bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Occupational Exposure to HIV: Perceptions and Preventive Practices of Indian Nursing Students
Authors: Shivalli Siddharudha
Published: April 2014

Introduction. Nurses have a frontier caring role that brings them in close contact with patients' blood and body fluids. An understanding of their professional behavior is essential to assess and minimize the occupational exposure to HIV among them.Objectives. (1) To appraise the knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices of nursing students pertaining to occupational exposure to HIV. (2) To quantify the risk and correlates of exposure to HIV among them.Methodology. Cross-sectional study was conducted in a nursing college of Varanasi, India. A semistructured and pretested pro forma consisting of questions pertaining to modes of HIV transmission, universal precaution practices, and various aspects of nursing HIV patients was utilized. Independent samplet- andz-tests were applied to judge the association of study variables with the knowledge and risk of HIV.Results. The study sample consisted of 87 female and 16 male nurses. Participants' knowledge of HIV transmission was satisfactory. More than 80% of them had an exposure to blood/body fluid in the last year. Exposure rates for blood/body fluid did not show a significant associationP>0.05with study variables.Conclusion. There were serious lacunae in implementation of the universal precautions despite satisfactory knowledge. Reinforcement of universal precautions is required.
Mixed-Norm Regularization for Brain Decoding
Authors: Flamary R. , Jrad N. , Phlypo R. , Congedo M. , Rakotomamonjy A.
Published: April 2014

This work investigates the use of mixed-norm regularization for sensor selection in event-related potential (ERP) based brain-computer interfaces (BCI). The classification problem is cast as a discriminative optimization framework where sensor selection is induced through the use of mixed-norms. This framework is extended to the multitask learning situation where several similar classification tasks related to different subjects are learned simultaneously. In this case, multitask learning helps in leveraging data scarcity issue yielding to more robust classifiers. For this purpose, we have introduced a regularizer that induces both sensor selection and classifier similarities. The different regularization approaches are compared on three ERP datasets showing the interest of mixed-norm regularization in terms of sensor selection. The multitask approaches are evaluated when a small number of learning examples are available yielding to significant performance improvements especially for subjects performing poorly.
Stress Analysis of Gear Meshing Impact Based on SPH Method
Authors: Imin Rahmatjan , Geni Mamtimin
Published: April 2014

Based on the kinetic equations of the gear mesh impact, SPH discrete equations were established. Numerical simulation was carried out on the meshing impact process of the gear, and stress and strain of each discrete point were obtained. After data processing, stress propagation was calculated, which shows stress distribution on tooth‐profile surface. It is concluded that the stress concentrate mainly occurs in the pitch circle. The paper provides an effective new numerical simulation algorithm to gear mechanical properties analysis.
Review on Effectiveness of Primary Prophylaxis in aPLs with and without Risk Factors for Thrombosis: Efficacy and Safety
Authors: Qushmaq Nahid A. , Al-Emadi Samar A.
Published: April 2014

Context. Antiphospholipid antibodies syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that is characterized by the association between presence of antiphospholipid antibodies and risk of thrombosis and/or pregnancy morbidity. Objectives. To systematically review the evidence for primary prophylaxis in patients with antiphospholipids antibodies syndrome or APS with or without other traditional risk factors of thrombosis when they did not have any thrombotic event yet. Methods. PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Allied Health Literature were searched for studies that examined the efficacy and safety of primary prophylaxis in aPL patients from 1990 to February 2013. We examined literature looking at patients with aPLs with other risk factors for thrombosis and aPLs with no additional risk factors for thrombosis. Conclusion. We concluded that, in patients with aPLs, primary prophylaxes with HCQ and aspirin have been observed to reduce the frequency of thrombotic events in the case of asymptomatic aPL-positive patients with SLE. We also in this study concluded that LDA was effective in patients with autoimmune diseases. Independent cardiovascular risk factors include autoimmune defects such as SLE, rheumatoid arthritis, and atherosclerosis, where overall venous thrombosis will be induced by systemic inflammation. This review concludes that HCQ is an effective primary approach when compared to aspirin.
A Nonhost Peptidase Inhibitor of ~14 kDa fromButea monosperma(Lam.) Taub. Seeds Affects Negatively the Growth and Developmental Physiology ofHelicoverpa armigera
Authors: Pandey Prabhash K. , Singh Dushyant , Singh Sangram , Khan M. Y. , Jamal Farrukh
Published: April 2014

Helicoverpa armigerais one of the major devastating pests of crop plants. In this context a serine peptidase inhibitor purified from the seeds ofButea monospermawas evaluated for its effect on developmental physiology ofH. armigeralarvae.B. monospermapeptidase inhibitor on 12% denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis exhibited a single protein band of ~14 kDa with or without reduction.In vitrostudies towards total gut proteolytic enzymes ofH. armigeraand bovine trypsin indicated measurable inhibitory activity.B. monospermapeptidase inhibitor dose for 50% mortality and weight reduction by 50% were 0.5% w/w and 0.10% w/w, respectively. The IC50ofB. monospermapeptidase inhibitor against totalH. armigeragut proteinases activity was 2.0 µg/mL. The larval feeding assays suggestedB. monospermapeptidase inhibitor to be toxic as reflected by its retarded growth and development, consequently affecting fertility and fecundity of pest and prolonging the larval-pupal duration of the insect life cycle ofH. armigera. SupplementingB. monospermapeptidase inhibitor in artificial diet at 0.1% w/w, both the efficiencies of conversion of ingested as well as digested food were downregulated, whereas approximate digestibility and metabolic cost were enhanced. The efficacy ofButea monospermapeptidase inhibitor against progressive growth and development ofH. armigerasuggest its usefulness in insect pest management of food crops.
Exchange Rate Forecasting Using Entropy Optimized Multivariate Wavelet Denoising Model
Authors: He Kaijian , Wang Lijun , Zou Yingchao , Lai Kin Keung
Published: April 2014

Exchange rate is one of the key variables in the international economics and international trade. Its movement constitutes one of the most important dynamic systems, characterized by nonlinear behaviors. It becomes more volatile and sensitive to increasingly diversified influencing factors with higher level of deregulation and global integration worldwide. Facing the increasingly diversified and more integrated market environment, the forecasting model in the exchange markets needs to address the individual and interdependent heterogeneity. In this paper, we propose the heterogeneous market hypothesis‐ (HMH‐) based exchange rate modeling methodology to model the micromarket structure. Then we further propose the entropy optimized wavelet‐based forecasting algorithm under the proposed methodology to forecast the exchange rate movement. The multivariate wavelet denoising algorithm is used to separate and extract the underlying data components with distinct features, which are modeled with multivariate time series models of different specifications and parameters. The maximum entropy is introduced to select the best basis and model parameters to construct the most effective forecasting algorithm. Empirical studies in both Chinese and European markets have been conducted to confirm the significant performance improvement when the proposed model is tested against the benchmark models.
Biodegradation and Utilization of Organophosphorus Pesticide Malathion by Cyanobacteria
Authors: Ibrahim Wael M. , Karam Mohamed A. , El-Shahat Reda M. , Adway Asmaa A.
Published: April 2014

Three strains of filamentous Cyanobacteria were used to study their growth and utilization of organophosphorus pesticide malathion. A sharp decrease in the growth of the algal strains was observed by increasing the concentration of malathion. Amongst themNostoc muscorumtolerated different concentrations and was recorded as the highest efficient strain for biodegradation (91%) of this compound. Moreover, carbohydrate and protein content of their cells overtopped the other strains especially at higher concentrations. The algal strains were further subjected to grow under P-limitation in absence and presence of malathion. Although, the algal growth under P-limitation recorded a very poor level, a massive enhanced growth and phosphorous content of cells were obtained when the P-limited medium was amended with malathion. This study clarified thatN. muscorumwith its capability to utilize malathion as a sole phosphorous source is considered as an inexpensive and efficient biotechnology for remediation of organophosphorus pesticide from contaminated wastewater.
Biocontrol Activity of the Local Strain of Metschnikowia pulcherrima on Different Postharvest Pathogens
Authors: Türkel Sezai , Korukluoğlu Mihriban , Yavuz Mümine
Published: April 2014

The strains of the yeast Metschnikowia pulcherrima have strong biocontrol activity against various microorganisms. Biocontrol activity of M. pulcherrima largely depends on its iron immobilizing pigment pulcherrimin. Biocontrol activity of pulcherrimin producing strain, M. pulcherrima UMY15, isolated from local vineyards, was tested on different molds that cause food spoilage. M. pulcherrima UMY15 was a very effective biocontrol agent against Penicillium roqueforti, P. italicum, P. expansum, and Aspergillus oryzae in in-vitro plate tests. However, the inhibitory activity of M. pulcherrima UMY15 was less effective on Fusarium sp. and A. niger species in biocontrol assays. In addition, M. pulcherrima UMY15 strain completely inhibited the germination and mycelia growth of A. oryzae, A. parasiticus, and Fusarium sp. spores on artificial wounds of apples when they coinoculated with M. pulcherrima UMY15. Moreover, when coinoculated, M. pulcherrima UMY15 strain also inhibited the growth of P. roqueforti, P. italicum, P. expansum, A. oryzae, Fusarium sp., and Rhizopus sp. in grape juice, indicating that M. pulcherrima UMY15 can be used as a very effective biocontrol yeast against various species of postharvest pathogens, including   Penicillium, Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Rhizopus.
Indoor Location Based VOD Service Using Smart Phone Sensors
Authors: Yim Jaegeol , Park Young-Ho
Published: April 2014

A smart phone is the best device on which a location based VOD service (ILBVS) runs, because a smart phone has PC level computing power and storage capacity, and it is a personal belonging that the owner always carries. Thus, this paper proposes an efficient way of implementing an ILBVS as a smart phone app. ILBVS cannot be realized unless the system can estimate the user's location. We use a dead-reckoning indoor positioning method that determines user's location using smart phone sensors. Another necessary ingredient of ILBVS is a map that is the most important element of the LBS's user interface. We obtain the floor map from the floor map repository. The most important contribution made by this paper is the method of guessing what the user is most interested in at the current moment. With this method, we implement an example ILBVS.
Tissue Biomarkers in Prognostication of Serous Ovarian Cancer following Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
Authors: Khandakar Binny , Mathur Sandeep R. , Kumar Lalit , Kumar Sunesh , Datta Gupta Siddhartha , Iyer Venkateswaran K. , Kalaivani M.
Published: April 2014

Serous ovarian cancer (SOC) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in females with poor prognosis because of advanced stage at presentation. Recently, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is being used for management of advanced SOC, but role of tissue biomarkers in prognostication following NACT is not well established. The study was conducted on advanced stage SOC patients (n=100) that were treated either conventionally (n=50) or with NACT (n=50), followed by surgery. In order to evaluate the expression of tissue biomarkers (p53, MIB1, estrogen and progesterone receptors, Her-2/neu, E-cadherin, and Bcl2), immunohistochemistry and semiquantitative scoring were done following morphological examination. Following NACT, significant differences in tumor histomorphology were observed as compared to the native neoplasms. MIB 1 was significantly lower in cases treated with NACT and survival outcome was significantly better in cases with low MIB 1. ER expression was associated with poor overall survival. No other marker displayed any significant difference in expression or correlation with survival between the two groups. Immunophenotype of SOC does not differ significantly in samples from cases treated with NACT, compared to upfront surgically treated cases. The proliferating capacity of the residual tumor cells is less, depicted by low mean MIB1 LI. MIB 1 and ER inversely correlate with survival.
Physical Exercise Combined with Whole-Body Cryotherapy in Evaluating the Level of Lipid Peroxidation Products and Other Oxidant Stress Indicators in Kayakers
Authors: Sutkowy Paweł , Augustyńska Beata , Woźniak Alina , Rakowski Andrzej
Published: April 2014

The influence of exercise combined with whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) on the oxidant/antioxidant balance in healthy men was assessed. The study included 16 kayakers of the Polish National Team, aged 22.7 ± 2.6, subjected to WBC (−120°C–−145°C; 3 min) twice a day for the first 10 days of a 19-day physical training cycle: pre exercise morning stimulation and post exercise afternoon recovery. Blood samples were taken on Day 0 (baseline) and on Days 5, 11 and 19. The serum concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), conjugated dienes (CD), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), protein carbonyls, vitamin E, urea, cortisol, and testosterone were determined, along with the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and morphological blood parameters. On 5th day of exercise/WBC, the baseline GPx activity decreased by 15.1% (P<0.05), while on 19th day, it increased by 19.7% (P<0.05) versus Day 5. On Day 19 TBARS concentration decreased versus baseline and Day 5 (by 15.9% and 17.4%, resp.;P<0.01). On 19 Day urea concentration also decreased versus 11 Day; however, on 5th and 11th days the level was higher versus baseline. Combining exercise during longer training cycles with WBC may be advantageous.
Lightweight Secure Directed Diffusion for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Wang Eric Ke , Ye Yuming , Xu Xiaofei
Published: April 2014

We propose a lightweight secure routing scheme for wireless sensor networks, which provides authenticity and integrity in the routing process with relative low overhead by extending directed diffusion protocol with secure measures. We analyze the security capabilities and performance of our scheme; besides, we execute a simulation and the performance results are encouraging.
Mixed Convection Unsteady Stagnation‐Point Flow towards a Stretching Sheet with Slip Effects
Authors: Chen Hui
Published: April 2014

The paper studies the unsteady mixed convection flow of an incompressible viscous fluid about a stagnation point on a stretching sheet in presence of velocity and thermal slips. The governing equations are transformed into the ordinary differential equations by using similarity transformations. The transformed equations are solved numerically by an efficient shooting method. The characteristics of the flow and heat transfer features for governing parameters are analyzed and discussed for both the assisting and opposing flows. It is found that dual solutions exist for certain range of buoyancy parameter λ which again depend on the unsteadiness parameter α and the slip parameters (i.e., δ and γ). The numerical results show that the increase of unsteadiness parameter and the slip effects cause increment in the existence range of similarity solution. The effects of unsteadiness parameter, the velocity ratio parameter, and the velocity and thermal slip parameters on the velocity and temperature distributions are analyzed and discussed.
Neuroimaging to Investigate Multisystem Involvement and Provide Biomarkers in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Pradat Pierre-François , El Mendili Mohamed-Mounir
Published: April 2014

Neuroimaging allows investigating the extent of neurological systems degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Advanced MRI methods can detect changes related to the degeneration of upper motor neurons but have also demonstrated the participation of other systems such as the sensory system or basal ganglia, demonstratingin vivothat ALS is a multisystem disorder. Structural and functional imaging also allows studying dysfunction of brain areas associated with cognitive signs. From a biomarker perspective, numerous studies using diffusion tensor imaging showed a decrease of fractional anisotropy in the intracranial portion of the corticospinal tract but its diagnostic value at the individual level remains limited. A multiparametric approach will be required to use MRI in the diagnostic workup of ALS. A promising avenue is the new methodological developments of spinal cord imaging that has the advantage to investigate the two motor system components that are involved in ALS, that is, the lower and upper motor neuron. For all neuroimaging modalities, due to the intrinsic heterogeneity of ALS, larger pooled banks of images with standardized image acquisition and analysis procedures are needed. In this paper, we will review the main findings obtained with MRI, PET, SPECT, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in ALS.
Association between Two Common Polymorphisms and Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Evidence from an Updated Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wang Zhaoming , Zhang Lei , Shi Xuesong , Xu Huayu , Wang Ting , Bian Jianmin
Published: April 2014

Background. Recent studies suggested that two common polymorphisms, miR-146a G>C and miR-196a2 C>T, may be associated with individual susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the results remain conflicting rather than conclusive.Object. The aim of this study was to assess the association between miR-146a G>C and miR-196a2 C>T polymorphisms and the risk of HCC.Methods. A meta-analysis of 17 studies (10938 cases and 11967 controls) was performed. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were used to evaluate the strength of the association.Results. For miR-146a G>C, the variant genotypes were associated with a decreased risk of HCC (CC versus GG: OR = 0.780 and 95% CI 0.700–0.869; GC/CC versus GG: OR = 0.865 and 95% CI 0.787–0.952; CC versus GC/GG: OR = 0.835 and 95% CI 0.774–0.901). For miR-196a2 C>T, significant association was also observed (TT versus CC: OR = 0.783, 95% CI: 0.649–0.943, andP=0.010; CT versus CC: OR = 0.831, 95% CI 0.714–0.967, andP=0.017; CT/TT versus CC: OR = 0.817, 95% CI 0.703–0.949, andP=0.008).Conclusion. The two common polymorphisms miR-146a G>C and miR-196a2 C>T were associated with decreased HCC susceptibility, especially in Asian population.
Normal Incidence of Sound Transmission Loss from Perforated Plates with Micro and Macro Size Holes
Authors: Putra A. , Ismail A. Y.
Published: April 2014

This paper studies the sound transmission loss of perforated panels and investigates the effect of
the hole diameter on the sound insulation performance under normal incidence of acoustic loading. The hole diameters are distinguished into micro (submillimeter) and macro (millimeter) sizes. In general, the transmission loss reduces as the perforation ratio is increased. However, by retaining the perforation ratio, it is found that the transmission loss increases as the hole diameter is reduced for a perforate with micro holes due to the effect of resistive part in the hole impedance, which is
contrary to the results for those with the macro holes. Both show similar trend at high frequency where the fluid behavior inside the hole is inertial. Simple analytical formulae for engineering purpose are provided. Validation of the models with measurement data also gives good agreement.
Macrophage Plasticity in Skeletal Muscle Repair
Authors: Rigamonti Elena , Zordan Paola , Sciorati Clara , Rovere-Querini Patrizia , Brunelli Silvia
Published: April 2014

Macrophages are one of the first barriers of host defence against pathogens. Beyond their role in innate immunity, macrophages play increasingly defined roles in orchestrating the healing of various injured tissues. Perturbations of macrophage function and/or activation may result in impaired regeneration and fibrosis deposition as described in several chronic pathological diseases. Heterogeneity and plasticity have been demonstrated to be hallmarks of macrophages. In response to environmental cues they display a proinflammatory (M1) or an alternative anti-inflammatory (M2) phenotype. A lot of evidence demonstrated that after acute injury M1 macrophages infiltrate early to promote the clearance of necrotic debris, whereas M2 macrophages appear later to sustain tissue healing. Whether the sequential presence of two different macrophage populations results from a dynamic shift in macrophage polarization or from the recruitment of new circulating monocytes is a subject of ongoing debate. In this paper, we discuss the current available information about the role that different phenotypes of macrophages plays after injury and during the remodelling phase in different tissue types, with particular attention to the skeletal muscle.
Optimal Spatial Matrix Filter Design for Array Signal Preprocessing
Authors: Zhang Haiyong , Han Dong , Ji Kai , Ren Zhong , Xu Chi , Zhu Lijuan , Tan Hongyan
Published: April 2014

An efficient technique of designing spatial matrix filter for array signal preprocessing based on convex programming was proposed. Five methods were considered for designing the filter. In design method 1, we minimized the passband fidelity subject to the controlled overall stopband attenuation level. In design method 2, the objective function and the constraint in the design method 1 were reversed. In design method 3, the optimal matrix filter which has the general mean square error was considered. In design method 4, the left stopband and the right stopband were constrained with specific attenuation level each, and the minimized passband fidelity was received. In design method 5, the optimization objective function was the sum of the left stopband and the right stopband attenuation levels with the weighting factors 1 andγ, respectively, and the passband fidelity was the constraints. The optimal solution of the optimizations above was derived by the Lagrange multiplier theory. The relations between the optimal solutions were analyzed. The generalized singular value decomposition was introduced to simplify the optimal solution of design methods 1 and 2 and enhanced the efficiency of solving the Lagrange multipliers. By simulations, it could be found that the proposed method was effective for designing the spatial matrix filter.
An Investigation on the Effect of Axial Pressures on the Mechanical Properties of Friction Welded Dissimilar Steels
Authors: Handa Amit , Chawla Vikas
Published: April 2014

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of axial pressures on the mechanical properties of friction welded AISI 304 with AISI 1021 steels, produced by mechanical joining. In the present study, an experimental setup was designed in order to accomplish friction welded joints between austenitic stainless steel and low alloy steel. Samples were welded under different axial pressures, at a constant speed of 800 rpm. The tensile strength, impact strength, and microhardness values of the welded joints were determined and evaluated and on the basis of the results obtained from the experimentation, the graphs were plotted.
Novel Particle Swarm Optimization and Its Application in Calibrating the Underwater Transponder Coordinates
Authors: Yan Zheping , Deng Chao , Li Benyin , Zhou Jiajia
Published: April 2014

A novel improved particle swarm algorithm named competition particle swarm optimization (CPSO) is proposed to calibrate the Underwater Transponder coordinates. To improve the performance of the algorithm, TVAC algorithm is introduced into CPSO to present an extension competition particle swarm optimization (ECPSO). The proposed method is tested with a set of 10 standard optimization benchmark problems and the results are compared with those obtained through existing PSO algorithms, basic particle swarm optimization (BPSO), linear decreasing inertia weight particle swarm optimization (LWPSO), exponential inertia weight particle swarm optimization (EPSO), and time-varying acceleration coefficient (TVAC). The results demonstrate that CPSO and ECPSO manifest faster searching speed, accuracy, and stability. The searching performance for multimodulus function of ECPSO is superior to CPSO. At last, calibration of the underwater transponder coordinates is present using particle swarm algorithm, and novel improved particle swarm algorithm shows better performance than other algorithms.
The Multiple Silicone Tube Device, “Tubes within a Tube,” for Multiplication in Nerve Reconstruction
Authors: Johansson Fredrik , Dahlin Lars B.
Published: April 2014

Multiple nerve branches were created during the regeneration procedure after a nerve injury and such multiple branches are suggested to be used to control, for example, prosthesis with many degrees of freedom. Transected rat sciatic nerve stumps were inserted into a nine mm long silicone tube, which contained four, five mm long, smaller tubes, thus leaving a five mm gap for regenerating nerve fibers. Six weeks later, several new nerve structures were formed not only in the four smaller tubes, but also in the spaces in-between. The 7–9 new continuous nerve structures, which were isolated as individual free nerves after removal of the tubes, were delineated by a perineurium and contained both myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers as well as blood vessels. Stimulation of the proximal nerve elicited contractions in distal muscles. Thin metal electrodes, inserted initially into the smaller tubes in some experiments, became embedded in the new nerve structures and when stimulated contractions of the distal muscles were observed. The “tubes within a tube” technique, creating multiple new nerves from a single “mother” nerve, can be used to record multiple signals for prosthetic device control or as sources for supply of multiple denervated targets.
Serial Serum Leukocyte Apoptosis Levels as Predictors of Outcome in Acute Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Wang Hung-Chen , Yang Tzu-Ming , Lin Yu-Jun , Chen Wu-Fu , Ho Jih-Tsun , Lin Yu-Tsai , Kwan Aij-Lie , Lu Cheng-Hsien
Published: April 2014

Background. Apoptosis associates with secondary brain injury after traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study posits that serum leukocyte apoptosis levels in acute TBI are predictive of outcome.Methods. Two hundred and twenty-nine blood samples from 88 patients after acute TBI were obtained on admission and on Days 4 and 7. Serial apoptosis levels of different leukocyte subsets were examined in 88 TBI patients and 27 control subjects.Results. The leukocyte apoptosis was significantly higher in TBI patients than in controls. Brief unconsciousness (P=0.009), motor deficits (P≤0.001), GCS (P≤0.001), ISS (P=0.001), WBC count (P=0.015), late apoptosis in lymphocytes and monocytes on Day 1 (P=0.004andP=0.022, resp.), subdural hemorrhage on initial brain CT (P=0.002), neurosurgical intervention (P≤0.001), and acute posttraumatic seizure (P=0.046) were significant risk factors of outcome. Only motor deficits (P=0.033) and late apoptosis in monocytes on Day 1 (P=0.037) were independently associated with outcome. A cutoff value of 5.72% of late apoptosis in monocytes was associated with poor outcome in acute TBI patients.Conclusion. There are varying degrees of apoptosis in patients following TBI and in healthy individuals. Such differential expression suggests that apoptosis in different leukocyte subsets plays an important role in outcome following injury.
The Local Stability of Solutions for a Nonlinear Equation
Authors: Yan Haibo , Yong Ls
Published: April 2014

The approach of Kruzkov’s device of doubling the variables is applied to establish the local stability of strong solutions for a nonlinear partial differential equation in the spaceL1(R)by assuming that the initial value only lies in the spaceL1(R)∩L∞(R).
A Packet Loss Concealment Technique Improving Quality of Service for Wideband Speech Coding in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Park Nam In , Kang Jin Ah , Lee Seong Ro , Kim Hong Kook
Published: April 2014

A packet loss concealment (PLC) algorithm is proposed to improve the quality of decoded speech when packet losses occur in a wireless sensor network. The proposed algorithm is mainly based on artificial bandwidth extension (ABE) from narrowband to wideband. It consists of three main functions: packet loss concealment in the narrowband, ABE in the modified discrete cosine transform (MDCT) domain, and smoothing of wideband MDCT coefficients with those of the last good frame. The performance of the proposed PLC algorithm is implemented by replacing the PLC algorithm employed in the ITU-T Recommendation G.729.1. The experimental results show that the proposed PLC algorithm provides significantly better speech quality than the PLC in the ITU-T G.729.1.
Assembly Operation Optimization Based on Social Radiation Algorithm for Autobody
Authors: Xing Yanfeng , Wang Yansong
Published: April 2014

Assembly dimensional quality affects wind noise and driving steady and whole external appearance. The quality can be improved by reducing part tolerance and fixture tolerance and optimizing key control characteristics (KCCs). However, reducing tolerance should largely increase manufacturing costs, and then the paper assembly tolerance is decreased by selecting optimal KCCs. In this work, a fitness function is presented to evaluate assembly operations based on the linear assembly variation analysis model. Afterwards, a new social radiation algorithm (SRA) is proposed to optimize KCCs, and some test functions are used to evaluate optimum performance between the genetic algorithm (GA) and SRA, and the results show that the performance of SRA is better than that of GA. Finally two cases are used to illustrate process of assembly operation optimization by SRA, and the results show that the SRA has higher precision and efficiency than that of GA.
A Note on Some Numerical Approaches to Solve aθ˙Neuron Networks Model
Authors: Bhowmik Samir Kumar , Al Faqih Feras M. , Islam Md. Nazmul
Published: April 2014

Space time integration plays an important role in analyzing scientific and engineering models. In this paper, we consider an integrodifferential equation that comes from modelingθ˙neuron networks. Here, we investigate various schemes for time discretization of a theta-neuron model. We use collocation and midpoint quadrature formula for space integration and then apply various time integration schemes to get a full discrete system. We present some computational results to demonstrate the schemes.
Performance Assessment of Solid Waste Management following Private Partnership Operations in Lagos State, Nigeria
Authors: Anestina Agboje Ifeoma , Adetola Adeoti , Odafe Irhivben Bright
Published: April 2014

The strategy of delivering modern, high quality public services and promoting competition in the waste management sector leads to formation of private sector participation (PSP) to handle solid waste management in Lagos State. The findings depict that quality of service among the PSP operators recorded high success in the high income areas than those of the low and medium income areas. On the average, industry productivity was 6.63 tonnes per day per vehicle. 18 out of 30 companies in the study area were above this average and in meeting increased productivity, year of experience in operations, number of trips made, number of times trucks were serviced, and adhering to regulatory agency requirement were among the factors influencing company’s productivity in the state. The study, therefore, recommends that regulatory agency should be more aggressive in playing its statutory roles of managing the PSP operators.
Transient Thermoelastic Analysis of Pressurized Rotating Disks Subjected to Arbitrary Boundary and Initial Conditions
Authors: Zamani Nejad Mohammad , Afshin Azam
Published: April 2014

This paper focuses on exact analytical solution of transient thermoelastic behaviors of rotating pressurized disks subjected to arbitrary boundary and initial conditions. The pressure, inner radius, and outer radius are considered constant. The basic thermoelasticity theory under generalized assumptions is used to solve the thermoelastic problem. Using the method of the separation of variables, the relations of temperature and transient thermal stresses in the radial direction are obtained. In the case study, the disk is considered under heat flux. Some useful discussions and numerical examples are presented. The analytical results were compared with those of the finite element method and good agreement was found. The relations obtained in this paper can be applied to any arbitrary boundary and initial conditions.
Effects of Fenofibric Acid on Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Patients With Mixed Dyslipidemia on Atorvastatin Therapy
Authors: Davidson Michael H. , Rosenson Robert S. , Maki Kevin C. , Nicholls Stephen J. , Ballantyne Christie M. , Mazzone Theodore , Carlson Dawn M. , Williams Laura A. , Kelly Maureen T. , Camp Heidi S. , Lele Aditya , Stolzenbach James C.
Published: April 2014

Objective—

To assess whether adding a fibrate to statin therapy reduces residual cardiovascular risk associated with elevated triglycerides and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, The Evaluation of Choline Fenofibrate (ABT-335) on Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (cIMT) in Subjects with Type IIb Dyslipidemia with Residual Risk in Addition to Atorvastatin Therapy (FIRST) trial evaluated the effects of fenofibric acid (FA) treatment on cIMT in patients with mixed dyslipidemia on atorvastatin.

Approach and Results—

This multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was performed in patients with mixed dyslipidemia (fasting triglycerides, ≥150 mg/dL; high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, ≤45 [men] or 55 mg/dL [women]; low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, ≤100 mg/dL once and averaging ≤105 mg/dL) and a history of coronary heart disease or risk equivalent. Patients on background atorvastatin (continued on starting dose or titrated to 40 mg, if needed) were randomized to FA 135 mg or placebo. The primary end point was rate of change from baseline through week 104 of the mean posterior-wall cIMT, measured by ultrasound. In patients with controlled low-density lipoprotein cholesterol while on atorvastatin background therapy, rate of change in posterior-wall cIMT was similar with FA plus atorvastatin (−0.006 mm/y) versus atorvastatin monotherapy (0.000 mm/y;
P
=0.22). FA plus atorvastatin was favored (
P
<0.05) in 5 of 24 prespecified subgroups: age ≥60 years, history of coronary artery disease, cIMT >0.795 mm, triglycerides 170 to 235 mg/dL, and statin use at entry. Adverse events were consistent with the known safety profiles of both drugs; however, FA plus atorvastatin was associated with a greater incidence of renal-related adverse events compared with atorvastatin monotherapy (6.5% versus 0.9%).

Conclusions—

Compared with atorvastatin monotherapy, FA plus atorvastatin did not further decrease cIMT progression in high-risk patients with mixed dyslipidemia.
Transfer of Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction for Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Lambert Laurie J. , Brown Kevin A. , Boothroyd Lucy J. , Segal Eli , Maire Sébastien , Kouz Simon , Ross Dave , Harvey Richard , Rinfret Stéphane , Xiao Yongling , Nasmith James , Bogaty Peter
Published: April 2014

Background—

Interhospital transfer of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is associated with longer delays to reperfusion, related in part to turnaround (“door in” to “door out,” or DIDO) time at the initial hospital. As part of a systematic, province-wide evaluation of STEMI care, we examined DIDO times and associations with patient, hospital, and process-of-care factors.

Methods and Results—

We performed medical chart review for STEMI patients transferred for PPCI during a 6-month period (October 1, 2008, through March 31, 2009) and linked these data to ambulance service databases. Two core laboratory cardiologists reviewed presenting ECGs to identify left bundle-branch block and, in the absence of left bundle-branch block, definite STEMI (according to both cardiologists) or an ambiguous reading. Median DIDO time was 51 minutes (25th to 75th percentile: 35–82 minutes); 14.1% of the 988 patients had a timely DIDO interval (≤30 minutes as recommended by guidelines). The data-to-decision delay was the major contributor to DIDO time. Female sex, more comorbidities, longer symptom duration, arrival by means other than ambulance, arrival at a hospital not exclusively transferring for PPCI, arrival at a center with a low STEMI volume, and an ambiguous ECG were independently associated with longer DIDO time. When turnaround was timely, 70% of patients received timely PPCI (door-to-device time ≤90 minutes) versus 14% if turnaround was not timely (
P
<0.0001).

Conclusions—

Benchmark DIDO times for STEMI patients transferred for PPCI were rarely achieved. Interventions aimed at facilitating the transfer decision, particularly in cases of ECGs that are difficult to interpret, are likely to have the best impact on reducing delay to reperfusion.
Function of Natural Internal Mammary–to–Coronary Artery Bypasses and Its Effect on Myocardial Ischemia
Authors: Stoller Michael , de Marchi Stefano F. , Seiler Christian
Published: April 2014

Background—

The function of naturally existing internal mammary (IMA)–to–coronary artery bypasses and their quantitative effect on myocardial ischemia are unknown.

Methods and Results—

The primary end point of this study was collateral flow index (CFI) obtained during two 1-minute coronary artery balloon occlusions, the first with and the second without simultaneous distal IMA occlusion. The secondary study end point was the quantitatively determined intracoronary ECG ST-segment elevation. CFI is the ratio of simultaneously recorded mean coronary occlusive pressure divided by mean aortic pressure both subtracted by mean central venous pressure. A total of 180 pairs of CFI measurements were performed among 120 patients. With and without IMA occlusion, CFI was 0.110±0.074 and 0.096±0.072, respectively (
P
<0.0001). The difference of CFI obtained in the presence minus CFI obtained in the absence of IMA occlusion was highest and most consistently positive during left IMA with left anterior descending artery occlusion and during right IMA with right coronary artery occlusion (ipsilateral occlusions): 0.033±0.044 and 0.025±0.027, respectively. This CFI difference was absent during right IMA with left anterior descending artery occlusion and during left IMA with right coronary artery occlusion (contralateral occlusions): −0.007±0.034 and 0.001±0.023, respectively (
P
=0.0002 versus ipsilateral occlusions). The respective CFI differences during either IMA with left circumflex artery occlusion were inconsistently positive. Intracoronary ECG ST-segment elevations were significantly reduced during ipsilateral IMA occlusions but not during contralateral or left circumflex artery occlusions.

Conclusion—

There is a functional, ischemia-reducing extracardiac coronary artery supply via ipsilateral but not via contralateral natural IMA bypasses.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCTO1676207.
Effect of Dietary Modification on Incident Carotid Artery Disease in Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Allison Matthew A. , Aragaki Aaron , Eaton Charles , Li Wenjun , Van Horn Linda , Daviglus Martha L. , Berger Jeffrey S.
Published: April 2014

Background and Purpose—

Because the diagnosis and treatment of carotid artery disease may reduce the rate of stroke, the aim of this study was to determine whether a diet intervention was associated with incident carotid artery disease.

Methods—

Participants were 48 835 postmenopausal women aged 50 to 79 years who were randomly assigned to either the intervention or comparison group in the Women’s Health Initiative Diet Modification Trial. Incident carotid artery disease was defined as an overnight hospitalization with either symptoms or a surgical intervention to improve flow.

Results—

After a mean follow-up of 8.3 years from 1994 to 2005, there were 297 (0.61%) incident carotid artery events. In contrast to the comparison group, the risk of incident carotid disease did not differ from those assigned to the intervention group (hazard ratio, 1.08; 95% confidence interval, 0.9–1.4). In secondary analysis, there was no significant effect of the intervention on the risk for incident carotid disease during the 5 years of postintervention follow-up from 2005 to 2010 (hazard ratio, 1.24; 95% confidence interval, 0.9–1.7) and no significant effect during cumulative follow-up from 1994 to 2010 (hazard ratio, 1.13; 95% confidence interval, 0.9–1.4).

Conclusions—

Among postmenopausal women, a dietary intervention aimed at reducing total fat intake and encouraging increased intake of fruit, vegetables, and grains did not significantly change the risk for incident carotid artery disease.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00000611.
Status Attainment of Siblings during Modernization
Authors: Knigge Antonie , Maas Ineke , van Leeuwen Marco H. D. , Mandemakers Kees
Published: April 2014

The modernization thesis claims that intergenerational social mobility increased over time due to industrialization and other modernization processes. Here, we test whether this is indeed the case. We study approximately 360,000 brothers from 189,000 families covering more than 500 municipalities in the Netherlands and a 70-year period (1827 to 1897). We complement these sibling- and family-level data with municipal indicators for the degree of industrialization, mass communication, urbanization, educational expansion, geographic mobility, and mass transportation. We analyze these data by applying sibling models, that is, multilevel regression models where brothers are nested in families, which in turn are nested in communities. We find that the total—unmeasured—family effect on sons’ status attainment decreases slightly and is higher than that found for contemporary societies. The measured influence of the family, operationalized by father’s occupational status, decreased gradually in the Netherlands in the second half of the nineteenth century. A substantial part of this decrease was due to some, but not all, of the modernization processes adduced by the modernization thesis.
Evaluation of the Citizenship Evidence-Based Probation Supervision Program Using a Stepped Wedge Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Pearson Dominic A. S. , McDougall Cynthia , Kanaan Mona , Torgerson David J. , Bowles Roger A.
Published: April 2014

This study evaluated a Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) evidence-based offender supervision program, Citizenship, using a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Citizenship has a cognitive-behavioral basis and focuses on education, increasing motivation to change, and community integration. The RCT is a stepped wedge cluster randomized design that has rarely been used in criminal justice and overcomes some ethical objections to RCT implementation. Participants were all medium- and high-risk offenders commencing probation supervision ( N = 1,091) in any one of the six office units during the 1-year rollout of the program. Overall, there was a non-significant 20% effect of Citizenship in reducing reconvictions. However, controlling for risk, the hazard with higher risk offenders was 34% lower than for the control group. Results therefore support RNR-based probation supervision.
Effects of reinforcement configuration and densification on impact strength of wood veneer/polyester composites
Authors: Haghdan Shayesteh , Tannert Thomas , Smith Gregory D
Published: April 2014

Current energy absorbers in industrial applications are made of metals or fiber-reinforced polymers using glass and carbon fibers. These materials are extremely stiff and strong but exhibit low-energy absorption when subject to the impact load. Other issues in the use of these materials are their high cost (fiber-reinforced polymer) and weight (metal). Wood reinforcements on the other hand are light weight and economic but less stiff. This study investigated the impact resistance and fracture patterns of wood-reinforced polyester composites using a drop-weigh impact test and considers the potential of using wood as a natural reinforcement in the manufacturing of polymer composites. Densified and un-densified Douglas-fir veneers were used to create three different mat configurations: woven, cross, and unwoven (unidirectional) mats. A total of 350 specimens were tested following ASTM D5420, and their impact resistance was calculated using the staircase method. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the resin distribution and its penetration into the reinforcement. Additionally, light micrographs of the veneers before and after densification were examined to determine the effect of densification on the cell-wall structure. Glass fiber-reinforced polymer samples had significantly higher impact resistance than the wood composites. Densification of the veneer did not significantly improve the composite performance. The effect of reinforcement configuration on the final performance of the wood–polyester composites, however, was significant with the woven, and cross configurations having notably higher impact energy than unidirectional composites.
The Garden City Revisited? A Commentary to Okulicz-Kozaryn’s Article “Natural Sprawl”
Authors: Tursi Natasha O.
Published: April 2014

Okulicz-Kozaryn’s article “Natural Sprawl” analyzes the link between happiness and place. This research suggests that suburbanites are happier than city dwellers and that there is an independent effect of sprawl/density on well-being/health. He concludes that people in lower density (suburbs) are healthier. I argue that residential happiness does not depend on place but is based on individual-level factors such as lifestyle, worldview, preference, economics, and opportunity. In addition, the idea of “natural sprawl” is not new but resembles Howard’s Garden City model. Regional planning is a path toward creating diverse housing opportunities within an environmentally sustainable and socially equitable framework.
Coregulation in Romantic Partners’ Attachment Styles
Authors: Hudson Nathan W. , Fraley R. Chris , Brumbaugh Claudia Chloe , Vicary Amanda M.
Published: April 2014

The goal of the present research was to examine the coregulation of partner-specific attachment security in romantic relationships. We studied a sample of 172 couples 5 times over 1 year. At each assessment wave, partners independently completed a self-report measure of their security in the relationship. We operationalized attachment coregulation both as direct impacts (i.e., prospective effects of one partner on the other) and coordination (i.e., correlated changes across time). Results indicated that, after taking into account people’s prototypical levels of security, changes in security were coordinated within couples.