bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
SOCIAL INTEGRATION IN THE ITALO‐SLOVENE GORIZIA TRANSBORDER REGION
Authors: BUFON MILAN 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThis article provides a survey of the local dimensions of a particular, but at the same time emblematic, Central European border landscape; the problems caused by the dividing of a consolidated historical region after World War II; and the phenomenon of its persistence in the field of human relations; thereby providing a basis for a gradual reintegration of the two border areas. The analysis of the regional structure and cross‐border behaviour leads to the conclusion that social and functional cross‐border integration is determined less by the proximity of the border than by a common social, cultural and territorial background of the border population. In fact, a lower degree of cultural affinity between the two sides of the border has a clearly negative influence on the intensity of cross‐border relations, even if the two sides have a similar or functionally complementary socio‐economic structure.
ANALYSING THE REGIONAL IMPACT OF FOREIGN MANUFA CTURING FIRMS
Authors: WILLIAMS DAVID 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThis article has been written in response to Pigozzi and Bagchi‐Sen's (1995) work on the impact which affiliates of foreign manufacturing firms make upon employment in the US economy. It will be argued that their analysis is incomplete because of inadequacies in their conceptual framework. In order to assess the impact of multinational subsidiaries it is necessary to use a framework which includes a more extensive range of modes of entry and subsidiary types. It is also necessary to consider, more extensively, the indirect employment effects brought about by the linkages which are created by the foreign‐owned subsidiary as well as the dynamic effects which influence the competitive environment including the capabilities of indigenous firms.
Anhydrobiosis in tardigrades and its effects on longevity traits
Authors: Hengherr S. , Brümmer F. , Schill R. O. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractLiving in harsh and variable environments that are prone to periodic desiccation, tardigrades exhibit remarkable tolerance against physical extremes through a state known as anhydrobiosis. To study the effect of this state on the longevity and hence the lifecycle in the taxon Tardigrada for the first time, we exposed a tardigrade species, Milnesium tardigradum, to alternating periods of drying and active feeding periods in a hydrated state. Compared with a hydrated control, the periodically dried animals showed a similar longevity, indicating that the time spent in anhydrobiosis was ignored by the internal clock. Thus, desiccation can produce a time shift in the age of tardigrades similar to the model described for rotifers that has been termed ‘Sleeping Beauty’.
Lipidomic analysis and electron transport chain activities in C57BL/6J mouse brain mitochondria
Authors: Kiebish Michael A. , Han Xianlin , Cheng Hua , Lunceford Adam , Clarke Catherine F. , Moon Hwi , Chuang Jeffrey H. , Seyfried Thomas N. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe objective of this study was to characterize the lipidome and electron transport chain activities in purified non‐synaptic (NS) and synaptic (Syn) mitochondria from C57BL/6J mouse cerebral cortex. Contamination from subcellular membranes, especially myelin, has hindered past attempts to accurately characterize the lipid composition of brain mitochondria. An improved Ficoll and sucrose discontinuous gradient method was employed that yielded highly enriched mitochondrial populations free of myelin contamination. The activities of Complexes I, II, III, and II/III were lower in Syn than in NS mitochondria, while Complexes I/III and IV activities were similar in both populations. Shotgun lipidomics showed that levels of cardiolipin (Ptd2Gro) were lower, whereas levels of ceramide and phosphatidylserine were higher in Syn than in NS mitochondria. Coenzyme Q9 and Q10 was also lower in Syn than in NS mitochondria. Gangliosides, phosphatidic acid, sulfatides, and cerebrosides were undetectable in brain mitochondria. The distribution of Ptd2Gro molecular species was similar in both populations and formed a unique pattern, consisting of seven major molecular species groups, when arranged according to mass to charge ratios. Remodeling involving choline and ethanolamine phosphoglycerides could explain Ptd2Gro heterogeneity. NS and Syn mitochondrial lipidomic heterogeneity could influence energy metabolism, which may contribute to metabolic compartmentation of the brain.
A portable integrated rainfall and overland flow simulator
Authors: Alves Sobrinho T. , Gómez‐Macpherson H. , Gómez J. A. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThis paper describes a prototype of a portable rainfall simulator that can simulate a wide range of rainfall intensities with a kinetic energy similar to that of natural rainfall and, more innovatively, provide simultaneous or independent simulations of rainfall and overland flow at the microplot scale (0.70 m2). The design of the rotating shutter disc makes possible a wide range of rainfall intensities, from 30 to 155 mm/h without changing nozzle type or working pressure. Overland flow intensity can be adjusted from 94 to 573 mm/h depending on nozzle type and working pressure. The flow is applied on the upper side of the experimental plot. The Christiansen coefficient of uniformity of the simulated rainfall varied between 81.4 and 85.1%, and the calculated kinetic energy was >90% the kinetic energy of corresponding natural rain. Special attention was paid to portability. Stainless steel was used whenever possible and the equipment was constructed in modules so that it could easily be dismantled and carried by two people. A telescopic‐type frame allows operation on sloping ground.
Unlocking the time capsule of historic aerial photography to measure changes in antarctic peninsula glaciers
Authors: Fox Adrian J. , Cziferszky Andreas 
Published: March 2008

AbstractRecent studies have reported widespread retreat and acceleration of glaciers on the Antarctic Peninsula, attributed to regional warming. The loss of ice is a contributor to sea level rise, but its volume and impact on sea level is poorly known. There are few ground measurements of ice thickness change and existing satellite altimeters are ineffective over the mountainous terrain. An accurate assessment of changes in surface height, and hence ice volume, of glaciers on the Antarctic Peninsula over past decades is needed to aid better estimates of their past impact on sea level rise and predictions of their future contribution.There is an archive of over 30 000 aerial photographs going back to the 1940s for parts of the Antarctic Peninsula. Photogrammetry of time series of these historic photographs is now the only way to reconstruct changes in glacier surface height over the past 60 years. However, the historic aerial photographs are difficult to employ for detailed measurements owing to inadequate ground control, unfavourable sortie characteristics, incomplete calibration data and the unavoidable use of paper prints only.This paper describes a method of providing control for historic photos without fieldwork on the ground, by linking them to a newly acquired, highly accurate photogrammetric model adjusted through direct kinematic GPS positioning of the camera. It assesses the achievable accuracy through a worked example using a glacier on the Antarctic Peninsula with typical aerial photography at five dates from 1947 to 2005. Overall measurement accuracy of better than 2 m rmse in X, Y and Z was achieved for all the photography types, which is accurate enough to allow meaningful measurement of changes in ice thickness for the glacier over periods of the order of decades. The principal constraints are image quality of the historic photographs and the availability of paper prints only.
A convergent image configuration for DEM extraction that minimises the systematic effects caused by an inaccurate lens model
Authors: Wackrow Rene , Chandler Jim H. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract The internal geometry of consumer‐grade digital cameras is generally considered unstable. Research conducted recently at Loughborough University indicated the potential of these sensors to maintain their internal geometry. It also identified residual systematic error surfaces or “domes”, discernible in digital elevation models (DEMs), caused by slightly inaccurate estimated lens distortion parameters. This paper investigates these systematic error surfaces and establishes a methodology to minimise them. Initially, simulated data was used to ascertain the effect of changing the interior orientation parameters on extracted DEMs, specifically the lens model. Results presented demonstrate the relationship between “domes” and inaccurately specified lens distortion parameters. The stereopair remains important for data extraction in photogrammetry, often using automated DEM extraction software. The photogrammetric normal case is widely used, in which the camera base is parallel to the object plane and the optical axes of the cameras intersect the object plane orthogonally. During simulation, the error surfaces derived from extracted DEMs using the normal case were compared with error surfaces created using a mildly convergent geometry. In contrast to the normal case, the optical camera axes intersect the object plane at the same point. Results of the simulation process clearly demonstrate that a mildly convergent camera configuration eradicates the systematic error surfaces. This result was confirmed through practical tests and demonstrates that mildly convergent imagery effectively improves the accuracies of DEMs derived with this class of sensor.
Diagnostic accuracy of IOTA ultrasound morphology in the hands of less experienced sonographers
Authors: GRAMELLINI Dandolo , FIENI Stefania , SANAPO Laura , CASILLA Giovanna , VERROTTI Carla , NARDELLI Giovanni B. 
Published: March 2008

Aim:   The purpose of our study was to evaluate the ability of the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) classification and its impact on the identification of benign and malignant adnexal masses by less experienced sonographers.Methods:  One hundred and five patients undergoing elective surgical treatment for single adnexal masses at the University of Parma were enrolled. After the final diagnosis, we had the ultrasound recordings reviewed retrospectively by a group of three residents, and the features of each adnexal mass were evaluated according to the morphological score reported by the IOTA Group.Results:  Based solely on the qualitative classification of the IOTA Group unilocular cysts were associated with a high, significant probability of a benign lesion (odds ratio (OR) = 12.6 (95% CI, 1.61–99.10), P < 0.001). This probability remained high also with multilocular cysts (OR = 7.9 (95% CI, 1.00–62.38), P < 0.05). By contrast, multilocular‐solid cysts were significantly associated with the probability of malignancy (OR = 6.4 (95% CI, 1.81–22.70), P < 0.001), as were solid masses (OR = 5.5 (95% CI, 1.48–20.92), P < 0.05). None of the five ultrasound categories of lesions could be significantly correlated with borderline masses.Conclusions:  A simple qualitative classification based solely on the recognition of five different ultrasound categories may be enough to guide the physician to an accurate identification of the nature of the mass. Our findings confirm the diagnostic reliability of the IOTA Group classification by less experienced sonographers. This system is especially helpful because it is capable of discriminating between ovarian masses without further tests and clinical examinations.
Prediction of small for gestational age newborns using ultrasound estimated and actual amniotic fluid volume: Published data revisited
Authors: CHAUHAN Suneet P. , MAGANN Everett F. , DOHERTY Dorota A. , ENNEN Christopher S. , NIEDERHAUSER Amy , MORRISON John C. 
Published: March 2008

Background:  Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a complex problem in modern obstetrics. The presence of oligohydramnios is reported as an important diagnostic and prognostic factor in the management of a pregnancy complicated by IUGR.Aim:  To determine the predictive accuracy of sonographic and actual amniotic fluid volume (AFV) to identify small for gestational age (SGA; birthweight < 10%).Methods:  Before amniocentesis, the single deepest pocket (SDP) and amniotic fluid index (AFI) were obtained. The AFV was determined using a diazo‐dye reaction. Thresholds for AFI, SDP and AFV were estimated using receiver‐operating curves analysis and areas under the curves were used to assess predictive accuracy of these indices. Likelihood ratios (LR) were obtained.Results:  Among the 175 newborns, 16% had SGA. Compared to newborns with birthweight > 10%, all AFV indices were significantly lower (P= 0.001, P= 0.001 and P= 0.009 for AFI, SDP and AFV respectively) for SGA. The areas under the curves for all curves < 0.65 and the LR for all thresholds were < 5.0, reflecting poor diagnostic capabilities.Conclusions:  Despite observed lower AFV indices in SGA, neither sonographic examination nor determination of AFV is a reliable predictor of suboptimal growth.
A randomised comparative study on sublingual versus vaginal administration of misoprostol for termination of pregnancy between 13 to 20 weeks
Authors: BHATTACHARJEE Nabendu , SAHA Shyama Prasad , GHOSHROY Samir Chandra , BHOWMIK Sabyasachi , BARUI Gangotri 
Published: March 2008

Background:  Misoprostol is the drug of choice for medical abortion worldwide but consensus is yet to be reached regarding its preferred route of administration.Aims:  To compare the outcome of sublingual with vaginal administrations of misoprostol for induction of second trimester abortion.Methods:  A randomised comparative trial where 300 women at 13–20 weeks gestation, requiring medical abortion, were randomly assigned to sublingual or vaginal route for misoprostol administration with a dose schedule of 400 µg three‐hourly, up to a maximum five doses over 24 h. The same doses were repeated for another 24 h in non‐responders.Primary outcome measure was complete abortion rate at 24 and 48 h, and the secondary outcome measures were induction–abortion interval, failure rate, side‐effects and patients’ preference to the route.Results:  No statistically significant differences in the complete abortion rates were observed at 24 h (64.03% vs 61.59%, P = 0.767) and at 48 h (79.14% vs 82.01%, P = 0.651) when sublingual and vaginal groups were compared. Mean induction–abortion intervals in sublingual and vaginal groups were 14.1 and 14.5 h, respectively (P = 0.066). Other outcome measures were also more or less similar in both groups. Differences in the incidence of side‐effects were also statistically insignificant when both groups were compared. Sublingual administration of the drug was preferred by most of the women as compared to vaginal administration (P < 0.0001).Conclusion:  Both sublingual and vaginal administrations of misoprostol are equally effective in inducing medical abortion during second trimester but sublingual route was preferred by the patients.
Current caesarean delivery rates and indications in a major public hospital in northern Greece
Authors: DINAS Konstantinos , MAVROMATIDIS Georgios , DOVAS Dimitrios , GIANNOULIS Charalambos , TANTANASIS Theocharis , LOUFOPOULOS Aristoteles , TZAFETTAS John 
Published: March 2008

Background:  Over the past 25 years, there has been a sustained increase in caesarean section (CS) rates around the world. However, there is a paucity of data regarding the current CS rates and particularly the trends of CS indications in Greece.Aim:  To assess the overall CS rates and indications in a major Greek teaching hospital over the last five years.Methods:  All deliveries that took place in our Department between January of 2002 and December of 2006 were retrospectively analysed through manual medical chart review to record CS rates and indications.Results:  During the study period, 4964 deliveries took place in our department; among them, 1831 were CS (36.9%). The overall caesarean delivery rate has remained stable during these five years (36.7% during 2002 vs 35.5% during 2006; P = 0.633). The primary indications were previous caesarean delivery (30.9%), non‐reassuring or pathological fetal heart rate trace by cardiotocography (12.3%) and dystocia (10.4%). The only indication whose rate significantly increased was previous caesarean delivery (+47.3%; P = 0.002), whereas a significant decrease was found for non‐reassuring or pathological fetal heart rate trace by cardiotocography (–39.1%; P = 0.008).Conclusions:  It is quite difficult to reduce the proportion of caesarean deliveries, particularly in a teaching hospital with a considerable number of high‐risk pregnancies. The dominant role of previous caesarean delivery among CS indications stresses the importance of performing more vaginal birth after CS if we are to avoid the self‐perpetuation of the CS epidemic.
Full‐Motion Two‐ and Three‐Dimensional Pulmonary Vein Imaging by Intracardiac Echocardiography After Pulmonary Vein Isolation
Authors: OKUMURA YASUO , WATANABE ICHIRO , OHKUBO KIMIE , YAMADA TAKESHI , KAWAUCHI KAZUNORI , TAKAGI YASUHIRO , ASHINO SONOKO , KOFUNE MASAYOSHI , KOFUNE TATSUYA , HASHIMOTO KENICHI , SHINDO ATSUSHI , SUGIMURA HIDEZOU , NAKAI TOSHIKO , KUNIMOTO SATOSHI , SAITO SATOSHI , HIRAYAMA ATSUSHI 
Published: March 2008

Background:

The pulmonary veins (PVs) are topographically complex and motile, so angiographic visualization of the PVs anatomy is limited. An imaging technique that accurately portrays the pulmonary vein (PV) anatomy would be valuable during and after catheter ablation procedures.
Purpose:

We investigated whether three‐dimensional (3D) intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) can visualize radiofrequency (RF)‐induced tissue changes after PV isolation.
Methods:

We performed 3D ICE studies with a 9F, 9‐MHz ICE catheter after segmental or extended PV isolation. The ICE catheter was placed 3–4 cm inside the PV ostium and mounted onto a pullback device. Sequential two‐dimensional (2D) images of the full length of the vein were obtained in 0.3 mm steps with cardiac and respiratory cycle gating. Each image was fed into a computer, and the aggregate data set was reconstructed into a 3D, full‐motion image. RF lesion location and lesion size were studied on 67 pullback images from 29 patients.
Results:

The 2D and 3D reconstruction was possible for 27 left superior PVs, 13 left inferior PVs, 26 right superior PVs, and one right inferior PV. The ablation site was identified 3–7 mm inside the PV ostium, and a 1/2 – 4/5 circumferential area was ablated with no clinically relevant stenosis. No significant differences were found on the ablated area or ablation site between segmental and extensive PV isolation.
Conclusion:

The 2D and 3D ICE of the PVs provides detailed anatomical information of the proximal PVs, and RF‐induced tissue changes in the PV wall can be visualized by ICE.
Anatomic and Electrophysiologic Differences between Chronic and Paroxysmal Atrial Flutter: Intracardiac Echocardiographic Analysis
Authors: OHKUBO KIMIE , WATANABE ICHIRO , OKUMURA YASUO , ASHINO SONOKO , KOFUNE MASAYOSHI , KAWAUCHI KAZUNORI , YAMADA TAKESHI , KOFUNE TATSUYA , HASHIMOTO KENICHI , SHINDO ATSUSHI , SUGIMURA HIDEZOU , NAKAI TOSHIKO , KUNIMOTO SATOSHI , SAITO SATOSHI , HIRAYAMA ATSUSHI 
Published: March 2008

Background

: It remains unknown why atrial flutter (AFL) occurs as either a chronic or paroxysmal arrhythmia.
Purpose

: The aim of the study was to compare intracardiac echocardiographic (ICE) images of the crista terminalis (CT) and transverse conduction properties of the CT between chronic and paroxysmal forms of common AFL.
Methods

: Chronic AFL (n = 7) was defined as non‐self‐terminating AFL lasting >1 month, and paroxysmal AFL (n = 8) was defined as an intermittent arrhythmia with symptomatic episodes of 24 hours maximum duration. ICE images of the right atrium were recorded with a 9 F 9‐MHz intracardiac ultrasound catheter during pullback at 0.5‐mm intervals from the superior vena cava to the inferior vena cava triggered by electrocardiogram and respiration. The two‐dimensional image of the right atrium was reconstructed into a three‐dimensional (3‐D) image.
Results

: Three‐dimensional images from patients with chronic AFL showed the CT to be thick and continuous, and conduction across the CT was blocked at a pacing rate just above sinus rhythm in all seven patients. In contrast, 3D images from paroxysmal AFL showed the CT to be thin and discontinuous, and conduction across the CT during midseptal pacing was observed in five of the eight patients.
Conclusion

: The nature of AFL is determined, at least in part, by anatomic and electrophysiologic characteristics of the CT.
Electrophysiological Abnormalities Occur Prior to the Development of Clinical Episodes of Atrial Fibrillation: Observations from Human Epicardial Mapping
Authors: KANAGARATNAM PRAPA , KOJODJOJO PIPIN , PETERS NICHOLAS S 
Published: March 2008

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is characterized by irregular atrial activation maintained by an arrhythmogenic substrate. We addressed the hypothesis that the substrate of human AF includes changes in atrial conduction properties.
Methods: Patients in sinus rhythm (SR) and permanent AF undergoing cardiac surgery underwent right atrial epicardial mapping. AF was induced by burst pacing in patients in SR and was defined as sustained at >30 seconds. Epicardial maps were analyzed to determine conduction properties, AF activation patterns, and refractoriness. Patients in SR underwent postoperative Holter monitoring.
Results: Thirty‐seven subjects were recruited. (27 in SR and 10 in permanent AF). Sustained AF was induced in 17 patients in SR. Only patients with sustained AF developed any episodes of postoperative AF (P < 0.05), indicating the preexistence of an arrhythmogenic substrate, which was characterized by prolonged unipolar electrograms (37.0 ± 9.4 ms vs 27.5 ± 6.4 ms, P = 0.03), particularly in the region of the crista terminalis (41.2 ms ± 12.1 vs 26.7 ms ± 5.8, P = 0.004) compared with the nonsustaining group. However, these differences in electrogram characteristics were not associated with changes in wavefront propagation velocity (WPV) during SR or pacing. Activation mapping of acutely induced AF was compared with permanent AF and although there were shorter mean fibrillation intervals in permanent AF (171 ± 16 ms vs 229 ± 51 ms, P < 0.001), there was no difference in fibrillatory activation pattern (complexity scores: 2.21 ± 0.52 vs 2.02 ± 0.61) or WPV (46.9 ± 15.4 cm/s vs 53.5 ± 17.6 cm/s, P = 0.37). Fibrillatory activation pattern was associated with both WPV (P = 0.03) and wavelength (P = 0.03) in both pacing‐induced and permanent AF.
Conclusions: Patients in SR capable of sustaining pacing‐induced AF have differences in electrogram duration, which are apparent before clinical episodes of AF. Although patients with permanent AF had shortening of refractoriness, there was no evidence of further changes in fibrillatory activation pattern or macroscopic wavefront propagation velocity in permanent AF. These results imply that changes occur before the onset of AF and indicate the presence of a substrate capable of maintaining AF with only alterations in refractoriness required for the development of permanent AF.