bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On an upheaval of land near Novai Zembla
Authors: Brown Robert
Published: December 2013

During the past summer the Norwegians, among other explorations in the Arctic Sea, had discovered to the north of Novai Zembla a group of low islands, which, on account of the presence of tropical fruits washed on them by the Gulf Stream, had been named the ‶Gulf Stream Islands.″ The two largest of them had been named the Hellwalds and Brown’s Islands. But the most curious fact above them was, that less than 300 years ago the Dutch took soundings in 100 feet on this very spot, so that within that period these low sandy islands, scattered with boulders, had been raised above the sea, showing an elevation of land since the year 1592 of more than a 100 feet. It was said that the sea around Spitzbergen was shoaling, and that on that account the Right whale of commerce (
Balæna mysticetus
) was no longer a member of the Spitzbergen fauna, though at one time killed in enormous numbers in every bay. In the course of some verbal remarks on the subject of the rise and fall of northern lands, Dr Brown took occasion to doubt that north of lat. 72° the west coast of Greenland was sinking. He considered that there was every proof that the whole coast, from Cape Farewell to Smith’s Sound, was gradually being depressed. In reference to some remarks made at a former meeting of the Society, he might mention that, if we were not yet perfectly acquainted with the nature of the glacial remains in Britain from a study of the great Greenland ice, it was not because geologists were not intimately enough acquainted with the nature of the ‶ice cap″ in that country. During the last few years no fewer than four parties of naturalists—Swedish, Danish, and English—had visited Greenland, and given the result of their observations to the world; and one of the most eminent of Danish geologists—Dr Rink—had resided no less than twenty-one years in the country. If, therefore, we are not yet fully able to explain the nature of the glacial remains in Britain from the analogies of Greenland ice, it was not for want either of knowledge or perseverance. All that could be learned had been learned, as the Greenland residents had already borne witness to.

Mr W. T. Black exhibited a number of beautiful photographs of Mount Vesuvius as it appeared during the eruption in 1872.

The following Gentlemen were elected Fellows of the Society:

R
obert
E
theridge
, junior, F.G.S., of the Geological Survey of Scotland, Edinburgh.

W. T. B
lack
, 2 George Square.
On sections exposed in cutting the Suburban Railway
Authors: Henderson John
Published: December 2013

Mr H
enderson
is engaged working these sections more fully out, as well as several recently exposed. The whole subject will be fully considered in a paper to be read before the Society next session.
Geological observations on Easter Ross, Moy, Craggie and Athole
Authors: Cameron David
Published: December 2013

Easter Ross.
—A junction of the Old Red and the Gneiss occurs near the summit of Nigg Hill. A fine bed of Arctic marine shells occurs at Cadboll, at 124 feet above sea-level.

Moy and Craggie.
—Auriferous sand occurs in almost all the streams of Moy and Strathnairn, such as the burns of Moy, Craggie, Altruadh, Altlugie, and in the gorge of the Nairn below Craggie. Here on one occasion in the summer of 1881 I found about 30 grains of gold by scraping out the
débris
from the seams of the claystone rocks and by washing it out in an iron basin. Limestone rocks containing cubes of galena occur
in situ
along both sides of the Nairn below Easter Craggie and Daltullich, and also to the east of Clava. Ironstone seems to be abundant, particularly in Strathnairn, and often occurs in the form of slag resting upon peat-charcoal in the ancient bloomeries of the district at Moy, Bunachton, Aberarder, and Clava. The Moy valley is flanked by high terraces. No detrital barriers can be traced at the 1000 feet level. They exist in the shape of the Kame at 923 feet, across the north end of the valley, and again at 953 feet, across the south end of Loch Moy.

Athole.
—Craig Ower (1400 feet) forms the central height of the south watershed of the vale of Athole. It is crowned by an ancient circular hill fort about 40 yards in diameter. The rampart is formed of boulders of limestone and gray granite. This granite evidently belongs to the Grampians to the north-east. The most singular feature on Craig Ower is the numerous pot-holes in the limestone rocks on the summit.
New structures in the Argyllshire Highlands
Authors: Bailey E.B.
Published: December 2013

T
he
district described extends from Spean Bridge in the north to Loch Creagan in the south, and from Loch Linnhe in the west to the margins of the Rannoch Moor and Cruachan granites in the east. The main tectonic feature of this region is the occurrence of two recumbent folds, closing towards the south-east, which have an amplitude of more than a dozen miles apiece. The lower limbs of these folds are in part replaced by very important fold-faults or “ slips,” which, from analogy with the North-West Highlands and the Alps, it is natural to regard as thrust planes. If these slips are in reality thrusts, then it follows that the folds, the lower limbs of which they replace, must be recumbent anticlines; and this, of course, would indicate a movement of the first order of magnitude directed
from
the north-west. Although this deduction seems well founded, it is not quite secure. In fact, examples of minor slips affecting the
upper
limbs of these same folds have also been detected, showing that, in disturbances involving regional metamorphism, slipping may occur in either limb of a recumbent fold. The point remains, however, that these minor slips do not approach in magnitude the major slips referred to above as the probable correlatives of the well-known thrust planes.

The earlier recumbent folds and attendant slip planes are themselves often folded isoclinally during the later stages of the movement, and this has materially added to the complication of the district.
Role of bone morphogenetic protein 4 in the differentiation of brown fat-like adipocytes
Authors: Xue Ruidan , Wan Yun , Zhang Shuo , Zhang Qiongyue , Ye Hongying , Li Yiming
Published: December 2013

There are two different types of fat present in mammals: white adipose tissue, the primary site of energy storage, and brown adipose tissue, which is specializes in energy expenditure. Factors that specify the developmental fate and function of brown fat are poorly understood. Bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) play an important role in adipogenesis. While BMP4 is capable of triggering commitment of stem cells to the white adipocyte lineage, BMP7 triggers commitment of progenitor cells to a brown adipocyte lineage and activates brown adipogenesis. To investigate the differential effects of BMPs on the development of adipocytes, C3H10T1/2 pluripotent cells were pretreated with BMP4 and BMP7, followed by different adipogenic induction cocktails. Both BMP4 and BMP7 unexpectedly activated a full program of brown adipogenesis, including induction of the brown fat-defining marker uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1), increasing the expression of early regulators of brown fat fate PRDM16 (PR domain-containing 16) and induction of mitochondrial biogenesis and function. Implantation of BMP4-pretreated C3H10T1/2 cells into nude mice resulted in the development of adipose tissue depots containing UCP1-positive brown adipocytes. Interestingly, BMP4 could also induce brown fat-like adipocytes in both white and brown preadipocytes, thereby decreasing the classical brown adipocyte marker Zic1 and increasing the recently identified beige adipocyte marker TMEM26. The data indicate an important role for BMP4 in promoting brown adipocyte differentiation and thermogenesis in vivo and in vitro and offers a potentially new therapeutic approach for the treatment of obesity.
Long-Term Outcomes of Rheohaemapheresis in the Treatment of Dry Form of Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Studnička Jan , Rencová Eva , Bláha Milan , Rozsíval Pavel , Lánská Miriam , Bláha Vladimír , Němčanský Jan , Langrová Hana
Published: December 2013

Purpose. Determining long-term effects of rheohaemapheresis on the dry form of age-related macular degeneration.Methods. This study evaluates 19 patients, average age of 67.6 years, treated with rheohaemapheresis and 18 patients, average age of 72.8 years, comprising the control group. Minimum follow up period was 3.5 years. Each treated patient received a series of 8 sessions of rheohaemapheresis of 1.5 plasma volumes within 10 weeks. We measured the drusenoid pigment epithelium detachment (DPED), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), electroretinography (ERG), and rheological parameters.Results. In the treatment group, the baseline BCVA was 0.74 (0.36–1.0) 95% CI and BCVA after 3.5 years was 0.79 (0.41–1.0) 95% CI (P=0.726). In the control group, the baseline BCVA was 0.71 (0.15–1.0) 95% CI and BCVA after 3.5 years decreased to 0.7 (0.32–0.87) 95% CI (P=0.031). Baseline DPED was 6.78 ± 3.79 mm2; after 3.5 years, it decreased to 4.13 ± 3.84 mm2(P<0.001). In the control group, the baseline DPED was 4.09 ± 3.48 mm2; after 3.5 years, it increased to 6.69 ± 4.2 mm2(P=0.001). We noted increasing levels of positive wave peaking at 50 milliseconds (P50) after treatment (P=0.022) and a stable amplitude of photopic responses of treated patients.Conclusion. Over the long term, rheohaemapheresis reduced the DPED, improved the function of photoreceptors, and prevented the decline of BCVA.
Impact of Periodontal Diseases on Health-Related Quality of Life of Users of the Brazilian Unified Health System
Authors: Palma Pamella Valente , Caetano Paula Liparini , Leite Isabel Cristina Gonçalves
Published: December 2013

Objective.This study assessed the impact of periodontal diseases on health-related quality of life of adult users of the Brazilian Unified Health System.Study Design.A cross-sectional study was conducted on an outpatient basis. The sample included 151 adults treated in the Periodontics section at Dental Specialty Centres of Juiz de Fora (Minas Gerais, Brazil). TheOral Health Impact Profile(OHIP-14) measured the impact of periodontal disease on quality of life. Participants were interviewed to obtain self-perception of general and oral health and socioeconomic data, and dental records were consulted to obtain periodontal status data. The values of central tendency of the OHIP-14 were compared with socioeconomic, demographic, and self-reported health predictors using nonparametric tests. The final analysis was performed using multiple linear regressions.Results.The results showed that psychological discomfort and physical disability exhibited a negative impact. The following variables can explain approximately 27% of the impact of oral health conditions on health-related quality of life in this group: periodontal disease, self-perceived oral health, and the need to use or replace dental prosthesis.Conclusion.The need for prosthetic rehabilitation and worse periodontal status are associated with health-related quality of life, which can be predicted by the self-perception of health.
Serum p53 Antibody Is Not Associated with p53 Immunoreactivity in Patients with Pancreatobiliary Cancers
Authors: Umeda Junko , Itoi Takao , Sofuni Atsushi , Itokawa Fumihide , Kurihara Toshio , Tsuchiya Takayoshi , Ishii Kentaro , Tsuji Shujiro , Ikeuchi Nobuhito , Tanaka Reina , Tonozuka Ryosuke , Honjo Mitsuyoshi , Mukai Shuntaro , Nagao Toshitaka , Oshiro Hisashi , Moriyasu Fuminori
Published: December 2013

Background. Recent diagnostic imaging tests contribute to improving the diagnosis of pancreatobiliary cancers. However, it is not practical to perform these tests for all patients as screening. Thus, less-invasive and simple screening tests are still required. A method to detect the IgG antibody induced in serum against the p53 protein accumulating due to p53 gene mutation, as a biomarker, was developed around 1990.Method. 35 patients with pancreatic cancer, 12 patients with biliary tract cancer, and 31 patients with benign pancreatobiliary diseases were entered into this study. Measurement of serum anti-p53 antibody was conducted in all patients. In addition, the rate of p53 protein overexpression was examined in those cases that could be examined pathologically.Result. Among all patients in the pancreatic cancer and biliary tract cancer groups, there was no patient with serum anti-p53 antibody positive value that exceeded the standard value. The rate of p53 protein overexpression was 48.0% in the patients with pancreatobiliary cancers and 0% in the benign pancreatobiliary diseases group.Conclusion. Serum anti-p53 antibody measurement does not contribute to the diagnosis of pancreatobiliary cancers. Instead, traditional p53 immunostaining still appears to be valuable in combination with standard procedures.
Stability of Almost Periodic Solution for a General Class of Discontinuous Neural Networks with Mixed Time-Varying Delays
Authors: Li Yingwei
Published: December 2013

The global exponential stability issues are considered for almost periodic solution of the neural networks with mixed time-varying delays and discontinuous neuron activations. Some sufficient conditions for the existence, uniqueness, and global exponential stability of almost periodic solution are achieved in terms of certain linear matrix inequalities (LMIs), by applying differential inclusions theory, matrix inequality analysis technique, and generalized Lyapunov functional approach. In addition, the existence and asymptotically almost periodic behavior of the solution of the neural networks are also investigated under the framework of the solution in the sense of Filippov. Two simulation examples are given to illustrate the validity of the theoretical results.
Endoscopic Transforaminal Thoracic Foraminotomy and Discectomy for the Treatment of Thoracic Disc Herniation
Authors: Nie Hong-Fei , Liu Kai-Xuan
Published: December 2013

Thoracic disc herniation is a relatively rare yet challenging-to-diagnose condition. Currently there is no universally accepted optimal surgical treatment for symptomatic thoracic disc herniation. Previously reported surgical approaches are often associated with high complication rates. Here we describe our minimally invasive technique of removing thoracic disc herniation, and report the primary results of a series of cases. Between January 2009 and March 2012, 13 patients with symptomatic thoracic disc herniation were treated with endoscopic thoracic foraminotomy and discectomy under local anesthesia. A bone shaver was used to undercut the facet and rib head for foraminotomy. Discectomy was achieved by using grasper, radiofrequency, and the Holmium-YAG laser. We analyzed the clinical outcomes of the patients using the visual analogue scale (VAS), MacNab classification, and Oswestry disability index (ODI). At the final follow up (mean: 17 months; range: 6–41 months), patient self-reported satisfactory rate was 76.9%. The mean VAS for mid back pain was improved from 9.1 to 4.2, and the mean ODI was improved from 61.0 to 43.8. One complication of postoperative spinal headache occurred during the surgery and the patient was successfully treated with epidural blood patch. No other complications were observed or reported during and after the surgery.
Surgical Resection of Hepatic Cystic Echinococcosis Impaired by Preoperative Diagnosis
Authors: Yasuda Tomohiko , Yoshida Hiroshi , Ueda Junji , Mamada Yasuhiro , Taniai Nobuhiko , Yoshioka Masato , Matsushita Akira , Kawano Youichi , Mizuguchi Yoshiaki , Shimizu Tetsuya , Takata Hideyuki , Uchida Eiji
Published: December 2013

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a rare afferent infectious disease in Japan. This paper reports a case of a hepatic cyst being diagnosed after surgical resection. A 40-year-old Syrian male was admitted for evaluation of a hepatic cyst. Serum antibodies of echinococcosis were negative. Enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen revealed a large cystic lesion, 9 cm in diameter, in the left lateral sector of the liver, which had many honeycomb-like septa and calcified lesions. Magnetic resonance imaging of this lesion revealed high intensity in the T2 weighted image. We preoperatively diagnosed this lesion as cystadenocarcinoma or CE and performed a left hepatectomy. Pathological examination revealed the presence of protoscolices in the fluid of the cysts and led to a diagnosis of this lesion as CE. In conclusion, on seeing patients with huge hepatic cysts who come from an epidemic area, we should consider hepatic CE.
Carbon Monoxide Protects against Hepatic Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury via ROS-Dependent Akt Signaling and Inhibition of Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β
Authors: Kim Hyo Jeong , Joe Yeonsoo , Kong Jin Sun , Jeong Sun-Oh , Cho Gyeong Jae , Ryter Stefan W. , Chung Hun Taeg
Published: December 2013

Carbon monoxide (CO) may exert important roles in physiological and pathophysiological states through the regulation of cellular signaling pathways. CO can protect organ tissues from ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury by modulating intracellular redox status and by inhibiting inflammatory, apoptotic, and proliferative responses. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying the protective effects of CO in organ I/R injury remain incompletely understood. In this study, a murine model of hepatic warm I/R injury was employed to assess the role of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-dependent signaling pathways in the protective effects of CO against inflammation and injury. Inhibition of GSK3 through the PI3K/Akt pathway played a crucial role in CO-mediated protection. CO treatment increased the phosphorylation of Akt and GSK3-beta (GSK3β) in the liver after I/R injury. Furthermore, administration of LY294002, an inhibitor of PI3K, compromised the protective effect of CO and decreased the level of phospho-GSK3βafter I/R injury. These results suggest that CO protects against liver damage by maintaining GSK3βphosphorylation, which may be mediated by the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Our study provides additional support for the therapeutic potential of CO in organ injury and identifies GSK3βas a therapeutic target for CO in the amelioration of hepatic injury.
Spatial and Temporal Variation in PBL Height over the Korean Peninsula in the KMA Operational Regional Model
Authors: Lee Seung-Jae , Lee Juwon , Greybush Steven J. , Kang Minseok , Kim Joon
Published: December 2013

Spatial and temporal variations in planetary boundary layer height (PBLH) over the Korean Peninsula and its surrounding oceans are investigated using a regional grid model operated at the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). Special attention is placed on daily maximum mixing height for evaluation against two radiosonde observation datasets. In order to construct a new high-resolution PBLH database with 3-hour time and 10 km spatial resolution, short-term integrations with the regional model are carried out for a one-year period from June 2010 to May 2011. The resulting dataset is then utilized to explore the seasonal patterns of horizontal PBLH distribution over the peninsula for one year. Frequency distributions as well as monthly and diurnal variations of PBLH at two selected locations are examined. This study reveals specific spatiotemporal structure of boundary layer depth over the Korean Peninsula for the first time at a relatively high-resolution scale. The results are expected to provide insights into the direction for operational tuning and future development in the model boundary layer schemes at KMA.
Quantitatively Plotting the Human Face for Multivariate Data Visualisation Illustrated by Health Assessments Using Laboratory Parameters
Authors: Hongwei Wang , Hui Liu
Published: December 2013

Objective. The purpose of this study was to describe a new data visualisation system by plotting the human face to observe the comprehensive effects of multivariate data.Methods. The Graphics Device Interface (GDI+) in the Visual Studio.NET development platform was used to write a program that enables facial image parameters to be recorded, such as cropping and rotation, and can generate a new facial image according toZvalues from sets of normal data (Z>3was still counted as 3). The measured clinical laboratory parameters related to health status were obtained from senile people, glaucoma patients, and fatty liver patients to illustrate the facial data visualisation system.Results. When the eyes, nose, and mouth were rotated around their own axes at the same angle, the deformation effects were similar. The deformation effects for any abnormality of the eyes, nose, or mouth should be slightly higher than those for simultaneous abnormalities. The facial changes in the populations with different health statuses were significant compared with a control population.Conclusions. The comprehensive effects of multivariate may not equal the sum of each variable. The 3Zfacial data visualisation system can effectively distinguish people with poor health status from healthy people.
Integrative Genomics with Mediation Analysis in a Survival Context
Authors: Nemes Szilárd , Parris Toshima Z. , Danielsson Anna , Einbeigi Zakaria , Steineck Gunnar , Jonasson Junmei Miao , Helou Khalil
Published: December 2013

DNA copy number aberrations (DCNA) and subsequent altered gene expression profiles may have a major impact on tumor initiation, on development, and eventually on recurrence and cancer-specific mortality. However, most methods employed in integrative genomic analysis of the two biological levels, DNA and RNA, do not consider survival time. In the present note, we propose the adoption of a survival analysis-based framework for the integrative analysis of DCNA and mRNA levels to reveal their implication on patient clinical outcome with the prerequisite that the effect of DCNA on survival is mediated by mRNA levels. The specific aim of the paper is to offer a feasible framework to test the DCNA-mRNA-survival pathway. We provide statistical inference algorithms for mediation based on asymptotic results. Furthermore, we illustrate the applicability of the method in an integrative genomic analysis setting by using a breast cancer data set consisting of 141 invasive breast tumors. In addition, we provide implementation in R.
Does the Couse of Astragalus-Containing Chinese Herbal Prescriptions and Radiotherapy Benefit to Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Treatment: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials
Authors: He Hailang , Zhou Xianmei , Wang Qian , Zhao Yang
Published: December 2013

Background.Radiotherapy has been widely used for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), while its low efficacy and high toxicity raise big concerns. Astragalus (as a monarch drug)-containing Chinese herbal prescriptions and radiotherapy were frequently coused for NSCLC in China; however, the effects were not systematically analyzed.Objective.To evaluate the benefits of Astragalus-containing Chinese herbal prescriptions combined with radiotherapy for NSCLC.Methods.The randomized controlled trials involving NSCLC treatment with Astragalus-containing Chinese herbal prescriptions combined with radiotherapy were searched. The Review Manager 5.1 software was employed for data analysis. Funnel plot and Egger’s test were applied to evaluate publication bias.Results.29 eligible studies met our criteria. Of the studies, 8, 6, and 4 reported reduced risk of death at one year, two years, and three years, respectively. 26 studies revealed amended tumor response. Six studies showed improved Karnofsky performance status. Among the studies, 14 and 18 displayed a lowered white blood cells (WBC) toxicity and an ameliorated radiation pneumonia, respectively.Conclusion.Couse of Astragalus-containing Chinese herbal prescriptions and radiotherapy may benefit the patients with NSCLC via increasing the therapeutic effectiveness and reducing the toxicity of radiotherapy. To confirm the exact merits, further rigorously designed trials are warranted.
Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in Guadeloupe, Martinique, and French Guiana from 1994 to 2012
Authors: Streit Elisabeth , Millet Julie , Rastogi Nalin
Published: December 2013

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are ubiquitous environmental organisms able to cause severe opportunistic human infections. Their distribution patterns are subject to geographical variations. This study describes their isolation frequencies from clinical specimen in the three French overseas departments of the Americas, namely, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and French Guiana during 1994–2012. A total of 651 strains from as many patients (one isolate per species per patient) were analysed regarding regional isolation patterns and potential pattern changes over time. TheMycobacterium aviumcomplex was the most common group of NTM in Guadeloupe and French Guiana. In Martinique it was the second most common after the rapidly growing mycobacteria.M. fortuitumwas the most commonly isolated species in all three departments. Some species (M. kansasii,M. xenopi, andM. terraecomplex) displayed a clear regional preference. Furthermore a change in isolation frequency was observed forM. intracellulare(increase) andM. kansasii(decrease) in Guadeloupe. In conclusion, marked regional differences in isolation frequencies of NTM species were observed in the study area. Results are discussed in context of variables such as study populations, risk factors, methodology employed, isolation from pulmonary versus sterile isolation sites (blood, urine, and CSF), and in vitro drug-susceptibility patterns.
Computed Tomography Colonography Technique: The Role of Intracolonic Gas Volume
Authors: McLaughlin Patrick D. , Murphy Kevin P. , Crush Lee , O'Connor Owen J. , Coyle Joseph P. , Brennan Cressida R. , Suhail Attiya , Kelly Denis , Maher Michael M.
Published: December 2013

Introduction. Poor distention decreases the sensitivity and specificity of CTC. The total volume of gas administered will vary according to many factors. We aim to determine the relationship between the volume of retained gas at the time of image acquisition and colonic distention and specifically the presence of collapsed bowel segments at CTC.Materials and Methods. All patients who underwent CTC over a 12-month period at a single institution were included in the study. Colonic luminal distention was objectively scored by 2 radiologists using an established 4-point scale. Quantitative analysis of the volume of retained gas at the time of image acquisition was conducted using the threshold 3D region growing function of OsiriX.Results. 108 patients were included for volumetric analysis. Mean retained gas volume was 3.3 L. 35% (38/108) of patients had at least one collapsed colonic segment. Significantly lower gas volumes were observed in the patients with collapsed colonic segments when compared with those with fully distended colons 2.6 L versus 3.5 L (P=0.031). Retained volumes were significantly higher for the 78% of patients with ileocecal reflux at 3.4 L versus 2.6 L without ileocecal reflux (P=0.014).Conclusion. Estimation of intraluminal gas volume at CTC is feasible using image segmentation and thresholding tools. An average of 3.5 L of retained gas was found in diagnostically adequate CTC studies with significantly lower mean gas volume observed in patients with collapsed colonic segments.
Using Principal Component Analysis to Solve a Class Imbalance Problem in Traffic Incident Detection
Authors: Zheng Changjiang , Chen Shuyan , Wang Wei , Lu Jian
Published: December 2013

High imbalances occur in real-world situations when a detection system needs to identify the rare but important event of a traffic incident. Traffic incident detection can be treated as a task of learning classifiers from imbalanced or skewed datasets. Using principal component analysis (PCA), a one-class classifier for incident detection is constructed from the major and minor principal components of normal instances. Experiments are conducted with a real traffic dataset collected from the A12 highway in The Netherlands. The parameters setting, including the significance level, the percentage of the total variation explained, and the upper bound of the eigenvalues for the minor components, is discussed. The test results demonstrate that this method achieves better performance than partial least squares regression. The method is shown to be promising for traffic incident detection.
Generic Properties of Curvature Sensing through Vision and Touch
Authors: Dresp-Langley Birgitta
Published: December 2013

Generic properties of curvature representations formed on the basis of vision and touch were examined as a function of mathematical properties of curved objects. Virtual representations of the curves were shown on a computer screen for visual scaling by sighted observers (experiment 1). Their physical counterparts were placed in the two hands of blindfolded and congenitally blind observers for tactile scaling. The psychophysical data show that curvature representations in congenitally blind individuals, who never had any visual experience, and in sighted observers, who rely on vision most of the time, are statistically linked to the same mathematical properties of the curves. The perceived magnitude of object curvature, sensed through either vision or touch, is related by a mathematical power law, with similar exponents for the two sensory modalities, to the aspect ratio of the curves, a scale invariant geometric property. This finding supports biologically motivated models of sensory integration suggesting a universal power law for the adaptive brain control and balance of motor responses to environmental stimuli from any sensory modality.
Modeling Extinction Risk of Endemic Birds of Mainland China
Authors: Chen Youhua
Published: December 2013

The extinction risk of endemic birds of mainland China was modeled over evolutionary time. Results showed that extinction risk of endemic birds in mainland China always tended to be similar within subclades over the evolutionary time of species divergence, and the overall evolution of extinction risk of species presented a conservatism pattern, as evidenced by the disparity-through-time plot. A constant-rate evolutionary model was the best one to quantify the evolution of extinction risk of endemic birds of mainland China. Thus, there was no rate shifting pattern for the evolution of extinction risk of Chinese endemic birds over time. In a summary, extinction risk of endemic birds of mainland China is systematically quantified under the evolutionary framework in the present work.
A Facile Synthesis and Optical Properties of Bundle-Shaped TbPO4·H2O Nanorods
Authors: Yue Dan , Luo Wen , Lu Wei , Wang Ruiyong , Li Chunyang , Chang Jiazhong , Wang Zhenling
Published: December 2013

Bundle-shaped TbPO4·H2O nanorods have been prepared by a facile hydrothermal technique and characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectrum (DRS), photoluminescence (PL) spectrum, and lifetime. The results indicate that the obtained sample has hexagonal structure of TbPO4·H2O and is composed of nanorods bundles which is assembled from many single crystalline nanorods with the diameter of around 45 nm and the length of 2.3 μm. The growth of the single crystalline nanorod is along the (001) plane direction. Under the UV light irradiation, TbPO4·H2O nanorods bundles exhibit bright green emission corresponding to theD54→F7J(J=6,5,4,3) transitions of the Tb3+ions, and the lifetime is determined to be about 0.24 ms.
Solvent Effect on Photoinitiator Reactivity in the Polymerization of 2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate
Authors: Ahmad Iqbal , Iqbal Kefi , Sheraz Muhammad Ali , Ahmed Sofia , Ali Syed Abid , Kazi Sadia Hafeez , Mirza Tania , Bano Raheela , Aminuddin Mohammad
Published: December 2013

Efficacy of photoinitiators such as riboflavin (RF), camphorquinone (CQ), and safranin T (ST) and triethanolamine as a coinitiator has been compared in carrying out the polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) in aqueous and organic solvents. HEMA solutions were polymerized in the presence of RF, CQ, and ST using a low intensity visible radiation source. HEMA was assayed by a UV spectrophotometric method during the initial stages of the reactions (i.e.,~5% change). A comparison of the efficacy of photoinitiators in causing HEMA polymerization showed that RF is more efficient than CQ and ST. The rate of polymerization is directly related to solvent dielectric constant and inversely related to the solvent viscosity. RF is the most efficient photoinitiator in the polymerization of HEMA and the highest rate of reaction occurs in aqueous solutions. A general scheme for the polymerization of HEMA in the presence of photoinitiators is presented.
Diaphragmatic Peritonectomy versus Full Thickness Diaphragmatic Resection and Pleurectomy during Cytoreduction in Patients with Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Pathiraja P. N. J. , Garruto-Campanile R. , Tozzi R.
Published: December 2013

Objectives. Compare the surgical morbidity of diaphragmatic peritonectomy versus full thickness diaphragmatic resection with pleurectomy at radical debulking.Design. Prospective cohort study at the Oxford University Hospital.Methods. All debulking with diaphragmatic peritonectomy and/or full thickness resection with pleurectomy in the period from April 2009 to March 2012 were part of the study. Analysis is focused on the intra- and postoperative morbidity.Results. 42 patients were eligible for the study, 21 underwent diaphragmatic peritonectomy (DP, group 1) and 21 diaphragmatic full thickness resection (DR, group 2). Forty patients out of 42 (93%) had complete tumour resection with no residual disease. Histology confirmed the presence of cancer in diaphragmatic peritoneum of 19 patients out of 21 in group 1 and all 21 patients of group 2. Overall complications rate was 19% in group 1 versus 33% in group 2. Pleural effusion rate was 9.5% versus 14.5% and pneumothorax rate was 14.5% only in group 2. Two patients in each group required postoperative chest drains (9.5%).Conclusions. Diaphragmatic surgery is an effective methods to treat carcinomatosis of the diaphragm. Patients in the pleurectomy group experienced pneumothorax and a higher rate of pleural effusion, but none had long-term morbidity or additional surgical interventions.
A Review of Refractometric Sensors Based on Long Period Fibre Gratings
Authors: Rego G.
Published: December 2013

In the last decade refractometric sensors have attracted an increasing interest by the scientific community due to their ability to perform ambient monitoring, to assess food quality and safety, and also to the fact that they enable the development of label free sensors in the biomedical area. These advances result, namely, from the use of long period fibre gratings in the turning points and/or with thin films in the transition region that allows resolutions of 10−6 to changes in the refractive index of the surrounding medium. Resolutions exceeding 10−8 can also be achieved when long period fibre gratings are combined with evanescent field based devices. This paper reviews the recent path towards the development of ultrahigh sensitive optical fibre refractometric sensors.
Systemic Thrombolysis for Cerebral Venous and Dural Sinus Thrombosis: A Systematic Review
Authors: Viegas L.D. , Stolz E. , Canhão P. , Ferro J.M.
Published: December 2013

Background: The use of thrombolytics is frequently considered in patients with cerebral venous and dural sinus thrombosis (CVT) who deteriorate despite anticoagulant therapy. Purpose: To collect all the published information about the use of systemic thrombolysis in CVT in order to assess its efficacy and safety. Methods: We performed a PubMed search, checked all reference lists of studies found and used data from the International Study on Cerebral Vein and Dural Sinus Thrombosis (ISCVT). Outcome was classified at the last available follow-up by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). The cases were stratified according to variables that might influence outcome. Results: A total of 16 reports (26 patients, 2 from the ISCVT and 24 from the systematic review of the literature) were included. No randomized clinical trial was found. Seven patients presented with isolated intracranial hypertension syndrome (26.9%), 17 with encephalopathy (65.4%) and 2 were comatose (7.7%). The superior sagittal sinus was the one most often affected (n = 21; 80.8%), and there was thrombosis of the deep cerebral venous system in 5 patients (19.2%). Urokinase was the thrombolytic agent most frequently administered (n = 19; 73.1%), whereas streptokinase and recombinant tissue plasminogen activator were used in 2 cases each (7.7%). Intracranial hemorrhages occurred in 3 cases (11.5%). Extracranial hemorrhages occurred in 5 cases (19.2%), and overall there were 3 cases of serious bleeding (11.5%), including 2 deaths (7.7%). Partial or complete recanalization was verified in most patients (n = 16; 61.5%). The survival rate was 92.3% (24/26 patients). At the last available follow-up, 22/25 patients regained independency (mRS scores 0-2; 88%), 2/25 died (mRS score 6; 8%) and 1/25 was severely dependent (mRS scores 3-5; 4%). Conclusions: In all, 88% of the CVT patients treated with systemic thrombolysis regained their independency, but 2 deaths associated with intracranial hemorrhage occurred. The mortality rate and disability at the last available follow-up were similar to those found in 2 previous systematic reviews concerning the use of thrombolytics in CVT. Due to the small sample size and lack of controls, the efficacy of systemic thrombolysis in acute CVT cannot be assessed from the published information. Concerning safety, a nonnegligible proportion of bleedings was reported.
Diffusion-Weighted Image and Fluid-Attenuated Inversion Recovery Image Mismatch
Authors: Kim Bum Joon , Kim Hye-Jin , Lee Deok Hee , Kwon Sun U. , Kim Sang Joon , Kim Jong S. , Kang Dong-Wha
Published: December 2013

Background and Purpose—

Mismatch in lesion visibility between diffusion-weighted image and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery image (DWI–FLAIR mismatch) has been proposed as a biomarker for the estimation of ischemic lesion age. The actual onset in some patients with unclear-onset stroke (UnCOS) may be close to the first-found abnormal time. We hypothesized that patients with UnCOS within a particular time window might have a similar DWI–FLAIR mismatch profile with patients with clear-onset stroke (COS).

Methods—

Patients who underwent MRI within 6 hours from first-found abnormal time were recruited retrospectively. Clinical characteristics and the proportion of DWI–FLAIR and perfusion-weighted image–DWI mismatch in each time window were compared between UnCOS and COS.

Results—

The final analysis included 259 patients (114 with UnCOS and 145 with COS). Patients with UnCOS were older and had more severe stroke at baseline. Risk factors, stroke subtypes, and perfusion-weighted image–DWI mismatch did not differ between the 2 groups. The proportion of patients with DWI–FLAIR mismatch in UnCOS did not differ from COS within 2 hours of first-found abnormal time (50.0% versus 51.5%;
P
=0.92), but it was significantly lower in UnCOS than in COS at 2 to 3 hours (16.1% versus 44.4%;
P
=0.02), 3 to 4 hours (13.8% versus 36.4%;
P
=0.04), and 4 to 5 hours (5.6% versus 29.6%;
P
=0.05).

Conclusions—

The proportion of DWI–FLAIR mismatch in UnCOS within the first 2 hours from first-found abnormal time was similar with COS, but it sharply decreased beyond 2 hours. These data suggest that patients with UnCOS within 2 hours of symptom detection may be good candidates for multimodal imaging-based thrombolysis.
Adults and larvae of two Leucochrysa (Leucochrysa) species (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae): descriptions, biological notes, and relationships
Authors: TAUBER CATHERINE A. , SOSA FRANCISCO , ALBUQUERQUE GILBERTO S. , TAUBER MAURICE J.
Published: December 2013

This taxonomic study includes: (i) a redescription of Leucochrysa (Leucochrysa) nigrilabris (Banks) (♂ and ♀), based on the type specimen and new material and (ii) images of the Leucochrysa (L.) insularis (Walker) type, adult color polymorphism, and genital characters (♂ and ♀). For both species, it provides: (iii) descriptions of the larvae, (iv) biological notes, and (v) geographic records. Using the above information, we compare the two species with each other and with other Leucochrysa (Leucochrysa) species that purportedly are closely related. We conclude: First, the larval features of L. (L.) nigrilabris and L. (L.) insularis coincide with those previously described as characteristic of the genus Leucochrysa and its subgenus Leucochrysa. Second, based on their genitalia (♂ and ♀), larval morphology, and biology (e.g., deposition of eggs in clusters), the two species are distinct, but very closely related. And, third, L. (L.) nigrilabris and L. (L.) insularis share several characteristics with the Leucochrysa (L.) “varia-like” species; these include similar adult color polymorphisms and aspects of their larval morphology. However, their genitalia (♂ and ♀) differ significantly from those of the described L. (L.) “varia-like” species, and thus we consider the two sets of species to be distinct.
A new genus and species of Discozerconidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) from carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in New Zealand
Authors: SEEMAN OWEN D. , BAKER MICHELLE R.
Published: December 2013

Berzercon ferdinandi gen. nov., sp. nov. (Acari: Mesostigmata: Discozerconidae) is described from carabid beetles in New Zealand. As in all Discozerconidae, Berzercon has large ventrally-directed opisthogastric suckers. However it is distinctive in its long marginal setae, tripartite gnathotectum, fused palp tibia and tarsus, the female’s large dome-shaped genital shield and the male’s highly modified hypostomal seta h1. This new species also represents the first Heterozerconina from an insect host.
On the Australian linyphiid spider Alaxchelicera ordinaria Butler, 1932 (Araneae)
Authors: SCHARFF NIKOLAJ , HORMIGA GUSTAVO
Published: December 2013

Very few studies have addressed the linyphiid fauna of Australia. Most of the existing taxonomic work on Australian linyphiids consists of isolated species descriptions (e.g., Rainbow 1912) or at most are based on small number of species also described outside a revisionary context (e.g., Wunderlich 1976) (but see van Helsdingen 1972 for a revision of the Australian species of the genera Laperousea Dalmas, 1917 and Laetesia Simon, 1908).
Boundary Layer Updrafts Driven by Airflow over Heated Terrain
Authors: Kirshbaum Daniel J. , Wang Chun-Chih
Published: December 2013

This study presents linear and nonlinear scalings for boundary layer ascent forced by airflow over heated terrain and compares them to results from corresponding high-resolution numerical simulations. Close agreement between theory and simulation is found over most of the parameter space considered, including variations in background winds, boundary layer stability, mountain height, and diabatic heating rate. As expected, the linear and nonlinear scalings perform best for linear and nonlinear flows, respectively. For a convective boundary layer, the scalings accurately predict vertical motion for all flows considered, including those that extend well into the nonlinear regime. Thus, these scalings may ultimately help to improve the parameterization of subgrid orographic ascent in large-scale models. The vertical velocity scalings are less accurate for mechanically blocked flows in stable boundary layers, for which a simple vertical displacement scaling is superior. Although the scalings do not treat interactions between mechanical and thermal flow responses, these interactions are generally weak except in blocked flows with strong surface heating. Numerical simulations of such cases suggest that a hydrostatically induced pressure decrease in the lee associated with the diabatic surface heating drives stronger flow reversal within the wake and leeside convergence downwind of it, both of which produce strong surface-based updrafts. Thus, nonlinear interactions between mechanical and thermal flow responses may significantly enhance the likelihood of convection initiation over heated mountains.
Violence in the Judicial Workplace
Authors: Warren Roger
Published: December 2013

On 7 March 2000, the National Center for State Courts, in cooperation with the Center for the Study of Youth Policy of the University of Pennsylvania, sponsored a one-day symposium titled Violence in the Judicial Workplace. Held at the Federal Judicial Center in Washington, D.C., the symposium was attended by local and federal court security professionals, judicial administrators, and researchers. The following are the transcribed introductory comments made by Roger Warren, president of the National Center for State Courts.
The U.S. Marshals Service's Threat Analysis Program for the Protection of the Federal Judiciary
Authors: Jenkins Debra M.
Published: December 2013

The challenge the Marshals Service faces is to identify individuals who pose risks to members of the federal judicial family. To this end, each inappropriate communication or contact (IC&C) is consistently processed and systematically analyzed. The basic frame work of this process includes the reporting and review of the communication or contact, the analysis of all available information, and the reporting of the analytical results. A broad-based reporting criterion relieves judicial officials from making a determination about the communication while it ensures thorough reporting. This initial review also ensures that further processing does not violate First Amendment rights. The analyses of IC&Cs are systematic and objective, bringing about a rational comparison of one case against others with similar characteristics and known outcomes. The analysis injects an empirical approach to the threat management process. The report helps launch additional investigative action, and it may prompt a review and change of security
Preventing Targeted Violence Against Judicial Officials and Courts
Authors: Vossekuil Bryan , Borum Randy , Fein Robert , Reddy Marisa
Published: December 2013

Attacks against judicial officials and the courts are rare events but carry the potential for tremendous impact on the American judiciary. In this article, the authors describe a systematic approach to prevent targeted violence against judges and their courts. They begin with a brief overview of findings from operational research on assassinations and attacks against public officials, including judges. They then review the threat assessment approach, a fact-based risk assessment method developed to prevent assassinations, and examine its utility for evaluating risk of targeted violence toward judges and courts. The authors conclude with a discussion of research recommendations to better understand and prevent targeted violence in the judiciary.
Statewide Planning for Court Security
Authors: Greacen John M. , Klein Robert J.
Published: December 2013

In response to the concerns of judges and court staff about inadequate security in New Mexico's court facilities, the New Mexico Administrative Office of the Courts obtained grant funding in 1998 for a statewide review of court security. The review was conducted by the Statewide Court Security Team, supported by a professional security consultant. It covered the appellate, general, and limited jurisdiction courts funded by state general funds. The study covered over 90 facilities in communities ranging in size from more than 750,000 to fewer than 100 residents. The largest courthouse serves 23 judges; the smallest serves 1. The state is responsible for housing the appellate and limited jurisdiction courts; county governments are responsible for general jurisdiction court facilities. The project resulted in a report with recommendations and short- and long-term strategic plans for improving court security. The plans--summarized in this article--are currently being implemented.