bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functionality and feedback: a protocol for a realist synthesis of the collation, interpretation and utilisation of PROMs data to improve patient care
Authors: Greenhalgh Joanne , Pawson Ray , Wright Judy , Black Nick , Valderas Jose Maria , Meads David , Gibbons Elizabeth , Wood Laurence , Wood Charlotte , Mills Chris , Dalkin Sonia
Published: July 2014

Introduction

The feedback and public reporting of PROMs data aims to improve the quality of care provided to patients. Existing systematic reviews have found it difficult to draw overall conclusions about the effectiveness of PROMs feedback. We aim to execute a realist synthesis of the evidence to understand by what means and in what circumstances the feedback of PROMs data leads to the intended service improvements.

Methods and analysis

Realist synthesis involves (stage 1) identifying the ideas, assumptions or ‘programme theories’ which explain how PROMs feedback is supposed to work and in what circumstances and then (stage 2) reviewing the evidence to determine the extent to which these expectations are met in practice. For stage 1, six provisional ‘functions’ of PROMs feedback have been identified to structure our review (screening, monitoring, patient involvement, demand management, quality improvement and patient choice). For each function, we will identify the different programme theories that underlie these different goals and develop a logical map of the respective implementation processes. In stage 2, we will identify studies that will provide empirical tests of each component of the programme theories to evaluate the circumstances in which the potential obstacles can be overcome and whether and how the unintended consequences of PROMs feedback arise. We will synthesise this evidence to (1) identify the implementation processes which support or constrain the successful collation, interpretation and utilisation of PROMs data; (2) identify the implementation processes through which the unintended consequences of PROMs data arise and those where they can be avoided.

Ethics and dissemination

The study will not require NHS ethics approval. We have secured ethical approval for the study from the University of Leeds (LTSSP-019). We will disseminate the findings of the review through a briefing paper and dissemination event for National Health Service stakeholders, conferences and peer reviewed publications.
Injury of the mammillothalamic tract in patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage: a retrospective diffusion tensor imaging study
Authors: Jang Sung Ho , Choi Byung Yeon , Kim Seong Ho , Chang Chul Hoon , Jung Young Jin , Kwon Hyeok Gyu
Published: July 2014

Objective

Few studies have reported on injury of the mammillothalamic tract (MTT) in patients with stroke. However, no study in patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) has been reported. Using diffusion tensor tractography, we attempted to investigate injury of the MTT in patients with SAH.

Methods

We recruited 16 patients with SAH and 15 control participants. DTI was obtained at 5.7±1.5 weeks after onset and reconstruction of the MTT was performed using the probabilistic tractography method. The fractional anisotropy (FA) value and tract number of the MTT and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score were determined. Values of FA and tract volume showing a decrement of more than two SDs that of normal control were defined as abnormal.

Results

The FA value and tract volume in the patient group were significantly lower than those in the control group (p<0.05). In addition, MMSE showed strong (r=0.67, p=0.005) positive correlation with tract volume without correlation with FA. In the individual analysis, 16 MTTs of 32 MTTs in 16 patients showed abnormalities of the MTT in terms of the FA value, the tract volume or the presence of a reconstructed MTT. As a result, 10 (62.5%) of 16 patients showed abnormality of the MTT in at least one hemisphere.

Conclusions

We found that patients with SAH showed injury of the MTT and this injury showed correlation with cognitive dysfunction.
Internet-based vestibular rehabilitation for adults aged 50 years and over: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Geraghty Adam W A , Kirby Sarah , Essery Rosie , Little Paul , Bronstein Adolfo , Turner David , Stuart Beth , Andersson Gerhard , Carlbring Per , Yardley Lucy
Published: July 2014

Introduction

Dizziness is highly prevalent in older adults and can lead to falls, fear of falling, loss of confidence, anxiety and depression. Vestibular rehabilitation (VR) exercises are effective in reducing dizziness due to vestibular dysfunction, but access to trained therapists is limited. Providing dizzy patients with booklets teaching them how to carry out VR exercises has been shown to be a cost-effective way of managing dizziness in primary care. Internet-based intervention delivery has many advantages over paper-based methods, including the provision of video instructions, automated tailoring and symptom-related feedback. This trial will examine whether an internet-based VR intervention is (1) effective in reducing dizziness and (2) a cost-effective primary care treatment option.

Methods/analysis

This will be a single blind, randomised controlled trial carried out in UK primary care. A stand-alone internet-based VR intervention will be compared with routine care in 262 dizzy patients aged 50 years and over. Measures will be taken at baseline, 3 and 6 months. Our primary outcome measure will be the effectiveness of the intervention in reducing dizziness symptoms compared with routine care at 6 months. Cost-effectiveness will be examined along with the effect of the intervention on dizziness-related disability and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Psychological process variables including expectancy, self-efficacy and acceptance will be explored in relation to adherence and symptom reduction.

Ethics/dissemination

This trial has undergone ethical scrutiny and been approved by an NHS Research Ethics Committee, Southampton A REC Reference: 13/SC/0119. The findings of this trial will be disseminated to the scientific community through presentations at national and international conferences, and by publishing in peer review journals. Findings will be disseminated to the public through targeted press releases. This trial will provide valuable information on the role of internet interventions in facilitating self-management in older adults.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN: 86912968.
Comparison of the therapeutic efficacy of intravenous dimenhydrinate and intravenous piracetam in patients with vertigo: a randomised clinical trial
Authors: Doğan Nurettin Özgür , Avcu Nazire , Yaka Elif , Yılmaz Serkan , Pekdemir Murat
Published: July 2014

Background

The present study aimed to compare the therapeutic efficacy of dimenhydrinate and piracetam in patients with vertigo.

Methods

A blinded, parallel group, superiority, randomised clinical trial was carried out on patients who presented to the emergency department (ED) with vertigo. Healthy adult patients presenting to the ED with undifferentiated vertigo were included in the study. The efficacy of intravenous dimenhydrinate (100 mg) and intravenous piracetam (2000 mg) for reducing the intensity of vertigo was compared in two randomised treatment groups using a 10-point numeric rating scale (NRS). The determination of NRS scores was performed at presentation and at the 30th minute of presentation, after the study drug was implemented, both in immobile and ambulatory positions. The primary outcome variable was reduction in vertigo intensity documented on the NRS at the 30th minute after medication administration, analysed by intention to treat.

Results

A total of 94 patients were included in the randomisation (n=47 in both groups). The baseline NRS scores were 7.55±2.00 in the dimenhydrinate group and 8.19±1.79 in the piracetam group. The changes from baseline for dimenhydrinate and piracetam were 2.92±3.11 and 3.75±3.40 (difference −0.83 (95% CI −2.23 to 0.57)) in the immobile position and were 2.04±3.07 and 2.72±2.91 (difference −0.68 (95% CI −2.03 to 0.67)) in the ambulatory position. Rescue medication need was similar in both treatment groups (p=0.330), and only one adverse reaction was reported.

Conclusions

We found no evidence of a difference between dimenhydrinate and piracetam in relieving the symptoms of vertigo.

Trial registration number

Clinical Trials Registration ID:NCT01890538
Rapid assessment of road safety policy change: relaxation of the national speed enforcement law in Russia leads to large increases in the prevalence of speeding
Authors: Bhalla Kavi , Paichadze Nino , Gupta Shivam , Kliavin Vladimir , Gritsenko Elena , Bishai David , Hyder Adnan A
Published: July 2014

Reducing vehicle speed is among the most effective road safety strategies. We assess how a new policy in Russia that eliminates fines for driving up to 20 km/h above the speed limit has affected the prevalence of speeding. We measured speeds periodically in 13 districts of two Russian regions during 2011–2013 and analysed the effect of the policy using difference-in-differences to control for seasonality. We find that the prevalence of speeding was declining steadily but half of the gains since mid-2011 were lost immediately after the new policy. Overall speeding increased significantly by 13 percentage points (pp, 95% CI 4 to 19). Speeding more than 10 km/h above the limit increased significantly by 10 pp (95% CI 2 to 12), and extreme speeding increased but not significantly (1.7 pp, 95% CI −1.1 to 4.5). Road traffic injuries will likely increase in Russia unless speeding fines are reinstated.
p-mTOR expression is associated with better prognosis in luminal breast carcinoma
Authors: Beca Francisco , Andre Rosario , Martins Duarte Saraiva , Bilhim Tiago , Martins Diana , Schmitt Fernando
Published: July 2014

Aims

Despite considerable interest in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in breast carcinomas (BC), published data reports contradictory results regarding the association of phosphorylated mammalian target of Rapamycin (p-mTOR) expression with clinico-pathological features and prognosis in BC. Here, we evaluate the main clinico-pathological associations with p-mTOR expression in BC, with focus on the different molecular subtypes.

Methods

In this retrospective study, 331 BC patients were included in final analysis. Outcome measures included disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) times. Baseline data and outcome measures were compared between immunohistochemical p-mTOR expressing and non-expressing BCs. Subgroup analysis was performed to assess the effect of p-mTOR expression in the outcome for each BC molecular subtype.

Results

43.8% of the tumours were positive for p-mTOR, with a significant correlation between p-mTOR expression with smaller (<2 cm) (p=0.021) and lower-grade tumours (p<0.001). Expression of p-mTOR was also associated with longer DFS (HR of 0.32, p<0.001) and OS (HR of 0.20, p<0.001). In a multivariable analysis, the HR remained significant with minimal change (HR=0.26, p=0.002 for OS; HR=0.40, p=0.002 for DFS). In subgroup analysis, luminal p-mTOR-expressing tumours demonstrated longer DFS and OS (HR 0.33, p=0.003; HR 0.20, p=0.003, respectively) independently of size, grade, lymph node status and Her-2 overexpression.

Conclusions

p-mTOR expression is associated with smaller, lower-grade and with luminal BC. In multivariable analysis, p-mTOR expression was associated with longer DFS and OS, independently of the size, grade and lymph node status, especially in luminal BCs.
What is the cost of a healthy diet? Using diet data from the UK Women's Cohort Study
Authors: Morris Michelle A , Hulme Claire , Clarke Graham P , Edwards Kimberley L , Cade Janet E
Published: July 2014

Background

A healthy diet is important to promote health and well-being while preventing chronic disease. However, the monetary cost of consuming such a diet can be a perceived barrier. This study will investigate the cost of consuming a range of dietary patterns.

Methods

A cross-sectional analysis, where cost of diet was assigned to dietary intakes recorded using a Food Frequency Questionnaire. A mean daily diet cost was calculated for seven data-driven dietary patterns. These dietary patterns were given a healthiness score according to how well they comply with the UK Department of Health's Eatwell Plate guidelines. This study involved ∼35 000 women recruited in the 1990s into the UK Women's Cohort Study.

Results

A significant positive association was observed between diet cost and healthiness of the diet (p for trend >0.001). The healthiest dietary pattern was double the price of the least healthy, £6.63/day and £3.29/day, respectively. Dietary diversity, described by the patterns, was also shown to be associated with increased cost. Those with higher education and a professional or managerial occupation were more likely to consume a healthier diet.

Conclusions

A healthy diet is more expensive to the consumer than a less healthy one. In order to promote health through diet and reduce potential inequalities in health, it seems sensible that healthier food choices should be made more accessible to all.
Employment status and mental health among persons with and without a disability: evidence from an Australian cohort study
Authors: Milner A , LaMontagne A D , Aitken Z , Bentley R , Kavanagh A M
Published: July 2014

Background

Unemployment and economic inactivity are associated with worse mental health in the general population, but there is limited understanding of whether these relationships are different for those persons with mental or physical disabilities. The aim of this study was to assess whether there were differences in mental health by labour force status among persons with and without disabilities.

Method

Over eight annual waves of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey, a total of 2379 people with disabilities and 11 417 people without disabilities were identified. Mental health using the Mental Component Summary (MCS) from the Short Form 36 was modelled as a function of labour force status using fixed-effects regression models to control for time invariant confounding. Differences between those with and without disabilities were assessed by including an interaction term in regression models.

Results

After finding evidence of effect modification, regression models were stratified by disability status. After adjustment, unemployment and economic inactivity were associated with a −1.85 (95% CI −2.96 to −0.73, p=0.001) and −2.66 (95% CI −3.46 to −1.86, p<0.001) reduction in scores of the MCS among those with a disability. For those without a disability, there were smaller declines associated with unemployment (−0.57, 95% CI −1.02 to −0.12, p=0.013) and economic inactivity (−0.34, 95% CI −0.64 to 0.05, p=0.022).

Conclusions

These results suggest a greater reduction in mental health for those persons with disabilities who were unemployed or economically inactive than those who were employed. This highlights the value of employment for people with disabilities.
Potential genetic predisposition for anthracycline-associated cardiomyopathy in families with dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Wasielewski Marijke , van Spaendonck-Zwarts Karin Y , Westerink Nico-Derk L , Jongbloed Jan D H , Postma Aleida , Gietema Jourik A , van Tintelen J Peter , van den Berg Maarten P
Published: July 2014

Objective

Anthracyclines are successfully used in cancer treatment, but their use is limited by their cardiotoxic side effects. Several risk factors for anthracycline-associated cardiomyopathy (AACM) are known, yet the occurrence of AACM in the absence of these known risk factors suggests that other factors must play a role. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a genetic predisposition for dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) could be a potential risk factor for AACM.

Methods

A hospital-based registry of 162 DCM families and two hospital-based registries of patients with cancer treated with systemic cancer therapy (n>6000) were reviewed focusing on AACM. Selected patients with AACM/DCM families with possible AACM (n=21) were analysed for mutations in cardiomyopathy-associated genes and presymptomatic cardiological evaluation of first-degree relatives was performed.

Results

We identified five DCM families with AACM and one patient with AACM with a family member with a possible early sign of mild DCM. PathogenicMYH7mutations were identified in two of these six families. TheMYH7c.1633G>A (p.Asp545Asn) and c.2863G>A (p.Asp955Asn) mutations (one double mutant allele) were identified in a DCM family with AACM. TheMYH7c.4125T>A (p.Tyr1375X) mutation was identified in one patient with AACM.

Conclusions

This study further extends the hypothesis that a genetic predisposition to DCM could be a potential risk factor for AACM.
Computational study on the molecular mechanisms of drug resistance of Narlaprevir due to V36M, R155K, V36M+R155K, T54A, and A156T mutations of HCV NS3/4A protease
Authors: Wang Huiqun , Geng Lingling , Chen Bo-Zhen , Ji Mingjuan
Published: July 2014

Narlaprevir is a novel NS3/4A protease inhibitor of hepatitis C virus (HCV), and it has been tested in a phase II clinical trial recently. However, distinct drug-resistance of Narlaprevir has been discovered. In our study, the molecular mechanisms of drug-resistance of Narlaprevir due to the mutations V36M, R155K, V36M+R155K, T54A, and A156T of NS3/4A protease have been investigated by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, free energy calculations, and free energy decomposition analysis. The predicted binding free energies of Narlaprevir towards the wild-type and five mutants show that the mutations V36M, R155K, and T54A lead to low-level drug resistance and the mutations V36M+R155K and A156T lead to high-level drug resistance, which is consistent with the experimental data. The analysis of the individual energy terms indicates that the van der Waals contribution is important for distinguishing the binding affinities of these six complexes. These findings again show that the combination of different molecular modeling techniques is an efficient way to interpret the molecular mechanism of drug-resistance. Our work mainly elaborates the molecular mechanism of drug-resistance of Narlaprevir and further provides valuable information for developing novel, safer, and more potent HCV antiviral drugs in the near future.
Development and evaluation of ITS- andaflP-based LAMP assays for rapid detection ofAspergillus flavusin food samples
Authors: Liu Peiqing , Li Benjin , Yin Rongmei , Weng Qiyong , Chen Qinghe
Published: July 2014

Aspergillus flavus is a common filamentous fungus that produces aflatoxins and presents a major threat to agriculture and human health. Previous studies focused mainly on the detection of A. flavus or aflatoxin separately. Here, we developed internal transcribed spacer (ITS)- and aflP-based rapid detection of A. flavus in food samples using the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method. The ITS1–5.8S–ITS2 rDNA region of A. flavus and the aflatoxin-encoding gene aflP were used as target regions. The detection limits of A. flavus and aflP were 10 fg and 1 pg pure DNA, respectively, which allows aflatoxin-contaminated samples to be differentiated from infected samples and reduces false-negative or false-positive results. For specificity testing, DNA extracted from 7 A. flavus, 5 different Aspergillus spp., and 21 other fungi were used, and our results showed that A. flavus strains are detected by ITS-based detection and aflatoxigenic A. flavus strains are detected by aflP-based detection. Furthermore, the ITS- and aflP-based LAMP assays were used for detection analysis of DNA from food samples artificially and naturally contaminated with A. flavus. Our results showed that the detection rate of A. flavus based on the multi-ITS-based LAMP detection is 100% and that the aflatoxigenic strains in all A. flavus are detected by the aflP-based LAMP assay. The LAMP protocol described in our study represents a rapid and highly specific and sensitive diagnostic method for A. flavus detection, which can be used as a diagnostic tool that simplifies A. flavus monitoring and guarantees the quality and safety of foods.
Locally rotationally symmetric Bianchi type I cosmology in f(R) gravity
Authors: Shamir M. Farasat , Raza Zahid
Published: July 2014

This manuscript is devoted to investigating a Bianchi type I universe in the context of f(R) gravity. For this purpose, we explore the exact solutions of locally rotationally symmetric Bianchi type I space–time in the metric version of f(R) gravity. The modified field equations are solved by assuming the expansion scalar θ to be proportional to the shear scalar σ, which gives A = Bn, where A and B are the metric coefficients, and n is an arbitrary constant. In particular, three solutions have been found and corresponding Killing symmetries are calculated in each case.
The human dimension of water safety plans: a critical review of literature and information gaps
Authors: Kot Megan , Castleden Heather , Gagnon Graham A.
Published: July 2014

A safe supply of drinking water is a cornerstone of public health and community well-being. Complacency among those responsible for the provision of safe drinking water (e.g., water suppliers, operators, and managers) has led to numerous and otherwise avoidable waterborne outbreaks. Water safety plans present a risk-based, proactive framework for water management, and when properly implemented, virtually eliminates the option for complacency. However, the uptake of water safety plans remain limited worldwide. This paper reports on the experiences of early water safety plan adopters and identifies a number of non-technical operational and human factors that have undermined previous efforts. Specifically, it identifies these factors as a gap in the water safety plan implementation literature and suggests incorporating the broader community in water safety planning through a community readiness approach. Assessing and building community readiness for water safety plans is suggested to be a critical pre-implementation step, and a potential tool for use by water suppliers and by policy makers.
Magneto-biexciton in a group III–V diluted magnetic quantum dot
Authors: Lalitha D. , Peter A. John , Lee Chang Woo
Published: July 2014

Binding energies of biexciton are computed in a GaMnAs / GaAlAs quantum dot with the effects of geometrical confinement, exchange interaction between the charge carrier and the magnetic impurities and the magnetic field. The size dependence of the binding energy of the biexciton in the presence of magnetic field is brought out. The optical transition energy, in the presence of magnetic field strength, is discussed for various magnetic impurities in a GaMn x As quantum dot. Numerical calculations are performed using variational technique. The spin polaronic energy of the biexciton with the effect of spatial confinement is carried out taking into account the mean field approximation in the presence of magnetic field strength. The magnetization of magnetic ion impurities as a function of dot radius is computed in a GaMn 0.02 As quantum dot. The effective g-factor as a function of spatial confinement is found in the GaMnAs quantum dot. The results show that the shift in spin polaron has more influence for the larger dot radius and the nonlinearity to linear behavior of g-factor for a particular dot size is achieved due to the sign reversal of Zeeman splitting.
A DISCRIMINATIVE SHAPELETS TRANSFORMATION FOR TIME SERIES CLASSIFICATION
Authors: YUAN JI-DONG , WANG ZHI-HAI , HAN MENG
Published: July 2014

Time series shapelets are subsequences of time series that could be representative of a class. Shapelets-based time series classification methods can be divided into two large categories. The first category integrates shapelets selection within the process of constructing classifier; while the second category disconnects the process of finding shapelets from the classification algorithm by adopting a shapelet transformation. However, there are two important limitations of shapelet transformation. First, the number of shapelets selected for transformation has great influence on classification result, but it is difficult to decide the quantity of shapelets which yields the best data for classification. Second, similar shapelets always exist among the selected shapelets in previous algorithms. In our work, the latter problem is addressed by introducing an efficient and effective pruning technique, it filters similar shapelets and decreases the number of candidate shapelets at the same time. Then, we propose a novel shapelet coverage method to select shapelets for a given dataset. The final selected shapelets are named after Discriminative Shapelets. Our experimental results demonstrate that, on the classic benchmark datasets used for time series classification, shapelet pruning and coverage method outperforms ShapeletFilter.
ALL OPTICAL FREQUENCY ENCODED COMBINATIONAL LOGIC DEVICES UTILIZING POLARIZATION INDEPENDENT FOUR-WAVE MIXING IN SEMICONDUCTOR OPTICAL AMPLIFIERS
Authors: MUKHERJEE KOUSIK
Published: July 2014

Semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) is among one of the most promising candidate for all optical computation and communication technology implementation. An all optical multiplexer and demultiplexer utilizing SOA-based dual pump four-wave mixing is proposed and explained. A multiplexer and demultiplexer are very important device for both optical computation and communication system and find variety of applications. In this communication, a multiplexer and a demultiplexer are proposed using frequency encoded format. Two very simple but interesting applications of demultiplexer one as decoder of two-bit frequency encoded numbers and another as comparator of frequency encoded single-bit numbers are presented for the first time in this communication. The devices proposed here can show ultra fast speed of operation and compact with advantages of using frequency-encoding technique for representing states of information.
The combinatorics of an algebraic class of easy quantum groups
Authors: Raum Sven , Weber Moritz
Published: July 2014

Easy quantum groups are compact matrix quantum groups, whose intertwiner spaces are given by the combinatorics of categories of partitions. This class contains the symmetric group Sn and the orthogonal group On as well as Wang's quantum permutation group [Formula: see text] and his free orthogonal quantum group [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we study a particular class of categories of partitions to each of which we assign a subgroup of the infinite free product of the cyclic group of order two. This is an important step in the classification of all easy quantum groups and we deduce that there are uncountably many of them. We focus on the combinatorial aspects of this assignment, complementing the quantum algebraic point of view presented in another paper.
Fear Sentiment, Liquidity, and Trading Behavior: Evidence from the Index ETF Market
Authors: Chiu Junmao , Chung Huimin , Ho Keng-Yu
Published: July 2014

This paper explores how the fearful market-based sentiment indicators affect investor trading behavior and market liquidity. Our results show that a high degree of fearful market-based sentiment induces more sell orders along with a reduction in market liquidity, and vice versa. In addition, most of our findings suggest that the fear sentiment, in the case of extremely high implied volatility, decreases net buying volume more significantly. As for the interaction between fearful market-based sentiment and institutional investor expectation, we show that net buying volume and market liquidity decrease (increase) more significantly than they normally do when the fearful market-based sentiment increases (decreases) in the state of bearish institutional investor expectation. The results provide support to the myopic loss aversion of investors.
Empirical Investigation of the Causal Relationships Among Herding, Stock Market Returns, and Illiquidity: Evidence from Major Asian Markets
Authors: Qiao Zhuo , Chiang Thomas C. , Tan Lin
Published: July 2014

We apply the Kalman filter method to estimate nine Asian markets and find evidence that stock return dispersions decline as markets experience stress conditions, supporting the existence of herding. This paper finds that herding behavior is time-varying and comoving across markets. Both linear and nonlinear Granger causality tests conclude that there is strong bilateral causality between herding and returns for all nine Asian markets. For markets in Japan, South Korea, and Thailand, we consistently find strong two-way causality exists in pairwise variables among herding, stock returns, and illiquidity. No consistent evidence can be drawn from other markets for other pairwise variables.
Atomic structure and physical properties of fused porphyrin nanoclusters
Authors: Avramov Pavel V. , Kuzubov Alex A. , Sakai Seiji , Ohtomo Manabu , Entani Shiro , Matsumoto Yoshihiro , Eleseeva Natalia S. , Pomogaev Vladimir A. , Naramoto Hiroshi
Published: July 2014

The atomic and electronic structures, mechanical properties and potential barriers of formation of a set of meso–meso β–β fused porphyrin/metalloporphyrin nanopages, nanotapes, nanotubes and 2D nanofabrics were studied by GGA LC-DFT technique using cluster and PBC models. The porphyrin pages of the nanoclusters are connected with each other by graphene fragments formed by meso–meso β–β links. Fusion of all the edges of six porphyrin/metalloporphyrin units produces a novel ~ 1 nm sized molecule of cubic symmetry with a hollow cage inside. It was found that all studied nanoclusters are metastable with formation energies 0.36–7.57 kcal/mol per atom. Under applied mechanical stress, the nanoclusters exhibit superelastic and ultrastrong properties with binding graphene fragments being the weakest links for mechanical rupture. Depending on the spin-dependent reaction pathways, the hollow caged nanoclusters exhibit almost zero or low potential energy barriers (1–10 kcal/mol) during the initial stages of self-assembly. All nanoclusters exibit the main features of the electronic structures of the parent porphyrins, in particular the nature of HOMO/LUMO states and the relative energetic positions of the metal d states. The induced curvature of the hollow cage nanoclusters leads to admixture of more than 2% of the dπ⊥ states to the dσ energy region and formation of vacant superatomic molecular orbitals of d character in cubic ligand field. The Fe -derived hollow-caged nanoclusters reveal extremely high spin states with small energy differences between ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic configurations, which can be utilized for quantum holonomic computations.
Longitudinal and Transverse Single File Diffusion in Quasi-1D Systems
Authors: Coste Christophe , Delfau Jean-Baptiste , Saint Jean Michel
Published: July 2014

We review our recent results on Single File Diffusion (SFD) of a chain of particles that cannot cross each other, in a thermal bath, with long ranged interactions, and arbitrary damping. We exhibit new behaviors specifically associated to small systems and to small damping. The fluctuation dynamics is explained by the decomposition of the particles' motion in the normal modes of the chain. For longitudinal fluctuations, we emphasize the relevance of the soft mode linked to the translational invariance of the system to the long time SFD behavior. We show that close to the zigzag threshold, the transverse fluctuations also exhibit the SFD behavior, characterized by a mean square displacement that increases as the square root of time. This cannot be explained by the single file ordering, and the SFD behavior results from the strong correlation of the transverse displacements of neighbouring particles near the bifurcation. Extending our analytical modelization, we demonstrate the existence of this subdiffusive regime near the zigzag transition, in the thermodynamic limit. The zigzag transition is a supercritical pitchfork bifurcation, and we show that the transverse SFD behavior is closely linked to the vanishing of the frequency of the zigzag transverse mode at the bifurcation threshold.

[Formula: see text] Special Issue Comments: This article presents mathematical results on the dynamics in files with longitudinal movements. This article is connected to the Special Issue articles about advanced statistical properties in single file dynamics,28 expanding files,63 and files with force and advanced formulations.29
Nonlinear Transport of the Wigner Crystal on Superfluid 4He in a Quasi-One-Dimensional Channel
Authors: Vasylenko Anna A. , Misko Vyacheslav R.
Published: July 2014

We study transport properties of a Wigner crystal driven by an external force on the surface of superfluid 4 He , in the "quantum wire" regime, i.e. in the quasi-one-dimensional (quasi-1D) case when a typical width of the channel is comparable to the inter-electron separation. Utilizing molecular dynamics simulations, we investigate the electronic transport through the channels with different constrictions: (i) geometrical constrictions with varying shape and size, and (ii) a saddle-point potential with varying gate voltage. The average particle velocity has been calculated as a function of the driving force or gate voltage. We have revealed a significant difference in the dynamical behavior for long and short constrictions. In particular, we found that the oscillations of the average particle velocity in channels with short constrictions exhibit a clear correlation with the transitions between the states with different numbers of rows of particles in the constriction, while for channels with longer constrictions these oscillations are suppressed. The obtained results are in agreement with the recent experimental observations,1 and thus bring new important insights into the dynamics of electrons floating on the surface of superfluid 4 He in channels with constrictions.

[Formula: see text] Special Issue Comments: This article presents results on the dynamics of electrons moving on the surface of liquid helium in narrow channels with constrictions, with a focus on the "quantum wire", i.e. single file, regime. This article is connected to the Special Issue articles about advanced statistical properties in single file dynamics39 and the experiments on liquid helium.40
Interacting Single-File System: Fractional Langevin Formulation Versus Diffusion-Noise Approach
Authors: Taloni Alessandro , Marchesoni Fabio
Published: July 2014

We review the latest advances in the analytical modelling of single file diffusion. We focus first on the derivation of the fractional Langevin equation that describes the motion of a tagged file particle. We then propose an alternative derivation of the very same stochastic equation by starting from the diffusion-noise formalism for the time evolution of the file density.

[Formula: see text] Special Issue Comments: This article presents mathematical formulations and results on the dynamics in files with applied potential, yet also general files. This article is connected to the Special Issue articles about the zig zag phenomenon,72 advanced statistical properties in single file dynamics,73 and expanding files.74
Complement-mediated glomerular injury is reduced by inhibition of protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B
Authors: Nezvitsky Lisa , Tremblay Michel L. , Takano Tomoko , Papillon Joan , Cybulsky Andrey V.
Published: July 2014

The unfolded protein response and endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD) contribute to injury in renal glomerular diseases, including those mediated by complement C5b-9. In the present study, we address the role of protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) in complement-mediated glomerular injury and ERAD. In glomerular epithelial cells (GECs)/podocytes and PTP1B-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts exposed to complement, inhibition/deletion of PTP1B reduced ERAD, as monitored by the ERAD reporter CD3δ. Overexpression of PTP1B produced an effect similar to PTP1B deficiency on ERAD in complement-treated GECs. Complement-mediated cytotoxicity was reduced after PTP1B overexpression and tended to be reduced after PTP1B inhibition. PTP1B enhanced the induction of certain ERAD components via the inositol-requiring-1α branch of the unfolded protein response. PTP1B knockout mice with anti-glomerular basement membrane glomerulonephritis had decreased proteinuria and showed less podocyte loss and endoplasmic reticulum dysfunction compared with wild-type littermates. These results imply that endogenous levels of PTP1B are tightly regulated and that both overexpression and inhibition can affect ERAD. The cytoprotective effects of PTP1B deletion in cultured cells and in anti-glomerular basement membrane nephritis suggest that PTP1B may potentially be a therapeutic target in complement-mediated diseases.
Acclimatization to long-term hypoxia: gene expression in ovine carotid arteries
Authors: Goyal Ravi , Longo Lawrence D.
Published: July 2014

Exposure to acute high-altitude hypoxia is associated with an increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF) as a consequence of low arterial O2tension. However, in response to high altitude acclimatization, CBF returns to levels similar to those at sea level, and tissue blood flow is maintained by an increase in angiogenesis. Of consequence, dysregulation of the acclimatization responses and CBF can result in acute mountain sickness, acute cerebral and/or pulmonary edema. To elucidate the signal transduction pathways involved in successful acclimatization to high altitude, in ovine carotid arteries, we tested the hypothesis that high altitude-associated long-term hypoxia results in changes in gene expression of critical signaling pathways. We acclimatized nonpregnant adult sheep to 3,801 m altitude for ∼110 days and conducted oligonucleotide microarray experiments on carotid arteries. Of a total of 116 regulated genes, 58 genes were significantly upregulated and 58 genes were significantly downregulated (each >2-fold, P < 0.05). Major upregulated genes included suprabasin and myelin basic protein, whereas downregulated genes included BAG2. Several of these genes are known to activate the ERK canonical signal transduction pathway and the process of angiogenesis. We conclude that among other changes, the altered signal transduction molecules involved in high-altitude acclimatization are associated ERK activation and angiogenesis.
Presence and Characterisation of Anaemia in Diabetic Foot Ulceration
Authors: Wright J. A. , Oddy M. J. , Richards T.
Published: July 2014

Introduction. Diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) is the commonest cause of severe limb ischaemia in the western world. In diabetes mellitus, anaemia is frequently unrecognized, yet studies have shown that it is twice as common in diabetics compared with nondiabetics. We aimed to assess the incidence of anaemia and further classify the iron deficiency seen in a high-risk DFU patient group.Methods. An observational study was undertaken in a multidisciplinary diabetic foot clinic setting. All patients with DFU attending over a four-month period were included. Anaemia was defined as haemoglobin (Hb) levels <12 g/dL. Iron deficiency was classified according to definitions of AID (absolute iron deficiency) and FID (functional iron deficiency).Results. 27 patients had DFU; 14 (51.9%) were anaemic; two (7.41%) had severe anaemia (Hb < 10 g/dL). No patient had B12 or Folate deficiency. In patients with anaemia, there was significant spread of indices. Only one patient had “textbook” absolute iron deficiency (AID) defined as low Hb, MCV, MCH, and ferritin. Functional iron deficiency (FID) was seen in a further seven patients (25.5%).Conclusion. Anaemia and iron deficiency are a common problem in patients with DFU. With current clinical markers, it is incredibly difficult to determine causal relationships and further in-depth scientific study is required.
Effect of Seed Priming on Early Development of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) and Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth
Authors: Daffalla Hussien M. , Hassan Mohammed Mahgoub , Osman Magdoleen G. , Eltayeb Amani Hamad , Dagash Yassin Ibrahim , Abdel Gani Migdam E.
Published: July 2014

Striga hermonthica is an obligate, root parasite, that limits cereal production in sub-Saharan Africa. Successful control depends on eliminating its seed reserves in soil, thereby preventing parasitism. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of salinity on germination traits and seedling growth of sorghum (cultivar Wad Ahmed) and S. hermonthica. The experiments were conducted in a factorial arrangement on the basis of completely randomized design (CRD) with 4 replications. In the first experiment, sorghum height, leaf area, and shoot and root dry weights were examined. The results displayed that, with increasing salinity level, leaf area and dry biomass were increased, while the height was decreased. In the second experiment, Striga germination and haustorium initiation percentages were examined. Among all salts, C2H4O2·NH3 inhibited Striga germination (0–15%) during conditioning or (0–25%) at germination compared to the control (75%). However, salt MgSO4·7H2O improved germination during conditioning up to 70%, while during germination CH3COONa·3H2O recorded 65% germination. Regarding haustoria initiation, results showed that C2H4O2·NH3 at all concentrations inhibits haustorium formation by 100%, while CH3COONa·3H2O at 10 µM improved haustorium formation up to 64% but still below the control (70%). Osmotic potential may significantly affect germination and radicle elongation of the parasitic weed.
Misplaced Inventory and Lead-Time in the Supply Chain: Analysis of Decision-Making on RFID Investment with Service Level
Authors: Zhang Li-Hao , Fan Ti-Jun , Chiang Wen-Chyuan , Tao Feng
Published: July 2014

Radio-frequency identification (RFID), as the key technology of Internet of Things (IoT), has been hailed as a major innovation to solve misplaced inventory and reduce lead-time. Many retailers have been pushing their suppliers to invest this technology. However, its associated costs seem to prohibit its widespread application. This paper analyzes the situation of service level in a retail supply chain, which has resulted from misplaced inventory and lead-time. By newsvendor model, we analyze the difference between with- and without-RFID technologies in service level of centralized and decentralized supply chains, respectively. Then with different service levels, we determine the tag cost thresholds at which RFID technology investment becomes profitable in centralized and decentralized supply chains, respectively. Furthermore, we apply a linear transfer payment coefficient strategy to coordinate with the decentralized supply chain. It is found that whether the adoption of RFID technology improves the service level depends on the cost of RFID tag in the centralized system, but it improves the service level in the decentralized system when only the supplier bears the cost of RFID tag. Moreover, the same cost thresholds of RFID tag with different service levels exist in both the centralized and the decentralized cases.
M/M/1 Multiple Vacation Queueing Systems with Differentiated Vacations
Authors: Ibe Oliver C. , Isijola Olubukola A.
Published: July 2014

We consider a multiple vacation queueing system in which a vacation following a busy period has a different distribution from a vacation that is taken without serving at least one customer. For ease of analysis it is assumed that the service times are exponentially distributed and the two vacation types are also exponentially distributed but with different means. The steady-state solution is obtained.
Sustained-Release Corticosteroid Options
Authors: Cabrera Mariana , Yeh Steven , Albini Thomas A.
Published: July 2014

Sustained-release corticosteroid treatment has shown to be a promising strategy for macular edema due to retinovascular disease (i.e., diabetes and retinal vein occlusion) and for the treatment of noninfectious posterior uveitis. Clinicians now have the option of three sustained-release corticosteroid implants: Ozurdex (Allergan Inc., Irvine, CA) which releases dexamethasone and two devices that release fluocinolone acetonide, Retisert (Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, NY), and Iluvien (Alimera Science, Alpharetta, GA). Each has different physical characteristics and duration effect and has been approved for different indications. Herein we provide a summary of the current clinical knowledge regarding these implants.
Quantized Ultracold Neutrons in Rough Waveguides: GRANIT Experiments and Beyond
Authors: Escobar M. , Meyerovich A. E.
Published: July 2014

We apply our general theory of transport in systems with random rough boundaries to gravitationally quantized ultracold neutrons in rough waveguides as in GRANIT experiments (ILL, Grenoble). We consider waveguides with roughness in both two and one dimensions (2D and 1D). In the biased diffusion approximation the depletion times for the gravitational quantum states can be easily expressed via each other irrespective of the system parameters. The calculation of the exit neutron count reduces to evaluation of a single constant which contains a complicated integral of the correlation function of surface roughness. In the case of 1D roughness (random grating) this constant is calculated analytically for common types of the correlation functions. The results obey simple scaling relations which are slightly different in 1D and 2D. We predict the exit neutron count for the new GRANIT cell.
Slope Stability Analysis Using Limit Equilibrium Method in Nonlinear Criterion
Authors: Lin Hang , Zhong Wenwen , Xiong Wei , Tang Wenyu
Published: July 2014

In slope stability analysis, the limit equilibrium method is usually used to calculate the safety factor of slope based on Mohr-Coulomb criterion. However, Mohr-Coulomb criterion is restricted to the description of rock mass. To overcome its shortcomings, this paper combined Hoek-Brown criterion and limit equilibrium method and proposed an equation for calculating the safety factor of slope with limit equilibrium method in Hoek-Brown criterion through equivalent cohesive strength and the friction angle. Moreover, this paper investigates the impact of Hoek-Brown parameters on the safety factor of slope, which reveals that there is linear relation between equivalent cohesive strength and weakening factorD. However, there are nonlinear relations between equivalent cohesive strength and Geological Strength Index (GSI), the uniaxial compressive strength of intact rockσci, and the parameter of intact rockmi. There is nonlinear relation between the friction angle and all Hoek-Brown parameters. With the increase ofD, the safety factor of slopeFdecreases linearly; with the increase of GSI,Fincreases nonlinearly; whenσciis relatively small, the relation betweenFandσciis nonlinear, but whenσciis relatively large, the relation is linear; with the increase ofmi,Fdecreases first and then increases.