bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mapping Biomass Availability to Decrease the Dependency on Fossil Fuels
Authors: Steensen T. , Müller S. , Jandewerth M. , Büscher O.
Published: September 2014

Abstract. To decrease the dependency on fossil fuels, more renewable energy sources need to be explored. Over the last years, the consumption of biomass has risen steadily and it has become a major source for re-growing energy. Besides the most common sources of biomass (forests, agriculture etc.) there are smaller supplies available in mostly unused areas like hedges, vegetation along streets, railways, rivers and field margins. However, these sources are not mapped and in order to obtain their potential for usage as a renewable energy, a method to quickly assess their spatial distribution and their volume is needed. We use a range of data sets including satellite imagery, GIS and elevation data to evaluate these parameters. With the upcoming Sentinel missions, our satellite data is chosen to match the spatial resolution of Sentinel-2 (10–20 m) as well as its spectral characteristics. To obtain sub-pixel information from the satellite data, we use a spectral unmixing approach. Additional GIS data is provided by the German Digital Landscape Model (ATKIS Base-DLM). To estimate the height (and derive the volume) of the vegetation, we use LIDAR data to produce a digital surface model. These data sets allow us to map the extent of previously unused biomass sources. This map can then be used as a starting point for further analyses about the feasibility of the biomass extraction and their usage as a renewable energy source.
Crop Type Classification Using Vegetation Indices of RapidEye Imagery
Authors: Ustuner M. , Sanli F. B. , Abdikan S. , Esetlili M. T. , Kurucu Y.
Published: September 2014

Abstract. Cutting-edge remote sensing technology has a significant role for managing the natural resources as well as the any other applications about the earth observation. Crop monitoring is the one of these applications since remote sensing provides us accurate, up-to-date and cost-effective information about the crop types at the different temporal and spatial resolution. In this study, the potential use of three different vegetation indices of RapidEye imagery on crop type classification as well as the effect of each indices on classification accuracy were investigated. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), the Green Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (GNDVI), and the Normalized Difference Red Edge Index (NDRE) are the three vegetation indices used in this study since all of these incorporated the near-infrared (NIR) band. RapidEye imagery is highly demanded and preferred for agricultural and forestry applications since it has red-edge and NIR bands. The study area is located in Aegean region of Turkey. Radial Basis Function (RBF) kernel was used here for the Support Vector Machines (SVMs) classification. Original bands of RapidEye imagery were excluded and classification was performed with only three vegetation indices. The contribution of each indices on image classification accuracy was also tested with single band classification. Highest classification accuracy of 87, 46 % was obtained using three vegetation indices. This obtained classification accuracy is higher than the classification accuracy of any dual-combination of these vegetation indices. Results demonstrate that NDRE has the highest contribution on classification accuracy compared to the other vegetation indices and the RapidEye imagery can get satisfactory results of classification accuracy without original bands.
Change Detection Of Seafloor Topography By Modeling Multitemporal Multibeam Echosounder Measurements
Authors: Zirek E. , Sunar F.
Published: September 2014

Abstract. The term "topography" implies the study of numerous landforms that exist on or below the Earth and a detailed knowledge of topography is required to understand the most Earth processes. In the oceans, sea floor topography refers the geographic features of the sea floor including the configuration of a surface and the position of its natural and man-made features; and detailed nautical charts are fundamental for many sciences such as physical oceanography, biology and marine geology. The hydrographic offices, which use the Multi Beam Echo sounder (MBE) system for the establishment of nautical charts, have their own set of accuracy standards for hydrographic surveys, which generally comply with the standards defined by the International Hydrographic Organization. MBE systems include multiple measurement systems such as sonar head, positioning system, motion sensor that work in a synchronized manner. Before the measurements, the "Patch Test" is required to eliminate the systematic errors due to instrumental synchronization and installation. In this test, signal delay test (latency), Y-axis rotation (roll), X-axis rotation (pitch), Z-axis rotation (yaw) errors are calculated. Besides, the effects of the sound velocity measurement through water column and the sea level changes need to be taken into consideration especially in the multi-temporal data analysis and 3D modeling. In this paper, the seafloor of the Anamur -TRNC Drinking Water Pipeline route in the "Northern Cyprus Water Project" is selected as a study area. This project, a unique in the world, is an international water diversion project designed to supply water for drinking and irrigation from southern Turkey to Northern Cyprus via pipeline under Mediterranean Sea. Multi temporal multi beam echo sounder measurements are used in the change analysis and surface modeling and the efficiency of this system is outlined together with its limitations.
Practical example for use of the supervised vicarious calibration (SVC) method on multisource hyperspectral imagery data – ValCalHyp airborne hyperspectral campaign under the EUFAR framework
Authors: Brook A. , Ben Dor E.
Published: September 2014

Abstract. A novel approach for radiometric calibration and atmospheric correction of airborne hyperspectral (HRS) data, termed supervised vicarious calibration (SVC) was proposed by Brook and Ben-Dor in 2010. The present study was aimed at validating this SVC approach by simultaneously using several different airborne HSR sensors that acquired HSR data over several selected sites at the same time. The general goal of this study was to apply a cross-calibration approach to examine the capability and stability of the SVC method and to examine its validity. This paper reports the result of the multi sensors campaign took place over Salon de Provenance, France on behalf of the ValCalHyp project took place in 2011. The SVC method enabled the rectification of the radiometric drift of each sensor and improves their performance significantly. The flight direction of the SVC targets was found to be a critical issue for such correction and recommendations have been set for future utilization of this novel method. The results of the SVC method were examined by comparing ground-truth spectra of several selected validation targets with the image spectra as well as by comparing the classified water quality images generated from all sensors over selected water bodies.
Centimeter range measurement using amplitude data of TerraSAR-X imagery
Authors: Capaldo P. , Fratarcangeli F. , Nascetti A. , Mazzoni A. , Porfiri M. , Crespi M.
Published: September 2014

Abstract. The SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) imagery are largely used for the environmental, structures and infrastructures monitoring. In particular, Differential SAR Interferometry (DInSAR) is a well known technique that allows producing spatially dense displacement maps with centimetre to millimetre accuracy. The SAR signal is characterized by phase and amplitude value and the DInSAR remote sensing technique allows to analyse deformation phenomena affecting both extended natural areas and localized man-made structures, by exploiting the phase difference of SAR image pairs. New SAR satellite sensors such as COSMO-SkyMed, TerraSAR-X and PAZ offer the capability to achieve positioning in a global reference frame accuracies in the meter range and even better, thanks to the higher image resolution (up to 0.20 m pixel resolution in the Staring SpotLight mode for TerraSAR-X and PAZ) and to the use of on board dual frequency GPS receivers, which allows to determine the satellite orbit with an accuracy at few centimetres level. The goal of this work is to exploit the slant-range measurements reaching centimetre accuracies using only the amplitude information of SAR images acquired by TerraSAR-X satellite sensor. The leading idea is to evaluate the positioning accuracy of well identifiable and stable natural and man-made Persistent Scatterers (PS’s) along the SAR line of sight. The preliminary results, obtained on the Berlin area (Germany), shown that it is possible achieve a slant-range positioning accuracy with a bias well below 10 cm and a standard deviation of about 3 cm; the results are encouraging for applications of high resolution SAR imagery amplitude data in land and infrastructures monitoring.
Exploitation of the full potential of Persistent Scatterer Interferometry data
Authors: Crosetto M. , Devanthéry N. , Cuevas-González M. , Monserrat O. , Crippa B.
Published: September 2014

Abstract. The potential of Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI) for deformation monitoring has been increasing in the last years and it will continue to do so in the short future, especially with the advent of the Sentinel-1 mission. The full exploitation of this potential requires two important components. The first one is the improvement of the PSI processing tools, to achieve massive and systematic data processing capabilities. The second one is the need to increase the capabilities to correctly analyze and interpret the PSI results. The paper addresses both components. The key features of the PSI processing chain implemented by the authors, which is named PSIG chain, are described. This is followed by a brief discussion of the key elements needed to analyse and interpret the results of a given PSI processing. The paper concludes with a description of the results obtained by processing a full frame of very high resolution TerraSAR-X data that covers the metropolitan area of Barcelona (Spain).
The Use of Remote Sensing Technique to Predict Gross Domestic Product (GDP): An Analysis of Built-Up Index and GDP in Nine Major Cities in Canada
Authors: Faisal K. , Shaker A.
Published: September 2014

Abstract. City/regional authorities are responsible to design and structure the urban morphology based on the desired land-use activities. One of the key concerns regarding urban planning is to establish certain development goals, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In Canada, the gross national income mainly relies on mining and manufacturing industries. In order to facilitate new city development, this study aims to utilize remote sensing and GIS techniques to assess the relationship between the industrial area and the reported GDP in nine major cities in Canada. Free archive multi-temporal Landsat TM images and land use vector data were obtained for year 2005 and 2010 during the summer season, where the socio-economic data, such as GDP, population, and total employment are obtained from Metropolitan Housing Outlook for the same duration. The Landsat TM images were first atmospherically corrected and the built-up values were computed using the Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) from the Landsat images. The high built-up values within the industrial areas were acquired for further analysis. Finally, a correlation analysis was conducted between the GDP, Population, and Total Employment with respect to the built-up areas. Preliminary findings show that the R2 between the percentage of built-up areas and industrial area within the corresponding city is 0.82. In addition, the R2 between the built-up areas and GDP ranges from 0.73 to 0.78. Consistent findings are observed in the similar correlation between the built-up areas and population, as well as the built-up areas and the employment, where the R2 is within 0.72 to 0.73. With the correlation found, we believe that results can be used as a generic indication for the federal/municipals authorities, which are aiming or target for a specific GDP with respect to the planned industrial area.
Spatio-temporal Urban Change Analysis and the Ecological Threats Concerning The Third Bridge in Istanbul City
Authors: Akin A. , Aliffi S. , Sunar F.
Published: September 2014

Abstract. Urban growth is a complex dynamical process associated with landscape change driving forces such as the environment, politics, geography and many others that affect the city at multiple spatial and temporal scales. Istanbul, one of the largest agglomerations in Europe and the fifth-largest city in the world in terms of population within city limits, has been growing very rapidly over the late 20th century at a rate of 3.45 %, causing to have many environmental issues. Recently, Istanbul's new third bridge and proposed new routes for across the Bosphorus are foreseen to not only threaten the ecology of the city, but also it will give a way to new areas for unplanned urbanization. The dimensions of this threat are affirmed by the urban sprawl especially after the construction of the second bridge and the connections such as Trans European Motorway (TEM). Since the spatial and temporal components of urbanization can be more simply identified through modeling, this study aims to analyze the urban change and assess the ecological threats in Istanbul city through the proper modeling for the year 2040. For this purpose, commonly used urban modeling approach, the Markov Chain within Cellular Automata (CA), was selected to simulate urban/non-urban growth process. CA is a simple and effective tool to capture and simulate the complexity of urban system dynamic. The key factor for a Markov is the transition probability matrix, which defines change trend from past to today and into the future for a certain class type, and land use suitability maps for urban. Multi Criteria Analysis was used to build these suitability maps. Distance from each pixel to the urban, road and water classes, plus the elevation, slope and land use maps (as excluded layer) were defined as factors. Calibration data were obtained from remotely sensed data recorded in 1972, 1986 and 2013. Validation was performed by overlaying the simulated and actual 2013 urban maps and Kappa Index of Agreement was calculated. The results indicate that the urban expansion will influence mainly forest areas during the time period of 1972–2040.
Automatic surface classification for retrieving areas which are highly endangered by extreme rain
Authors: Fischer P. , Krauß T. , Peters T.
Published: September 2014

Abstract. In this case study, an approach for finding regions endangered by extreme rain is presented. The approach is based on the assumption that sinks in the surface are more endangered than their surroundings. The surface data, which are the source for the classification, are generated using a Cartosat stereo scene. The classification is performed by using an algorithm for retrieving the terrain positioning index. Different classification schemes are possible, therefore a set of input parameters is iteratively computed. The classification results are then evaluated. For validating the classification stock data of an insurance are used. We compare the position of the reported damages caused by extreme rain with our classification. By doing so we got the confirmation of the assumption.
Depth distribution of radiocesium in Fukushima paddy fields and implications for ongoing decontamination works
Authors: Lepage H. , Evrard O. , Onda Y. , Lefèvre I. , Laceby J. P. , Ayrault S.
Published: September 2014

Abstract. Large quantities of radiocesium were deposited across a 3000 km2 area northwest of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant after the March 2011 accident. Although many studies have investigated the fate of radiocesium in soil in the months following the accident, the potential migration of this radioactive contaminant in rice paddy fields requires further examination after the typhoons that occurred in this region. Such investigations will help minimize potential human exposure in rice paddy fields or transfer of radioactive contaminants from soils to rice. Radionuclide activity concentrations and organic content were analysed in 10 soil cores sampled from paddy fields in November 2013, 20 km north of the Fukushima power plant. Our results demonstrate limited depth migration of radiocesium with the majority concentrated in the uppermost layers of soils (< 5 cm). More than 30 months after the accident, 81.5 to 99.7% of the total 137Cs inventories was still found within the < 5 cm of the soil surface, despite cumulative rainfall totalling 3300 mm. Furthermore, there were no significant correlations between radiocesium migration depth and total organic carbon content. We attributed the maximum depth penetration of 137Cs to maintenance (grass cutting – 97% of 137Cs in the upper 5 cm) and farming operations (tilling – 83% of 137Cs in the upper 5 cm). As this area is exposed to erosive events, ongoing decontamination works may increase soil erodibility. We therefore recommend the rapid removal of the uppermost – contaminated – layer of the soil after removing the vegetation to avoid erosion of contaminated material during the subsequent rainfall events. Remediation efforts should be concentrated on soils characterised by radiocesium activities > 10 000 Bq kg−1 to prevent the contamination of rice. Further analysis is required to clarify the redistribution of radiocesium eroded on river channels.
The length of the world's glaciers – a new approach for the global calculation of center lines
Authors: Machguth H. , Huss M.
Published: September 2014

Abstract. Glacier length is an important measure of glacier geometry. Nevertheless, global glacier inventories are mostly lacking length data. Only recently semi-automated approaches to measure glacier length have been developed and applied regionally. Here we present a first global assessment of glacier length using an automated method that relies on glacier surface slope, distance to the glacier margins and a set of trade-off functions. The method is developed for East Greenland, evaluated for East Greenland as well as for Alaska and eventually applied to all ~ 200 000 glaciers around the globe. The evaluation highlights accurately calculated glacier length where digital elevation model (DEM) quality is high (East Greenland) and limited accuracy on low-quality DEMs (parts of Alaska). Measured length of very small glaciers is subject to a certain level of ambiguity. The global calculation shows that only about 1.5% of all glaciers are longer than 10 km, with Bering Glacier (Alaska/Canada) being the longest glacier in the world at a length of 196 km. Based on the output of our algorithm we derive global and regional area–length scaling laws. Differences among regional scaling parameters appear to be related to characteristics of topography and glacier mass balance. The present study adds glacier length as a key parameter to global glacier inventories. Global and regional scaling laws might prove beneficial in conceptual glacier models.
Toward a Sexual Difference Theory of Creolization
Authors: Hantel Max
Published: September 2014

In lieu of an abstract, here is the opening paragraph from the essay:Throughout his work, Édouard Glissant rigorously describes the process of creolization in the Caribbean and beyond. His later work in particular considers creolization through the planetary terms of Relation, “exploded like a network inscribed within the sufficient totality of the world.” As his philosophical importance rightfully grows, many note the dual risk of overgeneralization and abstraction haunting continued expansion of his geographical and theoretical domain. In light of that danger, this essay examines how questions of the ontological nature of embodiment as raised by feminist philosopher Luce Irigaray ground, both implicitly and explicitly, processes of creolization. Narrowly speaking, such a reading of Glissant suggests the possibility of a richer understanding of creolization as a historically lived process and its emancipatory promise in the present. More generally, the linking of Glissant and Irigaray begins a larger project bringing together theorists of decolonization and sexual difference at the intersection of struggles against phallocentrism and racialization, perhaps nuancing some decolonial critiques of the value of Irigaray’s (and her interlocutor’s) thought. Thus, the investigation begins with a concrete question of historical interpretation that stages the embodiment of cultural contact
Irigaray’s Alternative Buddhist Practices of the Self
Authors: Yeng Sokthan
Published: September 2014

In lieu of an abstract, here is the opening paragraph of the essay:Luce Irigaray’s critics charge that her attempt to carve out a space for nature and the feminine self through an engagement with Buddhism smacks of Orientalism. Associating Buddhism with a philosophy of nature can lead to feminizing and exoticizing the non-Western other. Because she relies more on lessons learned from yogic teachers than Buddhist texts or scholarship, her work seems to be an appropriation of Buddhist ideas and a critique of Western ideology3 rather than a reflection of Buddhist philosophy. I trace Orientalist readings of Buddhism, including those of Irigaray, back to Hegel’s influence on comparative philosophy. Indeed, her analysis of the feminine self and nature often seem more like a response to Hegel than an examination of Buddhist principles. Some scholars resist Hegel’s reading by arguing that the Buddhist Absolute manifests in the indeterminately disjunctive and alternative versions of reality and self. Others suggest that the meaning of Buddhism can be found in examining its practices rather than its logic.
From Perception to Subject: The Bergsonian Reversal
Authors: Kebede Messay
Published: September 2014

In lieu of an abstract, here is the opening paragraph to the essay:What singles out philosophical analyses of perception is the challenge to common sense, that is, to the spontaneous, instinctive belief that an external world exists and that it is similar to the perception we have of it. Even those theories that refrain from questioning the independent existence of the world concede that the resemblance of whatever is out there to the perceived reality is anything but assured. Henri Bergson proposes a theory of perception that not only restores the common belief in the existence of an external world, but also goes a long way in narrowing the alleged disparity between perception and the objective world. With few exceptions, Bergson’s theory of perception has been either ignored or misunderstood. Through a close reading of the first chapter of Matter and Memory, the paper argues, in addition to correcting misreadings, that the strength and originality of Bergson’s theory lie in the reversal of the method of explaining perception from the premise of a given subject, a premise shared by all idealist and realist theories as well as phenomenology. This de-subjectification proposes an approach deriving perception from the interactions of objects while countering the materialist theory of the brain as an organ of representation. The paper contends that the Bergsonian elucidation of the brain as an organ of simulation both anticipates the findings of the sensorimotor theory and overcomes its limitation by showing how simulation inserts indetermination into materiality, thereby actualizing consciousness.
Review Essay: Dwayne Tunstall, Doing Philosophy Personally: Thinking about Metaphysics, Theism, and Antiblack Racism (New York: Fordham University Press, 2013)
Authors: Ficek Douglas
Published: September 2014

Review essay on Tunstall, Doing Philosophy Personally
Wild food plants used on the Dubrovnik coast (south-eastern Croatia)
Authors: Dolina Katija , Łuczaj Łukasz
Published: September 2014

Croatia’s versatile plant use traditions are still not sufficiently documented. The aim of this study was to record local traditions of wild food plant use on the Dubrovnik coast. We interviewed 40 inhabitants of 23 villages, mainly knowledgeable informants. On average 19 species were listed, which in total produced an inventory of 95 food plant species (including species whose leaves or inflorescences are used as recreational teas).

The most commonly collected are: Sonchus oleraceus and S. asper, Asparagus acutifolius, Dioscorea communis, Cichorium intybus, Crepis zacintha, Allium ampeloprasum, Picris echioides and Foeniculum vulgare (all of them used as vegetables), the fruits of Rubus ulmifolius (mainly eaten raw), the fruits of roses (Rosa sempervirens and R. canina) and the leaves of Salvia officinalis (both roses and salvia are used for making recreational teas). A particular feature of the local gastronomy is the collection of young Ruscus aculeatus shoots.
Development of Wireless Endoscope with Symmetrical Motion Characteristics
Authors: Guo Jian , Guo Shuxiang , Wei Xiang , Wang Yunliang
Published: September 2014

In the biomedical field, a wireless microrobot in a pipe which can move smoothly in water or other aqueous mediums has been urgently demanded. In this paper, several methods of designing a novel microrobot with symmetrical motion characteristics have been discussed and a new kind of wireless microrobot has been developed. According to the modelling analysis, we considered two kinds of common cases occurring in vertical motion, which required gravity compensation. Based on two groups of simulations and experiments on forward-backward motion, upward-downward motion and inclined plane motion, the results and dynamic error evaluation indicated that the wireless microrobot with symmetrical structure could realize similar kinematic characteristics in the horizontal motion. The gravity compensation played an important role in the design process, and the performance of the vertical motion had been improved by gravity compensation. With this method, we made the wireless microrobot realize symmetrical motion characteristics, and simplified the control strategies. Finally, a control panel for our system was designed, which could control the current motion states more intuitively and far more easily through the buttons. The developed wireless microrobot would be very useful in the industrial application and microsurgery application.
Proliferation of Keratinocytes Induced by Adipose-Derived Stem Cells on a Chitosan Scaffold and Its Role in Wound Healing, a Review
Authors: Gomathysankar Sankaralakshmi , Halim Ahmad Sukari , Yaacob Nik Soriani
Published: September 2014

In the field of tissue engineering and reconstruction, the development of efficient biomaterial is in high demand to achieve uncomplicated wound healing. Chronic wounds and excessive scarring are the major complications of tissue repair and, as this inadequate healing continues to increase, novel therapies and treatments for dysfunctional skin repair and reconstruction are important. This paper reviews the various aspects of the complications related to wound healing and focuses on chitosan because of its unique function in accelerating wound healing. The proliferation of keratinocytes is essential for wound closure, and adipose-derived stem cells play a significant role in wound healing. Thus, chitosan in combination with keratinocytes and adipose-derived stem cells may act as a vehicle for delivering cells, which would increase the proliferation of keratinocytes and help complete recovery from injuries.
Transaxillary Endoscopic Breast Augmentation
Authors: Sim Hyung-Bo
Published: September 2014

The axillary technique is the most popular approach to breast augmentation among Korean women. Transaxillary breast augmentation is now conducted with sharp electrocautery dissection under direct endoscopic vision throughout the entire process. The aims of this method are clear: both a bloodless pocket and a sharp non-traumatic dissection. Round textured or anatomical cohesive gel implants have been used to make predictable well-defined inframammary creases because textured surface implants demonstrated a better stability attributable to tissue adherence compared with smooth surface implants. The axillary endoscopic technique has greatly evolved, and now the surgical results are comparable to those with the inframammary approach. The author feels that this technique is an excellent choice for young patients with an indistinct or absent inframammary fold, who do not want a scar in the aesthetic unit of their chest.
When Are Circular Lesions Square? A National Clinical Education Skin Lesion Audit and Study
Authors: Miranda Benjamin H , Herman Katie A , Malahias Marco , Juma Ali
Published: September 2014

Background Skin cancer is the most prevalent cancer by organ type and referral accuracy is vital for diagnosis and management. The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) and literature highlight the importance of accurate skin lesion examination, diagnosis and educationally-relevant studies.

Methods We undertook a review of the relevant literature, a national audit of skin lesion description standards and a study of speciality training influences on these descriptions. Questionnaires (n=200), with pictures of a circular and an oval lesion, were distributed to UK dermatology/plastic surgery consultants and speciality trainees (ST), general practitioners (GP), and medical students (MS). The following variables were analysed against a pre-defined 95% inclusion accuracy standard: site, shape, size, skin/colour, and presence of associated scars.

Results There were 250 lesion descriptions provided by 125 consultants, STs, GPs, and MSs. Inclusion accuracy was greatest for consultants over STs (80% vs. 68%; P<0.001), GPs (57%) and MSs (46%) (P<0.0001), for STs over GPs (P<0.010) and MSs (P<0.0001) and for GPs over MSs (P<0.010), all falling below audit standard. Size description accuracy sub-analysis according to circular/oval dimensions was as follows: consultants (94%), GPs (80%), STs (73%), MSs (37%), with the most common error implying a quadrilateral shape (66%). Addressing BAD guidelines and published requirements for more empirical performance data to improve teaching methods, we performed a national audit and studied skin lesion descriptions. To improve diagnostic and referral accuracy for patients, healthcare professionals must strive towards accuracy (a circle is not a square).

Conclusions We provide supportive evidence that increased speciality training improves this process and propose that greater focus is placed on such training early on during medical training, and maintained throughout clinical practice.
The Efficacy of Simultaneous Breast Reconstruction and Contralateral Balancing Procedures in Reducing the Need for Second Stage Operations
Authors: Smith Mark L , Clarke-Pearson Emily M , Vornovitsky Michael , Dayan Joseph H , Samson William , Sultan Mark R
Published: September 2014

Background Patients having unilateral breast reconstruction often require a second stage procedure on the contralateral breast to improve symmetry. In order to provide immediate symmetry and minimize the frequency and extent of secondary procedures, we began performing simultaneous contralateral balancing operations at the time of initial reconstruction. This study examines the indications, safety, and efficacy of this approach.

Methods One-hundred and two consecutive breast reconstructions with simultaneous contralateral balancing procedures were identified. Data included patient age, body mass index (BMI), type of reconstruction and balancing procedure, specimen weight, transfusion requirement, complications and additional surgery under anesthesia. Unpaired t-tests were used to compare BMI, specimen weight and need for non-autologous transfusion.

Results Average patient age was 48 years. The majority had autologous tissue-only reconstructions (94%) and the rest prosthesis-based reconstructions (6%). Balancing procedures included reduction mammoplasty (50%), mastopexy (49%), and augmentation mammoplasty (1%). Average BMI was 27 and average reduction specimen was 340 grams. Non-autologous blood transfusion rate was 9%. There was no relationship between BMI or reduction specimen weight and need for transfusion. We performed secondary surgery in 24% of the autologous group and 100% of the prosthesis group. Revision rate for symmetry was 13% in the autologous group and 17% in the prosthesis group.

Conclusions Performing balancing at the time of breast reconstruction is safe and most effective in autologous reconstructions, where 87% did not require a second operation for symmetry.
Through Knee Amputation: Technique Modifications and Surgical Outcomes
Authors: Albino Frank P , Seidel Rachel , Brown Benjamin J , Crone Charles G , Attinger Christopher E
Published: September 2014

Background Knee disarticulations (KD) are most commonly employed following trauma or tumor resection but represent less than 2% of all lower extremity amputations performed in the United States annually. KDs provide enhanced proprioception, a long lever arm, preservation of adductor muscle insertion, decreased metabolic cost of ambulation, and an end weight-bearing stump. The role for KDs in the setting of arterial insufficiency or overwhelming infection is less clear. The purpose of this study is to describe technique modifications and report surgical outcomes following KDs at a high-volume Limb Salvage Center.

Methods A retrospective study of medical records for all patients who underwent a through-knee amputation performed by the senior author (C.E.A.) between 2004 and 2012 was completed. Medical records were reviewed to collect demographic, operative, and postoperative information for each of the patients identified.

Results Between 2004 and 2012, 46 through-knee amputations for 41 patients were performed. The mean patient age was 68 and indications for surgery included infection (56%), arterial thrombosis (35%), and trauma (9%). Postoperative complications included superficial cellulitis (13%), soft tissue infection (4%), and flap ischemia (4%) necessitating one case of surgical debridement (4%) and four trans-femoral amputations (9%). 9 (22%) patients went on to ambulate. Postoperative ambulation was greatest in the traumatic cohort and for patients less than 50 years of age, P<0.05. Alternatively, diabetes mellitus and infection reduced the likelihood of postoperative ambulation, P<0.01.

Conclusions Knee disarticulations are a safe and effective alternative to other lower extremity amputations when clinically feasible. For patient unlikely to ambulate, a through-knee amputation maximizes ease of transfers, promotes mobility by providing a counterbalance, and eliminates the potential for knee flexion contracture with subsequent skin breakdown.
Muscle-Sparing Blepharoplasty: A Prospective Left-Right Comparative Study
Authors: Kiang Lee , Deptula Peter , Mazhar Momal , Murariu Daniel , Parsa Fereydoun Don
Published: September 2014

Background Standard upper blepharoplasty involves removal of both the skin and a portion of the underlying orbicularis oculi muscle. The senior author had observed sluggishness of eyelid closure, lagophthalmos as well as varying degrees of eye irritation in certain patients during the early postoperative period. He postulated that these findings could be due to orbicularis muscle excision. He therefore undertook a prospective study 27 years ago comparing standard blepharoplasty on one eyelid to skin-only excision on the fellow eyelid.

Methods A randomized, prospective, single-blinded study was designed using the fellow eye as an internal control. 22 patients undergoing upper blepharoplasty procedure requiring greater than 5 mm of skin resection and with no history of ophthalmologic disease, dry eye, or previous eyelid surgery were selected. Upper blepharoplasty was performed with skin-only removal on one side, and combined skin-muscle removal on the other side. Patients were evaluated until six months after surgery except for two patients who were lost to follow-up after three months. Sluggish eyelid closure, lagophthalmos, dry eye and aesthetic result were outcome measures scored by patient survey, the operating surgeon, and a blinded expert panel.

Results There were comparable aesthetic outcomes in both eyelids. The incidence of sluggish eyelid closure, lagophthalmos and dry eye syndrome were significantly higher in eyelids where wide segments of muscle had been resected.

Conclusions Muscle-sparing upper blepharoplasty produces similar aesthetic outcomes as conventional blepharoplasty, while significantly reducing the complications of sluggish eyelid closure, lagophthalmos and dry eye disease. The authors therefore recommend muscle-sparing upper blepharoplasty.
Bio-Oil Production from Cirsium yildizianum through Pyrolysis in a Fixed-Bed Reactor
Authors: Aysu Tevfik , Bengü Aydin Sükrü
Published: September 2014

Pyrolysis of Cirsium yildizianum samples were carried out in a fixed-bed tubular reactor with (tincal, colemanite and ulexite) and without catalyst catalyst at three different temperatures (350, 450, 550 oC) with a constant heating rate of 50 oC/min. The yields of bio-char, bio-oil and gas produced along with the compositions of the resulting bio-oils were determined by elemental, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The effects of pyrolysis parameters including temperature and catalyst on product yields were investigated. The results indicate that both temperature and catalyst had signficant effect on conversion of Cirsium yildizianum into solid, liquid and gas products. The highest liquid (bio-oil) yield of 40.62% including aqueous phase was obtained in the presence of colemanite (10%) as catalyst at 550 oC. 79 different compounds were identified by GC-MS in bio-oils obtained at 550 oC.
Excess Volume of Binary Mixtures of Water (Methanol or Ethanol) with an Ionic Liquid [EEIM][DEP] or [BEIM][DEP] at 1 atm and (293.15 to 333.15) K
Authors: Song Hong-Yan , Gong Yin-Hui , Jiang Xue-Mei , Lib Chun-Xi
Published: September 2014

Densities were measured for the binary mixtures of water (methanol or ethanol) and an ionic liquid (IL) 1,3-diethylimidazolium diethylphosphate [EEIM][DEP] or 1-n-butyl-3-ethylimidazolium diethylphosphate [BEIM][DEP] at 1 atm and (293.15 to 333.15) K using a vibrating-tube densimeter. The molecular volume, standard entropy, and lattice energy of the two ILs were estimated with the Glasser theory. The excess volumes are negative for all binary mixtures studied in the whole composition range, and reach to the maximum at the mole fraction of IL being around 0.3. Besides, they decrease with increasing temperature for the aqueous solution of ILs, whilst a reverse trend is found for the IL solutions of methanol or ethanol at any concentration. The excess molar volumes were correlated successfully by a five-parameter polynomial equation as a function of temperature and mole fraction of IL with average absolute relative deviation (ARD) of density within 0.02%.
Modeling and Molecular Spectroscopic Analyses of Cellulose
Authors: Mahmoud Abdel Aziz , Osman Osama , El-hotaby Walid , Fakhry Ahmed , Aziz Zainab Abdel , Ibrahim Medhat , Elhaes Hanan
Published: September 2014

Cellulose is the most abundant biopolymer which is a topic of extensive research work. In this study Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was utilized to assign the molecular structure of cellulose. B3LYP at 3-21g**, 6-31g** and LANL1DZ then MP2 at 6-31g* levels of theories were conducted to compare the calculated vibrational spectra with the FTIR spectrum. Model molecules of cellulose starting with monomer up to cellulose 18 units were studied with PM3 semiemperical method in order to follow up the effect of polymerization upon some selected physical parameters. Results indicate that final heat of formation and band gap energy have decreased with increasing cellulose units while total dipole moment has increased with increasing cellulose units. It is concluded that the reactivity of cellulose has increased with increasing the units also the unique hydrogen bonding dedicates cellulose to several applications.
Synthesis and Characterization of N-Substituted Tetrahydroiso-quinoline Derivatives via a Pictet-Spengler Condensation
Authors: Patel Heta A. , Patel Arun L.
Published: September 2014

Synthesis of N-substituted 1,2,3,4 –tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives and bis-isoquinoline has been carried out via a Pictet-Spengler condensation. Tetrahydroisoquinolines were obtained from 2-(3',4'-dimethoxyphenyl) ethylamine in four steps. The entire synthesized compounds were characterized by IR, 1H NMR and mass spectral data.
Assimilating SMOS sea ice thickness into a coupled ice‐ocean model using a local SEIK filter
Authors: Yang Qinghua , Losa Svetlana N. , Losch Martin , Tian‐Kunze Xiangshan , Nerger Lars , Liu Jiping , Kaleschke Lars , Zhang Zhanhai
Published: September 2014

The impact of assimilating sea ice thickness data derived from ESA's Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) satellite together with Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder (SSMIS) sea ice concentration data of the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) in a coupled sea ice‐ocean model is examined. A period of 3 months from 1 November 2011 to 31 January 2012 is selected to assess the forecast skill of the assimilation system. The 24 h forecasts and longer forecasts are based on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology general circulation model (MITgcm), and the assimilation is performed by a localized Singular Evolutive Interpolated Kalman (LSEIK) filter. For comparison, the assimilation is repeated only with the SSMIS sea ice concentrations. By running two different assimilation experiments, and comparing with the unassimilated model, independent satellite‐derived data, and in situ observation, it is shown that the SMOS ice thickness assimilation leads to improved thickness forecasts. With SMOS thickness data, the sea ice concentration forecasts also agree better with observations, although this improvement is smaller.
A two‐phase mechanical model for rock‐ice avalanches
Authors: Pudasaini Shiva P. , Krautblatter Michael
Published: September 2014

Rock‐ice avalanche events are among the most hazardous natural disasters in the last century. In contrast to rock avalanches, the solid phase (ice) can transform to fluid during the course of the rock‐ice avalanche and fundamentally alter mechanical processes. A real two‐phase debris flow model could better address the dynamic interaction of solid (rock and ice) and fluid (water, snow, slurry, and fine particles) than presently used single‐phase Voellmy‐ or Coulomb‐type models. We present a two‐phase model capable of performing dynamic strength weakening due to internal fluidization and basal lubrication and internal mass and momentum exchanges between the phases. Effective basal and internal friction angles are variable and correspond to evolving effective solid volume fraction, friction factors, volume fraction of the ice, true friction coefficients, and lubrication and fluidization factors. Benchmark numerical simulations demonstrate that the two‐phase model can explain dynamically changing frictional properties of rock‐ice avalanches that occur internally and along the flow path. The interphase mass and momentum exchanges are capable of demonstrating the mechanics of frontal surge head and multiple other surges in the debris body. This is an observed phenomenon in a real two‐phase debris flow, but newly simulated here by applying the two‐phase mass flow model. Mass and momentum exchanges between the phases and the associated internal and basal strength weakening control the exceptional long runout distances, provide a more realistic simulation especially during the critical initial and propagation stages of avalanche, and explain the exceptionally high and dynamically changing mobility of rock‐ice avalanches.
All Solution‐Processed Chalcogenide Solar Cells – from Single Functional Layers Towards a 13.8% Efficient CIGS Device
Authors: Romanyuk Yaroslav E. , Hagendorfer Harald , Stücheli Patrick , Fuchs Peter , Uhl Alexander R. , Sutter‐Fella Carolin M. , Werner Melanie , Haass Stefan , Stückelberger Josua , Broussillou Cédric , Grand Pierre‐Philippe , Bermudez Veronica , Tiwari Ayodhya N.
Published: September 2014

Solution processing of inorganic thin films has become an important thrust in material research community because it offers low‐cost and high‐throughput deposition of various functional coatings and devices. Especially inorganic thin film solar cells – macroelectronic devices that rely on consecutive deposition of layers on large‐area rigid and flexible substrates – could benefit from solution approaches in order to realize their low‐cost nature. This article critically reviews existing deposition approaches of functional layers for chalcogenide solar cells with an extension to other thin film technologies. Only true solutions of readily available metal salts in appropriate solvents are considered without the need of pre‐fabricated nanoparticles. By combining three promising approaches, an air‐stable Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin film solar cell with efficiency of 13.8% is demonstrated where all constituent layers (except the metal back contact) are processed from solutions. Notably, water is employed as the solvent in all steps, highlighting the potential for safe manufacturing with high utilization rates.
Factors associated with growth and blood pressure patterns in children with sickle cell anemia: Silent Cerebral Infarct Multi‐Center Clinical Trial cohort
Authors: Wolf Rachel B. , Saville Benjamin R. , Roberts Dionna O. , Fissell Rachel B. , Kassim Adetola A. , Airewele Gladstone , DeBaun Michael R.
Published: September 2014

Individuals with sickle cell anemia (SCA) exhibit delayed growth trajectories and lower blood pressure (BP) measurements than individuals without SCA. We evaluated factors associated with height, weight, and BP and established reference growth curves and BP tables using data from the Silent Cerebral Infarct Multi‐Center Clinical (SIT) Trial (NCT00072761). Quantile regression models were used to determine the percentiles of growth and BP measurements. Multivariable quantile regression was used to test associations of baseline variables with height, weight, and BP measurements. Height and weight measurements were collected from a total of 949 participants with median age of 10.5 years [Interquartile range (IQR) 8.2–12.9] and median follow‐up time of 3.2 years (IQR 1.8–4.7, range 0–12.9). Serial BP measurements were collected from a total of 944 and 943 participants, respectively, with median age of 10.6 years (IQR = 8.3–12.9 years), and median follow‐up time of 3.3 years (IQR = 1.7–4.8). Multivariable quantile regression analysis revealed that higher hemoglobin measurements at baseline were associated with greater height (P < 0.001), weight (P = 0.000), systolic BP (P < 0.001), and diastolic BP (P = 0.003) measurements. We now provide new reference values for height, weight, and BP measurements that are now readily available for medical management. Am. J. Hematol. 90:2–7, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.