bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A role for everolimus in post‐transplant encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis: First case report
Authors: Sud Rahul , Garry Lorraine , Spicer Stephen Timothy , Allen Richard DM , Eris Josette M , Wyburn Kate , Verran Deborah , Cooper Caroline Louise , Chadban Steve
Published: January 2014

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a rare complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD) that carries a high morbidity and mortality. The ‘two hit theory’ suggests that long term deterioration of the peritoneum combined with intraperitoneal inflammation is needed in the pathogenesis of EPS. For unclear reasons, post transplantation EPS is being increasingly reported in patients previously on PD. To date, there is no proven effective therapy with an absence of randomised controlled trials. Individual case reports and small case series have reported on the use of tamoxifen and corticosteroids for medical management of EPS. The use of everolimus has been reported in a single case, and never in the setting of renal transplantation. Here, we present the first case of post‐transplant encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis treated successfully with a combination of everolimus, tamoxifen, low dose corticosteroid and surgery.
Can radiographic features predict the difficulty of open exposure of palatal canines?
Authors: Germain S. , Corbett I.P. , Downing A. , Meechan J.G.
Published: January 2014

Aim

The aim of this study is to determine if radiographic features are predictive of surgical difficulty of open exposure of palatal canines using a tissue sacrifice method.

Materials and methods

This is a prospective case series comparing features observed on preoperative panoramic radiographs and other variables to both surgical duration and the surgeons reported difficulty. Radiographic features included height, sector (overlap of adjacent incisor) and angulation of the impacted canine. Clinical variables recorded were patient age and gender, side of impaction, anaesthetic choice, if the canine was palpable, and patient cooperation. A stepwise linear regression analysis was used to relate clinical and radiographic variables to treatment duration and assessed difficulty. Inter‐ and intra‐examiner reliability were assessed with Kappa statistics.

Results

Forty‐nine patients with a total of 55 palatal canine exposures were included. The mean duration of exposure was 4 min and 5 s with a range of 45 s to 8 min and 50 s. Surgical duration was correlated to a subjective grade of surgical difficulty recorded on a visual analogue scale by the surgeon (Pearson's correlation coefficient 0.76). Three predictors of increased surgical duration were identified as anaesthetic choice, height and angulation of impaction. The linear regression had an accuracy of 30.5%.

Conclusions

Radiographic features had a small predictive value in determining duration of open palatal canine exposure. Both increased height and angulation to the midline were associated with longer procedures. The use of local anaesthetic was associated with a longer surgical duration compared with general anaesthetic.
Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Plus Coupled Pacing Improves Acutely Myocardial Function in Heart Failure Patients
Authors: BRÉMONT CAMILLE , LIM PASCAL , ELBAZ NATHALIE , DAMY THIBAUD , GUÉRET PASCAL , DUBOIS‐RANDÉ JEAN‐LUC , WALLICK DON W. , LELLOUCHE NICOLAS
Published: January 2014

Background

Coupled pacing (CP), which consists of an additional beat delivered after ventricular refractory period, has been proposed to reduce ventricular rate and increase ventricular contractility. We hypothesized that CP may be added to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) to improve CRT effect in heart failure (HF) patients.

Methods

The study included 20 consecutive HF patients in sinus rhythm referred for CRT‐defibrillator (CRT‐D) implantation (baseline left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] 27 ± 6%, baseline QRS duration 149 ± 33 ms, age = 63 ± 11 years). CP associated with CRT (CRT + CP) was delivered during CRT‐D implantation from the right and left ventricular leads simultaneously. Echocardiography data were collected at baseline, during CRT and CRT + CP to assess changes in LVEF, cardiac output (CO), longitudinal global strain assessed by speckle tracking, and LV dyssynchrony (opposing wall delay using tissue Doppler imaging).

Results

Compared to the conventional CRT, heart rate (HR) markedly decreased during CRT + CP (79 ± 20 beats/min vs 51 ± 8 beats/min, P < 0.0001) and was associated with a significant increase in LVEF (30 ± 8% vs 35 ± 8%, P = 0.0002) and peak of longitudinal global strain (–6 ± 2% vs –8 ± 2%, P < 0.0001). Importantly, during CRT + CP, CO increased (3.8 ± 1.0 L/min vs 4.4 ± 1.4 L/min, P = 0.004) and cardiac synchronicity remained unchanged (38 ± 24 ms for CRT alone vs 27 ± 18 ms for CRT + CP, P = 0.1).

Conclusion

In sinus rhythm HF patients, acute CP application in addition to CRT decreases HR and contributes to myocardial contractility and CO improvement without deleterious impact on ventricular synchronicity.
An exploration of the therapeutic alliance within a telephone‐based cognitive behaviour therapy for individuals with experience of psychosis
Authors: Mulligan John , Haddock Gillian , Hartley Samantha , Davies Josie , Sharp Tom , Kelly James , Neil Sandra T. , Taylor Chris D.J. , Welford Mary , Price Jason , Rivers Zoe , Barrowclough Christine
Published: January 2014

Objectives

This study investigated the therapeutic alliance (TA) between clients and therapists involved in a telephone‐based cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) oriented psychological intervention for individuals experiencing psychosis.

Design

The telephone intervention involved recovery‐focused CBT with use of a self‐help guide and group intervention co‐facilitated by colleagues with personal experience of psychosis. It was delivered as part of a Participant Preference Trial.

Methods

Twenty‐one client/therapist dyads were examined within this study. In addition to a measure of TA, clients completed measures of depression, social functioning, symptom severity, and strength of treatment preference, while therapists completed measures related to the level of shared formulation, therapist confidence, and therapeutic change estimates.

Results

Therapeutic alliance levels were comparable to previously reported face‐to‐face psychosis intervention studies. Clients consistently reported significantly higher TA ratings compared to therapists. Depression scores and the strength of preference for treatment were significantly associated with client TA. Greater therapist perceived change was associated with higher therapist rated TA, while higher numbers of missed therapy sessions associated with lower therapist ratings.

Conclusions

Telephone‐based psychosis interventions may support the formation of positive relationships that are comparable to the quality of relationships developed between therapists and clients during face‐to‐face CBT therapy. Methodological limitations including low participant numbers and heightened risk of a Type I error necessitate caution when interpreting findings. Further research into therapist and client variables associated with TA is required.

Practitioner points

Telephone delivered interventions to support people with psychosis‐related difficulties can result in the development of a good quality TA between therapists and clients.

There is a significant difference between therapist and client ratings of TA. Clients tend to score the quality of the TA significantly more highly than therapists.

Providing clients with choice when participating in therapeutic interventions could potentially contribute towards improved TA reporting by clients.
Exploring and Visualizing Differences in Geographic and Linguistic Web Coverage
Authors: Venkateswaran Ramya , Weibel Robert , Purves Ross S.
Published: January 2014

This article reports on a study performed to understand the geographic and linguistic coverage of web resources, focusing on the example of tourism‐related themes in Switzerland. Search engine queries of web documents were used to gather counts for phrases in four different languages. The study focused on selected populated places and tourist attractions in Switzerland from three gazetteer datasets: topographic gazetteer data from the Swiss national mapping agency (SwissTopo); POI data from a commercial data provider (Tele Atlas) and user generated geographic content (geonames.org). The web counts illustrate the geographic extent and trends of web coverage of tourism for different languages. Results show that coverage for local languages, i.e. German, French and Italian, is more strongly related to the region of the spoken language. Correlation of the web counts to typical tourism indicators, e.g. population and number of hotel nights rented per year, are also computed and compared.
The Importance of Global Shocks for National Policymakers – Rising Challenges for Sustainable Monetary Policies
Authors: Beckmann Joscha , Belke Ansgar , Czudaj Robert
Published: January 2014

This paper analyses the importance of global shocks for the global economic developments and national policymakers from a novel perspective. On the one hand, we examine whether global factors convey additional information about monetary conditions not summarised by national aggregates. More specifically, we keep an eye on the question whether domestic monetary policies have become less effective in the wake of financial globalisation. We adopt a FAVAR framework to derive structural shocks on a worldwide level and their impact on other global and also national variables. We estimate our macromodel using quarterly data from Q1 1984 to Q4 2012 for the G7 countries plus the euro area. According to our results, global liquidity shocks significantly influence the global economy at the commodity price level. However, some other common shocks originating from house prices and GDP play a role at the global level as well.
Retrograde trans-anterior communicating artery rescue of unopened Pipeline Embolization Device with balloon dilation: complication management
Authors: Navarro Ramon , Yoon Jang , Dixon Tanya , Miller David A , Hanel Ricardo A , Tawk Rabih G
Published: January 2014

As the use of the Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) for the treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms rises, knowledge about complications continues to accumulate amidt a paucity of reports on techniques and rescue strategies. We describe the case of a 70-year-old woman who presented with worsening reto-orbital left-sided pain and a large cavernous aneurysm. The patient underwent endovascular treatment with PED, and there was difficulty delivering the device due to significant vascular tortuosity. This resulted in poor PED deployment as the proximal end failed to open. Increasingly aggressive strategies were attempted to open the device, which resulted in an iatrogenic carotid cavernous fistula. We were finally able to rescue the device and open its proximal end with balloon inflation after using a contralateral trans-anterior communicating artery approach and crossing the PED in a retrograde fashion. Excessive vascular tortuosity poses a genuine risk of PED malfunction and poor deployment. Although we were able to rescue the device and our patient had no permanent morbidity, difficult vascular anatomy rendered the procedure extremely complicated with dreaded complications.
Pollination biology ofGeissomeria pubescensNees (Acanthaceae) in a forest remnant in central Brazil
Authors: Matias Raphael , Consolaro Hélder
Published: January 2014

Specialized plants like those in genus Geissomeria Lindl. (Acanthaceae) seem to depend directly on pollination by hummingbirds for reproduction. The goal of this study was to investigate the pollination biology of Geissomeria pubescens Nees (Acanthaceae) in a forest fragment in the municipality of Catalão, state of Goiás, Brazil, including aspects of morphology, floral biology, energy availability from nectar, and reproductive system. Geissomeria pubescens has pendulous red flowers, tubular corolla, diurnal anthesis, and no odor. These floral traits characterize G. pubescens as an ornithophilous species. The total amount of energy available from nectar was 8.60 ± 2.87 cal·flower–1, and each individual produced up to 22.53 cal·day–1. Based on the resources offered by G. pubescens, the fragment studied may support up to 94.6 hummingbirds during the peak of nectar availability. Hummingbirds were the only flower visitors, and Thalurania furcata (Gmelin, 1788) was the main pollinator. Flowers from manual cross- and self-pollination treatments produced fruits, but fruit set was low compared with open pollination. These results, along with the lack of fruit set from agamospermy and spontaneous selfing, demonstrate the importance of hummingbirds for pollen flow and, consequently, for fruit formation in G. pubescens.
Influences of various forms of nitrogen additions on carbon mineralization in natural secondary forests and adjacent larch plantations in Northeast China
Authors: Yang Kai , Zhu Jiaojun , Xu Shuang
Published: January 2014

Soil organic matter decomposition, a major process that affects soil carbon (C) storage, is controlled by the available nitrogen (N) in soils. However, little is known about the effects of the various forms of N input on organic matter decomposition in typical temperate forest types such as secondary forests and larch plantations. A 56-day laboratory incubation experiment was performed to determine the effects of dominant N forms (ammonium dominant = NH4+; ammonium nitrate dominant = NH4NO3; and nitrate dominant = NO3−) and four N levels (control = no N added; low N = 25 mg N·kg soil−1; medium N = 50 mg N·kg soil−1; and high N = 75 mg N·kg soil−1) on soil C mineralization in secondary forest and larch plantation soils. The results indicated that the addition of N inhibits C mineralization, regardless of the form of N applied in the secondary forest soil, whereas NH4+-dominant soil decreased C mineralization in the larch plantation soil. Furthermore, among the various forms of N, the addition of NH4+ reduced C mineralization the most compared with NO3– and NH4NO3 additions in the secondary forest soil. Additional N generally suppressed phenol oxidase activity but had no effects on activities of exoglucanase, β-glucosidase, and N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase or soluble organic C in the secondary forest soil. The decrease in phenol oxidase activity that was associated with the addition of N is likely to have an effect on soil C mineralization. We also observed that soil pH decreased with the increasing rate of N input in the secondary forest soil, which indicates that soil C mineralization may be sensitive to the amount of N through changes in soil pH. Overall, the addition of N resulted in changes in soil C mineralization that depended on the form of the N input and the forest type. The application of NH4+-dominant N influenced soil C dynamics in the secondary forest and larch plantation soils in this short-term experiment.
SCHEDULING POSITION-BASED DETERIORATING JOBS WITH MULTIPLE RATE-MODIFYING ACTIVITIES AND PAST-SEQUENCE-DEPENDENT DELIVERY TIMES
Authors: CHEN KE , JI MIN , GE JIAOJIAO , WEI GUIYI
Published: January 2014

In this paper, we consider a scheduling problem with position-based deteriorating jobs and past-sequence-dependent delivery times on a single machine or parallel machines. Each job's delivery time is dependent on its waiting time for processing. Because of the deteriorating effect, each machine will undergo multiple rate-modifying activities throughout the planning horizon to restore its processing rate. For the single-machine case, the objectives are to minimize the makespan and the total completion time. For the parallel-machine case, the objectives are to minimize the total completion time and the total machine load. We show that all these problems are solvable in polynomial time.
HIGH-PERFORMANCE MATHEMATICAL FUNCTIONS FOR SINGLE-CORE ARCHITECTURES
Authors: SHARIF MD. HAIDAR
Published: January 2014

Nowadays high-performance computing (HPC) architectures are designed to resolve assorted sophisticated scientific as well as engineering problems across an ever intensifying number of HPC and professional workloads. Application and computation of key trigonometric functions sine and cosine are in all spheres of our daily life, yet fairly time consuming task in high-performance numerical simulations. In this paper, we have delivered a detailed deliberation of how the micro-architecture of single-core Itanium® and Alpha 21264/21364 processors as well as the manual optimization techniques improve the computing performance of several mathematical functions. On describing the detailed algorithm and its execution pattern on the processor, we have confirmed that the processor micro-architecture side by side manual optimization techniques ameliorate computing performance significantly as compared to not only the standard math library's built-in functions with compiler optimizing options but also Intel® Itanium® library's highly optimized mathematical functions.
AUTOMATIC DISCOVERY OF AGENT BASED MODELS: AN APPLICATION TO SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY
Authors: MENEZES TELMO , ROTH CAMILLE
Published: January 2014

We present a methodology that applies a machine learning technique — genetic programming — to the problem of finding plausible generative models for complex networks. We specifically apply this method to the analysis of alliance networks, a type of kinship network used by social anthropologists where nodes are groups and directed edges represent a group giving a wife to another group. Network generators are represented as computer programs. Evolutionary search is used to find programs that generate networks that best approximate real networks. The quality evaluation of a model is based on a set of network metrics with anthropological meaning. We evolve generators for seventeen real alliance networks and find that our approach is capable of generating high quality results both in terms of network similarity and human readability of the programs. We present and discuss a subset of the experimental results that highlights several interesting aspects of our findings. We believe in the applicability of the methodology to complex networks in general and propose that these are the first steps towards an artificial network scientist.
Towards e-Government: End-User Satisfaction with IT Implementation at Royal Malaysian Customs
Authors: Bakar Abbul Hamid Abu , Choy Chong Siong , Lin Binshan , Radzi Najmi Mohd
Published: January 2014

This paper examines the extent of end-user satisfaction on the service delivery process by the Royal Malaysian Customs (RMC) as the agency moves toward implementing electronic government (e-government) initiatives. The RMC has in fact been identified as one of the prominent and technology-pioneering government agencies in the country and therefore suitable for delivering electronic public services. Data were collected in mid-2009 from two types of customers, i.e., internal (Customs officers) and external (forwarding agents, importers, and bonded warehouse licensees) who use the Customs Information Systems (CIS) C8 form for transshipment of goods. Overall, the findings suggest that both types of customers are either indecisive and/or doubtful with the performance of the CIS. These findings are then extended to the broader context of information technology. It is of paramount importance that the RMC takes appropriate measures to satisfy both its internal and external customers by provision of improving its service delivery process through its CIS to produce desirable results.
CANCER — PATHOLOGICAL BREAKDOWN OF COHERENT ENERGY STATES
Authors: POKORNÝ JIŘÍ , POKORNÝ JAN , KOBILKOVÁ JITKA , JANDOVÁ ANNA , VRBA JAN , VRBA JAN
Published: January 2014

The fundamental property of biological systems is a coherent state far from thermodynamic equilibrium excited and sustained by energy supply. Mitochondria in eukaryotic cells produce energy and form conditions for excitation of oscillations in microtubules. Microtubule polar oscillations generate a coherent state far from thermodynamic equilibrium which makes possible cooperation of cells in the tissue. Mitochondrial dysfunction (the Warburg effect) in cancer development breaks down energy of the coherent state far from thermodynamic equilibrium and excludes the afflicted cell from the ordered multicellular tissue system. Cancer lowering of energy and coherence of the state far from thermodynamic equilibrium is the biggest difference from the healthy cells. Cancer treatment should target mitochondrial dysfunction to restore the coherent state far from thermodynamic equilibrium, apoptotic pathway, and subordination of the cell in the tissue. A vast variety of genetic changes and other disturbances in different cancers can result in several triggers of mitochondrial dysfunction. In cancers with the Warburg effect, mitochondrial dysfunction can be treated by inhibition of four isoforms of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases. Treatment of the reverse Warburg effect cancers would be more complicated. Disturbances of cellular electromagnetic activity by conducting and asbestos fibers present a special problem of treatment.
GIADA: ITS STATUS AFTER THE ROSETTA CRUISE PHASE AND ON-GROUND ACTIVITY IN SUPPORT OF THE ENCOUNTER WITH COMET 67P/CHURYUMOV-GERASIMENKO
Authors: DELLA CORTE V. , ROTUNDI A. , ACCOLLA M. , SORDINI R. , PALUMBO P. , COLANGELI L. , LOPEZ–MORENO J. J. , RODRIGUEZ J. , RIETMEIJER F. J. M. , FERRARI M. , LUCARELLI F. , MAZZOTTA EPIFANI E. , IVANOVSKI S. , ARONICA A. , COSI M. , BUSSOLETTI E. , CRIFO J. F. , ESPOSITO F. , FULLE M. , GREEN S. F. , GRUEN E. , HERRANZ M. L. , JERONIMO J. M. , LAMY P. , LOPEZ JIMENEZ A. , McDONNELL J. A. M. , MENNELLA V. , MOLINA A. , MORALES R. , MORENO F. , PALOMBA E. , PERRIN J. M. , RODRIGO R. , WEISSMAN P. , ZAKHAROV V. , ZARNECKI J. C.
Published: January 2014

GIADA (Grain Impact Analyser and Dust Accumulator) on-board the Rosetta mission to comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko was designed to study the physical and dynamical properties of dust particles ejected by the comet during the encounter. In this paper we report the results of the analysis of data collected by GIADA during the past seven years of the cruise phase. During this period the GIADA detection subsystems were switched on for periodic in-flight payload checkouts to monitor their state-of-health including potential changes in its performance that could affect its data collection. Only slight variations in sensitivity and dynamical range were identified that will not affect the GIADA measurement capability during the Rosetta comet encounter and rendezvous phase. The GIADA microbalance system detected the presence of low-volatility material over a period of about 169 days when the GIADA cover remained partially opened. It is highly probable that this material originated from the spacecraft itself, as a spacecraft's outgassing was observed by the ROSINA mass spectrometer (on-board Rosetta) during the cruise phase.

The identification of the low-volatility mass deposited on the microbalances as self-contamination will allow us to evaluate the mass rate background to be subtracted from the GIADA science data. These results obtained from GIADA cruise data analysis coupled with laboratory calibration data obtained from measurements using the GIADA spare model for selected cometary dust analogs will be the basis for the interpretation of the GIADA scientific data.
Immunohistochemical Correlation of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 and Tissue Inhibitors of Metalloproteinase-2 in Tobacco Associated Epithelial Dysplasia
Authors: Bajracharya Dipshikha , Shrestha Bijayatha , Kamath Asha , Menon Aparna , Radhakrishnan Raghu
Published: January 2014

Aim. To study the immunohistochemical expression of matrix metalloproteinase and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in different histological grades of tobacco associated epithelial dysplasia and correlate the association between these proteases. Potentially malignant oral disorders (PMODs) progressing to oral cancer are related to the severity of epithelial dysplasia.Methods. A retrospective immunohistochemical study was carried out on 30 clinically and histologically proven cases of leukoplakia with dysplasia and 10 cases of normal buccal mucosa using anti-MMP-2 and anti-TIMP-2 monoclonal antibodies.Results. Mann WhitneyUtest, for comparing the expression of both MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in normal mucosa with dysplasia, was highly significant (P<0.001). Kruskal-Wallis test to compare the median score of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in different grades of dysplasia showed statistical significance (P<0.001), and a Spearman’s correlation between MMP-2 and TIMP-2 through different grades of dysplasia and cells observed showed positive correlation.Conclusion. Concomitant increase in the expression of both MMP-2 and TIMP-2 suggested that the activation of MMP-2 is dependent on TIMP-2 acting as a cofactor. Changes in TIMP-2 levels are considered important because they directly affect the level of MMP-2 activity.
Global Existence and Large Time Behavior of Solutions to the Bipolar Nonisentropic Euler-Poisson Equations
Authors: Chen Min , Wang Yiyou , Li Yeping
Published: January 2014

We study the one-dimensional bipolar nonisentropic Euler-Poisson equations which can model various physical phenomena, such as the propagation of electron and hole in submicron semiconductor devices, the propagation of positive ion and negative ion in plasmas, and the biological transport of ions for channel proteins. We show the existence and large time behavior of global smooth solutions for the initial value problem, when the difference of two particles’ initial mass is nonzero, and the far field of two particles’ initial temperatures is not the ambient device temperature. This result improves that of Y.-P. Li, for the case that the difference of two particles’ initial mass is zero, and the far field of the initial temperature is the ambient device temperature.
Assessment of Stone Columns as a Mitigation Technique of Liquefaction-Induced Effects during Italian Earthquakes (May 2012)
Authors: Forcellini Davide , Tarantino Angelo Marcello
Published: January 2014

Soil liquefaction has been observed worldwide during recent major earthquakes with induced effects responsible for much of the damage, disruption of function, and considerable replacement expenses for structures. The phenomenon has not been documented in recent time with such damage in Italian context before the recent Emilia-Romagna Earthquake (May 2012). The main lateral spreading and vertical deformations affected the stability of many buildings and impacted social life inducing valuable lessons on liquefaction risk assessment and remediation. This paper aims first of all to reproduce soil response to liquefaction-induced lateral effects and thus to evaluate stone column mitigation technique effectiveness by gradually increasing the extension of remediation, in order to achieve a satisfactory lower level of permanent deformations. The study is based on the use of a FE computational interface able to analyse the earthquake-induced three-dimensional pore pressure generation adopting one of the most credited nonlinear theories in order to assess realistically the displacements connected to lateral spreading.
Dynamics and Biocontrol: The Indirect Effects of a Predator Population on a Host-Vector Disease Model
Authors: Zhou Fengyan , Yao Hongxing
Published: January 2014

A model of the interactions among a host population, an insect-vector population, which transmits virus from hosts to hosts, and a vector predator population is proposed based on virus-host, host-vector, and prey (vector)-enemy theories. The model is investigated to explore the indirect effect of natural enemies on host-virus dynamics by reducing the vector densities, which shows the basic reproduction numbersR01(without predators) andR02(with predators) that provide threshold conditions on determining the uniform persistence and extinction of the disease in a host population. When the model is absent from predator, the disease is persistent ifR01>1; in such a case, by introducing predators of a vector, then the insect-transmitted disease will be controlled ifR02<1. From the point of biological control, these results show that an additional predator population of the vector may suppress the spread of vector-borne diseases. In addition, there exist limit cycles with persistence of the disease or without disease in presence of predators. Finally, numerical simulations are conducted to support analytical results.
Foot Placement Modification for a Biped Humanoid Robot with Narrow Feet
Authors: Hashimoto Kenji , Hattori Kentaro , Otani Takuya , Lim Hun-Ok , Takanishi Atsuo
Published: January 2014

This paper describes a walking stabilization control for a biped humanoid robot with narrow feet. Most humanoid robots have larger feet than human beings to maintain their stability during walking. If robot’s feet are as narrow as humans, it is difficult to realize a stable walk by using conventional stabilization controls. The proposed control modifies a foot placement according to the robot's attitude angle. If a robot tends to fall down, a foot angle is modified about the roll axis so that a swing foot contacts the ground horizontally. And a foot-landing point is also changed laterally to inhibit the robot from falling to the outside. To reduce a foot-landing impact, a virtual compliance control is applied to the vertical axis and the roll and pitch axes of the foot. Verification of the proposed method is conducted through experiments with a biped humanoid robot WABIAN-2R. WABIAN-2R realized a knee-bended walking with 30 mm breadth feet. Moreover, WABIAN-2R mounted on a human-like foot mechanism mimicking a human's foot arch structure realized a stable walking with the knee-stretched, heel-contact, and toe-off motion.
Current State of Evidence for Medication Treatment of Preschool Internalizing Disorders
Authors: Barterian Justin A. , Rappuhn Erin , Seif Erin L. , Watson Gabriel , Ham Hannah , Carlson John S.
Published: January 2014

Psychotropic medications are being prescribed off-label by psychiatrists to treat preschool children diagnosed with internalizing disorders. In this review, the current state of evidence is presented for medications used to treat preschool children (ages 2–5 year olds) diagnosed with anxiety and/or depressive disorders. Eleven studies were systematically identified for this review based on a priori criteria. Overall, the available literature revealed that studies addressing the medication treatment of internalizing disorders in preschoolers are extremely limited and represent relatively weak research methodologies. Given the increasing prevalence of the use of psychotropic medications to treat preschool children and the unique challenges associated with working with this population, it is imperative that mental health practitioners are aware of the current, albeit limited, research on this practice to help make informed treatment decisions. Suggestions about how to monitor potential costs and benefits in those unique cases in which psychopharmacological treatments might be considered for young children are given. Moreover, areas of additional research for this population are discussed.
An Analytical Study for (2 + 1)-Dimensional Schrödinger Equation
Authors: Ghanbari Behzad
Published: January 2014

In this paper, the homotopy analysis method has been applied to solve (2 + 1)-dimensional Schrödinger equations. The validity of this method has successfully been accomplished by applying it to find the solution of some of its variety forms. The results obtained by homotopy analysis method have been compared with those of exact solutions. The main objective is to propose alternative methods of finding a solution, which do not require small parameters and avoid linearization and physically unrealistic assumptions. The results show that the solution of homotopy analysis method is in a good agreement with the exact solution.
Accurate Sparse-Projection Image Reconstruction via Nonlocal TV Regularization
Authors: Zhang Yi , Zhang Weihua , Zhou Jiliu
Published: January 2014

Sparse-projection image reconstruction is a useful approach to lower the radiation dose; however, the incompleteness of projection data will cause degeneration of imaging quality. As a typical compressive sensing method, total variation has obtained great attention on this problem. Suffering from the theoretical imperfection, total variation will produce blocky effect on smooth regions and blur edges. To overcome this problem, in this paper, we introduce the nonlocal total variation into sparse-projection image reconstruction and formulate the minimization problem with new nonlocal total variation norm. The qualitative and quantitative analyses of numerical as well as clinical results demonstrate the validity of the proposed method. Comparing to other existing methods, our method more efficiently suppresses artifacts caused by low-rank reconstruction and reserves structure information better.
Density, Viscosity and Water Phase Stability of 1-Butanol-Gasoline Blends
Authors: Mužíková Zlata , Šimáček Pavel , Pospíšil Milan , Šebor Gustav
Published: January 2014

The aim of this work was to describe the density and viscosity and water tolerance of 1-butanol-gasoline blends. Density and viscosity of 1-butanol are higher than that for gasoline and they can affect these parameters in the final gasoline blend. Density increases linearly and viscosity exponentially with the content of 1-butanol. Water solubility in 1-butanol-gasoline blend was determined as the temperature of a phase separation. The water was separated in the solid form at negative temperature and the phase separation point was determined as the temperature of crystallization. Influence of ethanol and ethers used for gasoline blending on water phase stability of 1-butanol-gasoline blend was studied. Ethers are slightly miscible with water and they improve the phase stability. While ethanol is completely miscible water and increases the water solubility in the blends. Finally, water extractions of both alcohols from gasoline were done. In contrast to the ethanol-gasoline blends, 1-butanol remained in the hydrocarbon phase.
3′ Splice Site Sequences of Spinal Muscular Atrophy Related SMN2 Pre-mRNA Include Enhancers for Nearby Exons
Authors: Cho Sunghee , Moon Heegyum , Loh Tiing Jen , Oh Hyun Kyung , Kim Hey-Ran , Shin Myung-Geun , Liao D. Joshua , Zhou Jianhua , Zheng Xuexiu , Shen Haihong
Published: January 2014

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a human genetic disease which occurs because of the deletion or mutation of SMN1 gene. SMN1 gene encodes the SMN protein which plays a key role in spliceosome assembly. Although human patients contain SMN2, a duplicate of SMN1, splicing of SMN2 produces predominantly exon 7 skipped isoform. In order to understand the functions of splice site sequences on exon 7 and 8, we analyzed the effects of conserved splice site sequences on exon 7 skipping of SMN2 and SMN1 pre-mRNA. We show here that conserved 5′ splice site sequence of exon 7 promoted splicing of nearby exons and subsequently reduced splicing of distant exons. However, to our surprise, conserved 3′ splice site sequence of exon 7 and 8 did not promote splicing of nearby exons. By contrast, the mutation inhibited splicing of nearby exons and subsequently promoted splicing of distant exons. Our study shows that 3′ splice sites of exon 7 and 8 contain enhancer for their splice site selection, in addition to providing cleavage sites.
Radiation Therapy Improves Survival Outcome in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: Comparison of a 15-Year Institutional Experience at the University of Nebraska Medical Center with SEER Data
Authors: Baine Michael J. , Lin Chi
Published: January 2014

Objectives. We examined the role of radiation therapy (RT) in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PA) treatment through a 15-year retrospective analysis of patients treated at University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) as well as those from the SEER database. Methods. A total of 561 patients diagnosed with PA at UNMC between 1995 and 2011 and 60,587 patients diagnosed between 1995 and 2009 from the SEER were included. Examined prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) were age, gender, race, stage, year of diagnosis, and treatment with surgery, chemotherapy (CT), or RT. Time to death was plotted by Kaplan-Meier method. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate prognostic factors for OS. Results. The median OS was 7.3 and 5 months for patients from UNMC and the SEER database, respectively. A Cox model of patients from UNMC showed that RT was associated with improved OS (HR 0.77, P=0.018) after adjusting for factors including age, race, gender, stage, year of diagnosis, having surgery, or having CT. Cox analysis of patients from the SEER showed similar results (HR 0.65, P<0.0001). Conclusions. RT confers an independent survival advantage in patients being treated for PA which is apparent both at UNMC and through SEER data.
The Useful Medicinal Properties of the Root-Bark Extract of Alstonia boonei (Apocynaceae) May Be Connected to Antioxidant Activity
Authors: Obiagwu Miracle Oluebubechukwu , Ihekwereme Chibueze Peter , Ajaghaku Daniel Lotanna , Okoye Festus Basden Chinedu
Published: January 2014

Folkloric use of root-bark extract of Alstonia boonei in the treatment and management of many disease conditions may be associated with free radical scavenging as part of its mechanisms of action. We therefore evaluated the ability of different solvent fractions of the methanol extract, crude precipitate from the extract, and isolated compound from the crude precipitate for scavenging 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of useful phytocompounds. Ethyl acetate fraction showed better antioxidant activity with IC50 of 54.25 μg/mL while acetone and methanol fractions have 121.79 and 141.67 μg/mL, respectively. The crude precipitate and isolated compound showed IC50 values of 364.39 and 354.94 μg/mL, respectively. The crude precipitate, fractions, and compound 1 showed antioxidant activity against DPPH radical although lower than that of ascorbic acid.
Remission from Depression among Adults with Arthritis: A 12-Year Followup of a Population-Based Study
Authors: Fuller-Thomson Esme , Battiston Marla , Gadalla Tahany M. , Shaked Yael , Raza Ferrah
Published: January 2014

Individuals with arthritis are vulnerable to depression. In this study, we calculated time to remission from depression in a representative community-based sample of depressed Canadians with arthritis who were followed for 12 years. We conducted secondary analysis of a longitudinal panel study, the National Population Health Survey, which was begun in 1994/95 and has included biennial assessment of depression since that time. Our analysis focused on a total of 216 respondents with arthritis who were depressed at baseline. The mean time to remission from depression was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier procedure and compared across categories of each of the potential predictors. The percentage of those no longer screening positive for depression was calculated at two years after baseline. At two years after baseline, 71% of the sample had achieved remission from depression. Time to remission was significantly longer for those depressed adults who were under the age of 55, those who reported more chronic pain at baseline, those with comorbid migraine, and those who experienced childhood physical abuse or parental addictions. These findings highlight the importance of screening for these factors to improve the targeting of interventions to depressed patients with arthritis.
Mixed Pattern Matching-Based Traffic Abnormal Behavior Recognition
Authors: Wu Jian , Cui Zhiming , Sheng Victor S. , Shi Yujie , Zhao Pengpeng
Published: January 2014

A motion trajectory is an intuitive representation form in time-space domain for a micromotion behavior of moving target. Trajectory analysis is an important approach to recognize abnormal behaviors of moving targets. Against the complexity of vehicle trajectories, this paper first proposed a trajectory pattern learning method based on dynamic time warping (DTW) and spectral clustering. It introduced the DTW distance to measure the distances between vehicle trajectories and determined the number of clusters automatically by a spectral clustering algorithm based on the distance matrix. Then, it clusters sample data points into different clusters. After the spatial patterns and direction patterns learned from the clusters, a recognition method for detecting vehicle abnormal behaviors based on mixed pattern matching was proposed. The experimental results show that the proposed technical scheme can recognize main types of traffic abnormal behaviors effectively and has good robustness. The real-world application verified its feasibility and the validity.
Comprehensive Prospective Cognitive and Physical Function Assessment in Elderly Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation
Authors: Orvin Katia , Dvir Danny , Weiss Avraham , Assali Abid , Vaknin-Assa Hana , Shapira Yaron , Gazit Osnat , Sagie Alex , Kornowski Ran
Published: January 2014

Objective: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is occasionally associated with stroke and silent cerebral ischemia, which may affect cognitive and functional performance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in cognitive performance and functional status following TAVI. Methods: We performed a comprehensive prospective functional, cognitive and quality of life (QOL) evaluation in consecutive patients who underwent TAVI using the CoreValve device (Medtronic Inc.). The evaluation was performed at baseline and 1 month after the procedure and included the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey for QOL assessment, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), quantitative clock drawing test (Rouleau), color trails test, Cognistat evaluation, Barthel Index and Duke Activity Status Index. Results: A total of 36 patients completed the full pre- and post-TAVI evaluation. Mean age was 82.2 ± 4.2 years (52.8% men); 94.5% of patients had low functional class (New York Heart Association III/IV), and 13.9% had prior stroke. After the procedure, all patients had improved functional status and valve hemodynamics. At 1 month, there was a significant improvement in the MMSE and Cognistat evaluations (from 25.9 ± 3.3 to 27.6 ± 2.4, p < 0.001, and from 5 ± 1 to 5.7 ± 0.7, p = 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: Our preliminary results of a comprehensive assessment of patients undergoing TAVI indicate favorable results for both functional performance and cognitive function early after the procedure.
Plasma Cotinine Levels in Cigarette Smokers: Impact of Mental Health and Other Correlates
Authors: Bot Mariska , Vink Jacqueline , Milaneschi Yuri , Smit Johannes H. , Kluft Cornelis , Neuteboom Jacoline , Penninx Brenda
Published: January 2014

Background/Aims: We examined in cigarette smokers whether cotinine was associated with depressive and/or anxiety disorders. Methods: Data were derived from 1,026 smoking adults with and without depressive and/or anxiety disorders participating in the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA). Depressive and anxiety disorders were ascertained with the DSM-IV Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Cigarette consumption was inquired about during an interview. Cotinine was assessed in plasma. Results: Currently depressed and/or anxious smokers (n = 692) reported smoking a higher number of cigarettes per day (CPD) than smokers with a remitted disorder (n = 190) and smokers with no lifetime disorder (n = 144). After controlling for CPD and other covariates, depressed and/or anxious smokers had lower cotinine levels compared to smokers with no lifetime disorder (B = -56.0, p = 0.001). In the full regression model, CPD was positively associated with cotinine levels, whereas current depression and/or anxiety and high body mass index were inversely associated with cotinine. Conclusion: After considering CPD, the presence of current depressive and/or anxiety disorders was associated with lower cotinine levels, which may point to a different smoking topography or a faster cotinine metabolism in individuals with affective disorders. The latter could help to explain the higher number of cigarettes smoked and poorer cessation rates among depressed or anxious patients.
Construction of an Infectious cDNA Clone of a Swine Genotype 3 HEV Strain Isolated in Shanghai, China
Authors: Si Fusheng , Shi Biao , Wang Xi , Zhu Yumin , Liu Xia , Yang Qian , Li Zhen
Published: January 2014

Objectives: Infectious cDNA clones are important tools for studying molecular mechanisms in RNA viruses. The aim of this study was to construct an infectious cDNA clone for SAAS-JDY5, which is a genotype 3 HEV strain of swine origin. Methods: Construction employed overlapping PCR and restriction analysis to ligate nine cDNA fragments into a full-length cDNA clone containing 14 mutations compared to the consensus HEV genome sequence. Megaprimer PCR-directed mutagenesis restored nine non-silent mutations back to the consensus sequence while the other five silent mutations were maintained as genetic markers. Results: HEV proteins were identified by an immunofluorescence assay in Huh7 cells infected with capped RNA transcripts of the full-length cDNA clone, while HEV viremia, fecal HEV RNA and seroconversion were recorded in inoculated Sprague-Dawley rats. Conclusions: Our data confirmed the successful construction of an infectious cDNA clone of swine HEV strain pGEM4z-SAAS-JDY5, and support the use of rats as an HEV infectious model.
Antibiotic Resistance and Detection of the Most Common Mechanism of Resistance (MLSB) of Opportunistic Corynebacterium
Authors: Olender Alina
Published: January 2014

Background: Determination of antibiotic resistance of opportunistic Corynebacterium colonizing the nose that cause infections and evaluation of the applicability of a simple method for detecting the most common constitutive-type resistance to macrolides, lincosamides and streptogramin B (MLSB). Methods: 70 isolates colonizing the nose and 70 clinical isolates of various infection sites were used and identified using APICoryne and 16S rRNA. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined (Etest) for 12 antibiotics. MLSB was defined based on MIC, a simple method using two disks (erythromycin/clindamycin) and detection of the gene erm X (PCR). Results: There was a high percentage - in both groups at the same level - of strains with MLSB (88.5% colonizing the nose and 87.1% causing infections). Detection with the phenotypic method MLSB was confirmed genetically (erm X) in all cases. In both groups, a high percentage of resistance was found to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (in both groups 71.4%), chloramphenicol (nose 44.2%/infections 37.1%), tetracycline (28 and 45.7%) and β-lactam antibiotics (18.5 and up to 32.8%). Conclusion: Differences in antibiotic resistance were found between strains colonizing the respiratory tract and various infections. Isolates from infections more frequently exhibited multidrug resistance. The possibility of using a simple method was confirmed for MLSB detection, which can be applied to determine drug resistance in routine microbiological diagnostics of infections caused by opportunistic Corynebacterium.
Uterine Prolapse Complicated by Vaginal Cancer: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Wang Yueling , Li Qiling , Du Huiping , Lv Shulan , Liu Huiting
Published: January 2014

Primary vaginal cancer is not common, representing 1-2% of all female genital malignancies. We present a case of a third-degree uterine prolapse complicated by an isolated primary vaginal cancer and its surgical treatment. The cervix was clinically normal, but on the nearby prolapsed vaginal wall, a large exogenous hard lesion had developed. A biopsy of the lesion revealed a squamous carcinoma. The patient was asymptomatic and had no recurrence during the last 4 years of follow-up after surgical treatment with radiotherapy. The surgical treatment with or without radiotherapy is the optimum treatment for uterine prolapse with early-stage vaginal squamous cell carcinoma, although the majority of vaginal malignancies are treated with radiotherapy. We recommend always performing a biopsy prior to surgery in prolapse-induced ulceration.