bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anaesthetic management of sleep‐disordered breathing in adults
Authors: Hillman David R. , Chung Frances
Published: December 2016

Anaesthesia and sleep are different states of unconsciousness with considerable physiological common ground. Because of their shared depressant effects on muscle activation and ventilatory drive, patients with anatomically compromised airways will tend to obstruct in either state and those with impaired ventilatory capacity will tend to hypoventilate. Breathing behaviour in one state is predictive of that in the other. An essential difference is that while arousal responses are preserved during sleep, they are depressed during sedation and abolished by anaesthesia. This renders patients with sleep‐related breathing disorders vulnerable to hypoventilation and asphyxia when deeply sedated. Addressing this vulnerability requires a systematic approach to identification of patients and circumstances that magnify this risk, and methods of managing it that seek to reconcile the need for safety with cost‐effective use of resources.
Canalization of Language Structure From Environmental Constraints: A Computational Model of Word Learning From Multiple Cues
Authors: Monaghan Padraic
Published: December 2016

There is substantial variation in language experience, yet there is surprising similarity in the language structure acquired. Constraints on language structure may be external modulators that result in this canalization of language structure, or else they may derive from the broader, communicative environment in which language is acquired. In this paper, the latter perspective is tested for its adequacy in explaining robustness of language learning to environmental variation. A computational model of word learning from cross‐situational, multimodal information was constructed and tested. Key to the model's robustness was the presence of multiple, individually unreliable information sources to support learning. This “degeneracy” in the language system has a detrimental effect on learning, compared to a noise‐free environment, but has a critically important effect on acquisition of a canalized system that is resistant to environmental noise in communication.
Platelet responses to agonists in a cohort of highly characterised platelet donors are consistent over time
Authors: Garner S. F. , Furnell A. , Kahan B. C. , Jones C. I. , Attwood A. , Harrison P. , Kelly A. M. , Goodall A. H. , Cardigan R. , Ouwehand W. H.
Published: December 2016

Background and Objectives

Platelet function shows significant inheritance that is at least partially genetically controlled. There is also evidence that the platelet response is stable over time, but there are few studies that have assessed consistency of platelet function over months and years. We aimed to measure platelet function in platelet donors over time in individuals selected from a cohort of 956 donors whose platelet function had been previously characterised.

Materials and Methods

Platelet function was assessed by flow cytometry, measuring fibrinogen binding and P‐selectin expression after stimulation with either cross‐linked collagen‐related peptide or adenosine 5′‐diphosphate. Eighty‐nine donors from the Cambridge Platelet Function Cohort whose platelet responses were initially within the lower or upper decile of reactivity were retested between 4 months and five and a half years later.

Results

There was moderate‐to‐high correlation between the initial and repeat platelet function results for all assays (P ≤ 0·007, r2 0·2961–0·7625); furthermore, the range of results observed in the initial low and high responder groups remained significantly different at the time of the second test (P ≤ 0·0005).

Conclusion

Platelet function remains consistent over time. This implies that this potential influence on quality of donated platelet concentrates will remain essentially constant for a given donor.
A Test of the ARCC© Model Improves Implementation of Evidence‐Based Practice, Healthcare Culture, and Patient Outcomes
Authors: Melnyk Bernadette Mazurek , Fineout‐Overholt Ellen , Giggleman Martha , Choy Katie
Published: December 2016

Background

Although several models of evidence‐based practice (EBP) exist, there is a paucity of studies that have been conducted to evaluate their implementation in healthcare settings.

Aim

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of the Advancing Research and Clinical practice through close Collaboration (ARCC) Model on organizational culture, clinicians’ EBP beliefs and EBP implementation, and patient outcomes at one healthcare system in the western United States.

Design

A pre‐test, post‐test longitudinal pre‐experimental study was conducted with follow‐up immediately following full implementation of the ARCC Model.

Setting and Sample

The study was conducted at a 341‐bed acute care hospital in the western region of the United States. The sample consisted of 58 interprofessional healthcare professionals.

Methods

The ARCC Model was implemented in a sequential format over 12 months with the key strategy of preparing a critical mass of EBP mentors for the healthcare system. Healthcare professionals’ EBP beliefs, EBP implementation, and organizational culture were measured with valid and reliable instruments. Patient outcomes were collected in aggregate from the hospital's medical records.

Results

Findings indicated significant increases in clinicians’ EBP beliefs and EBP implementation along with positive movement toward an organizational EBP culture. Study findings also indicated substantial improvements in several patient outcomes.

Linking Evidence to Action

Implementation of the ARCC Model in healthcare systems can enhance clinicians’ beliefs and implementation of evidence‐based care, improve patient outcomes, and move organizational culture toward EBP.
JUDICIAL REMEDIES OF DARAR IN ISLAMIC FAMILY LAW: A CRITICAL STUDY OF THE LAW AND PRACTICE IN BAUCHI STATE OF NIGERIA
Authors: Yelwa Mansur Isa , Zin Najibah Mohammad
Published: December 2016

In both substantive and procedural rules, Islamic law enshrines a comprehensive legal framework that regulates the family system for the realisation of a sustainable justice for all parties to Islamic marriage institution. The basis of the philosophy of Islamic family law is that both husband and wife shall live together harmoniously, with mutual respect in order to produce an upright ummah, bearing rights and responsibilities towards one another. The husband, conferred with the privilege as head of the family and responsible for the wife, enjoys such favour within a limited sphere, to prevent ultra vires chances and abuses. The wife, ordained to bear the duty of followership and obedience towards the husband, is protected with judicial shield from darar which implies aggressive manners and ill treatment of irresponsible husbands. This paper critically examines these crucial issues pointing its sight on the classical texts, statutory provisions and the practical dispensation relating to the effect of darar on the wife and its judicial remedies with Bauchi state of Nigeria as case study. It is based on a qualitative research that employs both doctrinal and empirical research approach. The findings of the research reveal that the application of Islamic law in the Bauchi State Sharīʿah Courts has a number of challenges questioning the consistency of its practical aspect with the theoretical aspect; namely, the classical textual provisions.  Keywords: Islamic law; procedure; darar; husband; wife; Bauchi state.
PEMIKIRAN PASCA ISLAMISME DALAM KONTEKS GERAKAN ISLAM DI MALAYSIA
Authors: Fahmi Wan Ahmad
Published: December 2016

AbstractPost-Islamism is a new trend that emerged in the work of political Islam after the emergence of Islamism in line with the demands of the requirements democracy. Thus, most of the Islamic movements worldwide give different interpretations of the concept of the Islamic state, the issue of implementing Islamic law and cooperation between the non-Muslims. The development of this trend began to produce the Islamists who support opinionated approach to post-Islamism in political Islam, including among Islamic movements in the country. The objective of this study to analyze the elements of post-Islamism thought in the Islamic movement in Malaysia. This study is qualitative. The method of collecting data using document analysis of journals, articles, theses, books and works of scholars who talk about the development of post-Islamism and the Islamist movement worldwide. Meanwhile, data analysis using descriptive and historical approach through content analysis. The study concluded that not only Islamic movements in the Middle East and West Asia receive thinking Post-Islamism, but Islamic movements in Malaysia was also impressed with the development of post-Islamism.Keywords: Post-Islamism, Islamic Movement, Democracy  AbstrakPasca Islamisme merupakan trend baharu yang timbul dalam gerak kerja politik Islam. Kemunculan Pasca Islamisme selari dengan tuntutan memenuhi kehendak demokrasi. Justeru, kebanyakan gerakan Islam seluruh dunia mulai berbeza tafsiran terhadap konsep negara Islam, isu pelaksanaan undang-undang Islam dan kerjasama antara Non-Muslim. Perkembangan trend ini melahirkan golongan Islamis yang mulai berpendirian menyokong pendekatan Pasca Islamisme dalam arena politik Islam termasuk dalam kalangan gerakan Islam di Malaysia. Objektif kajian ialah menganalisis unsur-unsur pemikiran Pasca Islamisme dalam gerakan Islam di Malaysia. Kajian ini merupakan kajian kualitatif. Kaedah pengumpulan data menggunakan metode analisis dokumen terhadap jurnal, artikel, tesis, buku, dan karya sarjana yang membicarakan tentang Pasca Islamisme dan perkembangan gerakan Islam seluruh dunia. Analisis data pula menggunakan metode deskriptif dan metode sejarah menerusi analisis kandungan. Dapatan kajian merumuskan bahawa bukan sahaja gerakan Islam di Timur Tengah dan Asia Barat menerima pemikiran Pasca Islamisme, tetapi gerakan-gerakan Islam di Malaysia juga turut terkesan dengan perkembangan Pasca Islamisme.Kata Kunci: Pasca Islamisme; Gerakan Islam; Demokrasi
Estimating Elasticity Function of Jordanian Aggregate Import Demand
Authors: Mugableh Mohamed Ibrahim
Published: December 2016

This article estimates aggregate import demand function for Jordan using three fully co-integrating regressions over the (1980−2015) period. The bounds testing approach has been employed to test co-integration, while ARDL approach is used to analyze long-run elasticities. The results show a co-integration phenomenon among variables when import volume is dependent variable. In addition, the estimated long-run elasticities of import demand with respect to income and relative prices are 1.16 and -1.03, respectively. The understanding of import demand behavior is crucial for significant import forecasts, international trade planning, and exchange rate policy design.
Longitudinal Changes in Elite Rowers’ Challenge and Threat Appraisals of Pressure Situations: A Season-Long Observational Study
Authors: Cumming Samuel J.D. , Turner Martin J. , Jones Marc
Published: December 2016

Challenge cognitive appraisals are associated with superior performance compared with threat (Jones, Meijen, McCarthy, & Sheffield, 2009). However, research has not examined longitudinal temporal patterns of challenge and threat appraisals. In this study, 14 (five female) elite rowers (Mage = 25.79 years, SD = 2.67) provided self-reported appraisals data at four time points (baseline; before national trials; before the second world rowing cup regatta; and before the world rowing championships). The rowers’ predisposed appraisal style predicted subsequent appraisals. Challenge and self-efficacy increased while loss and avoidance appraisals decreased over time. The rowers were highly predisposed to challenge, becoming more challenged through events of increasing magnitude. This suggests that athletes’ predisposed appraisal style can predict their approach to competition. Future studies could identify protocols for encouraging challenge states in athletes, observe the physiological indicators of challenge and threat longitudinally, and consider the interaction between challenge and threat appraisals.
Physical Activity in First Generation South Asian Women Living in Canada: Barriers and Facilitators to Participation
Authors: Rathanaswami Kiruthika , Bengoechea Enrique Garcia , Bush Paula Louise
Published: December 2016

The aim of this study was to understand the physical activity (PA) experiences of South Asian women employees and their perceptions of new immigrant South Asian women in regards to barriers and facilitators to participation. This was examined using an interpretive description approach where similarities and differences between South Asian Women’s Centre employees and their perception of new South Asian immigrants were explored. Eight South Asian women employees (Mean age = 45.57 years) working at a South Asian Women’s Centre in Canada participated in this study. Five South Asian women employees participated in a focus group, three in an individual interview and one participant from the focus group took part in a follow-up interview to better understand their PA experiences. Barriers found included: family responsibilities, upbringing, feeling guilty, immediate living environment, clothing, cost, and location of activity. PA facilitators found included: help at home, cultural sports events, group support, female only programs, design of PA facilities, health and self-image benefits, providing PA for children at the same time as adults and collaborations. The main differences found between South Asian Women’s Centre employees and their clients concerned time, language and their partners. For this population of women, programs need to be affordable, close to home, female only and allow their own choice of clothing. The results suggest the importance for those working with South Asian women to take into consideration the many factors between the individual and the environment that may inhibit or facilitate PA behavior change in this population.
Response to Comment on “A small-molecule antivirulence agent for treating
Clostridium difficile
infection”
Authors: Bender Kristina Oresic , Garland Megan , Bogyo Matthew
Published: December 2016

Ebselen’s antivirulence activity in
Clostridium difficile
infection is likely due to multiple modes of action, but the contribution of each to its efficacy remains unclear.
Macrophages in Endocrine Glands, with Emphasis on Pancreatic Islets
Authors: Unanue Emil R.
Published: December 2016

We review here the macrophages found in endocrine tissues, placing emphasis on those residing in the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas. The islets represent the endocrine organ where macrophages have been examined in great detail and where our own studies and experience have been directed.
Innate Immune Responses to Bladder Infection
Authors: Hayes Byron W. , Abraham Soman N.
Published: December 2016

Urinary tract infections are one of the most frequent bacterial infections of mankind. In spite of this frequency, the study of the immune system in the urinary tract has not attracted much attention. This could, in part, be attributable to the widespread use of antibiotics and similar antimicrobial agents, which for many decades have been both highly effective and relatively inexpensive to administer. In light of the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria among urinary tract infection isolates, interest in understanding the immune system in the urinary tract has grown. Several recent studies have revealed the existence of a powerful and highly coordinated innate immune system in the urinary tract designed to rapidly clear infecting pathogens; however, it also evokes harmful side effects.
Lopsidependency in the Moser-Tardos Framework
Authors: Harris David G.
Published: December 2016

The Lopsided Lovász Local Lemma (LLLL) is a powerful probabilistic principle that has been used in a variety of combinatorial constructions. While this principle began as a general statement about probability spaces, it has recently been transformed into a variety of polynomial-time algorithms. The resampling algorithm of Moser and Tardos [2010] is the most well-known example of this. A variety of criteria have been shown for the LLLL; the strongest possible criterion was shown by Shearer, and other criteria that are easier to use computationally have been shown by Bissacot et al. [2011], Pegden [2014], Kolipaka and Szegedy [2011], and Kolipaka et al. [2012].

We show a new criterion for the Moser-Tardos algorithm to converge. This criterion is stronger than the LLLL criterion, and, in fact, can yield better results even than the full Shearer criterion. This is possible because it does not apply in the same generality as the original LLLL; yet, it is strong enough to cover many applications of the LLLL in combinatorics. We show a variety of new bounds and algorithms. A noteworthy application is for
k
-SAT, with bounded occurrences of variables. As shown in Gebauer et al. [2011], a
k
-SAT instance in which every variable appears
L
≤ 2/

k

+1
e
(
k
+1) times, is satisfiable. Although this bound is asymptotically tight (in
k
), we improve it to
L
≤ 2/

k
+1

(1 − 1/
k
)

k

k
−1 − 2/
k
, which can be significantly stronger when
k
is small.

We introduce a new parallel algorithm for the LLLL. While Moser and Tardos described a simple parallel algorithm for the Lovász Local Lemma and described a simple sequential algorithm for a form of the Lopsided Lemma, they were not able to combine the two. Our new algorithm applies in nearly all settings in which the sequential algorithm works—this includes settings covered by our new, stronger LLLL criterion.
Lower-limb hot-water immersion acutely induces beneficial hemodynamic and cardiovascular responses in peripheral arterial disease and healthy, elderly controls
Authors: Thomas Kate N. , van Rij André M. , Lucas Samuel J. E. , Cotter James D.
Published: December 2016

Passive heat induces beneficial perfusion profiles, provides substantive cardiovascular strain, and reduces blood pressure, thereby holding potential for healthy and cardiovascular disease populations. The aim of this study was to assess acute responses to passive heat via lower-limb, hot-water immersion in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and healthy, elderly controls. Eleven patients with PAD (age 71 ± 6 yr, 7 male, 4 female) and 10 controls (age 72 ± 7 yr, 8 male, 2 female) underwent hot-water immersion (30-min waist-level immersion in 42.1 ± 0.6°C water). Before, during, and following immersion, brachial and popliteal artery diameter, blood flow, and shear stress were assessed using duplex ultrasound. Lower-limb perfusion was measured also using venous occlusion plethysmography and near-infrared spectroscopy. During immersion, shear rate increased ( P < 0.0001) comparably between groups in the popliteal artery (controls: +183 ± 26%; PAD: +258 ± 54%) and brachial artery (controls: +117 ± 24%; PAD: +107 ± 32%). Lower-limb blood flow increased significantly in both groups, as measured from duplex ultrasound (>200%), plethysmography (>100%), and spectroscopy, while central and peripheral pulse-wave velocity decreased in both groups. Mean arterial blood pressure was reduced by 22 ± 9 mmHg (main effect P < 0.0001, interaction P = 0.60) during immersion, and remained 7 ± 7 mmHg lower 3 h afterward. In PAD, popliteal shear profiles and claudication both compared favorably with those measured immediately following symptom-limited walking. A 30-min hot-water immersion is a practical means of delivering heat therapy to PAD patients and healthy, elderly individuals to induce appreciable systemic (chronotropic and blood pressure lowering) and hemodynamic (upper and lower-limb perfusion and shear rate increases) responses.
Calcineurin inhibitor cyclosporine A activates renal Na-K-Cl cotransporters via local and systemic mechanisms
Authors: Blankenstein K. I. , Borschewski A. , Labes R. , Paliege A. , Boldt C. , McCormick J. A. , Ellison D. H. , Bader M. , Bachmann S. , Mutig K.
Published: December 2016

Calcineurin dephosphorylates nuclear factor of activated T cells transcription factors, thereby facilitating T cell-mediated immune responses. Calcineurin inhibitors are instrumental for immunosuppression after organ transplantation but may cause side effects, including hypertension and electrolyte disorders. Kidneys were recently shown to display activation of the furosemide-sensitive Na-K-2Cl cotransporter (NKCC2) of the thick ascending limb and the thiazide-sensitive Na-Cl cotransporter (NCC) of the distal convoluted tubule upon calcineurin inhibition using cyclosporin A (CsA). An involvement of major hormones like angiotensin II or arginine vasopressin (AVP) has been proposed. To resolve this issue, the effects of CsA treatment in normal Wistar rats, AVP-deficient Brattleboro rats, and cultured renal epithelial cells endogenously expressing either NKCC2 or NCC were studied. Acute administration of CsA to Wistar rats rapidly augmented phosphorylation levels of NKCC2, NCC, and their activating kinases suggesting intraepithelial activating effects. Chronic CsA administration caused salt retention and hypertension, along with stimulation of renin and suppression of renal cyclooxygenase 2, pointing to a contribution of endocrine and paracrine mechanisms at long term. In Brattleboro rats, CsA induced activation of NCC, but not NKCC2, and parallel effects were obtained in cultured cells in the absence of AVP. Stimulation of cultured thick ascending limb cells with AVP agonist restored their responsiveness to CsA. Our results suggest that the direct epithelial action of calcineurin inhibition is sufficient for the activation of NCC, whereas its effect on NKCC2 is more complex and requires concomitant stimulation by AVP.
Interfacing to the brain’s motor decisions
Authors: Mirabella Giovanni , Lebedev Mikhail А.
Published: December 2016

It has been long known that neural activity, recorded with electrophysiological methods, contains rich information about a subject’s motor intentions, sensory experiences, allocation of attention, action planning, and even abstract thoughts. All these functions have been the subject of neurophysiological investigations, with the goal of understanding how neuronal activity represents behavioral parameters, sensory inputs, and cognitive functions. The field of brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) strives for a somewhat different goal: it endeavors to extract information from neural modulations to create a communication link between the brain and external devices. Although many remarkable successes have been already achieved in the BMI field, questions remain regarding the possibility of decoding high-order neural representations, such as decision making. Could BMIs be employed to decode the neural representations of decisions underlying goal-directed actions? In this review we lay out a framework that describes the computations underlying goal-directed actions as a multistep process performed by multiple cortical and subcortical areas. We then discuss how BMIs could connect to different decision-making steps and decode the neural processing ongoing before movements are initiated. Such decision-making BMIs could operate as a system with prediction that offers many advantages, such as shorter reaction time, better error processing, and improved unsupervised learning. To present the current state of the art, we review several recent BMIs incorporating decision-making components.
Pregnancy and the Use of Disease-Modifying Therapies in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: Benefits versus Risks
Authors: Alroughani Raed , Altintas Ayse , Al Jumah Mohammed , Sahraian Mohammadali , Alsharoqi Issa , AlTahan Abdurahman , Daif Abdulkader , Dahdaleh Maurice , Deleu Dirk , Fernandez Oscar , Grigoriadis Nikolaos , Inshasi Jihad , Karabudak Rana , Taha Karim , Totolyan Natalia , Yamout Bassem I. , Zakaria Magd , Bohlega Saeed
Published: December 2016

The burden of multiple sclerosis (MS) in women of childbearing potential is increasing, with peak incidence around the age of 30 years, increasing incidence and prevalence, and growing female : male ratio. Guidelines recommend early use of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), which are contraindicated or recommended with considerable caution, during pregnancy/breastfeeding. Many physicians are reluctant to prescribe them for a woman who is/is planning to be pregnant. Interferons are not absolutely contraindicated during pregnancy, since interferon-βappears to lack serious adverse effects in pregnancy, despite a warning in its labelling concerning risk of spontaneous abortion. Glatiramer acetate, natalizumab, and alemtuzumab also may not induce adverse pregnancy outcomes, although natalizumab may induce haematologic abnormalities in newborns. An accelerated elimination procedure is needed for teriflunomide if pregnancy occurs on treatment or if pregnancy is planned. Current evidence supports the contraindication for fingolimod during pregnancy; data on other DMTs remains limited. Increased relapse rates following withdrawal of some DMTs in pregnancy are concerning and require further research. The postpartum period brings increased risk of disease reactivation that needs to be carefully addressed through effective communication between treating physicians and mothers intending to breastfeed. We address the potential for use of the first- and second-line DMTs in pregnancy and lactation.
Schwannoma Localized Retroperitoneally in a 14-Year-Old Boy
Authors: Cayirli Hasan , Tanriverdi Halil Ibrahim , Ozguven Ali Aykan , Gunsar Cuneyt , Ersoy Betul , Kandiloglu Ali Riza
Published: December 2016

Schwannomas usually occur in adults being between the second and fifth decades, and such neoplasms are extremely rare in a pediatric population. In addition, they are not normally found in the retroperitoneal region. Here, we present a pediatric case of a retroperitoneal schwannoma in an adrenal location where the tumor was not able to be preoperatively differentiated from other benign or malign adrenal gland tumors. In our opinion, this tumor can be included in the differential diagnosis of a nonfunctioning retroperitoneal adrenal mass in children.
Anatomical Location of the Common Iliac Veins at the Level of the Sacrum: Relationship between Perforation Risk and the Trajectory Angle of the Screw
Authors: Akhgar Javid , Terai Hidetomi , Suhrab Rahmani Mohammad , Tamai Koji , Suzuki Akinobu , Toyoda Hiromitsu , Hoshino Masatoshi , Abdullah Ahmadi Sayed , Hayashi Kazunori , Nakamura Hiroaki
Published: December 2016

Purpose. To determine the safety of transarticular surface screw (TASS) insertion and the anatomical location of the common iliac veins (CIVs) at the level of the promontorium. Materials and Methods. The locations of the CIVs on 1 mm computed tomography-myelography slices of 50 patients at the level of the promontorium and 20 human cadavers were investigated. Results. Among the patients, the left CIV was closer to the S1 anterior wall than the right CIV (mean distance: 5.0 ± 3.0 and 7.0 ± 4.2 mm, resp.). The level of the inferior vena cava (IVC) formation varied among the cadavers. The mean distance between the IVC formation and promontorium tip was 30.2 ± 12.8 mm. The height of the IVC formation and distance between the right and the left CIVs at the level of the promontorium were significantly correlated (P<0.001). Conclusion. The TASS trajectory is safe as long as the screw does not penetrate the anterior cortex of S1. The level of the IVC formation can help to predict the distance between the right and the left CIVs at the level of the promontorium. The CIVs do not have a uniform anatomical location; therefore, preoperative computed tomography is necessary to confirm their location.
Experiences of Habitual Physical Activity in Maintaining Roles and Functioning among Older Adults: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Halaweh Hadeel , Svantesson Ulla , Willén Carin
Published: December 2016

Physically active older adults have reduced risk of functional restrictions and role limitations. Several aspects may interrelate and influence habitual physical activity (PA). However, older adults’ own perspectives towards their PA need to be addressed. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of habitual physical activity in maintaining roles and functioning among older adult Palestinians ≥60 years. Data were collected through in-depth interviews based on a narrative approach. Seventeen participants were recruited (aged 64–84 years). Data were analyzed using a narrative interpretative method.Findings. Three central narratives were identified,“keep moving, stay healthy,”“social connectedness, a motive to stay active,”and “adapting strategies to age-related changes.” Conclusion. Habitual physical activity was perceived as an important factor to maintain functioning and to preserve active roles in older adults. Walking was the most prominent pattern of physical activity and it was viewed as a vital tool to maintain functioning among the older adults. Social connectedness was considered as a contributing factor to the status of staying active. To adapt the process of age-related changes in a context to stay active, the participants have used different adapting strategies, including protective strategy, awareness of own capabilities, and modifying or adopting new roles.
Protective Effects of Emodin-Induced Neutrophil Apoptosis via the Ca2+-Caspase 12 Pathway against SIRS in Rats with Severe Acute Pancreatitis
Authors: Wang Gui-Jun , Wang Yue , Teng Yong-Sheng , Sun Fa-Lv , Xiang Hong , Liu Jian-Jun , Xia Shi-Lin , Zhang Gui-Xin , Chen Hai-Long , Shang Dong
Published: December 2016

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) results in high mortality. This is partly because of early multiple organ dysfunction syndromes that are usually caused by systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Many studies have reported the beneficial effects of emodin against SAP with SIRS. However, the exact mechanism underlying the effect of emodin remains unclear. This study was designed to explore the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of emodin against SIRS in rats with SAP. In the present study, cytosolic Ca2+ levels, calpain 1 activity, and the expression levels of the active fragments of caspases 12 and 3 decreased in neutrophils from rats with SAP and increased after treatment with emodin. Delayed neutrophil apoptosis occurred in rats with SAP and emodin was able to reverse this delayed apoptosis and inhibit SIRS. The effect of emodin on calpain 1 activity, the expression levels of the active fragments of caspases 12 and 3, neutrophil apoptosis, and SIRS scores were attenuated by PD150606 (an inhibitor of calpain). These results suggest that emodin inhibits SIRS in rats with SAP by inducing circulating neutrophil apoptosis via the Ca2+-calpain 1-caspase 12-caspase 3 signaling pathway.
Excision of Mucocele Using Diode Laser in Lower Lip
Authors: Ramkumar Subramaniam , Ramkumar Lakshmi , Malathi Narasimhan , Suganya Ramalingam
Published: December 2016

Mucoceles are nonneoplastic cystic lesions of major and minor salivary glands which result from the accumulation of mucus. These lesions are most commonly seen in children. Though usually these lesions can be treated by local surgical excision, in our case, to avoid intraoperative surgical complications like bleeding and edema and to enable better healing, excision was done using a diode laser in the wavelength of 940 nm.
Low‐ω3 Fatty Acid and Soy Protein Attenuate Alcohol‐Induced Fatty Liver and Injury by Regulating the Opposing Lipid Oxidation and Lipogenic Signaling Pathways
Authors: Reyes-Gordillo Karina , Shah Ruchi , Varatharajalu Ravi , Garige Mamatha , Leckey Leslie C. , Lakshman M. Raj
Published: December 2016

Chronic ethanol‐induced downregulation of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma coactivator 1‐alpha (PGC1α) and upregulation of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma coactivator 1‐beta (PGC1β) affect hepatic lipid oxidation and lipogenesis, respectively, leading to fatty liver injury. Low‐ω3 fatty acid (Low‐ω3FA) that primarily regulates PGC1α and soy protein (SP) that seems to have its major regulatory effect on PGC1β were evaluated for their protective effects against ethanol‐induced hepatosteatosis in rats fed with Lieber‐deCarli control or ethanol liquid diets with high or low ω3FA fish oil and soy protein. Low‐ω3FA and SP opposed the actions of chronic ethanol by reducing serum and liver lipids with concomitant decreased fatty liver. They also prevented the downregulation of hepatic Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and PGC1α and their target fatty acid oxidation pathway genes and attenuated the upregulation of hepatic PGC1β and sterol regulatory element‐binding protein 1c (SREBP1c) and their target lipogenic pathway genes via the phosphorylation of 5′ adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase (AMPK). Thus, these two novel modulators attenuate ethanol‐induced hepatosteatosis and consequent liver injury potentially by regulating the two opposing lipid oxidation and lipogenic pathways.
Impact on Antijamming Performance of Channel Mismatch in GNSS Antenna Arrays Receivers
Authors: Lu Zukun , Nie Junwei , Chen Feiqiang , Ou Gang
Published: December 2016

The performance of antijamming is limited by channel mismatch in global navigation satellite system (GNSS) antenna arrays receivers. Only when the amplitude and phase characteristics of each array channels are the same is the interference likely to be completely suppressed. This paper analyzes the impact on antijamming performance of channel mismatch. We built the model of channel mismatch and derived the impact on transfer function with space-time adaptive processor (STAP) of channel mismatch in theory. The impact factor of channel mismatch is proposed by the fuzzy transfer function, which could directly reflect the antijamming performance under channel mismatch. In addition, every characteristic in the channel mismatch model is analyzed. The analysis results show that the greatest impacts on antijamming performance are the range of amplitude wave and the group delay bias, while the influence of the number of amplitudes is next. As for the effect of group delay fluctuation is the smallest.
An Architecture for Anonymous Mobile Coupons in a Large Network
Authors: Bartoli Alberto , Medvet Eric
Published: December 2016

A mobile coupon (m-coupon) can be presented with a smartphone for obtaining a financial discount when purchasing a product or a service. M-coupons are a powerful marketing tool that has enjoyed a huge growth and diffusion, involving tens of millions of people each year. We propose an architecture which may enable significant improvements over current m-coupon technology, in terms of acceptance of potential customers and of marketing actions that become feasible: the customer does not need to install any dedicated app; an m-coupon is not bound to any specific device or customer; an m-coupon may be redeemed at any store in a set of potentially many thousands of stores, without any prior arrangement between customer and store. We are not aware of any proposal with these properties.
Extracellular Vesicles and Autophagy in Osteoarthritis
Authors: Gao Tianyang , Guo Weimin , Chen Mingxue , Huang Jingxiang , Yuan Zhiguo , Zhang Yu , Wang Mingjie , Li Penghao , Peng Jiang , Wang Aiyuan , Wang Yu , Sui Xiang , Zhang Li , Xu Wenjing , Lu Shibi , Zhang Xifeng , Liu Shuyun , Guo Quanyi
Published: December 2016

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a type of chronic joint disease that is characterized by the degeneration and loss of articular cartilage and hyperplasia of the synovium and subchondral bone. There is reasonable knowledge about articular cartilage physiology, biochemistry, and chondrocyte metabolism. However, the etiology and pathogenesis of OA remain unclear and need urgent clarification to guide the early diagnosis and treatment of OA. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small membrane-linking particles that are released from cells. In recent decades, several special biological properties have been found in EV, especially in terms of cartilage. Autophagy plays a critical role in the regulation of cellular homeostasis. Likewise, more and more research has gradually focused on the effect of autophagy on chondrocyte proliferation and function in OA. The synthesis and release of EV are closely associated with autophagy. At the same time, both EV and autophagy play a role in OA development. Based on the mechanism of EV and autophagy in OA development, EV may be beneficial in the early diagnosis of OA; on the other hand, the combination of EV and autophagy-related regulatory drugs may provide insight into possible OA therapeutic strategies.
Low-Rank Linear Dynamical Systems for Motor Imagery EEG
Authors: Zhang Wenchang , Sun Fuchun , Tan Chuanqi , Liu Shaobo
Published: December 2016

The common spatial pattern (CSP) and other spatiospectral feature extraction methods have become the most effective and successful approaches to solve the problem of motor imagery electroencephalography (MI-EEG) pattern recognition from multichannel neural activity in recent years. However, these methods need a lot of preprocessing and postprocessing such as filtering, demean, and spatiospectral feature fusion, which influence the classification accuracy easily. In this paper, we utilize linear dynamical systems (LDSs) for EEG signals feature extraction and classification. LDSs model has lots of advantages such as simultaneous spatial and temporal feature matrix generation, free of preprocessing or postprocessing, and low cost. Furthermore, a low-rank matrix decomposition approach is introduced to get rid of noise and resting state component in order to improve the robustness of the system. Then, we propose a low-rank LDSs algorithm to decompose feature subspace of LDSs on finite Grassmannian and obtain a better performance. Extensive experiments are carried out on public dataset from “BCI Competition III Dataset IVa” and “BCI Competition IV Database 2a.” The results show that our proposed three methods yield higher accuracies compared with prevailing approaches such as CSP and CSSP.
Combination of Salivary Gland Ultrasonography and Virtual Touch Quantification for Diagnosis of Sjögren’s Syndrome: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Chen Shaoqi , Wang Yukai , Zhang Guohong , Chen Shigao
Published: December 2016

A total of 136 subjects (51 SS patients, 35 sicca syndrome patients without SS, and 50 healthy volunteers) were enrolled in this study. The mean SWV value for salivary glands of SS patients was statistically higher than that of controls (2.81 ± 0.66 m/s versus 1.85 ± 0.28 m/s for parotid glands and 2.29 ± 0.34 m/s versus 1.82 ± 0.25 m/s for submandibular glands, resp.). Combining SWV values of parotid and submandibular glands gives a sensitivity of 88.2% (95% CI: 76.1–95.6%) and specificity of 96.0% (95% CI: 86.3–99.5%) at the cutoff point of 2.19 m/s, with an AUROC of 0.954 (95% CI: 0.893–0.986). In addition, combining SGUS score and SWV value yields a sensitivity of 98.0% (95% CI: 89.6–100%), specificity of 90.0% (95% CI: 78.2–96.7%), and AUROC of 0.962 (95% CI: 0.904–0.990). Classification tree considering the sequential use of SGUS score and SWV value achieved 92.1% accuracy for diagnosis of SS. Similarly, the ROC curve of combined SGUS scores and SWV values yields an AUROC of 0.954 (95% CI: 0.885–0.987), sensitivity of 97.1% (95% CI: 85.1–99.9%), and specificity of 92.2% (95% CI: 81.1–97.8%) for separating sicca syndrome patients (without SS) from SS patients. Combining SGUS and VTQ provides a promising tool for diagnosis of SS.
Risk Analysis for Cascade Reservoirs Collapse Based on Bayesian Networks under the Combined Action of Flood and Landslide Surge
Authors: Li Ping , Liang Chuan
Published: December 2016

A method based on a Bayesian network (BN) combined with stochastic Monte Carlo (MC) simulation is used in this research to calculate the probability and analyze the risk of a single reservoir dam overtopping and two reservoirs collapsing under the combined action of flood and landslide surge. Two adjacent cascade reservoirs on the Dadu River are selected for risk calculation and analysis. The results show that the conditional probability of a dam overtopping due to flooding in a single reservoir is relatively small; the conditional probability of a dam overtopping due to landslide surge in a single reservoir is relatively large; a combination of flooding and landslide surge greatly increases the risk of the dam overtopping. The conditional probability that the dam in (downstream) Changheba reservoir overtops as a result of a dam-break flood from (upstream) Houziyan reservoir is greater than 0.8 when the water in Changheba reservoir is at its normal level. Under the combined action of flooding and landslide surges, the joint probability that the two cascade reservoirs collapse in a variety of typical situations is very small.
A Network Pharmacology Approach to Explore the Pharmacological Mechanism of Xiaoyao Powder on Anovulatory Infertility
Authors: Liu Huiping , Zeng Liuting , Yang Kailin , Zhang Guomin
Published: December 2016

Aim. To explore the pharmacological mechanism of Xiaoyao powder (XYP) on anovulatory infertility by a network pharmacology approach. Method. Collect XYP’s active compounds by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) databases, and input them into PharmMapper to get their targets. Then note these targets by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and filter out targets that can be noted by human signal pathway. Get the information of modern pharmacology of active compounds and recipe’s traditional effects through databases. Acquire infertility targets by Therapeutic Target Database (TTD). Collect the interactions of all the targets and other human proteins via String and INACT. Put all the targets into the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) to do GO enrichment analysis. Finally, draw the network by Cytoscape by the information above. Result. Six network pictures and two GO enrichment analysis pictures are visualized. Conclusion. According to this network pharmacology approach some signal pathways of XYP acting on infertility are found for the first time. Some biological processes can also be identified as XYP’s effects on anovulatory infertility. We believe that evaluating the efficacy of TCM recipes and uncovering the pharmacological mechanism on a systematic level will be a significant method for future studies.
PPARδas a Metabolic Initiator of Mammary Neoplasia and Immune Tolerance
Authors: Glazer Robert I.
Published: December 2016

PPARδis a ligand-activated nuclear receptor that regulates the transcription of genes associated with proliferation, metabolism, inflammation, and immunity. Within this transcription factor family, PPARδis unique in that it initiates oncogenesis in a metabolic and tissue-specific context, especially in mammary epithelium, and can regulate autoimmunity in some tissues. This review discusses its role in these processes and how it ultimately impacts breast cancer.
Evaluation of the Antioxidant Capacities and Cytotoxic Effects of Ten Parmeliaceae Lichen Species
Authors: Fernández-Moriano C. , González-Burgos E. , Divakar P. K. , Crespo A. , Gómez-Serranillos M. P.
Published: December 2016

Parmeliaceae represents the largest and widespread family of lichens and includes species that attract much interest regarding pharmacological activities, due to their production of unique secondary metabolites. The current work aimed to investigate the in vitro antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of the methanol extracts of ten Parmeliaceae species, collected in different continents. Methanol extraction afforded high phenolic content in the extracts. The antioxidant activity displayed by lichens was evaluated through chemical assays, such as the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) and 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities and the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). A moderately positive correlation was found between the phenolic content and the antioxidant properties for all the species: R: 0.7430 versus ORAC values, R: 0.7457 versus DPPH scavenging capacity, and R: 0.7056 versus FRAP reducing power. The methanol extract of Flavoparmelia euplecta exhibited the highest ORAC value, the extract of Myelochroa irrugans showed the maximum DPPH scavenging capacity, and Hypotrachyna cirrhata methanol extract demonstrated the highest reducing power. Further, the cytotoxic activity of the ten species was investigated on the human cancer cell lines HepG2 and MCF‐7; Myelochroa irrugans exhibited the highest anticancer potential. The pharmacological activities shown here could be attributed to their phytochemical constituents.
Reestablishing the Function and Esthetics in Traumatized Permanent Teeth with Large Apical Lesion
Authors: Cocco Alexandra Rubin , Bobrowski Ângelo Niemczewski , Baldissera Rudimar Antônio , Machado Silveira Luiz Fernando , Martos Josué
Published: December 2016

Dental trauma is a challenge for dental integrity and can lead to pulp necrosis. The clinical case reports the diagnosis of a maxillary right central incisor traumatized and its multidisciplinary treatment. Calcium hydroxide material was used to perform the processing apexification. An apical surgery was carried out to remove the apical periodontitis and to return the aesthetics to the patient; internal and external tooth whitening in maxillary right central incisor was performed. We conclude that surgery associated with the root filling in the central incisor led to a successful completion. Moreover, it is of utmost importance to demonstrate the interaction between the various areas of dentistry.
Application of Machine Learning in Postural Control Kinematics for the Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Costa Luís , Gago Miguel F. , Yelshyna Darya , Ferreira Jaime , David Silva Hélder , Rocha Luís , Sousa Nuno , Bicho Estela
Published: December 2016

The use of wearable devices to study gait and postural control is a growing field on neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In this paper, we investigate if machine-learning classifiers offer the discriminative power for the diagnosis of AD based on postural control kinematics. We compared Support Vector Machines (SVMs), Multiple Layer Perceptrons (MLPs), Radial Basis Function Neural Networks (RBNs), and Deep Belief Networks (DBNs) on 72 participants (36 AD patients and 36 healthy subjects) exposed to seven increasingly difficult postural tasks. The decisional space was composed of 18 kinematic variables (adjusted for age, education, height, and weight), with or without neuropsychological evaluation (Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) score), top ranked in an error incremental analysis. Classification results were based on threefold cross validation of 50 independent and randomized runs sets: training (50%), test (40%), and validation (10%). Having a decisional space relying solely on postural kinematics, accuracy of AD diagnosis ranged from 71.7 to 86.1%. Adding the MoCA variable, the accuracy ranged between 91 and 96.6%. MLP classifier achieved top performance in both decisional spaces. Having comprehended the interdynamic interaction between postural stability and cognitive performance, our results endorse machine-learning models as a useful tool for computer-aided diagnosis of AD based on postural control kinematics.