bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bilateral temporal lobe agenesis with bilateral arachnoid cysts – a rare congenital anomaly
Authors: Ghay Richa , Thaman Dushyant , Kahlon Nikita 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background: Bilateral temporal lobe agenesis/hypogenesis along with middle cranial fossa arachnoid cysts (ACs) is extremely rare, and very few cases have been reported in the literature.

Methods: We present the case of 2-year-old female presenting with chief complaints of headache, vomiting, and fever. There was a history of premature delivery in the seventh month and up-rolling of eyes since birth.

Results: Magnetic resonance imaging findings revealed bilateral temporal lobe agenesis with bilateral ACs, along with encephalomalacia in both parietal lobes. Ultrasound abdomen findings and biochemical tests revealed renal parenchymal disease. The lipid profile analysis revealed highly elevated triglyceride levels to 457.4 mg% and also enhanced very-low-density lipoprotein levels to 91.5 mg%. Presently, the patient is being treated on conservative lines.

Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first report of an unusual association between bilateral temporal lobe agenesis associated with renal parenchymal disease and dyslipidaemia.
The Product Liability Directive: Time to get Soft?
Authors: Fairgrieve Duncan , Howells Geraint , Pilgerstorfer Marcus 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe Product Liability Directive was adopted in 1985. Despite ample evidence of uncertainty as to the meaning of some key provisions, there is no sign that the Commission is keen to engage in a revision of the Directive. Our intention in this article is not to prescribe substantive solutions but to consider how, methodologically, reform might be achieved. Whilst some potential reforms, such as the removal of the ten year long-stop, may require legislative intervention we consider if there is any scope for making the law more certain with developments based on alternative ‘soft law’ techniques for promoting greater certainty. We conclude that Guidance may be helpful, but should be founded on a minor amendment to the Directive authorising such Guidance to be developed.
On the Judicial Interest Rate: Towards a Law and Economic Theory
Authors: A Acciarri Hugo , Garoupa Nuno 
Published: April 2013

AbstractWhile all legal systems implement a form of pre-judgment or post-judgment interest, there is a dearth of literature on substantive law and economics analysing the impact, functioning, and assessment of the judicial interest rate. Current legal scholarship typically views the interest rate as having a neutral effect on private and social costs. This paper demonstrates that the issue is theoretically far more complex and largely influential in legal policy. Due to the asymmetric opportunity costs for each party in a case, judicial interest rates may lead to improper delay of proceedings or the decoupling of damages from recovery. These potential results influence the number of settlements and suits. On this ground, we compare different institutional settings from an economic perspective and conclude that the appropriate mechanism depends on the alternative policy instruments available, namely, the rules of procedure, court fees, or mechanisms for appropriately setting damages. Further, we argue that abolishing the statute which sets pre-judgment interest may be a proposal worth considering.
A source identification problem in linear parabolic problems: A semigroup approach
Authors: Slodička Marián 
Published: April 2013

Abstract.
This paper presents a semigroup approach for an inverse source problem for the abstract heat equation with the unknown function h. This can be recovered from the time measurements at a single interior
point y. The existence of a solution is shown in appropriate function spaces. An approximation method based on time discretization (Rothe's method) is designed and the error estimates (depending on the regularity of data) are derived.
Fetal magnetic resonance imaging of lymphangiomas
Authors: Koelblinger Claus , Herold Christian , Nemec Stefan , Berger-Kulemann Vanessa , Brugger Peter C. , Koller Anke , Tonnhofer Ursula , Bettelheim Dieter , Prayer Daniela 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the fetal magnetic resonance imaging findings of lymphangiomas.

Methods: The magnetic resonance scans of eight fetuses with lymphangiomas were evaluated. Magnetic resonance evaluation included: number; size; signal intensities of the lesions; thickness of the septae; configuration of the margins; presence of blood breakdown products; change in size or signal intensity (in four patients with multiple examinations); exact expansion of the lesions to the adjacent anatomical structures; and concomitant pathological findings. Results were compared with postpartum clinical assessment and imaging in seven patients and with autopsy in one patient.

Results: Two retroperitoneal, three thoracic, and three cervical lymphangiomas (diameters between 3.3 and 15.6 cm) were included. All lesions consisted of macrocysts, and additional microcystic parts were found in three lymphangiomas. Blood breakdown products were found in one lesion. Agreement with postpartum imaging was excellent. One patient received intrauterine drainage for chylothorax, and one pregnancy was terminated.

Conclusions: Fetal lymphangiomas display the same magnetic resonance imaging features as postnatal lymphangiomas. Intrauterine magnetic resonance characterization of lymphangiomas provides the exact delineation, detection of associated and/or concomitant pathologies, and differential diagnosis among other cystic pathologies. Patient management may be altered with respect to the type and/or time of treatment, and with regard to the continuation or termination of pregnancy.
The course of angiogenic factors in early- vs. late-onset preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome
Authors: Schaarschmidt Wiebke , Rana Sarosh , Stepan Holger 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Aims: Preeclampsia (PE) is considered a uniformly progressive disease, however, it shows a different pattern of clinical progression in patients with early (<34 weeks) or late (≥34 weeks) onset of the disease. Angiogenic factors such as soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) and placental growth factor (PlGF) are closely related to the clinical course of PE. We evaluated sFlt-1 and PlGF levels in the clinical course of PE in women admitted with a diagnosis of PE at different gestational ages.

Methods: This retrospective study included 34 patients with PE, of which 11 patients had HELLP syndrome (over a period of 3 years). Serial measurements of sFlt-1 and PlGF were completed from admission until delivery. Values are presented as mean±standard deviation.

Results: Mean gestational age of admission among women with early onset PE was significantly lower, at 29±3 weeks compared to 37±1 weeks among patients with late onset disease. Mean prolongation of pregnancy was 6 days, which was similar within the two groups. Compared to women with late onset PE, women with early-onset PE had a greater increase in sFlt-1 (11% vs. 3% per day, P<0.05), greater decrease in PlGF levels (21% vs. 10% per day, P=0.30), resulting in a much higher increase in sFlt-1/PlGF ratio (23% vs. 8% per day, P<0.05). Patients with HELLP syndrome showed comparable progression patterns.

Conclusion: In a similar way to the progressively worsening clinical course observed in women with early onset PE, there were changes in the angiogenic profile that leads to a more anti-angiogenic state in these women with each passing day. These findings may have implications in identification of the women for appropriate patient management and possible future therapies based on the reduction of sFlt-1 levels.
Is high-altitude mountaineering Russian roulette?
Authors: Cheng Edward K. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractWhether the nature of the risks associated with climbing high-altitude (8000 m) peaks is in some sense “controllable” is a longstanding debate in the mountaineering community. Well-known mountaineers David Roberts and Ed Viesturs explore this issue in their recent memoirs. Roberts views the primary risks as “objective” or uncontrollable, whereas Viesturs maintains that experience and attention to safety can make a significant difference. This study sheds light on the Roberts-Viesturs debate using a comprehensive dataset of climbing on Nepalese Himalayan peaks. To test whether the data is consistent with a constant failure rate model (Roberts) or a decreasing failure rate model (Viesturs), it draws on Total Time on Test (TTT) plots from the reliability engineering literature and applies graphical inference techniques to them.
Geographic range, morphometric variation and niche differentiation in greater Egyptian jerboa, Jaculus orientalis
1)
Authors: Shenbrot Georgy 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Geographic range, morphometric skull variation and niche differentiation were analyzed in the greater Egyptian jerboa, Jaculus orientalis, and compared with published data on the species’ phylogeographic structure. The species occurs in 15 separate areas, which are grouped into two main blocks and divided by a wide gap. The first block goes from Morocco to western Libya and the second from eastern Libya to Israel; the second block is subdivided into two sub-blocks, eastern Libya and Egypt and Israel and Sinai. Analysis of niche similarity indicated niche convergence within the eastern and western parts of the species’ geographic range and niche divergence between these two major parts of the geographic range. There was a strong congruence among distributional, genetic and ecological patterns. Morphological variation in J. orientalis did not completely coincide with the distribution, genetic and ecological patterns. Three morphologically well-differentiated population groups were found within the geographic range of the species. The same level of morphological differentiation was demonstrated between highly isolated geographically and deeply diverged genetically and ecologically western and eastern groups of populations and between the weakly geographically isolated and ecologically similar populations of Egypt/Libya and Israel/Sinai. A taxonomic revision of the sub-specific division of J. orientalis is proposed.
Synthesis and characterization of elemental iron and iron oxide nano/microcomposite particles by thermal decomposition of ferrocene
Authors: Amara Daniel , Margel Shlomo 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe unique chemical and physical properties of the nano and microscale materials have led to important roles in the several scientific and technological fields. The magnetic nano/microparticles are of great interest because of its potential applications in, e.g., hyperthermia, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), catalytic applications, etc. The decomposition of iron pentacarbonyl is one of the most common methods for the preparation of magnetic iron oxide and iron nanoparticles. However, Fe(CO)5 is severely toxic and alternative precursors should be used. Here, we describe the recent advances in the synthesis and characterization of the elemental iron and iron oxide nano/microcomposite particles by the thermal decomposition of ferrocene. The described synthesis process is based on simple nontoxic approaches including, for example, a solventless process. The particle size and size distribution as well as their composition, crystallinity, shape, and magnetic properties can be controlled via the synthesis conditions.
Preparation of tailor-made supported catalysts using asymmetric flow field flow fractionation and their application in hydrogenation
Authors: Baumgard Jens , Pohl Marga-Martina , Kragl Udo , Steinfeldt Norbert 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe optical, chemical, and catalytic properties of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) depend strongly on their particle size and shape. Therefore, the preparation of monodisperse metallic NPs is very important for fundamental studies and practical applications. However, the isolation of the different structures by separation from a polydisperse sample, especially in the size range below 10 nm, is not well applied so far. Here, the asymmetric flow field flow fractionation (AF4) is adapted for the preparative separation of the Pd NPs regarding their size and shape in the sub-10-nm size range. To prove the efficiency of the applied method, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were utilized to determine the particle size distribution at different stages of the separation process. A major benefit of this method compared to most of the other separation techniques, the removal of impurities during the separation process, was proven by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The obtained results demonstrate that the AF4 is well suited for the rapid preparation of the purified uniform precious metal NPs at the applied size range. Single fractions of the different-sized and -shaped Pd NPs were deposited on titania (TiO2) and tested in the catalytic hydrogenation of 2,5 hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in aqueous solution under mild conditions. While the spherical-shaped particles show a high activity, the separated agglomerated particles show a higher selectivity to the desired products.
Preserving Imperfection: Assessing the Incidence of Digital Imaging Error in HathiTrust
Authors: Conway Paul 
Published: April 2013

AbstractLarge-scale digitization efforts by third-party firms are the subject of no small amount of controversy and criticism, as is especially the case with Google Books. This article reports some of the findings and important implications of a rigorous multi-year quantitative and qualitative assessment of the images representing a sizable proportion of the digital surrogates created by Google and deposited in the HathiTrust, which is one of the most important large-scale preservation initiatives to emerge in higher education in the past fifty years. The population of study described here consists of Englishlanguage books and serials published before 1923 that were scanned and processed by Google between 2004 and 2010. At the time the data for the study were gathered (2011), this population consisted of approximately 1.25 million volumes or roughly 12 percent of the HathiTrust corpus. The findings suggest that the imperfection of digital surrogates is an obvious and nearly ubiquitous feature of Google Books and that such imperfection has become and will remain firmly ensconced in collaborative preservation repositories.
Study of laser-induced autofluorescence emission spectra from normal and malignant bronchial epithelium/Untersuchung der laser-induzierten Autofluoreszenz-Emissionsspektren von normalem und malignem Bronchialepithel
Authors: Bulgakova Natalia , Sokolov Victor , Telegina Larisa , Vereshchagin Konstantin , Frank Georgy , Chissov Valery 
Published: April 2013

AbstractAutofluorescence bronchoscopy (AFB) is currently considered the most promising diagnosis modality for the detection of early stage lung cancer with a sensitivity which normally exceeds 90%, although its specificity is rather low. The number of false positive results can be reduced by the combination of autofluorescence (AF) imaging with quantitative spectroscopy. The aim of this study was to reveal additional spectral characteristics of AF emission which may have the potential to maximize the endogenous contrast between normal mucosa and bronchial malignancyAF emission spectra were recorded at 532 nm laser excitation in the course of AFB of totally 20 patients with central-type X-ray negative lung cancer. According to the results of histopathological analysis, two sets were made up of the spectral data corresponding to normal bronchial epithelium and malignant lesions.Comparative studies of nine basic spectral characteristics ofReal time measurements and estimation of all important spectral information on the basis of the probabilistic approach is assumed to be useful for real time recommendations for biopsies and for minimizing the number of false positive results during the course of AFB. For the realization of this approach, further trials are necessary to collect a large number of AF spectra samples, corresponding to different tissue pathologies such as inflammation, metaplasia, and dysplasia.
Spectroscopic research of upconversion nanomaterials based on complex oxide compounds doped with rare-earth ion pairs: Benefit for cancer diagnostics by upconversion fluorescence and radio sensitive methods/Spektroskopische Untersuchung von mit Ionenpaaren Seltener Erden dotierten Upconversion-Nanokompositen: Nutzen für die Krebsdiagnostik durch Upconversion-Fluoreszenz und strahlungssensitive Methoden
Authors: Ryabova Anastasia V. , Pominova Daria V. , Krut’ko Victoria A. , Komova Maria G. , Loschenov Victor B. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractHighly photochemically stable nanoparticles, in which upconversion luminescence can be excited – so-called upconversion nanocrystals (UC-NCs) – exhibit widely separated (up to 500 nm) narrow luminescence bands in the visible (VIS) region located far from the excitation near-infrared (NIR) laser radiation, and thus can be more easily identified compared to organic luminophores and semiconductor nanoparticles. Due to a deep penetration of exciting infrared (IR) radiation, the absence of parasitic fluorescence of biomolecules and the absence of phototoxicity and photobleaching upon near IR excitation, UC-NCs can be efficiently used as fluorescent probes in biological studies and fluorescence diagnostics (FD). The doping of such nanoparticles with GdWe studied the upconversion characteristics of inorganic nanoparticles made of different materials doped with rare-earth ion (REI) pairs YbBased on the results obtained, the matrix LaThe investigated complex polycrystalline oxide compounds are promising as diagnostic agents for biological tissues visualization by fluorescence, light scattering, and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging.
Tailoring the magnetic behavior of polymeric particles for bioapplications
Authors: Yakar Arzu , Tansık Gülistan , Keskin Tuğba , Gündüz Ufuk 
Published: April 2013

AbstractIn this study, magnetic polymeric nanoparticles were prepared use in for targeted drug delivery. First, iron oxide (Fe3O4) magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were synthesized by coprecipitation with ferrous and ferric chloride salts. Then, to render the MNPs hydrophobic, the surfaces were covered with oleic acid. Finally, the hydrophobic MNPs (H-MNPs) were encapsulated with polymer. The emulsion evaporation technique was used for the preparation of polymer-coated H-MNP. Poly(dl-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and chitosan-modified PLGA were used as polymers. The polymeric nanoparticles were characterized and compared. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering, size distribution, ζ potential, magnetic properties, and magnetite entrapment efficiency measurements were performed to investigate the properties of the nanoparticles. The XTT assay was performed to understand the biocompatibility (i.e., toxicity) of MNPs and magnetic polymeric nanoparticles to MCF-7 cells.
Synthesis, characterization and separation properties of novel PU membranes crosslinked by β-cyclodextrin
Authors: Ye Hong , Wang Jing 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Polyurethane (PU) pervaporation (PV) membranes are promising for the recovery of phenol from water. The four kinds of PU membranes, with hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) as a soft segment and diamine or β-cyclodextrin (CD) as a chain extender, were prepared. The structures and properties of these membranes were characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and contact angle. Furthermore, the PV performances were investigated for separating phenol/water mixtures at different temperatures. The results showed that CD increased the permeability and selectivity of PU, at the same time. At 80°C, the total fluxes of pure PU membranes with HTPB (Mn=2500 g/mol) (H2500) and with HTPB (Mn=2000 g/mol) (H2000) were 6.96 kg μm m-2 h-1 and 6.09 kg μm m-2 h-1, respectively, while those of PU membranes containing CD with HTPB (Mn=2500 g/mol) (H2500-CD) and with HTPB (Mn=2000 g/mol) (H2000-CD) were 9.16 kg μm m-2 h-1 (increased by 31%) and 8.23 kg μm m-2 h-1 (increased by 26%), respectively. The separation factors of H2500 and H2000 were 23 and 34, while those of H2500-CD and H2000-CD were 33 (increased by 43%) and 40 (increased by 9%). Additionally, the modification of CD crosslinking was simple and easy with less modifying agent.
A tractable model for indices approximating the growth optimal portfolio
Authors: Baldeaux Jan , Ignatieva Katja , Platen Eckhard 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe growth optimal portfolio (GOP) plays an important role in finance, where it serves as the numéraire portfolio, with respect to which contingent claims can be priced under the real world probability measure. This paper models the GOP using a time dependent constant elasticity of variance (TCEV) model. The TCEV model has high tractability for a range of derivative prices and fits well the dynamics of a global diversified world equity index. This is confirmed when pricing and hedging various derivatives using this index.
Development of a New Correlation of Gas Compressibility Factor (Z-Factor) for High Pressure Gas Reservoir
Authors: Mahmoud M. A. 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Gas compressibility factor or Z-factor for natural gas system can be determined from Standing-Katz charts using the pseudo critical gas pressure and temperatures. These charts give accurate values for Z-factors. Reservoir simulation softwares need accurate correlations to estimate the values of Z-factor, one of the famous correlations is Dranchuk& Abou-Kassem Correlation. This correlation gives large errors at high gas reservoir pressures, this error could be more than 100%. The error in estimating Z-factor will lead to big error in estimating all the other gas properties such as gas formation volume factor, gas compressibility, and gas in place.
In this paper a new accurate Z-factor correlation has been developed using regression for more than 300 data points of measured Z-factor using Mat lap. Old correlations give good estimation of Z-factor at low gas reservoir pressures below 6000 psia, at high pressures the error starts to appear. The developed correlation is function of pseudo reduced pressure and temperature of the gas which makes it simpler than the existing complicated correlations.
The new correlation can be used to determine the gas compressibility factor at any pressure range especially for high pressures the error was less than 3% compared to the measured data. The developed correlation is very simple to be used, it just needs the gas specific gravity that can be used to determine the pseudo critical properties of the gas and at last the Z-factor can be determined. A new formula of reduced gas compressibility was developed based on the developed Z-factor correlation which in turn can be used to determine the gas compressibility.