 μL (difference = −1.0137 μm3/μm2, P = .038, difference = −0.6164, P = .009, and difference = −0.1906 μm3/μm2, P = .029, respectively).

Conclusions

The concentrations of 400 μg/200 μL of fluticasone, 300 μg and 400 μg/200 μL of mometasone, and 750 μg, 1,000μg, and 2,000 μg/200 μL of budesonide directly reduce biofilm production in vitro, outside of the inflammatory milieu.

Level of Evidence

NA. Laryngoscope, 124:602–607, 2014