bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Safer Wards: reducing violence on older people's mental health wards
Authors: Brown Juliette , Fawzi Waleed , McCarthy Cathy , Stevenson Carmel , Kwesi Solomon , Joyce Maggie , Dusoye Jenny , Mohamudbucus Yasin , Shah Amar
Published: June 2015

Through the Safer Wards project we aimed to reduce the number of incidents of physical violence on older people’s mental health wards. This was done using quality improvement methods and supported by the Trust’s extensive programme of quality improvement, including training provided by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Violence can be an indicator of unmet needs in this patient population, with a negative effect on patient care and staff morale. Reducing harm to patients and staff is a strategic aim of our Trust.

We established a multi-disciplinary group who led on the project on each ward and used a Pareto diagram to establish the focus of our work. We established a dashboard of measures based on our incident reporting system Datix, including number of incidents of violence, days between incidents, days of staff sickness, days between staff injury, use of restraint, and use of rapid tranquilisation (the last two being balancing measures in the reduction of violence). Each team identified factors driving physical violence on the wards, under headings of unmet patient needs, staff needs and staff awareness, which included lack of activity and a safe and therapeutic environment.

Using driver diagrams, we identified change ideas that included hourly rounding (proactive checks on patient well-being), the addition of sensory rooms, flexible leave for patients, and a structured activity programme. We also introduced exercise to music, therapeutic groups led by patients, and focused on discharge planning and pet therapy, each of which starting sequentially over the course of a one year period from late 2013 and subject to a cycle of iterative learning using PDSA methods.

The specific aim was a 20% decrease in violent incidents on three wards in City and Hackney, and Newham. Following our interventions, days between violent incidents increased from an average of three to an average of six. Days between staff injury due to physical violence rose from an average of eight (one violent incident resulting in staff injury every eight days) to 22 (one incident every 22 days). Incidents of physical violence reduced from 63 in 2013 to 39 in 2014. We were also able to quantify reduced costs associated with reduction in violence.

The success of this project in our view lay in the involvement of ward staff in understanding the problems and generating local solutions which were also broadly evidenced based. Patients were also closely involved in generating ideas. We are currently incorporating much of this work into routine practice in order to sustain improvement, as well as continuing to generate new ideas for further improvement while using the skills learnt in this process to address other problems.
Factors associated with RTCs among for-hire three-wheeler drivers in Sri Lanka: a case–control study
Authors: Jayatilleke Achala Upendra , Poudel Krishna C , Dharmaratne Samath D , Jayatilleke Achini C , Jimba Masamine
Published: June 2015

Objective

For-hire three-wheeler crashes are a growing burden in Sri Lanka. We conducted this study to examine the factors associated with road traffic crashes (RTCs) among for-hire three-wheeler drivers in Sri Lanka.

Methods

We conducted a case–control study in Kandy, Sri Lanka between August 2008 and March 2009. Cases were all the for-hire three-wheeler drivers involved in crashes in Kandy between 1 January and 31 December 2007 (n=88). Controls were non-crash-involved for-hire three-wheeler drivers in Kandy, matched to the ages of the cases (n=88). We examined participants’ sociodemographic characteristics, job characteristics, driving behaviours and the characteristics of their three wheelers. We used conditional logistic regression analysis to examine the factors associated with for-hire three-wheeler crashes.

Results

Three factors were positively associated with for-hire three-wheeler crashes. They were as follows: taking more than three passengers in the passenger seat (adjusted OR (AOR)=8.03, 95% CI 1.16 to 55.71), higher age of the three wheelers (AOR=1.38, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.84), and being convicted by police for traffic law violations during the past 12 months (AOR=1.74, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.58).

Conclusions

We identified three factors that might lead to for-hire three-wheeler crashes in Sri Lanka. They were as follows: carrying excessive passengers, higher three-wheeler age and drivers’ traffic law violations. To prevent three-wheeler crashes, laws should prevent three wheelers carrying more than three passengers. Yearly examinations should be mandated to ensure proper driving conditions of for-hire three wheelers. Police should enforce traffic laws to prevent traffic law violations by three-wheeler drivers.
An incidental prostatic leiomyoma in a dog
Authors: Holdsworth Andrew , Bléhaut Tanguy , Reeve Lizzie , Day Michael J , Warren‐Smith Chris
Published: June 2015

A 12‐year‐old entire male cocker spaniel presented for re‐evaluation of mitral valve disease. Abdominal palpation revealed a large mass caudally. Abdominal ultrasonography identified a large, heterogeneous, mixed echogenicity mass adjacent to the bladder and prostate. A CT scan of the abdomen confirmed that the mass originated from the cranial aspect of the right prostatic lobe. The mass was of soft tissue attenuation, homogeneous, well circumscribed and displayed mild homogeneous contrast enhancement. There was overlap between the radiologic appearances of prostatic leiomyoma and prostatic carcinoma. Histopathological examination confirmed a prostatic leiomyoma. The patient did not display any clinical signs associated with this tumour and was still alive and asymptomatic three months after diagnosis. Prostatic leiomyomas are very rare in dogs, with only four cases identified within the literature over the previous 40 years; leiomyoma should be included in the differential diagnoses for an atypical prostatic mass in dogs.
Strong and weak (1, 2, 3) homotopies on knot projections
Authors: Ito Noboru , Takimura Yusuke
Published: June 2015

A knot projection is an image of a generic immersion from a circle into a two-dimensional sphere. We can find homotopies between any two knot projections by local replacements of knot projections of three types, called Reidemeister moves. This paper defines an equivalence relation for knot projections called weak (1, 2, 3) homotopy, which consists of Reidemeister moves of type 1, weak type 2, and weak type 3. This paper defines the first nontrivial invariant under weak (1, 2, 3) homotopy. We use this invariant to show that there exist an infinite number of weak (1, 2, 3) homotopy equivalence classes of knot projections. By contrast, all equivalence classes of knot projections consisting of the other variants of a triple type, i.e. Reidemeister moves of (1, strong type 2, strong type 3), (1, weak type 2, strong type 3), and (1, strong type 2, weak type 3), are contractible.
The strong CP problem and discrete symmetries
Authors: Spinrath Martin
Published: June 2015

We discuss a possible solution to the strong CP problem which is based on spontaneous CP violation and discrete symmetries. At the same time we predict in a simple way the almost right-angled quark unitarity triangle angle [Formula: see text] by making the entries of the quark mass matrices either real or imaginary. To prove the viability of our strategy we present a toy flavour model for the quark sector.
Electroweak gauge-boson production in association with b jets at Hadron Colliders
Authors: Febres Cordero F. , Reina L.
Published: June 2015

The production of both charged and neutral electroweak gauge bosons in association with b jets has attracted a lot of experimental and theoretical attention in recent years because of its central role in the physics programs of both the Fermilab Tevatron and the CERN Large Hadron Collider. The improved level of accuracy achieved both in the theoretical predictions and experimental measurements of these processes can promote crucial developments in modeling b-quark jets and b-quark parton distribution functions, and can provide a more accurate description of some of the most important backgrounds to the measurement of Higgs-boson couplings and several new physics searches. In this paper, we review the status of theoretical predictions for cross sections and kinematic distributions of processes in which an electroweak gauge boson is produced in association with up to two b jets in hadronic collisions, namely [Formula: see text], pp → V + 1b jet and [Formula: see text], pp → V + 2b jets with V = W±, Z/γ*, γ. Available experimental measurements at both the Fermilab Tevatron and the CERN Large Hadron Collider are also reviewed and their comparison with theoretical predictions is discussed.
Asymptotically flat black holes with scalar hair: A review
Authors: Herdeiro Carlos A. R. , Radu Eugen
Published: June 2015

We consider the status of black hole (BH) solutions with nontrivial scalar fields but no gauge fields, in four-dimensional asymptotically flat spacetimes, reviewing both classical results and recent developments. We start by providing a simple illustration on the physical difference between BHs in electro-vacuum and scalar-vacuum. Next, we review no-scalar-hair theorems. In particular, we detail an influential theorem by Bekenstein and stress three key assumptions: (1) The type of scalar field equation; (2) the spacetime symmetry inheritance by the scalar field and (3) an energy condition. Then, we list regular (on and outside the horizon), asymptotically flat BH solutions with scalar hair, organizing them by the assumption which is violated in each case and distinguishing primary from secondary hair. We provide a table summary of the state-of-the-art.
On claims that general relativity differs from Newtonian physics for self-gravitating dusts in the low velocity, weak field limit
Authors: Rowland David R.
Published: June 2015

Galaxy rotation curves are generally analyzed theoretically using Newtonian physics; however, two groups of authors have claimed that for self-gravitating dusts, general relativity (GR) makes significantly different predictions to Newtonian physics, even in the weak field, low velocity limit. One group has even gone so far as to claim that nonlinear general relativistic effects can explain flat galactic rotation curves without the need for cold dark matter. These claims seem to contradict the well-known fact that the weak field, low velocity, low pressure correspondence limit of GR is Newtonian gravity, as evidenced by solar system tests. Both groups of authors claim that their conclusions do not contradict this fact, with Cooperstock and Tieu arguing that the reason is that for the solar system, we have test particles orbiting a central gravitating body, whereas for a galaxy, each star is both an orbiting body and a contributor to the net gravitational field, and this supposedly makes a difference due to nonlinear general relativistic effects. Given the significance of these claims for analyses of the flat galactic rotation curve problem, this article compares the predictions of GR and Newtonian gravity for three cases of self-gravitating dusts for which the exact general relativistic solutions are known. These investigations reveal that GR and Newtonian gravity are in excellent agreement in the appropriate limits, thus supporting the conventional use of Newtonian physics to analyze galactic rotation curves. These analyses also reveal some sources of error in the referred to works.
Progressive Collapse of Power Transmission Tower-Line System Under Extremely Strong Earthquake Excitations
Authors: Tian Li , Ma Rui-sheng , Li Hong-nan , Wang Yang
Published: June 2015

The simulation of progressive collapse of a power transmission tower-line system subjected to extremely strong earthquakes is studied in this paper. A three-dimensional finite element model is established for the coupled system that combines three towers and four span lines based on a practical project. The birth to death technique is adopted to simulate the progressive collapse of the system by using the user subroutine VUMAT in ABAQUS. The simulation of progressive collapse of the transmission tower-line system under either single-component or multi-component earthquake excitations is conducted. The collapse path, fracture position and collapse resistant capacity of the transmission tower are investigated. The result shows that the effect of multi-component seismic excitations should be taken into account in simulation of progressive collapse of the transmission tower, since the behavior of towers under multi-component excitations is different from that of single-component excitations. In addition, incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) is carried out to verify the results obtained herein. The present result should prove useful to the seismic design of power transmission towers.
ExAtlas: An interactive online tool for meta-analysis of gene expression data
Authors: Sharov Alexei A. , Schlessinger David , Ko Minoru S. H.
Published: June 2015

We have developed ExAtlas, an on-line software tool for meta-analysis and visualization of gene expression data. In contrast to existing software tools, ExAtlas compares multi-component data sets and generates results for all combinations (e.g. all gene expression profiles versus all Gene Ontology annotations). ExAtlas handles both users’ own data and data extracted semi-automatically from the public repository (GEO/NCBI database). ExAtlas provides a variety of tools for meta-analyses: (1) standard meta-analysis (fixed effects, random effects, z-score, and Fisher’s methods); (2) analyses of global correlations between gene expression data sets; (3) gene set enrichment; (4) gene set overlap; (5) gene association by expression profile; (6) gene specificity; and (7) statistical analysis (ANOVA, pairwise comparison, and PCA). ExAtlas produces graphical outputs, including heatmaps, scatter-plots, bar-charts, and three-dimensional images. Some of the most widely used public data sets (e.g. GNF/BioGPS, Gene Ontology, KEGG, GAD phenotypes, BrainScan, ENCODE ChIP-seq, and protein–protein interaction) are pre-loaded and can be used for functional annotations.
Effect of Sr2TiMnO6 fillers on mechanical, dielectric and thermal behaviour of PMMA polymer
Authors: Thomas P. , Dakshayini B. S. , Kushwaha H. S. , Vaish Rahul
Published: June 2015

Composites of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and [Formula: see text] (STMO) were fabricated via melt mixing followed by hot pressing technique. These were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermo mechanical analysis (TMA) and impedance analyser for their structural, thermal and dielectric properties. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) was measured between 40°C and 100°C for pure PMMA is 115.2 ppm/°C, which was decreased to 78.58 ppm/°C when the STMO content was increased to 50 wt.% in PMMA. There was no difference in the glass transition ([Formula: see text]) temperature of the PMMA polymer and their composites. However, the FTIR analysis indicated possible interaction between the PMMA and STMO. The density and the hardness were increased as the STMO content increased in the PMMA matrix. Permittivity was found to be as high as 30.9 at 100 Hz for the PMMA+STMO-50 wt.% composites, indicating the possibility of using these materials for capacitor applications. The thermal stability of polymer was enhanced by incorporation of STMO fillers.
Late Quaternary beach deposits and archaeological relicts on the coasts of Cyprus, and the possible implications of sea-level changes and tectonics on the early populations
Authors: Galili E. , Şevketoğlu M. , Salamon A. , Zviely D. , Mienis H. K. , Rosen B. , Moshkovitz S.
Published: June 2015

Late Pleistocene beach deposits in 22 selected sites around Cyprus demonstrate the vertical changes in the Earth's crust in that island over the last 125 ka. The beach/shallow-marine deposits were observed on the abraded coastal cliffs at 3–22 m above the present sea-level. They overlie Pliocene marls, and some of them contain the Senegalese marine gastropods
Persististrombus latus
,
Bursa granularis
and
Conus ermineus
that no longer live in the Mediterranean. These are index fossils for the Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5e in the Mediterranean and, as such, suggest an uplift of up to 15.5 m over about the last 125 ka: that is a maximal rate of 0.12 mm a
−1
. These findings are in accordance with Holocene beachrocks, abrasion platforms, wave notches and Roman/Byzantine fish tanks that retained their elevations, and thus enable the reconstruction of the coast encountered by the early colonizers. While the maximal uplift since the early Holocene has been minor and did not exceed 1.2–1.5 m, the sea-level changes have reached 40–50 m. The transition between the impermeable Pliocene marls and the porous Late Pleistocene deposits above them is the origin of freshwater springs and associated vegetation. The early colonizers seemed to recognize the potential of that essential permanent source of water and excavated wells, the earliest wells known so far. The locations of the Early Neolithic settlements (Mylouthkia and Akanthou) adjacent to visible water springs along the coastal cliffs may not be incidental. Not surprisingly, recent wells dug in the coastal Pleistocene deposits rely on the very same hydrological setting.

Supplementary material:

Appendices 1–4, which include tables and diagrams showing the vertical changes (m) and rates of vertical changes (mm ka
−1
), assuming that MIS5e isotope stage deposits are 122 ka old and are at elevation of 7.2 m asl, or 116 ka at 6.5 m, are available at
http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18830
.
New constraints on the timing of partial melting and deformation along the Nyalam section (central Himalaya): implications for extrusion models
Authors: Leloup Philippe Hervé , Liu Xiaobing , Mahéo Gweltaz , Paquette Jean-Louis , Arnaud Nicolas , Aubray Alexandre , Liu Xiaohan
Published: June 2015

New structural, U–Th/Pb and Ar/Ar data along the Nyalam section constrain the timing of partial melting, crystallization and deformation in the Greater Himalayan Sequence. Prograde metamorphism was followed by the onset of partial melting at
c.
30 Ma. In the central Greater Himalayan Sequence,
in situ
melts crystallized between 24 and 18 Ma. Subsequent cooling was very fast (
c.
200 °C Ma
−1
) and coeval with the emplacement of undeformed dykes that lasted until
c.
15 Ma. In the upper Greater Himalayan Sequence, fast cooling continued until
c.
13 Ma. Combined with published
P
–
T
and thermochronological data from the Langtang and Dudh Kosi valleys, these data imply that: (a) the partial melt zone thinned over time; (b) the end of melting preceded the end of motion on the Main Central Thrust and the South Tibetan Detachment by 6 and 2 Ma, respectively; (c) the South Tibetan Detachment possibly initiated at
c.
25 Ma, probably reactivating a pre-existing thrust; and (d) the present-day topography has been established for <6 Ma and focused erosion on the present-day southern slopes of the Himalaya was not active at the time of the exhumation of the Greater Himalayan Sequence. These observations suggest that the Main Central Thrust/South Tibetan Detachment systems are not passive structures induced by focused erosion, as has been suggested previously by some lower crustal channel flow models.

Supplementary material:

U/Pb, geochemistry and Ar/Ar data, the Ar/Ar analytical procedure, field pictures, T11N26, T11N27, T11N31, T11N53A and T11N40 quartz 〈C〉 axis CPOs are available at
http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18835
Vitamin D deficiency is a potential risk factor for contrast-induced nephropathy
Authors: Luchi Weverton M. , Shimizu Maria Heloisa M. , Canale Daniele , Gois Pedro Henrique F. , de Bragança Ana Carolina , Volpini Rildo A. , Girardi Adriana C. C. , Seguro Antonio C.
Published: June 2015

Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is widespread in the general population. Iodinated (IC) or gadolinium-based contrast media (Gd) may decrease renal function in high-risk patients. This study tested the hypothesis that VDD is a predisposing factor for IC- or Gd-induced nephrotoxicity. To this end, male Wistar rats were fed standard (SD) or vitamin D-free diet for 30 days. IC (diatrizoate), Gd (gadoterate meglumine), or 0.9% saline was then administered intravenously and six groups were obtained as the following: SD plus 0.9% saline (Sham-SD), SD plus IC (SD+IC), SD plus Gd (SD+Gd), vitamin D-free diet for 30 days plus 0.9% saline (Sham-VDD30), vitamin D-free diet for 30 days plus IC (VDD30+IC), and vitamin D-free diet for 30 days plus Gd (VDD30+Gd). Renal hemodynamics, redox status, histological, and immunoblot analysis were evaluated 48 h after contrast media (CM) or vehicle infusion. VDD rats showed lower levels of total serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], similar plasma calcium and phosphorus concentration, and higher renal renin and angiotensinogen protein expression compared with rats fed SD. IC or Gd infusion did not affect inulin clearance-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in rats fed SD but significantly decreased GFR in rats fed vitamin D-free diet. Both CM increased renal angiotensinogen, and the interaction between VDD and CM triggered lower renal endothelial nitric oxide synthase abundance and higher renal thiobarbituric acid reactive substances-to-glutathione ratio (an index of oxidative stress) on VDD30+IC and VDD30+Gd groups. Conversely, worsening of renal function was not accompanied by abnormalities on kidney structure. Additionally, rats on a VDD for 60 days displayed a greater fall in GFR after CM administration. Collectively, our findings suggest that VDD is a potential risk factor for IC- or Gd-induced nephrotoxicity most likely due to imbalance in intrarenal vasoactive substances and oxidative stress.
Reduced GABAergic inhibition and abnormal sensory symptoms in children with Tourette syndrome
Authors: Puts Nicolaas A. J. , Harris Ashley D. , Crocetti Deana , Nettles Carrie , Singer Harvey S. , Tommerdahl Mark , Edden Richard A. E. , Mostofsky Stewart H.
Published: June 2015

Tourette Syndrome (TS) is characterized by the presence of chronic tics. Individuals with TS often report difficulty with ignoring (habituating to) tactile sensations, and some patients perceive that this contributes to a “premonitory urge” to tic. While common, the physiological basis of impaired tactile processing in TS, and indeed tics themselves, remain poorly understood. It has been well established that GABAergic processing plays an important role in shaping the neurophysiological response to tactile stimulation. Furthermore, there are multiple lines of evidence suggesting that a deficit in GABAergic transmission may contribute to symptoms found in TS. In this study, GABA-edited magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was combined with a battery of vibrotactile tasks to investigate the role of GABA and atypical sensory processing in children with TS. Our results show reduced primary sensorimotor cortex (SM1) GABA concentration in children with TS compared with healthy control subjects (HC), as well as patterns of impaired performance on tactile detection and adaptation tasks, consistent with altered GABAergic function. Moreover, in children with TS SM1 GABA concentration correlated with motor tic severity, linking the core feature of TS directly to in vivo brain neurochemistry. There was an absence of the typical correlation between GABA and frequency discrimination performance in TS as was seen in HC. These data show that reduced GABA concentration in TS may contribute to both motor tics and sensory impairments in children with TS. Understanding the mechanisms of altered sensory processing in TS may provide a foundation for novel interventions to alleviate these symptoms.
Comparison of contractile responses of single human motor units in the toe extensors during unloaded and loaded isotonic and isometric conditions
Authors: Leitch Michael , Macefield Vaughan G.
Published: June 2015

Much of the repertoire of muscle function performed in everyday life involves isotonic dynamic movements, either with or without an additional load, yet most studies of single motor units measure isometric forces. To assess the effects of muscle load on the contractile response, we measured the contractile properties of single motor units supplying the toe extensors, assessed by intraneural microstimulation of single human motor axons, in isotonic, loaded isotonic, and isometric conditions. Tungsten microelectrodes were inserted into the common peroneal nerve, and single motor axons ( n = 10) supplying the long toe extensors were electrically stimulated through the microelectrode. Displacement was measured from the distal phalanx of the toe with either an angular displacement transducer for the unloaded (i.e., no additional load) and loaded (addition of a 4-g mass) isotonic conditions or a force transducer for the isometric conditions. Mean twitch profiles were measured at 1 Hz for all conditions: rise time, fall time, and duration were shortest for the unloaded isotonic conditions and longest for the isometric conditions. Peak displacements were lower in the loaded than unloaded isotonic conditions, and the half-maximal response in the loaded condition was achieved at lower frequencies than in the unloaded isotonic condition. We have shown that the contractile responses of single motor units supplying the human toe extensors are influenced by how they are measured: twitches are much slower when measured in loaded than unloaded isotonic conditions and slowest when measured in isometric conditions.
Neural Correlates of Associative Memory in the Elderly: A Resting-State Functional MRI Study
Authors: Ren Weicong , Li Rui , Zheng Zhiwei , Li Juan
Published: June 2015

The neural correlates of associative memory in healthy older adults were investigated by examining the correlation of associative memory performance with spontaneous brain oscillations. Eighty healthy older adults underwent a resting-state functional MRI and took a paired-associative learning test (PALT). Correlations between the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) as well as fractional ALFF (fALFF) in the whole brain and PALT scores were calculated. We found that spontaneous activity as indexed by both ALFF and fALFF in the parahippocampal gyrus (PHG) was significantly positively correlated with associative memory performance, suggesting that the PHG plays a critical role in associative memory in older people.
Content and Bioaccumulation of Nine Mineral Elements in Ten Mushroom Species of the GenusBoletus
Authors: Wang Xue-Mei , Zhang Ji , Li Tao , Wang Yuan-Zhong , Liu Hong-Gao
Published: June 2015

Concentrations and bioconcentration potential of nine elements (Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, and Zn) in ten species of wild edibleBoletusand the corresponding underlying soils were analyzed. The analyses were performed using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrophotometer.Boletusshowed relative abundant contents of P, K, Fe, Mg, Ca, and Na and less of Zn, Cu, and Mn. Caps compared to stalks were enriched in P, K, Cu, Mg, and Zn, while stalks were enriched in Mn. The elements such as P and K were accumulated (BCF>1), while Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn, and Na were excluded (BCF<1) in the fruiting bodies. The correlation analysis indicated high correlations between Cu, Mn, Ca, and Fe in the mushrooms as compared to the corresponding soils. Significant correlations were also obtained between Cu-P (r=0.775), Fe-P (r=0.728), and Zn-P (r=0.76) for caps and Cu-Mg (r=0.721), Fe-Mg (r=0.719), Zn-Mg (r=0.824), and Zn-P (r=0.818) for stalks. The results of this study imply that ability of fungi to accumulate elements from substrate could be influenced by mushroom species and underlying soil substrates.
Effect of Leukocyte-Rich and Platelet-Rich Plasma on Healing of a Horizontal Medial Meniscus Tear in a Rabbit Model
Authors: Shin Kyun Ho , Lee Haseok , Kang Seonghyun , Ko You-Jin , Lee Seung-Yup , Park Jung-Ho , Bae Ji-Hoon
Published: June 2015

There are limited reports on the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on meniscus healing. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of leukocyte-rich PRP (L-PRP) on potential healing of the horizontal medial meniscus tears in a rabbit model. A horizontal medial meniscus tear was created in both knees of nine skeletally mature adult rabbits. Left or right knees were randomly assigned to a L-PRP group, or a control group. 0.5 mL of L-PRP from 10 mL of each rabbit’s whole blood was prepared and injected into the horizontal tears in a L-PRP group. None was applied to the horizontal tears in a control group. The histological assessment of meniscus healing was performed at two, four, and six weeks after surgery. We found that there were no significant differences of quantitative histologic scoring between two groups at 2, 4, and 6 weeks after surgery (p>0.05). This study failed to show the positive effect of single injection of L-PRP on enhancing healing of the horizontal medial meniscus tears in a rabbit model. Single injection of L-PRP into horizontal meniscus tears may not effectively enhance healing of horizontal medial meniscus tears.
Prevalence of Tuberculosis, Drug Susceptibility Testing, and Genotyping of Mycobacterial Isolates from Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients in Dessie, Ethiopia
Authors: Maru Minwuyelet , Mariam Solomon H. , Airgecho Tekle , Gadissa Endalamaw , Aseffa Abraham
Published: June 2015

Due to their initially seemingly high cost, timely diagnosis and effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB) are usually hampered by lack or shortage of resources in many high TB burden countries. However, the benefits of effective treatment can eventually outweigh those of empirical treatment. Here, a cross-sectional study was conducted on samples from smear-positive new and retreatment TB patients. Data on sociodemographic and HIV status were collected. Samples were cultured for identification, conventional drug sensitivity testing, and molecular typing by deletion typing and spoligotyping. The results showed the youth were disproportionately affected. New cases were being treated following general treatment guidelines only. Monoresistance or multiple drug resistance was found in 16.5% of new patients. Spoligotyping showed that there were 44 patterns with families H3 and T1 (lineage 4) and CAS-Delhi (lineage 3) being dominant. Some rare patterns from lineage 7 were also found. Spoligotype pattern, HIV positivity, and previous treatment were not associated with drug resistance. That the vast majority of the patients were new cases and young and the large number of these patients with mono- or multiple drug resistance indicate that most TB cases are due to recent transmissions and that urgent actions are needed to curb the transmissions.
A Two-Sided Matching Decision Model Based on Uncertain Preference Sequences
Authors: Liu Xiao , Ma Huimin
Published: June 2015

Two-sided matching is a hot issue in the field of operation research and decision analysis. This paper reviews the typical two-sided matching models and their limitations in some specific contexts, and then puts forward a new decision model based on uncertain preference sequences. In this model, we first design a data processing method to get preference ordinal value in uncertain preference sequence, then compute the preference distance of each matching pair based on these certain preference ordinal values, set the optimal objectives as maximizing matching number and minimizing total sum of preference distances of all the matching pairs under the lowest threshold constraint of matching effect, and then solve it with branch-and-bound algorithm. Meanwhile, we take two numeral cases as examples and analyze the different matching solutions with one-norm distance, two-norm distance, and positive-infinity-norm distance, respectively. We also compare our decision model with two other approaches, and summarize their characteristics on two-sided matching.
Psychiatric Disorders and Polyphenols: Can They Be Helpful in Therapy?
Authors: Trebatická Jana , Ďuračková Zdeňka
Published: June 2015

The prevalence of psychiatric disorders permanently increases. Polyphenolic compounds can be involved in modulation of mental health including brain plasticity, behaviour, mood, depression, and cognition. In addition to their antioxidant ability other biomodulating properties have been observed. In the pathogenesis of depression disturbance in neurotransmitters, increased inflammatory processes, defects in neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity, mitochondrial dysfunction, and redox imbalance are observed.Ginkgo biloba, green tea, andQuercus roburextracts and curcumin can affect neuronal system in depressive patients. ADHD patients treated with antipsychotic drugs, especially stimulants, report significant adverse effects; therefore, an alternative treatment is searched for. An extract fromGinkgo bilobaand fromPinus pinasterbark, Pycnogenol, could become promising complementary supplements in ADHD treatment. Schizophrenia is a devastating mental disorder, with oxidative stress involved in its pathophysiology. The direct interference of polyphenols with schizophrenia pathophysiology has not been reported yet. However, increased oxidative stress caused by haloperidol was inhibitedex vivoby different polyphenols. Curcumin, extract from green tea and fromGinkgo biloba,may have benefits on serious side effects associated with administration of neuroleptics to patients suffering from schizophrenia. Polyphenols in the diet have the potential to become medicaments in the field of mental health after a thorough study of their mechanism of action.
Proteases of Wood Rot Fungi with Emphasis on the GenusPleurotus
Authors: Inácio Fabíola Dorneles , Ferreira Roselene Oliveira , Araujo Caroline Aparecida Vaz de , Brugnari Tatiane , Castoldi Rafael , Peralta Rosane Marina , Souza Cristina Giatti Marques de
Published: June 2015

Proteases are present in all living organisms and they play an important role in physiological conditions. Cell growth and death, blood clotting, and immune defense are all examples of the importance of proteases in maintaining homeostasis. There is growing interest in proteases due to their use for industrial purposes. The search for proteases with specific characteristics is designed to reduce production costs and to find suitable properties for certain industrial sectors, as well as good producing organisms. Ninety percent of commercialized proteases are obtained from microbial sources and proteases from macromycetes have recently gained prominence in the search for new enzymes with specific characteristics. The production of proteases from saprophytic basidiomycetes has led to the identification of various classes of proteases. The genusPleurotushas been extensively studied because of its ligninolytic enzymes. The characteristics of this genus are easy cultivation techniques, high yield, low nutrient requirements, and excellent adaptation. There are few studies in the literature about proteases ofPleurotusspp. This review gathers together information about proteases, especially those derived from basidiomycetes, and aims at stimulating further research about fungal proteases because of their physiological importance and their application in various industries such as biotechnology and medicine.
Impact of Infection Dose and Previous Serum Antibodies against the Locus of Enterocyte Effacement Proteins onEscherichia coliO157:H7 Shedding in Calves following Experimental Infection
Authors: Martorelli L. , Hovde C. J. , Vilte D. A. , Albanese A. , Zotta E. , Ibarra C. , Cantet R. J. C. , Mercado E. C. , Cataldi A.
Published: June 2015

Escherichia coliO157:H7 is the main causative agent of haemolytic uremic syndrome. Cattle are the main reservoir of these bacteria, and have been shown to develop immune response to colonization. Our aim was to investigate the faecal shedding pattern ofE. coliO157:H7 in calves challenged intragastrically with either 108or 1010 CFU, as well as the ability of specific preexisting antibodies to reduce shedding of the pathogen. Shedding was analysed by direct counting as well as enrichment of rectoanal mucosal swabs. Statistical analysis was performed using a linear model for repeated measures with and without the inclusion of preexisting antibodies against the carboxy-terminal fraction of intimin-γ(γ-intimin C280) as a covariable. Results suggest that there is a statistical difference in the area under the shedding curves between both doses for 14 as well as 28 days after challenge (p= 0.0069 and 0.0209, resp.). This difference is increased when the prechallenge antibodies are taken into account (p= 0.0056 and 0.0185). We concluded that the bacterial dose influences shedding on calves experimentally challenged and that preexisting antibodies againstE. coliO157:H7γ-intimin C280 could partially reduce faecal excretion.
Efficacy and Acceptability of Orthokeratology for Slowing Myopic Progression in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wen Daizong , Huang Jinhai , Chen Hao , Bao Fangjun , Savini Giacomo , Calossi Antonio , Chen Haisi , Li Xuexi , Wang Qinmei
Published: June 2015

Background. To evaluate the efficacy and acceptability of orthokeratology for slowing myopic progression in children with a well conducted evidence-based analysis.Design. Meta-analysis.Participants. Children from previously reported comparative studies were treated by orthokeratology versus control.Methods. A systematic literature retrieval was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and ClinicalTrials.gov. The included studies were subjected to meta-analysis using Stata version 10.1.Main Outcome Measures. Axial length change (efficacy) and dropout rates (acceptability) during 2-year follow-up.Results. Eight studies involving 769 subjects were included. At 2-year follow-up, a statistically significant difference was observed in axial length change between the orthokeratology and control groups, with a weighted mean difference (WMD) of −0.25 mm (95% CI, −0.30 to −0.21). The pooled myopic control rate declined with time, with 55, 51, 51, and 41% obtained after 6, 12, 18, and 24 months of treatment, respectively. No statistically significant difference was obtained for dropout rates between the orthokeratology and control groups at 2-year follow-up (OR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.52 to 1.22).Conclusions. Orthokeratology is effective and acceptable for slowing myopic progression in children with careful education and monitoring.
A Novel Online Self-Structuring Fuzzy Control Algorithm and Its Application
Authors: Feng Siyuan , Bao Hong , Duan Xuechao
Published: June 2015

This paper proposes a novel self-structuring algorithm for the online adaptive fuzzy controller (SA-OAFC). The SA-OAFC capable of adding and deleting inference rules autonomously can start operating with an empty set of fuzzy rules based on the desired output and actual output of the system to avoid conventional differential operation. It also takes advantage of the auxiliary fuzzy system to evaluate the approximated results with little information of the plant. The SA-OAFC is characterized by its good engineering approachability, robustness for all kinds of perturbations of the plant, and the ability to perform variable selection among a group of candidate input variables. Moreover, it manages to remarkably reduce the amount of computation and decrease the complexity of the system. This paper demonstrates the capabilities of SA-OAFC by a simulation example and then hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) experiment.
The Altered Triple Networks Interaction in Depression under Resting State Based on Graph Theory
Authors: Zheng Hongna , Xu Lele , Xie Fufang , Guo Xiaojuan , Zhang Jiacai , Yao Li , Wu Xia
Published: June 2015

The triple network model (Menon, 2011) has been proposed, which helps with finding a common framework for understanding the dysfunction in core neurocognitive network across multiple disorders. The alteration of the triple networks in the major depression disorder (MDD) is not clear. In our study, the altered interaction of the triple networks, which include default model network (DMN), central executive network (CEN), and salience network (SN), was examined in the MDD by graph theory method. The results showed that the connectivity degree of right anterior insula (rAI) significantly increased in MDD compared with healthy control (HC), and the connectivity degree between DMN and CEN significantly decreased in MDD. These results not only supported the proposal of the triple network model, but also prompted us to understand the dysfunction of neural mechanism in MDD.
Progressive Intracranial Vertebral Artery Dissection Presenting with Isolated Trigeminal Neuralgia-Like Facial Pain
Authors: Nakamizo Tomoki , Koide Takashi , Miyazaki Hiromichi
Published: June 2015

Intracranial vertebral artery dissection (IVAD) is a potentially life-threatening disease, which usually presents with ischemic stroke or subarachnoid hemorrhage. IVAD presenting with isolated facial pain is rare, and no case with isolated trigeminal neuralgia- (TN-) like facial pain has been reported. Here, we report the case of a 57-year-old male with IVAD who presented with acute isolated TN-like facial pain that extended from his left cheek to his left forehead and auricle. He felt a brief stabbing pain when his face was touched in the territory of the first and second divisions of the left trigeminal nerve. There were no other neurological signs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain 7 days after onset revealed dissection of the left intracranial vertebral artery without brain infarction. The pain gradually disappeared in approximately 6 weeks, and the patient remained asymptomatic thereafter, except for a brief episode of vertigo. Follow-up MRI revealed progressive narrowing of the artery without brain infarction. This case indicates that IVAD can present with isolated facial pain that mimics TN. IVAD should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute facial pain or TN.
Mining Symptom-Herb Patterns from Patient Records Using Tripartite Graph
Authors: Chen Jinpeng , Poon Josiah , Poon Simon K. , Xu Ling , Sze Daniel M. Y.
Published: June 2015

Unlike the western medical approach where a drug is prescribed against specific symptoms of patients, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment has a unique step, which is called syndrome differentiation (SD). It is argued that SD is considered as patient classification because prior to the selection of the most appropriate formula from a set of relevant formulae for personalization, a practitioner has to label a patient belonging to a particular class (syndrome) first. Hence, to detect the patterns between herbs and symptoms via syndrome is a challenging problem; finding these patterns can help prepare a prescription that contributes to the efficacy of a treatment. In order to highlight this unique triangular relationship of symptom, syndrome, and herb, we propose a novel three-step mining approach. It first starts with the construction of a heterogeneous tripartite information network, which carries richer information. The second step is to systematically extract path-based topological features from this tripartite network. Finally, an unsupervised method is used to learn the best parameters associated with different features in deciding the symptom-herb relationships. Experiments have been carried out on four real-world patient records (Insomnia, Diabetes, Infertility, and Tourette syndrome) with comprehensive measurements. Interesting and insightful experimental results are noted and discussed.
On Corrected Quadrature Rules and Optimal Error Bounds
Authors: Dubeau François
Published: June 2015

We present an analysis of corrected quadrature rules based on the method of undetermined coefficients and its associated degree of accuracy. The correcting terms use weighted values of the first derivative of the function at the endpoint of the subinterval in such a way that the composite rules contain only two new values. Using Taylor’s expansions and Peano’s kernels we obtain best truncation error bounds which depend on the regularity of the function and the weight parameter. We can minimize the bounds with respect to the parameter, and we can find the best parameter value to increase the order of the error bounds or, equivalently, the degree of accuracy of the rule.
Electrospun Gelatin/β-TCP Composite Nanofibers Enhance Osteogenic Differentiation of BMSCs andIn VivoBone Formation by Activating Ca2+-Sensing Receptor Signaling
Authors: Zhang Xuehui , Meng Song , Huang Ying , Xu Mingming , He Ying , Lin Hong , Han Jianmin , Chai Yuan , Wei Yan , Deng Xuliang
Published: June 2015

Calcium phosphate- (CaP-) based composite scaffolds have been used extensively for the bone regeneration in bone tissue engineering. Previously, we developed a biomimetic composite nanofibrous membrane of gelatin/β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and confirmed their biological activityin vitroand bone regenerationin vivo. However, how these composite nanofibers promote the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) is unknown. Here, gelatin/β-TCP composite nanofibers were fabricated by incorporating 20 wt%β-TCP nanoparticles into electrospun gelatin nanofibers. Electron microscopy showed that the compositeβ-TCP nanofibers had a nonwoven structure with a porous network and a rough surface. Spectral analyses confirmed the presence and chemical stability of theβ-TCP and gelatin components. Compared with pure gelatin nanofibers, gelatin/β-TCP composite nanofibers caused increased cell attachment, proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity, and osteogenic gene expression in rat BMSCs. Interestingly, the expression level of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) was significantly higher on the composite nanofibrous scaffolds than on pure gelatin. For rat calvarial critical sized defects, more extensive osteogenesis and neovascularization occurred in the composite scaffolds group compared with the gelatin group. Thus, gelatin/β-TCP composite scaffolds promote osteogenic differentiation of BMSCsin vitroand bone regenerationin vivoby activating Ca2+-sensing receptor signaling.
Random Field Modeling of Track Irregularity of Beijing-Guangzhou High-Speed Railway with Karhunen-Loève Expansion
Authors: Zhu Mengyi , Cheng Xiaohui , Miao Lixin , Sun Xinya
Published: June 2015

As one of the largest civil engineering systems in China, the network of high-speed railway expanded fast in the last decade. The safety of railway operation is of great concern for the whole country. Railway track irregularity is a potential threat to safety of operation and comfort of passengers, and remains a challenging issue for researchers and engineers. Currently, track irregularity data are recorded by various sensors in the comprehensive inspection cars in China. To reveal relations between the operation of high-speed trains and the track geometry, the data mining and random modeling of track irregularity are needed. In this paper, different methods to evaluate the track irregularities are presented at first. A case study of a section in Beijing-Guangzhou high-speed railway is studied using the Karhunen-Loève expansion. Track geometries that are a representation of this railway network are generated along with statistical and frequency validations. As an application based on generated random track geometries, accelerations of train body under different traveling velocities are calculated and analyzed using a simulation model.