bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Three Versions of Perfect Pay for Performance (Or The Rebirth of Partnership Concepts in Executive Pay)
Authors: O'Byrne Stephen F.
Published: April 2014

During the 19th century and the first half of the 20th, the compensation of non‐founder managers of U.S. public companies was guided by partnership concepts. Andrew Carnegie made his senior staff coowners by selling them stock at book value. And Alfred Sloan gave the senior staff of General Motors a fixed percentage of the company's “economic profit.”

But in the years since World War II, such partnership concepts have largely disappeared from executive pay. The current view of executive pay is guided by the concepts of “competitive pay” and pay components. But unlike the partnership models of the past, today's “human resources model” of executive pay fails to provide useful guidance to companies on how to achieve a consistent relationship between pay and corporate performance, as reflected in returns to shareholders. As the author argues, the model's insistence on providing “competitive pay” packages that are (1) based on size (that is, on revenue not profitability) and (2) “recalibrated” every year regardless of past performance has the effect of undermining management's incentives by rewarding poor past value performance with increases (instead of reductions) in sharing percentage, and penalizing superior value performance with reductions (instead of increases) in sharing percentage.

In recent years, however, three different model pay plans have been proposed that provide both competitive pay and fixed pay leverage in relation to shareholder value. The author is the source of one of the three “perfect” pay plans. The other two are (1) the Dynamic Incentive Account proposed by Alex Edmans of London Business School and Xavier Gabaix of NYU and (2) the investment manager fee structure developed and used by Don Raymond, the chief investment strategist of the Canada Pension Plan.

The author shows that cumulative pay under all three plans can be expressed as a function of cumulative market compensation (that is, the pay earned by one's peers over the life of the plan, thus reflecting pay levels for average performance) and cumulative value added (as reflected, say, in the company's TSR relative to the average of its peers' over the life of the plan)—and in the case of plans with equity‐like leverage, cumulative pay is the simple sum of cumulative market compensation and a fixed share of the cumulative value added. The plans reconcile retention and performance objectives more effectively than current practice because they provide competitive pay only for average performance, while using the partnership concept of fixed sharing of the value added to provide strong incentives.
Preferential host switching and codivergence shaped radiation of bark beetle symbionts, nematodes of Micoletzkya (Nematoda: Diplogastridae)
Authors: Susoy V. , Herrmann M.
Published: April 2014

Host‐symbiont systems are of particular interest to evolutionary biology because they allow testable inferences of diversification processes while also providing both a historical basis and an ecological context for studies of adaptation. Our investigations of bark beetle symbionts, predatory nematodes of the genus Micoletzkya, have revealed remarkable diversity of the group along with a high level of host specificity. Cophylogenetic analyses suggest that evolution of the nematodes was largely influenced by the evolutionary history of beetles. The diversification of the symbionts, however, could not be attributed to parallel divergence alone; our results indicate that adaptive radiation of the nematodes was shaped by preferential host shifts among closely related beetles along with codivergence. Whereas ecological and geographic isolation have played a major role in the diversification of Micoletzkya at shallow phylogenetic depths, adaptations towards related hosts have played a role in shaping cophylogenetic structure at a larger evolutionary scale.
Efficacy and safety of splenectomy in telaprevir‐based triple therapy for chronic hepatitis C patients with thrombocytopenia and advanced fibrosis
Authors: Ogawa Eiichi , Furusyo Norihiro , Nakamuta Makoto , Kajiwara Eiji , Nomura Hideyuki , Dohmen Kazufumi , Takahashi Kazuhiro , Satoh Takeaki , Azuma Koichi , Kawano Akira , Tanabe Yuichi , Kotoh Kazuhiro , Shimoda Shinji , Akahoshi Tomohiko , Maehara Yoshihiko , Hayashi Jun ,   The Kyushu University Liver Disease Study (KULDS) Group
Published: April 2014

Background and Aim

Thrombocytopenia (TCP) of chronic hepatitis C patients with cirrhosis has a negative impact on the management of interferon‐based treatment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of telaprevir‐based triple therapy for patients who have undergone splenectomy (Spx).

Methods

This prospective, multicenter study consisted of 80 patients, including 32 Spx and 48 non‐Spx/TCP (platelet count: 60–99 × 109/L) patients with advanced fibrosis infected with hepatitis C virus genotype 1b. All received 12 weeks of telaprevir in combination with 24 weeks of pegylated interferon (PEG‐IFN) α2b and ribavirin.

Results

The sustained virological response (SVR) rate of the Spx group (75.0%) was significantly higher than that of the non‐Spx/TCP group (52.1%) (P < 0.05). Under favorable conditions such as treatment‐naïve/prior relapse and interleukin‐28B (IL28B) TT allele (rs8099917), the SVR rates of the Spx group were significantly higher than those of the non‐Spx/moderate TCP (60–79 × 109/L) groups (91.3% vs 50.0% and 93.8% vs 37.5%, respectively; both P < 0.05). Adequate PEG‐IFNα2b adherence was associated with SVR. However, the percentage of patients who achieved 80% adherence to PEG‐IFNα2b in the non‐Spx/moderate TCP (42.9%) group was significantly lower than that of the Spx (79.3%) and non‐Spx/mild TCP (80–99 × 109/L) (80.0%) groups. Treatment discontinuation due to adverse effects and the development of bacterial infection did not differ between the Spx and non‐Spx/TCP groups.

Conclusion

The increase of platelet count after Spx contributed to treatment success, especially for moderate to severe TCP patients who are treatment‐naïve/prior relapse or IL28B TT allele.
After MacIntyre
Authors: Humbert David
Published: April 2014

In his influential book After Virtue, Alasdair MacIntyre identifies Kierkegaard's view of ethics with that of Kant. Both Kant and Kierkegaard, according to MacIntyre, accept the modern paradigm of moral activity for which freedom of the will is the ultimate basis. Ronald M. Green, in Kierkegaard and Kant: The Hidden Debt, accepts and deepens this alignment between the two thinkers. Green argues that Kierkegaard deliberately obscured his debt to Kant by a systematic “misattribution” of his ideas to other thinkers, and to classical philosophy in particular. This essay argues that MacIntyre and Green are mistaken in identifying Kierkegaard with the Kantian tradition of moral autonomy and that they overlook his debt to the classical conception of virtue. In casting Kierkegaard in the role of the quintessential exponent of a modern conception of freedom, they have perhaps overlooked one of the greatest critics of moral autonomy who has ever lived.
On Comparative Religious Ethics as a Field of Study
Authors: Bucar Elizabeth M. , Stalnaker Aaron
Published: April 2014

This essay is a critical engagement with recent assessments of comparative religious ethics by John Kelsay and Jung Lee. Contra Kelsay's proposal to return to a neo‐Weberian sociology of religious norm elaboration and justification, the authors argue that comparative religious ethics is and should be practiced as a field of study in active conversation with other fields that consider human flourishing, employing a variety of methods that have their roots in multiple disciplines. Cross‐pollination from a variety of disciplines is a strength of comparative ethics, which has enlivened recent and ongoing research on ethics, not a problem to be resolved by convergence on a single, distinctively comparative project. The authors also argue in response to Lee and Kelsay that while individual comparative studies of virtue and personal formation can be flawed in various ways, this line of research has been productive and at times very compelling. Moreover, attention to comparative virtue ethics shows how scholarship on some ethical topics necessitates drawing on a variety of perspectives and disciplinary backgrounds, a conclusion relevant to all work in religious ethics today.
Diverse strategies targeting α7 homomeric and α6β2* heteromeric nicotinic acetylcholine receptors for smoking cessation
Authors: Brunzell Darlene H. , McIntosh J. Michael , Papke Roger L.
Published: April 2014

Preclinical studies suggest that a diversity of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) with different sensitivities to nicotine may contribute to tobacco addiction. Using rodent intravenous nicotine self‐administration as a preclinical model with good predictive validity for therapeutic efficacy for tobacco cessation, investigators have identified heteromeric α6β2* and homomeric α7 nAChRs as promising novel therapeutic targets to promote smoking abstinence (*denotes possible assembly with other subunits). The data suggest that diverse strategies that target these subclasses of nAChRs, namely inhibition of α6β2* nAChRs and stimulation of α7 nAChRs, will support tobacco cessation. α6β2* nAChRs, members of the high‐affinity family of β2* nAChRs, function similarly to α4β2* nAChRs, the primary target of the FDA‐approved drug varenicline, but have a much more selective neuroanatomical pattern of expression in catecholaminergic nuclei. Although activation of β2* nAChRs facilitates nicotine self‐administration, stimulation of α7 nAChRs appears to negatively modulate both nicotine reinforcement and β2* nAChR function in the mesolimbic dopamine system. Although challenges and caveats must be considered in the development of therapeutics that target these nAChR subpopulations, an accumulation of data suggests that α7 nAChR agonists, partial agonists, or positive allosteric modulators and α6β2* nAChR antagonists, partial agonists, or negative allosteric modulators may prove to be effective therapeutics for tobacco cessation.
Event‐related potentials reveal linguistic suppression effect but not enhancement effect on categorical perception of color
Authors: Lu Aitao , Yang Ling , Yu Yanping , Zhang Meichao , Shao Yulan , Zhang Honghong
Published: April 2014

The present study used the event‐related potential technique to investigate the nature of linguistic effect on color perception. Four types of stimuli based on hue differences between a target color and a preceding color were used: zero hue step within‐category color (0‐WC); one hue step within‐category color (1‐WC); one hue step between‐category color (1‐BC); and two hue step between‐category color (2‐BC). The ERP results showed no significant effect of stimulus type in the 100‐200 ms time window. However, in the 200–350 ms time window, ERP responses to 1‐WC target color overlapped with that to 0‐WC target color for right visual field (RVF) but not left visual field (LVF) presentation. For the 1‐BC condition, ERP amplitudes were comparable in the two visual fields, both being significantly different from the 0‐WC condition. The 2‐BC condition showed the same pattern as the 1‐BC condition. These results suggest that the categorical perception of color in RVF is due to linguistic suppression on within‐category color discrimination but not between‐category color enhancement, and that the effect is independent of early perceptual processes.
Marginal and Conditional Distribution Estimation from Double‐sampled Semi‐competing Risks Data
Authors: Yu Menggang , Yiannoutsos Constantin T.
Published: April 2014

Informative dropout is a vexing problem for any biomedical study. Most existing statistical methods attempt to correct estimation bias related to this phenomenon by specifying unverifiable assumptions about the dropout mechanism. We consider a cohort study in Africa that uses an outreach programme to ascertain the vital status for dropout subjects. These data can be used to identify a number of relevant distributions. However, as only a subset of dropout subjects were followed, vital status ascertainment was incomplete. We use semi‐competing risk methods as our analysis framework to address this specific case where the terminal event is incompletely ascertained and consider various procedures for estimating the marginal distribution of dropout and the marginal and conditional distributions of survival. We also consider model selection and estimation efficiency in our setting. Performance of the proposed methods is demonstrated via simulations, asymptotic study and analysis of the study data.
Impact of prophylactic platelet transfusions on bleeding events in patients with hematologic malignancies: a subgroup analysis of a randomized trial (CME)
Authors: Stanworth Simon J. , Estcourt Lise J. , Llewelyn Charlotte A. , Murphy Michael F. , Wood Erica M. ,   TOPPS Study Investigators
Published: April 2014

Background

A recent randomized trial compared a policy of no prophylaxis with a policy of prophylactic platelet (PLT) transfusions at counts of fewer than 10 × 109/L in patients with hematologic malignancies. The results suggested the effectiveness of prophylactic PLT transfusions may vary according to patient diagnosis and treatment plan.

Study Design and Methods

This article presents full subgroup analyses and compares treatment effects between autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (autoHSCT; n = 421) and chemotherapy/allogeneic HSCT (chemo/alloHSCT; n = 179) patients.

Results

Prespecified subgroup analysis found that the reduction in proportion of patients experiencing WHO Grade 2 to 4 bleeds (main trial outcome) seen in the prophylaxis arm was of greater magnitude in chemo/alloHSCT than autoHSCT patients (interaction p = 0.04). Analysis of secondary outcomes showed a shorter time to first bleeding episode with no prophylaxis in the chemo/alloHSCT group (hazard ratio, 1.84; 95% confidence interval CI, 1.21‐2.79; p = 0.004) compared to the autoHSCT group (hazard ratio, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.85‐1.48; p = 0.4; interaction p = 0.08). The increased number of days with Grade 2 to 4 bleeds with a no‐prophylaxis policy was similar in chemo/alloHSCT (rate ratio, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.10‐3.26) and in autoHSCT patients (rate ratio, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.04‐1.97). Both subgroups showed significant reductions in PLT transfusions with a no‐prophylaxis strategy.

Conclusion

There is evidence that the effectiveness of prophylactic PLT transfusions may differ between subgroups, with chemo/alloHSCT patients receiving prophylactic PLT transfusions appearing to show a greater reduction in bleeding outcomes compared to patients following a no‐prophylaxis policy.
Antimicrobial activity in cord blood units: occurrence and levels of antibiotics
Authors: Cayer Marie‐Pierre , Girard Mélissa , Fournier Diane , Delage Gilles , Thibault Louis
Published: April 2014

Background

Antibiotic prophylaxis treatment at delivery is highly recommended for reducing the risk of infection for mothers positive for group B streptococcus. It is therefore expected that some cord blood (CB) products will contain residual antibiotics. This study aimed to determine the incidence and level of β‐lactam antibiotics in CB products.

Study Design and Methods

The antimicrobial activity of 60 CB plasma by‐products was evaluated using disk diffusion assays on 10 bacteria species. Plasma samples showing antimicrobial activity were either treated with β‐lactamase enzyme to inhibit β‐lactam antibiotics or heated to 56°C for 30 minutes to inhibit complement proteins. β‐Lactam antibiotic concentrations were determined by comparison with a standard curve obtained with known concentrations of antibiotics.

Results

Antimicrobial activity against mostly Gram‐positive microorganisms was observed in 33% of CB units. The β‐lactamase enzyme abolished the antimicrobial activity in the majority of these CB products. Up to 5 μg/mL penicillin and 14 μg/mL ampicillin were measured in these products.

Conclusion

Approximately one‐third of CB products contain significant amounts of plasma with residual antibiotics, which can affect the survival and growth of bacterial contaminants when performing the sterility test and potentially lead to false‐negative results. Additional work is required to better understand whether residual antibiotics in CB affect penicillin‐allergic patients.
An observational study: associations between nurse-reported hospital characteristics and estimated 30-day survival probabilities
Authors: Tvedt Christine , Sjetne Ingeborg Strømseng , Helgeland Jon , Bukholm Geir
Published: April 2014

Background

There is a growing body of evidence for associations between the work environment and patient outcomes. A good work environment may maximise healthcare workers’ efforts to avoid failures and to facilitate quality care that is focused on patient safety. Several studies use nurse-reported quality measures, but it is uncertain whether these outcomes are correlated with clinical outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the correlations between hospital-aggregated, nurse-assessed quality and safety, and estimated probabilities for 30-day survival in and out of hospital.

Methods

In a multicentre study involving almost all Norwegian hospitals with more than 85 beds (sample size=30, information about nurses’ perceptions of organisational characteristics were collected. Subscales from this survey were used to describe properties of the organisations: quality system, patient safety management, nurse–physician relationship, staffing adequacy, quality of nursing and patient safety. The average scores for these organisational characteristics were aggregated to hospital level, and merged with estimated probabilities for 30-day survival in and out of hospital (survival probabilities) from a national database. In this observational, ecological study, the relationships between the organisational characteristics (independent variables) and clinical outcomes (survival probabilities) were examined.

Results

Survival probabilities were correlated with nurse-assessed quality of nursing. Furthermore, the subjective perception of staffing adequacy was correlated with overall survival.

Conclusions

This study showed that perceived staffing adequacy and nurses’ assessments of quality of nursing were correlated with survival probabilities. It is suggested that the way nurses characterise the microsystems they belong to, also reflects the general performance of hospitals.
Dietary pattern trajectories during 15 years of follow-up and HbA1c, insulin resistance and diabetes prevalence among Chinese adults
Authors: Batis Carolina , Mendez Michelle A , Sotres-Alvarez Daniela , Gordon-Larsen Penny , Popkin Barry
Published: April 2014

Background

Most research on dietary patterns and health outcomes does not include longitudinal exposure data. We used an innovative technique to capture dietary pattern trajectories and their association with haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), homeostasis model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and prevalence of newly diagnosed diabetes.

Methods

We included 4096 adults with 3–6 waves of diet data (1991–2006) and biomarkers measured in 2009 from the China Health and Nutrition Survey. Diet was assessed with three 24-h recalls and a household food inventory. We used a dietary pattern previously identified with reduced rank regression that positively predicted diabetes in 2006 (high in wheat products and soy milk and low in rice, legumes, poultry, eggs and fish). We estimated a score for this dietary pattern for each subject at each wave. Using latent class trajectory analysis, we grouped subjects with similar dietary pattern score trajectories over time into five classes.

Results

Three trajectory classes were stable over time, and in two classes the diet became unhealthier over time (upward trend in dietary pattern score). Among two classes with similar scores in 2006, the one with the lower (healthier) initial score had an HbA1c 1.64% lower (−1.64 (95% CI −3.17 to −0.11)) and non-significantly a HOMA-IR 6.47% lower (−6.47 (−17.37 to 4.42)) and lower odds of diabetes (0.86 (0.44 to 1.67)).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that dietary pattern trajectories with healthier scores longitudinally had a lower HbA1c compared with those with unhealthier scores, even when the trajectories had similar scores in the end point.
A novel model of large vessel ischemic stroke in rabbits: microcatheter occlusion of the posterior cerebral artery
Authors: English Joey D , Hetts Steven W , El-Ali Alex , Kolli Pallav , Do Loi , Wilson Mark W , Saeed Maythem
Published: April 2014

Background and purpose

The rabbit small clot embolic model for large vessel occlusion (LVO) is well established, yet has limitations. Blind introduction of autologous thrombus often fails to completely occlude a target vessel and, when successful, the precise timing of occlusion and revascularization is difficult to control. Studies of cellular biology and neuroimaging of acute reversible cerebral ischemia (ie, penumbral tissue) would benefit from a rabbit model in which LVO can be reliably induced, easily confirmed, and in which the time of occlusion and revascularization can be precisely controlled.

Methods

Transfemoral 1.5 F microcatheterization of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) was performed in anesthetized rabbits (n=7) using fluoroscopic guidance. LVO with the wedged microcatheter was maintained for 30–210 min followed by reperfusion. Diffusion-weighted and T2 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) MRI was performed 3 h after catheter removal on a 3 T scanner. Post-mortem histopathologic analysis of brain tissue was performed using triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC).

Results

Placing of the 1.5 F microcatheter tip in the PCA was successful in all seven animals. Infarct size on matched diffusion-weighted and TTC sections was strongly correlated (r2=0.86). Transient PCA occlusion of 30–60 min resulted in infarction of the ipsilateral hippocampus and thalamus, sparing the cortex, while more prolonged occlusion (180–210 min) resulted in cortical infarction as well.

Conclusions

Image-guided microcatheter induction of PCA occlusion in rabbits can consistently produce time-dependent infarction of cortical and subcortical structures that is reliably detected by diffusion-weighted MRI, and thus may be a useful model for therapeutic studies in acute ischemic stroke.
Unprotected carotid artery stenting in symptomatic elderly patients: a single-center experience
Authors: Jimenez-Gomez Elvira , Cano Sánchez Antonio , Oteros Fernández Rafael , Valenzuela Alvarado Saray , Bravo-Rodriguez Francisco , Delgado Acosta Fernando
Published: April 2014

Background and purpose

Surgery is known to have fewer adverse events in patients aged >75 years with carotid stenosis, but some are not candidates due to comorbidity. Stenting using protection devices is the most accepted endovascular technique. Our aim is to show the safety and efficacy of carotid stenting without any protection device in these patients.

Material and methods

All patients older than 75 years with carotid stenosis treated in our center between January 2002 and December 2012 were included in this prospective study. All were treated by carotid stenting without protection devices. Angiographic results, neurologic complications and Doppler ultrasound were collected during the procedure and within 30 days.

Results

49 patients were included (mean age 78.2 years, range 75–86). The average degree of stenosis was 88.2%. During the procedure there were two cases of transient ischemic attack and one intraparenchymal hemorrhage. At 30 days there was a non-disabling stroke. The combined rate of disabling stroke plus myocardial infarction plus death was 6% at 30 days and the rate of any stroke was 4% during the procedure and 2% at 30 days.

Conclusions

Endovascular treatment of carotid stenosis without protection devices in symptomatic patients aged >75 years is an alternative to endovascular treatment with protection devices. Complications and mortality rates are similar to studies that used protection devices in lower risk patients.
Extracranial carotid artery stenting followed by intracranial stent-based thrombectomy for acute tandem occlusive disease
Authors: Cohen José E , Gomori J Moshe , Rajz Gustavo , Itshayek Eyal , Eichel Roni , Leker Ronen R
Published: April 2014

Objective

Acute tandem occlusions of the extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) and a major intracranial artery respond poorly to intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and present an endovascular challenge. We describe our experience with emergency stent-assisted ICA angioplasty and intracranial stent-based thrombectomy of tandem occlusions.

Methods

Procedures were performed from March 2010 to December 2013. National Institutes of Health Stroke Score (NIHSS) and Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS), occlusion sites, collateral supply, procedural details, and outcomes were retrospectively reviewed with IRB waiver of informed consent.

Results

24 patients, mean age 66 years, mean admission NIHSS 20.4, and mean ASPECTS 9 were included. Occlusion sites were proximal ICA–middle cerebral artery (MCA) trunk in 17 patients, proximal ICA–ICA terminus in six, and ICA–MCA–anterior cerebral artery in one. Stent-assisted cervical ICA recanalization was achieved in all patients, with unprotected pre-angioplasty in 24/24, unprotected stenting in 16/24 (67%), and protected stenting in 8/24 (33%), followed by stent-thrombectomy in 25 intracranial occlusions. There was complete recanalization/complete perfusion in 19/24 (79%), complete recanalization/partial perfusion in 3/24 (13%), and partial recanalization/partial perfusion in 2/24 (8%) with no procedural morbidity/mortality. Mean time to therapy was 3.8 h (range 2–5.5) and mean time to recanalization was 51 min (range 38–69). At 3-month follow-up, among 17/22 surviving patients (77%), 13/17 (76%) were modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0–2 and 3/17 (18%) were mRS 3.

Conclusions

In acute tandem ICA–MCA/distal ICA occlusions, extracranial stenting followed by intracranial stent-based thrombectomy appears feasible, effective, and safe. Further evaluation of this treatment strategy is warranted.
γ probe of nuclear dissipation
Authors: Wei Ye
Published: April 2014

The Langevin model is applied to investigate the roles of excitation energy and system size in the evolution of post-saddle giant dipole resonance (GDR) γ-ray multiplicity (Mγ) with post-saddle friction strength (β). It is demonstrated that Mγ is more sensitive to β at high energy. Furthermore, it is shown that the dependence of γ emission on friction is sensitive to the size of fissioning nuclei, and a large system size significantly increases the sensitivity. Our findings indicate that in experiments, to tightly constrain post-saddle dissipation through the γ probe, it is optimal to produce heavy fissioning systems with high energy.
On non-binary quantum repeated-root cyclic codes
Authors: Wang Liqi , Zhu Shixin
Published: April 2014

In this paper, based on the Steane's enlargement construction, three classes of non-binary quantum codes are constructed from classical repeated-root cyclic codes of length 2ps over 𝔽q with odd characteristic p. The exact minimum distances of these quantum codes are determined. This construction yields a quantum MDS code with parameters [[2p, 2p - 4, 3]]p and two good quantum codes with parameters [[2p, 2p - 7, 4]]p and [[2p, 2p - 10, 5]]p.
SELF-OSCILLATIONS OF HYDROGELS DRIVEN BY CHEMICAL REACTIONS
Authors: DROZDOV A. D.
Published: April 2014

A model is developed for the mechanical response of hydrogels whose deformation is accompanied by swelling–shrinkage driven by the Belousov–Zhabotinsky reaction. A hydrogel is treated as a compressible network of flexible chains with a time-dependent reference (stress-free) state whose evolution is driven by oxidation of a catalyst pendent to chains. The model involves three components: stress–strain relations for deformation of a polymer network coupled with swelling, kinetic equations for chemical reactions with diffusing species, and relations connecting changes in the reference configuration with concentration of oxidized catalyst. Results of simulation confirm the ability of the model to describe autonomous oscillations of a hydrogel layer under constrained swelling. The effect of material parameters on amplitude and frequency of oscillations is studied numerically. In agreement with the available experimental data, it is shown that amplitude of oscillations decreases and their period increases when (i) elastic modulus of the polymer network grows, (ii) a good solvent is replaced with a poor one, (iii) concentration of a catalyst is reduced, (iv) size of a sample decreases, and (v) diffusivities of solvent and activator grow.
UNDRAINED SHEAR STRENGTH OF K0CONSOLIDATED SOFT CLAYS UNDER TRIAXIAL AND PLANE STRAIN CONDITIONS
Authors: WANG QIUSHENG , DU XIULI , GONG QIUMING
Published: April 2014

Theoretical formulas for predicting the undrained shear strength of K0consolidated soft clays under the stress path related to triaxial and plane strain tests are presented within the framework of critical state soil mechanics. An inclined elliptical yield surface is adopted to take account of the initial anisotropic stress state. The undrained strength is determined by combining the undrained stress path in the volumetric stress–strain space and the initial yield surface in the deviator-mean stress space. The derived mathematical expressions are functions of the critical state frictional angle, the plastic volumetric strain ratio and the overconsolidation ratio, which can be simplified into the solutions for isotropically consolidated clays under triaxial tests or under plane strain tests. The results calculated by using the theoretical formulas obtained in this paper are in good agreement with the available collected test results. It indicates that these new formulas are applicable to triaxial and plane strain tests on normally and lightly to moderately overconsolidated soft clays.
Morphology and Electrical Conductivity of Carbon Nanocoatings Prepared from Pyrolysed Polymers
Authors: Molenda Marcin , Świętosławski Michał , Drozdek Marek , Dudek Barbara , Dziembaj Roman
Published: April 2014

Conductive carbon nanocoatings (conductive carbon layers—CCL) were formed on α‐Al2O3 model support using three different polymer precursors and deposition methods. This was done in an effort to improve electrical conductivity of the material through creating the appropriate morphology of the carbon layers. The best electrical properties were obtained with use of a precursor that consisted of poly‐N‐vinylformamide modified with pyromellitic acid (PMA). We demonstrate that these properties originate from a specific morphology of this layer that showed nanopores (3‐4 nm) capable of assuring easy pathways for ion transport in real electrode materials. The proposed, water mediated, method of carbon coating of powdered supports combines coating from solution and solid phase and is easy to scale up process. The optimal polymer carbon precursor composition was used to prepare conductive carbon nanocoatings on LiFePO4 cathode material. Charge‐discharge tests clearly show that C/LiFePO4 composites obtained using poly‐N‐vinylformamide modified with pyromellitic acid exhibit higher rechargeable capacity and longer working time in a battery cell than standard carbon/lithium iron phosphate composites.
Rhabdomyolysis and Acute Renal Impairment in a Patient with Hypothyroidism: A Case Report
Authors: Naz Arshi , Issa Mayada
Published: April 2014

We report the case of a 33-year-old male with hypothyroidism who developed acute renal impairment with rhabdomyolysis after strenuous physical activity (snow shoveling). His thyroid function test confirmed marked hypothyroidism. Severe elevation of serum CK consistent with rhabdomyolysis was noted and an elevated creatinine indicated acute renal impairment. Patient’s condition improved significantly after starting him on thyroid hormone replacement therapy and aggressive hydration. Acute renal impairment with rhabdomyolysis in patients with hypothyroidism is quite rare and we expect that this case report adds to the existing literature on this subject. We also emphasize that thyroid status should be evaluated in patients with unexplained acute renal impairment and presenting with the symptoms of muscle involvement.
H∞ Enhanced Control Design of Discrete‐Time Takagi‐Sugeno State‐Multiplicative Noisy Systems
Authors: Krokavec Dušan , Filasová Anna
Published: April 2014

Design conditions for existence of the H∞ state feedback control for Takagi‐Sugeno fuzzy discrete‐time stochastic systems with state‐multiplicative noise, stabilizing the closed‐loop in such way that the quadratic performance in the mean is satisfied, are presented in the paper. Using newly introduced enhanced form of the bounded real lemma for such stochastic systems, the LMI‐based procedure is provided for computation of gain matrices of the state control law, realized in the parallel distributed compensation structure. The approach is illustrated on an example, demonstrating the validity of the proposed method.
A Novel Mobile Localization Method for Distributed Sensor Network with Non-Line-of-Sight Error Mitigation
Authors: Hu Nan , Wu Hao , Wu Chengdong , Gao Yuan
Published: April 2014

Mobile localization using distributed sensor network has attracted significant research interest in recent years. One of the main challenges for mobile location estimation is the presence of the non-line-of-sight (NLOS) propagation. It results in erroneous measurements containing NLOS error due to the reflection and diffraction. The NLOS error could seriously reduce the localization accuracy. This paper presents a novel mobile localization method for distributed sensor network in NLOS propagation scenarios. The aim of the method is to mitigate the NLOS error and enhance the localization accuracy. The transition between the LOS and NLOS is described by two-state Markov model. The interacting multiple model frame is employed to estimate the position of unknown node. The probability data association algorithm is used to filter the estimated location. The simulation results show that the proposed method outperforms the traditional filter method in NLOS scenarios.
Protocol and Architecture to Bring Things into Internet of Things
Authors: Asensio Ángel , Marco Álvaro , Blasco Rubén , Casas Roberto
Published: April 2014

The Internet of Things (IoT) concept proposes that everyday objects are globally accessible from the Internet and integrate into new services having a remarkable impact on our society. Opposite to Internet world, things usually belong to resource-challenged environments where energy, data throughput, and computing resources are scarce. Building upon existing standards in the field such as IEEE1451 and ZigBee and rooted in context semantics, this paper proposes CTP (Communication Things Protocol) as a protocol specification to allow interoperability among things with different communication standards as well as simplicity and functionality to build IoT systems. Also, this paper proposes the use of the IoT gateway as a fundamental component in IoT architectures to provide seamless connectivity and interoperability among things and connect two different worlds to build the IoT: the Things world and the Internet world. Both CTP and IoT gateway constitute a middleware content-centric architecture presented as the mechanism to achieve a balance between the intrinsic limitations of things in the physical world and what is required from them in the virtual world. Said middleware content-centric architecture is implemented within the frame of two European projects targeting smart environments and proving said CTP's objectives in real scenarios.
Effect of AST-120 on Endothelial Dysfunction in Adenine-Induced Uremic Rats
Authors: Inami Yuko , Hamada Chieko , Seto Takuya , Hotta Yoko , Aruga Seiki , Inuma Jiro , Azuma Kosuke , Io Hiroaki , Kaneko Kayo , Watada Hirotaka , Tomino Yasuhiko
Published: April 2014

Aim.Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents endothelial dysfunction. Monocyte adhesion is recognized as the initial step of arteriosclerosis. Indoxyl sulfate (IS) is considered to be a risk factor for arteriosclerosis in CKD. Oral adsorbent AST-120 retards deterioration of renal function, reducing accumulation of IS. In the present study, we determined the monocyte adhesion in the adenine-induced uremic ratsin vivoand effects of AST-120 on the adhesion molecules.Methods. Twenty-four rats were divided into control, control+AST-120, adenine, and adenine+AST-120 groups. The number of monocytes adherent to the endothelium of thoracic aorta by imaging the entire endothelial surface and the mRNA expressions of adhesion and atherosclerosis-related molecules were examined on day 49. The mRNA expressions of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells were also examined.Results. Adenine increased the number of adherent monocytes, and AST-120 suppressed the increase. The monocyte adhesion was related to serum creatinine and IS in sera. Overexpression of VCAM-1 and TGF-β1 mRNA in the arterial walls was observed in uremic rats. IS induced increase of the ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 mRNA expressionsin vitro.Conclusion. It appears that uremic condition introduces the monocyte adhesion to arterial wall and AST-120 might inhibit increasing of the monocyte adherence with CKD progression.
Gene-Gene Interactions in Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Contributes to End-Stage Renal Disease Susceptibility in a Han Chinese Population
Authors: Su Sui-Lung , Yang Hsin-Yi , Wu Chia-Chao , Lee Herng-Sheng , Lin Yuh-Feng , Hsu Chi-An , Lai Ching-Huang , Lin Chin , Kao Sen-Yeong , Lu Kuo-Cheng
Published: April 2014

Objective. In this study, we investigated whether RAAS gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and their interactions were associated with end-stage renal stage (ESRD).Methodology and Results. This was a case-control study for 647 ESRD cases and 644 controls. AGT (M235T (rs699) and T174M (rs4762)), AGTR1 (A1166C (rs5186) and C573T (rs5182)), ACE (I/D (rs1799752) and G2350A (rs4343)), and CYP11B2 C-344T (rs1799998) were genotyped and compared between cases and controls to identify SNPs associated with ESRD susceptibility. Multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) was used to identify gene-gene interactions. Several RAAS genes were associated with ESRD: AGT M235T, ACE I/D, ACE G2350A, and CYP11B2 C-344T. By MDR analysis, a three-locus model (ACE ID/ACE G2350A/CYP11B2 C-344T) of gene-gene interaction was the best for predicting ESRD risk, and its maximum testing accuracy was 56.08% and maximum cross-validation consistency was 9/10. ESRD risk was higher with the simultaneous occurrence of ACE I/D DD-ACE G2350A AA. AGT, ACE, and CYP11B2 gene polymorphisms are associated with ESRD.Conclusions. The gene-gene interaction effects of ACE I/D, ACE G2350A, and CYP11B2 C-344T polymorphisms are more important than individual factors for ESRD development among Han Chinese.
Attenuation of Hemodynamic Responses to Laryngoscopy and Tracheal Intubation: Propacetamol versus Lidocaine—A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Kord Valeshabad Ali , Nabavian Omid , Nourijelyani Keramat , Kord Hadi , Vafainejad Hossein , Kord Valeshabad Reza , Reza Feili Ali , Rezaei Mehdi , Darabi Hamed , Koohkan Mohammad , Golbinimofrad Poorya , Jafari Samira
Published: April 2014

The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of propacetamol on attenuating hemodynamic responses subsequent laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation compared to lidocaine. In this randomized clinical trial, 62 patients with the American Anesthesiologists Society (ASA) class I/II who required laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation for elective surgery were assigned to receive propacetamol 2 g/I.V./infusion (group P) or lidocaine 1.5 mg/kg (group L) prior to laryngoscopy. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP, DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and heart rate (HR) were recorded at baseline, before laryngoscopy and within nine minutes after intubation. In both groups P and L, MAP increased after laryngoscopy and the changes were statistically significant (P<0.001). There were significant changes of HR in both groups after intubation (P<0.02), but the trend of changes was different between two groups (P<0.001). In group L, HR increased after intubation and its change was statistically significant within 9 minutes after intubation (P<0.001), while in group P, HR remained stable after intubation (P=0.8). Propacetamol 2 gr one hour prior intubation attenuates heart rate responses after laryngoscopy but is not effective to prevent acute alterations in blood pressure after intubation.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Cancer Pain: An Overview of Systematic Reviews
Authors: Bao Yanju , Kong Xiangying , Yang Liping , Liu Rui , Shi Zhan , Li Weidong , Hua Baojin , Hou Wei
Published: April 2014

Background and Objective. Now with more and more published systematic reviews of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) on adult cancer pain, it is necessary to use the methods of overview of systematic review to summarize available evidence, appraise the evidence level, and give suggestions to future research and practice. Methods. A comprehensive search (the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, and ISI Web of Knowledge) was conducted to identify all systematic reviews or meta‐analyses of CAM on adult cancer pain. And the evidence levels were evaluated using GRADE approach. Results. 27 systematic reviews were included. Based on available evidence, we could find that psychoeducational interventions, music interventions, acupuncture plus drug therapy, Chinese herbal medicine plus cancer therapy, compound kushen injection, reflexology, lycopene, TENS, qigong, cupping, cannabis, Reiki, homeopathy (Traumeel), and creative arts therapies might have beneficial effects on adult cancer pain. No benefits were found for acupuncture (versus drug therapy or shame acupuncture), and the results were inconsistent for massage therapy, transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS), and Viscum album L plus cancer treatment. However, the evidence levels for these interventions were low or moderate due to high risk of bias and/or small sample size of primary studies. Conclusion. CAM may be beneficial for alleviating cancer pain, but the evidence levels were found to be low or moderate. Future large and rigor randomized controlled studies are needed to confirm the benefits of CAM on adult cancer pain.
Microstructural and Dielectric Properties of Zr Doped Microwave SinteredCaCu3Ti4O12Synthesized by Sol-Gel Route
Authors: Jesurani S. , Kanagesan S. , Hashim M. , Ismail I. , Ibrahim I. R.
Published: April 2014

Polycrystalline samples with the chemical formula CaCu3Ti4-xZrxO12(x=0, 0.02, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, and 0.1) CCTZO were synthesized from metal nitrate solutions by the sol-gel method, followed by conventional and microwave heat treatments. The X-ray diffraction pattern of powder calcined at 800°C in conventional furnace for 3 h showed formation of a single phase. The crystal structure did not change on doping with zirconium and it remained cubic in the five studied compositions. The surface morphology of samples sintered at 1000°C in microwave furnace for 10 min was observed using a high resolution scanning electron microscope (HR-SEM). The grain sizes were in the range of 250 nm–5 μm for these samples. HRSEM results show that doping with Zr enhanced grain growth or densification. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) confirmed the presence of Zr. The dielectric characteristics of Zr doped CCTO were studied with an LCR meter in the frequency range of 50 Hz–1 MHz. A very high dielectric constant 21,500 was observed for the sample doped with Zr (0.02 mol%) at 50 Hz.
Suppressive Effects of D-Glucosamine on the 5-HT Sensitive Nociceptive Units in the Rat Tooth Pulpal Nerve
Authors: Kaida Kei , Yamashita Hiromi , Toda Kazuo , Hayashi Yoshihiko
Published: April 2014

It is well known that D-glucosamine hydrochloride (DGL) has a variety of biological activities and is regarded as a nutritional supplement effective in improving various disorders, including osteoarthritis and atherosclerosis. Although it has been reported that DGL has a significant pain relief effect in treating osteoarthritis, little is known about the characteristics of the effects of this compound on dental pain. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the applicability of DGL as a medicament to control pulpalgia. Using anin vitrorat mandible-inferior alveolar nerve preparation (jaw-nerve preparation), we evaluated the effects of DGL on 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) sensitive nociceptive responses in the tooth pulpal nerve. 5-HT-induced nociceptive responses were fairly suppressed by direct application of DGL, suggesting that DGL have a pain relief effect on patients with dental pain.
A Bayesian Network Model for Origin-Destination Matrices Estimation Using Prior and Some Observed Link Flows
Authors: Cheng Lin , Zhu Senlai , Chu Zhaoming , Cheng Jingxu
Published: April 2014

This paper presents a Bayesian network model for estimating origin-destination matrices. Most existing Bayesian methods adopt prior OD matrixes, which are always troublesome to be obtained. Since transportation systems normally have stored large amounts of historical link flows, a Bayesian network model using these prior link flows is proposed. Based on some observed link flows, the estimation results are updated. Under normal distribution assumption, the proposed Bayesian network model considers the level of total traffic flow, the variability of link flows, and the violation of the traffic flow conservation law. Both the point estimation and the corresponding probability intervals can be provided by this model. To solve the Bayesian network model, a specific procedure which can avoid matrix inversion is proposed. Finally, a numerical example is given to illustrate the proposed Bayesian network method. The results show that the proposed method has a high accuracy and practical applicability.
Comparative Study of Superselective Intra-Arterial Chemoradiotherapy versus Radical Surgery on Distant Metastasis for Advanced Oral Cancer
Authors: Kobayashi Wataru , Teh Beng Gwan , Narita Norihiko , Ito Ryohei , Saito Yuki , Furudate Ken , Kimura Hiroto , Kakehata Sinya , Kawaguchi Hideo
Published: April 2014

Background. Distant metastasis is considerably more frequent in superselective intra-arterial chemoradiotherapy than other radical treatments for advanced oral cancers. However, there is no evidence supporting such claim. The purpose of this study was to report our experience in superselective intra-arterial chemoradiotherapy and conventional surgical management with particular focus on distant metastasis. Methods. One hundred seventy-two patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma in stages III and IV were included in this study. Retrospective analysis for DM rates and background between surgical management and superselective intra-arterial chemoradiotherapy was performed. Results. Distant metastasis developed clinically was detected in 24 out of 141 patients (17.0%) treated surgically and in 6 out of 31 patients (19.4%) treated with superselective intra-arterial chemoradiotherapy. There was no significant difference in the rate of distant metastasis between the 2 groups. Comparison of patients in both groups with and without distant metastasis revealed no differences in age, T classification, N classification, and treatment effect. Neck recurrence was the only significant risk factor for distant metastasis. Conclusion. No significant difference was found in the rate of distant metastasis between patients treated with surgical treatment and superselective intra-arterial chemoradiotherapy, and additional effort is needed to reduce the risk of distant metastasis.