bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Are Eyewall Replacement Cycles Governed Largely by Axisymmetric Balance Dynamics?
Authors: Abarca Sergio F. , Montgomery Michael T. 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
The authors question the widely held view that radial contraction of a secondary eyewall during an eyewall replacement cycle is well understood and governed largely by the classical theory of axisymmetric balance dynamics. The investigation is based on a comparison of the secondary circulation and derived tangential wind tendency between a full-physics simulation and the Sawyer–Eliassen balance model. The comparison is made at a time when the full-physics model exhibits radial contraction of the secondary eyewall during a canonical eyewall replacement cycle. It is shown that the Sawyer–Eliassen model is unable to capture the phenomenology of secondary eyewall radial contraction because it predicts a net spindown of the boundary layer tangential winds and does not represent the boundary layer spinup mechanism that has been articulated in recent work.
Double Diffusion in Saline Powell Lake, British Columbia
Authors: Scheifele Benjamin , Pawlowicz Rich , Sommer Tobias , Wüest Alfred 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
Powell Lake contains a deep layer of relic seawater separated from the ocean since the last ice age. Permanently stratified and geothermally heated from below, this deep layer is an isolated geophysical domain suitable for studying double-diffusive convection. High-resolution CTD and microstructure measurements show several double-diffusive staircases (Rρ = 1.6 to 6) in the deep water, separated vertically by smooth high-gradient regions with much larger density ratios. The lowest staircase contains steps that are laterally coherent on the basin scale and have a well-defined vertical structure. On average, temperature steps in this staircase are 4 mK, salinity steps are 2 mg kg−1, and mixed layer heights are 70 cm. The CTD is capable of measuring bulk characteristics of the staircase in both temperature and salinity. Microstructure measurements are limited to temperature alone, but resolve the maximum temperature gradients in the center of selected laminar interfaces. Two different algorithms for characterizing the staircase are compared. Consistent estimates of the steady-state heat flux (27 mW m−2) are obtained from measurements above and below the staircase, as well as from microstructure measurements in the center of smooth interfaces. Estimates obtained from bulk interface gradients underestimate the steady-state flux by nearly a factor of 2. The mean flux calculated using a standard 4/3 flux law parameterization agrees well with the independent estimates, but inconsistencies between the parameterization and the observations remain. These inconsistencies are examined by comparing the underlying scaling relationship to the measurements.
Comparing Forecast Skill
Authors: DelSole Timothy , Tippett Michael K. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractA basic question in forecasting is whether one prediction system is more skillful than another. Some commonly used statistical significance tests cannot answer this question correctly if the skills are computed on a common period or using a common set of observations, because these tests do not account for correlations between sample skill estimates. Furthermore, the results of these tests are biased toward indicating no difference in skill, a fact that has important consequences for forecast improvement. This paper shows that the magnitude of bias is characterized by a few parameters such as sample size and correlation between forecasts and their errors, which, surprisingly, can be estimated from data. The bias is substantial for typical seasonal forecasts, implying that familiar tests may wrongly judge that differences in seasonal forecast skill are insignificant. Four tests that are appropriate for assessing differences in skill over a common period are reviewed. These tests are based on the sign test, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, the Morgan–Granger–Newbold test, and a permutation test. These techniques are applied to ENSO hindcasts from the North American Multimodel Ensemble and reveal that the Climate Forecast System, version 2, and the Canadian Climate Model, version 3 (CanCM3), outperform other models in the sense that their squared error is less than that of other single models more frequently. It should be recognized that while certain models may be superior in a certain sense for a particular period and variable, combinations of forecasts are often significantly more skillful than a single model alone. In fact, the multimodel mean significantly outperforms all single models.
Biphalangeal/triphalangeal fifth toe and impact in the pathology of the fifth ray
Authors: Gallart Jose , González David , Valero Jose , Deus Javier , Serrano Pedro , Lahoz Manuel 
Published: September 2014

Abstract

Background
Having reviewed the studies on the biphalangeal fifth toe, we have observed a great disparity of data depending on the research center. We have investigated the frequency of biphalangeal toes and also its handedness. We have also analyzed the relationship of pathological deviations of fifth toe with this feature and with the fifth metatarsal.

Methods
We performed a descriptive prospective study, which analyzed 2494 feet (1247 people) with bilateral dorsoplantar radiographs. We studied the number of phalanges of the fifth toe, the deviations in the sagittal and transverse plane, and the state of the fifth metatarsal phalangeal joint.

Results
After analyzing the data we found the presence of biphalangeal fifth toe in 46.3% of the feet, presenting this feature bilaterally in 97.4% of them. A statistically significant higher percentage of pathological toes was found in people with triphalangeal fifth toe (pathological in 29.91%) than in the biphalangeal toes (pathological in 15.60%). We found that these differences are accentuated in the alterations of the fifth toe in the sagittal plane.

Conclusions
It is almost 4 times more likely to suffer a fifth hammer toe if the fifth toe is triphalangeal (OR = 3.98 to p =0.000). Alterations in the coronal plane of the fifth toe are associated with tailor’s bunion (p =0.000). We did not find any significant differences regarding the need for surgery of the fifth toe of the biphalangeal (39.1%) versus triphalangeal toes (60.9%). Clinical relevance: There may be an association between pathologic deviations and bigger mobility of the triphalangeal fifth toes. However, biphalangeal fifth toes show bigger rigidity leading to smaller accommodation inside the shoe, which may lead to less painful feet and decreased proportion of surgery.
Consequences of tumor planning target volume reduction in treatment of T2-T4 laryngeal cancer
Authors: Vugts Cornelia AJM , Terhaard Chris HJ , Philippens Marielle EP , Pameijer Frank A , Kasperts Nicolien , Raaijmakers Cornelis PJ 
Published: September 2014

Abstract

Background and purpose
Since lymph nodes volumes are generally four times the volume of the primary PTV, the advantage of using tight margins around the primary PTV is not clear. Therefore treatment margins of T2-T4 laryngeal carcinoma for IMRT are generally chosen in such a way that the PTV is comparable to that in conventional radiotherapy. The aim of this study is to quantify the effect of volume reduction of the primary PTV of T2-T4 laryngeal carcinoma with regard to late toxicity despite elective irradiation of lymph node levels II to IV.

Methods
Two treatment plans based on conservative (GTV-PTV = 15 mm and 20 mm cranial), and on evidence-based tight margins (GTV-PTV = 8 mm) were calculated for 16 patients. Toxicity effects were estimated based on the dose distributions.

Results
Compared to conservative margins, using tight margins resulted in: 1) significant reduction of the normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) for swallowing muscles and submandibular glands, 2) significant reduction of the mean dose in all organs at risk (OAR), 3) a mean dose smaller than 60 Gy for all OARs except for the laryngeal cartilages. When the lymph node levels II to IV were prescribed with an elective dose, an NTCP reduction of 53% for the swallowing muscles and of 23% for the submandibular glands was found by using tight instead of conservative margins. When positive nodes were present, NTCP reduction amounted to 29% and 15%, respectively.

Conclusions
There is a potential benefit in realizing evidence-based tight margins for laryngeal cancer patients despite elective irradiation of lymph node levels II to IV.
Hypouricemic effect and safety of febuxostat used for prevention of tumor lysis syndrome
Authors: Maie Koichiro , Yokoyama Yasuhisa , Kurita Naoki , Minohara Hideto , Yanagimoto Shintaro , Hasegawa Yuichi , Homma Masato , Chiba Shigeru 
Published: September 2014

Abstract

Purpose
We evaluated the efficacy and safety of febuxostat, a non-purine xanthine oxidase inhibitor, used for prevention of hyperuricemia associated with tumor lysis syndrome (TLS).

Methods
Records of adult patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed hematologic malignancies who received febuxostat within 7 days before initiation of chemotherapy were retrieved retrospectively at a single institute. The changes in serum uric acid levels from before and 7 days after initiation of febuxostat were evaluated and compared with the historical control group of patients who received allopurinol. We also evaluated non-hematological adverse events during the study period.

Results
A total of 78 patients’ records were analyzed, 38 in the febuxostat group and 39 in the allopurinol group. There were no significant differences in the incidence of treatment failure, defined as development of clinical TLS or receiving rasburicase, between the febuxostat and allopurinol group (5.2% vs 5.1%, P>0.99). The mean serum uric acid levels were significantly decreased, compared to the baseline (5.6 ± 2.1 mg/dL), at 7 days after initiation of febuxostat (3.1 ± 1.5 mg/dL, last observation carried forward, P<0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in the percent change in the serum uric acid levels between the 40 mg/day febuxostat and the 300 mg/day allopurinol groups (P = 0.57). Grade 3–4 liver dysfunctions were observed in both the febuxostat and allopurinol groups, without significant differences in incidence between the two groups (2.6% vs 5.1%, P>0.99). Neither gout flare nor skin rash occurred in any patients.

Conclusions
Febuxostat is feasible for prevention of hyperuricemia associated with TLS.
Update of the trauma risk adjustment model of the TraumaRegister DGU™: the Revised Injury Severity Classification, version II
Authors: Lefering Rolf , Huber-Wagner Stefan , Nienaber Ulrike , Maegele Marc , Bouillon Bertil 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
Introduction
The TraumaRegister DGU™ (TR-DGU) has used the Revised Injury Severity Classification (RISC) score for outcome adjustment since 2003. In recent years, however, the observed mortality rate has fallen to about 2% below the prognosis, and it was felt that further prognostic factors, like pupil size and reaction, should be included as well. Finally, an increasing number of cases did not receive a RISC prognosis due to the missing values. Therefore, there was a need for an updated model for risk of death prediction in severely injured patients to be developed and validated using the most recent data.

Methods
The TR-DGU has been collecting data from severely injured patients since 1993. All injuries are coded according to the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS, version 2008). Severely injured patients from Europe (ISS ≥4) documented between 2010 and 2011 were selected for developing the new score (n = 30,866), and 21,918 patients from 2012 were used for validation. Age and injury codes were required, and transferred patients were excluded. Logistic regression analysis was applied with hospital mortality as the dependent variable. Results were evaluated in terms of discrimination (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, AUC), precision (observed versus predicted mortality), and calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit statistic).

Results
The mean age of the development population was 47.3 years; 71.6% were males, and the average ISS was 19.3 points. Hospital mortality rate was 11.5% in this group. The new RISC II model consists of the following predictors: worst and second-worst injury (AIS severity level), head injury, age, sex, pupil reactivity and size, pre-injury health status, blood pressure, acidosis (base deficit), coagulation, haemoglobin, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Missing values are included as a separate category for every variable. In the development and the validation dataset, the new RISC II outperformed the original RISC score, for example AUC in the development dataset 0.953 versus 0.939.

Conclusions
The updated RISC II prognostic score has several advantages over the previous RISC model. Discrimination, precision and calibration are improved, and patients with partial missing values could now be included. Results were confirmed in a validation dataset.
Continuous control of tracheal cuff pressure: an effective measure to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia?
Authors: Rouzé Anahita , Jaillette Emmanuelle , Nseir Saad 
Published: September 2014

AbstractIn a previous issue of Critical Care, Lorente and colleagues reported the results of a prospective observational study aiming at evaluating the effect of continuous control of cuff pressure (Pcuff ) on the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). The results suggest a beneficial impact of this intervention on VAP prevention, which is in line with the results of a recent randomized controlled study. However, another randomized controlled study found no significant impact of continuous control of Pcuff on VAP incidence. Several differences regarding the device used to control Pcuff, study population, and design might explain the different reported results. Future randomized multicenter studies are needed to confirm the beneficial effect of continuous control of Pcuff on VAP incidence. Furthermore, the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of different available devices should be compared. Meanwhile, given the single-center design and the limitations of the available studies, no strong recommendation can be made regarding continuous control of Pcuff as a preventive measure of VAP.
CBX7 gene expression plays a negative role in adipocyte cell growth and differentiation
Authors: Forzati Floriana , Federico Antonella , Pallante Pierlorenzo , Colamaio Marianna , Esposito Francesco , Sepe Romina , Gargiulo Sara , Luciano Antonio , Arra Claudio , Palma Giuseppe , Bon Giulia , Bucher Stefania , Falcioni Rita , Brunetti Arturo , Battista Sabrina , Fedele Monica , Fusco Alfredo 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACT
We have recently generated knockout mice for the Cbx7 gene, coding for a polycomb group protein that is downregulated in human malignant neoplasias. These mice develop liver and lung adenomas and carcinomas, which confirms a tumour suppressor role for CBX7. The CBX7 ability to downregulate CCNE1 expression likely accounts for the phenotype of the Cbx7-null mice.
Unexpectedly, Cbx7-knockout mice had a higher fat tissue mass than wild-type, suggesting a role of CBX7 in adipogenesis. Consistently, we demonstrate that Cbx7-null mouse embryonic fibroblasts go towards adipocyte differentiation more efficiently than their wild-type counterparts, and this effect is Cbx7 dose-dependent. Similar results were obtained when Cbx7-null embryonic stem cells were induced to differentiate into adipocytes. Conversely, mouse embryonic fibroblasts and human adipose-derived stem cells overexpressing CBX7 show an opposite behaviour.
These findings support a negative role of CBX7 in the control of adipocyte cell growth and differentiation.
Bällchen participates in proliferation control and prevents the differentiation of Drosophila melanogaster neuronal stem cells
Authors: Yakulov Toma , Günesdogan Ufuk , Jäckle Herbert , Herzig Alf 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACT
Stem cells continuously generate differentiating daughter cells and are essential for tissue homeostasis and development. Their capacity to self-renew as undifferentiated and actively dividing cells is controlled by either external signals from a cellular environment, the stem cell niche, or asymmetric distribution of cell fate determinants during cell division. Here we report that the protein kinase Bällchen (BALL) is required to prevent differentiation as well as to maintain normal proliferation of neuronal stem cells of Drosophila melanogaster, called neuroblasts. Our results show that the brains of ball mutant larvae are severely reduced in size, which is caused by a reduced proliferation rate of the neuroblasts. Moreover, ball mutant neuroblasts gradually lose the expression of the neuroblast determinants Miranda and aPKC, suggesting their premature differentiation. Our results indicate that BALL represents a novel cell intrinsic factor with a dual function regulating the proliferative capacity and the differentiation status of neuronal stem cells during development.
Suction-feeding across fish life stages: Flow dynamics from larvae to adults and implications for prey capture
Authors: Yaniv Sarit , Elad David , Holzman Roi 
Published: September 2014

AbstractSuction-feeding is thought to be the primary mode of prey capture in most larval fishes. Similar to adult suction-feeders, larvae swim towards their prey while rapidly expanding their mouth cavity to generate an inward flow of water that draws the prey into the mouth. Although larvae are known to experience flows with lower Reynolds numbers than adults, it is unclear how the suction-induced flow field changes throughout ontogeny, and how such changes relate to prey capture performance. To address these questions, we determined mouth dimensions and opening speeds in Sparus aurata from first-feeding larvae to adults. We proceeded to develop a computational model of mouth expansion in order to analyze the scaling of suction flows under the observed parameters. Larval fish produced suction flows that were ~2 orders of magnitude slower than those of adults. Compared to adult fish, in which flow speed decays steeply with distance in front of the mouth, flow speed decayed more gradually in larval fish. This difference indicates that viscous forces in low Reynolds number flows modify the spatial distribution flow speed in front of the mouth. Consequently, simulated predator-prey encounters showed that larval fish could capture inert prey from a greater distance compared to adults. If prey attempted to escape, however, larval fish performed poorly: simulations inferred capture success in only weakly escaping prey immediately in front of the mouth. These ontogenetic changes in Reynolds number, suction-induced flow field, and feeding performance may explain a widespread ontogenetic diet shift from passive prey at early life stages to evasive prey as larvae mature.
Where Chemical Sensors May Assist in Clinical Diagnosis Exploring “Big Data”
Authors: Oliveira, Jr. Osvaldo N , Neves Tácito T A T , Paulovich Fernando V , de Oliveira Maria Cristina F 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
An overview is presented of the many opportunities and challenges for using “Big Data” concepts to treat data from chemical sensors. Issues discussed include the need to make data machine readable and how to integrate distinct types of data that can be acquired and stored in different places. As a concrete example of possible applications, we propose a framework for an expert system dedicated to clinical diagnosis, where data from various types of sensors can be combined with text to provide better-informed diagnostics.
Unique Heme Environmental Structures in Heme-regulated Proteins Using Heme as the Signaling Molecule
Authors: Ishimori Koichiro , Watanabe Yuta 
Published: September 2014

Abstract
Heme is a typical and common prosthetic group for various types of proteins and is utilized for active centers in many biologically important processes in vivo. However, heme has also been shown to function as a signaling molecule that regulates the functions of proteins, suggesting that novel signaling cascades are mediated by heme. We focused on the spectroscopic characterization of such “heme-regulated” proteins, showing unique heme environmental structures.
VenaSeal™ closure treatment of saphenous varicosis
Authors: Alm J. 
Published: September 2014

ZusammenfassungEinführung: Zur Behandlung der Stammvarikose mit dem VenaSeal™ Closure-System ist eine Narkoseform oder Tumeszenzanästhesie nicht erforderlich. Ebenfalls kann auf das Tragen von Kompressionsstrümpfen verzichtet werden. Über die Anwendung, erste Erfahrungen und 2 Jahresergebnisse wird berichtet.Material und Methode: In der Zeit von März 2012 bis Mai 2014 wurden 218 Patienten an 274 Stammvenen mit dem VenaSeal™ Closure-System therapiert. Doppler und Duplexuntersuchungen erfolgten nach 7 Tagen, 6 Wochen, 1 Jahr und 2 Jahren. Erhoben wurde die Verschluss- und Komplikationsrate, der visuelle analoge Schmerz-Score und der Venous Clinical Severity Score(VCSS).Ergebnisse: Nachuntersucht wurden 227 Stammvenen der Vena saphena magna (VSM) und 24 Stammvenen der Vena saphena parva (VSP). Die Verschlussrate der VSM betrug 99,5 % (n= 227) nach 7 Tagen, 96,5 % nach 6 Wochen (n= 172), 93,4 % nach 1 Jahr (n= 61) und 100 % nach 2 Jahren (n= 20). Die Verschlussrate der VSP betrug jeweils 100 % nach 7 Tagen (n= 24), 6 Wochen (n= 12) und nach 1 Jahr (n=4). Majorkomplikationen traten nicht auf. Als Minorkomplikationen traten nach Behandlung der Vena saphena magna inflammatorische Reaktionen bei 44 Beinen und Phlebitiden bei 32 Beinen auf. Der Pain Score entwickelte sich unter der Behandlung von 1,4 auf 1,5 (3. Tag), 2,1 (5. Tag), 1,6 (10. Tag), 0,2 (4 Wochen) auf 0,1 (6 Wochen). Der VCSS betrug präoperativ 4,4 und sank auf 2,9 (7. Tag), 2,1 (6 Wochen) auf 1,8 (1 und 2 Jahr)Diskussion: Die VenaSeal™ Closure-Behand-lung der Stammvarikose ist sicher und effektiv. Die Ergebnisse sind vergleichbar denen der thermischen Ablationsverfahren. Ohne die Anwendung der Tumeszenz-Anästhesie haben die Patientin deutlich weniger Beschwerden im Vergleich zu den thermischen Ablationsverfahren, sowohl während der Behandlung, als auch postoperativ.
Measuring diameters of great saphenous vein and common femoral vein using duplex ultrasound
Authors: Mendoza E. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryFor years, measurement of the diameter of the great saphenous vein and, occasionally, the common femoral vein has been a component of many clinical studies on varicose vein treatment. There is consensus that the measurements should be conducted with the patient in the standing position and with a transverse view through the vein, but no standardised site of measurement of the venous diameter has yet been established. The shape of the great saphenous vein varies greatly at the saphenofemoral junction. Due to the curvature of the great saphenous vein, it is difficult to find a point at which the transverse view measured is at right angles to the course of the vein. According to the available data, the optimal site for measuring the great saphenous vein diameter is the proximal thigh. When measuring the common femoral vein, a transverse view immediately distal to the junction of the great saphenous vein is suggested and studies have also confirmed this.