bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Natural History of Paradoxical Low-Gradient Severe Aortic Stenosis
Authors: Maes Frédéric , Boulif Jamila , Piérard Sophie , de Meester Christophe , Melchior Julie , Gerber Bernhard , Vancraeynest David , Pouleur Anne-Catherine , Lazam Siham , Pasquet Agnès , Vanoverschelde Jean-Louis 
Published: April 2014

Background—

Up to 30% of patients with severe aortic stenosis (SAS; indexed aortic valve area <0.6 cm
2
/m
2
) present with low transvalvular gradient despite a normal left ventricular ejection fraction. Presently, there is intense controversy as to the prognostic implications of such findings. Accordingly, the aim of the present work was to compare the natural history of patients with paradoxical low-gradient (PLG) or high-gradient (HG) SAS.

Methods and Results—

We prospectively studied 349 patients with SAS and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. Patients were categorized into HG-SAS (n=144) and PLG-SAS (n=205) according to mean transvalvular gradient (mean gradient >40 or ≤40 mm Hg). Primary end points were all-cause mortality and echocardiographic disease progression. To evaluate natural history, patients undergoing aortic valve replacement were censored at the time of surgery (n=92). During a median follow-up of 28 months, 148 patients died. Kaplan–Meier survival curves showed better survival in PLG-SAS than in HG-SAS, both in the overall population (48% versus 31%;
P
<0.01) and in the asymptomatic subgroup (59% versus 35%;
P
<0.02). In asymptomatic patients, Cox analysis identified age, diabetes mellitus, left atrial volume, and mean gradient as independent predictors of death. Finally, at last echocardiographic follow-up, PLG-SAS demonstrated significant increases in mean gradient (from 29±6 to 38±11 mm Hg;
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—
Our study indicates that PLG-SAS is a less malignant form of AS compared with HG-SAS, because their spontaneous outcome is better. We further demonstrated that patients with PLG-SAS are en route toward the more severe HG-SAS form, because the majority of them evolve into HG-SAS over time.
In Vivo Molecular Imaging of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis Using a Fibrin-Binding Positron Emission Tomographic Probe
Authors: Ay Ilknur , Blasi Francesco , Rietz Tyson A. , Rotile Nicholas J. , Kura Sreekanth , Brownell Anna Liisa , Day Helen , Oliveira Bruno L. , Looby Richard J. , Caravan Peter 
Published: April 2014

Background—
Fibrin is a major component of arterial and venous thrombi and represents an ideal candidate for molecular imaging of thrombosis. Here, we describe imaging properties and target uptake of a new fibrin-specific positron emission tomographic probe for thrombus detection and therapy monitoring in 2 rat thrombosis models.

Methods and Results—
The fibrin-binding probe FBP7 was synthesized by conjugation of a known short cyclic peptide to a cross-bridged chelator (CB-TE2A), followed by labeling with copper-64. Adult male Wistar rats (n=26) underwent either carotid crush injury (mural thrombosis model) or embolic stroke (occlusive thrombosis model) followed by recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator treatment (10 mg/kg, IV). FBP7 detected thrombus location in both animal models with a high positron emission tomographic target-to-background ratio that increased over time (>5-fold at 30–90 minutes, >15-fold at 240–285 minutes). In the carotid crush injury animals, biodistribution analysis confirmed high probe uptake in the thrombotic artery (≈0.5%ID/g; >5-fold greater than blood and other tissues of the head and thorax). Similar results were obtained from ex vivo autoradiography of the ipsilateral versus contralateral carotid arteries. In embolic stroke animals, positron emission tomographic–computed tomographic imaging localized the clot in the internal carotid/middle cerebral artery segment of all rats. Time-dependent reduction of activity at the level of the thrombus was detected in recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator–treated rats but not in vehicle-injected animals. Brain autoradiography confirmed clot dissolution in recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator–treated animals, but enduring high thrombus activity in control rats.

Conclusions—
We demonstrated that FBP7 is suitable for molecular imaging of thrombosis and thrombolysis in vivo and represents a promising candidate for bench-to-bedside translation.
Upregulation of Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein by Hypoxia Stimulates Aldosterone Synthesis in Pulmonary Artery Endothelial Cells to Promote Pulmonary Vascular Fibrosis
Authors: Maron Bradley A. , Oldham William M. , Chan Stephen Y. , Vargas Sara O. , Arons Elena , Zhang Ying-Yi , Loscalzo Joseph , Leopold Jane A. 
Published: April 2014

Background—
The molecular mechanism(s) regulating hypoxia-induced vascular fibrosis are unresolved. Hyperaldosteronism correlates positively with vascular remodeling in pulmonary arterial hypertension, suggesting that aldosterone may contribute to the pulmonary vasculopathy of hypoxia. The hypoxia-sensitive transcription factors c-Fos/c-Jun regulate steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), which facilitates the rate-limiting step of aldosterone steroidogenesis. We hypothesized that c-Fos/c-Jun upregulation by hypoxia activates StAR-dependent aldosterone synthesis in human pulmonary artery endothelial cells (HPAECs) to promote vascular fibrosis in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Methods and Results—

Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, rats with Sugen/hypoxia–pulmonary arterial hypertension, and mice exposed to chronic hypoxia expressed increased StAR in remodeled pulmonary arterioles, providing a basis for investigating hypoxia–StAR signaling in HPAECs. Hypoxia (2.0% FiO
2
) increased aldosterone levels selectively in HPAECs, which was confirmed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Increased aldosterone by hypoxia resulted from enhanced c-Fos/c-Jun binding to the proximal activator protein-1 site of the
StAR
promoter in HPAECs, which increased StAR expression and activity. In HPAECs transfected with StAR–small interfering RNA or treated with the activator protein-1 inhibitor SR-11302 [3-methyl-7-(4-methylphenyl)-9-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexen-1-yl)nona-2,4,6,8-tetraenoic acid], hypoxia failed to increase aldosterone, confirming that aldosterone biosynthesis required StAR activation by c-Fos/c-Jun. The functional consequences of aldosterone were confirmed by pharmacological inhibition of the mineralocorticoid receptor with spironolactone or eplerenone, which attenuated hypoxia-induced upregulation of the fibrogenic protein connective tissue growth factor and collagen III in vitro and decreased pulmonary vascular fibrosis to improve pulmonary hypertension in vivo.

Conclusion—
Our findings identify autonomous aldosterone synthesis in HPAECs attributable to hypoxia-mediated upregulation of StAR as a novel molecular mechanism that promotes pulmonary vascular remodeling and fibrosis.
Internal waters: Customary Rules of the Extension of Internal Waters
Authors: Bangert Kaare 
Published: April 2014

The importance of the customary regimes of internal waters for the delimitation of the other coastal state maritime zones is analyzed. The rules of baselines in the 1958 and 1982 Conventions on the Law of the Sea are not exhaustive. They are supplemented by the customary regimes of internal waters. These regimes contain few and very vague restrictions on coastal state sovereignty to delimit areas of adjacent sea as internal waters. No definite maximum mile limit has been agreed upon. The outer limits of the customary regimes are baselines for the other maritime zones. Consequently the coastal state can extend the 12, 24, and 200 miles zones based on these customary regimes with wide-ranging legal consequences.
The practical result of constructive application of these regimes is-shown by possible extensions of the present Danish maritime zones.
A new species of Afroarabiella Yakovlev, 2008 (Lepidoptera, Cossidae) from the Republic of South Africa, including a world catalogue of the genus
Authors: YAKOVLEV ROMAN V. 
Published: April 2014

The genus Afroarabiella Yakovlev, 2008 (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) was established for Cossus tahamae Wiltshire, 1949 by Yakovlev (2008). Currently, seven species are included in the genus (Yakovlev 2008). Yakovlev (2011) added an additional new species, A. tanzaniae Yakovlev from Tanzania. Members of the genus are widespread from the southwestern Arabian Peninsula and throughout much of Africa (Fig. 1). During the studies of Lepidoptera by Petr Ustjuzhanin (Novosibirsk, Russia) and Vasilij Kovtunovich (Moscow), a new species of the genus Afroarabiella was discovered and the description is given below.
Model-Evaluation Tools for Three-Dimensional Cloud Verification via Spaceborne Active Sensors
Authors: Miller Steven D. , Weeks Courtney E. , Bullock Randy G. , Forsythe John M. , Kucera Paul A. , Brown Barbara G. , Wolff Cory A. , Partain Philip T. , Jones Andrew S. , Johnson David B. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractClouds pose many operational hazards to the aviation community in terms of ceilings and visibility, turbulence, and aircraft icing. Realistic descriptions of the three-dimensional (3D) distribution and temporal evolution of clouds in numerical weather prediction models used for flight planning and routing are therefore of central importance. The introduction of satellite-based cloud radar (CloudSat) and Cloud–Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) sensors to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration A-Train is timely in light of these needs but requires a new paradigm of model-evaluation tools that are capable of exploiting the vertical-profile information. Early results from the National Center for Atmospheric Research Model Evaluation Toolkit (MET), augmented to work with the emergent satellite-based active sensor observations, are presented here. Existing horizontal-plane statistical evaluation techniques have been adapted to operate on observations in the vertical plane and have been extended to 3D object evaluations, leveraging blended datasets from the active and passive A-Train sensors. Case studies of organized synoptic-scale and mesoscale distributed cloud systems are presented to illustrate the multiscale utility of the MET tools. Definition of objects on the basis of radar-reflectivity thresholds was found to be strongly dependent on the model’s ability to resolve details of the cloud’s internal hydrometeor distribution. Contoured-frequency-by-altitude diagrams provide a useful mechanism for evaluating the simulated and observed 3D distributions for regional domains. The expanded MET provides a new dimension to model evaluation and positions the community to better exploit active-sensor satellite observing systems that are slated for launch in the near future.
How Well Do Global Climate Models Simulate the Variability of Atlantic Tropical Cyclones Associated with ENSO?
Authors: Wang Hui , Long Lindsey , Kumar Arun , Wang Wanqiu , Schemm Jae-Kyung E. , Zhao Ming , Vecchi Gabriel A. , Larow Timothy E. , Lim Young-Kwon , Schubert Siegfried D. , Shaevitz Daniel A. , Camargo Suzana J. , Henderson Naomi , Kim Daehyun , Jonas Jeffrey A. , Walsh Kevin J. E. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
The variability of Atlantic tropical cyclones (TCs) associated with El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in model simulations is assessed and compared with observations. The model experiments are 28-yr simulations forced with the observed sea surface temperature from 1982 to 2009. The simulations were coordinated by the U.S. Climate Variability and Predictability Research Program (CLIVAR) Hurricane Working Group and conducted with five global climate models (GCMs) with a total of 16 ensemble members. The model performance is evaluated based on both individual model ensemble means and multimodel ensemble mean. The latter has the highest anomaly correlation (0.86) for the interannual variability of TCs. Previous observational studies show a strong association between ENSO and Atlantic TC activity, as well as distinctions during eastern Pacific (EP) and central Pacific (CP) El Niño events. The analysis of track density and TC origin indicates that each model has different mean biases. Overall, the GCMs simulate the variability of Atlantic TCs well with weaker activity during EP El Niño and stronger activity during La Niña. For CP El Niño, there is a slight increase in the number of TCs as compared with EP El Niño. However, the spatial distribution of track density and TC origin is less consistent among the models. Particularly, there is no indication of increasing TC activity over the U.S. southeast coastal region during CP El Niño as in observations. The difference between the models and observations is likely due to the bias of the models in response to the shift of tropical heating associated with CP El Niño, as well as the model bias in the mean circulation.
Hydrologic Prediction over the Conterminous United States Using the National Multi-Model Ensemble
Authors: Mo Kingtse C. , Lettenmaier Dennis P. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
The authors analyzed the skill of monthly and seasonal soil moisture (SM) and runoff (RO) forecasts over the United States performed by driving the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) hydrologic model with forcings derived from the National Multi-Model Ensemble hindcasts (NMME_VIC). The grand ensemble mean NMME_VIC forecasts were compared to ensemble streamflow prediction (ESP) forecasts derived from the VIC model forced by resampling of historical observations during the forecast period (ESP_VIC), using the same initial conditions as NMME_VIC. The forecast period is from 1982 to 2010, with the forecast initialized on 1 January, 1 April, 5 July, and 3 October. Overall, forecast skill is seasonally and regionally dependent. The authors found that 1) the skill of the grand ensemble mean NMME_VIC forecasts is comparable with that of the individual model that has the highest skill; 2) for all forecast initiation dates, the initial conditions play a dominant role in forecast skill at 1-month lead, and at longer lead times, forcings derived from NMME forecasts start to contribute to forecast skill; and 3) the initial conditions dominate contributions to skill for a dry climate regime that covers the western interior states for all seasons and the north-central part of the country for January. In this regime, the forecast skill for both methods is high even at 3-month lead. This regime has low mean precipitation and precipitation variations, and the influence of precipitation on SM and RO is weak. In contrast, a wet regime covers the region from the Gulf states to the Tennessee and Ohio Valleys for forecasts initialized in January and April, the Southwest monsoon region, the Southeast, and the East Coast in summer. In these dynamically active regions, where rainfall depends on the path of the moisture transport and atmospheric forcing, forecast skill is low. For this regime, the climate forecasts contribute to skill. Skillful precipitation forecasts after lead 1 have the potential to improve SM and RO forecast skill, but it was found that this mostly was not the case for the NMME models.
Correction of Flux Valve–Based Heading for Improvement of Aircraft Wind Observations
Authors: Jacobs Neil A. , Mulally Daniel J. , Anderson Alan K. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
A method for correcting the magnetic deviation error from planes using a flux valve heading sensor is presented. This error can significantly degrade the quality of the wind data reported from certain commercial airlines. A database is constructed on a per-plane basis and compared to multiple model analyses and observations. A unique filtering method is applied using coefficients derived from this comparison. Three regional airline fleets hosting the Tropospheric Airborne Meteorological Data Reporting (TAMDAR) sensor were analyzed and binned by error statistics. The correction method is applied to the outliers with the largest deviation, and the wind observational error was reduced by 22% (2.4 kt; 1 kt = 0.51 m s−1), 50% (8.2 kt), and 68% (20.5 kt) for each group.
A Dryline in Southeast Wyoming. Part II: Airborne In Situ and Raman Lidar Observations
Authors: Bergmaier Philip T. , Geerts Bart , Wang Zhien , Liu Bo , Campbell Patrick C. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Part I of this study describes the mesoscale structure of a dryline over southeastern Wyoming. This dryline formed just east of the western rim of the high plains on 22 June 2010 and became more defined as it progressed eastward during the afternoon. Part I also describes the numerically simulated structure and evolution of this dryline and the observed initiation of deep convection in the vicinity of the dryline.
An instrumented aircraft, the University of Wyoming King Air, repeatedly flew across this dryline, mostly low enough to penetrate the moist-air wedge east of the dryline. Flight-level in situ data along these low-level penetrations indicate relatively high values of convective available potential energy (CAPE; &gt;1500 J kg−1), yet low convective inhibition, within a few kilometers of the dryline. Water vapor transects obtained from a compact nadir-pointing Raman lidar aboard the aircraft reveal an extremely sharp humidity gradient below flight level along the dryline, coinciding with the fineline seen in operational weather radar base reflectivity imagery. They also reveal several plumes of higher specific humidity within the dry elevated mixed layer above the moist-air wedge, possibly precursors of cumulus clouds. The vertical structure of the dryline revealed by Raman lidar and the flight-level data correspond well to that in the high-resolution numerical simulation.
Feasibility and effect of supplementing a modified OTAGO intervention with multisensory balance exercises in older people who fall: a pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Liston Matthew B , Alushi Ledia , Bamiou Doris-Eva , Martin Finbarr C , Hopper Adrian , Pavlou Marousa 
Published: April 2014

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and comparative effect of supplementing a modified OTAGO falls rehabilitation programme with multisensory balance exercises and informed sample size calculation for a definitive trial. Design: Single-blinded randomized controlled trial with pre/postcomparisons using a per-protocol analysis. Setting: Secondary care-based falls clinic, London, UK. Subjects: Community-dwelling older people ( n = 21) experiencing ≥2 non-syncopal falls during previous 12 months. Intervention: Modified OTAGO exercise classes supplemented with supervised home-based rehabilitation consisting of multisensory balance or stretching exercises. Group classes and home sessions each occurred twice-weekly for eight weeks. Measurements: A computerised randomization was used for group allocation. A rater, blinded to intervention, performed the assessment including the Functional Gait Assessment (primary outcome), Physiological Profile Assessment, and questionnaires relating to symptoms, balance confidence, and psychological state (secondary outcomes). Results: Significant within-group improvements were noted for the Functional Gait ( p < 0.01, r = −0.63) and Physiological Profile Assessments ( p < 0.05, r = −0.63) in the OTAGO+multisensory rehabilitation group only and for balance confidence scores in the OTAGO+stretching group ( p < 0.01, r = −0.63). Between-group differences were noted for the Functional Gait ( p < 0.01, r = −0.71) and Physiological Profile ( p < 0.05, r = −0.54) assessments with the OTAGO+multisensory group showing significantly greater improvement. The drop-out rate was similar for both groups (~30%). No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusions: Supplementing the OTAGO programme with multisensory balance exercises is feasible in older people who fall and may have a beneficial effect on falls risk as measured using the Functional Gait and Short-form Physiological Profile Assessments. An adequately powered randomized controlled trial would require 36 participants to detect an effect size of 1.35 on the Functional Gait Assessment.
Bone Plug Versus Suture-Only Fixation of Meniscal Grafts
Authors: Wang Hongsheng , Gee Albert O. , Hutchinson Ian D. , Stoner Kirsten , Warren Russell F. , Chen Tony O. , Maher Suzanne A. 
Published: April 2014

Background: Meniscus allograft transplantation (MAT) is primarily undertaken to relieve the symptoms associated with meniscal deficiencies. However, its ability to restore normal knee joint contact mechanics under physiological loads is still unclear. Purpose: To quantify the dynamic contact mechanics associated with 2 commonly used fixation techniques in MAT of the medial compartment: transosseous suture fixation via bone plugs and suture-only fixation at the horns. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Physiological loads to mimic gait were applied across 7 human cadaveric knees on a simulator. A sensor placed on the medial tibial plateau recorded dynamic contact stresses under the following conditions: (1) intact meniscus, (2) MAT using transosseous suture fixation via bone plugs at the anterior and posterior horns, (3) MAT using suture-only fixation, and (4) total medial meniscectomy. A “remove-replace” procedure was performed to place the same autograft for both MAT conditions to minimize the variability in graft size, geometry, and material property and to isolate the effects of the fixation technique. Contact stress, contact area, and weighted center of contact stress (WCoCS) were quantified on the medial plateau throughout the stance phase. Results: Knee joint contact mechanics were sensitive to the meniscal condition primarily during the first half of the gait cycle. After meniscectomy, the mean peak contact stress increased from 4.2 ± 1.2 MPa to 6.2 ± 1.0 MPa ( P = .04), and the mean contact area decreased from 546 ± 132 mm2 to 192 ± 122 mm2 ( P = .01) compared with the intact meniscus during early stance (14% of the gait cycle). After MAT, the mean contact stress significantly decreased with bone plug fixation (5.0 ± 0.7 MPa) but not with suture-only fixation (5.9 ± 0.7 MPa). Both fixation techniques partially restored the contact area, but bone plug fixation restored it closer to the intact condition. The location of WCoCS in the central cartilage region (not covered by the meniscus) shifted peripherally throughout the stance phase. Bone plug fixation exhibited correction to this peripheral offset, but suture-only fixation did not. Conclusion: Under dynamic loading, transosseous fixation at the meniscal horns provides superior load distribution at the involved knee compartment after meniscal transplantation compared with suture-only fixation. Particular attention should be directed to the ability of medial MAT to function during the early stance phase. Clinical Relevance: Transosseous fixation via bone plugs provides superior load distribution of a transplanted meniscal allograft compared with suture fixation alone at time zero.