bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship Between Epicardial Adipose Tissue, Inflammation and Volume Markers in Hemodialysis and Transplant Patients
Authors: Çolak Hülya , Kilicarslan Baris , Tekce Hikmet , Tanrisev Mehmet , Tugmen Cem , Aktas Gulali , Kursat Seyhun
Published: January 2015

Cardiovascular (CV) diseases are still the most important cause of morbidity and mortality in both patients receiving hemodialysis (HD) treatment and individuals with renal transplantation (Rtx). Measurement of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness is an easily applied, cheap, and useful recent method predicting increased CV risk. We aimed to compare EAT changes in HD and Rtx patients and the association between EAT and inflammatory and CV volume markers in both groups. A total of 124 patients: 45 Rtx, 43 HD patients and 36 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Laboratory parameters and inflammatory markers (interleukin‐6 [IL‐6] and high sensitive C‐reactive protein [Hs‐CRP]) were evaluated from venous blood samples after an overnight fast. EAT thickness was measured with transthoracic echocardiography. The levels of Hs‐CRP, IL‐6, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, left atrial (LA) diameter, left atrial index (LAI), left ventricular mass (LVM) and LVM index (LVMI) were significantly higher in the HD patients than in the other groups. EAT was positively correlated with age, body mass index (BMI), time on dialysis, serum creatinine, total cholesterol, Low density lipoprotein‐cholesterol, and LVM in Rtx group and positively correlated with age, BMI, duration of dialysis, Hs‐CRP, IL‐6, LAI and LVMI and inversely correlated with inferior vena cava collapse index (IVC‐CI) in HD group. EAT thickness of RTx patients (whose previous HD duration was similar to those in HD group) are similar to the healthy population and significantly thinner than patients on HD.
A computationally fast estimator for random coefficients logit demand models using aggregate data
Authors: Lee Jinhyuk , Seo Kyoungwon
Published: January 2015

This article proposes a computationally fast estimator for random coefficients logit demand models using aggregate data that Berry, Levinsohn, and Pakes (; hereinafter, BLP) suggest. Our method, which we call approximate BLP (ABLP), is based on a linear approximation of market share functions. The computational advantages of ABLP include (i) the linear approximation enables us to adopt an analytic inversion of the market share equations instead of a numerical inversion that BLP propose, (ii) ABLP solves the market share equations only at the optimum, and (iii) it minimizes over a typically small dimensional parameter space. We show that the ABLP estimator is equivalent to the BLP estimator in large data sets. Our Monte Carlo experiments illustrate that ABLP is faster than other approaches, especially for large data sets.
Ordering, revenue and anchoring in art auctions
Authors: Hong Harrison , Kremer Ilan , Kubik Jeffrey D. , Mei Jianping , Moses Michael
Published: January 2015

We estimate the effect of ordering by value on revenues in sequential art auctions held by Sotheby's and Christie's. We exploit a pre determined rotation of which of these two houses holds their auction first during auction week in New York City. When the house that goes first has relatively expensive paintings compared to the other house, we find that the sale premium for the week is around 21% higher relative to the mean sale premium, and the fraction of paintings sold during the week is around 11% higher. We provide evidence that this is due to an anchoring effect.
The costs of free entry: an empirical study of real estate agents in Greater Boston
Authors: Barwick Panle Jia , Pathak Parag A.
Published: January 2015

This article studies the consequences of fixed commissions and low entry barriers in Greater Boston's real estate brokerage industry from 1998–2007. We find that agent entry reduces average service quality and use a dynamic empirical model to study the inefficiency in the current market structure. To accommodate a large state space, we approximate the value function using sieves and impose the Bellman equation as an equilibrium constraint. Our results suggest that a 50% cut in commissions would result in 40% fewer agents, social savings that amount to 23% of industry revenue, and 73% more transactions for the average agent.
Theoretical expectations of the Isolation–Migration model of population evolution for inferring demographic parameters
Authors: Quinzin Maud C. , Mayer Francois , Elvinger Nora , Mardulyn Patrick
Published: January 2015

The Bayesian inference of demographic parameters under an Isolation–Migration (IM) model of population evolution offers a major improvement over previously available approaches. This method is implemented in a popular program, IMa, widely used in population genetic studies.

While the robustness of the method to deviations of the IM model has previously been evaluated, we assess the performance of the program with two populations when the model used to generate the analysed data meets the assumptions of the IM model completely; the goal is to identify the conditions under which the method works best. Overall, we test eighteen sets of conditions and analyse ± 500 simulated data sets, for a total of over 200,000 hours of analyses using a large computer cluster.

Although we find clear differences in quality estimates among models, the best ranges of demographic parameter values to infer accurate estimates differ among parameters. Divergence time is best estimated in the absence of gene flow and when population sizes are large compared to divergence time. In contrast, the classic population parameter ϑ (= 4Nμ) is best estimated, for the two current populations, when divergence time is large compared to population size, with or without migration. The parameter is always poorly estimated in the case of the ancestral population. While it is possible to distinguish between scenarios with or without gene flow, estimating the extent of gene flow, when different from 0, is associated with relatively high error rates. In general, increasing the number of loci or the sample size reduces the variance and credible interval of the estimates, and only for the migration rate, it slightly improves the accuracy of the estimate as well. Increasing the prior distribution range of a parameter can dramatically increase that of its posterior distribution. Surprisingly, differences are highlighted among the estimates inferred from sequences generated by different simulation programs, especially for the simulation program SIMDIV.

Overall, the performances of the method shown here probably reflect the limitation of the method in general and/or of the historical information contained in DNA sequence data.
A new Magneto‐Inductive tracking technique to uncover subterranean activity: what do animals do underground?
Authors: Noonan Michael J. , Markham Andrew , Newman Chris , Trigoni Niki , Buesching Christina D. , Ellwood Stephen A. , Macdonald David W.
Published: January 2015

Despite the importance of the subterranean ecotope, knowledge of underground movement and behaviour has been extremely limited. Previous technologies have relied upon techniques with very low spatial or temporal resolution, such asVHFtelemetry. Rather incongruously, therefore, relatively simple underground activity regimes have often been assumed, with insufficient attention to the ecological importance of burrow use.

We test the capability of Magneto‐Inductive (MI) tracking, recording underground movement within a European badger sett over a 2 week period in February. These data allowed us to: quantify subterranean movement; extrapolate the three‐dimensional burrow architecture; simultaneously track multiple individuals; and establish the function of specific movement patterns; demonstrating the technique's utility. Contrasting data generated usingMItracking, against the resolution achievable withVHFtracking, we establish how sampling frequency can influence the perception of movement.

Taking 20 locational fixes per minute,MIcollars operated for 1 year before on‐board batteries failed, resulting in an average five billion data points per collar deployment. Socio‐ecologically we found that rather than foraging continuously throughout the night, badgers returned to the sett an average of 2·2 times, approximately every 3–4 h. From burrow mapping, badgers tended to use peripheral chambers forc. 45 min on these return visits. These outlying chambers were used less by day, when badgers selected deeper chambers, suggesting each chamber type fulfils a different function. This technology also exposed that badgers exhibited a far greater extent of underground movement than revealed by former technologies, which by comparison captured <0·5% of subterranean activity. Importantly, these high‐resolution data showed that individuals left, returned to, and moved about the sett independently, with no tendency for synchronous subterranean activity.

In overview, Magneto‐Inductive tracking proved relatively simple and cost‐effective to deploy, it provided very detailed and accurate subterranean fixes, and was robust enough for long‐term field deployment. Furthermore, the capabilities ofMIare highly transferable, enabling a better understanding of underground activity and the ecological importance of subterranean burrows for the conservation and management of a wide range of species.
Estimating diversity and entropy profiles via discovery rates of new species
Authors: Chao Anne , Jost Lou
Published: January 2015

The compositional complexity of an assemblage is not expressible as a single number; standard measures such as diversities (Hill numbers) and entropies (Rényi entropies and Tsallis entropies) vary in their order q which determines the measures' emphasis on rare or common species. Ranking and comparing assemblages depend on the choice of q. Rather than selecting one or a few measures to describe an assemblage, it is preferable to convey the complete story by presenting a continuous profile, a plot of diversity or entropy as a function of q ≥ 0. This makes it easy to visually compare the compositional complexities of multiple assemblages and to judge the evenness of the relative abundance distributions of the assemblages. In practice, the profile is plotted for all values of q from 0 to q = 3 or 4 (beyond which it generally changes little).

These profiles are usually generated by substituting species sample proportions into the complexity measures. However, this empirical approach typically underestimates the true profile for low values of q, because samples usually miss some of the assemblage's species due to under‐sampling. Although bias‐reduction methods exist for individual measures of order q = 0, 1 and 2, there has been no analytic method that unifies these bias‐corrected estimates into a continuous profile.

For incomplete sampling data, this work proposes a novel analytic method to obtain accurate, continuous, low‐bias diversity and entropy profiles with focus on low orders of q (0 ≤ q ≤ 3). Our approach is based on reformulating the diversity and entropy of any order q in terms of the successive discovery rates of new species with respect to sample size, that is the successive slopes of the species accumulation curve. A bootstrap method is applied to obtain approximate variances of our proposed profiles and to construct the associated confidence intervals.

Extensive simulations from theoretical models and real surveys show that the proposed profiles greatly reduce under‐sampling bias and have substantially lower bias and mean‐squared error than the empirical profile, especially for q ≤ 1. Our method is also extended to deal with incidence data.
Factors affecting the distribution of Culicoides spp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) vectors of bluetongue virus (BTV) in Australia
Authors: Bishop Alan L , Spohr Lorraine J , Harris Anne M , Collins Damian
Published: January 2015

This study examined environmental and geographical factors affecting the distribution of the bluetongue virus vectors Culicoides brevitarsis Kieffer, C. actoni Smith, C. fulvus Sen and Das Gupta and C. wadai Kitaoka in Australia using graphical analysis. Calculations and mapping were carried out in the R programming environment using freely available data. Average low temperatures of 13.5°C in June and in September were estimated as thresholds and expressed as contours at which C. brevitarsis activity ceases and then recommences during and after winter, respectively. The June threshold also designated areas where populations would be unable to survive the winter. There was substantial variability in the contours between years, around which the activity of C. brevitarsis would be correspondingly dynamic. Culicoides wadai, C. actoni and C. fulvus appeared to be less tolerant of low temperatures. A high temperature limit was proposed at a maximum 35°C during summer. Culicoides brevitarsis was found in areas above and below this temperature, while C. actoni, C. fulvus and C. wadai occurred mainly in coastal environments at maximum temperatures of less than 35°C. Possible effects of global warming were considered with 1°C or 2°C rises in temperature. Changes to low temperature thresholds could expose greater areas of southern Australia to vector activity, while temperature rises in the north could increase the size of areas in which temperatures are lethal to the vectors. Rainfall had no apparent effect on C. brevitarsis during the northern wet and dry seasons. Distributions of C. brevitarsis and cattle overlapped until both ended with the climatic change to desert, which formed a physical barrier preventing C. brevitarsis movement to the south. Temperature restricted associations between C. brevitarsis and sheep. The other Culicoides spp. were found outside major cattle and sheep production areas. Apart from seasonal and dynamic activity around the contours, cattle and sheep in areas below a June average temperature of 13.5°C should remain vector free at current climatic temperatures.
Tracing the Flow of Policy Ideas in Legislatures: A Text Reuse Approach
Authors: Wilkerson John , Smith David , Stramp Nicholas
Published: January 2015

This article proposes a new approach to investigating the substance of lawmaking. Only a very small proportion of bills become law in the U.S. Congress. However, the bills that do become law often serve as vehicles for language originating in other bills. We investigate “text reuse” methods as a means for tracing the progress of policy ideas in legislation. We then show how a focus on policy ideas leads to new insights into the lawmaking process. Although our focus is on relating content found within bills, the same methods can be used to study policy substance across many research domains.
Assessment of an updated double‐vasopressor automated system using Nexfin™ for the maintenance of haemodynamic stability to improve peri‐operative outcome during spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section
Authors: Sng B. L. , Wang H. , Assam P. N. , Sia A. T.
Published: January 2015

Hypotension occurs commonly during spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section, associated with maternal and fetal adverse effects. We developed a double‐vasopressor automated system with a two‐step algorithm and continuous non‐invasive haemodynamic monitoring using the Nexfin™ device. The system delivered 25 μg phenylephrine every 30 s when systolic blood pressure was between 90% and 100% of baseline, or 2 mg ephedrine at this blood pressure range and heart rate < 60 beats.min−1; and 50 μg phenylephrine or 4 mg ephedrine when systolic blood pressure was < 90% of baseline with the same heart rate criterion. Fifty‐seven women received standardised spinal anaesthesia. Twenty‐seven (47.4%) had at least one reading of hypotension defined as systolic blood pressure < 80% baseline. Systolic blood pressure was within 20% of the baseline in a mean (SD) of 79.8 (20.9)% of measurements. Fifty‐three (93.0%) women required phenylephrine before delivery while 10 (17.5%) required ephedrine. Six women (10.5%) experienced nausea and three (5.3%) vomited. The system was able to achieve a low incidence of maternal hypotension with good maternal and fetal outcomes.
Prevalence of experienced abuse in healthcare and associated obstetric characteristics in six European countries
Authors: Lukasse Mirjam , Schroll Anne‐Mette , Karro Helle , Schei Berit , Steingrimsdottir Thora , Van Parys An‐Sofie , Ryding Elsa Lena , Tabor Ann ,   the Bidens Study Group
Published: January 2015

Objectives

To assess the prevalence and current suffering of experienced abuse in healthcare, to present the socio‐demographic background for women with a history of abuse in healthcare and to assess the association between abuse in healthcare and selected obstetric characteristics.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Setting

Routine antenatal care in six European countries.

Population

In total 6923 pregnant women.

Methods

Cross‐tabulation and Pearson's chi‐square was used to study prevalence and characteristics for women reporting abuse in healthcare. Associations with selected obstetric factors were estimated using multiple logistic regression analysis.

Main outcome measures

Abuse in healthcare, fear of childbirth and preference for birth by cesarean section.

Results

One in five pregnant women attending routine antenatal care reported some lifetime abuse in healthcare. Prevalence varied significantly between the countries. Characteristics for women reporting abuse in healthcare included a significantly higher prevalence of other forms of abuse, economic hardship and negative life events as well as a lack of social support, symptoms of post‐traumatic stress and depression. Among nulliparous women, abuse in healthcare was associated with fear of childbirth, adjusted odds ratio 2.25 (95% CI 1.23–4.12) for severe abuse in healthcare. For multiparous women only severe current suffering from abuse in healthcare was significantly associated with fear of childbirth, adjusted odds ratio 4.04 (95% CI 2.08–7.83). Current severe suffering from abuse in healthcare was significantly associated with the wish for cesarean section, and counselling for fear of childbirth for both nulli‐ and multiparous women.

Conclusion

Abuse in healthcare among women attending routine antenatal care is common and for women with severe current suffering from abuse in healthcare, this is associated with fear of childbirth and a wish for cesarean section.
The Use of Ventricular Assist Device Support in Children: The State of the Art
Authors: Mascio Christopher E.
Published: January 2015

Improved survival, recognition, and management of patients with congenital heart disease have increased the number of pediatric patients with ventricular dysfunction. Many of these patients require mechanical support to bridge to transplant or recovery. Development of pediatric ventricular assist devices has lagged behind adult devices. Until recently, adult devices were used in pediatric patients, with suboptimal results in the smaller patient population. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation can be life saving, but is a poor choice for long‐term support. The Berlin Heart EXCOR (Berlin Heart AG, Berlin, Germany) is a paracorporeal device with a variety of pumps for patients of all sizes. The PumpKIN Trial will compare this device to the Infant Jarvik 2000 (Jarvik Heart, New York, NY, USA) in a prospective, randomized study. The single ventricle population presents unique challenges to placement and proper functioning of assist devices. Data are anecdotal and mortality is high. A registry has been developed to assist in caring for this challenging population.
Design of Axial Blood Pumps for Patients With Dysfunctional Fontan Physiology: Computational Studies and Performance Testing
Authors: Kafagy Dhyaa H. , Dwyer Thomas W. , McKenna Kelli L. , Mulles Jean P. , Chopski Steven G. , Moskowitz William B. , Throckmorton Amy L.
Published: January 2015

Limited treatment options for patients having dysfunctional single ventricle physiology motivate the necessity for alternative therapeutic options. To address this unmet need, we are developing a collapsible axial flow blood pump. This study investigated the impact of geometric simplicity to facilitate percutaneous placement and maintain optimal performance. Three new pump designs were numerically evaluated. A transient simulation explored the impact of respiration on blood flow conditions over the entire respiratory cycle. Prototype testing of the top performing pump design was completed. The top performing Rec design generated the highest pressure rise range of 2–38 mm Hg for flow rates of 1–4 L/min at 4000–7000 RPM, exceeding the performance of the other two configurations by more than 26%. The blood damage indices for the new pump designs were determined to be below 0.5% and predicted hemolysis levels remained low at less than 7 × 10−5 g/100 L. Prototype testing of the Rec design confirmed numerical predictions to within an average of approximately 22%. These findings demonstrate that the pumps are reasonably versatile in operational ability, meet pressure‐flow requirements to support Fontan patients, and are expected to have low levels of blood trauma.
Apolipoprotein E Levels in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Cardiopulmonary Bypass
Authors: Aĝirbaşli Mehmet , Song Jianxun , Lei Fengyang , Wang Shigang , Kunselman Allen R. , Clark Joseph B. , Myers John L. , Ündar Akif
Published: January 2015

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) may play a critical role in modulating the response to neurological injury after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in children. Plasma samples were collected from 38 pediatric patients. Half of the patients received nonpulsatile flow and the other half underwent pulsatile flow during CPB. Plasma samples were collected at three time points: at baseline prior to incision (T1), 1 h after CPB (T2), and 24 h after CPB (T3). The study included 38 pediatric patients undergoing heart surgery (mean age 2.5 ± 2.1 years). Baseline apoE levels were low (<30 μg/mL) in 21 patients (55%). ApoE levels were significantly decreased at 1 h after CPB compared with baseline (22 ± 14 vs. 34 ± 18 μg/mL, P = 0.001). At 24 h after CPB, apoE levels were significantly increased compared with baseline (47 ± 25 vs. 34 ± 18 μg/mL, P = 0.002). Pulsatile mode was associated with lower apoE levels at 24 h after CPB compared with nonpulsatile mode (38 ± 14 vs. 57 ± 29 μg/mL, P = 0.018). ApoE levels correlated negatively with pump time (r = −0.525, P = 0.021) and cross‐clamp time (r = −0.464, P = 0.045) at 24 h following CPB for the nonpulsatile group but not for the pulsatile group. In this cohort of young children with congenital heart disease, baseline apoE levels were low in the majority of patients prior to surgery. ApoE levels decreased further at 1 h after CPB, and then significantly increased by 24 h. The mode of perfusion and the duration of pump time and clamp time influence the apoE levels after CPB. An improved understanding of these mechanisms may translate into the development of new techniques to improve the clinical outcomes after pediatric CPB.
Evaluation of a Novel Pulsatile Extracorporeal Life Support System Synchronized to the Cardiac Cycle: Effect of Rhythm Changes on Hemodynamic Performance
Authors: Patel Sunil , Wang Shigang , Pauliks Linda , Chang Dennis , Clark Joseph B. , Kunselman Allen R. , Ündar Akif
Published: January 2015

Arrhythmias are a frequent complication during extracorporeal life support (ECLS). A new ECLS system can provide pulsatile flow synchronized to the patient's intrinsic cardiac cycle based upon the R wave of the electrocardiogram (ECG). It is unclear how the occurrence of arrhythmias may alter the hemodynamic performance of the system. This in vitro study evaluated the effect of simulated arrhythmias on hemodynamics during R wave‐triggered pulsatile ECLS. The ECLS circuit with an i‐cor diagonal pump and iLA membrane ventilator was primed with whole blood at room temperature. Flow and pressure data were collected at 2.5 and 4 L/min for each condition using a customized data acquisition system. Pulsatile ECLS flow was R wave synchronized to an ECG simulator using 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 assist ratios. Conditions tested included sinus rhythm at 45 and 90 bpm, supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), ventricular tachycardia (VT), and irregular rhythms such as ventricular fibrillation. Pulsatile mode was successfully triggered by ECG signals of normal sinus rhythm, SVT, VT, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and ventricular bigeminy with assist ratios 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3. Regular rhythm at 90 bpm generated the best surplus hemodynamic energy (SHE). For SVT and VT, an assist ratio of 1:2 resulted in maximum pulsatile flow waveforms with optimal SHE at 2.5 L/min flow rate. At 4 L/min, SHE declined and the pressure drop increased independent of arrhythmia condition. Irregular rhythms still produced adequate pulsatile wave forms at lower pulsatile frequency. This study demonstrated the feasibility of generating pulsatile ECLS flow with the novel ECG‐synchronized i‐cor system during various simulated rhythms. The optimal rate for pulsatile flow was 90 bpm. During irregular rhythms, the lower pulsatile frequency was the more reliable synchronization mode for generating pulsatile flow.
Modulation of microRNA‐375 expression alters voltage‐gated Na+ channel properties and exocytosis in insulin‐secreting cells
Authors: Salunkhe V. A. , Esguerra J. L. S. , Ofori J. K. , Mollet I. G. , Braun M. , Stoffel M. , Wendt A. , Eliasson L.
Published: January 2015

Aim

MiR‐375 has been implicated in insulin secretion and exocytosis through incompletely understood mechanisms. Here we aimed to investigate the role of miR‐375 in the regulation of voltage‐gated Na+ channel properties and glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion in insulin‐secreting cells.

Methods

MiR‐375 was overexpressed using double‐stranded mature miR‐375 in INS‐1 832/13 cells (OE375) or downregulated using locked nucleic acid (LNA)‐based anti‐miR against miR‐375 (LNA375). Insulin secretion was determined using RIA. Exocytosis and ion channel properties were measured using the patch‐clamp technique in INS‐1 832/13 cells and beta‐cells from miR‐375KO mice. Gene expression was analysed by RT‐qPCR, and protein levels were determined by Western blot.

Results

Voltage‐gated Na+ channels were found to be regulated by miR‐375. In INS‐1 832/13 cells, steady‐state inactivation of the voltage‐gated Na+ channels was shifted by approx. 6 mV to a more negative membrane potential upon down‐regulation of miR‐375. In the miR‐375 KO mouse, voltage‐gated Na+ channel inactivation was instead shifted by approx. 14 mV to a more positive membrane potential. Potential targets differed among species and expression of suggested targets Scn3a and Scn3b in INS‐1 832/13 cells was only slightly moderated by miR‐375. Modulation of miR‐375 levels in INS‐1‐832/13 cells did not significantly affect insulin release. However, Ca2+ dependent exocytosis was significantly reduced in OE375 cells.

Conclusion

We conclude that voltage‐gated Na+ channels are regulated by miR‐375 in insulin‐secreting cells, and validate that the exocytotic machinery is controlled by miR‐375 also in INS‐1 832/13 cells. Altogether we suggest miR‐375 to be involved in a complex multifaceted network controlling insulin secretion and its different components.
Limits on efficient human mindreading: Convergence across Chinese adults and Semai children
Authors: Wang Bo , Hadi Nur Shafiqah Abdul , Low Jason
Published: January 2015

We tested Apperly and Butterfill's (2009, Psychological Review, 116, 753) theory that humans have two mindreading systems whereby the efficient‐system guiding anticipatory glances displays signature limits that do not apply to the flexible system guiding verbal predictions. Experiments 1 and 2 tested urban Mainland‐Chinese adults (n = 64) and Experiment 3 tested Semai children living in the rainforests of Peninsular Malaysia (3‐ to 4‐year‐olds, n = 60). Participants – across different ages, groups and methods – anticipated others’ false‐beliefs about object‐location but not object‐identity. Convergence in signature limits signalled that the early‐developing efficient system involved minimal theory‐of‐mind. Chinese adults and older Semai children showed flexibility in their direct predictions. The flexible mindreading system in ascribing others’ beliefs as such was task‐sensitive and implicated maturational and cultural contributions.
Penile lengthening and widening without grafting according to a modified ‘sliding’ technique
Authors: Egydio Paulo H. , Kuehhas Franklin E.
Published: January 2015

Objective

To present the feasibility and safety of penile length and girth restoration based on a modified ‘sliding’ technique for patients with severe erectile dysfunction (ED) and significant penile shortening, with or without Peyronie's disease (PD).

Patients and Methods

Between January 2013 and January 2014, 143 patients underwent our modified ‘sliding’ technique for penile length and girth restoration and concomitant penile prosthesis implantation. It is based on three key elements: (i) the sliding manoeuvre for penile length restoration; (ii) potential complementary longitudinal ventral and/or dorsal tunical incisions for girth restoration; and (iii) closure of the newly created rectangular bow‐shaped tunical defects with Buck's fascia only.

Results

In all, 143 patients underwent the procedure. The causes of penile shortening and narrowing were: PD in 53.8%; severe ED with unsuccessful intracavernosal injection therapy in 21%; post‐radical prostatectomy 14.7%; androgen‐deprivation therapy, with or without brachytherapy or external radiotherapy, for prostate cancer in 7%; post‐penile fracture in 2.1%; post‐redo‐hypospadias repair in 0.7%; and post‐priapism in 0.7%. In patients with ED and PD, the mean (range) deviation of the penile axis was 45 (0‒100)°. The mean (range) subjective penile shortening reported by patients was 3.4 (1‒7) cm and shaft constriction was present in 53.8%. Malleable penile prostheses were used in 133 patients and inflatable penile prostheses were inserted in 10 patients. The median (range) follow‐up was 9.7 (6‒18) months. The mean (range) penile length gain was 3.1 (2‒7) cm. No penile prosthesis infection caused device explantation. The average International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) score increased from 24 points at baseline to 60 points at the 6‐month follow‐up.

Conclusion

Penile length and girth restoration based on our modified sliding technique is a safe and effective procedure. The elimination of grafting saves operative time and, consequently, decreases the infection risk and costs associated with surgery.
Design and Synthesis of Butenolide‐based Novel Benzyl Pyrrolones: Their TNF‐α based Molecular Docking with In vivo and In vitro Anti‐inflammatory Activity
Authors: Ali Yakub , Alam Mohammad Sarwar , Hamid Hinna , Husain Asif , Shafi Syed , Dhulap Abhijeet , Hussain Firasat , Bano Sameena , Kharbanda Chetna , Nazreen Syed , Haider Saqlain
Published: January 2015

A focused library of novel benzyl pyrrolones has been synthesized and their in silico molecular docking studies carried out against TNF‐α target. Among all the docked molecules, compound 3f showed best glide score of −6.89. All the synthesized compounds were evaluated for in vivo anti‐inflammatory activity by carrageenan‐induced paw edema model. Compounds showing significant anti‐inflammatory activity were further tested for their in vitro TNF α expression. Compounds 3b and 2b were found to show significant inhibition of 76.22% and 71.47%, respectively after 5 h in comparison with standard drug indomethacin, which showed 80.98% inhibition of inflammation. Compounds 3b and 2b also suppressed TNF α level by 65.03% and 60.90% as compared indomethacin, which showed 68.84% of inhibition. Compound 3b showed significant analgesic activity of 60.04%, and its activity was comparable with indomethacin (64.04%). Compounds 3b and 2b were also tested for their effect on protein expression of COX‐2 and NF‐κB in the liver tissues. Compounds 3b and 2b were further evaluated for their gastric risk and lipid peroxidation action and showed superior GI safety along with reduction of LPO as compared to indomethacin. Hepatotoxicity study showed that these two compounds did not cause any damage to liver.
Novel Diketopiperazine Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors Purified from Traditional Tibetan Animal Medicine Osteon Myospalacem Baileyi
Authors: Jiang Lei , Wen Huaixiu , Shao Yun , Yu Ruitao , Liu Zenggen , Wang Shuo , Wang Qilan , Zhao Xiaohui , Zhang Peng , Tao Yanduo , Mei Lijuan
Published: January 2015

Traditional Tibetan medicine provides an abundant source of knowledge on human ailments and their treatment. As such, it is necessary to explore their active single compounds used to treat these ailments to discover lead compounds with good pharmacologic properties. In this present work, animal medicine, Osteon Myospalacem Baileyi extracts have been separated using a two‐dimensional preparative chromatographic method to obtain single compounds with high purity as part of the following pharmacological research. Five high‐purity cyclic dipeptides from chromatography work were studied for their dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibitory activity on recombinant human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase enzyme and compound Fr. 1‐4 was found to contain satisfying inhibition activity. The molecular modeling study suggests that the active compound Fr. 1‐4 may have a teriflunomide‐like binding mode. Then, the energy decomposition study suggests that the hydrogen bond between Fr. 1‐4 and Arg136 can improve the binding mode to indirectly increase the van der Waals binding energy. All the results above together come to the conclusion that the 2, 5‐diketopiperazine structure group can interact with the polar residues well in the active pocket using electrostatic power. If some proper hydrophobic groups can be added to the sides of the 2, 5‐diketopiperazine group, it is believed that better 2, 5‐diketopiperazine dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibitors will be found in the future.
CorrelatedMultiples: Spatially Coherent Small Multiples With Constrained Multi‐Dimensional Scaling
Authors: Liu Xiaotong , Hu Yifan , North Stephen , Shen Han‐Wei
Published: January 2015

Displaying small multiples is a popular method for visually summarizing and comparing multiple facets of a complex data set. If the correlations between the data are not considered when displaying the multiples, searching and comparing specific items become more difficult since a sequential scan of the display is often required. To address this issue, we introduce CorrelatedMultiples, a spatially coherent visualization based on small multiples, where the items are placed so that the distances reflect their dissimilarities. We propose a constrained multi‐dimensional scaling (CMDS) solver that preserves spatial proximity while forcing the items to remain within a fixed region. We evaluate the effectiveness of our approach by comparing CMDS with other competing methods through a controlled user study and a quantitative study, and demonstrate the usefulness of CorrelatedMultiples for visual search and comparison in three real‐world case studies.
Color evaluation of a dielectric mirror coating using porcine tissue and prosthetic gingival material: a comparison of two models
Authors: Pecnik Christina Martina , Muff Daniel , Spolenak Ralph , Sailer Irena
Published: January 2015

Aim

The aim of this study was to firstly evaluate the esthetics of a dielectric multilayer coating on titanium below porcine tissue (in vitro porcine model). Secondly, a polymer model was used to investigate the same samples to compare the models to each other and discuss their validity for optical assessment of esthetic coatings for implant applications.

Materials & Methods

A dielectric mirror coating was deposited on titanium substrates (Ti‐ Bragg) and tested below porcine tissue and polymer platelets of three test thicknesses (1 mm, 2 mm and 3 mm). Titanium without coating (Ti) was used as a negative control. Furthermore, the substrates were subjected to three different surface treatments (polished, machined and sand‐blasted). The color difference values ΔL, Δa, Δb and ΔE were calculated for each sample. In total, six samples were tested in both models. Statistical analysis of the data (one sample Wilcoxon test, Kruskal‐Wallis with Bonferroni–Holm corrected Mann–Whitney post hoc tests for multiple testing) was conducted for each sample in both evaluation methods.

Results

In the in vitro porcine model, sand‐blasted Ti‐Bragg and Ti samples showed ΔE values significantly above the threshold value of 3.70, indicating a dark appearance of the 1 mm thick covering tissue. As the test thickness increased, polished and machined Ti‐Bragg samples were significantly invisible (ΔE < 3.70 with P < 0.05). Excessive brightening effects from Ti‐Bragg samples were not observed from the in vitro porcine model, but below polymer platelets the samples exhibited significantly high ΔL values, which also resulted in a significant and visible color change (ΔE >> 3.70 with P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Ti‐Bragg was suggested to be an appropriate coating system for dental implants to improve the soft tissue esthetics. The design of this coating system can be adjusted by varying different parameters to satisfy the requirements of an esthetic coating. The polymer model is valid for test thicknesses of 2 and 3 mm, however, one might have to increase the thickness to 1.5 mm or alter the composition of the resin for 1 mm thick platelets to increase the opacity and therefore adapt to the soft tissue situation.
The relationship between excessive daytime sleepiness and metabolic syndrome in severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
Authors: Huang Jie‐feng , Chen Li‐Da , Lin Qi‐Chang , Chen Gong‐Ping , Yu Yao‐Hua , Huang Jian‐Chai , Zhao Jian‐Ming
Published: January 2015

Background

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), which is commonly considered a cardinal sign of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), may lead to an increased rate of metabolic syndrome (MetS), and be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The aim of this cross‐sectional study was to examine the role of EDS in MetS and its components by researching severe OSA patients.

Methods

The records of 175 consecutive patients who underwent standard polysomnography and diagnosed severe OSA were included. Subjective daytime sleepiness was assessed using the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS). Fasting glucose, lipids, insulin and polysomnography parameters were measured. A metabolic score was counted as the total number of the positive diagnostic criteria of MetS for each subject, which indicated the level of metabolic disorder.

Results

The prevalence of central obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, low high density lipoprotein‐cholesterol and MetS (78.2% vs 28.6%) was significantly higher among EDS group compared with control group. Compared with non‐EDS patients, patients with EDS showed significantly higher metabolic score (3.22 ± 0.94 vs 1.96 ± 1.06). After adjustment for confounders, ESS score, log insulin and age significantly predicted the metabolic score (β = 0.567, P = 0.000; β = 0.197, P = 0.001 and β = 0.118, P = 0.048, respectively).

Conclusion

EDS was independently correlated with the sum of metabolic components in severe OSA patients. Our study suggested that EDS might be a potentially useful clinical marker to identify patients with severe OSA at risk of MetS.
Range expansion of an invasive species through a heterogeneous landscape – the case of American mink in Scotland
Authors: Fraser Elaine J. , Lambin Xavier , Travis Justin M. J. , Harrington Lauren A. , Palmer Stephen C. F. , Bocedi Greta , Macdonald David W.
Published: January 2015

Aim

The impact of invasive species is one of the main causes of biodiversity loss world‐wide, and as a result, there is much interest in understanding the pattern and rate of expansion of species outside their native range. We aimed to characterize the range expansion of the American mink (Neovison vison) invading from multiple introduction points through a varied landscape bounded by coastline to better understand and manage its spread.

Location

Scotland, UK.

Method

We collated and used records of mink presence to calculate the historical range and rate of range expansion at successive time intervals. We used a presence‐only model to predict habitat suitability and a newly developed individual‐based modelling platform, RangeShifter, to simulate range expansion.

Results

Records showed that mink were distributed throughout Scotland, except in the far north. We found that the rate of spread varied both spatially and temporally and was related to landscape heterogeneity. Habitat suitable for mink in west Scotland is restricted to the coast.

Main conclusions

We concluded that temporal and spatial variation in range expansion is attributable to heterogeneity within the landscape and also demonstrated that the potential for long‐distance dispersal does not necessarily facilitate range expansion when availability of suitable habitat occurs in narrow strips and/or is fragmented. We have highlighted methodological gaps in calculating rates of expansion in invasive species but have demonstrated alternative methods that successfully utilize presence‐only data. Our study reaffirms that invasive species will colonize less favourable habitats and highlights the need to remain vigilant of their potential for expansion even when distribution appears to be static for a time.
The Flipped Classroom of Operations Management: A Not‐For‐Cost‐Reduction Platform
Authors: Asef‐Vaziri A.
Published: January 2015

By delivering lectures online using screen capture technology, students can learn course material at the time and location of their choice, when they are in control to pause, rewind, and fast forward the professor. Class time is no longer spent teaching basic concepts, but rather focused on more value‐added activities such as problem solving, systems thinking and active learning, as well as potential collaborative exercises such as case studies, web‐based simulation games, and real‐world applications. A flipped classroom is an online course because its online components must compete with the best of the online courses. It is also a traditional course since not even a single class session is cancelled while all the lectures are delivered online. This core concept is reinforced by a network of resources and learning processes to ensure a smooth, lean, and synchronized course delivery system. Our pilot statistical analysis indicates that a flipped classroom, when implemented in a quantitative and analytical course, can outperform its alternatives.
A Classroom Exercise to Examine the Trade‐off between Mission Capacity and Life Cycle Cost
Authors: Kang Keebom , Doerr Kenneth H.
Published: January 2015

This article presents a classroom exercise, centered on a simulation that has been used for 4 years in an MBA program to help students develop an understanding of the trade‐offs involved in managing capital assets in the public sector. Though often ignored in business schools, mission is a key criterion that must be considered when managing such assets, and acts as a surrogate for profit. The case presents a rich environment in which the impact of cost reductions (or additional investments) on mission can be quantified, and trade‐offs can be assessed and discussed. It gives students a chance to develop creative ideas for process improvement, and provides sufficient data for them to analyze the impact of their suggestions in a rigorous way.
Searching for New Answers: The Application of Task‐Technology Fit to E‐Textbook Usage
Authors: Gerhart Natalie , Peak Daniel A. , Prybutok Victor R.
Published: January 2015

Students have been slow to adopt e‐textbooks even though they are often less expensive than traditional textbooks. Prior e‐textbook research has focused on adoption behavior, with little research to date on how students perceive e‐textbooks fitting their needs. This work builds upon Task‐Technology Fit (TTF) and Consumer Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) theory to present a student‐perspective model of e‐textbook usage. By contextualizing TTF and UTAUT2 to e‐textbooks, the research fills a gap in the literature and provides guidance to researchers and practitioners.

The goal of the research is to understand how students perceive their task of learning to fit with e‐textbook technology, and how that fit influences e‐textbook usage and expected performance in their classes. To achieve this goal, the research develops a model to test the relationship between perceived TTF of e‐textbooks and UTAUT2‐defined user characteristics that encourage adoption behaviors, thus facilitating student learning. The findings show that four factors impact a student's perceived TTF: substitution, habit, hedonic motivation, and facilitating conditions. Furthermore, perceived TTF positively correlates with students’ e‐textbook usage and expected performance in classes when using e‐textbooks. While price value exhibits a measurable effect on e‐textbook utilization, it is a minor factor.
Fleshy seeds form in the basal Angiosperm Magnolia grandiflora and several MADS‐box genes are expressed as fleshy seed tissues develop
Authors: Lovisetto Alessandro , Masiero Simona , Rahim Md Abdur , Mendes Marta Adelina Miranda , Casadoro Giorgio
Published: January 2015

One successful mechanism of seed dispersal in plants involves production of edible fleshy structures which attract frugivorous animals and transfer this task to them. Not only Angiosperms but also Gymnosperms may use the fleshy fruit habit for seed dispersal, and a similar suite of MADS‐box genes may be expressed as these structures form. Magnolia grandiflora produces dry follicles which, at maturity, open to reveal brightly colored fleshy seeds. This species thus also employs endozoochory for seed dispersal, although it produces dry fruits. Molecular analysis reveals that genes involved in softening and color changes are expressed at late stages of seed development, when the fleshy seed sarcotesta softens and accumulates carotenoids. Several MADS‐box genes have also been studied and results highlight the existence of a basic genetic toolkit which may be common to all fleshy fruit‐like structures, independently of their anatomic origin. According to their expression patterns, one of two AGAMOUS genes and the three SEPALLATA genes known so far in Magnolia are of particular interest. Duplication of AGAMOUS already occurs in both Nymphaeales and Magnoliids, although the lack of functional gene analysis prevents comparisons with known duplications in the AGAMOUS lineage of core Eudicots.