bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of methotrexate and low‐dose prednisolone on adiponectine levels and insulin resistance in patients with rheumatoid arthritis naïve to disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs
Authors: Yaşar Bilge Nazife Şule , Kaşifoğlu Nilgün , Kaşifoğlu Timuçin , Şahin Fezan , Gönüllü Emel , Korkmaz Cengiz
Published: July 2015

Aim

Insulin resistance (IR) plays an important role in the development of cardiovascular events in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Adiponectin influences insulin sensitivity but its impact on IR in RA patients remains unclear. The present study aims to investigate the role of methotrexate (MTX) and low doses of prednisolone (LDP) on IR and adiponectin levels in RA patients who are naïve to disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), as well as determining the relationship between disease activity, acute phase response, IR and adiponectin levels in patients with RA.

Methods

Sixty‐five RA patients naïve to DMARDs and prednisolone were involved in this study. The medication for RA patients was standardized for MTX and prednisolone. Body mass index, acute phase response reactants, 28‐joint‐count disease activity score, fasting blood glucose, serum cholesterol levels, insulin levels and adiponectin levels were measured in all RA patients both at the baseline and 3 months after the onset of the study.

Results

Adiponectin levels in the third month of the therapy with MTX and LDP were significantly increased in patients with RA (P = 0.03). Insulin resistance tended to decrease in the third month of the treatment, which achieved no statistical significance.

Conclusion

Increased levels of adiponectin due to MTX and LDP could be related to the decrease in homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) in RA patients. This, in turn, could prove advantageous for cardiovascular conditions in RA.
Extracting Microfacet‐based BRDF Parameters from Arbitrary Materials with Power Iterations
Authors: Dupuy Jonathan , Heitz Eric , Iehl Jean‐Claude , Poulin Pierre , Ostromoukhov Victor
Published: July 2015

We introduce a novel fitting procedure that takes as input an arbitrary material, possibly anisotropic, and automatically converts it to a microfacet BRDF. Our algorithm is based on the property that the distribution of microfacets may be retrieved by solving an eigenvector problem that is built solely from backscattering samples. We show that the eigenvector associated to the largest eigenvalue is always the only solution to this problem, and compute it using the power iteration method. This approach is straightforward to implement, much faster to compute, and considerably more robust than solutions based on nonlinear optimizations. In addition, we provide simple conversion procedures of our fits into both Beckmann and GGX roughness parameters, and discuss the advantages of microfacet slope space to make our fits editable. We apply our method to measured materials from two large databases that include anisotropic materials, and demonstrate the benefits of spatially varying roughness on texture mapped geometric models.
Illumination‐driven Mesh Reduction for Accelerating Light Transport Simulations
Authors: Reich Andreas , Günther Tobias , Grosch Thorsten
Published: July 2015

Progressive light transport simulations aspire a physically‐based, consistent rendering to obtain visually appealing illumination effects, depth and realism. Thereby, the handling of large scenes is a difficult problem, as in typical scene subdivision approaches the parallel processing requires frequent synchronization due to the bouncing of light throughout the scene. In practice, however, only few object parts noticeably contribute to the radiance observable in the image, whereas large areas play only a minor role. In fact, a mesh simplification of the latter can go unnoticed by the human eye. This particular importance to the visible radiance in the image calls for an output‐sensitive mesh reduction that allows to render originally out‐of‐core scenes on a single machine without swapping of memory. Thus, in this paper, we present a preprocessing step that reduces the scene size under the constraint of radiance preservation with focus on high‐frequency effects such as caustics. For this, we perform a small number of preliminary light transport simulation iterations. Thereby, we identify mesh parts that contribute significantly to the visible radiance in the scene, and which we thus preserve during mesh reduction.
Neurodevelopmental outcome after neonatal perforator stroke
Authors: Ecury‐Goossen Ginette M , van der Haer Marit , Smit Liesbeth S , Feijen‐Roon Monique , Lequin Maarten , de Jonge Rogier C J , Govaert Paul , Dudink Jeroen
Published: July 2015

Aim

To assess outcome after neonatal perforator stroke in the largest cohort to date.

Method

Survivors from a cohort of children diagnosed with neonatal perforator stroke using cranial ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging were eligible for inclusion. Recovery and Recurrence Questionnaire score, presence of cerebral palsy (CP), and crude outcome were assessed, specifically (1) the ability to walk independently, (2) participation in regular education, and (3) the presence of epilepsy.

Results

Thirty‐seven patients (20 males, 17 females) aged 3 to 14 years (mean age 8y) were included in the study: 14 with isolated single perforator stroke, four with multiple isolated perforator strokes, and 19 with additional brain injury. Out of 18 children with isolated perforator stroke(s), four hadCP, one could not walk independently, and one developed epilepsy. The posterior limb of the internal capsule was involved in four out of 18 patients; three of these patients hadCP. Of 19 children with additional brain injury, 11 hadCPand three were not able to walk independently. Three out of nine children with concomitant cortical middle cerebral artery stroke developed epilepsy.

Interpretation

Perforator stroke patterns can be of use in predicting long‐term outcome and for guiding counselling and surveillance. Motor outcome was favourable in children with isolated perforator stroke(s), except when the posterior limb of the internal capsule was involved.
Life history strategy and adult and larval behavior of Macrodiplosis selenis (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), a species that induces leaf‐margin fold galls on deciduous Quercus (Fagaceae)
Authors: Kim Wanggyu , Matsunaga Kiyoko , Gyoutoku Naohisa , Matsuo Kazunori , Minami Tsuneo , Yukawa Junichi
Published: July 2015

Life historical, behavioral and ecological traits of Macrodiplosis selenis, which induces leaf‐margin fold galls on Quercus serrata, Q. mongolica and Q. dentata (Fagaceae) in Japan and South Korea, were studied. Daily activity and larval development indicate that M. selenis is a diurnal and univoltine gall midge. In April, females lay their eggs both on upper and under surfaces of fresh leaves. The duration of the egg stage varies from 5 to 9 days, depending on daily temperatures. Hatched larvae crawl to the upper surface of the leaf margin, where they start to induce galls. Larvae become full‐grown in October, drop to the ground in November and overwinter in cocoons on the ground, while larvae of congeners mature in May and drop to the ground in June. A relatively long period of the second larval stadium from July to October on the host trees seems to be effective for M. selenis in avoiding summer mortalities caused by predation and aridity on the ground and by ectoparasitoids that attack mature larvae or pupae on the host leaves. The spatial distribution pattern of M. selenis leaf galls is contagious and the mean gall density per leaf is significantly correlated with the mean crowding. This study adds new insights of life history strategy and adult and larval behavioral pattern to the ecological knowledge of gall midges, and these kinds of information are essential for further studies of M. selenis population dynamics and interactions with other Quercus‐associated herbivores.
Intranasal midazolam during presurgical epilepsy monitoring is well tolerated, delays seizure recurrence, and protects from generalized tonic–clonic seizures
Authors: Kay Lara , Reif Philipp S. , Belke Marcus , Bauer Sebastian , Fründ Detlef , Knake Susanne , Rosenow Felix , Strzelczyk Adam
Published: July 2015

Objective

To evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of the ictal and immediate postictal application of intranasal midazolam (in‐MDZ) in adolescents and adults during video–electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring.

Methods

Medical records of all patients treated with in‐MDZ between 2008 and 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. For each single patient, the time span until recurrence of seizures was analyzed after an index seizure with and without in‐MDZ application. To prevent potential bias, we defined the first seizure with application of in‐MDZ as the in‐MDZ index seizure. The control index seizure was the preceding, alternatively the next successive seizure without application of in‐MDZ.

Results

In total, 75 epilepsy patients (mean age 34 ± 14.7 years; 42 male, 33 female) were treated with in‐MDZ (mean dose 5.1 mg). Adverse events were observed in four patients (5.3%), and no serious adverse events occurred. The median time after EEG seizure onset before administration of in‐MDZ was 2.17 min (interquartile range [IQR] 03.82; range 0.13–15.0 min). Over the next 12 h after in‐MDZ, the number of seizures was significantly lower (p = 0.031). The median seizure‐free interval was significantly longer following treatment with in‐MDZ (5.83 h; IQR 6.83, range 0.4–23.87) than it was for those with no in‐MDZ treatment (2.37 h; IQR 4.87, range 0.03–21.87; p = 0.015). Conversely, the likelihood of the patient developing a subsequent seizure was four times higher (odds ratio [OR] 4.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.30–14.47) in the first hour and decreased gradually after 12 h (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.06–2.12). The occurrence of generalized tonic–clonic seizures was lower in the in‐MDZ group in the 24‐h observation period (OR 4.67, 95% CI 1.41–15.45; p = 0.009).

Significance

Ictal and immediate postictal administration of in‐MDZ was well tolerated and not associated with serious adverse events. We demonstrated a significant reduction of subsequent seizures (all seizure types) for a 12 h period and of generalized tonic–clonic seizures for 24 h following in‐MDZ.
Drivers of temporal changes in temperate forest plant diversity vary across spatial scales
Authors: Bernhardt‐Römermann Markus , Baeten Lander , Craven Dylan , De Frenne Pieter , Hédl Radim , Lenoir Jonathan , Bert Didier , Brunet Jörg , Chudomelová Markéta , Decocq Guillaume , Dierschke Hartmut , Dirnböck Thomas , Dörfler Inken , Heinken Thilo , Hermy Martin , Hommel Patrick , Jaroszewicz Bogdan , Keczyński Andrzej , Kelly Daniel L. , Kirby Keith J. , Kopecký Martin , Macek Martin , Máliš František , Mirtl Michael , Mitchell Fraser J.G. , Naaf Tobias , Newman Miles , Peterken George , Petřík Petr , Schmidt Wolfgang , Standovár Tibor , Tóth Zoltán , Calster Hans Van , Verstraeten Gorik , Vladovič Jozef , Vild Ondřej , Wulf Monika , Verheyen Kris
Published: July 2015

Global biodiversity is affected by numerous environmental drivers. Yet, the extent to which global environmental changes contribute to changes in local diversity is poorly understood. We investigated biodiversity changes in a meta‐analysis of 39 resurvey studies in European temperate forests (3988 vegetation records in total, 17–75 years between the two surveys) by assessing the importance of (i) coarse‐resolution (i.e., among sites) vs. fine‐resolution (i.e., within sites) environmental differences and (ii) changing environmental conditions between surveys. Our results clarify the mechanisms underlying the direction and magnitude of local‐scale biodiversity changes. While not detecting any net local diversity loss, we observed considerable among‐site variation, partly explained by temporal changes in light availability (a local driver) and density of large herbivores (a regional driver). Furthermore, strong evidence was found that presurvey levels of nitrogen deposition determined subsequent diversity changes. We conclude that models forecasting future biodiversity changes should consider coarse‐resolution environmental changes, account for differences in baseline environmental conditions and for local changes in fine‐resolution environmental conditions.
The challenge of the standardization of nursing specializations in Europe
Authors: Ranchal A. , Jolley M.J. , Keogh J. , Lepiesová M. , Rasku T. , Zeller S.
Published: July 2015

Background

The evolution of health care is driving the need for specialist nursing knowledge. Specialist nurses have undertaken a formal training that focuses on a specific clinical area or population and are legitimated by a professional award or legal status. Specialist nurses are better able to provide the most specific and most appropriate care for both people and populations.

Aim

This paper considers nursing's loose understanding of ‘specialization’ and the impact this has on those who seek employment outside their own nation but within the family of nations known as the European Union (EU). There is a lack of standardization for nursing specializations across the European Union that leads to lack of mobility across countries.

Sources of evidence

Reports were reviewed from within the European Union, including specialist nursing groups and regulatory nursing bodies.

Discussion

Nurse specialists can be regarded as operating at nursing's ‘leading edge’; however, it is here that nursing lacks organization and common standards. This is readily apparent in a EU bound together by the principle of freedom of movement and common professional and academic standards.

Conclusion

It is now time for European Union nurses to look beyond the common standards for pre‐registration courses and to consider the development of common standards for specialist nursing. Historical attempts to achieve common standards for specialist nursing have largely been unsuccessful due to the diversity of approaches to nurse specialization. It is time now for this challenge to be re‐addressed so that specialist nurses can more freely work throughout the European Union.

Implications for nursing policy

There is a pressing need for policy makers to define specialist nursing and to enable European Union‐wide standards.
Heritability and genetic correlations of personality traits in a wild population of yellow‐bellied marmots (Marmota flaviventris)
Authors: Petelle M. B. , Martin J. G. A. , Blumstein D. T.
Published: July 2015

Describing and quantifying animal personality is now an integral part of behavioural studies because individually distinctive behaviours have ecological and evolutionary consequences. Yet, to fully understand how personality traits may respond to selection, one must understand the underlying heritability and genetic correlations between traits. Previous studies have reported a moderate degree of heritability of personality traits, but few of these studies have either been conducted in the wild or estimated the genetic correlations between personality traits. Estimating the additive genetic variance and covariance in the wild is crucial to understand the evolutionary potential of behavioural traits. Enhanced environmental variation could reduce heritability and genetic correlations, thus leading to different evolutionary predictions. We estimated the additive genetic variance and covariance of docility in the trap, sociability (mirror image stimulation), and exploration and activity in two different contexts (open‐field and mirror image simulation experiments) in a wild population of yellow‐bellied marmots (Marmota flaviventris). We estimated both heritability of behaviours and of personality traits and found nonzero additive genetic variance in these traits. We also found nonzero maternal, permanent environment and year effects. Finally, we found four phenotypic correlations between traits, and one positive genetic correlation between activity in the open‐field test and sociability. We also found permanent environment correlations between activity in both tests and docility and exploration in the MIS test. This is one of a handful of studies to adopt a quantitative genetic approach to explain variation in personality traits in the wild and, thus, provides important insights into the potential variance available for selection.
Rehabilitation of a Completely Edentulous Patient with Nonreducible Bilateral Anterior Dislocation of the Temporomandibular Joint: A Prosthodontic Challenge—Clinical Report
Authors: Momani Moath , Abdallah Mohamed‐Nur , Al‐Sebaie Derar , Tamimi Faleh
Published: July 2015

Nonreduced bilateral anterior dislocation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is an extremely rare condition, and its prosthodontic rehabilitation is a clinical challenge, especially in patients who refuse to or cannot undergo surgery. There are no previous clinical reports of successful or standardized prosthetic rehabilitation approaches for patients with this condition. This clinical report describes the successful prosthodontic management of an edentulous patient with nonreduced bilateral anterior dislocation of the TMJ.
The Value of Occlusion in Dentistry: A Clinical Report Showing the Correction of an Anterior Reverse Articulation with Selective Occlusal Adjustment
Authors: Ferreira Cimara Fortes , Prado Abraão Moratelli , Pereira Maurício Assunção , Cardoso Antônio Carlos
Published: July 2015

The subject of occlusion has been deemphasized by academia over the last 30 years. This marginalization in turn has negatively impacted recent graduates who are largely unfamiliar with the use of occlusal adjustment by selective reshaping as a treatment modality. Use of proper occlusal therapy enables clinicians to more effectively help patients recover from parafunctional wear of the anterior and posterior teeth. In addition, familiarity with this field enhances the correction of progressive posterior and anterior reverse articulations. This article aims to highlight the importance of occlusal principles in treatment planning. In addition, we illustrate the benefits of occlusal adjustment by using a conservative technique, selective reshaping, as an option to correct anterior reverse articulation in a 20‐year‐old patient. The knowledge of occlusal principles enhances diagnosis of malocclusion in the development of a treatment plan. When properly employed, the technique of occlusal adjustment by selective reshaping may be used to correct an adaptive anterior reverse articulation with a high degree of predictability for select patients.
Effects of calcium soap of rice bran oil fatty acids supplementation alone and with DL‐α‐tocopherol acetate in lamb diets on performance, digestibility, ruminal parameters and meat quality
Authors: Bhatt R. S. , Sahoo A. , Karim S. A. , Agrawal A. R.
Published: July 2015

Thirty‐six Malpura lambs (28 day old and 6.7 ± 0.25 kg BW) were distributed equally in three groups having six males and six female. They were ad libitum fed individually three different experimental diets containing calcium soap of fatty acids (CA‐FA) at 0 (T1) and 40 (T2 and T3) g/kg concentrate up to six months of age. Animals in T3 were supplemented additionally with 40 mg DL‐α‐tocopherol acetate/kg of concentrate. The roughage moiety included ad libitum dry Prosopis cineraria and fresh Azadirachata indica leaves. All the lambs were allowed to suckle from their dam up to weaning (90 day of age). Supplementation of Ca‐FA improved weight gain and feed conversion ratio during both pre‐ (28–90 days) and post‐weaning (91–180 days) phases; however, no effect of DL‐α‐tocopherol was observed. Metabolic parameters during post‐weaning phase revealed non‐significant effect on digestibility but improved nitrogen balance in the test groups. The effect on biochemical attributes did not show any significant alteration in ruminal parameters, blood biochemicals and urinary purine derivatives. Carcass traits revealed higher (p < 0.05) dressing yield and loin eye area with Ca‐FA supplementation. The value of thiobarbituric reactive substances for nuggets prepared from frozen carcasses revealed significant (p < 0.05) reduction in T3 compared to the other dietary groups. Fatty acid profile of adipose tissue revealed higher (p < 0.001) 9‐octadecanoic, 9‐12‐octadecadienoic, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), higher ratio of PUFA/saturated fatty acids (SFA), ω‐6/ω‐3 and lower SFA in Ca‐FA‐supplemented groups. It is concluded that supplementation of 40 g/kg calcium soap prepared from industrial grade rice bran oil in lamb ration provided additional energy intake, improved N utilization, gain and feed conversion ratio besides improving dressing yield and meat quality with CLA enriched fatty acid profile. DL‐α‐tocopherol acetate when supplemented at 40 mg/kg feed reduced lipid oxidation of meat products thus improving its keeping quality.
Migration and isolation during the turbulent Ponto‐Caspian Pleistocene create high diversity in the crustacean Paramysis lacustris
Authors: Audzijonyte Asta , Baltrūnaitė Laima , Väinölä Risto , Arbačiauskas Kęstutis
Published: July 2015

The Ponto‐Caspian brackish‐water fauna inhabits estuaries and rivers of the Black, Azov and Caspian seas and is fragmented by higher salinity waters and a major interbasin watershed. The fauna is known for the high levels of endemism, complex zoogeographic histories, and as a recent source of successful invasive species. It remains debated whether the Black and Azov Sea brackish‐water populations survived unfavourable Pleistocene conditions in multiple separate refugia or whether the two seas were (repeatedly) recolonized from the Caspian. Using microsatellite and mtDNA markers, we demonstrate deep among‐ and within‐basin subdivisions in a widespread Ponto‐Caspian mysid crustacean Paramysis lacustris. Five genetic clusters were identified, but their relationships did not reflect the geography of the region. The Azov cluster was the most distinct (4–5% COI divergence), despite its geographic position in the corridor between Black and Caspian seas, and may represent a new species. In the northern Black Sea area, the Dnieper cluster was closer to the Caspian cluster than to the neighbouring Danube–Dniester–Bug populations, suggesting separate colonizations of the Black Sea. Overall, the data implied a predominant gene flow from the east to the Black Sea and highlight the importance of Caspian Sea transgressions in facilitating dispersal. Yet, the presence of distinct lineages in the Black Sea points to the persistence of isolated refugial populations that have gained diagnostic differences under presumably high mutation rates and large population sizes. The unfavourable Pleistocene periods in the Black Sea therefore appear to have promoted diversification of the brackish‐water lineages, rather than extirpated them.
Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Brazil Nuts on Microvascular Endothelial Function in Hypertensive and Dyslipidemic Patients: A Randomized Crossover Placebo‐Controlled Trial
Authors: Huguenin Grazielle V.B. , Moreira Annie S.B. , Siant'Pierre Tatiana D. , Gonçalves Rodrigo A. , Rosa Glorimar , Oliveira Glaucia M.M. , Luiz Ronir R. , Tibirica Eduardo
Published: July 2015

Objective

To investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with GBNs on microvascular endothelial function in hypertensive and dyslipidemic patients.

Methods

Ninety‐one patients of both sexes aged 62.1 ± 9.3 years received 13 g/day of GBNs or a placebo for three months with a washout period of one month between treatments. Microvascular endothelial function was assessed using LSCI coupled with iontophoresis of ACh and PORH. We also used skin video capillaroscopy to measure capillary density and recruitment at rest and during PORH. Plasma concentrations of NOx were also measured as a marker of nitric oxide bioavailability.

Results

Supplementation with GBNs significantly increased the plasma levels of Se (p < 0.05) and NOx (p < 0.05). However, we did not observe any effects of GBN consumption on microvascular vasodilator responses to ACh or PORH (p > 0.05), and GBNs did not improve capillary density at baseline or recruitment during PORH (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Supplementation with GBNs induced significant increases in the plasma Se concentration and systemic bioavailability of nitric oxide. Nevertheless, GBN supplementation did not lead to any improvement in systemic microvascular reactivity or density in patients with arterial hypertension and dyslipidemia who were undergoing multiple drug therapies.
Liver transplantation as a definitive treatment for familial hypercholesterolemia: A series of 36 cases
Authors: Mansoorian Mohsenreza , Kazemi Kourosh , Nikeghbalian Saman , Shamsaeefar Alireza , Mokhtari Maral , Dehghani Seyed Mohsen , Bahador Ali , Salahi Heshmatollah , Amoozgar Hamid , Malek Hosseini Seyed Ali
Published: July 2015

FHis a genetic disorder characterized by an increase in serumLDLand total cholesterol values. The afflicted patients are at increased risk of premature atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction. Different treatment modalities are present, including pharmacological agents and surgical procedures. The most effective method of therapy in refractive cases is liver transplantation. Herein, we report our experience on 36 cases of patients withFHundergoing liver transplantation in our center, the main referral center of liver transplantation in Iran. The clinical findings, hospital courses, post‐operative complications, and patient follow‐up are also described.
Study of Toxocara seroprevalence among patients with allergy and healthy individuals in Bulgaria
Authors: Kaneva E. , Rainova I. , Harizanov R. , Nikolov G. , Kaftandjiev I. , Mineva I.
Published: July 2015

Data in the literature addressing the ability of Toxocara infection in humans to induce development of atopic disease are controversial. The aim of our study was to determine the seroprevalence of anti‐Toxocara antibodies in three groups of people: subjects with allergic symptoms and presence of allergen‐specific IgE, subjects with allergic symptoms and absence of allergen‐specific IgE, and clinically healthy blood donors. Serum samples from all subjects were tested by ELISA and Western blot for presence of specific antibodies against Toxocara canis. The results of our study did not support the link between toxocariasis and allergic manifestations in atopic patients. Among subjects with allergic symptoms and absence of atopy was found seroprevalence of 2·2% in Western blot. Same index in patients with atopy was 0·8%, and in clinically healthy blood donors 4·0%. Our study gives us grounds to consider that it is appropriate persons with allergic reactions, without evidence of atopy to be tested for presence of anti‐Toxocara antibodies in the course of their diagnostic evaluation. Data from clinically healthy persons suggest that there is a ‘hidden’ infection among the population, which is not clinically manifested.
Nonlinear and complementary resistive switching behaviors of Au/Ti/TaOx/TiN devices dependent on Ti thicknesses
Authors: Jeon Heeyoung , Park Jingyu , Kim Hyunjung , Kim Honggi , Jang Woochool , Song Hyoseok , Jeon Hyeongtag
Published: July 2015

The fabricated Au/Ti/TaOx/TiN devices demonstrate nonlinear behavior at a low resistance state and a complementary resistive switching (CRS) behavior that is dependent upon the thickness of the Ti insertion layer. The nonlinear behavior can be explained by the presence of an ultrathin TiOx layer that acts as a tunnel barrier. In addition, the CRS behavior can be understood in relation to the redistribution of oxygen vacancies between the Ti/TaOx top interfaces. A thicker Ti insertion layer forms a thicker TiOx layer at the Ti/TaOx interface, which can serve as another switching layer. The Au/Ti/TaOx/TiN devices in this study are fabricated with fully complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor-compatible materials and exhibit nonlinear behavior at a low resistance state and a CRS behavior that present possible solutions for the suppression of the sneak current in the crossbar arrays.
Effect of the multiarray chip structure on the optical performance of GaN-based light emitting diodes
Authors: Jeong Gyu-Jae , Yoo Ho-Dol , Kim Kyoung-Kook , Lee Sung-Nam
Published: July 2015

Multiarray chip (MAC) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are introduced as an alternative approach to decrease the junction temperature, leading to reduced efficiency droop in high-power GaN-based LEDs. Despite using the same LED epiwafer, the authors found that the efficiency droop decreased on reducing the chip size from 1 × 1 to 8 × 8 MAC-LED cells. Although electroluminescence (EL) intensities of all MAC-LEDs demonstrated almost comparable results below an injection current of 100 mA, the efficiency droop of MAC-LEDs reduced when the current density was 10 A/cm2 owing to decrease in the satellite chip size. By using the forward voltage method, the junction temperature of MAC-LED gradually decreased on increasing the number of satellite chips in the MAC-LED. Based on these results, the authors suggest that the MAC-LED would be effective in improving the heat-dissipating rate, resulting in the reduction of efficiency droop without significantly decreasing the EL intensity.
Development of an Agility Test for Badminton Players and Assessment of Its Validity and Test–Retest Reliability
Authors: Loureiro Luiz de França Bahia , de Freitas Paulo Barbosa
Published: July 2015

Context:

Badminton requires open and fast actions toward the shuttlecock, but there is no specific agility test for badminton players with specific movements.

Purpose:

To develop an agility test that simultaneously assesses perception and motor capacity and examine the test’s concurrent and construct validity and its test–retest reliability.

Method:

The Badcamp agility test consists of running as fast as possible to 6 targets placed on the corners and middle points of a rectangular area (5.6 × 4.2 m) from the start position located in the center of it, following visual stimuli presented in a luminous panel. The authors recruited 43 badminton players (17–32 y old) to evaluate concurrent (with shuttle-run agility test—SRAT) and construct validity and test–retest reliability.

Results:

Results revealed that Badcamp presents concurrent and construct validity, as its performance is strongly related to SRAT (ρ = 0.83, P < .001), with performance of experts being better than nonexpert players (P < .01). In addition, Badcamp is reliable, as no difference (P = .07) and a high intraclass correlation (ICC = .93) were found in the performance of the players on 2 different occasions.

Conclusions:

The findings indicate that Badcamp is an effective, valid, and reliable tool to measure agility, allowing coaches and athletic trainers to evaluate players’ athletic condition and training effectiveness and possibly detect talented individuals in this sport.
Learning through computational creativity
Authors: Soh Leen-Kiat , Shell Duane F. , Ingraham Elizabeth , Ramsay Stephen , Moore Brian
Published: July 2015

Improving learning and achievement in introductory computer science by incorporating creative thinking into the curriculum.
An interview with the director of biomedical informatics at Stanford
Authors: Pop Cristina , Rathje Billy
Published: July 2015

Russ Altman discusses how computational biology is rapidly transforming clinical practice, particularly in his own field of pharmacogenomics.
A conversation with Vijay Pande
Authors: Pop Cristina
Published: July 2015

The director of Stanford University's Pande Lab discusses how his work with large-scale, distributed simulation is being used to study protein folding and its connection to disease.
Big data comes in tiny packages
Authors: Sachs Karen , Chen Tiffany
Published: July 2015

Single-cell data creates computational opportunities for discovery in disease and human health.
Modeling Routing Overhead of Reactive Protocols at Link Layer and Network Layer in Wireless Multihop Networks
Authors: Javaid N. , Khan Z. A. , Qasim U. , Jamil M. , Ishfaq M. , Alghamdi T. A.
Published: July 2015

To keep information recent between two nodes, two types of link sensing feed-back mechanisms are used: link layer (LL) and network layer (NL). In this paper, we model and evaluate these link sensing mechanisms in three widely used reactive routing protocols: ad hoc on-demand distance vector (AODV), dynamic source routing (DSR), and dynamic MANET on-demand (DYMO). Total cost paid by a routing protocol is the sum of cost paid in the form of energy consumed (in terms of packet reception/transmission) and time spent (in terms of processing route information). Routing operations are divided into two phases: route discovery (RD) and route maintenance (RM). These protocols majorly focus on broadcast cost optimization performed by expanding ring search (ERS) algorithm to control blind flooding. Hence, our model relates link sensing mechanisms in RD and RM for the selected routing protocols to compute consumed energy and processing time. The proposed framework is evaluated via NS-2, where the selected protocols are tested with different nodes' mobilities and densities.
Clinical Outcomes of Primary Palatal Surgery in Children with Nonsyndromic Cleft Palate with and without Lip
Authors: Ha Seunghee , Koh Kyung S. , Moon Heewon , Jung Seungeun , Oh Tae Suk
Published: July 2015

This study presents clinical outcomes of primary cleft palate surgery, including rate of oronasal fistula development, rate of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) requiring secondary surgery, and speech outcomes. We examined the effect of cleft type on the clinical outcomes. Retrospective analysis was performed using clinical records of all patients who received a primary palatoplasty at the Cleft Palate Clinic at Seoul Asan Medical Center, South Korea, between 2007 and 2012. The study included 292 patients with nonsyndromic overt cleft palate (±cleft lip). The results revealed that the rate of oronasal fistula was 7.9% and the incidence of VPI based on the rate of secondary palatal surgery was 19.2%. The results showed that 50.3% of all the patients had received speech therapy and 28.8% and 51.4% demonstrated significant hypernasality and articulatory deficits, respectively. The results of the rate of VPI and speech outcomes were significantly different in terms of cleft type. Except for the rate of oronasal fistula, patients with cleft palate generally exhibited better clinical outcomes compared to those with bilateral or unilateral cleft lip and palate. This study suggests that several factors, including cleft type, should be identified and comprehensively considered to establish an optimal treatment regimen for patients with cleft palate.
Experimental and Theoretical Studies on the Structure and Photoluminescent Properties of New Mononuclear and Homodinuclear Europium(III)β-Diketonate Complexes
Authors: Martins João P. , Martín-Ramos Pablo , Chamorro-Posada Pedro , Pereira Silva Pedro S. , Martín-Gil Jesús , Hernández-Navarro Salvador , Ramos Silva Manuela
Published: July 2015

Two novel europium(III) complexes, a monomer and a homodimer, with 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,4,4-trifluoro-1,3-butanedione (Hcbtfa) and 5-chloro-1,10-phenanthroline (cphen) ligands, formulated as [Eu(cbtfa)3(cphen)] and [Eu2(cbtfa)4(cphen)2(CH3O)2], have been synthesized. Their structures have been elucidated by X-ray diffraction and their absorption and emission properties have been studied in the solid state. The experimental data has then been used to test the recently released LUMPAC software, a promising tool which can facilitate the design of more efficient lanthanide light-conversion molecular devices by combining ground state geometry, excited state energy, and luminescent properties calculations.
Wide-Field Megahertz OCT Imaging of Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Reznicek Lukas , Kolb Jan P. , Klein Thomas , Mohler Kathrin J. , Wieser Wolfgang , Huber Robert , Kernt Marcus , Märtz Josef , Neubauer Aljoscha S.
Published: July 2015

Purpose. To evaluate the feasibility of wide-field Megahertz (MHz) OCT imaging in patients with diabetic retinopathy.Methods. A consecutive series of 15 eyes of 15 patients with diagnosed diabetic retinopathy were included. All patients underwent Megahertz OCT imaging, a close clinical examination, slit lamp biomicroscopy, and funduscopic evaluation. To acquire densely sampled, wide-field volumetric datasets, an ophthalmic 1050 nm OCT prototype system based on a Fourier-domain mode-locked (FDML) laser source with 1.68 MHz A-scan rate was employed.Results. We were able to obtain OCT volume scans from all included 15 patients. Acquisition time was 1.8 seconds. Obtained volume datasets consisted of 2088×1044 A-scans of 60° of view. Thus, reconstructed en face images had a resolution of 34.8 pixels per degree inx-axis and 17.4 pixels per degree. Due to the densely sampled OCT volume dataset, postprocessed customized cross-sectional B-frames through pathologic changes such as an individual microaneurysm or a retinal neovascularization could be imaged.Conclusions. Wide-field Megahertz OCT is feasible to successfully image patients with diabetic retinopathy at high scanning rates and a wide angle of view, providing information in all three axes. The Megahertz OCT is a useful tool to screen diabetic patients for diabetic retinopathy.
Association of Metabolic Syndrome with the Cardioankle Vascular Index in Asymptomatic Korean Population
Authors: Nam Su-Hyun , Kang Sung-Goo , Lee Yun-Ah , Song Sang-Wook , Rho Jun-Seung
Published: July 2015

Aim. Metabolic syndrome is characterized by a cluster of atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk factors. The cardioankle vascular index (CAVI) reflects arterial stiffness and may be used as an indicator of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. In this study, we investigated the association of CAVI with metabolic syndrome.Methods. A total of 1,144 adults were included in this study. We measured CAVIs and examined blood samples to identify metabolic syndrome according to WHO Asia Pacific criteria and NCEP-ATPIII criteria. AST, ALT,r-GTP, BUN, creatinine, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, and uric acid were also measured.Results. CAVI values were significantly higher in subjects with metabolic syndrome than those without metabolic syndrome and increased according to the number of metabolic syndrome components present. Subjects with high fasting blood sugar levels or high blood pressure showed high CAVI values. Multiple regression analysis showed that age, sex, diastolic blood pressure, and uric acid were independent predictors of CAVI.Conclusion. Subjects with metabolic syndrome had high CAVIs, which indicated arterial stiffness, and were closely associated with an increase in the number of metabolic risk factors. The individual risk factors for metabolic syndrome have the synergistic effect of elevating arterial stiffness in asymptomatic Korean population.
High Body Mass Index Is an Indicator of Maternal Hypothyroidism, Hypothyroxinemia, and Thyroid-Peroxidase Antibody Positivity during Early Pregnancy
Authors: Han Cheng , Li Chenyan , Mao Jinyuan , Wang Weiwei , Xie Xiaochen , Zhou Weiwei , Li Chenyang , Xu Bin , Bi Lihua , Meng Tao , Du Jianling , Zhang Shaowei , Gao Zhengnan , Zhang Xiaomei , Yang Liu , Fan Chenling , Teng Weiping , Shan Zhongyan
Published: July 2015

Background. Maternal thyroid dysfunction in early pregnancy may increase the risk of adverse pregnancy complications and neurocognitive deficiencies in the developing fetus. Currently, some researchers demonstrated that body mass index (BMI) is associated with thyroid function in nonpregnant population. Hence, the American Thyroid Association recommended screening thyroid function in obese pregnant women; however, the evidence for this is weak. For this purpose, our study investigated the relationship between high BMI and thyroid functions during early pregnancy in Liaoning province, an iodine-sufficient region of China.Methods. Serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid-peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) concentration, urinary iodine concentration (UIC), and BMI were determined in 6303 pregnant women.Results. BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2may act as an indicator of hypothyroxinemia and TPOAb positivity and BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2was associated with increases in the odds of hypothyroidism, hypothyroxinemia, and TPOAb positivity. The prevalence of isolated hypothyroxinemia increased among pregnant women with BMI > 24 kg/m2.Conclusions. High BMI during early pregnancy may be an indicator of maternal thyroid dysfunction; for Asian women whose BMI > 24 kg/m2and who are within 8 weeks of pregnancy, thyroid functions should be assessed especially.
Dysglycaemia and Other Predictors for Progression or Regression from Impaired Fasting Glucose to Diabetes or Normoglycaemia
Authors: de Abreu L. , Holloway Kara L. , Kotowicz Mark A. , Pasco Julie A.
Published: July 2015

Aims. Diabetes mellitus is a growing health problem worldwide. This study aimed to describe dysglycaemia and determine the impact of body composition and clinical and lifestyle factors on the risk of progression or regression from impaired fasting glucose (IFG) to diabetes or normoglycaemia in Australian women.Methods. This study included 1167 women, aged 20–94 years, enrolled in the Geelong Osteoporosis Study. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors for progression to diabetes or regression to normoglycaemia (from IFG), over 10 years of follow-up.Results. At baseline the proportion of women with IFG was 33.8% and 6.5% had diabetes. Those with fasting dysglycaemia had higher obesity-related factors, lower serum HDL cholesterol, and lower physical activity. Over a decade, the incidence of progression from IFG to diabetes was 18.1 per 1,000 person-years (95% CI, 10.7–28.2). Fasting plasma glucose and serum triglycerides were important factors in both progression to diabetes and regression to normoglycaemia.Conclusions. Our results show a transitional process; those with IFG had risk factors intermediate to normoglycaemics and those with diabetes. This investigation may help target interventions to those with IFG at high risk of progression to diabetes and thereby prevent cases of diabetes.
An Empirical Method of Estimating Soil Thermal Inertia
Authors: Tian Jing , Su Hongbo , He Honglin , Sun Xiaomin
Published: July 2015

A method of estimating soil thermal inertia (STI), which uses midday soil heat flux (Gm) and diurnal surface temperature amplitude as the inputs, is presented in the paper.Gmis achieved from an empirical relationship between net radiation (Rn) and soil heat flux (G). To validate the STI method, a method proposed by Verhoef, which requires STI and a Fourier series analysis on surface temperature, is used to estimate diurnalG. By comparing diurnalGestimates and diurnalGmeasurements, the STI method is evaluated indirectly. The results show that the diurnal curve ofGestimates can coincide with that ofGmeasurements for bare soil, with the correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.64, bias of 10.1 W·m−2, and root mean squared errors (RMSE) of 40.9 W·m−2. For the vegetated surface,R2is 0.56, bias is −11.9 W·m−2, and RMSE is 49.2 W·m−2. The large uncertainty in the estimation ofGmresulting from the wider variation of the empirical relationship between Rn andGand the difference between mixed surface temperature and soil surface temperature may be the two primary factors for the larger deviation of the diurnal shape and the magnitude betweenGestimates andGmeasurements for the vegetated surface.
Comparison of National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index with International Index of Erectile Function 5 in Men with Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome: A Large Cross-Sectional Study in China
Authors: Gao Jingjing , Gao Pan , Hao Zongyao , Zhou Zengrong , Liu Jihong , Li Hongjun , Xing Junping , Zhou Zhansong , Deng Chunhua , Deng Liwen , Wei Qiang , Zhang Xiansheng , Zhou Jun , Fan Song , Tai Sheng , Yang Chen , Shi Kai , Huang Yuanyuan , Ye Zhangqun , Liang Chaozhao
Published: July 2015

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the relationship between NIH-CPSI and IIEF-5 in Chinese men with CP/CPPS. A large cross-sectional and multicenter survey was conducted from July 2012 to January 2014. Men were recruited from urology clinics which were located at the five cities in China. All men participated in the survey by completing a verbal questionnaire (consisted of sociodemographics, past medical history, sexual history, and self-estimated scales). The results showed that 1,280 men completed the survey. Based on the CP/CPPS definition, a total of 801 men were diagnosed as having CP/CPPS. Men with CP/CPPS reported higher scores of NIH-CPSI and lower scores of IIEF-5 than men without CP/CPPS. NIH-CPSI scores were significantly negatively correlated with IIEF-5 scores. The total scores of NIH-CPSI were significantly more strongly correlated with question 5 than other questions of IIEF-5. The total scores of IIEF-5 were significantly more strongly correlated with pain symptoms scores of NIH-CPSI. Strongest correlation was found between QoL impact and question 5 of IIEF-5. The findings suggested that NIH-CPSI scores were significantly negatively correlated with IIEF-5 scores. Strongest correlation was found between QoL impact and question 5 of IIEF-5.
Network-Based Association Study of Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes with Gene Expression Profiles
Authors: Zhang Siyi , Wang Bo , Shi Jingsong , Li Jing
Published: July 2015

The increased prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) has become an important factor affecting the health of the human. Obesity is commonly considered as a major risk factor for the development of T2D. However, the molecular mechanisms of the disease relations are not well discovered yet. In this study, the combination of multiple differential expression profiles and a comprehensive biological network of obesity and T2D allowed us to identify and compare the disease-responsive active modules and subclusters. The results demonstrated that the connection between obesity and T2D mainly relied on several pathways involved in the digestive metabolism, immunization, and signal transduction, such as adipocytokine, chemokine signaling pathway, T cell receptor signaling pathway, and MAPK signaling pathways. The relationships of almost all of these pathways with obesity and T2D have been verified by the previous reports individually. We also found that the different parts in the same pathway are activated in obesity and T2D. The association of cancer, obesity, and T2D was identified too here. As a conclusion, our network-based method not only gives better support for the close connection between obesity and T2D, but also provides a systemic view in understanding the molecular functions underneath the links. It should be helpful in the development of new therapies for obesity, T2D, and the associated diseases.
Effect of Fatigue Damage on Energy Absorption Properties of Honeycomb Paperboard
Authors: Fan Zhi-geng , Lu Li-xin , Wang Jun
Published: July 2015

The effect of fatigue damage (FD) on the energy absorption properties of precompressed honeycomb paperboard is investigated by fatigue compression experiments. The constitutive relations of honeycomb paperboard have been changed after the fatigue damage. The results show that FD has effect on plateau stress and energy absorption capacity of honeycomb paperboard after fatigue cycles but has no significant effect on densification strain. Energy absorption diagram based on the effect of FD is constructed from the stress-strain curves obtained after fatigue compression experiments. FD is a significant consideration for honeycomb paperboard after transports. The results of this paper could be used for optimization design of packaging materials.