bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Objective and subjective factors shaping saving behaviours – the case ofPolish households
Authors: Rószkiewicz Małgorzata
Published: August 2014

The paper aims at connecting of the concept of financial behaviour with that of the family life cycle. The evolution of the consumption structure, which results from the sequence of life phases, requires chronological consideration of financial activities, in a manner concerning the accumulation of wealth, as proposed by hierarchical model of financial actions contained in the theory of psychological economics. These theoretical relations were verified empirically through a survey ofPolish households conducted at the end of 2012. The results of the empirical research confirm the important role of subjective determinants of the accumulation of reserves. Competent in current times, the philosophy of individualism and consumerism promotes the attitude of ‘living for the moment’ and forces the attitudes of restraint and caution away from individual awareness on the social scale. Individual perceptions of one's income and material conditions are the basic factor shaping the conditions of saving and creating financial reserves. This study also largely confirmed that the concept of the hierarchical model of financial actions contained in the theory of psychological economics is reflected in the actions ofPolish households.
Differential stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in Crohn's disease by fungal glycans
Authors: Baram Liran , Cohen‐Kedar Sarit , Spektor Lior , Elad Hofit , Guzner‐Gur Hanan , Dotan Iris
Published: August 2014

Background and Aim

Crohn's disease (CD) is characterized by loss of tolerance to intestinal microorganisms. This is reflected by serological responses to fungal glycans such as mannan and β‐glucans. Fungal glycans have various effects on immune cells. However, the evidence for their effects in CD is vague. This study aimed to assess the effects of fungal cell wall glycans on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from CD and control patients.

Methods

Human PBMCs from CD and control patients were stimulated by fungal cell wall glycans. Cytokine secretion was detected by ELISA and glycan receptor expression by flow cytometry.

Results

Mannan, β‐glucans (curdlan), chitosan, and zymosan induced the secretion of interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐23, IL‐10, and tumor necrosis factor‐α by PBMCs. Spleen tyrosin kinase and Src tyrosine kinase were involved in the response to mannan and β‐glucans. Mannan and whole yeast cells induced a significantly higher pro‐inflammatory cytokine response in CD compared with control patients.

Conclusions

The results may suggest that CD is characterized by hyperresponsiveness to fungal glycans. Thus, glycans may potentially be triggering or perpetuating inflammation.
Vortical flow in human elbow joints: a three‐dimensional computed tomography modeling study
Authors: Adikrishna Arnold , Kekatpure Aashay L. , Tan Jun , Lee Hyun‐Joo , Deslivia Maria Florencia , Jeon In‐Ho
Published: August 2014

The human elbow joint has been regarded as a loose hinge joint, with a unique helical motion of the axis during extension–flexion. This study was designed to identify the helical axis in the ulnohumeral joint during elbow extension–flexion by tracking the midpoint between the coronoid tip and the olecranon tip of the proximal ulna in a three‐dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) image model. The elbows of four volunteers were CT‐scanned at four flexion angles (0°, 45°, 90°, and 130°) at neutral rotation with a custom‐made holding device to control any motion during scanning. Three‐dimensional models of each elbow were reconstructed and a 3D ulnohumeral joint at 45°, 90°, and 130° was superimposed onto a fully extended joint (0°) by rotating and translating each 3D ulnohumeral joint along the axes. The midpoints of the olecranon and coronoid tips were interpolated using cubic spline technique and the dynamic elbow motion was plotted to determine the motion of the helical axis. The means and standard deviations were subsequently calculated. The average midpoint pattern of joint motion from extension to flexion was elliptical‐orbit‐like when projected onto a sagittal plane and continuously translated a mean 2.14 ± 0.34 mm (range, 1.83–2.52 mm) to the lateral side during elbow extension–flexion. In 3D space, the average midpoint pattern of the ulnohumeral joint resembles a vortical flow, spinning along an imaginary axis, with an inconsistent radius from 0° to 130° flexion. The ulnohumeral joint axis both rotates and translates during elbow extension–flexion, with a vortex‐flow motion occurring during flexion in 3D model analysis. This motion should be considered when performing hinged external fixation, total elbow replacement and medial collateral ligament reconstruction surgery.
Binding of human factor H to outer membrane protein P5 of non‐typeable Haemophilus influenzae contributes to complement resistance
Authors: Langereis Jeroen D. , de Jonge Marien I. , Weiser Jeffrey N.
Published: August 2014

Non‐typeable Haemophilus influenzae is an opportunistic pathogen of the human upper respiratory tract and is often found to cause inflammatory diseases that include sinusitis, otitis media and exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. To persist in the inflammatory milieu during infection, non‐typeable H. influenzae must resist the antimicrobial activity of the human complement system. Here, we used Tn‐seq to identify genes important for resistance to complement‐mediated killing. This screen identified outer membrane protein P5 in evasion of the alternative pathway of complement activation. Outer membrane protein P5 was shown to bind human complement regulatory protein factor H directly, thereby, preventing complement factor C3 deposition on the surface of the bacterium. Furthermore, we show that amino acid variation within surface‐exposed regions within outer membrane P5 affected the level of factor H binding between individual strains.
CATEGORIES OR DIMENSIONS: LESSONS LEARNED FROM A TAXOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF ADULT ATTACHMENT INTERVIEW DATA
Authors: Ruscio John
Published: August 2014

Booth‐LaForce and Roisman's monograph on the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) featured a taxometric analysis to determine whether variation along two components, dismissing and preoccupied states of mind, was categorical or dimensional. Empirically evaluating the latent structure of these constructs helps to avoid spurious categories or dimensions. This benefits researchers working with measures of adult attachment to maintain as much predictive validity and statistical power as possible, and it benefits researchers who build or test theories of adult attachment by steering the search for causal factors in fruitful directions. Fraley and Roisman (Chapter 3, this volume) performed their taxometric performed their taxometric analyses in an exemplary fashion, adhering carefully to empirically supported, practical guidelines. They adopted an appropriate inferential framework for their taxometric results that pits two competing structural models against one another. They were willing to accept that the taxometric results for preoccupied states of mind were ambiguous and they tentatively advocated a dimensional measure on the grounds that, even if this was not the best representation, using a spurious dimension might do less harm than using spurious categories. Rather than embracing a general preference for categories or for dimensions, researchers should evaluate the pros and cons of each potential structure‐measurement mismatch on a case‐by‐case basis.
Gorlin syndrome (nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome): Update and literature review
Authors: Fujii Katsunori , Miyashita Toshiyuki
Published: August 2014

Gorlin syndrome, also called nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome, is an autosomal dominant neurocutaneous disease characterized by developmental anomalies such as palmar pits and rib anomaly, and tumorigenesis such as medulloblastoma and basal cell carcinoma. This syndrome is mainly caused by a mutation of PTCH1, a human homologue of Drosophila patched, including frameshift, missense, or nonsense mutations. Genotype–phenotype correlation has not been established. PTCH1 is a member of hedgehog signaling, which is a highly conserved pathway in vertebrates, composed of hedgehog, SMO, and GLI proteins as well as PTCH1. Given that hedgehog signaling regulates cell growth and development, disorder of this pathway gives rise to not only developmental anomalies but also diverse tumors such as those seen in Gorlin syndrome. We recently reported, for the first time, a nationwide survey of Gorlin syndrome in Japan, noting that the frequency was 1/235 800 in the Japanese population, and that the frequency of basal cell carcinomas was significantly lower in Japan than in the USA and Europe, suggesting that ethnicity and genetic background contribute to these differences. Given that many clinical trials using newly discovered molecular inhibitors are still ongoing, these agents should become the new therapeutic options for hedgehog pathway‐dependent tumors in patients with or without Gorlin syndrome.
Residual blood volume in the umbilical cord of extremely premature infants
Authors: Hosono Shigeharu , Hine Kotaro , Nagano Nobuhiko , Taguchi Yosuke , Yoshikawa Kayo , Okada Tomoo , Mugishima Hideo , Takahashi Shigeru , Takahashi Shori
Published: August 2014

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate residual blood volume in the umbilical cord of extremely premature infants.

Methods

Twenty extremely premature infants were held at or below the placenta while the umbilical cord was clamped and cut at approximately 2–3 cm from the umbilicus within 30 s after birth. The umbilical cord was then clamped near the placenta to obtain a length of approximately 30 cm and cut. The residual blood volume in the segment of cord was drained and measured in milliliters.

Results

Mean birthweight was 846 ± 172 g (range, 587–1180 g). The average length of the clamped segment of umbilical cord was 29.8 ± 1.5 cm (range, 27–32 cm). Total residual blood volume and residual blood volume per cm were 15.5 ± 6.7 mL (range, 6–25 mL) and 0.5 ± 0.2 mL/cm (range, 0.2–0.8 mL/cm), respectively. The residual cord blood volume per kilogram of infant weight per 30 cm was 17.7 ± 5.5 mL/kg/30 cm (range, 8.9–29.0 mL/kg/30 cm).

Conclusion

Infants could receive approximately 18 mL/kg of whole blood by one‐time milking of 30 cm umbilical cord. With an average hematocrit of 40%, this volume is equivalent to approximately 13 mL of packed red blood cells (hematocrit 55%).
Domestic medicine: slaves, servants and female medical expertise in late medieval Valencia
Authors: Blumenthal Debra
Published: August 2014

Domestic slaves and servants were ubiquitous figures in the late medieval Mediterranean world, whose health and physical condition were matters of special concern to their masters and mistresses. This concern not infrequently prompted legal action. Fifteenth‐century civil court records are rife with suits filed by disgruntled masters protesting that a recently purchased slave was ‘defective’ or an exasperated mistress claiming that a servant was ‘unfit’ for service. To distinguish normal human imperfections from critical defects, the court collected testimony not only from medical ‘professionals’ (male, university‐trained physicians) but also laywomen who, on occasion, offered their own alternative diagnoses. Using the rich body of court records extant from fifteenth‐century Valencia as its evidentiary base, this article examines the interplay between lay and ‘expert’ understandings of how the body functioned and reveals how in spite of the new valuation of the medical expertise of university‐trained physicians and surgeons, fifteenth‐century courts continued to solicit and cite the opinions of lay women, reflecting their ongoing importance in the provisioning of healthcare.
Characterization of the Risks of Adverse Outcomes Following Rubella Infection in Pregnancy
Authors: Thompson Kimberly M. , Simons Emily A. , Badizadegan Kamran , Reef Susan E. , Cooper Louis Z.
Published: August 2014

Although most infections with the rubella virus result in relatively minor sequelae, rubella infection in early pregnancy may lead to severe adverse outcomes for the fetus. First recognized in 1941, congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) can manifest with a diverse range of symptoms, including congenital cataracts, glaucoma, and cardiac defects, as well as hearing and intellectual disability. The gestational age of the fetus at the time of the maternal rubella infection impacts the probability and severity of outcomes, with infection in early pregnancy increasing the risks of spontaneous termination (miscarriage), fetal death (stillbirth), birth defects, and reduced survival for live‐born infants. Rubella vaccination continues to change the epidemiology of rubella and CRS globally, but no models currently exist to evaluate the economic benefits of rubella management. This systematic review provides an overall assessment of the weight of the evidence for the outcomes associated with rubella infections in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. We identified, evaluated, and graded 31 studies (all from developed countries) that reported on the pregnancy outcomes of at least 30 maternal rubella infections. We used the available evidence to estimate the increased risks of spontaneous termination, fetal death, infant death, and CRS as a function of the timing of rubella infection in pregnancy and decisions about induced termination. These data support the characterization of the disability‐adjusted life years for outcomes associated with rubella infection in pregnancy. We find significant impacts associated with maternal rubella infections in early pregnancy, which economic analyses will miss if they only focus on live births of CRS cases. Our estimates of fetal loss from increased induced terminations due to maternal rubella infections provide context that may help to explain the relatively low numbers of observed CRS cases per year despite potentially large burdens of disease. Our comprehensive review of the weight of the evidence of all pregnancy outcomes demonstrates the importance of including all outcomes in models that characterize rubella‐related disease burdens and costs.
Risk factors for patellar tendinopathy in volleyball and basketball players: A survey‐based prospective cohort study
Authors: de Vries A. J. , van der Worp H. , Diercks R. L. , van den Akker‐Scheek I. , Zwerver J.
Published: August 2014

Patellar tendinopathy (PT) is a common overuse injury of the patellar tendon in jumping athletes. In a recent large cross‐sectional study from 2008 several factors were identified that may be associated with the etiology of PT. However, because of the study design no conclusions could be drawn about causal relations. The primary aim of the current study is to investigate whether the factors identified in the previous 2008 study can also be prospectively recognized as predictors of symptomatic PT in 2011. Nine hundred twenty‐six Dutch elite and non‐elite basketball and volleyball players from the previous study were invited again to complete an online survey about knee complaints and risk factors for PT in 2011. The logistic regression included 385 athletes of which 51 (13%) developed PT since 2008. Male gender [odds ratio (OR) 2.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1–3.5] was found to be a risk factor for developing PT. No sports‐related variables could be identified to increase the risk of developing PT, but some evidence was found for performing heavy physically demanding work, like being a nurse or a physical education teacher (OR 2.3, 95% CI 0.9–6.3). These findings indicate that, when considering preventive measures, it is important to take into account the total tendon load.
Potential distribution of two Ambrosia species in China under projected climate change
Authors: Qin Z , DiTommaso A , Wu R S , Huang H Y
Published: August 2014

The invasion of Ambrosia artemisiifolia and Ambrosia trifida from their native range to occupy large areas in China has raised considerable concern. Using the maximum entropy (Maxent) method, we developed models for each Ambrosia species, based on occurrence records from both native ranges (North America) and their invaded ranges (e.g. northern and south‐western Europe) to predict the availability and distribution of suitable habitats for these two species in China. For each species, we also assessed potential shifts in habitat suitability for the year 2050, using three general circulation models (GCMs) and two emission scenarios. Elevation and average mean precipitation in October contributed most to model development for both species. Potential distribution projections under future climatic change scenarios suggested an averaged percentage of suitable area (2.21%) and habitat gain (1.49%) in A. artemisiifolia distribution, with further expansion to environmentally favourable locations in south‐east coastal regions, northern Taiwan and the Beijing–Tianjin–Tangshan area in northern China. Future predicted percentage of suitable area for A. trifida was 0.03% with a very limited suitable habitat gain of <1% although this species had the potential to continue to spread in northern China. Our findings suggest that management priorities should be focused on A. artemisiifolia, whilst effective control strategies for A. trifida may be optimised by concentrating efforts on those relatively fewer regions of China where the species is currently abundant.
The discrete logarithm problem for exponents of bounded height
Authors: Blackburn Simon R. , Scott Sam
Published: August 2014

Let$\def \xmlpi #1{}\def \mathsfbi #1{\boldsymbol {\mathsf {#1}}}\let \le =\leqslant \let \leq =\leqslant \let \ge =\geqslant \let \geq =\geqslant \def \Pr {\mathit {Pr}}\def \Fr {\mathit {Fr}}\def \Rey {\mathit {Re}}G$be a cyclic group written multiplicatively (and represented in some concrete way). Let$n$be a positive integer (much smaller than the order of$G$). Let$g,h\in G$. Thebounded height discrete logarithm problemis the task of finding positive integers$a$and$b$(if they exist) such that$a\leq n$,$b\leq n$and$g^a=h^b$. (Provided that$b$is coprime to the order of$g$, we have$h=g^{a/b}$where$a/b$is a rational number of height at most$n$. This motivates the terminology.)

The paper provides a reduction to the two-dimensional discrete logarithm problem, so the bounded height discrete logarithm problem can be solved using a low-memory heuristic algorithm for the two-dimensional discrete logarithm problem due to Gaudry and Schost. The paper also provides a low-memory heuristic algorithm to solve the bounded height discrete logarithm problem in a generic group directly, without using a reduction to the two-dimensional discrete logarithm problem. This new algorithm is inspired by (but differs from) the Gaudry–Schost algorithm. Both algorithms use$O(n)$group operations, but the new algorithm is faster and simpler than the Gaudry–Schost algorithm when used to solve the bounded height discrete logarithm problem. Like the Gaudry–Schost algorithm, the new algorithm can easily be carried out in a distributed fashion.

The bounded height discrete logarithm problem is relevant to a class of attacks on the privacy of a key establishment protocol recently published by EMVCo for comment. This protocol is intended to protect the communications between a chip-based payment card and a terminal using elliptic curve cryptography. The paper comments on the implications of these attacks for the design of any final version of the EMV protocol.
Acousto-optic Bragg imaging of biological tissue
Authors: Teklu Alem , Declercq Nico F. , McPherson Michael
Published: August 2014

Acousto-optic Bragg imaging is a technique that uses the interaction of light with ultrasound to optically image obstructions in acoustical fields. Existing reports of acousto-optic Bragg imaging based on transmission of acoustic fields through obstructions exhibit strong acoustic impedance mismatches manifested by poor image quality and missing details of physical structures of obstructions. In this work, the image quality was improved to exhibit detailed physical structures of an object by using an improved Bragg imaging system described in Sec. III below. This paper investigates the possibility of extending an acoustic Bragg imaging technique in transmission mode to image animal or plant tissues; a small azalea leaf is used as an illustration in this case. The Bragg image produced clearly shows the veins of the vascular azalea leaf serving as a proof of concept for cost-effective potential application of acoustic Bragg imaging of biological objects in the medical field. Moreover, acousto-optic Bragg imaging is potentially harmless to biological cells and is sensitive to density and elastic variations in the tissue.
Internalized elevation perception of simple stimuli in cochlear-implant and normal-hearing listeners
Authors: Thakkar Tanvi , Goupell Matthew J.
Published: August 2014

In normal-hearing (NH) listeners, elevation perception is produced by the spectral cues imposed by the pinna, head, and torso. Elevation perception in cochlear-implant (CI) listeners appears to be non-existent; this may be a result of poorly encoded spectral cues. In this study, an analog of elevation perception was investigated by having 15 CI and 8 NH listeners report the intracranial location of spectrally simple signals (single-electrode or bandlimited acoustic stimuli, respectively) in both horizontal and vertical dimensions. Thirteen CI listeners and all of the NH listeners showed an association between place of stimulation (i.e., stimulus frequency) and perceived elevation, generally responding with higher elevations for more basal stimulation. This association persisted in the presence of a randomized temporal pitch, suggesting that listeners were not associating pitch with elevation. These data provide evidence that CI listeners might perceive changes in elevation if they were presented stimuli with sufficiently salient elevation cues.
Acoustically invisible feeding blue whales in Northern Icelandic waters
Authors: Akamatsu Tomonari , Rasmussen Marianne Helene , Iversen Maria
Published: August 2014

Fixed passive acoustic monitoring can be used for long-term recording of vocalizing cetaceans. Both presence monitoring and animal density estimation requires the call rates and sound source levels of vocalizations produced by single animals. In this study, blue whale calls were recorded using acoustic bio-logging systems in Skjálfandi Bay off Húsavík, Northeast Iceland, in June 2012. An accelerometer was attached to individual whales to monitor diving behavior. During 21 h recording two individuals, 8 h 45 min and 13 h 2 min, respectively, 105 and 104 lunge feeding events and four calls were recorded. All recorded calls were down-sweep calls ranging from 105 to 48 Hz. The sound duration was 1–2 s. The source level was estimated to be between 158 and 169 dB re 1μPa rms, assuming spherical sound propagation from the possible sound source location to the tag. The observed sound production rates and source levels of individual blue whales during feeding were extremely small compared with those observed previously in breeding grounds. The feeding whales were nearly acoustically invisible. The function of calls during feeding remains unknown.
Reconstructing surface wave profiles from reflected acoustic pulses using multiple receivers
Authors: Walstead Sean P. , Deane Grant B.
Published: August 2014

Surface wave shapes are determined by analyzing underwater reflected acoustic signals collected at multiple receivers. The transmitted signals are of nominal frequency 300 kHz and are reflected off surface gravity waves that are paddle-generated in a wave tank. An inverse processing algorithm reconstructs 50 surface wave shapes over a length span of 2.10 m. The inverse scheme uses a broadband forward scattering model based on Kirchhoff's diffraction formula to determine wave shapes. The surface reconstruction algorithm is self-starting in that source and receiver geometry and initial estimates of wave shape are determined from the same acoustic signals used in the inverse processing. A high speed camera provides ground-truth measurements of the surface wave field for comparison with the acoustically derived surface waves. Within Fresnel zone regions the statistical confidence of the inversely optimized surface profile exceeds that of the camera profile. Reconstructed surfaces are accurate to a resolution of about a quarter-wavelength of the acoustic pulse only within Fresnel zones associated with each source and receiver pair. Multiple isolated Fresnel zones from multiple receivers extend the spatial extent of accurate surface reconstruction while overlapping Fresnel zones increase confidence in the optimized profiles there.
Influence of glottal cross-section shape on phonation onset
Authors: Van Hirtum Annemie , Wu Bo , Pelorson Xavier , Lucero Jorge
Published: August 2014

Phonation models commonly rely on the assumption of a two-dimensional glottal geometry to assess kinetic and viscous flow losses. In this paper, the glottal cross-section shape is taken into account in the flow model in order to capture its influence on vocal folds oscillation. For the assessed cross-section shapes (rectangular, elliptical, or circular segment) the minimum pressure threshold enabling to sustain vocal folds oscillation is altered for constriction degrees smaller than 75%. The discrepancy between cross-section shapes increases as the constriction degree decreases.
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) NS3 Sequence Diversity and Antiviral Resistance-Associated Variant Frequency in HCV/HIV Coinfection
Authors: Jabara Cassandra B. , Hu Fengyu , Mollan Katie R. , Williford Sara E. , Menezes Prema , Yang Yan , Eron Joseph J. , Fried Michael W. , Hudgens Michael G. , Jones Corbin D. , Swanstrom Ronald , Lemon Stanley M.
Published: August 2014

HIV coinfection accelerates disease progression in chronic hepatitis C and reduces sustained antiviral responses (SVR) to interferon-based therapy. New direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) promise higher SVR rates, but the selection of preexisting resistance-associated variants (RAVs) may lead to virologic breakthrough or relapse. Thus, pretreatment frequencies of RAVs are likely determinants of treatment outcome but typically are below levels at which the viral sequence can be accurately resolved. Moreover, it is not known how HIV coinfection influences RAV frequency. We adopted an accurate high-throughput sequencing strategy to compare nucleotide diversity in HCV NS3 protease-coding sequences in 20 monoinfected and 20 coinfected subjects with well-controlled HIV infection. Differences in mean pairwise nucleotide diversity (π), Tajima'sDstatistic, and Shannon entropy index suggested that the genetic diversity of HCV is reduced in coinfection. Among coinfected subjects, diversity correlated positively with increases in CD4+T cells on antiretroviral therapy, suggesting T cell responses are important determinants of diversity. At a median sequencing depth of 0.084%, preexisting RAVs were readily identified. Q80K, which negatively impacts clinical responses to simeprevir, was encoded by more than 99% of viral RNAs in 17 of the 40 subjects. RAVs other than Q80K were identified in 39 of 40 subjects, mostly at frequencies near 0.1%. RAV frequency did not differ significantly between monoinfected and coinfected subjects. We conclude that HCV genetic diversity is reduced in patients with well-controlled HIV infection, likely reflecting impaired T cell immunity. However, RAV frequency is not increased and should not adversely influence the outcome of DAA therapy.
Potential Immune Mechanisms Associated with Anemia in Plasmodium vivax Malaria: a Puzzling Question
Authors: Castro-Gomes Thiago , Mourão Luiza C. , Melo Gisely C. , Monteiro Wuelton M. , Lacerda Marcus V. G. , Braga Érika M.
Published: August 2014

The pathogenesis of malaria is complex, generating a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations. One of the major complications and concerns in malaria is anemia, which is responsible for considerable morbidity in the developing world, especially in children and pregnant women. Despite its enormous health importance, the immunological mechanisms involved in malaria-induced anemia remain incompletely understood.
Plasmodium vivax
, one of the causative agents of human malaria, is known to induce a strong inflammatory response with a robust production of immune effectors, including cytokines and antibodies. Therefore, it is possible that the extent of the immune response not only may facilitate the parasite killing but also may provoke severe illness, including anemia. In this review, we consider potential immune effectors and their possible involvement in generating this clinical outcome during
P. vivax
infections.
The use of crowdsourcing for dietary self-monitoring: crowdsourced ratings of food pictures are comparable to ratings by trained observers
Authors: Turner-McGrievy Gabrielle M , Helander Elina E , Kaipainen Kirsikka , Perez-Macias Jose Maria , Korhonen Ilkka
Published: August 2014

Objective Crowdsourcing dietary ratings for food photographs, which uses the input of several users to provide feedback, has potential to assist with dietary self-monitoring.

Materials and methods This study assessed how closely crowdsourced ratings of foods and beverages contained in 450 pictures from the Eatery mobile app as rated by peer users (fellow Eatery app users) (n = 5006 peers, mean 18.4 peer ratings/photo) using a simple ‘healthiness’ scale were related to the ratings of the same pictures by trained observers (raters). In addition, the foods and beverages present in each picture were categorized and the impact on the peer rating scale by food/beverage category was examined. Raters were trained to provide a ‘healthiness’ score using criteria from the 2010 US Dietary Guidelines.

Results The average of all three raters’ scores was highly correlated with the peer healthiness score for all photos (r = 0.88, p<0.001). Using a multivariate linear model (R2 = 0.73) to examine the association of peer healthiness scores with foods and beverages present in photos, peer ratings were in the hypothesized direction for both foods/beverages to increase and ones to limit. Photos with fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, nuts, and seeds (borderline at p = 0.06) were all associated with higher peer healthiness scores, and processed foods (borderline at p = 0.06), food from fast food restaurants, refined grains, red meat, cheese, savory snacks, sweets/desserts, and sugar-sweetened beverages were associated with lower peer healthiness scores.

Conclusions The findings suggest that crowdsourcing holds potential to provide basic feedback on overall diet quality to users utilizing a low burden approach.
A case of sigmoid colon duplication in an adult woman
Authors: Al-Jaroof Abdulla Hassan , Al-Zayer Faisal , Meshikhes Abdul-Wahed Nasir
Published: August 2014

Colonic duplication is a rare congenital anomaly that is often diagnosed in childhood, but may go unrecognised until adulthood. It often presents with chronic abdominal pain and constipation, and the preoperative diagnosis may be difficult. We present a case of sigmoid duplication in a 33-year-old Indonesian woman who presented with right-sided colicky abdominal pain and vomiting. Clinical examination was unremarkable and radiological investigations raised the possibility of a giant colon diverticulum. The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy that revealed a tubular sigmoid duplication. A sigmoid colectomy with end-to-end anastomosis was performed. She was discharged a week later and remained well at 1 year follow-up. Colon duplications rarely present in adult life and the accurate diagnosis is often made at laparotomy.
Identification of a novel lysyl oxidase-like 2 alternative splicing isoform, LOXL2 Δe13, in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Lv Guo-Qing , Zou Hai-Ying , Liao Lian-Di , Cao Hui-Hui , Zeng Fa-Min , Wu Bing-Li , Xie Jian-Jun , Fang Wang-Kai , Xu Li-Yan , Li En-Min
Published: August 2014

Lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2) participates in every stage of cancer progression and promotes invasion and metastasis. In this study, we identified a novel alternative splicing isoform of LOXL2, namely LOXL2 Δe13, which lacked exon 13. Deletion of exon 13 caused an open reading frame shift and produced a truncated protein. LOXL2 Δe13 was expressed ubiquitously in cell lines and tissues and was mainly localized to the cytoplasm. Although it showed impaired deamination enzymatic activity compared with full-length LOXL2, LOXL2 Δe13 promoted the cell mobility and invasion of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells to greater degrees. In further research on the mechanisms, gene expression profiling and signaling pathway analysis revealed that LOXL2 Δe13 induced the expression of MAPK8 without affecting the FAK, AKT, and ERK signaling pathways. RNAi-mediated knockdown of MAPK8 could block the cell migration promoted by LOXL2De13, but it had little effect on that of full-length LOXL2. Our data suggest that LOXL2 Δe13 modulates the effects of cancer cell migration and invasion through a different mechanism from that of full-length LOXL2 and that it may play a very important role in tumor carcinogenesis and progression.
DISCRETE CHOICE MODELS FOR UTILITY AND PROBABILITY IN EMPIRICAL BAYES ESTIMATION
Authors: LIPOVETSKY STAN
Published: August 2014

Discrete choice modeling (DCM) is widely used in economics, social studies, and marketing research for estimating utilities and preference probabilities of multiple alternatives. Data for the model is elicited from the respondents who are presented with several sets of items characterized by various attributes, and each respondent chooses the best alternative in each set. Estimation of utilities is usually performed in a multinomial-logit (MNL) modeling and software for Hierarchical Bayesian (HB) technique is usually applied to find individual utilities by iterative estimations. This paper describes an easy and convenient empirical Bayesian way to construct priors and combine them with the likelihood on individual level data. This allows the modeler to obtain posterior estimation of MNL utilities in noniterative evaluations. Logistic modeling for the posterior frequencies is performed using the linear link of their logarithm of odds that clarifies the results of DCM modeling. The problem of overfitting is considered and the optimum balance between signal and noise in the precision of individual prediction and the smoothing of overall data is suggested. Actual market research data are used and the results are discussed.
Converging Opportunities: Environmental Compliance and Citizen Science
Authors: VAUGHAN Scott , HARRIS Melissa
Published: August 2014

A major challenge for many countries is the implementation of environmental regulations developed to reduce or eliminate air, water, and other pollutants. Recent efforts to ensure value for money in environmental protection, examine how to improve regulatory design, compliance promoting, and regulatory enforcement to deter and prevent regulatory violation. Work in accountability mechanisms such as performance audits have helped identify regulatory implementation issues. Opportunity exits to supplement traditional compliance promotion with new environmental data sources, including from citizen science.
Effect of Religiosity and Dysfunctional Dating Attitudes on Youth Substance Use
Authors: Tharp Andra Teten , DeWall C. Nathan , Richman Stephanie B. , Noonan Rita K.
Published: August 2014

The current investigation examined the interactive effect of dysfunctional dating attitudes and religiosity on substance use in a large sample of youth (N=1,357) from theYouthStylessurvey. Based on past research, we explored the possibility that religiosity buffered the association between dysfunctional dating attitudes and substance use. Because age was significantly associated with all study variables, we included age in our analyses. In support of our hypothesis we found an attitude by religiosity by age interaction among youth with moderate levels of dysfunctional dating attitudes. Among these youth, the buffering effect of religiosity increased with age. For youth with low and high dysfunctional dating attitudes, religiosity did not buffer the association. The results of this study are in line with past work that suggests that the association between relationship characteristics and substance use is complex. It also identifies religiosity as a protective factor for the effect of dating attitudes on substance use but suggests that these effects may be the most important for youth with moderate levels of dysfunctional dating attitudes.
Intermittent Atrioventricular Block following Fingolimod Initiation
Authors: Gialafos E. , Gerakoulis S. , Grigoriou A. , Haina V. , Kilidireas C. , Stamboulis E. , Andreadou E.
Published: August 2014

A 47-year-old female patient with multiple sclerosis (MS) developed symptomatic intermittent 2nd degree atrioventricular block (AVB) of five-hour duration, five hours after the first two doses of fingolimod, that resolved completely. Frequency domain analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) revealed increased parasympathetic activity and decreased sympathetic tone, while modified Ewing tests were suggestive of impaired cardiac sympathetic function. We hypothesize that expression of this particular arrhythmia might be related to autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction due to demyelinating lesions in the upper thoracic spinal cord, possibly augmented by the parasympathetic effect of the drug.
Acceptability of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine: A Survey among Master of Business Administration Students in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Authors: Hoque Muhammad Ehsanul , Van Hal Guido
Published: August 2014

Cervical cancer is a preventable public health problem. The two new human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines are available but not accessible to everyone in South Africa, as they are very expensive. This study aimed to investigate educated peoples acceptability regarding HPV vaccination. This was a cross-sectional survey conducted among 146 master of business administration students by self-administered, anonymous questionnaire. The majority (74%) of the participants ever heard of cervical cancer, but only 26.2% heard about HPV. After reading the fact information regarding cervical cancer and HPV, the intention to vaccinate their daughters increased from 88% to 97.2%(P=0.003). The majority (75.4%) indicated that HPV vaccination should be given before their daughters are mature enough to understand about sex, and 80.3% reported that they will discuss matters related to sex with their daughters if their daughters want to know about the vaccine. Those who did not want to vaccinate their daughters highlighted that they want more information regarding safety of the vaccine which might change their decision towards HPV vaccination. A health education information method can increase the vaccination acceptance rate in South Africa.
Data Envelopment Analysis with Uncertain Inputs and Outputs
Authors: Wen Meilin , Guo Linhan , Kang Rui , Yang Yi
Published: August 2014

Data envelopment analysis (DEA), as a useful management and decision tool, has been widely used since it was first invented by Charnes et al. in 1978. On the one hand, the DEA models need accurate inputs and outputs data. On the other hand, in many situations, inputs and outputs are volatile and complex so that they are difficult to measure in an accurate way. The conflict leads to the researches of uncertain DEA models. This paper will consider DEA in uncertain environment, thus producing a new model based on uncertain measure. Due to the complexity of the new uncertain DEA model, an equivalent deterministic model is presented. Finally, a numerical example is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the uncertain DEA model.
The Value of Family History in Diagnosing Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders
Authors: Hendaus Mohamed A. , Alhammadi Ahmad , Adeli Mehdi M. , Al-Yafei Fawzia
Published: August 2014

Eliciting proper family medical history is critical in decreasing morbidity and mortality in patients with primary immunodeficiency disorders (PIDs). Communities with a common practice of consanguinity have a high rate of PIDs. We are presenting 2 cases where digging deeply into the family medical history resulted in the diagnosis of Omenn syndrome, a possibly fatal entity if not managed in a reasonable period.
Numerical Solutions of Nonlinear Fractional Partial Differential Equations Arising in Spatial Diffusion of Biological Populations
Authors: Singh Jagdev , Kumar Devendra , Kılıçman Adem
Published: August 2014

The main aim of this work is to present a user friendly numerical algorithm based on homotopy perturbation Sumudu transform method for nonlinear fractional partial differential arising in spatial diffusion of biological populations in animals. The movements are made generally either by mature animals driven out by invaders or by young animals just reaching maturity moving out of their parental territory to establish breeding territory of their own. The homotopy perturbation Sumudu transform method is a combined form of the Sumudu transform method and homotopy perturbation method. The obtained results are compared with Sumudu decomposition method. The numerical solutions obtained by the proposed method indicate that the approach is easy to implement and accurate. These results reveal that the proposed method is computationally very attractive.
Palliative Surgery for Rare Cases of Anterior Urethral Metastasis in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Gómez Gómez Enrique , Carrasco Aznar Jose Carlos , Moreno Rodríguez Maria del Mar , Valero Rosa José , Requena Tapia Maria José
Published: August 2014

Penis metastasis from prostate cancer is very rare, and its management varies from case to case as there are very few cases reported in the literature. We describe a patient with prostate cancer treated with radiotherapy and androgen deprivation therapy who presented with urethral bleeding as a symptom of anterior urethral metastasis during followup. We propose a way to manage this and review the literature.
Cracking Tendency Prediction of High-Performance Cementitious Materials
Authors: Chen Ke , Hu Hui , Chen Ke , Chen Zhaohui , Wang Xin
Published: August 2014

The constraint ring test is widely used to assess the cracking potential for early-age cementitious materials. In this paper, the analytical expressions based on elastic mechanism are presented to estimate the residual stresses of the restrained mortar ring by considering the comprehensive effects of hydration heat, autogenous and drying shrinkage, creeping, and restraint. In the present analytical method, the stress field of the restrained ring is treated as the superposition of those caused by hydration heat, external restraint, autogenous and drying shrinkage, and creep. The factors including the properties of materials, environmental parameters such as relative humidity and temperature, the geometry effect of specimen, and the relative constraint effects of steel ring to mortar ring, are taken into account to predict the strain development with age of mortar. The temperature of the ring, the elastic modulus, the creep strain, and the split tensile strength are measured to validate the model. The age of cracking is predicted by comparing the estimated maximum tensile stress of the restrained mortar ring with the measured split tensile strength of specimen. The suitability of the present analytical method is assessed by comparing with the restraint ring test and a soundly good agreement is observed.
Effects of Psychrophilic Storage on Manures as Substrate for Anaerobic Digestion
Authors: Bergland Wenche , Dinamarca Carlos , Bakke Rune
Published: August 2014

The idea that storage can enhance manure quality as substrate for anaerobic digestion (AD) to recover more methane is evaluated by studying storage time and temperature effects on manure composition. Volatile fatty acids (VFA) and total dissolved organics (CODs) were measured in full scale pig manure storage for a year and in multiple flasks at fixed temperatures, mainly relevant for colder climates. The CODs generation, influenced by the source of the pig manure, was highest initially (0.3 g COD L−1d−1) gradually dropping for 3 months towards a level of COD loss by methane production at 15°C. Methane emission was low (<0.01 g COD L−1d−1) after a brief initial peak. Significant CODs generation was obtained during the warmer season (T > 10°C) in the full scale storage and almost no generation at lower temperatures (4–6°C). CODs consisted mainly of VFA, especially acetate. All VFAs were present at almost constant ratios. The naturally separated manure middle layer without sediment and coarser particles is suitable for sludge bed AD and improved further during an optimal storage time of 1–3 month(s). This implies that high rate AD can be integrated with regular manure slurry handling systems to obtain efficient biogas generation.
Robust Simultaneous Stabilization Control Method for Two Port-Controlled Hamiltonian Systems: Controller Parameterization
Authors: Cao Zhong , Hou Xiaorong
Published: August 2014

This paper investigates robust simultaneous stabilization (RSS) control method for two port-controlled Hamiltonian (PCH) systems and proposes results on the design of simultaneous stabilization controller with parameters for such systems. Firstly, two PCH systems are studied. Using the dissipative Hamiltonian structural properties, the systems are combined to generate an augmented PCH system. When there are external disturbances in the systems, a robust controller with parameters is designed for the systems. Secondly, an algorithm for solving parameters of the controller is proposed with symbolic computation. Finally, an illustrative example is presented to show that the RSS controller obtained in this paper works very well.
Local Fractional Functional Method for Solving Diffusion Equations on Cantor Sets
Authors: Cao Yuan , Ma Wei-Gang , Ma Lian-Chuan
Published: August 2014

The analytical solutions for the diffusion equations on Cantor sets with the nondifferentiable terms are discussed by using the local fractional functional method, which is a coupling method for local fractional Fourier series and Laplace transform.
Clinical Outcomes and Prognostic Factors of 695 Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients Treated with Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy
Authors: Wang Weidong , Feng Mei , Fan Zixuan , Li Jie , Lang Jinyi
Published: August 2014

Objective. The 5-year clinical outcomes and prognostic factors of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients treated with intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) were evaluated.Methods. Six hundred ninety five NPC patients primarily treated with IMRT in Sichuan Cancer Hospital from January, 2003 to December, 2006 were analyzed retrospectively, including 540 males and 155 females. The prescription dose was delivered as follows: gross target volume (GTVnx) 67–76 Gy in 30–33 fractions, positive neck lymph nodes (GTVln-R/L) 60–70 Gy in 30–33 fractions, high-risk clinical target volume (CTV1) 60–66 Gy, low-risk clinical target volume (CTV2) 54–60 Gy, and clinical target volume of cervical lymph node regions (CTVln) 50–55 Gy.Results. The 5-year local control (LC), regional control, distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), disease free survival, disease specific survival, and overall survival (OS) rates were 89.8%, 95.2%, 74.1%, 69.6%, 83.2%, and 77.1%. The 5-year DMFS of IMRT and IMRT combined with chemotherapy was 62.1% and 70.9%, the OS of them was 72.9% and 79.1%. The incidence of grade 3 acute and late toxicity was 38.3% and 4.2%, respectively.Conclusion. The 5-year LC and OS rate of NPC treated with IMRT was 89.8% and 77.1%. The clinical stage, N stage, volume of GTVnx, and chemotherapy were the main prognostic factor for the OS. Distant metastasis was the main pattern of failure.