bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Survival on Dialysis Among American Indians and Alaska Natives With Diabetes in the United States, 1995–2010
Authors: Burrows Nilka Ríos , Cho Pyone , McKeever Bullard Kai , Narva Andrew S. , Eggers Paul W.
Published: April 2014

Objectives. We assessed survival in American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) with end-stage renal disease attributed to diabetes who initiated hemodialysis between 1995 and 2009.

Methods. Follow-up extended from the first date of dialysis in the United States Renal Data System until December 31, 2010, kidney transplantation, or death. We used the Kaplan-Meier method to compute survival on dialysis by age and race/ethnicity and Cox regression analysis to compute adjusted hazard ratios (HRs).

Results. Our study included 510 666 persons—48% Whites, 2% AI/AN persons, and 50% others. Median follow-up was 2.2 years (interquartile range = 1.1–4.1 years). At any age, AI/AN persons survived longer on hemodialysis than Whites; this finding persisted after adjusting for baseline differences. Among AI/AN individuals, those with full Indian blood ancestry had the lowest adjusted risk of death compared with Whites (HR = 0.58; 95% confidence interval = 0.55, 0.61). The risk increased with declining proportion of AI/AN ancestry.

Conclusions. Survival on dialysis was better among AI/AN than White persons with diabetes. Among AI/AN persons, the inverse relationship between risk of death and level of AI/AN ancestry suggested that cultural or hereditary factors played a role in survival.
Diabetes-Related Mortality Among American Indians and Alaska Natives, 1990–2009
Authors: Cho Pyone , Geiss Linda S. , Burrows Nilka Rios , Roberts Diana L. , Bullock Ann K. , Toedt Michael E.
Published: April 2014

Objectives. We assessed diabetes-related mortality for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) and Whites.

Methods. Study populations were non-Hispanic AI/AN and White persons in Indian Health Service (IHS) Contract Health Service Delivery Area counties; Hispanics were excluded. We used 1990 to 2009 death certificate data linked to IHS patient registration records to identify AI/AN decedents aged 20 years or older. We examined disparities and trends in mortality related to diabetes as an underlying cause of death (COD) and as a multiple COD.

Results. After increasing between 1990 and 1999, rates of diabetes as an underlying COD and a multiple COD subsequently decreased in both groups. However, between 2000 and 2009, age-adjusted rates of diabetes as an underlying COD and a multiple COD remained 2.5 to 3.5 times higher among AI/AN persons than among Whites for all age groups (20–44, 45–54, 55–64, 65–74, and ≥ 75 years), both sexes, and every IHS region except Alaska.

Conclusions. Declining trends in diabetes-related mortality in both AI/AN and White populations are consistent with recent improvements in their health status. Reducing persistent disparities in diabetes mortality will require developing effective approaches to not only control but also prevent diabetes among AI/AN populations.
Study on Impact Parameters of Rigidity and Flexibility for Buried Corrugated Steel Culvert
Authors: Liu Baodong , Liu Zongmin , Zhang Miaoxin , Wang Quanlu
Published: April 2014

Buried corrugated steel culverts are universally regarded as a structure with strong deformation adaptability and dispersed the upper load by corrugated steel structures surrounding soil constraints to enhance the carrying capacity and the use of soil-structure interaction. A lot of factors influence the earth pressure of the buried corrugated steel culvert, such as culvert stiffness, physical characteristics of the backfill (bulk density, deformation modulus and internal friction angle), geometry of structure and backfilling height. The finite element program of ANSYS has been used to research the elastic modulus, Poisson’s ratio, internal friction angle of soil, inertia moment of corrugated steel plate and pipe diameter affect the rigidity and flexibility of buried corrugated steel culvert. By defining path lines in the finite element post-processing, extracting and comparing the horizontal and vertical directions soil displacements along the lines, and doing impact pa-rameter analysis. Classification for flexible and rigid pipes of the buried corrugated steel pipe culvert structure has been made according to the analysis results. A theoretical reference has been provided for the design and construction of the buried corrugated steel pipe culverts.
Molecular Characterization of Methicillin-Susceptible And Methicillin-
Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Food Handlers in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors: Uzunović Selma , Ibrahimagić Amir , Kamberović Farah , Rijnders Michelle I. A. , Stobberingh Ellen E.
Published: April 2014

Objectives:

To determine the prevalence and genetic background of methicillin-sensitive (MSSA) and
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) obtained from healthy food handlers admitted to the Cantonal Public
Health Institute of Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, during 2007-2009.

Methods:

S. aureus were isolated and identified using standard microbiological methods including coagulase and catalase
tests. Antibiotic susceptibility testing by disc diffusion method was performed according to the CLSI guidelines.
Methicillin resistance was confirmed by the presence of the mecA gene by PCR. The genetic characterization was
performed using spa-typing and BURP algorithm.

Results:

A total of 189 non-duplicated S. aureus isolates were collected from 13 690 nasal swabs (1.4%), of which three
were MRSA (1.6%). Among 173 MSSA analyzed, 66 spa types were clustered into nine spa-CCs, four no founders, and
singletons. The MSSA spa-CC015 associated with MLST CC45 was predominant, having 41 (24%) strains. All three
MRSA were associated with MLST 152 (spa-CC 355/595) which was not found in MSSA isolates. MRSA-related
background had 60% MSSA isolates. There were 127 (71%) MSSA and one MRSA sensitive to all antibiotic tested (the
beta-lactam compounds excepted); multi-drug resistance was found in 13 (7.3%) of MSSA.

Conclusion:

Very low prevalence of S. aureus, as well as MRSA was noted. MSSA were more heterogeneous than
MRSA. Although the number of MSSA with a genetic background common to MRSA clones was high, the prevalence of
MRSA was low, and MLST CC152 of MRSA was not found among MSSA isolates suggesting that MRSA did not arise
from predominant MSSA clones.
First Use of Model Predictive Control in Outpatient Wearable Artificial Pancreas
Authors: Del Favero Simone , Bruttomesso Daniela , Di Palma Federico , Lanzola Giordano , Visentin Roberto , Filippi Alessio , Scotton Rachele , Toffanin Chiara , Messori Mirko , Scarpellini Stefania , Keith-Hynes Patrick , Kovatchev Boris P. , DeVries J. Hans , Renard Eric , Magni Lalo , Avogaro Angelo , Cobelli Claudio ,   on behalf of the AP@home Consortium
Published: April 2014

OBJECTIVE

Inpatient studies suggest that model predictive control (MPC) is one of the most promising algorithms for artificial pancreas (AP). So far, outpatient trials have used hypo/hyperglycemia-mitigation or medical-expert systems. In this study, we report the first wearable AP outpatient study based on MPC and investigate specifically its ability to control postprandial glucose, one of the major challenges in glucose control.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A new modular MPC algorithm has been designed focusing on meal control. Six type 1 diabetes mellitus patients underwent 42-h experiments: sensor-augmented pump therapy in the first 14 h (open-loop) and closed-loop in the remaining 28 h.

RESULTS

MPC showed satisfactory dinner control versus open-loop: time-in-target (70–180 mg/dL) 94.83 vs. 68.2% and time-in-hypo 1.25 vs. 11.9%. Overnight control was also satisfactory: time-in-target 89.4 vs. 85.0% and time-in-hypo: 0.00 vs. 8.19%.

CONCLUSIONS

This outpatient study confirms inpatient evidence of suitability of MPC-based strategies for AP. These encouraging results pave the way to randomized crossover outpatient studies.
Closed-Loop Artificial Pancreas Systems: Physiological Input to Enhance Next-Generation Devices
Authors: Kudva Yogish C. , Carter Rickey E. , Cobelli Claudio , Basu Rita , Basu Ananda
Published: April 2014

To provide an understanding of both the preclinical and clinical aspects of closed-loop artificial pancreas systems, we provide a discussion of this topic as part of this two-part Bench to Clinic narrative. Here, the Bench narrative provides an in-depth understanding of insulin-glucose-glucagon physiology in conditions that mimic the free-living situation to the extent possible in type 1 diabetes that will help refine and improve future closed-loop system algorithms. In the Clinic narrative, Doyle and colleagues compare and evaluate technology used in current closed-loop studies to gain further momentum toward outpatient trials and eventual approval for widespread use.
Closed-Loop Artificial Pancreas Systems: Engineering the Algorithms
Authors: Doyle Francis J. , Huyett Lauren M. , Lee Joon Bok , Zisser Howard C. , Dassau Eyal
Published: April 2014

In this two-part Bench to Clinic narrative, recent advances in both the preclinical and clinical aspects of artificial pancreas (AP) development are described. In the preceding Bench narrative, Kudva and colleagues provide an in-depth understanding of the modified glucoregulatory physiology of type 1 diabetes that will help refine future AP algorithms. In the Clinic narrative presented here, we compare and evaluate AP technology to gain further momentum toward outpatient trials and eventual approval for widespread use. We enumerate the design objectives, variables, and challenges involved in AP development, concluding with a discussion of recent clinical advancements. Thanks to the effective integration of engineering and medicine, the dream of automated glucose regulation is nearing reality. Consistent and methodical presentation of results will accelerate this success, allowing head-to-head comparisons that will facilitate adoption of the AP as a standard therapy for type 1 diabetes.
Three-year Clinical Evaluation of Different Restorative Resins in Class I Restorations
Authors: Yazici AR , Ustunkol I , Ozgunaltay G , Dayangac B
Published: April 2014

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the three-year clinical performance of a nanofilled resin composite, a packable resin composite, and silorane-based resin restorations in Class I occlusal cavities. Twenty-eight patients with at least three similar-sized occlusal lesions in molar teeth participated in the study. A total of 84 Class I occlusal restorations were placed: 28 with nanofilled resin composite (Filtek Supreme), 28 with packable resin composite (P60), and 28 with silorane-based resin (Filtek Silorane). Filtek Supreme and P60 were used with their respective etch-and-rinse adhesive system, Adper Single Bond 2, and Filtek Silorane was used with its respective self-etch adhesive, Filtek Silorane Adhesive. All restorations were placed by the same operator. The restorations were evaluated at baseline, at six months, and annually for three years according to modified US Public Health Service criteria by two calibrated examiners who did not know which restorative resin had been used. The three restorative materials for each category were compared using the χ2 test at a significance level of 0.05. Cochran's Q test was used to compare the changes across the five time points for each restorative material. McNemar's test followed by Bonferroni adjustment was used when significance differences were found. At the end of the three years, 60 restorations were evaluated in 20 patients, with a recall rate of 71.4%. The retention rate was 100% for all restorative resins. Eight restorations from the P60 group, ten from the Filtek Supreme group, and nine from the Filtek Silorane group were rated Bravo for marginal discoloration. For marginal adaptation, three P60, five Filtek Supreme, and 11 Filtek Silorane restorations were rated Bravo. No statistically significant differences in overall clinical performance were found between the restorative materials except for marginal adaptation. P60 showed the best marginal adaptation at the end of the three years. No differences were observed between the restorative resins for any of the evaluation criteria tested (p>0.05). None of the restorations showed postoperative sensitivity, secondary caries, or loss of anatomic form. All restorative resins performed equally well in clinical conditions during the three-year evaluation, and no significant differences were found among them, except for marginal adaptation, in which P60 showed superior results.
Bound state of solution of Dirac-Coulomb problem with spatially dependent mass
Authors: Olğar Eser , Dhahir Hayder , Mutaf Haydar
Published: April 2014

The bound state solution of Coulomb Potential in the Dirac equation is calculated for a position dependent mass function M(r) within the framework of the asymptotic iteration method (AIM). The eigenfunctions are derived in terms of hypergeometric function and function generator equations of AIM.
Modeling and Measuring the Structure of Professional Vision in Preservice Teachers
Authors: Seidel Tina , Stürmer Kathleen
Published: April 2014

Professional vision has been identified as an important element of teacher expertise that can be developed in teacher education. It describes the use of knowledge to notice and interpret significant features of classroom situations. Three aspects of professional vision have been described by qualitative research: describe, explain, and predict classroom situations. We refer to these aspects in order to model professional vision. We developed a video-based instrument to empirically test the model. The results show that our measure to assess aspects of professional vision differentiates between description, explanation, and prediction. The study provides insight into the structure of professional vision, allowing us to conceptualize it theoretically and discuss the targeted use for teaching and formative assessment of preservice teachers.
Identification of Tapasin gene in Kuttanad Ducks
Authors: Panicker Varuna P , Uma R , Lijo John , Sisilamma George , Chimmu MV
Published: April 2014

Tapasin is a transmembrane glycoprotein found in endoplasmic reticulum, which plays an important role in the assembly of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. We repot here the exon 5 partial exon 6 sequence of tapasin gene in Kuttanad ducks, indigenous ducks of Kerala. Genomic DNA from blood of Kuttanad ducks were isolated and using chicken specific primers, exon 5- partial exon 6 regions were amplified by PCR. The PCR products were purified and subsequently cloned in TA vector. Cloned products were then custom sequenced and were then analyzed using suitable softwares. Since only a little information is available about the genetic make up of ducks. This work is of great importance which helps to know the structure of the gene which plays an important role in immune system. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijls.v8i2.9930 International Journal of Life Sciences Vol.8(2): 2014; 10-12
Socrates: Mark Morris on Death and Dying
Authors: Cotter Alice Miller
Published: April 2014

Mark Morris's choreographic depiction of absence in Socrates (2010), set to Erik Satie's austere musical response to Plato's retelling of Socrates's death, poses important questions about the nature of Morris's expressive gesture – its origins, proceedings, and implications. In this essay, I examine the technical inner workings of the text, music, and dance and argue that Morris provides a frame for depicting loss that can help articulate something fundamental about Plato's text and Satie's score. If the notion of dance invites us to listen to the text and music in a different way, it also encourages us to reconsider not only the interrelations between text, music, and dance but also how expressions of death and dying play out in contemporary culture through Morris's nearly thirty-year study of Plato's text and Satie's score.
Chaperonin GroEL Reassembly: An Effect of Protein Ligands and Solvent Composition
Authors: Ryabova Nataliya , Marchenkov Victor , Kotova Nina , Semisotnov Gennady
Published: April 2014

Chaperonin GroEL is a complex oligomeric heat shock protein (Hsp60) assisting the correct folding and assembly of other proteins in the cell. An intriguing question is how GroEL folds itself. According to the literature, GroEL reassembly is dependent on chaperonin ligands and solvent composition. Here we demonstrate dependence of GroEL reassembly efficiency on concentrations of the essential factors (Mg2+, ADP, ATP, GroES, ammonium sulfate, NaCl and glycerol). Besides, kinetics of GroEL oligomerization in various conditions was monitored by the light scattering technique and proved to be two-exponential, which suggested accumulation of a certain oligomeric intermediate. This intermediate was resolved as a heptamer by nondenaturing blue electrophoresis of GroEL monomers during their assembly in the presence of both Mg-ATP and co-chaperonin GroES. Presumably, this intermediate heptamer plays a key role in formation of the GroEL tetradecameric particle. The role of co-chaperonin GroES (Hsp10) in GroEL assembly is also discussed.
Spatial and Temporal Variability of Rainfall over the South-West Coast of Bangladesh
Authors: Hossain Md. , Roy Kushal , Datta Dilip
Published: April 2014

This study examined the spatial and temporal rainfall variability from the 1940s to 2007 in the south west coastal region of Bangladesh. Time series statistical tests were applied to examine the spatial and temporal trends in three time segments (1948–1970, 1971–1990 and 1991–2007) and four seasons (Pre-monsoon; Monsoon; Post-Monsoon and Winter), during the period 1948–2007. Eight weather stations were divided into two zones: exposed (exposed to sea) and interior (distant to sea). Overall, rainfall increased during the period 1948–2007, while the trends intensified during post-1990s. Post-monsoon and winter rainfall was observed to follow significant positive trends at most weather stations during the time period 1948–2007. The rate of change was found in exposed zone and interior zone are +12.51 and +4.86 mm/year, respectively, over post monsoon and +0.9 and +1.86 mm/year, respectively, over winter. These trends intensified both in the exposed zone (+45.81 mm/year) and the interior zone (+27.09 mm/year) 1990 onwards. Winter rainfall does not exhibit significant change (p > 0.1) over the exterior or interior zone, though individual stations like Jessore, Satkhira and Bhola show significant negative trends after 1990s. Although the trends were observed to weaken in the monsoon and pre-monsoon seasons, they are not significant. Moreover, an 11-year cyclicity was found within these two seasons, whilst no cyclicity was observed in the post-monsoon and winter seasons. Sequential Mann Kendal test reveals that the changes in two zones rainfall trends are started around mid-80s, where step change found only for fours season in Khulna stations and also for winter seasons in all weather stations. These changes may have a detrimental effect on rain-fed agriculture in Bangladesh. The application of palaeo-environmental techniques, threshold determination and rainfall analysis across the whole country could be useful to support adaptation planning of the rain-fed agro-economy in Bangladesh.
Parameter Estimation for Spatio-Temporal Maximum Entropy Distributions: Application to Neural Spike Trains
Authors: Nasser Hassan , Cessac Bruno
Published: April 2014

We propose a numerical method to learn maximum entropy (MaxEnt) distributions with spatio-temporal constraints from experimental spike trains. This is an extension of two papers, [10] and [4], which proposed the estimation of parameters where only spatial constraints were taken into account. The extension we propose allows one to properly handle memory effects in spike statistics, for large-sized neural networks.
Going Round in Circles: Landauer vs. Norton on the Thermodynamics of Computation
Authors: Ladyman James , Robertson Katie
Published: April 2014

There seems to be a consensus among physicists that there is a connection between information processing and thermodynamics. In particular, Landauer’s Principle (LP) is widely assumed as part of the foundation of information theoretic/computational reasoning in diverse areas of physics including cosmology. It is also often appealed to in discussions about Maxwell’s demon and the status of the Second Law of Thermodynamics. However, LP has been challenged. In his 2005, Norton argued that LP has not been proved. LPSG offered a new proof of LP. Norton argued that the LPSG proof is unsound and Ladyman and Robertson defended it. However, Norton’s latest work also generalizes his critique to argue for a no go result that he purports to be the end of the thermodynamics of computation. Here we review the dialectic as it currently stands and consider Norton’s no go result.
On the Clausius-Duhem Inequality and Maximum Entropy Production in a Simple Radiating System
Authors: Pelkowski Joachim
Published: April 2014

A black planet irradiated by a sun serves as the archetype for a simple radiating two-layer system admitting of a continuum of steady states under steadfast insolation. Steady entropy production rates may be calculated for different opacities of one of the layers, explicitly so for the radiative interactions, and indirectly for all the material irreversibilities involved in maintaining thermal uniformity in each layer. The second law of thermodynamics is laid down in two versions, one of which is the well-known Clausius-Duhem inequality, the other being a modern version known as the entropy inequality. By maximizing the material entropy production rate, a state may be selected that always fulfills the Clausius-Duhem inequality. Some formally possible steady states, while violating the latter, still obey the entropy inequality. In terms of Earth’s climate, global entropy production rates exhibit extrema for any “greenhouse effect”. However, and only insofar as the model be accepted as representative of Earth’s climate, the extrema will not be found to agree with observed (effective) temperatures assignable to both the atmosphere and surface. This notwithstanding, the overall entropy production for the present greenhouse effect on Earth is very close to the maximum entropy production rate of a uniformly warm steady state at the planet’s effective temperature. For an Earth with a weak(er) greenhouse effect the statement is no longer true.
"E-tivities from the Front Line”: A Community of Inquiry Case Study Analysis of Educators’ Blog Posts on the Topic of Designing and Delivering Online Learning
Authors: Wright Phemie
Published: April 2014

Designing and implementing successful online learning has been at the forefront of institutional agendas since digital learning increased in market demand over the last decade. However there is still ongoing debate as to the “how” of this arduous task. The Community of Inquiry (CoI) is one learning design method that has seen potential in the field, but practical implementation of designing for the important components of Social, Cognitive and Teaching Presence have yet to be fully realised. This paper researches an e-learning design strategy called E-tivities as a suggested possible method for designing for CoI components. The research explored recent online blog posts of experienced learning designers’ and educators’ experience in designing successful online learning using E-tivities. Results suggest the E-tivities do have the potential to cater for all Presences of CoI. Specifically when using E-tivities to design online learning Affective Expression was the highest reported Social Presence design factor. All four components of Cognitive Presence appeared to be present in E-tivities design. The most important component for adequate Teaching Presence factors was the initial Design and Organisation of the course. E-tivities and the 5-Stage Model provides a solid framework for this to occur.
Design of a Control Scheme for Distribution Static Synchronous Compensators with Power-Quality Improvement Capability
Authors: Roncero-Sànchez Pedro , Acha Enrique
Published: April 2014

Electric power systems are among the greatest achievements of the last century. Today, important issues, such as an ever-increasing demand, the flexible and reliable integration of distributed generation or a growth in disturbing loads, must be borne in mind. In this context, smart grids play a key role, allowing better efficiency of power systems. Power electronics provides solutions to the aforementioned matters, since it allows various energy sources to be integrated into smart grids. Nevertheless, the design of the various control schemes that are necessary for the correct operation of the power-electronic interface is a very important issue that must always be taken into consideration. This paper deals with the design of the control system of a distribution static synchronous compensator (DSTATCOM) based on flying-capacitor multilevel converters. The control system is tailored to compensate for both voltage sags by means of reactive-power injection and voltage imbalances caused by unbalanced loads. The design of the overall control is carried out by using the root-locus and frequency-response techniques, improving both the transient response and the steady-state error of the closed-loop system. Simulation results obtained using PSCADTM/EMTDCTM (Manitoba Hydro International Ltd., Commerce Drive, Winnipeg, MB, Canada) show the resultant voltage regulation.
Energy-Efficient Power Allocation Using Probabilistic Interference Model for OFDM-Based Green Cognitive Radio Networks
Authors: Karmokar Ashok , Naeem Muhammad , Anpalagan Alagan , Jaseemuddin Muhammad
Published: April 2014

We study the energy-efficient power allocation techniques for OFDM-based cognitive radio (CR) networks, where a CR transmitter is communicating with CR receivers on a channel borrowed from licensed primary users (PUs). Due to non-orthogonality of the transmitted signals in the adjacent bands, both the PU and the cognitive secondary user (SU) cause mutual-interference. We assume that the statistical channel state information between the cognitive transmitter and the primary receiver is known. The secondary transmitter maintains a specified statistical mutual-interference limits for all the PUs communicating in the adjacent channels. Our goal is to allocate subcarrier power for the SU so that the energy efficiency metric is optimized as well as the mutual-interference on all the active PU bands are below specified bounds. We show that the green power loading problem is a fractional programming problem. We use Charnes-Cooper transformation technique to obtain an equivalent concave optimization problem for what the solution can be readily obtained. We also propose iterative Dinkelbach method using parametric objective function for the fractional program. Numerical results are given to show the effect of different interference parameters, rate and power thresholds, and number of PUs.
A Comment on “Management for Mountain Pine Beetle Outbreak Suppression: Does Relevant Science Support Current Policy?”
Authors: Fettig Christopher , Gibson Kenneth , Munson A. , Negrón Jose
Published: April 2014

There are two general approaches for reducing the negative impacts of mountain pine beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins, on forests. Direct control involves short-term tactics designed to address current infestations by manipulating mountain pine beetle populations, and includes the use of fire, insecticides, semiochemicals, sanitation harvests, or a combination of these treatments. Indirect control is preventive, and designed to reduce the probability and severity of future infestations within treated areas by manipulating stand, forest and/or landscape conditions by reducing the number of susceptible host trees through thinning, prescribed burning, and/or alterations of age classes and species composition. We emphasize that “outbreak suppression” is not the intent or objective of management strategies implemented for mountain pine beetle in the western United States, and that the use of clear, descriptive language is important when assessing the merits of various treatment strategies.
String Phenomenology: Past, Present and Future Perspectives
Authors: Faraggi Alon
Published: April 2014

The observation of a scalar resonance at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), compatible with perturbative electroweak symmetry breaking, reinforces the Standard Model (SM) parameterisation of all subatomic data. The logarithmic evolution of the SM gauge and matter parameters suggests that this parameterisation remains viable up to the Planck scale, where gravitational effects are of comparable strength. String theory provides a perturbatively consistent scheme to explore how the parameters of the Standard Model may be determined from a theory of quantum gravity. The free fermionic heterotic string models provide concrete examples of exact string solutions that reproduce the spectrum of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model. Contemporary studies entail the development of methods to classify large classes of models. This led to the discovery of exophobic heterotic-string vacua and the observation of spinor-vector duality, which provides an insight to the global structure of the space of (2,0) heterotic-string vacua. Future directions entail the study of the role of the massive string states in these models and their incorporation in cosmological scenarios. A complementary direction is the formulation of quantum gravity from the principle of manifest phase space duality and the equivalence postulate of quantum mechanics, which suggest that space is compact. The compactness of space, which implies intrinsic regularisation, may be tightly related to the intrinsic finite length scale, implied by string phenomenology.
Epidemiological Risk Analysis of Home Injuries in Italy (1999–2006)
Authors: Ferrante Pierpaolo , Marinaccio Alessandro , Iavicoli Sergio
Published: April 2014

Home injuries are an important public health issue in both developed and developing countries. This study focused on the Italian epidemiological framework between 1999 and 2006, using a nation-representative sample provided by the National Institute of Statistics. Every year, about 3,000,000 Italian residents reported at least one home injury, with an overall annual rate of 5.2/100 (95% CI 5.1–5.4); 3.2/100 (3.0–3.4) for males and 7.2/100 (6.9–7.4) for females. Poisson regression models were used for different age-specific populations (children, young/adults and older people), to evaluate the effects of socio-demographic, health/income satisfaction and housing variables. For children, non-applicable variables (including smoking and health satisfaction) were taken as those of the head of family, while housework time was taken the family mean time. Evidence of decreasing time trend in risk of home injury was found only among young/adults (p < 0.01). The following were risk factors: female gender (adjusted relative risk—RR 2.0 for older people and RR 1.9 for young/adults, p < 0.01); one additional hour of work at home (RR 1.009, p < 0.01 for young/adults and RR 1.016, p = 0.01 for children); smoking (RR 1.3, p < 0.01 for young/adults and p = 0.02 for children); health dissatisfaction (RR 1.3, p = 0.05 for children, RR 1.6 for young/adults and RR 1.7 for older people, p < 0.01); income dissatisfaction (RR 1.2, p < 0.01 for young/adults ); living alone (RR 1.5, p < 0.01 for young/adults and RR 1.2, p < 0.02 for the older people); having a garden (RR 1.1, p < 0.01 for young/adults ). Awareness of the need for safety at home could be boosted by information campaigns on the risk, and its social cost could be reduced by specific prevention schemes. Developing tools for assessing the risk at home and for removing the main hazards would be useful for both informative and prevention interventions.
An Environmentally Benign Protocol for Aqueous Synthesis of Tetrahydrobenzo[b]Pyrans Catalyzed by Cost-Effective Ionic Liquid
Authors: Hu Huanan , Qiu Fangli , Ying Anguo , Yang Jianguo , Meng Haiping
Published: April 2014

A mild, efficient, and environmentally benign protocol for the synthesis of tetrahydrobenzo[b]pyran derivatives in the presence of readily accessible, biodegradable, and choline hydroxide based ionic liquid as catalyst has been established. The key features of the reported methodology include good to excellent yields of desired products, simple work-up procedure and good recyclability of catalysts, which may be a practical alternative to the existing conventional processes for the preparation of 4-H pyrans to cater to the requirements of academia as well as industry.
Treatment of Single or Multiple Brain Metastases by Hypofractionated Stereotactic Radiotherapy Using Helical Tomotherapy
Authors: Nagai Aiko , Shibamoto Yuta , Yoshida Masanori , Wakamatsu Koichi , Kikuchi Yuzo
Published: April 2014

This study investigated the clinical outcomes of a 4-fraction stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) study using helical tomotherapy for brain metastases. Between August 2009 and June 2013, 54 patients with a total of 128 brain metastases underwent SRT using tomotherapy. A total dose of 28 or 28.8 Gy at 80% isodose was administered in 4 fractions for all tumors. The mean gross tumor volume (GTV) was 1.9 cc. Local control (LC) rates at 6, 12, and 18 months were 96%, 91%, and 88%, respectively. The 12-month LC rates for tumors with GTV ≤0.25, >0.25 and ≤1, and >1 cc were 98%, 82%, and 93%, respectively; the rates were 92% for tumors >3 cc and 100% for >10 cc. The 6-month rates for freedom from distant brain failure were 57%, 71%, and 55% for patients with 1, 2, and >3 brain metastases, respectively. No differences were significant. No major complications were observed. The 4-fraction SRT protocol provided excellent tumor control with minimal toxicity. Distant brain failure was not so frequent, even in patients with multiple tumors. The results of the current study warrant a prospective randomized study comparing single-fraction stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) with SRT in this patient population.
Aggregates of Chemically Functionalized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes as Viscosity Reducers
Authors: Petriccione Angelo , Zarrelli Mauro , Antonucci Vincenza , Giordano Michele
Published: April 2014

Confinement and surface effects provided by nanoparticles have been shown to produce changes in polymer molecules affecting their macroscopic viscosity. Nanoparticles may induce rearrangements in polymer conformation with an increase in free volume significantly lowering the viscosity. This phenomenon is generally attributed to the selective adsorption of the polymer high molar mass fraction onto nanoparticles surface when the polymer radius of gyration is comparable to the nanoparticles characteristic dimensions. Carbon nanotubes seem to be the ideal candidate to induce viscosity reduction of polymer due to both their high surface-to-volume ratio and their nanometric sizes, comparable to the gyration radius of polymer chains. However, the amount of nanotube in a polymer system is limited by the percolation threshold as, above this limit, the formation of a nanotubes network hinders the viscosity reduction effect. Based on these findings, we have used multiwalled carbon nanotubes MWCNT “aggregates” as viscosity reducers. Our results reveal both that the use of nanotube clusters reduce significantly the viscosity of the final system and strongly increase the nanotube limiting concentration for viscosity hindering. By using hydroxyl and carboxyl functionalized nanotubes, this effect has been rather maximized likely due to the hydrogen bridged stabilization of nanotube aggregates.
Raman-Spectroscopy Based Cell Identification on a Microhole Array Chip
Authors: Neugebauer Ute , Kurz Christian , Bocklitz Thomas , Berger Tina , Velten Thomas , Clement Joachim , Krafft Christoph , Popp Jürgen
Published: April 2014

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from blood of cancer patients are valuable prognostic markers and enable monitoring responses to therapy. The extremely low number of CTCs makes their isolation and characterization a major technological challenge. For label-free cell identification a novel combination of Raman spectroscopy with a microhole array platform is described that is expected to support high-throughput and multiplex analyses. Raman spectra were registered from regularly arranged cells on the chip with low background noise from the silicon nitride chip membrane. A classification model was trained to distinguish leukocytes from myeloblasts (OCI-AML3) and breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and BT-20). The model was validated by Raman spectra of a mixed cell population. The high spectral quality, low destructivity and high classification accuracy suggests that this approach is promising for Raman activated cell sorting.
RutheniumII Complexes bearing Fused Polycyclic Ligands: From Fundamental Aspects to Potential Applications
Authors: Troian-Gautier Ludovic , Moucheron Cécile
Published: April 2014

In this review, we first discuss the photophysics reported in the literature for mononuclear ruthenium complexes bearing ligands with extended aromaticity such as dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (DPPZ), tetrapyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c:3'',2''-h:2''',3'''-j]-phenazine (TPPHZ), tetrapyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c:3'',2''-h:2''',3'''-j]acridine (TPAC), 1,10-phenanthrolino[5,6-b]1,4,5,8,9,12-hexaazatriphenylene (PHEHAT) 9,11,20,22-tetraaza- tetrapyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c:3'',2''-l:2''',3'''-n]pentacene (TATPP), etc. Photophysical properties of binuclear and polynuclear complexes based on these extended ligands are then reported. We finally develop the use of binuclear complexes with extended π-systems for applications such as photocatalysis.
Catechins and Procyanidins of Ginkgo biloba Show Potent Activities towards the Inhibition of β-Amyloid Peptide Aggregation and Destabilization of Preformed Fibrils
Authors: Xie Haiyan , Wang Jing-Rong , Yau Lee-Fong , Liu Yong , Liu Liang , Han Quan-Bin , Zhao Zhongzhen , Jiang Zhi-Hong
Published: April 2014

Catechins and procyanidins, together with flavonoid glycosides and terpene trilactones, are three important categories of components in the standard extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves (EGb761). In this research, catechins and proanthocyanidins were found to exist in both the extract of Ginkgo leaves and Ginkgo products. By comparing with reference compounds, six of them were identified as (+)-catechin, (−)-epicatechin, (−)-gallocatechin, (−)-epigallocatechin and procyanidins B1 and B3. The activities of these polyphenols in the inhibition of Aβ42 aggregation and the destabilization of preformed fibrils were evaluated using biochemical assays, which showed that all six of the polyphenols, as well as a fraction of the extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves (EGb) containing catechins and procyanidins, exerted potent inhibitory activities towards Aβ42 aggregation and could also destabilize the performed fibrils. Catechins and procyanidins can therefore be regarded as the potent active constituents of EGb761 in terms of their inhibition of Aβ42 aggregation and destabilization of the fibrils. Although quantitative mass spectroscopic analysis revealed that the catechins and procyanidins are only present in low concentrations in EGb761, these components should be studied in greater detail because of their potent inhibitory effects towards Aβ42 aggregation and their ability to destabilize preformed fibrils, especially during the quality control of Ginkgo leaves and the manufacture of Ginkgo products.
The Effect of DA-9701 on 5-Hydroxytryptamine-Induced Contraction of Feline Esophageal Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors: Oh Kyung , Nam Yoonjin , Jeong Ji , Kim In , Sohn Uy
Published: April 2014

Serotonin, or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), is a monoamine neurotransmitter found in blood platelets, the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and the central nervous system (CNS) of animals and humans. The signaling pathways of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-induced contractions in cat esophageal smooth muscle cell (ESMC)s have been identified, but the downstream components of the 5-HT signaling pathway remain unclear. DA-9701 is the standardized extract of the Pharbitis nil Choisy seed (Pharbitidis Semen, Convolvulaceae) and the root of Corydalis yahusuo W.T. Wang (Corydalis Tuber, Papaveraceae). DA-9701 is known to have strong gastroprokinetic effects and a good safety profile. In this study, we investigated the 5-HT signaling pathway at the G-protein level, and we explored the mechanisms by which DA-9701 induces smooth muscle contraction. Freshly isolated smooth muscle cells were harvested from the feline esophagus, and cells were permeabilized to measure their length. 5-HT produced esophageal smooth muscle contractions in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, 5-HT produced a relatively long-acting contraction. 5-HT binds to the 5-HT2, 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptors to induce smooth muscle contraction in feline ESMCs. These receptors, which are located in esophageal smooth muscle, are coupled to Gαq, Gαo and Gαs. These G proteins activate PLC, which leads to Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent MLCK activation, resulting in MLC20 phosphorylation and cell contraction. Conversely, DA-9701 inhibits 5-HT-induced contraction by inhibiting MLC20 phosphorylation.
Antioxidant and Antitumor Activities of New Synthesized Aromatic C-Nucleoside Derivatives
Authors: El Sadek Mohamed , Abd El-Dayem Nagwa , Hassan Seham , Mostafa Mohamed , Yacout Galila
Published: April 2014

The carbohydrazide 1 was used as the precursor for the synthesis of a number of new aromatic C-nucleosides containing 1,3,4-oxadiazole 7, [1,3,4]oxadiazolo[2,3-a]isoindole 10b and pyrazole units 18. On the other hand, the thiosemicarbazone 20 was used as the key intermediate for synthesis of 1,3,4-oxadiazole and 1,2,4-triazole-3-thione derivatives 21 and 23. The antioxidant activities of the prepared compounds were evaluated. The carbohydrazide 1 in particular was found to have potent antioxidant and antitumor activity.
Reproductive Toxicity and Life History Study of Silver Nanoparticle Effect, Uptake and Transport in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Geisler-Lee Jane , Brooks Marjorie , Gerfen Jacob , Wang Qiang , Fotis Christin , Sparer Anthony , Ma Xingmao , Berg R. , Geisler Matt
Published: April 2014

Concerns about nanotechnology have prompted studies on how the release of these engineered nanoparticles impact our environment. Herein, the impact of 20 nm silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the life history traits of Arabidopsis thaliana was studied in both above- and below-ground parts, at macroscopic and microscopic scales. Both gross phenotypes (in contrast to microscopic phenotypes) and routes of transport and accumulation were investigated from roots to shoots. Wild type Arabidopsis growing in soil, regularly irrigated with 75 μg/L of AgNPs, did not show any obvious morphological change. However, their vegetative development was prolonged by two to three days and their reproductive growth shortened by three to four days. In addition, the germination rates of offspring decreased drastically over three generations. These findings confirmed that AgNPs induce abiotic stress and cause reproductive toxicity in Arabidopsis. To trace transport of AgNPs, this study also included an Arabidopsis reporter line genetically transformed with a green fluorescent protein and grown in an optical transparent medium with 75 μg/L AgNPs. AgNPs followed three routes: (1) At seven days after planting (DAP) at S1.0 (stages defined by Boyes et al. 2001 [41]), AgNPs attached to the surface of primary roots and then entered their root tips; (2) At 14 DAP at S1.04, as primary roots grew longer, AgNPs gradually moved into roots and entered new lateral root primordia and root hairs; (3) At 17 DAP at S1.06 when the Arabidopsis root system had developed multiple lateral roots, AgNPs were present in vascular tissue and throughout the whole plant from root to shoot. In some cases, if cotyledons of the Arabidopsis seedlings were immersed in melted transparent medium, then AgNPs were taken up by and accumulated in stomatal guard cells. These findings in Arabidopsis are the first to document specific routes and rates of AgNP uptake in vivo and in situ.
Factors Associated with Exclusive Breastfeeding in Timor-Leste: Findings from Demographic and Health Survey 2009–2010
Authors: Khanal Vishnu , Da Cruz Jonia , Karkee Rajendra , Lee Andy
Published: April 2014

Exclusive breastfeeding is known to have nutritional and health benefits. This study investigated factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding among infants aged five months or less in Timor-Leste. The latest data from the national Demographic and Health Survey 2009–2010 were analyzed by binary logistic regression. Of the 975 infants included in the study, overall 49% (95% confidence interval 45.4% to 52.7%) were exclusively breastfed. The exclusive breastfeeding prevalence declined with increasing infant age, from 68.0% at less than one month to 24.9% at five months. Increasing infant age, mothers with a paid occupation, who perceived their newborn as non-average size, and residence in the capital city Dili, were associated with a lower likelihood of exclusive breastfeeding. On the other hand, women who could decide health-related matters tended to breastfeed exclusively, which was not the case for others whose decisions were made by someone else. The results suggested the need of breastfeeding promotion programs to improve the exclusive breastfeeding rate. Antenatal counseling, peer support network, and home visits by health workers could be feasible options to promote exclusive breastfeeding given that the majority of births occur at home.
An Interactive Control Algorithm Used for Equilateral Triangle Formation with Robotic Sensors
Authors: Li Xiang , Chen Hongcai
Published: April 2014

This paper describes an interactive control algorithm, called Triangle Formation Algorithm (TFA), used for three neighboring robotic sensors which are distributed randomly to self-organize into and equilateral triangle (E) formation. The algorithm is proposed based on the triangular geometry and considering the actual sensors used in robotics. In particular, the stability of the TFA, which can be executed by robotic sensors independently and asynchronously for E formation, is analyzed in details based on Lyapunov stability theory. Computer simulations are carried out for verifying the effectiveness of the TFA. The analytical results and simulation studies indicate that three neighboring robots employing conventional sensors can self-organize into E formations successfully regardless of their initial distribution using the same TFAs.
Allometric Relations and Scaling Laws for the Cardiovascular System of Mammals
Authors: Dawson Thomas
Published: April 2014

The modeling of the cardiovascular system of mammals is discussed within the framework of governing allometric relations and related scaling laws for mammals. An earlier theory of the writer for resting-state cardiovascular function is reviewed and standard solutions discussed for reciprocal quarter-power relations for heart rate and cardiac output per unit body mass. Variation in the basic cardiac process controlling heart beat is considered and shown to allow alternate governing relations. Results have potential application in explaining deviations from the noted quarter-power relations. The work thus indicates that the cardiovascular systems of all mammals are designed according to the same general theory and, accordingly, that it provides a quantitative means to extrapolate measurements of cardiovascular form and function from small mammals to the human. Various illustrations are included. Work described here also indicates that the basic scaling laws from the theory apply to children and adults, with important applications such as the extrapolation of therapeutic drug dosage requirements from adults to children.