bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of a short early therapeutic education program on the quality of life of asthmatic children and their families
Authors: Julian Valérie , Amat Flore , Petit Isabelle , Pereira Bruno , Fauquert Jean‐Luc , Heraud Marie‐Christine , Labbé Guillaume , Labbé André
Published: February 2014

Objectives

Few studies have been made on the impact of therapeutic education (TE) on the quality of life (QOL) of asthmatic primary‐school aged children. We attempted to assess the beneficial effects on the QOL of children and their parents of a short TE program initiated immediately after the first consultation with a pediatric pulmonologist.

Methods

The QOL of 31 families of asthmatic children (aged 5–11) was measured before and 3 months after a short and early programme of TE by the French version of the Pictured Child's Quality of Life Self Questionnaire (AUQUEI, AUtoquestionnaire QUalité de vie Enfant Imagé) for the children, and by the Paediatric Asthma Caregiver's Quality of Life Questionnaire (PACQLQ) for the parents. The other criteria studied were asthma management, school and workplace absenteeism and functional respiratory parameters.

Results

TE did not significantly alter the AUQUEI score (P = 0.67). No change was observed in the different areas studied: autonomy (P = 0.97), leisure activities (P = 0.64), functions (P = 0.88), and social relations (P = 0.51). In contrast, the PACQLQ score considerably improved after TE (P < 0.001), as evidenced by reduced activity limitations (P < 0.001) and improved emotional functioning of parents (P < 0.001). These results were accompanied by a significant improvement in asthma management, with, in particular, a major decrease in the use of medication (P < 0.001) and the number of unscheduled medical consultations (P < 0.001) and visits to the emergency department (P = 0.02); a decrease in school absenteeism (P = 0.009); and an improvement in forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) (P = 0.05).

Conclusions

Our TE program had rapid and beneficial effects on numerous objective and subjective parameters, thereby contributing to the well‐being of the families and probably to a subsequent decrease in the overall cost of asthma management. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2015; 50:213–221. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis of carbon nanowalls on macroporous nickel foam by atmospheric glow discharge chemical vapour deposition
Authors: Meško Marcel , Vretenár Viliam , Kotrusz Peter , Hulman Martin , Skákalová Viera
Published: February 2014

The preparation of continous three‐dimensional carbon foam composed of a few‐layer graphene film decorated with carbon nanowalls standing perpendicular to its surface is presented. The synthesis is done by the direct‐current PECVD method using nickel foam as a catalyst substrate. Variable curvature of the surface of the Ni foam causes a variation in electric field during the dcPECVD synthesis, which results in forming the foam of hybrid carbon structures. The material was characterized by scanning electron microscope images and by Raman spectra. The effect of plasma penetration depth on growth of carbon nanowalls is also discussed. Macropores and nanopores coexisting in the structure might offer new functionalities particularly for charge storage applications.
Magnetic properties of AII–BIV–C2V chalcopyrite semiconductors doped with 3d‐elements
Authors: Krivosheeva Anna V. , Shaposhnikov Victor L. , Borisenko Victor E. , Lazzari Jean‐Louis
Published: February 2014

The ab initio calculations of electronic and magnetic properties of chalcopyrites (II = Be, Zn, Cd; IV = Si, Ge; V = P, As) doped with 3d metals are presented within the scope of interest for semiconductor spintronics. Different concentrations of V, Cr, Mn, Fe, and Co atoms replacing II–II, II–IV, and IV–IV group sites are checked and the most stable configurations for each case are determined. The appearance of magnetic moments and the ferromagnetic state upon doping is analyzed. It is revealed that for all materials incorporation of Cr or Mn atoms leads to the appearance of magnetic moments, but only substitution of II group atoms yields a stable configuration with a ferromagnetic state. High spin polarization is obtained for Zn–IV–P2 and Zn–IV–As2 compounds whose lattice parameters are close to that of silicon and germanium (or GaAs), respectively. Moreover, the substitution of Be by Cr atoms in Be–IV–As2 semiconductors (having a lattice parameter close to silicon) transforms them into half‐metals stable in the ferromagnetic state. Recommendations upon the further applicability of investigated materials for spintronics are proposed.
Extracts of Devil's Club (Oplopanax horridus) Exert Therapeutic Efficacy in Experimental Models of Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: McGill Colin M. , Alba‐Rodriguez Estefania J. , Li Shuo , Benson Charles J. , Ondrasik Regina M. , Fisher Lindsey N. , Claxton David F. , Barth Brian M.
Published: February 2014

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a group of hematological malignancies defined by expanded clonal populations of immature progenitors (blasts) of myeloid phenotype in blood and bone marrow. Given a typical poor prognostic outlook, there is great need for novel agents with anti‐AML activity. Devil's club (Oplopanax horridus) is one of the most significant medicinal plants used among the indigenous people of Southeast Alaska and the coastal Pacific Northwest, with different linguistic groups utilizing various parts of the plant to treat many different conditions including cancer. Studies identifying medically relevant components in Devil's club are limited. For this research study, samples were extracted in 70% ethanol before in vitro analysis, to assess effects on AML cell line viability as well as to study regulation of tyrosine phosphorylation and cysteine oxidation. The root extract displayed better in vitro anti‐AML efficacy in addition to a noted anti‐tyrosine kinase activity independent of an antioxidant effect. In vivo therapeutic studies using an immunocompetent murine model of AML further demonstrated that Devil's club root extract improved the murine survival while decreasing immunosuppressive regulatory T cells and improving CD8+ T‐cell functionality. This study defines for the first time an anti‐AML efficacy for extracts of Devil's club. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the computation of moist‐air specific thermal enthalpy
Authors: Marquet Pascal
Published: February 2014

The specific thermal enthalpy of a moist‐air parcel is defined analytically following a method in which specific moist entropy is derived from the Third Law of Thermodynamics. Specific thermal enthalpy is computed by integrating specific heat content with respect to absolute temperature and including the impacts of various latent heats (i.e. solid condensation, sublimation, melting, and evaporation). It is assumed that thermal enthalpies can be set to zero at 0 K for the solid form of the main chemically inactive components of the atmosphere (solid‐αoxygen and nitrogen, hexagonal ice). The moist thermal enthalpy is compared to already existing formulations of moist static energy (MSE). It is shown that the differences between thermal enthalpy and the thermal part of MSE may be quite large. This prevents the use of MSE for evaluating accurately the enthalpy budget of a moist atmosphere, a situation that is particularly true when dry air and cloud parcels mix because of entrainment/detrainment processes along the edges of cloud. Other differences are observed when MSE or moist‐air thermal enthalpy is plotted on a psychrometric diagram or when vertical profiles of surface deficit are plotted.
Eddy kinetic energy redistribution within idealized extratropical cyclones using a two‐layer quasi‐geostrophic model
Authors: Rivière G. , Arbogast P. , Joly A.
Published: February 2014

Eddy kinetic energy (EKE) redistribution within midlatitude cyclones is investigated using a two‐layer quasi‐geostrophic model. The flow is composed of synoptic localized cyclones in both layers interacting with a baroclinic zonal basic flow. The effects of the planetary vorticity gradient β and the relative vorticity gradient of the westerly basic flow are to reduce the upstream ageostrophic geopotential fluxes in the lower layer and to intensify the downstream fluxes in the upper layer. Furthermore, they act to reduce the downward ageostrophic geopotential fluxes and to intensify the upward ageostrophic fluxes. When cyclones are embedded in a cyclonic shear, EKE rapidly accumulates on the southwestern flank of the lower‐layer cyclone before being cyclonically redistributed by the rearward cyclonically oriented ageostrophic fluxes and nonlinear advection. In contrast, when cyclones are embedded in an anticyclonic shear, the lower‐layer ageostrophic fluxes are mainly westward‐oriented and the pressure work combines perfectly with nonlinear advection to maintain the EKE increase at the same place upstream or downstream of the lower‐layer cyclone, depending on the value of β. Finally, a simulation showing the crossing of a westerly jet by cyclones condenses all the above effects. At the early stages, when cyclones lie on the anticyclonic side of the jet, a strong EKE increase occurs downstream of the lower‐layer cyclone. Just after the jet crossing, the EKE is rapidly rearward and cyclonically redistributed by the ageostrophic fluxes and nonlinear advection, leading to the formation of a lower‐layer jet to the south of the cyclone.
Molecular design of organic dyes with diketopyrrolopyrrole for dye‐sensitized solar cell: A theoretical approach
Authors: Wang Cheng‐Long , Wang Jian , Bai Fu‐Quan , Chen Jie , Zhang Hong‐Xing
Published: February 2014

Three designed metal‐free dyes based on 3‐(10‐butyl‐8‐(methylthio)‐10H‐phenothiazin‐3‐yl)‐2‐cyanoacrylic acid (V5) are investigated by density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent DFT to improve the efficiency of V5‐based solar cell devices. We have studied the geometrical structures, excitations, electronic structures, and conduction band shift caused by dye adsorption. The results indicate that the designed dyes have several merits compared with V5 including: (i) smaller energy band gaps and the LUMO closer to conduction band of TiO2; (ii) wider absorption spectra and higher oscillator strength; (iii) larger dipole moment that lead to higher Voc value. Our work suggests that the modification of π‐bridge with diketopyrrolopyrrole unit is very effective for designing novel metal‐free dyes with improved performance for dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). These findings are expected to provide a bright way to design new efficient metal‐free organic DSSCs. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Theoretical investigation of a positron binding to an aspartame molecule using the ab initio multicomponent molecular orbital approach
Authors: Oba Yuki , Tachikawa Masanori
Published: February 2014

The feature of positron binding to aspartame molecule was analyzed using the ab initio multicomponent molecular orbital method. All nine stable conformers for aspartame molecule have positive positron affinity (the binding energy of a positron) values, which means that a positron can be attached to parent aspartame molecule. Analyzing the positronic orbitals of positronic aspartame conformers and the electrostatic potential maps of the corresponding parent molecules, we found that long‐range electrostatic interaction is the most crucial role in positron binding to aspartame molecule. We theoretically confirmed the possibility of positron binding to the conformers of aspartame molecule with strong dipole moment. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
How Bad Is It and Who Is in the Way: Assessing the Threat of Chemical Facilities
Authors: Johnson David E. A. , Brown Trevor M.
Published: February 2014

Two fundamental issues with disaster survival are the degree of preparedness by the public and the location and limitations of people who are at increased risk, whether physical, economic or social. Both of these issues were highlighted by Hurricane Katrina, the earthquake in Haiti and many other incidents. This paper examines a quantitative method of evaluating the threat to a community from facilities that store reportable quantities of hazardous materials. This uses a rating of the chemical but also includes a spatial component using initial isolation distances to estimate area at risk. The methodology is used to gauge the threat of individual facilities or the threat to a section of the community. This information serves several functions; it will provide a basis targeting for disaster mitigation and public education, informs emergency planners on areas that may require additional response assets in the event of an incident and provides an initial set of data to pre/post evaluate training methods, demographic shifts and use Greene County as a proof in concept of the method for application in other areas.
Does Service Beget Service? Examining the Impact of Participation in AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps on Disaster Relief Activity Later in Life
Authors: Ward Kevin D.
Published: February 2014

The recent implementation of the FEMA Corps program, which expands the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps program, will provide disaster relief efforts with rapid access to a cadre of 1,000 trained responders. The program is designed to provide cost‐effective labor to disasters, as well as instill a civic ethic among program participants. This research examines the effect that participation in disaster responses among a sample of AmeriCorps NCCC members has on disaster participation later in life. Respondents were not found to give or volunteer to the Hurricane Katrina and Rita efforts at significantly different rates than other NCCC members. Participation in NCCC does appear to positively predict whether an individual donated time to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort, although it did not predict if an individual gave money. Rather, age and income were better predictors of monetary donations.
Frontiers for the Study of Nonprofit Organizations in Disasters
Authors: Robinson Scott E. , Murphy Haley
Published: February 2014

It is increasingly clear that one cannot understand emergency and disaster management without understanding the various roles nonprofits play in these processes. From traditional actors like the Red Cross to emergent participants at the local level, nonprofit organizations are affecting every phase of disaster management. This introductory article provides a schema for organizing the existing research on nonprofit organizations in disasters separating different levels of analysis (individual, organization, and network levels). The result points to important areas for future investigation and points of connection between various research projects.
Biased games on random boards
Authors: Ferber Asaf , Glebov Roman , Krivelevich Michael , Naor Alon
Published: February 2014

In this paper we analyze biased Maker‐Breaker games and Avoider‐Enforcer games, both played on the edge set of a random board . In Maker‐Breaker games there are two players, denoted by Maker and Breaker. In each round, Maker claims one previously unclaimed edge of G and Breaker responds by claiming b previously unclaimed edges. We consider the Hamiltonicity game, the perfect matching game and the k‐vertex‐connectivity game, where Maker's goal is to build a graph which possesses the relevant property. Avoider‐Enforcer games are the reverse analogue of Maker‐Breaker games with a slight modification, where the two players claim at least 1 and at least b previously unclaimed edges per move, respectively, and Avoider aims to avoid building a graph which possesses the relevant property.

Maker‐Breaker games are known to be “bias‐monotone”, that is, if Maker wins the (1,b) game, he also wins the game. Therefore, it makes sense to define the critical bias of a game, b
*, to be the “breaking point” of the game. That is, Maker wins the (1,b) game whenever and loses otherwise. An analogous definition of the critical bias exists for Avoider‐Enforcer games: here, the critical bias of a game b
* is such that Avoider wins the (1,b) game for every , and loses otherwise.

We prove that, for every is typically such that the critical bias for all the aforementioned Maker‐Breaker games is asymptotically . We also prove that in the case , the critical bias is . These results settle a conjecture of Stojaković and Szabó. For Avoider‐Enforcer games, we prove that for , the critical bias for all the aforementioned games is . © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 46,651–676, 2015
Racing from Finish to Start
Authors: Hölscher Ansgar
Published: February 2014

How DHL uses sport sponsoring to boost its brand equity.
Connecting Companies with Sports
Authors: Heeg Robert
Published: February 2014

Simon Wardle of Octagon on the role of corporate consulting and research in marketing.
Sponsormap
Authors: Cameron Nicholas
Published: February 2014

New challenges for research.
The Demand for Accountability
Authors: Mareck Manfred
Published: February 2014

Measuring sponsorship and media impact.
Measuring Across Media Platforms
Authors: Joe Kathy
Published: February 2014

Antonio Wanderley of IBOPE Media Latin America on media measurement during the World Cup in Brazil.
Fit, Focus and Fame
Authors: Hollis Nigel
Published: February 2014

The top three factors in considering the ROI of sports sponsorship.
Hot Issues for Researchers
Authors: Smouter Kim
Published: February 2014

We talk to David Stark, vice president integrity, compliance and privacy officer Americas at GfK and Guy Rolfe, global mobile practice leader, Kantar Mobile and Kantar Operations about the key issues researchers face in 2014.
The effects of corporate reputation perceptions of the general public on shareholder value
Authors: Raithel Sascha , Schwaiger Manfred
Published: February 2014

Superior corporate reputations can have strategic value for firms. Of the “multiple reputations” associated with each firm, we focus on the perceptions of the general public. The public represents the most widely defined stakeholder group but has attracted the least amount of research interest to date. Drawing on data for German firms, this study demonstrates that superior reputation perceptions issued by the general public increase shareholder value, as measured by future stock returns. This study provides a more nuanced understanding for this novel finding. Applying a conceptualization of reputation that balances both its affective and cognitive components, we find that reputation perceptions that are driven by nonfinancial aspects are more value relevant in the future than reputation perceptions that are driven by previous financial performance. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Meso‐Scopic Analysis of Strain Path Change Effect on the Hardening Behavior of Dual‐Phase Steel
Authors: Ha Jinjin , Lee Jinwoo , Kim Ji Hoon , Barlat Frédéric , Lee Myoung‐Gyu
Published: February 2014

To study the anisotropic hardening behaviors of dual‐phase steels under strain path changes, a meso‐scale finite element analysis was considered with the representative volume elements. For the constitutive model, the Homogeneous yield function based on Anisotropic Hardening (HAH model) was used as a phenomenological constitutive equations to describe complex anisotropic material responses in an efficient way. For the martensite inclusions, three different configurations – elongated, large, and small spherical shapes – with two different volume fractions – 10 and 30% – were assumed. In order to represent strain path changes, two loading conditions were considered: tension–compression and tension–orthogonal tension. The simulation results for tension–compression test showed that the Bauschinger ratio increases as the volume fraction of martensite inclusion increases. For the tension–orthogonal tension test, the hard martensite attenuated the transient flow stress characteristics, which were observed in the single ferritic phase. The effect of hard phase inclusion was analytically explained using a simple one‐dimensional analysis based on the elastic‐linear plastic theory.
Online Visualization during Open Die Forging and Optimization of Pass Schedules**
Authors: Rosenstock Dirk , Recker Dominik , Franzke Martin , Hirt Gerhard , Sommler Dieter , Steingießer Klaus‐J. , Tewes Andreas , Rech Ralf , Gehrmann Bodo , Kirchhoff Stefan , Lamm Rolf
Published: February 2014

By using fast calculation models, the equivalent strain, temperature, and average austenitic grain size in the center of an ingot can be determined. When used in an online process monitor by coupling with a measuring system, these models are fast enough to visualize the current state of an ingot during forging. Based on a model forging process, the use of the program is demonstrated. Comparing results from metallography of the forged billet with the calculated grain size, a good agreement could be achieved (deviation of 6–24%). Even before the forging process, the presented automatic pass schedule optimization can be applied. Through this, a process could be optimized concerning a high homogeneous equivalent strain and a low number of strokes. As result of the optimization, an increasing grain size and temperature could be observed. Thus it could be useful to change other process parameters, like lowering the furnace temperature.
When are first‒order asymptotics adequate? A diagnostic
Authors: Anaya‒Izquierdo Karim , Critchley Frank , Marriott Paul
Published: February 2014

This paper looks at boundary effects on inference in an important class of models including, notably, logistic regression. Asymptotic results are not uniform across such models. Accordingly, whatever their order, methods asymptotic in sample size will ultimately “break down” as the boundary is approached, in the sense that effects such as infinite skewness, discreteness and collinearity will dominate. In this paper, a highly interpretable diagnostic tool is proposed, allowing the analyst to check if the boundary is going to have an appreciable effect on standard inferential techniques. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Hazardous effects of sanguinarine on maturation of mouse oocytes, fertilization, and fetal development through apoptotic processes
Authors: Chan Wen‐Hsiung
Published: February 2014

Previously, we reported that sanguinarine, a phytoalexin with antimicrobial, anti‐oxidant, anti‐inflammatory and pro‐apoptotic effects, is a risk factor for normal embryonic development that triggers apoptotic processes in the inner cell mass of mouse blastocysts, causing decreased embryonic development and cell viability. In the current study, we investigated the deleterious effects of sanguinarine on mouse oocyte maturation, in vitro fertilization (IVF), and subsequent pre‐ and postimplantation development both in vitro and in vivo. Notably, sanguinarine significantly impaired mouse oocyte maturation, decreased IVF rates, and inhibited subsequent embryonic development in vitro. Preincubation of oocytes with sanguinarine during in vitro maturation induced an increase in postimplantation embryo resorption and a decrease in mouse fetal weight. In an in vivo animal model, 1 to 5 μM sanguinarine, provided in drinking water, caused a decrease in oocyte maturation and IVF, and led to deleterious effects on early embryonic development. Importantly, preincubation of oocytes with a caspase‐3‐specific inhibitor effectively blocked sanguinarine‐triggered deleterious effects, clearly implying that embryonic injury induced by sanguinarine is mediated by a caspase‐dependent apoptotic mechanism. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 946–955, 2015.
First‐trimester maternal ophthalmic artery Doppler analysis for prediction of pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Gurgel Alves J. A. , Praciano de Sousa P. C. , Bezerra Maia e Holanda Moura S. , Kane S. C. , da Silva Costa F.
Published: February 2014

Objective

To determine the performance of a multiparametric test comprising maternal risk factors, uterine artery Doppler and ophthalmic artery Doppler in the first trimester of pregnancy for the prediction of pre‐eclampsia (PE).

Methods

This prospective observational cohort study recruited patients in the first trimester of pregnancy. Maternal uterine artery and ophthalmic artery Doppler assessments were performed in 440 singleton pregnancies at 11–14 weeks of gestation. Additional history was obtained through participant questionnaires, and follow‐up occurred to discharge postdelivery. The normotensive and pre‐eclamptic groups were compared using parametric (Student's t‐test) and non‐parametric (Mann–Whitney U‐test) tests. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine which biophysical factors, and which of the factors among the maternal characteristics and medical and obstetric history, had a significant contribution to the prediction of PE in a multiparametric model.

Results

Thirty‐one (7%) patients developed PE, including nine (2%) who required delivery before 34 weeks (early PE) and 22 (5%) with late PE. There were statistically significant differences in uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA‐PI) and ophthalmic artery first diastolic peak (PD1) mean values between the PE and control groups. In a multiparametric model, both UtA‐PI and PD1 achieved a 67% detection rate for early PE, although when combined, the detection rate only increased to 68%.

Conclusions

The efficiency of ophthalmic artery PD1 in the first trimester as a predictive marker for the later development of PE was approximately equal to that described for uterine artery Doppler. Although these findings do not support the replacement of uterine artery Doppler analysis in multiparametric predictive models for PE, they do provide novel insights into first‐trimester maternal systemic vascular changes that precede the clinical development of this condition. Copyright © 2014 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Uterine artery Doppler evaluation in twin pregnancies at 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks of gestation
Authors: Rizzo G. , Pietrolucci M. E. , Aiello E. , Capponi A. , Arduini D.
Published: February 2014

Objectives

To compare uterine artery pulsatility index (PI) obtained at 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks of gestation in singleton and twin pregnancies and to evaluate changes in PI values of twin pregnancies developing pre‐eclampsia (PE) or small‐for‐gestational age (SGA) of either one or both fetuses.

Methods

Uterine artery PI was measured in 421 twin pregnancies (384 dichorionic and 37 monochorionic) and in 500 singleton pregnancies. The measured mean and lowest uterine artery PI values were converted to multiples of the expected normal median (MoM) after correction for maternal body mass index, ethnicity and gestational age. The median PI‐MoM values of twins were compared with those of singleton pregnancies. In twin pregnancies, PI‐MoM values were analyzed according to chorionicity, development of early‐onset (< 34 weeks) or late‐onset (≥ 34 weeks) PE and SGA of one or both twins.

Results

Uterine artery PI‐MoM was significantly lower in twin compared with singleton pregnancies (mean K = 174.31, P < 0.0001, lowest K = 139.27, P < 0.0001). However, there were no significant differences in the uterine artery PI‐MoM values between monochorionic and dichorionic twins. The uterine artery PI in twin pregnancies that developed early‐onset PE (P < 0.001) and SGA of both twins (P < 0.05) was higher than the uterine artery PI in uncomplicated twin pregnancies, whereas no differences were found for late PE or SGA of one twin.

Conclusions

First‐trimester placental impedance to flow, as assessed by uterine artery Doppler examination, is reduced in twin pregnancies, with no differences related to chorionicity. The relative increase of uterine artery PI found in twin pregnancies that developed early PE and SGA of both twins suggests that first‐trimester uterine artery assessment may be useful in identifying such complications. Copyright © 2014 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Doppler echocardiographic isovolumetric time intervals in diagnosis of fetal blocked atrial bigeminy and 2:1 atrioventricular block
Authors: Sonesson S.‐E. , Eliasson H. , Conner P. , Wahren‐Herlenius M.
Published: February 2014

Objective

To distinguish between blocked atrial bigeminy (BB) and incomplete atrioventricular block with 2:1 conduction (2:1 AVB) can be very difficult, especially in the mid‐term fetus. Making a correct diagnosis has important clinical implications, as their prognosis and management differ markedly. Our objective was to investigate whether analysis of isovolumetric time intervals could improve Doppler echocardiography in differentiating these conditions.

Methods

Sixteen fetuses with sustained BB or isolated 2:1 AVB, diagnosed at our tertiary center from 2002 to 2012, were reviewed retrospectively. Doppler recordings of left ventricular in‐ and outflow, including mitral and aortic valve movements, were used to measure isovolumetric contraction (ICT) and relaxation (IRT) time intervals. ICT reference values obtained from 104 normal pregnancies were used for comparison.

Results

Ten fetuses had BB and six 2:1 AVB. Five of the AVB cases were anti‐Ro antibody positive and one had long QT syndrome (LQTS). ICT was systematically shorter in BB than in antibody‐mediated 2:1 AVB. Nine of 10 cases with BB had an ICT below −2 SD and the five with antibody‐mediated 2:1 AVB had values at or above +2 SD. All 15 fetuses with either BB or antibody‐mediated AVB had an IRT of < 70 ms, as opposed to a markedly prolonged IRT (105 ms) in the LQTS case.

Conclusion

Measurement of ICT can improve the differential diagnosis between BB and antibody‐mediated 2:1 AVB. Fetuses with BB or antibody‐mediated AVB are unlikely to have IRT measurements exceeding 70 ms and, when this is observed, LQTS should be considered a more likely diagnosis. Copyright © 2014 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
The potential of large woody debris to alter biogeochemical processes and ecosystem services in lowland rivers
Authors: Krause S. , Klaar M. J. , Hannah D. M. , Mant J. , Bridgeman J. , Trimmer M. , Manning‐Jones S.
Published: February 2014

River restoration and management practice promotes the (re)introduction of large woody debris (LWD) to support ecosystem services in lowland streams, such as the buffering of thermal extremes or enhanced nutrient attenuation. However, influences ofLWDon spatial patterns and temporal dynamics of groundwater–surface water exchange fluxes, sediment transport and deposition, biogeochemical cycling, thermal patterns, and ecohydrological process dynamics are not yet fully understood.

This study reviews research on the implications of interacting hydrodynamic and hydrostatic forcings on different types ofLWDstructures and their consequences for streambed residence time distributions, thermal conditions, and biogeochemical cycling. It analyzes the implications ofLWDon structural heterogeneity in physical and chemical properties of lowland river streambed and provides an outlook of how enhanced nutrient loading of agricultural lowland rivers can be ameliorated byLWD‐induced increase of biogeochemical turnover. Based on the analysis of the potential implications of differentLWDstructures, this study highlights how imminent research gaps can be overcome by integrating novel experimental and modeling technologies across traditional subject boundaries in order to provide robust scientific evidence of the efficiency ofLWDin river restoration and management.

This article is categorized under:

Science of Water > Water and Environmental Change
The changing nature of river restoration
Authors: Smith Benjamin , Clifford Nicholas J. , Mant Jenny
Published: February 2014

River restoration is a rapidly maturing focus of scientific and practitioner activity, which draws on a long history of intervention in watercourses for varied economic and social reasons, and which reflects a changing dynamic in the wider relationship between nature and society. This review provides a brief analysis of international literature to assess changes in the drivers of river restoration and the effect of legislative drivers on the nature of river restoration projects. In the UK and Europe, the period after the implementation of the Water Framework Directive is marked by a clear shift to a more ecological framing of river restoration. The increasing ecological focus of stated goals for restoration, and its use as a tool to fulfill legislative requirements, places a greater emphasis on the need for appropriate restoration design, monitoring, and appraisal to clearly demonstrate the ecological benefits of restoration projects. The role of restoration as a community‐based activity is increasingly important, and citizen science monitoring frameworks, together with reanalysis of existing datasets provide an opportunity to increase the knowledge‐base supporting river restoration, and to integrate restoration motives and drivers with project design and evaluation. Blended participatory approaches and an ecosystem goods and services approach encourage this kind of integration, but will be effective only if conflicts between stakeholders with differing worldviews and objectives can be identified and managed.

This article is categorized under:

Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and Awareness
Psychology of knowledge representation
Authors: Grimm Lisa R.
Published: February 2014

Every cognitive enterprise involves some form of knowledge representation. Humans represent information about the external world and internal mental states, like beliefs and desires, and use this information to meet goals (e.g., classification or problem solving). Unfortunately, researchers do not have direct access to mental representations. Instead, cognitive scientists design experiments and implement computational models to develop theories about the mental representations present during task performance. There are several main types of mental representation and corresponding processes that have been posited: spatial, feature, network, and structured. Each type has a particular structure and a set of processes that are capable of accessing and manipulating information within the representation. The structure and processes determine what information can be used during task performance and what information has not been represented at all. As such, the different types of representation are likely used to solve different kinds of tasks. For example, structured representations are more complex and computationally demanding, but are good at representing relational information. Researchers interested in human psychology would benefit from considering how knowledge is represented in their domain of inquiry.

This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Memory
Wind turbine boundary layer arrays for Cartesian and staggered configurations: Part II, low‐dimensional representations via the proper orthogonal decomposition
Authors: Hamilton Nicholas , Tutkun Murat , Cal Raúl Bayoán
Published: February 2014

Cartesian and row‐offset wind turbine array configurations were tested investigating the wake interaction and recovery dynamics. The snapshot proper orthogonal decomposition is applied to velocity measurements. Resulting modes are used in constructing low‐dimensional descriptions of turbulence statistics including the turbulence kinetic energy production and the flux of turbulence kinetic energy. Descriptions of the turbulent behavior are made on the basis of the span of the streamwise average profile of the Reynolds shear stress, , with the addition of orthogonal modes. The Reynolds stress criterion was selected for the convergence of the model as it is a good representation of the range of turbulent dynamics in the wake of a wind turbine. The description demonstrates that the turbulence kinetic energy production and the flux of turbulence kinetic energy are accurately rebuilt with approximately 1% of the total resultant orthogonal modes. Structures associated with the top‐tip of the rotor blade reconstruct with fewer modes than those associated with the bottom‐tip of the rotor or the nacelle. This confirms that the greatest part of the turbulence kinetic energy is located high in the turbine canopy as described by the turbulent stresses. Overall, behavior of individual turbines in recovered positions within the arrays requires fewer modes to converge than those in locations with less recovered inflows. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Linear individual pitch control design for two‐bladed wind turbines
Authors: van Solingen E. , van Wingerden J.W.
Published: February 2014

In this article, the conventional individual pitch control (IPC) strategy for wind turbines is reviewed, and a linear IPC strategy for two‐bladed wind turbines is proposed. The typical approach of IPC for three‐bladed rotors involves a multi‐blade coordinate (MBC) transformation, which transforms measured blade load signals, i.e., signals measured in a rotating frame of reference, to signals in a fixed non‐rotating frame of reference. The fixed non‐rotating signals, in the so‐called yaw and tilt direction, are decoupled by the MBC transformation, such that single‐input single‐output (SISO) control design is possible. Then, SISO controllers designed for the yaw and tilt directions provide pitch signals in the non‐rotating frame of reference, which are then reverse transformed to the rotating frame of reference so as to obtain the desired pitch actuator signals. For three‐bladed rotors, the aforementioned method is a proven strategy to significantly reduce fatigue loadings on pitch controlled wind turbines. The same MBC transformation and approach can be applied to two‐bladed rotors, which also results in significant load reductions. However, for two‐bladed rotors, this MBC transformation is singular and therefore, not uniquely defined. For that reason, a linear non‐singular coordinate transformation is proposed for IPC of two‐bladed wind turbines. This transformation only requires a single control loop to reduce the once‐per‐revolution rotating blade loads (‘1P’ loads). Moreover, all harmonics (2P, 3P, etc.) in the rotating blade loads can be accounted for with only two control loops. As in the case of the MBC transformation, also the linear coordinate transformation decouples the control loops to allow for SISO control design. High fidelity simulation studies on a two‐bladed wind turbine without a teetering hub prove the effectiveness of the concept. The simulation study indicates that IPC based on the linear coordinate transformation provides similar load reductions and requires similar pitch actuation compared with the conventional IPC approach. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of techniques to reduce deer and Elk damage to agricultural crops
Authors: Johnson Heather E. , Fischer Justin W. , Hammond Matthew , Dorsey Patricia D. , Walter W. David , Anderson Charles , VERcauteren Kurt C.
Published: February 2014

Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) provide important recreational, ecological, and economic benefits, but can also cause substantial damage to agricultural crops. Cervid damage to agriculture creates challenges for wildlife agencies responsible for minimizing crop depredation while maintaining healthy deer and elk populations. Sunflower producers in southwestern Colorado, USA, have experienced high deer and elk damage and were interested in temporary methods to reduce damage that were cost‐effective for rotational crops. To address this challenge, we investigated 3 temporary, non‐lethal exclusion and repellent techniques for reducing deer and elk damage to sunflowers: 1) a polyrope electric fence, 2) the chemical repellent Plantskydd™, and 3) a winged fence. During July through October 2011 and 2012, we used a randomized block design to test the efficacy of these techniques by quantifying cervid damage to sunflowers and the number of deer and elk tracks traversing treatment and control plot boundaries. Using generalized linear mixed models we found that polyrope electric fences reduced deer and elk damage and presence within plots, while the repellent and winged fences did not reduce ungulate activity. Polyrope electric fences may be a suitable tool in areas where wildlife management agencies want to maintain deer and elk populations but reduce seasonal damage by cervids to high‐value crops. In Colorado, use of an effective exclusion technique such as polyrope electric fence could also decrease the need for lethal depredation permits and damage compensation payments, and increase satisfaction among producers and the public. Published 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Aerial vertical‐looking infrared imagery to evaluate bias of distance sampling techniques for white‐tailed deer
Authors: Beaver Jared T. , Harper Craig A. , Kissell Robert E. , Muller Lisa I. , Basinger Peyton S. , Goode Matthew J. , Van Manen Frank T. , Winton Wes , Kennedy Michael L.
Published: February 2014

Population monitoring requires techniques that produce estimates with low bias and adequate precision. Distance sampling using ground‐based thermal infrared imaging (ground imaging) and spotlight surveys is commonly used to estimate population densities of white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). These surveys are often conducted along roads, which may violate assumptions of distance sampling and result in density estimates that are biased high. Aerial vertical‐looking infrared imaging (aerial imaging) is not restricted to roads and therefore enables random sampling and detection. We compared estimates of population density and precision, and evaluated potential sources of bias for these 3 techniques for deer on Arnold Air Force Base in Tennessee, USA, during January–February 2010. Using data from aerial imaging conducted along systematic strip transects, we found that deer were distributed close to roads and deer responded to the landscape along the road edge or to observers driving along roads. As a result of these distributional patterns, estimated deer density based on ground imaging and spotlighting from road‐based surveys was 3.0–7.6 times greater than density estimated from strip transects using aerial imaging. Ground imaging did not produce better estimates than spotlighting. Observers on the ground counting all deer seen at test plots with hand‐held thermal imagers saw fewer deer than were seen on aerial images, suggesting high detection of deer by aerial imaging. Despite its higher cost (US$10,000) over spotlight surveys, we recommend aerial imaging instead of road‐based ground surveys for monitoring populations of deer and discourage the continued use of non‐random road‐based surveys as a method for estimating white‐tailed deer populations. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.
Antioxidant Activity of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Cake Extract for the Stabilization of Olein Based Butter
Authors: Nadeem Muhammad , Situ Chen , Mahmud Athar , Khalique Anjum , Imran Muhammad , Rahman Fazal , Khan Sabir
Published: February 2014

This study investigated the effect of ethanolic sesame cake extract on oxidative stabilization of olein based butter. Fractionation of cream was performed by the dry fractionation technique at 10 °C, ethanolic sesame cake extract (SCE) was incorporated into olein butter at three different concentrations; 50, 100, 150 ppm (T1, T2, T3) and compared with a control. The total phenolic content of SCE was 1.72 (mg gallic acid equivalent g−1 dry weight). The HPLC characterization of ethanolic sesame cake revealed the presence of antioxidant substances viz. sesamol, sesamin and sesamolin in higher extents. The DPPH free radical scavenging activity of SCE was 83 % as compared to 64 and 75 % in BHA and BHT. Fractionation of milk fat at 10 °C significantly (p < 0.05) influenced the fatty acid profile of olein and stearin fractions from the parent milk fat. Concentration of oleic acid and linoleic acid in olein fraction was 29.62 and 33.46 % greater than the parent milk fat. The loss of C18:1 in 90 days stored control and T3 was 24.37 and 3.58 %, respectively, 58 % C18:2 was broken down into oxidation products over 8.55 % loss in T3. The peroxide value of control, T1, T2, BHT and T3 in the Schaal oven test was 8.59, 8.12, 5.34, 4.52 and 2.49 (mequiv O2/kg). The peroxide value and anisidine value of 3 months stored control and T3 were 1.21, 0.42 (mequiv O2/kg) and 27.25, 13.25, respectively. The concentration of conjugated dienes in T3 was substantially less than the control. The induction period of T3 was considerably higher than BHT with no difference in sensory characteristics (p > 0.05). Ethanolic SCE can be used for the long‐term preservation of olein butter, with acceptable sensory characteristics.
Palaeomagnetism of Metadolerite Dykes and Sills from Proterozoic Shillong Basin, NE India: Implications Related to the Age and Magmatism
Authors: Sarma K. P. , Venkateshwarlu M. , Patil S. K. , Laskar J.J. , Devi Niva Rani , Rao J. Mallikharjuna
Published: February 2014

The basement gneiss of the Shillong plateau and the overlying rocks of the Shillong basin have been dissected by a number of mafic dyke swarms represented by older Proterozoic dolerite dykes and sills named as Khasi greenstone and the younger set of Cretaceous dykes. The older dolerites dykes of Shillong basin are partly metamorphosed and have undergone low-grade metamorphism compared to the fresh unmetamorphosed Cretaceous dykes dominantly exposed in the BGC of West Garo hills region. The Khasi greenstones are tholeiitic in composition and range from basalt to basaltic andesite. Most of the metamorphosed mafic dykes indicate continental nature with some amount of overlapping oceanic tectonic setting. Palaeomagnetic study of the metadolerite dykes show a direction of magnetization of Dm=29, Im=38 (α95 = 28.84; k = 48.33; N = 2) with a palaeolatitude of 21.3° N to the Indian sub-continent that clearly support the Proterozoic dyke/dyke swarm emplacement in the region. The magnetic carrier as inferred from IRM studies is magnetite in the range of psuedosingle to multi domain (MD) states with minor contribution from hematite.
Neogene-Quaternary Calcareous Algae from Saurashtra Basin, Western India: Implications on Paleoenvironments and Hydrocarbon Exploration
Authors: Kundal P. , Kundal Milind P. , Mude S. N.
Published: February 2014

The Cenozoic and Quaternary sediments of Saurashtra basin encompass signatures of sea level fluctuations, environments of deposition and presence of hydrocarbons. These sediments are divided into seven formations that in order of superposition are: Deccan Trap (late Cretaceous to Eocene), Gaj (early Miocene), Dwarka (middle Miocene to early Pliocene), Miliolite (middle Pleistocene), Chaya (late Pleistocene to late Holocene), Katpur (middle Holocene) and Mahuva Formation (late Holocene). The fossil calcareous algae are significant constituents of these sediments and in all 88 species so far have been recorded by different workers from three prominent areas: Dwarka-Okha area (38 coralline algal species:28 nongeniculate and 10 geniculate ), Porbandar area (37 coralline algal species:25 nongeniculate and 12 geniculate species) and Diu area (13 calcareous algal species:6 nongeniculate coralline algal species, 5 geniculate coralline algal species; 1 dasycladalean algal species and 1 halimedacean algal species) of the Saurashtra basin. The present paper provides a checklist of these 88 calcareous algal species documented from the different formations of this basin and their implications for paleoenvironments and petroleum exploration.