bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Distinctive erosional and depositional structures formed at a canyon mouth: A lower Pleistocene deep‐water succession in the Kazusa forearc basin on the Boso Peninsula, Japan
Authors: Ito Makoto , Ishikawa Kazuaki , Nishida Naohisa 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe canyon mouth is an important component of submarine‐fan systems and is thought to play a significant role in the transformation of turbidity currents. However, the depositional and erosional structures that characterize canyon mouths have received less attention than other components of submarine‐fan systems. This study investigates the facies organization and geometry of turbidites that are interpreted to have developed at a canyon mouth in the early Pleistocene Kazusa forearc basin on the Boso Peninsula, Japan. The canyon‐mouth deposits have the following distinctive features: (i) The turbidite succession is thinner than both the canyon‐fill and submarine‐fan successions and is represented by amalgamation of sandstones and pebbly sandstones as a result of bypassing of turbidity currents. (ii) Sandstone beds and bedsets show an overall lenticular geometry and are commonly overlain by mud drapes, which are massive and contain fewer bioturbation structures than do the hemipelagic muddy deposits. (iii) The mud drapes have a microstructure characterized by aggregates of clay particles, which show features similar to those of fluid‐mud deposits, and are interpreted to represent deposition from fluid mud developed from turbidity current clouds. (iv) Large‐scale erosional surfaces are infilled with thick‐bedded to very thick‐bedded turbidites, which show lithofacies quite similar to those of the surrounding deposits, and are considered to be equivalent to scours. (v) Concave‐up erosional surfaces, some of which face in the upslope direction, are overlain by backset bedding, which is associated with many mud clasts. (vi) Tractional structures, some of which are equivalent to coarse‐grained sediment waves, were also developed, and were overlain locally by mud drapes, in association with mud drape‐filled scours, cut and fill structures and backset bedding. The combination of these outcrop‐scale erosional and depositional structures, together with the microstructure of the mud drapes, can be used to identify canyon‐mouth deposits in ancient deep‐water successions.
Influence of the HLA characteristics of Italian patients on donor search outcome in unrelated hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Testi M. , Andreani M. , Locatelli F. , Arcese W. , Troiano M. , Battarra M. , Gaziev J. , Lucarelli G. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe information regarding the probability of finding a matched unrelated donor (MUD) within a relatively short time is crucial for the success of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), particularly in patients with malignancies. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed 315 Italian patients who started a search for a MUD, in order to assess the distribution of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles and haplotypes in this population of patients and to evaluate the probability of finding a donor. Comparing two groups of patients based on whether or not a 10/10 HLA‐matched donor was available, we found that patients who had a fully‐matched MUD possessed at least one frequent haplotype more often than the others (45.6% vs 14.3%; P = 0.000003). In addition, analysis of data pertaining to the HLA class I alleles distribution showed that, in the first group of patients, less common alleles were under‐represented (20.2% vs 40.0%; P = 0.006). Therefore, the presence of less frequent alleles represents a negative factor for the search for a potential compatible donor being successful, whereas the presence of one frequent haplotype represents a positive predictive factor. Antigenic differences between patient and donor observed at C and DQB1 loci, were mostly represented by particular B/C or DRB1/DQB1 allelic associations. Thus, having a particular B or DRB1 allele, linked to multiple C or DQB1 alleles, respectively, might be considered to be associated with a lower probability of a successful search. Taken together, these data may help determine in advance the probability of finding a suitable unrelated donor for an Italian patient.
The Bothnian coupled oroclines of the Svecofennian Orogen: a Palaeoproterozoic terrane wreck
Authors: Lahtinen Raimo , Johnston Stephen T. , Nironen Mikko 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe accretion of magmatic arcs gives rise to elongate, linear orogens and is a key process in forming new continental crust. Many Precambrian continents are, however, presently equidimensional or have large areas without any clear linearity, such as the central part of the Palaeoproterozoic Svecofennian Orogen (1.92–1.77 Ga). One way of forming an equidimensional continental domain is by buckling of a linear orogen about vertical axes of rotation into one or more coupled oroclines. Here, we reinterpret existing data and demonstrate the occurrence of coupled Bothnian oroclines in the Svecofennian Orogen. Palinspastic restoration of the southern and northern Bothnian oroclines brings a 1000‐km‐long segment of the Svecofennian Orogen into an originally linear, NW‐striking geometry that restores the lithological belts, metamorphic zones and structural vergences to a common direction, and which indicates that the orogen consists of a SW‐facing arc, which has been shortened along NE‐verging folds and thrust faults.
Spatio‐Temporal Building Population Estimation for Highly Urbanized Areas Using GIS
Authors: Greger Konstantin 
Published: April 2014

AbstractDetailed population information is crucial for the micro‐scale modeling and analysis of human behavior in urban areas. Since it is not available on the basis of individual persons, it has become necessary to derive data from aggregated census data. A variety of approaches have been published in the past, yet they are not entirely suitable for use in the micro‐scale context of highly urbanized areas, due mainly to their broad spatial scale and missing temporal scale. Here we introduce an enhanced approach for the spatio‐temporal estimation of building populations in highly urbanized areas. It builds upon other estimation methodologies, but extends them by introducing multiple usage categories and the temporal dimension. This allows for a more realistic representation of human activities in highly urbanized areas and the fact that populations change over time as a result of these activities. The model makes use of a variety of micro‐scale data sets to operationalize the activities and their spatio‐temporal representations. The outcome of the model provides estimated population figures for all buildings at each time step and thereby reveals spatio‐temporal behavior patterns. It can be used in a variety of applications concerning the implications of human behavior in urban areas.
Measuring the Reliability of Wheelchair User Route Planning based on Volunteered Geographic Information
Authors: Neis Pascal 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe development of a wheelchair user friendly route planning application inherits a number of special requirements and details that need to be considered during the generation of the routing graph and the corresponding algorithm, making this task much more complex than car or pedestrian related applications. Each wheelchair type and, more importantly, each individual user might have different needs with regards to the way condition or other criteria. This study proposes a new approach to route planning for wheelchair users tailored for individual and personal requirements provided by the user and the calculation of a reliability factor of the computed wheelchair path. The routing graph is based on the freely available Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) retrieved from the OpenStreetMap (OSM) project. The newly created algorithm is evaluated and tested for a selected area in Bonn, Germany. A new reliability factor is introduced that gives direct feedback about the quality of the generated path. Similar factor estimations can also be utilized for multiple route planning applications where VGI or other commercial or administrative data is implemented and more detailed factors than a simple geometric representation of a street network are of importance.
Going for gold: blood planning for the London 2012 Olympic Games
Authors: Glasgow S. M. , Allard S. , Rackham R. , Doughty H. 
Published: April 2014

SUMMARYThe Olympics is one of the largest sporting events in the world. Major events may be complicated by disruption of normal activity and major incidents. Health care and transfusion planners should be prepared for both. Previously, transfusion contingency planning has focused on seasonal blood shortages and pandemic influenzas. This article is the first published account of transfusion contingency planning for a major event. We describe the issues encountered and the lessons identified during transfusion planning for the London 2012 Olympics.Planning was started 18 months in advance and was led by a project team reporting to the Executive. Planning was based on three periods of Gamestime. The requirements were planned with key stakeholders using normal processes enhanced by service developments. Demand planning was based on literature review together with computer modelling. The aim was blood‐stock sufficiency complimented by a high readiness donor panel to minimise waste. Plans were widely communicated and table‐top exercised.Full transfusion services were maintained during both Games with all demands met. The new service improvements and high readiness donors worked well. Emergency command and control have been upgraded. Red cell concentrate (RCC) stock aged but wastage was not significantly increased. The key to success was: early planning, stakeholder engagement, service developments, integration of transfusion service planning within the wider health care community and conduct within an assurance framework.
Immune trypanolysis test with blood spotted on filter paper for epidemiological surveillance of sleeping sickness
Authors: Camara Oumou , Camara Mamadou , Lejon Veerle , Ilboudo Hamidou , Sakande Hassane , Léno Mamadou , Büscher Philippe , Bucheton Bruno , Jamonneau Vincent 
Published: April 2014

AbstractObjectivesThe immune trypanolysis test (TL) is an accurate sero‐diagnostic tool increasingly implemented for sleeping sickness medical surveillance, but it is restricted to the reference laboratories. To facilitate storage and transport of the test specimen, we developed a protocol for the examination of blood spotted on filter paper (TL‐fp) that can be stored and shipped at ambient temperature. We compared its performance with the classical TL on plasma (TL‐pl) that needs to be kept frozen until use.MethodsThe study was conducted in active foci of the Republic of Guinea. In total, 438 specimens from treated and untreated sleeping sickness patients and serological suspects were tested with both methods.ResultTL‐fp gave significantly less positive results than TL‐pl, but all the confirmed sleeping sickness cases were positive with the TL‐fp protocol.ConclusionTL‐fp appears to offer a good compromise between feasibility and sensitivity to detect currently infected subjects who play a role in the transmission of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and is useful for contributing to the elimination of gambiense sleeping sickness.
Policy challenges facing integrated community case management in Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Bennett Sara , George Asha , Rodriguez Daniela , Shearer Jessica , Diallo Brahima , Konate Mamadou , Dalglish Sarah , Juma Pamela , Namakhoma Ireen , Banda Hastings , Chilundo Baltazar , Mariano Alda , Cliff Julie 
Published: April 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo report an in‐depth analysis of policy change for integrated community case management of childhood illness (iCCM) in six sub‐Saharan African countries. We analysed how iCCM policies developed and the barriers and facilitators to policy change.MethodsQualitative retrospective case studies drawing from document reviews, semi‐structured interviews and in‐country validation workshops were conducted in Burkina Faso, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique and Niger. These countries were selected to maximise variation in iCCM policy status, community health worker (CHW) models and different African regions.ResultsCountry iCCM policies evolved in an ad hoc fashion, but were substantially influenced by the history of primary health care and the nature of CHW programmes. Technical officers within Ministries of Health led iCCM policy change with support from international donors, but neither communities nor political leadership was mobilised. Concerns about achieving the Millennium Development Goals, together with recognition of the shortcomings of existing child health programmes, led to the adoption of iCCM policies. Availability of external financing played a critical role in facilitating policy change.ConclusionsiCCM policy change has been promoted by international agencies, but national governments have struggled to align iCCM with country health systems. Greater investment is needed in tailoring global policy initiatives to match country needs. High‐level, political ownership of iCCM policies could facilitate policy change, as could clearer strategies for ensuring the long‐term sustainability of such policies.
Epigenome‐wide DNA methylation assay reveals placental epigenetic markers for noninvasive fetal single‐nucleotide polymorphism genotyping in maternal plasma
Authors: Ou Xueling , Wang Huan , Qu Dongyang , Chen Yongzhen , Gao Jun , Sun Hongyu 
Published: April 2014

BackgroundThe use of DNA methylation difference between maternal blood cell and fetal (placental) DNA is one of the main areas of interest for the development of fetal epigenetics markers in maternal plasma.Study Design and MethodsWe employed a methylation array (HumanMethylation450 array, Illumina, Inc.) to identify novel biomarkers that are specially hypermethylated in placental DNA versus maternal blood cells in a genome‐wide basis. Validation by bisulfite genomic sequencing was performed and the priority was given to potential targets that harbor differential methylated CpG sites overlapped with at least two methylation‐sensitive restriction enzyme (MSRE) recognizing sites, as well as one polymorphic single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), within a short DNA stretch. Three candidate regions of PSMB8, SKI, and CHST11 gene were selected for developing a preliminary polymerase chain reaction assay with MSRE digestion of maternal plasma DNA. SNP genotypes were confirmed by direct sequencing.ResultsWe identified 2944 and 5218 fetal‐specific hypermethylated CpG sites in the first‐ and third‐trimester placenta, respectively, of which 2613 were overlapped, suggesting a consistency of differential methylation during the whole pregnancy. The array results were confirmed by bisulfite genomic sequencing. The preliminary tests in maternal plasma showed that postdigestion hypermathylated versions of these candidate molecules were detectable only in pregnant women. We further revealed that methylated targets in maternal plasma possessed the fetal SNP genotypes.ConclusionThe present studies systematically identified hypermethylated sites in fetal tissues and preliminarily demonstrated that some of the fetal epigenetic markers that contain informative SNPs have great potential for noninvasive fetal genetic diagnosis.
A case of high‐titer anti‐D hemolytic disease of the newborn in which late onset and mild course is associated with the D variant, RHD‐CE(9)‐D
Authors: Jakobsen Marianne A. , Nielsen Christian , Sprogøe Ulrik 
Published: April 2014

BackgroundThe RhD antigen is very immunogenic and is a significant cause of hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN). The RHD‐CE(8‐9)‐D hybrid allele is commonly associated with a D– phenotype. Here, we report a case of high‐titer maternal anti‐D and late onset of HDN in a newborn carrying a RHD‐CE(9)‐D variant supposedly encoding the same partial D antigen as the RHD‐CE(8‐9)‐D allele, but with significant expression of D antigen.Study Design and MethodsTo elucidate the blood group antigen background of the case, we carried out serologic, flow cytometric, and genetics studies of the newborn and his father.ConclusionIndividuals carrying the RHD‐CE(9)‐D allele do express D antigen, but do so at significantly lower levels than those carrying the more common D+ phenotypes (e.g., DCe/dce). It may mitigate and delay otherwise severe HDN in pregnancies complicated by high‐titer anti‐D.
Topiramate in the management of feline idiopathic ulcerative dermatitis in a two‐year‐old cat
Authors: Grant David , Rusbridge Clare 
Published: April 2014

BackgroundFeline idiopathic ulcerative dermatosis is a rare, poorly understood condition characterized by self‐trauma. The lesion presents as a nonhealing, crusted ulcer, which occurs most commonly on the dorsal midline of the neck or between the scapulae.AnimalA 2‐year‐old female neutered domestic short hair cat was presented with an ulcerative dermatosis affecting the dorsal midline. Previous investigations had failed to identify the cause, and the lesion was resistant to treatment.Methods and resultsDiagnosis was based on clinical findings and confirmed by histopathology showing epidermal ulceration and superficial necrosis with a mild dermal infiltrate together with subepidermal fibrosis. The cat had been fed a commercial hypoallergenic diet for 6 months, which had successfully managed its chronic diarrhoea. Deep skin scrapings, cytology and fungal culture failed to demonstrate pathogens.Conclusions and clinical importanceRemission was obtained within 4 weeks and has been maintained over a 30 month period with topiramate (5 mg/kg orally twice daily), an anti‐epileptic drug used in human medicine. Attempts to withdraw this therapy led to relapse within 24 h on two occasions. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report of the use of this drug for feline idiopathic ulcerative dermatosis.
Pulsed ultraviolet light inactivation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus biofilms
Authors: Garvey Mary , Rabbitt Danny , Stocca Alessia , Rowan Neil 
Published: April 2014

AbstractMicrobial biofilms are complex communities that form when planktonic bacterial species attach to surfaces in many settings where they can provide a source of pathogenicity. The relative ineffectiveness of conventional disinfectants such as free chlorine and monochloramine for the inactivation of some species found in water has led to evaluation of alternative disinfectants for drinking and wastewater treatment. In recent years, novel pulsed power electrotechnologies have been introduced and are being considered as possible alternatives to current methods for inactivating problematic species in water. This study focuses on the ultraviolet (UV) inactivation of bacterial biofilms using a pulsed UV light approach as a potential disinfection method for water treatment operating systems. Biofilms were stimulated to form attached to polyvinyl chloride coupons using a recommended Centre for Disease Control biofilm reactor followed by exposure to a range of UV doses. Findings show that this method is highly effective at inactivating both planktonic and biofilm cells with significant inactivation rates obtained for both test species. Specifically, a 7.2 and 5.9 log10 inactivation was achieved with up to 21.6 μJ/cm2 UV for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. Findings from this study highlight the effectiveness of pulsed UV for the inactivation of Pseudomonas biofilms among other test species. Research conducted by this group suggests that this pulsed UV system may offer a useful method for the disinfection of drinking and wastewater supplies.
Evaluating the functionality of xeno‐relevant transgenes
Authors: Baehr Andrea , Wuensch Annegret , Kemter Elisabeth , Kessler Barbara , Kurome Mayuko , Seissler Jochen , Ayares David , Wolf Eckhard , Klymiuk Nikolai 
Published: April 2014

With the scientific progress made in recent years, clinical application of xenotransplantation has become a realistic goal. Besides optimizing immunosuppressive regimens, the development of geneticallytailored donor pigs contributed to this success. Within the CRC 127 “Biology of xenogeneic cell, tissue and organ transplantation – from bench to bedside” we aim at developing novel transgenic donor pigs for islet transplantation, and providing existing transgenic donor lines to German as well as international collaboration partners.Regarding novel donor models, we have established transgenic pigs carrying the x‐linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) under the control of the porcine insulin promoter to achieve beta‐cell specific expression, as apoptosis has been postulated to play a major role in islet loss during isolation, in vitro cultivation and engraftment. Expression analyses of the first transgenic founders are presently underway. In addition, an advanced donor pig aiming at the temporary expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) for improved engraftment of islets is being established. The model is based on the TetOn principle which requires two independent transgenes. First litters of founder pigs carrying a construct for beta‐cell specific expression of the transactivator (TA) have been delivered and qPCR analysis of the pancreas revealed different levels of TA expression in individual animals. Primary cells from a highly expressing founder will be transfected with a construct carrying the regulated VEGF gene under the control of the TA response element.For detailed pre‐clinical evaluation of already characterized transgenic pigs, we have established multitransgenic lines in collaboration with Revivicor Inc. carrying either aGalTKO/CD46/hTM, aGalTKO/CD46/INS‐LEA or aGalTKO/CD46/HLA‐E. We provide these animals, in addition to single‐transgenic INS‐LEA pigs, to the groups of P.Brenner and J.Seissler within the consortium. Furthermore, multi‐transgenic animals are provided to the groups of M.Mohiuddin, D.K.C. Cooper and R. Pierson by D. Ayares and islets of INS‐LEA expressing pigs are supplied to B. Hering in collaboration with J. Seissler.The ongoing evaluation of existing transgenes or their combination will reveal more detailed insight into the complexity of rejection mechanisms and, thus, support the design of optimized future transgenic approaches.