bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of sparse sampling schemes on image quality in low‐dose CT
Authors: Abbas Sajid , Lee Taewon , Shin Sukyoung , Lee Rena , Cho Seungryong 
Published: October 2013

Purpose:Various scanning methods and image reconstruction algorithms are actively investigated for low‐dose computed tomography (CT) that can potentially reduce a health‐risk related to radiation dose. Particularly, compressive‐sensing (CS) based algorithms have been successfully developed for reconstructing images from sparsely sampled data. Although these algorithms have shown promises in low‐dose CT, it has not been studied how sparse sampling schemes affect image quality in CS‐based image reconstruction. In this work, the authors present several sparse‐sampling schemes for low‐dose CT, quantitatively analyze their data property, and compare effects of the sampling schemes on the image quality.Methods:Data properties of several sampling schemes are analyzed with respect to the CS‐based image reconstruction using two measures: sampling density and data incoherence. The authors present five different sparse sampling schemes, and simulated those schemes to achieve a targeted dose reduction. Dose reduction factors of about 75% and 87.5%, compared to a conventional scan, were tested. A fully sampled circular cone‐beam CT data set was used as a reference, and sparse sampling has been realized numerically based on the CBCT data.Results:It is found that both sampling density and data incoherence affect the image quality in the CS‐based reconstruction. Among the sampling schemes the authors investigated, the sparse‐view, many‐view undersampling (MVUS)‐fine, and MVUS‐moving cases have shown promising results. These sampling schemes produced images with similar image quality compared to the reference image and their structure similarity index values were higher than 0.92 in the mouse head scan with 75% dose reduction.Conclusions:The authors found that in CS‐based image reconstructions both sampling density and data incoherence affect the image quality, and suggest that a sampling scheme should be devised and optimized by use of these indicators. With this strategic approach, one can acquire optimally sampled sparse data so that the CS‐based algorithms can best perform in terms of image quality.
Chapter 14 Stromboli volcano, Aeolian Islands (Italy): present eruptive activity and hazards
Authors: Rosi M. , Pistolesi M. , Bertagnini A. , Landi P. , Pompilio M. , Di Roberto A. 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Stromboli, the northernmost island of the Aeolian archipelago, is known for its persistent volcanic activity over the last several centuries and for its cone which, on clear days, is surmounted by a gas plume rising from its summit. The island hosts two settled areas: the village of Stromboli (
c.
500 inhabitants) to the NE and that of Ginostra (
c.
40 inhabitants) to the SW, both situated along the coast. In summer the number of residents grows considerably, reaching
c.
5000 people. This paper provides a description of the present activity and reassesses volcanic hazards on the basis of data from a new monitoring system and from studies on the 2002–2003 and 2007 crises. The normal activity, that of mild Strombolian explosions, is occasionally interrupted by violent eruptions of variable scale (paroxysmal events) and lava flows. Volcanic hazards directly generated by eruptive activity consist of ballistic and tephra fallout, pyroclastic flows, lava flows, wildfires and minor lahars, presenting serious problems to the settled areas only occasionally. In addition to hazards directly related to eruptive phenomena, the Sciara del Fuoco depression has been the site of landslides at various scales, sometimes accompanied by the formation of tsunamis.
Chapter 15 Compositional variations of magmas in the Aeolian arc: implications for petrogenesis and geodynamics
Authors: Peccerillo A. , De Astis G. , Faraone D. , Forni F. , Frezzotti M. L. 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
The volcanic rocks of the Aeolian arc exhibit important within-island and along-arc compositional variations that testify to both geochemical heterogeneous mantle sources and different roles and intensities of shallow-level magmatic evolution processes. Calc-alkaline magmas are present on all islands, but dominate in the western arc and at Lipari and Panarea. Shoshonitic rocks are present on the central-eastern islands and are particularly abundant at Vulcano and Stromboli. Mafic and intermediate rocks comprise the bulk of older volcanic sequences for most islands. Rhyolites are restricted to younger activity of the central arc, and become particularly abundant at Lipari and Vulcano. Regional variations of incompatible trace element ratios and Sr-, Nd-, and Pb-isotope signatures in mafic-intermediate rocks document the variable composition of mantle sources, which were contaminated by different types of metasomatic fluids released from an oceanic slab in the western-central sectors and from oceanic slab plus sediments in the east. This metasomatism was superimposed over a heterogeneous mantle wedge, which had a mid-ocean-ridge basalt (MORB-) to ocean-island basalt (OIB)- type character passing from the centre to the margins of the arc. The OIB-type component in the external arc is attributed to asthenospheric mantle inflow from the Africa foreland, around the borders of a narrow slab during rollback.
Dopamine Function and the Efficiency of Human Movement
Authors: Gepshtein Sergei , Li Xiaoyan , Snider Joseph , Plank Markus , Lee Dongpyo , Poizner Howard 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
To sustain successful behavior in dynamic environments, active organisms must be able to learn from the consequences of their actions and predict action outcomes. One of the most important discoveries in systems neuroscience over the last 15 years has been about the key role of the neurotransmitter dopamine in mediating such active behavior. Dopamine cell firing was found to encode differences between the expected and obtained outcomes of actions. Although activity of dopamine cells does not specify movements themselves, a recent study in humans has suggested that tonic levels of dopamine in the dorsal striatum may in part enable normal movement by encoding sensitivity to the energy cost of a movement, providing an implicit “motor motivational” signal for movement. We investigated the motivational hypothesis of dopamine by studying motor performance of patients with Parkinson disease who have marked dopamine depletion in the dorsal striatum and compared their performance with that of elderly healthy adults. All participants performed rapid sequential movements to visual targets associated with different risk and different energy costs, countered or assisted by gravity. In conditions of low energy cost, patients performed surprisingly well, similar to prescriptions of an ideal planner and healthy participants. As energy costs increased, however, performance of patients with Parkinson disease dropped markedly below the prescriptions for action by an ideal planner and below performance of healthy elderly participants. The results indicate that the ability for efficient planning depends on the energy cost of action and that the effect of energy cost on action is mediated by dopamine.
Radiometric Intercomparison between Suomi-NPP VIIRS and Aqua MODIS Reflective Solar Bands Using Simultaneous Nadir Overpass in the Low Latitudes
Authors: Uprety Sirish , Cao Changyong , Xiong Xiaoxiong , Blonski Slawomir , Wu Aisheng , Shao Xi 
Published: October 2013

AbstractOn-orbit radiometric performance of the Suomi National Polar-Orbiting Partnership (Suomi-NPP) Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) is studied using the extended simultaneous nadir overpass (SNO-x) approach. Unlike the traditional SNO analysis of data in the high latitudes, this study extends the analysis to the low latitudes—in particular, over desert and ocean sites with relatively stable and homogeneous radiometric properties—for intersatellite comparisons. This approach utilizes a pixel-by-pixel match with an efficient geospatial matching algorithm to map VIIRS data into the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). VIIRS moderate-resolution bands M-1 through M-8 are compared with Aqua MODIS equivalent bands to quantify radiometric bias over the North African desert and over the ocean. Biases exist between VIIRS and MODIS in several bands, primarily because of spectral differences as well as possible calibration uncertainties, residual cloud contamination, and bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF). The impact of spectral differences on bias is quantified by using the Moderate Resolution Atmospheric Transmission (MODTRAN) and hyperspectral measurements from the Earth Observing-1 (EO-1) Hyperion and the Airborne Visible and Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS). After accounting for spectral differences and bias uncertainties, the VIIRS radiometric bias over desert agrees with MODIS measurements within 2% except for the VIIRS shortwave infrared (SWIR) band M-8, which indicates a nearly 3% bias. Over ocean, VIIRS agrees with MODIS within 2% by the end of January 2013 with uncertainty less than 1%. Furthermore, VIIRS bias relative to MODIS is also computed at the Antarctica Dome C site for validation and the result agrees well within 1% with the bias estimated using SNO-x over desert.
Exploring Land Development Dynamics in Rural-Urban Fringes: A Reflection on Why Agriculture is Being Squeezed Out by Urban Land Uses in the Nairobi Rural–Urban Fringe?
Authors: Thuo Aggrey Daniel Maina 
Published: October 2013

Rapid urban growth has led to an increasing demand for urban land. This land is not readily available within city, but in the rural–urban fringe, due to variety of factors. The conversion of land in rural–urban fringe is leading to the rapid transformations.  This article, based on qualitative research approach, explores urbanization in Nairobi rural–urban fringe as a case study, while comparing the situation with literature from other situations in developing countries. This article appreciates that urbanization in an urbanizing context such as in rural–urban fringes need be understood at different scales, that’s site or situational. Separating urbanization pressures is not easy and any attempt to classify them in this article does not in any way show that they are independent of each other. The article concludes that urbanization of rural–urban fringes is contingent upon many factors, primary of which is population increase through natural growth and immigration. Population growth is thus a necessary condition for the urbanization in rural–urban fringe. The process that produces population growth is however a subset of the processes that produces urbanization of rural–urban fringe.
Gap junction blockers: a potential approach to attenuate morphine withdrawal symptoms
Authors: Moradi Sabah , Charkhpour Mohammad , Ghavimi Hamed , Motahari Rasoul , Ghaderi Majid , Hassanzadeh Kambiz 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
The exact mechanisms of morphine-induced dependence and withdrawal symptoms remain unclear. In order to identify an agent that can prevent withdrawal syndrome, many studies have been performed. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of gap junction blockers; carbenoxolone (CBX) or mefloquine (MFQ); on morphine withdrawal symptoms in male rat.
Adult male Wistar rats (225 – 275 g) were selected randomly and divided into 10 groups. All groups underwent stereotaxic surgery and in order to induce dependency, morphine was administered subcutaneously) Sc) at an interval of 12 hours for nine continuous days. On the ninth day of the experiment, animals received vehicle or CBX (100, 400, 600 μg/10 μl/rat, icv) or MFQ (50, 100 and 200 μg/10 μl/rat, icv) after the last saline or morphine (Sc) injection. Morphine withdrawal symptoms were precipitated by naloxone hydrochloride 10 min after the treatments. The withdrawal signs including: jumping, rearing, genital grooming, abdomen writhing, wet dog shake and stool weight, were recorded for 60 minutes.

Results
Results showed that CBX and MFQ decreased all withdrawal s igns; and the analysis indicated that they could attenuate the total withdrawal scores significantly.

Conclusion
Taking together it is concluded that gap junction blockers prevented naloxone-precipitated withdrawal symptoms.
Improving the diagnosis of meningitis due to enterovirus and herpes simplex virus I and II in a tertiary care hospital
Authors: Casaroto Eduardo , Marra Alexandre R , Coelho Fernando Morgadinho S , Pinho Joao Renato Rebello , Sitnik Roberta , Colombari Fernando , Victor Elivane Silva , Muto Nair Hideko , Senne Carlos , dos Santos Oscar Fernando Pavão , Edmond Michael B 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
Enterovirus and herpes simplex viruses are common causes of lymphocytic meningitis. The purpose of this study was to analyse the impact of the use molecular testing for Enteroviruses and Herpes simplex viruses I and II in all suspected cases of viral meningitis.

Methods
From November 18, 2008 to November 17, 2009 (phase II, intervention), all patients admitted with suspected viral meningitis (with pleocytosis) had a CSF sample tested using a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT). Data collected during this period were compared to those from the previous one-year period, i.e. November 18, 2007 to November 17, 2008 (phase I, observational), when such tests were available but not routinely used.

Results
In total, 2,536 CSF samples were assessed, of which 1,264 were from phase I, and 1,272 from phase II. Of this total, a NAAT for Enterovirus was ordered in 123 cases during phase I (9.7% of the total phase I sample) and in 221 cases in phase II (17.4% of the total phase II sample). From these, Enterovirus was confirmed in 35 (28.5%, 35/123) patients during phase I and 71 (32.1%, 71/221) patients during phase II (p = 0.107). The rate of diagnosis of meningitis by HSV I and II did not differ between the groups (13 patients, 6.5% in phase I and 13, 4.7% in phase II) (p = 1.0), from 200 cases in phase I and 274 cases in phase II.

Conclusions
The number of cases diagnosed with enteroviral meningitis increased during the course of this study, leading us to believe that the strategy of performing NAAT for Enterovirus on every CSF sample with pleocytosis is fully justified.
Selective apoptosis induction in MCF-7 cell line by truncated minimal functional region of Apoptin
Authors: Shen Ni Lim , Allaudin Zeenathul Nazariah bt , Mohd Lila Mohd Azmi b , Othman Abas Mazni b , Othman Fauziah bt 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
Chicken Anemia Virus (CAV) VP3 protein (also known as Apoptin), a basic and proline-rich protein has a unique capability in inducing apoptosis in cancer cells but not in normal cells. Five truncated Apoptin proteins were analyzed to determine their selective ability to migrate into the nucleus of human breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cells for inducing apoptosis.

Methods
For identification of the minimal selective domain for apoptosis, the wild-type Apoptin gene had been reconstructed by PCR to generate segmental deletions at the N’ terminal and linked with nuclear localization sites (NLS1 and NLS2). All the constructs were fused with maltose-binding protein gene and individually expressed by in vitro Rapid Translation System. Standardized dose of proteins were delivered into human breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cells and control human liver Chang cells by cytoplasmic microinjection, and subsequently observed for selective apoptosis effect.

Results
Three of the truncated Apoptin proteins with N-terminal deletions spanning amino acid 32–83 retained the cancer selective nature of wild-type Apoptin. The proteins were successfully translocated to the nucleus of MCF-7 cells initiating apoptosis, whereas non-toxic cytoplasmic retention was observed in normal Chang cells. Whilst these truncated proteins retained the tumour-specific death effector ability, the specificity for MCF-7 cells was lost in two other truncated proteins that harbor deletions at amino acid 1–31. The detection of apoptosing normal Chang cells and MCF-7 cells upon cytoplasmic microinjection of these proteins implicated a loss in Apoptin’s signature targeting activity.

Conclusions
Therefore, the critical stretch spanning amino acid 1–31 at the upstream of a known hydrophobic leucine-rich stretch (LRS) was strongly suggested as one of the prerequisite region in Apoptin for cancer targeting. Identification of this selective domain provides a platform for developing small targets to facilitating carrier-mediated-transport across cellular membrane, simultaneously promoting protein delivery for selective and effective breast cancer therapy.
Mature vessel occlusion after anti-VEGF treatment in a retinal arteriovenous malformation
Authors: Chuang Lan-Hsin , Wang Nan-Kai , Chen Yen-Po , Wu Wei-Chi , Lai Chi-Chun 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
To report engorged vessel occlusion after repeated intravitreal injections of bevacizumab to treat the macular oedema in a case of arteriovenous malformation.

Case presentation
A 37-year-old woman presented with a sudden, painless loss of vision in her left eye. Her visual acuity was 20/200 in the left eye, and 20/20 in the right eye. Ophthalmoscopic examination revealed an abnormal tangle of vessels and enlarged draining veins. A fluorescence angiogram revealed fluorescence leakage at a turn near the fovea. Horizontally oriented optical coherence tomography revealed an increased macular thickness and an accumulation of intraretinal fluid, indicating macular oedema. After three intravitreal injections of 1.25 mg bevacizumab, her vision improved to 20/20. Ophthalmoscopic examination revealed a decreased calibre of the previously engorged draining veins and ghost vessels. Repeated horizontally oriented optical coherence tomography revealed a decreased macular thickness and the absence of an intraretinal cyst. At the 2-year follow-up visit, the vision of the patient was stable.

Conclusion
This finding implies that certain middle-size vessels can become occluded during anti- vascular endothelium growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy, which could induce fatal complications if it occurred in the heart or brain. Clinicians should be cautious of the potential thrombotic effects on systemic blood vessels when administering anti-VEGF treatment.
Perceptions of HIV infected patients on the use of cell phone as a tool to support their antiretroviral adherence; a cross-sectional study in a large referral hospital in Kenya
Authors: Kinyua Florence , Kiptoo Michael , Kikuvi Gideon , Mutai Joseph , Meyers Adrienne FA , Muiruri Peter , Songok Elijah 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
Clinical trials were conducted to assess the feasibility of using a cell phone text messaging-based system to follow up Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infected patients on antiretroviral (ARTs) and assess for improved adherence to their medication. However there is need to evaluate the perceptions of the HIV infected patients towards the use of these cell phones in an effort to better aid in the clinical management of their HIV infection. The objective of this study was therefore to determine the perceptions of HIV infected patients on the use of cell phone text messaging as a tool to support adherence to their ART medication.

Methods
A cross sectional survey was conducted among patients receiving Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART) at the Kenyatta National Hospital Comprehensive Care Clinic in Nairobi between May and July, 2011. Pre-tested questionnaires were used to collect the socio-demographic and perceptions data. The recruitment of the participants was done using the random probability sampling method and statistical analysis of data performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0.

Results
A total of 500 HIV infected patients (Male-107, Female-307) aged 19-72 years were interviewed. The majority of individuals (99%) had access to cell phones and 99% of the HIV infected patients interviewed supported the idea of cell phone use in management of their HIV infection. A large proportion (46%) claimed that they needed cell phone access for medical advice and guidance on factors that hinder their adherence to medication and only 3% of them needed it as a reminder to take their drugs. The majority (72%) preferred calling the healthcare provider with their own phones for convenience and confidential purposes with only 0.4% preferring to be called or texted by the health care provider. Most (94%), especially the older patients, had no problem with their confidentiality being infringed in the process of the conversation as per the bivariate analysis results.

Conclusion
Cell phone communications are acceptable and in fact preferable over cell phone reminders.
Variable copy number of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) predicts worse prognosis in advanced gastric cancer patients
Authors: Zhang Guanjun , Qu Yiping , Dang Siwen , Yang Qi , Shi Bingyin , Hou Peng 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
Change of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number is widely reported in various human cancers, including gastric cancer, and is considered to be an important hallmark of cancers. However, there is remarkably little consensus on the value of variable mtDNA content in the prognostic evaluation of this cancer.

Methods
Using real-time quantitative PCR approach, we examined mtDNA copy number in a cohort of gastric cancers and normal gastric tissues, and explored the association of variable mtDNA content with clinical outcomes of gastric cancer patients.

Results
Our data showed that the majority of gastric cancer patients had low mtDNA content as compared to control subjects although the relative mean mtDNA content was higher in the former than the latter. Moreover, we found that variable mtDNA content was strongly associated with lymph node metastasis and cancer-related death of the patients with late-stage tumors. Notably, variable mtDNA content did not affect overall survival of gastric cancer patients, however, we found that increased mtDNA content was associated with poor survival in the patients with late-stage tumors.

Conclusion
In this study, we demonstrated that variable mtDNA content markedly increased the risk of lymph node metastasis and high mortality of the patients with late-stage tumors. Additionally, we found a strong link between increased mtDNA content and worse survival of the patients with late-stage tumors. Taken together, variable mtDNA content may be a valuable poor prognostic factor for advanced gastric cancer patients.

Virtual slides
The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1344721463103353.