bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Less than full-time training in surgery: a cross-sectional study evaluating the accessibility and experiences of flexible training in the surgical trainee workforce
Authors: Harries Rhiannon L , Gokani Vimal J , Smitham Peter , Fitzgerald J Edward F
Published: April 2016

Objectives

Generational changes in lifestyle expectations, working environments and the feminisation of the medical workforce have seen an increased demand in postgraduate less than full-time training (LTFT). Despite this, concerns remain regarding access to, and information about, flexible training for surgeons. This study aimed to assess the opinions and experiences of LTFT for surgical trainees.

Design

Prospective, questionnaire-based cross-sectional study.

Setting/participants

An electronic, self-administered questionnaire was distributed in the UK and Republic of Ireland through mailing lists via the Association of Surgeons in Training and British Orthopedic Trainee Association.

Results

Overall, 876 completed responses were received, representing all grades of trainee across all 10 surgical specialties. Median age was 33 years and 63.4% were female. Of those who had undertaken LTFT, 92.5% (148/160) were female. Most worked 60% of a full-time post (86/160, 53.8%). The reasons for either choosing or considering LTFT were childrearing (82.7%), caring for a dependent (12.6%) and sporting commitments (6.8%). Males were less likely to list childrearing than females (64.9% vs 87.6%; p<0.0001). Only 38% (60/160) found the application process easy and 53.8% (86/160) experienced undermining behaviour from workplace staff as a result of undertaking LTFT. Of all respondents, an additional 53.7% (385/716) would consider LTFT in future; 27.5% of which were male (106/385). Overall, only 9.9% of all respondents rated current LTFT information as adequate. Common sources of information were other trainees (47.3%), educational supervisors (20.6%) and local postgraduate school website (19.5%).

Conclusions

Over half of surgical trainees working LTFT have experienced undermining behaviour as a result of their LTFT. Despite a reported need for LTFT in both genders, this remains difficult to organise, access to useful information is poor and negative attitudes among staff remain. Recommendations are made to provide improved support and information for those wishing to pursue LTFT.
Long term experience using the ADAPT technique for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Vargas Jan , Spiotta Alejandro , Fargen Kyle , Turner Raymond , Chaudry Imran , Turk Aquilla
Published: April 2016

Introduction

The direct aspiration first pass technique (ADAPT) has been introduced as a simple and fast method for achieving good angiographic and clinical outcomes using large bore aspiration catheters for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We present a single center's long term experience with ADAPT.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of a database was gathered on patients undergoing stroke thrombectomy with ADAPT at a stroke center. Speciﬁc parameters captured included age, gender, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at presentation, time to presentation from last normal, and modiﬁed Rankin Scale (mRS) score at the 90 day follow-up. Radiological and angiographic imaging was reviewed to document the location of the vascular occlusion, Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) ﬂow postprocedure, and procedural complications.

Results

191 consecutive patients who suffered an AIS treated with ADAPT were reviewed; 91 were women, and mean age was 67 years. Patients presented with a mean NIHSS score of 15.4, and 71 patients received intravenous tissue plasminogen activator. The average time from onset to puncture was 7.8 h. The average time for recanalization was 37.3 min. TICI 2B or better recanalization was achieved in 180 (94.2%) patients. 98 (54.1%) patients had an mRS of 0–2 at 90 days. Direct aspiration alone was performed in 145 cases, and 43 cases required the additional use of a stent retriever. There was no significant difference in presenting NIHSS score, average time to presentation, average mRS at 90 days, or 90 day mortality between the two groups. Time to recanalization was 29.6 min for direct aspiration compared with 61.4 min in cases that required adjunct devices (p=0.00000201). 79 (57.7%) patients who underwent direct aspiration only achieved a good outcome at 90 days (mRS 0–2) compared with 19 (43.2%) who underwent adjunct therapies (p=0.12).

Conclusions

ADAPT is an effective method to achieve good clinical and angiographic outcomes, and serves as a useful firstline method for revascularization.
The natural progression of VGAMs and the need for urgent medical attention: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yan Jun , Gopaul Roodrajeetsing , Wen Jing , Li Xi-sheng , Tang Jing-feng
Published: April 2016

Background

Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformations (VGAMs) are congenital disorders that may require emergency treatment and some may cause sudden death before medical attention is provided. Some patients also have a spontaneous thrombosis.

Objective

To understand the natural progression of VGAMs through a systematic literature review.

Methods

We examined PubMed to identify studies published between July 1973 and March 2015. We determined the proportion of patients with VGAM who died before receiving medical attention, who received emergency treatment, or had a spontaneous thrombosis. We pooled estimates of proportions with corresponding 95% CIs calculated using the raw (ie, untransformed) proportions.

Results

The 31 studies obtained described the outcome of 754 patients with VGAM. The probability of sudden death risk was 4% (95% CI 1% to 7%; I2=51.6%); of an emergency operation was 46% (95% CI 34% to 58%; I2=93.2%); and of spontaneous thromboses 1% (95% CI 0% to 2%; I2=0%) of cases. Differences between age and clinical outcomes of patients with spontaneous thromboses were significant according to the rank test (Mann–Whitney U test, Z=−2.398, p=0.016), both having a linear correlation (χ2test, p=0.022).

Conclusions

Over time, the rate of preoperative sudden death in patients with VGAM gradually declined and the rate of emergency operations gradually increased. The outcome of patients with early spontaneous thromboses was good. Our study provides a definitive description of the natural progression of VGAMs and the need for urgent medical attention.
Reactions of ground-nesting marine birds to human disturbance in the Canadian Arctic
Authors: Mallory Mark L.
Published: April 2016

I studied the reactions of five ground-nesting marine bird species (Arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea), Sabine’s gull (Xema sabini), common eider (Somateria mollissima), long-tailed duck (Clangula hyemalis), and Ross’ gull (Rhodostethia rosea)) breeding in the low and high Arctic to disturbance from nearby aircraft as well as avian flight initiation response to humans approaching on foot. All species except nesting long-tailed ducks and common eiders departed their nest when overhead aircraft were within 200 m, with loafing birds often flying off when aircraft were still 1 km away. There was considerable individual and species-specific variation in responses to approaching humans, with some nesting birds not flushing from their nest until touched by a researcher (e.g., waterfowl, 0 m), while others flushed when people were 400 m away (Ross’s gull). Excluding Ross’s gulls, 95% of the individuals of most species did not initiate flight until humans were ≤100 m from the nest, suggesting that this might represent a minimum, suitable “buffer zone” around nesting colonies for nonmotorized human activities.
Characterization of the variation in the daily excretion of faecal constituents and digestibility predictions in beef cattle fed feedlot diets using near-infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Jancewicz L.J. , Penner G.B. , Swift M.L. , McKinnon J.J. , Waldner C.L. , McAllister T.A.
Published: April 2016

Six heifers were individually housed and assigned to once (FF1) or twice (FF2) daily feeding regimes over backgrounding and finishing periods. Following adaptation, total faecal collections were conducted at 4-h intervals and at 24-h intervals over 4 d, and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to predict faecal organic matter (OM), starch, nitrogen (N), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL). At each interval, NIRS calibrations were used to estimate faecal constituents and ADL to calculate apparent (aTTD) and estimated (eTTD) total tract digestibility. Faecal dry matter (DM) (%), NDF, and ADF varied among 4-h interval samples in the backgrounding period and faecal DM, starch, NDF, ADF, and ADL in the finishing period. Faecal starch was able to predict aTTD during both feeding periods (backgrounding: R2 = 0.96, P < 0.01; finishing: R2 = 0.98, P < 0.01). The NIRS calibrations for predicting aTTD using the 4-h interval samples or the 4-d–24-h composite were least accurate for NDF and ADF. Most 4-h interval samples could be used to predict eTTD of nutrients, and aside from starch in the finishing period, there were no differences in eTTD using faecal samples collected over 4-h intervals versus those collected over 4 d. Spot faecal samples collected at any time point from multiple cattle have the potential to predict digestibility. Timing of sampling after feeding must be standardized to predict starch digestibility during the finishing period, with samples between 0–4 h and 8–16 h generating estimates of both starch concentration and digestibility that were closest to that derived from 4-d–24-h composite samples.
Southern continuation of the Wakeham Group and Robe-Noire mafic suite (eastern Grenville Province) from hydrocarbon-targeted seismic reflection data on Anticosti Island, Quebec, Canada
Authors: Pinet Nicolas
Published: April 2016

Hydrocarbon-targeted seismic reflection profiles acquired on eastern Anticosti Island (Quebec) image subparallel reflections with significant continuity below the Paleozoic St. Lawrence Platform. These intra-basement reflections define a seismic unit with a relatively simple geometry characterized by broad open folds, an array of subparallel markers, and east-northeast-dipping faults. The reflective seismic unit likely corresponds to the southern extension of the Mesoproterozoic Wakeham Group and Robe-Noire mafic sills that are exposed on the nearby north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, in the eastern Grenville Province of Quebec.
Lack of recreational fishing compliance may compromise effectiveness of Rockfish Conservation Areas in British Columbia
Authors: Haggarty Dana R. , Martell Steve J.D. , Shurin Jonathan B.
Published: April 2016

Compliance with spatial fishing regulations (e.g., marine protected areas, fishing closures) is one of the most important, yet rarely measured, determinants of ecological recovery. We used aerial observations of recreational fishing events from creel surveys before, during, and after 77 Rockfish Conservation Areas (RCAs) were established in British Columbia, Canada. There was no evidence of a change in fishing effort in 83% of the RCAs, and effort in five RCAs increased after establishment. Fishing effort in open areas adjacent to the RCAs declined with time and was higher than effort in the RCAs in all 3 years. Next, we used compliance data for 105 RCAs around Vancouver Island to model the drivers of compliance. Compliance was related to the level of fishing effort around the RCA, the size and perimeter-to-area ratio of RCAs, proximity to fishing lodges, and the level of enforcement. Noncompliance in RCAs may be hampering their effectiveness and impeding rockfish recovery. Education and enforcement efforts to reduce fishing effort inside protected areas are critical to the recovery of depleted fish stocks.
The onset of xylogenesis is not related to distance from the crown in Smith fir trees from the southeastern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Li Xiaoxia , Camarero J. Julio , Case Bradley , Liang Eryuan , Rossi Sergio
Published: April 2016

Young and mature trees are usually characterized by asynchronous growth resumption of xylem. Here, we test the hypothesis that the later onset of xylem growth in older trees is related to the longer distance of the stem from the developing buds, which represents the main source of hormones triggering vascular tissue differentiation. We compared the onset of xylogenesis at different heights along the stems of young and mature Smith fir (Abies georgei var. smithii (Viguie & Gaussen) W. C. Cheng & L. K. Fu)) trees in the Sygera Mountains, southeastern Tibetan Plateau. Xylem formation was monitored weekly in 2012 on anatomical sections of wood microcores. The onset of xylogenesis differed between young and mature trees, with most phases occurring 2 weeks later in mature trees. No effect of the sampling height was observed on the growth resumption. Our results suggest that the later resumption of xylogenesis in older conifer trees is not related to their longer distance from the crown.
Antihypertensive effects of fargesin in vitro and in vivo via attenuating oxidative stress and promoting nitric oxide release
Authors: Sha Sha , Xu Dandan , Wang Yanwei , Zhao Weifang , Li Xiaoni
Published: April 2016

Fargesin, a bioactive neolignan isolated from magnolia plants, is widely used in the treatment of managing rhinitis, inflammation, histamine, sinusitis, and headache. To provide more biological information about fargesin, we investigated the effects of fargesin on rat aortic rings and 2-kidney, 1-clip (2K1C) hypertensive rats. In vitro, fargesin caused concentration-dependent vasorelaxation in rat isolated aortic rings induced by KCl and norepinephrine. The effect was weakened by endothelium denudation and nitric oxide (NO) synthesis inhibition. In vivo, the evolution of systolic blood pressure (SBP) was followed by weekly measurements. Angiotensin II (Ang II) and endothelin (ET) levels, NO and nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and plasma and liver oxidative stress markers were determined at the end of the experimental period. After 5 weeks of fargesin treatment, we found that fargesin treatment reduced SBP, cardiac hypertrophy, and Ang II and ET levels of hypertensive rats. Increased NOS activity and NO level were observed in fargesin-treated rats. Normalisation of plasma MDA concentrations and improvement of the antioxidant defence system in plasma and liver accompanied the antihypertensive effect of fargesin. Taken together, these results provided substantial evidences that fargesin has antihypertensive effect in 2K1C hypertensive rats via inhibiting oxidative stress and promoting NO release.
Glyphosate resistant soybean injury from 2,4-D spray tank contamination
Authors: Soltani Nader , Nurse Robert E. , Sikkema Peter H.
Published: April 2016

Eight trials were conducted during 2012–2014 to determine the response of non-2,4-D resistant soybean to 2,4-D tank contamination at 2.1–168 g a.e. ha−1. The predicted dose of 2,4-D to reduce yield 1%, 5%, 10%, 20% or 50% was 4.5, 22, 46, 97, and >168 g a.e. ha−1, respectively.
Phylogenetic relationships and protein modelling revealed two distinct subfamilies of group II HKT genes between crop and model grasses
Authors: Ariyarathna H.A. Chandima K. , Francki Michael G.
Published: April 2016

Molecular evolution of large protein families in closely related species can provide useful insights on structural functional relationships. Phylogenetic analysis of the grass-specific group II HKT genes identified two distinct subfamilies, I and II. Subfamily II was represented in all species, whereas subfamily I was identified only in the small grain cereals and possibly originated from an ancestral gene duplication post divergence from the coarse grain cereal lineage. The core protein structures were highly analogous despite there being no more than 58% amino acid identity between members of the two subfamilies. Distinctly variable regions in known functional domains, however, indicated functional divergence of the two subfamilies. The subsets of codons residing external to known functional domains predicted signatures of positive Darwinian selection potentially identifying new domains of functional divergence and providing new insights on the structural function and relationships between protein members of the two subfamilies.
Automatic Scale Parameters in Affinity Matrix Construction for Improved Spectral Clustering
Authors: Mohanavalli S. , Jaisakthi S. M. , Aravindan Chandrabose
Published: April 2016

Spectral clustering partitions data into similar groups in the eigenspace of the affinity matrix. The accuracy of the spectral clustering algorithm is affected by the affine equivariance realized in the translation of distance to similarity relationship. The similarity value computed as a Gaussian of the distance between data objects is sensitive to the scale factor [Formula: see text]. The value of [Formula: see text], a control parameter of drop in affinity value, is generally a fixed constant or determined by manual tuning. In this research work, [Formula: see text] is determined automatically from the distance values i.e. the similarity relationship that exists in the real data space. The affinity value of a data pair is determined as a location estimate of the spread of distance values of the data points with the other points. The scale factor [Formula: see text] corresponding to a data point [Formula: see text] is computed as the trimean of its distance vector and used in fixing the scale to compute the affinity matrix. Our proposed automatic scale parameter for spectral clustering resulted in a robust similarity matrix which is affine equivariant with the distance distribution and also eliminates the overhead of manual tuning to find the best [Formula: see text] value. The performance of spectral clustering using such affinity matrices was analyzed using UCI data sets and image databases. The obtained scores for NMI, ARI, Purity and F-score were observed to be equivalent to those of existing works and better for most of the data sets. The proposed scale factor was used in various state-of-the-art spectral clustering algorithms and it proves to perform well irrespective of the normalization operations applied in the algorithms. A comparison of clustering error rates obtained for various data sets across the algorithms shows that the proposed automatic scale factor is successful in clustering the data sets equivalent to that obtained using manually tuned best [Formula: see text] value. Thus the automatic scale factor proposed in this research work eliminates the need for exhaustive grid search for the best scale parameter that results in best clustering performance.
Extended phase space of AdS black holes in Einstein–Gauss–Bonnet gravity with a quadratic nonlinear electrodynamics
Authors: Hendi S. H. , Panahiyan S. , Momennia M.
Published: April 2016

In this paper, we consider quadratic Maxwell invariant as a correction to the Maxwell theory and study thermodynamic behavior of the black holes in Einstein and Gauss–Bonnet gravities. We consider cosmological constant as a thermodynamic pressure to extend phase space. Next, we obtain critical values in case of variation of nonlinearity and Gauss–Bonnet parameters. Although the general thermodynamical behavior of the black hole solutions is the same as usual Van der Waals system, we show that in special case of the nonlinear electromagnetic field, there will be a turning point for the phase diagrams and usual Van der Waals is not observed. This theory of nonlinear electromagnetic field provides two critical horizon radii. We show that this unusual behavior of phase diagrams is due to existence of second critical horizon radius. It will be pointed out that the power of the gravity and nonlinearity of the matter field modify the critical values. We generalize the study by considering the effects of dimensionality on critical values and make comparisons between our models with their special sub-classes. In addition, we examine the possibility of the existence of the reentrant phase transitions through two different methods.
Hard hadronic diffraction is not hard
Authors: Kopeliovich Boris , Pasechnik Roman , Potashnikova Irina
Published: April 2016

Hadronic diffractive processes characterized by a hard scale (hard diffraction) contain a nontrivial interplay of hard and soft, nonperturbative interactions, which breaks down factorization of short and long distances. On the contrary to the expectations based on the factorization hypothesis, assuming that hard diffraction is a higher twist, these processes should be classified as a leading twist. We overview various implications of this important observation for diffractive radiation of Abelian (Drell–Yan, gauge bosons, Higgs boson) and non-Abelian (heavy flavors) particles, as well as direct coalescence into the Higgs boson of the nonperturbative intrinsic heavy flavor component of the hadronic wave function.
Second harmonic generation from hemispherical metal nanoparticle covered by dielectric layer
Authors: Karpov Denis , Scherbak Sergey , Svirko Yuri , Lipovskii Andrey
Published: April 2016

Using hydrodynamic theory of electron gas motion in metals, we obtain hyperpolarizability of the metal hemisphere in the framework of the quasistatic approach. For a silver hemisphere placed on a glass substrate and covered with TiO2 shell, we demonstrate analytically that conduction electrons in the vicinity of the hemisphere sharp edge dominate the nonlinear optical response of the nanoparticle. The developed theory is verified by numerical simulation in COMSOL. Numerical analysis reveals that rounding of the sharp edge affects the linear polarizability and first hyperpolarizability of the hemisphere differently. We also discuss dependence of the hyperpolarizability on the dielectric shell thickness and show that both lacking of the inversion symmetry and presence of the glass–air-TiO2 interface essentially contribute to the polarizability of the hemisphere at the frequency of the second harmonic.
Boron complexes of cyclo[m]pyridine[n]pyrroles
Authors: Zhang Zhan , Cha Won-Young , Lynch Vincent M. , Kim Dongho , Sessler Jonathan L.
Published: April 2016

Novel boron complexes were synthesized by reacting cyclo[[Formula: see text]]pyridine[[Formula: see text]]pyrroles ([Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] 6) with BF3. These complexes were characterized and studied by means of NMR, UV, and fluorescence spectroscopies, and X-ray crystallography. As compared to the non-boronated starting materials, the complexes of this study are more rigid and twisted, a feature that translates into a modulation of the optical features. Specifically, these boron complexes can be either strongly fluorescent or barely fluorescent, depending on the numbers of pyridine subunits contained within the macrocycle. The present approach could thus define an attractive and potentially generalizable means for modulating the inherent optical characteristics of expanded porphyrins.
CTCF and Cohesin in Genome Folding and Transcriptional Gene Regulation
Authors: Merkenschlager Matthias , Nora Elphège P.
Published: April 2016

Genome function, replication, integrity, and propagation rely on the dynamic structural organization of chromosomes during the cell cycle. Genome folding in interphase provides regulatory segmentation for appropriate transcriptional control, facilitates ordered genome replication, and contributes to genome integrity by limiting illegitimate recombination. Here, we review recent high-resolution chromosome conformation capture and functional studies that have informed models of the spatial and regulatory compartmentalization of mammalian genomes, and discuss mechanistic models for how CTCF and cohesin control the functional architecture of mammalian chromosomes.
Computational Analysis of Behavior
Authors: Egnor S.E. Roian , Branson Kristin
Published: April 2016

In this review, we discuss the emerging field of computational behavioral analysis—the use of modern methods from computer science and engineering to quantitatively measure animal behavior. We discuss aspects of experiment design important to both obtaining biologically relevant behavioral data and enabling the use of machine vision and learning techniques for automation. These two goals are often in conflict. Restraining or restricting the environment of the animal can simplify automatic behavior quantification, but it can also degrade the quality or alter important aspects of behavior. To enable biologists to design experiments to obtain better behavioral measurements, and computer scientists to pinpoint fruitful directions for algorithm improvement, we review known effects of artificial manipulation of the animal on behavior. We also review machine vision and learning techniques for tracking, feature extraction, automated behavior classification, and automated behavior discovery, the assumptions they make, and the types of data they work best with.
Driving Along the Zinc Road
Authors: Cousins Robert J.
Published: April 2016

After having written hundreds of research articles, reviews, and book chapters, I find it awkward to pen an autobiography. I still do use a pen. As stated by others in the nutrition field who have written of their own experiences in a perspective article for the Annual Review of Nutrition, my course through this field of science has been serendipitous. My interest in nutrition developed during my experiences with horses and then Angus cattle and entry into an animal science degree program. As the age of molecular biology was unfolding, I pursued a PhD in nutritional biochemistry with Hamilton Eaton at the University of Connecticut followed by postdoctoral work with Hector DeLuca at the University of Wisconsin, working on vitamins A and D, respectively. At Rutgers University, one of the two institutions where I have served on the faculty, I started my research program on trace elements with a focus on cadmium toxicity but soon thereafter began my research on zinc metabolism and function. I moved to the University of Florida in 1982 for an endowed position and have been a Florida Gator ever since. At the University of Florida, research expanded to include identification of zinc-responsive genes and physiological outcomes of zinc transport influencing health and disease, particularly as related to inflammation. I had the opportunity to contribute national science policy as president of both the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology and the American Society for Nutrition. As the time of this writing, I maintain an active laboratory.
Semiclassical Path Integral Dynamics: Photosynthetic Energy Transfer with Realistic Environment Interactions
Authors: Lee Mi Kyung , Huo Pengfei , Coker David F.
Published: April 2016

This article reviews recent progress in the theoretical modeling of excitation energy transfer (EET) processes in natural light harvesting complexes. The iterative partial linearized density matrix path-integral propagation approach, which involves both forward and backward propagation of electronic degrees of freedom together with a linearized, short-time approximation for the nuclear degrees of freedom, provides an accurate and efficient way to model the nonadiabatic quantum dynamics at the heart of these EET processes. Combined with a recently developed chromophore–protein interaction model that incorporates both accurate ab initio descriptions of intracomplex vibrations and chromophore–protein interactions treated with atomistic detail, these simulation tools are beginning to unravel the detailed EET pathways and relaxation dynamics in light harvesting complexes.
Decentralized Cooperative Localization Approach for Autonomous Multirobot Systems
Authors: Wanasinghe Thumeera R. , Mann George K. I. , Gosine Raymond G.
Published: April 2016

This study proposes the use of a split covariance intersection algorithm (Split-CI) for decentralized multirobot cooperative localization. In the proposed method, each robot maintains a local cubature Kalman filter to estimate its own pose in a predefined coordinate frame. When a robot receives pose information from neighbouring robots, it employs a Split-CI based approach to fuse this received measurement with its local belief. The computational and communicative complexities of the proposed algorithm increase linearly with the number of robots in the multirobot systems (MRS). The proposed method does not require fully connected synchronous communication channels between robots; in fact, it is applicable for MRS with asynchronous and partially connected communication networks. The pose estimation error of the proposed method is bounded. As the proposed method is capable of handling independent and interdependent information of the estimations separately, it does not generate overconfidence state estimations. The performance of the proposed method is compared with several multirobot localization approaches. The simulation and experiment results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm outperforms the single-robot localization algorithms and achieves approximately the same estimation accuracy as the centralized cooperative localization approach, but with reduced computational and communicative cost.
Surface Functionality Features of Porous Silicon Prepared and Treated in Different Conditions
Authors: Spivak Yu. M. , Mjakin S. V. , Moshnikov V. A. , Panov M. F. , Belorus A. O. , Bobkov A. A.
Published: April 2016

Hydrophilic layers of porous silicon are prepared by single- or two-step anodization and characterized by evaluating their surface hydrophilicity and contents of functional groups using IR spectroscopy and adsorption of acid-base indicators with differentpKavalues. The surface functional composition of the synthesized samples is shown to be adjustable depending on the anodization current density. The surface of samples obtained at anodization current density 30 mA/cm2is predominantly occupied withpKa2.5 corresponding to ≡Si–OH groups. The increase of current density to 80 mA/cm2results in the increase of surface functional nonuniformity with the formation of versatile centers, primarily Lewis acidic sites corresponding to Si atoms, as indicated by selective indicator adsorption in agreement with the disappearance of Si–H bonds in IR spectra and overall surface disordering according to SEM and AFM data.
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and Type 2 Infection Increases Atherosclerosis Risk: Evidence Based on a Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wu Yu peng , Sun Dan dan , Wang Yun , Liu Wen , Yang Jun
Published: April 2016

Objective.The aim of our study was to evaluate the relation of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) infection with the risk of atherosclerosis (AS).Methods.A systematic literature search was performed through three electronic databases. The pooled odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to assess the effect of HSV-1 and HSV-2 infection on AS risk.Results.17 studies were available for meta-analysis of HSV-1 infection and AS risk and seven studies for meta-analysis of HSV-2 infection and AS risk. Subjects exposed to HSV-1 infection exhibited an increased risk of AS (OR = 1.77; 95% CI: 1.40–2.23;P<0.001). And consistent elevated AS risks for HSV-1 positive subjects were found in all subgroup analysis of disease type, region, male proportion, and age. HSV-2 positive subjects demonstrated significantly increased AS risk (OR = 1.37; 95% CI: 1.13–1.67;P<0.005). In subgroup analysis, elevated AS risks were only observed in myocardial ischemia group, male proportion >60% group, and age ≤60-year-old group.Conclusion.Our meta-analysis indicated that HSV-1 and HSV-2 infection could increase the risk of contracting AS.
Appraisals of Salient Visual Elements in Web Page Design
Authors: Silvennoinen Johanna M. , Jokinen Jussi P. P.
Published: April 2016

Visual elements in user interfaces elicit emotions in users and are, therefore, essential to users interacting with different software. Although there is research on the relationship between emotional experience and visual user interface design, the focus has been on the overall visual impression and not on visual elements. Additionally, often in a software development process, programming and general usability guidelines are considered as the most important parts of the process. Therefore, knowledge of programmers’ appraisals of visual elements can be utilized to understand the web page designs we interact with. In this study, appraisal theory of emotion is utilized to elaborate the relationship of emotional experience and visual elements from programmers’ perspective. Participants (N=50) used 3E-templates to express their visual and emotional experiences of web page designs. Content analysis of textual data illustrates how emotional experiences are elicited by salient visual elements. Eight hierarchical visual element categories were found and connected to various emotions, such as frustration, boredom, and calmness, via relational emotion themes. The emotional emphasis was on centered, symmetrical, and balanced composition, which was experienced as pleasant and calming. The results benefit user-centered visual interface design and researchers of visual aesthetics in human-computer interaction.
Learning-Based Detection of Harmful Data in Mobile Devices
Authors: Jang Seok-Woo , Kim Gye-Young
Published: April 2016

The Internet has supported diverse types of multimedia content flowing freely on smart phones and tablet PCs based on its easy accessibility. However, multimedia content that can be emotionally harmful for children is also easily spread, causing many social problems. This paper proposes a method to assess the harmfulness of input images automatically based on an artificial neural network. The proposed method first detects human face areas based on the MCT features from the input images. Next, based on color characteristics, this study identifies human skin color areas along with the candidate areas of nipples, one of the human body parts representing harmfulness. Finally, the method removes nonnipple areas among the detected candidate areas using the artificial neural network. The experimental results show that the suggested neural network learning-based method can determine the harmfulness of various types of images more effectively by detecting nipple regions from input images robustly.
Therapeutic Roles of Tendon Stem/Progenitor Cells in Tendinopathy
Authors: Zhang Xin , Lin Yu-cheng , Rui Yun-feng , Xu Hong-liang , Chen Hui , Wang Chen , Teng Gao-jun
Published: April 2016

Tendinopathy is a tendon disorder characterized by activity‐related pain, local edema, focal tenderness to palpation, and decreased strength in the affected area. Tendinopathy is prevalent in both athletes and the general population, highlighting the need to elucidate the pathogenesis of this disorder. Current treatments of tendinopathy are both conservative and symptomatic. The discovery of tendon stem/progenitor cells (TSPCs) and erroneous differentiation of TSPCs have provided new insights into the pathogenesis of tendinopathy. In this review, we firstly present the histopathological characteristics of tendinopathy and explore the cellular and molecular cues in the pathogenesis of tendinopathy. Current evidence of the depletion of the stem cell pool and altered TSPCs fate in the pathogenesis of tendinopathy has been presented. The potential regulatory factors for either tenogenic or nontenogenic differentiation of TSPCs are also summarized. The regulation of endogenous TSPCs or supplementation with exogenous TSPCs as therapeutic targets for the treatment of tendinopathy is proposed. Therefore, inhibiting the erroneous differentiation of TSPCs and regulating the differentiation of TSPCs into tendon cells might be important areas of future research and could provide new clinical treatments for tendinopathy. The current evidence suggests that TSPCs are promising therapeutic targets for the management of tendinopathy.
Multiframe Superresolution of Vehicle License Plates Based on Distribution Estimation Approach
Authors: Jin Renchao , Zhao Shengrong , Xu Xiangyang , Song Enmin
Published: April 2016

Low-resolution (LR) license plate images or videos are often captured in the practical applications. In this paper, a distribution estimation based superresolution (SR) algorithm is proposed to reconstruct the license plate image. Different from the previous work, here, the high-resolution (HR) image is estimated via the obtained posterior probability distribution by using the variational Bayesian framework. To regularize the estimated HR image, a feature-specific prior model is proposed by considering the most significant characteristic of license plate images; that is, the target has high contrast with the background. In order to assure the success of the SR reconstruction, the models representing smoothness constraints on images are also used to regularize the estimated HR image with the proposed feature-specific prior model. We show by way of experiments, under challenging blur with size 7 × 7 and zero-mean Gaussian white noise with variances 0.2 and 0.5, respectively, that the proposed method could achieve the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) of 22.69 dB and the structural similarity (SSIM) of 0.9022 under the noise with variance 0.2 and the PSNR of 19.89 dB and the SSIM of 0.8582 even under the noise with variance 0.5, which are 1.84 dB and 0.04 improvements in comparison with other methods.
Fenton Process Coupled to Ultrasound and UV Light Irradiation for the Oxidation of a Model Pollutant
Authors: Barrera-Salgado Karen E. , Ramírez-Robledo Gabriela , Álvarez-Gallegos Alberto , Pineda-Arellano Carlos A. , Sierra-Espinosa Fernando Z. , Hernández-Pérez J. Alfredo , Silva-Martínez Susana
Published: April 2016

The Fenton process coupled to photosonolysis (UV light and Us), using Fe2O3catalyst supported on Al2O3, was used to oxidize a model pollutant like acid green 50 textile dye (AG50). Dye degradation was followed by AG50 concentration decay analyses. It was observed that parameters like iron content on a fixed amount of catalyst supporting material, catalyst annealing temperature, initial dye concentration, and the solution pH influence the overall treatment efficiency. High removal efficiencies of the model pollutant are achieved. The stability and reusability tests of the Fe2O3catalyst show that the catalyst can be used up to three cycles achieving high discoloration. Thus, this catalyst is highly efficient for the degradation of AG50 in the Fenton process.
A Low-Protein Diet Enhances Angiotensin II Production in the Lung of Pregnant Rats but Not Nonpregnant Rats
Authors: Gao Haijun , Tanchico Daren Tubianosa , Yallampalli Uma , Yallampalli Chandrasekhar
Published: April 2016

Pulmonary angiotensin II production is enhanced in pregnant rats fed a low-protein (LP) diet. Here we assessed if LP diet induces elevations in angiotensin II production in nonpregnant rats and whetherAceexpression and ACE activity in lungs are increased. Nonpregnant rats were fed a normal (CT) or LP diet for 8, 12, or 17 days and timed pregnant rats fed for 17 days from Day 3 of pregnancy. Plasma angiotensin II, expressions ofAceandAce2, and activities of these proteins in lungs, kidneys, and plasma were measured. These parameters were compared among nonpregnant rats or between nonpregnant and pregnant rats fed different diets. Major findings are as follows: (1) plasma angiotensin II levels were slightly higher in the LP than CT group on Days 8 and 12 in nonpregnant rats; (2) expression ofAceandAce2and abundance and activities of ACE and ACE2 in lungs, kidneys, and plasma of nonpregnant rats were unchanged by LP diet except for minor changes; (3) the abundance and activities of ACE in lungs of pregnant rats fed LP diet were greater than nonpregnant rats, while those of ACE2 were decreased. These results indicate that LP diet-induced increase in pulmonary angiotensin II production depends on pregnancy.
The Activity of Surface Electromyographic Signal of Selected Muscles during Classic Rehabilitation Exercise
Authors: Xiao Jinzhuang , Sun Jinli , Gao Junmin , Wang Hongrui , Yang Xincai
Published: April 2016

Objectives. Prone bridge, unilateral bridge, supine bridge, and bird-dog are classic rehabilitation exercises, which have been advocated as effective ways to improve core stability among healthy individuals and patients with low back pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the activity of seven selected muscles during rehabilitation exercises through the signal of surface electromyographic. Approaches. We measured the surface electromyographic signals of four lower limb muscles, two abdominal muscles, and one back muscle during rehabilitation exercises of 30 healthy students and then analyzed its activity level using the median frequency method. Results. Different levels of muscle activity during the four rehabilitation exercises were observed. The prone bridge and unilateral bridge caused the greatest muscle fatigue; however, the supine bridge generated the lowest muscle activity. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between left and right body side muscles in the median frequency slope during the four rehabilitation exercises of seven muscles. Conclusions. The prone bridge can affect the low back and lower limb muscles of most people. The unilateral bridge was found to stimulate muscles much more active than the supine bridge. The bird-dog does not cause much fatigue to muscles but can make most selected muscles active.
Computed Tomography Measurement of Hepatic Steatosis: Prevalence of Hepatic Steatosis in a Canadian Population
Authors: Wells Malcolm M. , Li Zhe , Addeman Bryan , McKenzie Charles A. , Mujoomdar Amol , Beaton Melanie , Bird Jeffery
Published: April 2016

Background/Aims. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease that can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. This retrospective chart review investigated the incidence of hepatic steatosis in London, Ontario, Canada.Methods. A retrospective chart review was performed on emergency room (ER) patients undergoing nonscheduled computed tomography (CT) imaging over a six-month period in London, Ontario. CT images and reports were examined to determine presence of steatosis. Analyses of the electronic chart for a period of six months following the CT and communication with the patients’ family doctors were used to determine if there was follow-up. Waist circumference, subcutaneous fat depth, and abdominal fat volumes were calculated.Results. 48/450 patients meeting inclusion criteria were identified by radiology as having steatosis, with 34/40 (85%) family physicians unaware of the finding. 24.7% (100/405) of patients met standard CT criteria for steatosis, 40 of which were reported by the radiologist. Waist circumference, subcutaneous adipose tissue depth, subcutaneous adipose tissue volume, and visceral adipose tissue volume were significantly associated with steatosis.Conclusions. The hepatic steatosis prevalence we report is the first reported in a Canadian population. Early identification of steatosis will become more important as new pharmacologic therapies arise.
Clinicopathologic Significance of Extranodal Tumor Extension in Colorectal Adenocarcinoma with Regional Lymph Node Metastasis
Authors: Kim Hyunsung , Rehman Abdul , Chung Yumin , Yi Kijong , Wi Young Chan , Kim Yeseul , Jang Kiseok , Jang Se Min , Paik Seung Sam
Published: April 2016

Background.This study investigated the clinicopathologic significance of extranodal tumor extension in colorectal adenocarcinoma with lymph node metastasis.Method.Included were 419 patients who underwent curative resection for primary colorectal adenocarcinoma.Results.Extranodal tumor extension was observed more frequently in tumors with ulceroinfiltrative gross type (p=0.026), higher histologic grade (p=0.012), high grade tumor budding (p=0.003), vascular invasion (p<0.001), perineural invasion (p=0.015), tumor deposit (p<0.001), high ratio of metastatic/total lymph nodes (p<0.001), and high pN stage (p<0.001). Overall survival was significantly different between an extranodal tumor extension (−) group and an extranodal tumor extension (+) group for both N1 (p=0.022) and N2 homogeneous staging (p=0.007). Both overall (p=0.002) and disease-free survival (p=0.001) were significantly different between the two groups in an N1a homogeneous group and overall survival was significantly different (p=0.016) in an N2b homogeneous group.Conclusion.Our study demonstrated that extranodal tumor extension was a useful prognostic factor for colorectal adenocarcinoma with lymph node metastasis, especially in homogeneous pN staging groups.
Potential Therapies by Stem Cell‐Derived Exosomes in CNS Diseases: Focusing on the Neurogenic Niche
Authors: Luarte Alejandro , Bátiz Luis Federico , Wyneken Ursula , Lafourcade Carlos
Published: April 2016

Neurodegenerative disorders are one of the leading causes of death and disability and one of the biggest burdens on health care systems. Novel approaches using various types of stem cells have been proposed to treat common neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, or stroke. Moreover, as the secretome of these cells appears to be of greater benefit compared to the cells themselves, the extracellular components responsible for its therapeutic benefit have been explored. Stem cells, as well as most cells, release extracellular vesicles such as exosomes, which are nanovesicles able to target specific cell types and thus to modify their function by delivering proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Exosomes have recently been tested in vivo and in vitro as therapeutic conveyors for the treatment of diseases. As such, they could be engineered to target specific populations of cells within the CNS. Considering the fact that many degenerative brain diseases have an impact on adult neurogenesis, we discuss how the modulation of the adult neurogenic niches may be a therapeutic target of stem cell‐derived exosomes. These novel approaches should be examined in cellular and animal models to provide better, more effective, and specific therapeutic tools in the future.
Simulation of Code Spectrum and Code Flow of Cultured Neuronal Networks
Authors: Tamura Shinichi , Nishitani Yoshi , Hosokawa Chie , Miyoshi Tomomitsu , Sawai Hajime
Published: April 2016

It has been shown that, in cultured neuronal networks on a multielectrode, pseudorandom-like sequences (codes) are detected, and they flow with some spatial decay constant. Each cultured neuronal network is characterized by a specific spectrum curve. That is, we may consider the spectrum curve as a “signature” of its associated neuronal network that is dependent on the characteristics of neurons and network configuration, including the weight distribution. In the present study, we used an integrate-and-fire model of neurons with intrinsic and instantaneous fluctuations of characteristics for performing a simulation of a code spectrum from multielectrodes on a 2D mesh neural network. We showed that it is possible to estimate the characteristics of neurons such as the distribution of number of neurons around each electrode and their refractory periods. Although this process is a reverse problem and theoretically the solutions are not sufficiently guaranteed, the parameters seem to be consistent with those of neurons. That is, the proposed neural network model may adequately reflect the behavior of a cultured neuronal network. Furthermore, such prospect is discussed that code analysis will provide a base of communication within a neural network that will also create a base of natural intelligence.