bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surgical management of disappearing colorectal liver metastases
Authors: Bischof D A , Clary B M , Maithel S K , Pawlik T M
Published: August 2013

Background

Owing to expanded surgical indications for colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) and improved systemic therapy, hepatic surgeons are increasingly faced with the problem of disappearing (no longer visible on imaging) liver metastasis (DLM).

Methods

A review of relevant studies was performed. Studies that reported on DLM associated with preoperative chemotherapy for CRLM were identified, and data were synthesized and tabulated. The PubMed database was searched for relevant articles published between January 2000 and December 2012.

Results

A complete response on imaging does not necessarily equate with a complete clinical or pathological response. Rather, residual macroscopic disease is found in about 25–45 per cent of patients at the time of operation. Even among patients with a complete pathological response, long-term remission occurs in only 20–50 per cent of those treated with systemic therapy. A durable response of DLM is more common following the use of hepatic artery infusion therapy.

Conclusion

Liver resection should include all original sites of disease if possible.
Making cardiomyocytes: How mechanical stimulation can influence differentiation of pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Geuss Laura R. , Suggs Laura J.
Published: August 2013

Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), including embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have promise in regenerative medicine for a variety of applications. Their potential in the treatment of cardiovascular disease is of particular interest due to its severity and prevalence. In order to be successful for cell therapy, PSCs must be pre‐differentiated into cardiomyocytes to prevent teratoma formation in vivo. Current methods focus on the supplementation of soluble factors to culture medium to drive differentiation into mesodermal lineages; however, these methods are costly with varying cardiomyocyte yields. Since cardiomyocytes are exposed to dynamic environments in vivo, there is potential in using mechanical stimulation to further drive differentiation in vitro. In this review, we will describe the most recent developments in how mechanical stimulation, including fluid shear, cyclic strain, and magnetically mediated strain, can guide cardiomyogenesis in PSCs. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 29:1089–1096, 2013
Designing cost‐effective biopharmaceutical facilities using mixed‐integer optimization
Authors: Liu Songsong , Simaria Ana S. , Farid Suzanne S. , Papageorgiou Lazaros G.
Published: August 2013

Chromatography operations are identified as critical steps in a monoclonal antibody (mAb) purification process and can represent a significant proportion of the purification material costs. This becomes even more critical with increasing product titers that result in higher mass loads onto chromatography columns, potentially causing capacity bottlenecks. In this work, a mixed‐integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) model was created and applied to an industrially relevant case study to optimize the design of a facility by determining the most cost‐effective chromatography equipment sizing strategies for the production of mAbs. Furthermore, the model was extended to evaluate the ability of a fixed facility to cope with higher product titers up to 15 g/L. Examination of the characteristics of the optimal chromatography sizing strategies across different titer values enabled the identification of the maximum titer that the facility could handle using a sequence of single column chromatography steps as well as multi‐column steps. The critical titer levels for different ratios of upstream to dowstream trains where multiple parallel columns per step resulted in the removal of facility bottlenecks were identified. Different facility configurations in terms of number of upstream trains were considered and the trade‐off between their cost and ability to handle higher titers was analyzed. The case study insights demonstrate that the proposed modeling approach, combining MINLP models with visualization tools, is a valuable decision‐support tool for the design of cost‐effective facility configurations and to aid facility fit decisions. © 2013 The Authors. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 29:1472–1483, 2013
Cholic acid modified 2 kDa polyethylenimine as efficient transfection agent
Authors: Dube Brahmanand , Rose Laura , Sawant Krutika , Uludag Hasan
Published: August 2013

New lipopolymers were synthesized by conjugating cholic acid (ChA) to polyethylenimines (PEI; 2 and 25 kDa) and a polyallylamine (PAA; 15 kDa) via N‐acylation to develop effective gene delivery systems. The extent of ChA substitution linearly varied with the feed ratio during synthesis, indicating good control over grafting ratio. While ChA did not affect binding to plasmid DNA (pDNA) for higher molecular weight (MW) polymers, ChA substitution to 2 kDa PEI significantly affected the pDNA binding. Toxicity of the 2 kDa PEI was unaffected by ChA substitution, but it was improved for the higher MW polymers. Using immortal 293T cells and primary cord blood‐derived mesenchymal stem cells, low MW (2 kDa) PEI was shown to display much better transfection efficiency as a result of ChA substitution, unlike the higher MW polymers. We conclude that ChA could be a suitable substituent for non‐toxic (low MW) PEIs in order to improve their transfection efficiency. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 29:1337–1341, 2013
Substrate Selection Influences Molecular Recognition in a Screen for Lymphoid Tyrosine Phosphatase Inhibitors
Authors: Kulkarni Rhushikesh A. , Vellore Nadeem A. , Bliss Matthew R. , Stanford Stephanie M. , Falk Matthew D. , Bottini Nunzio , Baron Riccardo , Barrios Amy M.
Published: August 2013

Assay design is an important variable that influences the outcome of an inhibitor screen. Here, we have investigated the hypothesis that protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors with improved biological activity could be identified from a screen by using a biologically relevant peptide substrate, rather than traditional phosphotyrosine mimetic substrates. A 2000‐member library of drugs and drug‐like compounds was screened for inhibitors of lymphoid tyrosine phosphatase (LYP) by using both a peptide substrate (Ac‐ARLIEDNE‐pCAP‐TAREG‐NH2, peptide 1) and a small‐molecule phosphotyrosine mimetic substrate (difluoromethyl umbelliferyl phosphate, DiFMUP). The results demonstrate that compounds that inhibited enzyme activity on the peptide substrate had greater biological activity than compounds that only inhibited enzyme activity on DiFMUP. Finally, epigallocatechin‐3,5‐digallate was identified as the most potent inhibitor of lymphoid tyrosine phosphatase activity to date, with an IC50 of 50 nM and significant activity in T‐cells. Molecular docking simulations provided a first model for binding of this potent inhibitor to LYP; this will constitute the platform for ongoing lead optimization efforts.
Highly Diverse Protein Library Based on the Ubiquitous (β/α)8 Enzyme Fold Yields Well‐Structured Proteins through in Vitro Folding Selection
Authors: Golynskiy Misha V. , Haugner John C. , Seelig Burckhard
Published: August 2013

Proper protein folding is a prerequisite for protein stability and enzymatic activity. Although directed evolution can be a powerful tool to investigate enzymatic function and to isolate novel activities, well‐designed libraries of folded proteins are essential. In vitro selection methods are particularly capable of searching for enzymatic activities in libraries of trillions of protein variants, yet high‐quality libraries of well‐folded enzymes with such high diversity are lacking. We describe the construction and detailed characterization of a folding‐enriched protein library based on the ubiquitous (β/α)8 barrel fold, which is found in five of the six enzyme classes. We introduced seven randomized loops on the catalytic face of the monomeric, thermostable (β/α)8 barrel of glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase (GDPD) from Thermotoga maritima. We employed in vitro folding selection based on protease digestion to enrich intermediate libraries containing three to four randomized loops for folded variants, and then combined them to assemble the final library (1014 DNA sequences). The resulting library was analyzed by using the in vitro protease assay and an in vivo GFP‐folding assay; it contains ∼1012 soluble monomeric protein variants. We isolated six library members and demonstrated that these proteins are soluble, monomeric and show (β/α)8‐barrel fold‐like secondary and tertiary structure. The quality of the folding‐enriched library improved up to 50‐fold compared to a control library that was assembled without the folding selection. To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first example of combining the ultra‐high throughput mRNA display method with selection for folding. The resulting (β/α)8 barrel libraries provide a valuable starting point to study the unique catalytic capabilities of the (β/α)8 fold, and to isolate novel enzymes.
Ligand‐Modified Rhodium Catalysts on Porous Silica in the Continuous Gas‐Phase Hydroformylation of Short‐Chain Alkenes–Catalytic Reaction in Liquid‐Supported Aldol Products
Authors: Schönweiz Andreas , Debuschewitz Jonas , Walter Simon , Wölfel René , Hahn Hanna , Dyballa Katrin M. , Franke Robert , Haumann Marco , Wasserscheid Peter
Published: August 2013

Ligand‐modified Rh complexes were physically adsorbed on the surface of porous silica. The resulting materials were subjected to the continuous gas‐phase hydroformylation of C2 and C4 alkenes. The ligands used for catalyst modification were bidentate phosphorus ligands known from the literature, namely, sulfoxantphos (1) and a benzopinacol‐based bulky diphosphite 2. The tested catalyst materials were active and, in particular, selective as in comparable homogeneous liquid‐phase experiments. Long‐term stability experiments over 1000 h on stream showed minor deactivation. A significant increase in the catalyst mass after the reaction was detected by weighing and thermogravimetric analysis. By using headspace‐GC–MS, the mass increase could be attributed to high‐boiling compounds, which are formed in situ during the catalytic reaction itself and accumulate inside the pores of the support. Evidence is given that the initially physisorbed catalyst complexes dissolve in the high‐boiling aldol side‐products, which are suitable solvents for the active catalyst species and provide a liquid‐phase environment held by capillary forces on the support.
Specific Detection and Imaging of Enzyme Activity by Signal‐Amplifiable Self‐Assembling 19F MRI Probes
Authors: Matsuo Kazuya , Kamada Rui , Mizusawa Keigo , Imai Hirohiko , Takayama Yuki , Narazaki Michiko , Matsuda Tetsuya , Takaoka Yousuke , Hamachi Itaru
Published: August 2013

Specific turn‐on detection of enzyme activities is of fundamental importance in drug discovery research, as well as medical diagnostics. Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the most powerful techniques for noninvasive visualization of enzyme activity, both in vivo and ex vivo, promising strategies for imaging specific enzymes with high contrast have been very limited to date. We report herein a novel signal‐amplifiable self‐assembling 19F NMR/MRI probe for turn‐on detection and imaging of specific enzymatic activity. In NMR spectroscopy, these designed probes are “silent” when aggregated, but exhibit a disassembly driven turn‐on signal change upon cleavage of the substrate part by the catalytic enzyme. Using these 19F probes, nanomolar levels of two different target enzymes, nitroreductase (NTR) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), could be detected and visualized by 19F NMR spectroscopy and MRI. Furthermore, we have succeeded in imaging the activity of endogenously secreted MMP in cultured media of tumor cells by 19F MRI, depending on the cell lines and the cellular conditions. These results clearly demonstrate that our turn‐on 19F probes may serve as a screening platform for the activity of MMPs.
General One‐Pot Reductive gem‐Bis‐Alkylation of Tertiary Lactams/Amides: Rapid Construction of 1‐Azaspirocycles and Formal Total Synthesis of (±)‐Cephalotaxine
Authors: Xiao Kai‐Jiong , Luo Jie‐Min , Xia Xiao‐Er , Wang Yu , Huang Pei‐Qiang
Published: August 2013

Amides are a class of highly stable and readily available compounds. The amide functional group constitutes a class of powerful directing/activating and protecting group for CC bond formation. Tertiary tert‐alkylamine, including 1‐azaspirocycle is a key structural feature found in many bioactive natural products and pharmaceuticals. The transformation of amides into tert‐alkylamines generally requires several steps. In this paper, we report the full details of the first general method for the direct transformation of tertiary lactams/amides into tert‐alkylamines. The method is based on in situ activation of amide with triflic anhydride/2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methylpyridine (DTBMP), followed by successive addition of two organometallic reagents of the same or different kinds to form two CC bonds. Both alkyl and functionalized organometallic reagents and enolates can be used as the nucleophiles. The method displayed excellent 1,2‐ and good 1,3‐asymmetric induction. Construction of 1‐azaspirocycles from lactams required only two steps or even one‐step by direct spiroannelation of lactams. The power of the method was demonstrated by a concise formal total synthesis of racemic cephalotaxine.
People with intellectual disability: What do we know about adulthood and life expectancy?
Authors: Coppus A.M.W.
Published: August 2013

Increases in the life expectancy of people with Intellectual Disability have followed similar trends to those found in the general population. With the exception of people with severe and multiple disabilities or Down syndrome, the life expectancy of this group now closely approximates with that of the general population. Middle and old age, which until 30 years ago were not recognized in this population, are now important parts of the life course of these individuals. Older adults with Intellectual Disabilities form a small, but significant and growing proportion of older people in the community. How these persons grow older and how symptoms and complications of the underlying cause of the Intellectual Disability will influence their life expectancy is of the utmost importance. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Disabil Res Rev 2013;18:6–16.
Promoting healthy aging in adults with developmental disabilities
Authors: Heller Tamar , Sorensen Amy
Published: August 2013

This article reviews the research on health promotion for adults aging with developmental disabilities. First, it examines barriers to healthy aging, including health behaviors and access to health screenings and services. Second, it reviews the research on health promotion interventions, including physical activity interventions, health education interventions, and health care and screening preventive services. This review found evidence that the three types of health promotion interventions, physical activity and exercise, health education and mixed approaches, and health care and screening services can play a role in reducing health disparities for adults with developmental disabilities. Studies focusing primarily on physical activity and exercise tended to show improved fitness and some success in reducing obesity, reducing maladaptive behaviors, and improving alertness, though none of these studies showed longer term health benefits. The studies that took a more holistic approach by also including exercise and nutrition health education tended to show some evidence not only for changes in weight reduction but also for changes in health behavior attitudes (exercise self‐efficacy, outcomes expectations, and barriers) and behaviors (e.g., dietary intake) and to a limited extent for improved life satisfaction. The literature on health screenings and services demonstrated the important role of health checks in identifying previously undetected conditions. These conditions include life threatening ones such as cancer and cardio‐vascular disease, as well as less serious conditions that are often more common among adults with developmental disabilities and could be treated if caught early. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Disabil Res Rev 2013;18:22–30.
Aging in rare intellectual disability syndromes
Authors: Dykens Elisabeth M.
Published: August 2013

This review highlights several methodological challenges involved in research on aging, health, and mortality in adults with rare intellectual disability syndromes. Few studies have been performed in this area, with research obstacles that include: the ascertainment of older adults with genetic versus clinical diagnoses; likelihood that adults will not receive adequate health care and referrals to genetic specialists; cohort differences related to generational and treatment effects; and increased mortality and selective survival biases. Even so, aging in Prader‐Willi and Williams syndromes are reviewed as they reveal new insights into the phenotypic expression and treatment options for older adults with these disorders. The review ends with recommendations for future research that takes better advantage of genetic advances, changes in adult phenotypes, and ties across syndrome‐specific research silos. Although aging in rare neurodevelopmental disorders is barely on the research landscape, the field stands to learn much from these older adults. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Disabil Res Rev 2013;18:75–83.
Monitoring the endogenous steroid profile disruption in urine and blood upon nandrolone administration: An efficient and innovative strategy to screen for nandrolone abuse in entire male horses
Authors: Kaabia Z. , Dervilly‐Pinel G. , Popot M.A. , Bailly‐Chouriberry L. , Plou P. , Bonnaire Y. , Le Bizec B.
Published: August 2013

Nandrolone (17β‐hydroxy‐4‐estren‐3‐one) is amongst the most misused endogenous steroid hormones in entire male horses. The detection of such a substance is challenging with regard to its endogenous presence. The current international threshold level for nandrolone misuse is based on the urinary concentration ratio of 5α‐estrane‐3β,17α‐diol (EAD) to 5(10)‐estrene‐3β,17α‐diol (EED). This ratio, however, can be influenced by a number of factors due to existing intra‐ and inter‐variability standing, respectively, for the variation occurring in endogenous steroids concentration levels in a single subject and the variation in those same concentration levels observed between different subjects.

Targeting an efficient detection of nandrolone misuse in entire male horses, an analytical strategy was set up in order to profile a group of endogenous steroids in nandrolone‐treated and non‐treated equines. Experiment plasma and urine samples were steadily collected over more than three months from a stallion administered with nandrolone laurate (1 mg/kg). Control plasma and urine samples were collected monthly from seven non‐treated stallions over a one‐year period. A large panel of steroids of interest (n = 23) were extracted from equine urine and plasma samples using a C18 cartridge. Following a methanolysis step, liquid‐liquid and solid‐phase extractions purifications were performed before derivatization and analysis on gas chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (GC‐MS/MS) for quantification. Statistical processing of the collected data permitted to establish statistical models capable of discriminating control samples from those collected during the three months following administration. Furthermore, these statistical models succeeded in predicting the compliance status of additional samples collected from racing horses. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
What Do Preservice Teachers from the USA and the UK Know about Dyslexia?
Authors: Washburn Erin K. , Binks‐Cantrell Emily S. , Joshi R. Malatesha
Published: August 2013

The purpose of the study was to examine the knowledge base of preservice teachers from the USA and the UK of dyslexia as a language‐based learning disability. A survey (both US and UK versions) was constructed using current research‐based understandings of dyslexia as a language‐based learning disability. One hundred and one preservice teachers from the USA and 70 preservice teachers from the UK were administered the survey. Results indicated that participants in the two groups demonstrated some similar accurate knowledge about dyslexia as well as displaying some common misunderstandings about dyslexia. Recommendations concerning preservice teacher preparation and professional development for in‐service teachers about dyslexia as well as future research directions are discussed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Contributions to “E‐Taxonomy” – A virtual approach to the flora of Mongolia (FloraGREIF)
Authors: Rilke Sabrina , Najmi Ulrike , Schnittler Martin
Published: August 2013

FloraGreif has been developed to be a fast, searchable information system about the flora of Mongolia, uniting components of an e‐Flora and a digital herbarium. It contains basic botanical, ecological and geographic data for the approximately 2800 Mongolian vascular plants. Specimen records are documented by location descriptions and additional image data (scans of herbarium specimens, photos of living plants) which can be used for taxonomic revision and chorological analysis.

Currently, 2871 species of vascular plants are known to occur in Mongolia. For nearly all species, the distribution in Mongolia, habitat requirements, and red‐list status are given. More than 800 species have been treated comparatively with a short description. 1151 species are represented by at least one record (location description, herbarium specimen, and/or images of living plants). At the moment (January 2013), 1220 species are represented by at least one scan of a herbarium specimen, 1427 species are represented by records, and 725 species by photos of living plants.

Specific search algorithms and navigation structures allow a targeted search for individual species or the output of species lists for particular regions or habitats. The open‐source approach of the web portal makes it possible to transfer the system to other regions of the world. The virtual approach to the Flora of Mongolia also provides access to extensive herbarium collections, enabling their use for future research. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Glandular trichomes, histochemical localization of secretion, and essential oil composition in Plectranthus grandidentatus growing in Portugal
Authors: Mota Luísa , Figueiredo Ana Cristina , Pedro Luis G. , Barroso José G. , Ascensão Lia
Published: August 2013

Glandular trichomes and essential oils of Plectranthus grandidentatus grown in Portugal were studied for the first time. Trichome types and their distribution pattern were investigated by light and scanning electron microscopy. Three distinct types of glandular trichomes were described on the vegetative organs. Peltate trichomes, confined to the leaf abaxial surface, showed an orange–brownish characteristic colour and never developed a large subcuticular space. Digitiform and capitate trichomes were distributed on both leaf surfaces, the last being divided in two subtypes according to the dimension of the head, length of stalk and secretion process. In addition to these trichome types, flowers also exhibit uncommon conoidal glandular trichomes. Histochemical characterization of secretion revealed the presence of terpenoids and flavonoids as main constituents. Essential oils, isolated by hydrodistillation of aerial organs, harvested at the four calendar‐based seasons, were analysed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The oils with a dark–orange colour and agreeable odour were obtained in yields that ranged from 0.2 to 0.5% (v/d.w.). Sesquiterpenes constituted the dominant fraction (69–79%), β‐caryophyllene (9–13%) and δ‐cadinene (5–7%) being the most abundant hydrocarbons in all oils and β‐caryophyllene oxide (4–8%) and 14‐hydroxy‐9‐epi‐(E)‐caryophyllene (4–6%) the major oxygen‐containing compounds. The monoterpene fraction did not exceed 13%, oxygen‐containing diterpenes attained lower percentages (1–9%), and phenylpropanoids were only present in trace amounts. The essential oils isolated from plants collected during the vegetative phase (winter and spring) showed a similar chemical profile, while that isolated from plants harvested in summer, resembled the one obtained from plants in the flowering phase collected in autumn. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oxytocin influences avoidant reactions to social threat in adults with borderline personality disorder
Authors: Brüne Martin , Ebert Andreas , Kolb Meike , Tas Cumhur , Edel Marc‐Andreas , Roser Patrik
Published: August 2013

Background

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by interpersonal dysfunction, emotional instability, impulsivity, and risk‐taking behavior. Recent research has focused on the role of oxytocin in BPD, with mixed results as regards the processing of social stimuli.

Methods

In a double‐blind randomized placebo‐controlled study, 13 BPD patients and 13 controls performed a dot probe task to examine attentional biases to happy and angry faces after intranasal application of oxytocin or placebo. Childhood trauma was examined using the childhood trauma questionnaire.

Results

In the placebo condition, patients with BPD (but not controls) showed an avoidant reaction to angry faces (but not happy faces). The strength of the avoidant reaction correlated with the severity of childhood trauma. This behavioral response (as well as the correlation) was abolished in the oxytocin condition.

Conclusions

Adult patients with BPD show an avoidant response to social threat, a reaction that is linked with traumatic experiences during childhood. This response pattern is altered by oxytocin, possibly by reducing stress and inhibiting social withdrawal from distressing social stimuli. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Testing for Near and Far Transfer Effects with a Short, Face‐to‐Face Adaptive Working Memory Training Intervention in Typical Children
Authors: Henry Lucy A. , Messer David J. , Nash Gilly
Published: August 2013

A relatively quick, face‐to‐face, adaptive working memory training intervention was assessed in 5‐ to 8‐year‐old typically developing children, randomly allocated to a 6‐week intervention condition, or an active control condition. All children received 18 sessions of 10 minutes, three times/week for 6 weeks. Assessments of six working memory skills, word reading and mathematics were administered at pre‐test, post‐test and 6‐month follow‐up. Additional measures of word reading, mathematics, spelling and reading comprehension were given at a 12‐month follow‐up. At post‐test, the trained group showed significantly larger gains than the control group on the two trained executive‐loaded working memory tasks (Listening Recall and Odd One Out Span) and on two untrained working memory tasks (Word Recall and Counting Recall). These ‘near transfer’ effects were still apparent at 6‐month follow‐up. ‘Far transfer’ effects were less evident: there was no difference between the groups in their gains on single word reading and mathematics over 12 months, and spelling skills did not differ at 12‐month follow‐up. However, the trained group showed significantly higher reading comprehension scores than the control group at 12‐month follow‐up. Thus, improving the ability to divide attention between processing and storage may have had specific benefits for reading comprehension. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Few‐view image reconstruction combining total variation and a high‐order norm
Authors: Zhang Yi , Zhang Wei‐Hua , Chen Hu , Yang Meng‐Long , Li Tai‐Yong , Zhou Ji‐Liu
Published: August 2013

This work presents a novel computed tomography reconstruction method for few‐view problem based on a compound method. To overcome the disadvantages of total variation (TV) minimization method, we use a high‐order norm coupled within TV and the numerical scheme for our method is given. We use the root mean square error as a referee. The numerical experiments demonstrate that our method achieves better performance than existing reconstruction methods, including filtered back projection, expectation maximization, and TV with projection on convex sets. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 23, 249–255, 2013
Dilated intracranial translucency and blake's pouch cyst: First‐trimester ultrasound markers of occipital cephalocele diagnosed using novel three‐dimensional reslicing technique
Authors: Tonni Gabriele , Grisolia Giampaolo
Published: August 2013

Abnormal intracranial translucency (IT) (fourth ventricle) and a Blake's pouch cyst with normal brain stem cavity may be valuable first‐trimester call signs of defects in the skull base. Here, we report a case of presumptive two‐dimensional sonographic diagnosis of occipital cephalocele that was posed at the time of 11–13 weeks aneuploidy scan. The two‐dimensional sonographic finding elicited a detailed fetal neuroscan that was performed using either multiplanar mode or a novel three‐dimensional reslicing and lightening technique. The use of three‐dimensional sonographic software and offline “navigation” within the volume of interest enabled operators to capture a diagnostic snapshot of the condition, enhancing quality imaging and early detection of the encephalic lesion. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 42:157–161, 2014
Mullerian cyst of the uterus misdiagnosed as ovarian cyst on pelvic sonography
Authors: Lui Man‐Wa , Ngu Siew‐Fei , Cheung Vincent Y.T.
Published: August 2013

Mullerian cyst of the uterus, also known as endosalpingiosis, is rare and often can be misdiagnosed as adnexal cyst on pelvic sonography. A 47‐year‐old woman was referred for an incidental finding of a right adnexal mass on pelvic sonography, suspected to be an ovarian cyst. During laparoscopy, a pedunculated cystic mass arising from the right anterior uterine wall was seen. The mass was resected laparoscopically and histologic examination showed a benign Mullerian cyst of the uterus. Diagnosis of Mullerian cyst of the uterus can be challenging. However, with increased awareness, preoperative diagnosis of this condition should be possible sonographically. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 42:183–184, 2014
Ionospheric disturbances induced by a missile launched from North Korea on 12 December 2012
Authors: Kakinami Yoshihiro , Yamamoto Masayuki , Chen Chia‐Hung , Watanabe Shigeto , Lin Charles , Liu Jenn‐Yanq , Habu Hiroto
Published: August 2013

Ionospheric disturbances caused by a missile launched from North Korea on 12 December 2012 were investigated by using the GPS total electron content (TEC). The spatial characteristic of the front edge of V‐shaped disturbances produced by missiles and rockets was first determined. Considering the launch direction and the height of estimated ionospheric points at which GPS radio signal pierces the ionosphere, the missile passed through the ionosphere at heights of 391, 425, and 435 km at 0056:30, 0057:00, and 0057:30 UT, respectively. The observed velocities of the missile were 2.8 and 3.2 km/s at that time, which was estimated from the traveling speed of the front edge of V‐shaped disturbances. Westward and eastward V‐shaped disturbances propagated at 1.8–2.6 km/s. The phase velocities of the westward and eastward V‐shaped disturbances were much faster than the speed of acoustic waves reported in previous studies, suggesting that sources other than acoustic waves may have played an important role. Furthermore, the plasma density depletion that is often observed following missile and rocket launches was not found. This suggests that the depletion resulting from the missile's exhaust was not strong enough to be observed in the TEC distribution in the topside ionosphere.
Clustering of velocities in a GPS network spanning the Sierra Nevada Block, the Northern Walker Lane Belt, and the Central Nevada Seismic Belt, California‐Nevada
Authors: Savage J. C. , Simpson R. W.
Published: August 2013

The deformation across the Sierra Nevada Block, the Walker Lane Belt, and the Central Nevada Seismic Belt (CNSB) between 38.5°N and 40.5°N has been analyzed by clustering GPS velocities to identify coherent blocks. Cluster analysis determines the number of clusters required and assigns the GPS stations to the proper clusters. The clusters are shown on a fault map by symbols located at the positions of the GPS stations, each symbol representing the cluster to which the velocity of that GPS station belongs. Fault systems that separate the clusters are readily identified on such a map. Four significant clusters are identified. Those clusters are strips separated by (from west to east) the Mohawk Valley‐Genoa fault system, the Pyramid Lake‐Wassuk fault system, and the Central Nevada Seismic Belt. The strain rates within the westernmost three clusters approximate simple right‐lateral shear (~13 nstrain/a) across vertical planes roughly parallel to the cluster boundaries. Clustering does not recognize the longitudinal segmentation of the Walker Lane Belt into domains dominated by either northwesterly trending, right‐lateral faults or northeasterly trending, left‐lateral faults.
Aircraft and tower measurements of CO2 concentration in the planetary boundary layer and the lower free troposphere over southern taiga in West Siberia: Long‐term records from 2002 to 2011
Authors: Sasakawa M. , Machida T. , Tsuda N. , Arshinov M. , Davydov D. , Fofonov A. , Krasnov O.
Published: August 2013

In situ measurements of the vertical distribution of carbon dioxide (CO2) carried out with a light aircraft over a tower site (Berezorechka; 56°08′45″N, 84°19′49″E) in the taiga region of West Siberia from October 2001 to March 2012 document the detailed seasonal and vertical variation of CO2 concentrations during daytime. The variation appears to be controlled mainly by the CO2 flux from taiga ecosystems and the height of the planetary boundary layer (PBL). We calculated average CO2 concentrations in the PBL and the lower free troposphere (LFT), both of which show clear seasonal cycles and an increasing long‐term trend. Seasonal amplitude in the PBL had a larger value (29 ppm) than that in the LFT (14 ppm), demonstrating strong CO2 source‐sink forcing by the taiga ecosystems. Mean CO2 concentrations during 13:00–17:00 local standard time observed at the four levels of the tower (5, 20, 40, and 80 m) showed lower CO2 concentrations than that observed in the PBL by aircraft during June–August (growing season). This negative bias decreased with increasing inlet height such that the minimum difference appeared at the 80‐m inlet (−2.4 ± 0.8 ppm). No such bias was observed during other months (dormant season). The daytime CO2 flux, based on multiple vertical profiles obtained on a single day, ranged from −36.4 to 3.8 µmol m−2 s−1 during July–September. There was a clear difference in the fluxes between the morning and afternoon, suggesting that these data should be considered examples of fluxes during several daytime hours from the West Siberian taiga.
“Waveguidability” of idealized jets
Authors: Manola Iris , Selten Frank , de Vries Hylke , Hazeleger Wilco
Published: August 2013

It is known that strong zonal jets can act as waveguides for Rossby waves. In this study we use the European Center for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) reanalysis data to analyze the connection between jets and zonal waves at timescales beyond 10 days. Moreover, a barotropic model is used to systematically study the ability of idealized jets to trap Rossby wave energy (“waveguidability”) as a function of jet strength, jet width, and jet location. In general, strongest waveguidability is found for narrow, fast jets. In addition, when the stationary wave number is integer, a resonant response is found through constructive interference. In Austral summer, the Southern Hemispheric jet is closest to the idealized jets considered and it is for this season that similar jet‐zonal wave relationships are identified in the ECMWF reanalysis data.
Impact of volcanic stratospheric aerosols on diurnal temperature range in Europe over the past 200 years: Observations versus model simulations
Authors: Auchmann Renate , Arfeuille Florian , Wegmann Martin , Franke Jörg , Barriendos Mariano , Prohom Marc , Sanchez‐Lorenzo Arturo , Bhend Jonas , Wild Martin , Folini Doris , Štěpánek Petr , Brönnimann Stefan
Published: August 2013

We analyze the impact of stratospheric volcanic aerosols on the diurnal temperature range (DTR) over Europe using long‐term subdaily station records. We compare the results with a 28‐member ensemble of European Centre/Hamburg version 5.4 (ECHAM5.4) general circulation model simulations. Eight stratospheric volcanic eruptions during the instrumental period are investigated. Seasonal all‐ and clear‐sky DTR anomalies are compared with contemporary (approximately 20 year) reference periods. Clear sky is used to eliminate cloud effects and better estimate the signal from the direct radiative forcing of the volcanic aerosols. We do not find a consistent effect of stratospheric aerosols on all‐sky DTR. For clear skies, we find average DTR anomalies of −0.08°C (−0.13°C) in the observations (in the model), with the largest effect in the second winter after the eruption. Although the clear‐sky DTR anomalies from different stations, volcanic eruptions, and seasons show heterogeneous signals in terms of order of magnitude and sign, the significantly negative DTR anomalies (e.g., after the Tambora eruption) are qualitatively consistent with other studies. Referencing with clear‐sky DTR anomalies to the radiative forcing from stratospheric volcanic eruptions, we find the resulting sensitivity to be of the same order of magnitude as previously published estimates for tropospheric aerosols during the so‐called “global dimming” period (i.e., 1950s to 1980s). Analyzing cloud cover changes after volcanic eruptions reveals an increase in clear‐sky days in both data sets. Quantifying the impact of stratospheric volcanic eruptions on clear‐sky DTR over Europe provides valuable information for the study of the radiative effect of stratospheric aerosols and for geo‐engineering purposes.
Antipodal terrains created by the Rheasilvia basin forming impact on asteroid 4 Vesta
Authors: Bowling T. J. , Johnson B. C. , Melosh H. J. , Ivanov B. A. , O'Brien D. P. , Gaskell R. , Marchi S.
Published: August 2013

The Rheasilvia impact on asteroid 4 Vesta may have been sufficiently large to create disrupted terrains at the impact antipode. This paper investigates the amount of deformation expected at the Rheasilvia antipode using numerical models of sufficient resolution to directly observe terrain modification and material displacements following the arrival of impact stresses. We find that the magnitude and mode of deformation expected at the impact antipode is strongly dependent on both the sound speed and porosity of Vesta's mantle, as well as the strength of the Vestan core. In the case of low mantle porosities and high core strengths, we predict the existence of a topographic high (a peak) caused by the collection of spalled and uplifted material at the antipode. Observations by NASA's Dawn spacecraft cannot provide definite evidence that large amounts of deformation occurred at the Rheasilvia antipode, largely due to the presence of younger large impact craters in the region. However, a deficiency of small craters near the antipodal point suggests that some degree of deformation did occur.
Aggressive behavior of white‐tailed deer at concentrated food sites as affected by population density
Authors: Donohue Robin N. , Hewitt David G. , Fulbright Timothy E. , Deyoung Charles A. , Litt Andrea R. , Draeger Don A.
Published: August 2013

Concentrated food sources are used frequently in white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) management and research, but because such food sources are easily defended, aggressive interactions among deer may influence their effectiveness. The objectives of this study were to determine if deer population density or season affect 1) the order or degree of social dominance among different age and sex groups of white‐tailed deer, 2) the rate at which aggressive interactions occur, 3) the severity of interactions, and 4) the extent to which subordinate groups avoid dominant groups. We conducted our study in South Texas using 2 sets of 3, 81‐ha enclosures managed at varying deer population densities. We captured aggressive interactions using digital trail‐cameras placed at sites with spatially concentrated food. We found that bucks ≥2 years of age were dominant over all other age and sex groups in ≥87% of their interactions regardless of deer density or season. The odds of a buck dominating over a doe increased by 10% (95% CI = 0–21%) for each additional deer/km2 during summer, but density had little effect in any other season. Yearling bucks were dominant in 81% (95% CI = 51–100%) of their interactions with does during spring, whereas during other seasons we found no clear order to the dominance hierarchy. Social dominance between yearling bucks and does was not affected by population density. The rate of aggressive interactions increased by 2% (95% CI = 1–3%) for each additional deer/km2 and did not differ by season. Ten percent (95% CI = 6–14%) of interactions involved more violent behaviors that we characterized as severe; this percentage did not change with population density or season. At all population densities, during all seasons, does avoided bucks at sites with concentrated food; however, the degree of avoidance declined with increasing deer density in all seasons except spring. Our results indicate that as population density increases, so do social pressures that may limit access of subordinate age and sex groups to concentrated food sites. Therefore, concentrated food sites are not equally accessible to all age and sex groups of deer and the effectiveness of such sites in deer management and research may become increasingly limited as population density increases. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.
One‐dimensional consolidation with a threshold gradient: a Stefan problem with rate‐dependent latent heat
Authors: Zhou Yang , Bu Wan‐kui , Lu Meng‐meng
Published: August 2013

During the process of one‐dimensional consolidation with a threshold gradient, the seepage front moves downward gradually, and the problem is indicated as a Stefan problem. The novel feature in this Stefan problem is a latent heat that varies inversely with the rate of the moving boundary. An exact solution for the external load that increases in proportion to the square root of time is constructed using the similarity transformation technique. Computational examples concerning the effect of different parameters on the motion of the seepage front are presented. The exact solution provides a worthwhile benchmark for verifying the accuracy of numerical and approximate methods. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
B‐DNA Structure and Stability as Function of Nucleic Acid Composition: Dispersion‐Corrected DFT Study of Dinucleoside Monophosphate Single and Double Strands
Authors: Barone Giampaolo , Fonseca Guerra Célia , Bickelhaupt F. Matthias
Published: August 2013

We have computationally investigated the structure and stability of all 16 combinations of two out of the four natural DNA bases A, T, G and C in a di‐2′‐deoxyribonucleoside‐monophosphate model DNA strand as well as in 10 double‐strand model complexes thereof, using dispersion‐corrected density functional theory (DFT‐D). Optimized geometries with B‐DNA conformation were obtained through the inclusion of implicit water solvent and, in the DNA models, of sodium counterions, to neutralize the negative charge of the phosphate groups. The results obtained allowed us to compare the relative stability of isomeric single and double strands. Moreover, the energy of the Watson–Crick pairing of complementary single strands to form double‐helical structures was calculated. The latter furnished the following increasing stability trend of the double‐helix formation energy: d(TpA)2 <d(CpA)2 <d(ApT)2 <d(ApA)2 <d(GpT)2 <d(GpA)2 <d(ApG)2 <d(CpG)2 <d(GpG)2 <d(GpC)2, where the energy differences between the last four dimers, d(ApG)2, d(CpG)2, d(GpG)2 and d(GpC)2, is within 4.0 kcal mol−1, and the energy between the most and the least stable isomers is 13.4 kcal mol−1. This trend shows that the formation energy essentially increases with the number of hydrogen bonds per base pair, that is two between A and T and three between G and C. Superimposed on this main trend are more subtle effects that depend on the order in which bases occur within a strand from the 5’‐ to the 3’‐end.
Breath stacking in children with neuromuscular disorders
Authors: Jenkins H. M. , Stocki A. , Kriellaars D. , Pasterkamp H.
Published: August 2013

Respiratory muscle weakness in neuromuscular disorders (NMD) can lead to shallow breathing and respiratory insufficiency over time. Children with NMD often cannot perform maneuvers to recruit lung volume. In adults, breath stacking with a mask and one‐way valve can achieve significantly increased lung volumes. To evaluate involuntary breath stacking (IBS) in NMD, we studied 23 children of whom 15 were cognitively aware and able to communicate verbally. For IBS, a one‐way valve and pneumotachograph were attached to a face mask. Tidal volumes (Vt) and minute ventilation (VE) were calculated from airflow over 30 sec before and after 15 sec of expiratory valve closure. Six cooperative male subjects with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) participated in a subsequent comparison of IBS with voluntary breath stacking (VBS) and supported breath stacking (SBS). The average Vt in those studied with IBS was 277 ml (range 29–598 ml). The average increase in volume by stacking was 599 ml (range −140 to 2,916 ml) above Vt. The average number of stacked breaths was 4.5 (range 0–17). VE increased on average by 18% after stacking (P < 0.05, paired t‐test). Oxygen saturation did not change after stacking. Four of the 23 children did not breath stack. Compared to IBS, VBS achieved similar volumes in the six subjects with DMD but SBS was more successful in those with greatest muscle weakness. IBS may achieve breath volumes of approximately three times Vt and may be particularly useful in non‐cooperative subjects with milder degrees of respiratory muscle weakness. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2014; 49:544–553. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Thermal recrystallization of physical vapor deposition based germanium thin films on bulk silicon (100)
Authors: Hussain Aftab M. , Fahad Hossain M. , Sevilla Galo A. Torres , Hussain Muhammad M.
Published: August 2013

We demonstrate a simple, low‐cost, and scalable process for obtaining uniform, smooth surfaced, high quality mono‐crystalline germanium (100) thin films on silicon (100). The germanium thin films were deposited on a silicon substrate using plasma‐assisted sputtering based physical vapor deposition. They were crystallized by annealing at various temperatures ranging from 700 °C to 1100 °C. We report that the best quality germanium thin films are obtained above the melting point of germanium (937 °C), thus offering a method for in‐situ Czochralski process. We show well‐behaved high‐κ /metal gate metal–oxide–semiconductor capacitors (MOSCAPs) using this film. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)