bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A stochastic model for tumor geometry evolution during radiation therapy in cervical cancer
Authors: Liu Yifang , Chan Timothy C. Y. , Lee Chi‐Guhn , Cho Young‐Bin , Islam Mohammad K.
Published: February 2014

Purpose:

To develop mathematical models to predict the evolution of tumor geometry in cervical cancer undergoing radiation therapy.

Methods:

The authors develop two mathematical models to estimate tumor geometry change: a Markov model and an isomorphic shrinkage model. The Markov model describes tumor evolution by investigating the change in state (either tumor or nontumor) of voxels on the tumor surface. It assumes that the evolution follows a Markov process. Transition probabilities are obtained using maximum likelihood estimation and depend on the states of neighboring voxels. The isomorphic shrinkage model describes tumor shrinkage or growth in terms of layers of voxels on the tumor surface, instead of modeling individual voxels. The two proposed models were applied to data from 29 cervical cancer patients treated at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and then compared to a constant volume approach. Model performance was measured using sensitivity and specificity.

Results:

The Markov model outperformed both the isomorphic shrinkage and constant volume models in terms of the trade‐off between sensitivity (target coverage) and specificity (normal tissue sparing). Generally, the Markov model achieved a few percentage points in improvement in either sensitivity or specificity compared to the other models. The isomorphic shrinkage model was comparable to the Markov approach under certain parameter settings. Convex tumor shapes were easier to predict.

Conclusions:

By modeling tumor geometry change at the voxel level using a probabilistic model, improvements in target coverage and normal tissue sparing are possible. Our Markov model is flexible and has tunable parameters to adjust model performance to meet a range of criteria. Such a model may support the development of an adaptive paradigm for radiation therapy of cervical cancer.
Computer‐aided detection of clustered microcalcifications in multiscale bilateral filtering regularized reconstructed digital breast tomosynthesis volume
Authors: Samala Ravi K. , Chan Heang‐Ping , Lu Yao , Hadjiiski Lubomir , Wei Jun , Sahiner Berkman , Helvie Mark A.
Published: February 2014

Purpose:

Develop a computer‐aided detection (CADe) system for clustered microcalcifications in digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) volume enhanced with multiscale bilateral filtering (MSBF) regularization.

Methods:

With Institutional Review Board approval and written informed consent, two‐view DBT of 154 breasts, of which 116 had biopsy‐proven microcalcification (MC) clusters and 38 were free of MCs, was imaged with a General Electric GEN2 prototype DBT system. The DBT volumes were reconstructed with MSBF‐regularized simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique (SART) that was designed to enhance MCs and reduce background noise while preserving the quality of other tissue structures. The contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) of MCs was further improved with enhancement‐modulated calcification response (EMCR) preprocessing, which combined multiscale Hessian response to enhance MCs by shape and bandpass filtering to remove the low‐frequency structured background. MC candidates were then located in the EMCR volume using iterative thresholding and segmented by adaptive region growing. Two sets of potential MC objects, cluster centroid objects and MC seed objects, were generated and the CNR of each object was calculated. The number of candidates in each set was controlled based on the breast volume. Dynamic clustering around the centroid objects grouped the MC candidates to form clusters. Adaptive criteria were designed to reduce false positive (FP) clusters based on the size, CNR values and the number of MCs in the cluster, cluster shape, and cluster based maximum intensity projection. Free‐response receiver operating characteristic (FROC) and jackknife alternative FROC (JAFROC) analyses were used to assess the performance and compare with that of a previous study.

Results:

Unpaired two‐tailedt‐test showed a significant increase (p < 0.0001) in the ratio of CNRs for MCs with and without MSBF regularization compared to similar ratios for FPs. For view‐based detection, a sensitivity of 85% was achieved at an FP rate of 2.16 per DBT volume. For case‐based detection, a sensitivity of 85% was achieved at an FP rate of 0.85 per DBT volume. JAFROC analysis showed a significant improvement in the performance of the current CADe system compared to that of our previous system (p = 0.003).

Conclusions:

MBSF regularized SART reconstruction enhances MCs. The enhancement in the signals, in combination with properly designed adaptive threshold criteria, effective MC feature analysis, and false positive reduction techniques, leads to a significant improvement in the detection of clustered MCs in DBT.
A new correction method serving to eliminate the parabola effect of flatbed scanners used in radiochromic film dosimetry
Authors: Poppinga D. , Schoenfeld A. A. , Doerner K. J. , Blanck O. , Harder D. , Poppe B.
Published: February 2014

Purpose:

The purpose of this study is the correction of the lateral scanner artifact, i.e., the effect that, on a large homogeneously exposed EBT3 film, a flatbed scanner measures different optical densities at different positions along thex axis, the axis parallel to the elongated light source. At constant dose, the measured optical densitiy profiles along this axis have a parabolic shape with significant dose dependent curvature. Therefore, the effect is shortly called the parabola effect. The objective of the algorithm developed in this study is to correct for the parabola effect. Any optical density measured at given position x is transformed into the equivalent optical density c at the apex of the parabola and then converted into the corresponding dose via the calibration of c versus dose.

Methods:

For the present study EBT3 films and an Epson 10000XL scanner including transparency unit were used for the analysis of the parabola effect. The films were irradiated with 6 MV photons from an Elekta Synergy accelerator in a RW3 slab phantom. In order to quantify the effect, ten film pieces with doses graded from 0 to 20.9 Gy were sequentially scanned at eight positions along thex axis and at six positions along the z axis (the movement direction of the light source) both for the portrait and landscape film orientations. In order to test the effectiveness of the new correction algorithm, the dose profiles of an open square field and an IMRT plan were measured by EBT3 films and compared with ionization chamber and ionization chamber array measurement.

Results:

The parabola effect has been numerically studied over the whole measuring field of the Epson 10000XL scanner for doses up to 20.9 Gy and for both film orientations. The presented algorithm transforms any optical density at positionx into the equivalent optical density that would be measured at the same dose at the apex of the parabola. This correction method has been validated up to doses of 5.2 Gy all over the scanner bed with 2D dose distributions of an open square photon field and an IMRT distribution.

Conclusions:

The algorithm presented in this study quantifies and corrects the parabola effect of EBT3 films scanned in commonly used commercial flatbed scanners at doses up to 5.2 Gy. It is easy to implement, and no additional work steps are necessary in daily routine film dosimetry.
A Genetic Atlas of Human Admixture History
Authors: Hellenthal Garrett , Busby George B. J. , Band Gavin , Wilson James F. , Capelli Cristian , Falush Daniel , Myers Simon
Published: February 2014

Evidence of human migrations over the past 4000 years is identified in existing genomes.
Evolutionarily Dynamic Alternative Splicing of
GPR56
Regulates Regional Cerebral Cortical Patterning
Authors: Bae Byoung-Il , Tietjen Ian , Atabay Kutay D. , Evrony Gilad D. , Johnson Matthew B. , Asare Ebenezer , Wang Peter P. , Murayama Ayako Y. , Im Kiho , Lisgo Steven N. , Overman Lynne , Šestan Nenad , Chang Bernard S. , Barkovich A. James , Grant P. Ellen , Topçu Meral , Politsky Jeffrey , Okano Hideyuki , Piao Xianhua , Walsh Christopher A.
Published: February 2014

Development of surface folds of the human brain is controlled in sections.

[Also see Perspective by
Rash and Rakic
]
Designing Collective Behavior in a Termite-Inspired Robot Construction Team
Authors: Werfel Justin , Petersen Kirstin , Nagpal Radhika
Published: February 2014

Robots programmed with simple construction rules can work independently but collectively to build a complex structure.

[Also see Perspective by
Korb
]
Methane Leaks from North American Natural Gas Systems
Authors: Brandt A. R. , Heath G. A. , Kort E. A. , O'Sullivan F. , Pétron G. , Jordaan S. M. , Tans P. , Wilcox J. , Gopstein A. M. , Arent D. , Wofsy S. , Brown N. J. , Bradley R. , Stucky G. D. , Eardley D. , Harriss R.
Published: February 2014

Methane emissions from U.S. and Canadian natural gas systems appear larger than official estimates.
Massively Parallel Single-Cell RNA-Seq for Marker-Free Decomposition of Tissues into Cell Types
Authors: Jaitin Diego Adhemar , Kenigsberg Ephraim , Keren-Shaul Hadas , Elefant Naama , Paul Franziska , Zaretsky Irina , Mildner Alexander , Cohen Nadav , Jung Steffen , Tanay Amos , Amit Ido
Published: February 2014

Sequencing of RNA from thousands of individual immune cells allows unbiased identification of cellular subtypes.
YseX Is a Matter of Concern Rather Than a Matter of Fact
Sex Itself
The Search for Male and Female in the Human Genome

by Sarah S. Richardson

University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 2013. 319 pp. $45, £31.50. ISBN 9780226084688.
Authors: M'charek Amade
Published: February 2014

Richardson explores how gender has helped shape research on sex chromosomes and their effects.
Protein Folding, Interrupted
Authors: Sharp Kim A.
Published: February 2014

An antifreeze protein with a core consisting mostly of ordered water molecules violates widely held ideas about protein stabilization.

[Also see Report by

Sun
et al.

]
A Single Gene Affects Both Ecological Divergence and Mate Choice in
Drosophila
Authors: Chung Henry , Loehlin David W. , Dufour Héloïse D. , Vaccarro Kathy , Millar Jocelyn G. , Carroll Sean B.
Published: February 2014

Evolutionary Duality

When ecological divergence involves traits that also contribute to mating behavior, such divergence could lead to rapid reproductive isolation and speciation. However, there are very few experimental demonstrations of such “dual” traits.

Chung
et al.

(p.
1148
, published online 13 February) now demonstrate that specific cuticular hydrocarbons are a dual trait that affects both desiccation resistance and mate choice in the widely distributed Australian species
Drosophila serrata
. These compounds have largely been lost from its rainforest-restricted, desiccation-sensitive, closely related sibling
D. birchii
.
Graphene Oxide Membranes for Ionic and Molecular Sieving
Authors: Mi Baoxia
Published: February 2014

Membranes made by properly spacing and bonding stacked graphene oxide nanosheets enable precise, superfast sieving of ions and molecules.

[Also see Report by

Joshi
et al.

]
Capturing Surface Processes
Authors: Nicklin Chris
Published: February 2014

A modified surface x-ray diffraction geometry allows dynamic restructuring of surfaces to be studied.

[Also see Report by

Gustafson
et al.

]
Robots Acting Locally and Building Globally
Authors: Korb Judith
Published: February 2014

Robots that act like termites can construct complex structures, guided only by simple rules and sensing their local environment.

[Also see Report by

Werfel
et al.

]
India Poised to Join Hunt for Gravitational Waves
Authors: Bagla Pallava , Cho Adrian
Published: February 2014

India intends to host the third detector in a U.S.-based array known as the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced on 3 February at the Indian Science Congress in Jammu.
New NSF Report Shows Where U.S. Leads and Lags
Authors: Mervis Jeffrey
Published: February 2014

The 2014
Science and Engineering Indicators
tracks the ups and downs of U.S. scientific prowess.
After More Than 50 Years, a Dispute Over Down Syndrome Discovery
Authors: Pain Elisabeth
Published: February 2014

A ceremony to honor French scientist Marthe Gautier for her research in the 1950s is called off at the last minute.
Complete Genome Sequence of Porcine Encephalomyocarditis Virus from an Aardvark in China
Authors: Chang Hongtao , Chen Lu , Zhao Jun , Wang Xinwei , Yang Xia , Yao Huixia , Wang Chuanqing
Published: February 2014

A strain of encephalomyocarditis virus, HNXX13, was isolated from an aardvark in central China. The complete genome was sequenced and analyzed, and phylogenetic analysis suggests that HNXX13 belongs to encephalomyocarditis virus group 1.
Draft Genome Sequence of Bacillus subtilis Type Strain B7-S, Which Converts Ferulic Acid to Vanillin
Authors: Chen Peng , Li Suyue , Yan Lei , Wang Ningbo , Yan Xiaojuan , Li Hongyu
Published: February 2014

The
Bacillus subtilis
type strain B7-S was obtained through induction with ferulic acid. Here, we present the draft genome of strain B7-S, which contains 5,313,924 bp, with a G+C content of 35.8%, 5,135 protein-coding genes, and 40 tRNA-encoding genes.
The Complete Genome Sequence of Pseudomonas putida NBRC 14164
T
Confirms High Intraspecies Variation
Authors: Ohji Shoko , Yamazoe Atsushi , Hosoyama Akira , Tsuchikane Keiko , Ezaki Takayuki , Fujita Nobuyuki
Published: February 2014

Pseudomonas putida
has attracted much interest for its environmental, industrial, biotechnological, and clinical importance. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of the type strain
P. putida
NBRC 14164. This genome sequence will assist to further elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the characteristic traits among strains belonging to the species
P. putida
.
Draft Genome Sequence of Root-Colonizing Bacterium
Bacillus
sp. Strain PTS-394
Authors: Qiao Junqing , Liu Youzhou , Liang Xuejie , Hu Yonghong , Du Yan
Published: February 2014

Here, we report the high-quality draft genome sequence of
Bacillus
sp. strain PTS-394, isolated from the rhizosphere of tomatoes grown on Putuo Mountain (Xiamen, Fujian province, China), which exhibited excellent colonization ability on plant roots. The 4.0-Mb genome uncovered the mechanism for its potential root colonization ability and may provide novel insights into plant-bacterium interactions.
Draft Genome Sequence of an Anaerobic, Thermophilic Bacterium, Thermoanaerobacterium aotearoense SCUT27, Isolated from a Hot Spring in China
Authors: Ai Hongxia , Zhang Junjie , Yang Mingjun , Yu Pingru , Li Shuang , Zhu Mingjun , Dong Hui , Wang Shengyue , Wang Jufang
Published: February 2014

Thermoanaerobacterium aotearoense
SCUT27, isolated from a hot spring in China, is a strictly anaerobic, thermophilic bacterium capable of degrading xylan and converting both pentose and hexose to ethanol with high yields. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of SCUT27, which reveals insights into the mechanisms of carbon source coutilization and xylan degradation in this thermophilic microorganism.
Metagenomic Sequence of Prokaryotic Microbiota from an Intermediate-Salinity Pond of a Saltern in Isla Cristina, Spain
Authors: Fernández Ana B. , León María José , Vera Blanca , Sánchez-Porro Cristina , Ventosa Antonio
Published: February 2014

Marine salterns are artificial multipond systems designed for the commercial production of salt by evaporation of seawater. We report here the metagenomic sequence of the prokaryotic microbiota of a pond with intermediate salinity (21% total salts) of a saltern located in Isla Cristina, Huelva, southwest Spain.
Genome Sequence of the Oleaginous Yeast
Rhodotorula glutinis
ATCC 204091
Authors: Paul Debarati , Magbanua Zenaida , Arick Mark , French Todd , Bridges Susan M. , Burgess Shane C. , Lawrence Mark L.
Published: February 2014

Rhodotorula glutinis
ATCC 204091 is an oleaginous oxidative red yeast that can accumulate lipids to >50% of its biomass when grown with appropriate carbon and nitrogen ratios. It produces a red pigment consisting of useful antioxidants, such as carotenoids, torulene, and torularhodin, when cultivated under carbon-deficient conditions.
Genome Sequence of the Basidiomycetous Fungus
Pseudozyma aphidis
DSM70725, an Efficient Producer of Biosurfactant Mannosylerythritol Lipids
Authors: Lorenz Stefan , Guenther Michael , Grumaz Christian , Rupp Steffen , Zibek Susanne , Sohn Kai
Published: February 2014

Pseudozyma aphidis
is an efficient producer of mannosylerythritol lipids exceeding concentrations of >100 g/liter from renewable feed stocks. Additionally, a biosurfactant cellobiose lipid is also secreted during nitrogen limitation. Here, we describe the sequencing of
P. aphidis
to unravel the genomic basis of biosurfactant metabolism in
P. aphidis
.
Whole-Genome Sequence of Sungri/96 Vaccine Strain of Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus
Authors: Siddappa Manjunath , Gandham Ravi Kumar , Sarsani Vishal , Mishra Bishnu Prasad , Mishra Bina , Joshi C. G. , Sahoo A. P. , Tiwari A. K. , Janga Sarath Chandra
Published: February 2014

We report the complete genome sequence of the Sungri/96 vaccine strain of peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV). The whole-genome nucleotide sequence has 89 to 99% identity with the available PPRV genome sequences in the NCBI database. This study helps to understand the epidemiological and molecular characteristics of the Sungri/96 strain.
Draft Genome Sequence of Tomitella biformata AHU 1821
T
, Isolated from a Permafrost Ice Wedge in Alaska
Authors: Funo Kentaro , Kitagawa Wataru , Tanaka Michiko , Sone Teruo , Asano Kozo , Kamagata Yoichi
Published: February 2014

Tomitella biformata
AHU 1821
T
was isolated and cultured from a permafrost ice wedge, aged presumably about 25,000 years, in the Fox permafrost tunnel (64.952°N 147.617°W), Alaska. These genome data provide the basis for investigating
T. biformata
AHU 1821
T
, identified as a long-term survivor of the extremely cold and closed environment.
Genome Sequences of Streptococcus thermophilus Strains MTH17CL396 and M17PTZA496 from Fontina, an Italian PDO Cheese
Authors: Treu Laura , Vendramin Veronica , Bovo Barbara , Campanaro Stefano , Corich Viviana , Giacomini Alessio
Published: February 2014

Here is presented the whole-genome sequences of
Streptococcus thermophilus
strains MTH17CL396 and M17PTZA496, isolated from fontina protected designation of origin (PDO) cheese in the Valle d'Aosta Region (Italy).
S. thermophilus
is a lactic acid bacterium widely present in dairy products, and these are the first publicly available genome sequences of
S. thermophilus
strains isolated from cheese.
Draft Genome Sequence of Serratia marcescens Strain LCT-SM166, a Space Flight Strain with a Specific Carbon Source Utilization Pattern
Authors: Wang Yajuan , Du Yu , Yuan Yanting , Guo Yinghua , Wang Junfeng , Li Tianzhi , Chang De , Liu Yan , Jiang Xuege , Dai Wenkui , Liu Changting
Published: February 2014

Serratia marcescens
has been detected in space habitats. To explore the influence of the space flight environment on this bacterium, we investigated the genome sequence of LCT-SM166, which was isolated after space flight and has a specific carbon source utilization pattern.
Draft Genome Sequence of Bacteroides reticulotermitis Strain JCM 10512
T
, Isolated from the Gut of a Termite
Authors: Yuki Masahiro , Oshima Kenshiro , Suda Wataru , Sakamoto Mitsuo , Iida Toshiya , Hattori Masahira , Ohkuma Moriya
Published: February 2014

Here we report the draft genome sequence of
Bacteroides reticulotermitis
strain JCM 10512
T
, a xylanolytic and cellulolytic bacterium isolated from the gut of a wood-feeding termite. The genome information will facilitate the study of this strain for biomass degradation and adaptation to the gut environment.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Sulfonamide Antibiotic-Degrading
Microbacterium
sp. Strain C448
Authors: Martin-Laurent Fabrice , Marti Romain , Waglechner Nicholas , Wright Gerard D. , Topp Edward
Published: February 2014

We report the draft genome sequence of
Microbacterium
sp. strain C448, isolated from agricultural soil with a decade of exposure to veterinary antibiotics on the basis of using sulfamethazine and other antibiotics as the sole sources of carbon. The genome sequence revealed that strain C448 harbors several antibiotic resistance genes, including
sulI
.
Spinal dural AV fistula: an unusual cause of chest pain
Authors: Bioh Gabriel , Bogle Richard
Published: February 2014

A 22 -year-old man presented with 6 months of sudden onset, incapacitating, left-sided chest pain occurring 1–2 times a week. The severity of the pain caused loss of consciousness several times leading to multiple fractures. Investigation with echocardiogram, exercise tolerance test, Holter monitor, chest X-ray and V/Q scan revealed no abnormality as did EEG and 48 h video telemetry. MRI of the thoracic and lumbar spine showed a spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (SDAVF) at the level of T6, confirmed on angiogram. The patient underwent division of the left T6 AV fistula. Following the operation, the patient has been completely pain free. Our patient, presenting in his early 20s does not fit the usual age demographic for SDAVF. A second atypical feature is his presentation with chest pain alone and no neurological symptoms. This case represents a rare presentation of SDAVF.
An unexpected cause of vaginal bleeding: the role of pelvic radiography
Authors: Kyrgios Ioannis , Emmanouilidou Eleftheria , Theodoridis Theodoros , Galli-Tsinopoulou Assimina
Published: February 2014

Vaginal bleeding and/or discharge in young girls may result from infection, urological problems, endocrine causes, bleeding disorders, dermatological conditions, trauma, sexual abuse, masses or foreign bodies. We report a case of excessive vaginal bleeding caused by a foreign body in a prepubertal girl with emphasis on the diagnostic challenges and pitfalls regarding imaging techniques. In our patient, although invasive and expensive investigations had been initially made, the foreign body was last detected only when a plain pelvic radiography was performed.
Acute secondary adrenal insufficiency as the presenting manifestation of small-cell lung carcinoma
Authors: Shah Kinjal K , Anderson Robert J
Published: February 2014

A 66-year-old man, chronic smoker, presented with episodes of syncope, hypotension and constitutional symptoms. Initial evaluation revealed pre-renal azotaemia and acute secondary adrenal insufficiency.MRI performed was interpreted as a pituitary macroadenoma with enlargement of the infundibulum (stalk). Further endocrinological tests performed suggested central hypothyroidism and hypogonadism. Subsequent development of haemoptysis, headache and diplopia warranted further investigations, which revealed stage IV small-cell lung carcinoma with adrenal metastases. Subsequent brain imaging showed lesions in the brain parenchyma, pituitary and stalk, characteristic of metastases. Thus, we present a very atypical case of pituitary metastases presenting with acute secondary adrenal insufficiency.
Comparing dietary patterns of depressed patients versus healthy people in a case control protocol
Authors: Khosravi Maryam , Sotoudeh Gity , Raisi Firoozeh , Majdzadeh Reza , Foroughifar Tahereh
Published: February 2014

Introduction

Major depressive disorder is the leading cause of disability around the world. Because of the high rate of medication discontinuation by patients and the risk of recurrence, factors such as nutrition could be useful for the prevention or treatment of depression. The relationship between depression and dietary patterns has been reported in a few studies but with controversial results. Therefore, we have decided to study the possible effects of cultural, social, racial, geographic and environmental conditions on this relationship in an Iranian population.

Methods and analysis

In our case control protocol, 110 cases and 220 controls will be individually matched based on age, sex and area of residence. New cases of depression, based on the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV), will be recruited from two psychiatric clinics in Tehran. Interviewers will then go to each patient's home and invite qualified individuals to participate in the study as controls. Food intakes of all participants will be obtained by semiquantitative food frequency questionnaires covering the past year; these will be transformed into actual food intake (g/day). Dietary patterns will be determined by the principal components method. Conditional logistic regression, as a multivariate analysis, will be used for assessing the relationship between dietary patterns and depression, taking into consideration the potential role of different variables. The results may help to identify differences in dietary patterns between depressed and healthy people.

Ethics and dissemination

The study protocol has been approved by ethics committee of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. At the beginning of the study, a written informed consent form will be signed and dated by subjects and investigators. The results will be published in due time.
Social media interventions for diet and exercise behaviours: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Williams Gillian , Hamm Michele P , Shulhan Jocelyn , Vandermeer Ben , Hartling Lisa
Published: February 2014

Objectives

To conduct a systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) examining the use of social media to promote healthy diet and exercise in the general population.

Data sources

MEDLINE, CENTRAL, ERIC, PubMed, CINAHL, Academic Search Complete, Alt Health Watch, Health Source, Communication and Mass Media Complete, Web of Knowledge and ProQuest Dissertation and Thesis (2000–2013).

Study eligibility criteria

RCTs of social media interventions promoting healthy diet and exercise behaviours in the general population were eligible. Interventions using social media, alone or as part of a complex intervention, were included.

Study appraisal and synthesis

Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. We describe the studies according to the target populations, objectives and nature of interventions, outcomes examined, and results and conclusions. We extracted data on the primary and secondary outcomes examined in each study. Where the same outcome was assessed in at least three studies, we combined data in a meta-analysis.

Results

22 studies were included. Participants were typically middle-aged Caucasian women of mid-to-high socioeconomic status. There were a variety of interventions, comparison groups and outcomes. All studies showed a decrease in programme usage throughout the intervention period. Overall, no significant differences were found for primary outcomes which varied across studies. Meta-analysis showed no significant differences in changes in physical activity (standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.13 (95% CI −0.04 to 0.30), 12 studies) and weight (SMD −0.00 (95% CI −0.19 to 0.19), 10 studies); however, pooled results from five studies showed a significant decrease in dietary fat consumption with social media (SMD −0.35 (95% CI −0.68 to −0.02)).

Conclusions

Social media may provide certain advantages for public health interventions; however, studies of social media interventions to date relating to healthy lifestyles tend to show low levels of participation and do not show significant differences between groups in key outcomes.
A non-experimental study of oral anticoagulation therapy initiation before and after national patient safety goals
Authors: Beadles Christopher A , Hassmiller Lich Kristen , Viera Anthony J , Greene Sandra B , Brookhart M Alan , Weinberger Morris
Published: February 2014

Objectives

The Joint Commission revised its National Patient Safety Goals (NPSGs) to include oral anticoagulation therapy (OAT) in 2008. We sought to examine the effect of including OAT in The Joint Commission's NPSGs on historically low rates of OAT initiation for individuals with incident atrial fibrillation (AF).

Setting

Southeastern state in the USA.

Participants

North Carolina State Health Plan claims data from 944 500 individuals enrolled between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2010, supplemented with data from the Area Resource File and Online Survey, Certification and Reporting data network. We evaluated OAT initiation before and after the 2008 NPSGs revisions in a retrospective cohort new user design with an AF intervention group and two control groups: a positive control—patients estimated to be at very high risk of thromboembolism (mechanical heart valve and pulmonary embolism); and a negative control—patients with very low perceived risk of thromboembolism (paroxysmal AF). We developed multivariable models using a difference-in-difference parameterisation. Effects were estimated with generalised estimating equations.

Primary outcome measure

OAT initiation, a binary outcome defined as having a prescription drug claim for warfarin within 30 days of the index claim.

Results

OAT initiation was low (26.8%) for eligible individuals with incident AF in 2006–2008 but increased after NPSGs implementation (31.7%, p=0.022). OAT initiation was high but decreased in the positive control group (67.5% vs 62.0%, p=0.003). Multivariate analysis resulted in a relative 11% (95% CI (4% to 18%), p<0.01) increase in OAT initiation for incident AF patients.

Conclusions

We document a substantial increase in guideline concordant OAT initiation in incident AF after the establishment of NPSGs, suggesting that regulatory healthcare agency initiatives can influence clinical practice.
Healthcare-seeking behaviour in rural Ethiopia: evidence from clinical vignettes
Authors: Mebratie Anagaw D , Van de Poel Ellen , Yilma Zelalem , Abebaw Degnet , Alemu Getnet , Bedi Arjun S
Published: February 2014

Objectives

To investigate the determinants of healthcare-seeking behaviour using five context-relevant clinical vignettes. The analysis deals with three issues: whether and where to seek modern care and when to seek care.

Setting

This study is set in 96 villages located in four main regions of Ethiopia. The participants of this study are 1632 rural households comprising 9455 individuals.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Probability of seeking modern care for symptoms related to acute respiratory infections/pneumonia, diarrhoea, malaria, tetanus and tuberculosis. Conditional on choosing modern healthcare, where to seek care (health post, health centre, clinic and hospital). Conditional on choosing modern healthcare, when to seek care (seek care immediately, the next day, after 2 days, between 3 days to 1 week, a week or more).

Results

We find almost universal preference for modern care. Foregone care ranges from 0.6% for diarrhoea to 2.5% for tetanus. There is a systematic relationship between socioeconomic status and choice of providers mainly for adult-related conditions with households in higher consumption quintiles more likely to seek care in health centres, private/Non-Government Organization (NGO) clinics as opposed to health posts. Delays in care-seeking behaviour are apparent mainly for adult-related conditions and among poorer households.

Conclusions

The analysis suggests that the lack of healthcare utilisation is not driven by the inability to recognise health problems or due to a low perceived need for modern care.
Functional health literacy and glycaemic control in older adults with type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Souza Jonas Gordilho , Apolinario Daniel , Magaldi Regina Miksian , Busse Alexandre Leopold , Campora Flavia , Jacob-Filho Wilson
Published: February 2014

Objectives

To investigate the relationship between functional health literacy and glycaemic control in a sample of older patients with type 2 diabetes.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

A government-financed outpatient geriatric clinic in São Paulo, Brazil.

Participants

129 older patients with type 2 diabetes, a mean (SD) age of 75.9 (6.2) years, a mean glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) of 7.2% (1.4), of which 14.7% had no formal education and 82.9% had less than a high-school diploma.

Measures

HbA1c was used as a measure of glycaemic control. Functional health literacy was assessed with the 18-item Short Assessment of Health Literacy for Portuguese-speaking Adults (SAHLPA-18), a validated instrument to evaluate pronunciation and comprehension of commonly used medical terms. Regression models were controlled for demographic data, depressive symptoms, diabetes duration, treatment regimen, diabetes knowledge and assistance for taking medications.

Results

Functional health literacy below adequate was encountered in 56.6% of the sample. After controlling for potential confounding factors, patients with inadequate functional health literacy were more likely than patients with adequate functional health literacy to present poor glycaemic control (OR=4.76; 95% CI 1.36 to 16.63). In a fully adjusted linear regression model, lower functional health literacy (β=−0.42; p<0.001), longer diabetes duration (β=0.24; p=0.012) and lack of assistance for taking medications (β=0.23; p=0.014) were associated with higher levels of HbA1c. Contrary to our expectations, illiterate patients did not have poorer outcomes when compared with patients with adequate functional health literacy, raising the hypothesis that illiterate individuals are more likely to have their difficulties recognised and compensated. However, the small subsample of illiterate patients provided limited power to reject differences with small magnitude.

Conclusions

Patients with inadequate functional health literacy presented with higher odds of poor glycaemic control. These findings reinforce the importance of addressing limited functional health literacy in clinical practice.
Second-meal effects of pulses on blood glucose and subjective appetite following a standardized meal 2 h later
Authors: Mollard Rebecca C. , Wong Christina L. , Luhovyy Bohdan L. , Cho France , Anderson G. Harvey
Published: February 2014

This study investigated whether pulses (chickpeas, yellow peas, navy beans, lentils) have an effect on blood glucose (BG) and appetite following a fixed-size meal 2 h later. Over the following 2 h, all pulses lowered BG area under the curve (AUC) and lentils reduced appetite AUC compared with white bread (p < 0.05). Following the meal, BG was lower after lentils and chickpeas at 150 and 165 min, and AUC was lower after lentils compared with white bread (p < 0.05).
Optimal coordination of variable speed limit to eliminate freeway wide moving jams
Authors: Wang Yizhi , Hu Jianming , Li Li , Zhang Yi
Published: February 2014

Variable speed limit (VSL) is well-known for the ability to eliminate freeway wide moving jam (WMJ). Different VSL maneuvers have been proposed and proved to be useful theoretically or empirically. However, the coordination of VSL still needs to be analyzed in order to cater for different traffic conditions encountered on the roadway. In this paper, we execute a study on freeway VSL method based on the three-phase traffic theory and Cellular Automata (CA) based simulations. Results indicate that VSL is a promising method in solving freeway WMJs, but in some cases, it induces new congestions due to improper configurations and the stochastic feature of traffic flow. Therefore, in this paper, we propose an optimal coordination model of VSL including five main principles. The purpose of our model lies on two aspects, to ensure the elimination of WMJ and to avoid the emergence of new traffic jams. By analyzing the traffic dynamics, we first present several theoretical principles of VSL configuration with respect to the WMJ elimination. Second, we study the relation between VSL effectiveness and the traffic uncertainty through CA model-based simulations and some empirical principles are raised.
COMPUTATIONAL STUDY OF PLATINUM GROUP SUPERALLOYS
Authors: POPOOLA A. I. , LOWTHER J. E.
Published: February 2014

Various properties of substitutional alloys formed from aluminium and the platinum group metals (PGMs) are examined using density functional (D-F) theory and show strong variations depending on metal type. A similar pattern for the binary alloys is observed using molecular dynamics modeling employing Sutton Chen potentials. All results suggest that several of the PGMs could have superior properties to the presently used Ni3Al alloy for high temperature applications. Some phases are predicted to be stable with extremely high melting temperatures (MTs).
Synthesis and Characterization of Sol–Gel Prepared Silver Nanoparticles
Authors: Ahlawat Dharamvir Singh , Kumari Rekha , Rachna  , Yadav Indu
Published: February 2014

Silver nanoparticles (SNPs) have been successfully prepared using sol–gel method by annealing the sample at 550°C for 30 min. The SNPs were not confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis when the annealing temperature was considered at 450°C. They were also not confirmed without calcination of the sample. The physical mechanism of silver clusters formation in the densified silica matrix with respect to thermal treatment has been understood. The presence of silver metal in the silica matrix was confirmed by XRD analysis and TEM image of the samples. The average size of nanoparticles dispersed in silica matrix was determined as 10.2 nm by the XRD technique. The synthesized nanocomposites were also characterized by UV-Visible spectroscopy with a peak in the absorption spectra at around 375 nm. The distribution of particle size has been reported here in the range from 8 nm to 25 nm by TEM observations of the sample prepared at 550°C. The spherically smaller size (≈10 nm) SNPs have reported the surface plasmons resonance (SPR) peak less than or near to 400 nm due to blue-shifting and effect of local refractive index. Without annealing the silica samples the absorption spectra does not show any peak around 375 nm. The FTIR spectroscopy of the three types of samples prepared at different temperatures (room temperature, 450°C and 550°C) has also been reported. This spectra have provided the identification of different chemical groups in the prepared samples. It has been predicted that the size of SNPs by XRD, UV-Visible and TEM results have agreed well with each other. It may be concluded that formation of SNPs is a function of annealing temperature.
Acid catalyzed first dehydration of glycerol at the secondary site: The effect of glycerol conformation
Authors: Lin Xufeng , Qu Yuanyuan , Xi Yanyan , Liu Chenguang
Published: February 2014

The first dehydration of protonated glycerol taking place at its secondary site was investigated by density functional calculations by considering different conformations of glycerol. Five parallel reaction pathways via different conformers of protonated glycerol were found. One of these pathways leads to a direct formation of protonated 3-hydroxylpropanal (HPA), another one of these pathways produces protonated glycidol, and the other three produce protonated 3-hydroxy-1,1-propanediol (HPD). One of these pathways producing protonated HPD was found to have obviously larger relative reaction rate than other pathways. The dehydration of protonated HPD to afford protonate HPA requires a rather low reaction barrier (12 kcal/mol). These results show that the production of HPA via a stepwise process with protonated HPD as a key intermediate, is energetically favorable than via a one-step concerted process producing HPA.
Peristaltic transport of pseudoplastic fluid in a curved channel with wall properties and slip conditions
Authors: Hina S. , Hayat T. , Mustafa M. , Alsaedi A.
Published: February 2014

Effects of wall properties and slip condition on the peristaltic flow of an incompressible pseudoplastic fluid in a curved channel are studied. Series solution of the governing problem is obtained after applying long wavelength and low Reynolds number approximations. The results are validated with the numerical solutions through the built-in routine for solving nonlinear boundary value problems via software Mathematica. The variations of different parameters on axial velocity are carefully analyzed. Behaviors of embedding parameters on the dimensionless stream function are also discussed. It is noted that the axial velocity and size of trapped bolus increases with an increase in slip parameter. It is also observed that the profiles of axial velocity are not symmetric about the central line of the curved channel which is different from the case of planar channel.
Specification of dynamic structure discrete event systems using single point encapsulated control functions
Authors: Muzy Alexandre , Zeigler Bernard P.
Published: February 2014

In Discrete Event System Specification (DEVS), the dynamics of a network is constituted only by the dynamics of its basic components. The state of each component is fully encapsulated. Control in the network is fully decentralized to each component. At dynamic structure level, DEVS should permit the same level of decentralization. However, it is hard to ensure structure consistency while letting all components achieve structure changes. Besides, this solution can be complex to implement. To avoid these difficulties, usual dynamic structure approaches ensure structure consistency allowing structure changes to be done only by the network having newly added dynamics change capabilities. This is a safe and simple way to achieve dynamic structure. However, it should be possible to simply allow components of a network to modify the structure of their network, other components and/or their own structure — without having to modify the usual definition a DEVS network. In this manuscript, it is shown that a simple fully decentralized approach is possible while ensuring full modularity and structure consistency.
INFLOW CONDENSATION HEAT TRANSFER CHARACTERISTICS OF CO2 IN MICROCHANNEL
Authors: YUN RIN , HWANG YUNHO
Published: February 2014

In this study, we investigated two-phase flow patterns and effects of oil concentration on the heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop of CO 2 undergoing condensation process in a microchannel, and from the data collected, we developed a prediction model of CO 2 condensation heat transfer coefficient in smooth tube and microchannels. The narrow single rectangular channel was utilized to observe flow patterns of CO 2 under the condensation process. Experimental results show that the transition of vapor quality from intermittent flow to annular flow advances with increase of mass flux and with decrease of condensation temperature. The heat transfer coefficient decreased by 50% as compared to that of the pure CO 2 when the oil concentration was increased from 0.7 to 1.2 wt.% for the mass flux of 600 kg ⋅ m-2 ⋅ s-1. The pressure drop slightly decreased with oil concentration as compared to that of pure CO 2. We developed the prediction model for the heat transfer coefficient of CO 2 undergoing condensation process in microchannel by considering the effects of the liquid film thickness and of the interface shape between liquid and vapor phases on the heat transfer coefficient. The present prediction model estimated the experimental data within 18.9% of mean deviation. For the pressure drop in microchannel tubes, the existing models developed by Mishima and Hibiki, and Garimella showed the marginal predictability.
A Timanian foreland basin setting for the late Neoproterozoic–Early Palaeozoic cover sequences (Dividal Group) of northeastern Baltica
Authors: Andresen Arild , Agyei-Dwarko Nana Yaw , Kristoffersen Magnus , Hanken Nils-Martin
Published: February 2014

LA-ICP-MS U–Pb and Hf-isotope data on detrital zircons from the Ediacaran and Cambrian Dividal Group demonstrate that the autochthonous cover sequence above the Fennoscandian Shield in northernmost Scandinavia is not derived from an easterly Archaean and Palaeoproterozoic source within Baltica as commonly thought. Detrital zircon age populations on four samples from the Dividal Group are dominated by Mesoproterozoic zircons with relatively few Palaeoproterozoic and Archaean zircons. Two samples, from Altevann and Reisadalen have, in addition, a significant population of Ediacaran zircons (
c.
570–560 Ma), indicating a Timanian source area for most of the lower Cambrian Dividal Group sediments. The
176
Hf/
177
Hf isotope data show the Ediacaran zircons to be derived from two separate plutonic complexes within the Timanides. It is argued that the Dividal Group sediments were deposited in a foreland basin south and SW of the Timanide Orogen. Similarities with clastic zircon age populations from Cambrian deposits in Akkajaure, Ladoga/White Sea and St Petersburg areas indicate that this foreland basin possibly extended southward for at least 1000 km. A foreland basin setting for the Ediacaran and Cambrian deposits in Central and Southern Scandinavia can thus account for the enigmatic Neoproterozoic detrital zircons in these deposits.

Supplementary material:

Analytical LA-ICP-MS data on detrital zircons from Dividal Group samples AA12-1, AA12-2, AA11-29 and AA11-30 are available at
http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18731
.
Characterization of the motor inhibitory role of colonic mucosa under chemical stimulation in mice
Authors: Martín-Cano Francisco E. , Camello Pedro J. , Pozo María J.
Published: February 2014

The main roles of the colonic mucosa are the absorption of water and electrolytes and the barrier function that preserves the integrity of the colonic wall. The mediators and mechanisms to accomplish these functions are under continuous investigation, but little attention has been paid to a possible control of colonic motility by the mucosa that would fine tune the relationship between absorption and motility. The purpose of this study was to establish the role of the mucosa in the control of induced colonic contractility. Young ICR-CD1 mice (3–5 mo old) were studied. Isometric tension transducers were used to record contractility in full-thickness (FT) and mucosa-free (MF) strips from proximal colon. Proximal FT strips showed lower KCl- and bethanechol-induced responses than MF strips. The difference was not due to mechanical artefacts since the contractile response of FT strips to electrical field stimulation was around 50% lower than in MF. The inhibitory effects of the mucosa on FT strips were mimicked by immersion of separate strips of mucosa in the organ bath but not by addition of mucosal extract, suggesting gaseous molecules as mediators of this effect. Incubation of MF strips with synthase inhibitors of nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen sulfide abolished the inhibition caused by addition of the mucosal strip, indicating that mucosal gasotransmitters are the mediators of these effects. This suggests that the control of colonic motility exerted by the mucosa could fine tune the balance between transit and absorption.