bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE MANAGEMENT OF SUSPECTED ENCEPHALITIS AT A REGIONAL DISTRICT GENERAL HOSPITAL
Authors: Llewelyn Dafydd , Fish Mark
Published: October 2015

Aim

To determine how suspected encephalitis is managed in a regional DGH against standard of ABN/BIA (Association of British Neurologists/British Infection Association) Guidelines (2012).

Methodology

A retrospective audit of notes for 21 cases with suspected encephalitis (June to December 2013). Sampling utilised case coding, records of referrals to neurology and CSF analyses. Latency from time of admission to suspicion of encephalitis, CT, LP, MRI, aciclovir administration and neurological input were determined.

Results

12/21 patients received aciclovir within 6 hours (average 11.5h), 18/21 patients had a CT head scan before LP and in 14/21 cases aciclovir was started before LP.
 18/21 cases underwent LP (6 on MAU, 11 by medical teams and 1 by neurology), 17/18 had CSF constituents requested, 9/18 had a paired serum glucose. 5 cases had repeat HSV PCR, 5 had HIV testing and 12/21 had an EEG. The average latency to MRI was 2.34 days and time to be seen by a neurologist was 2 days. Treatment was discontinued in 7 cases after negative HSV PCR and 5 after alternative diagnosis were made.

Conclusions

Management of suspected encephalitis varied, we need to increase awareness ABN/BIA guidance and address the delay in neurology services seeing these patients.
Linear mixed-effects models and calibration applied to volume models in two rotations of Eucalyptus grandis plantations
Authors: de Souza Vismara Edgar , Mehtätalo Lauri , Batista João Luis Ferreira
Published: October 2015

This work presents applications of the linear mixed-effects model calibration to predict individual tree volumes of Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden plantations on first and second rotations located in different farms of the same region in São Paulo, Brazil. We started with the Schumacher and Hall equation in its linearized form to develop our mixed-effects model. Some parameters were considered as random among the different farms, and the calibration was made at the farm level using a small number of sample trees. The approach was developed for univariate models of the first rotation, which were calibrated with first- and second-rotation trees, and for bivariate models of the two rotations, which were calibrated with first-rotation trees. The results showed that the calibrated mixed model provides more reliable predictions than the fixed part of the model alone; however, the benefit is only moderate due to the rather small variation of the stem form between farms and rotations. The results indicate that the approach can reduce the measurement requirements on second-rotation crops.
Patterns of size variation over time in ponderosa pine stands established at different initial densities
Authors: McGown Kathryn I. , O’Hara Kevin L. , Youngblood Andrew
Published: October 2015

We used six metrics of size and growth variation (standard deviation (SD), coefficient of variation (CV), skewness coefficient (S), Gini coefficient (G), Lorenz asymmetry coefficient (LAC), and growth dominance coefficient (GD)) to describe changes in two long-term ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Douglas ex P. Lawson & C. Lawson) initial spacing trials in Oregon and Washington, USA. Trends were examined over a 35-year time period and across a range of initial stand densities (from 154 to 2470 trees·ha−1) for four measures of tree size: diameter at breast height (dbh, 1.37 m), basal area (BA), height, and volume. Unlike many previous studies of size variation in monospecific stands, our results suggest that variation declined or remained relatively stable for all treatments at both study areas. This suggests that these stands are experiencing size symmetric competition for belowground resources. We found that a combination of metrics is necessary to provide a complete picture of size variability and differentiation in developing stands. We recommend using the CV or G, as there were clear trends with increasing density for all size variables. If the objective of the assessment was to track changes in absolute size within an individual stand, we would recommend using the SD, as there were consistent trends with time for all size variables. S, LAC, and GD may be less suited for comparing differentiation during the early stages of stand development because of a lack of clear trends with stand density and time.
A spontaneous segmental deletion from chromosome arm 3DL enhances Fusarium head blight resistance in wheat
Authors: Garvin David F. , Porter Hedera , Blankenheim Zachary J. , Chao Shiaoman , Dill-Macky Ruth
Published: October 2015

Much effort has been directed at identifying sources of resistance to Fusarium head blight (FHB) in wheat. We sought to identify molecular markers for what we hypothesized was a new major FHB resistance locus originating from the wheat cultivar ‘Freedom’ and introgressed into the susceptible wheat cultivar ‘USU-Apogee’. An F2:3 mapping population from a cross between Apogee and A30, its BC4 near-isoline exhibiting improved FHB resistance, was evaluated for resistance. The distribution of FHB resistance in the population approximated a 1:3 moderately resistant : moderately susceptible + susceptible ratio. Separate disease evaluations established that A30 accumulated less deoxynivalenol and yielded a greater proportion of sound grain than Apogee. Molecular mapping revealed that the FHB resistance of A30 is associated with molecular markers on chromosome arm 3DL that exhibit a null phenotype in A30 but are present in both Apogee and Freedom, indicating a spontaneous deletion occurred during the development of A30. Aneuploid analysis revealed that the size of the deleted segment is approximately 19% of the arm’s length. Our results suggest that the deleted interval of chromosome arm 3DL in Apogee may harbor FHB susceptibility genes that promote disease spread in infected spikes, and that their elimination increases FHB resistance in a novel manner.
RESEARCH ON MORPHOLOGIES OF ROCK FRACTURE SURFACES BASED ON MATHEMATICAL METHODS
Authors: PAN XUEZAI
Published: October 2015

In order to research mechanics of rock fracture instant, it is one of methods that rock fracture mechanics are researched by rock fracture surfaces’ morphology. Some researched results which come from international and domestic researches in decades are described and summarized from mathematics in this paper. For example, fractal dimension method, “Small Island Method”, fractal interpolation method, Multi-fractal method, the accumulation power spectral density method. In addition, advantages and insufficiencies of every method are reviewed and commented. In the end, the future researched expectations are put forward from three aspects of rock fracture surfaces’ morphology.
A NEW CONSTRUCTION OF THE FRACTAL INTERPOLATION SURFACE
Authors: RI SONGIL
Published: October 2015

In this paper, we introduce a new construction of the fractal interpolation surface (FIS) using an even more general iterated function systems (IFS) which can generate self-affine and non self-affine fractal surfaces. Here we present the general types of fractal surfaces that are based on nonlinear IFSs.
INTRODUCING AN INTERPOLATION METHOD TO EFFICIENTLY IMPLEMENT AN APPROXIMATE MAXIMUM LIKELIHOOD ESTIMATOR FOR THE HURST EXPONENT
Authors: CHANG YEN-CHING
Published: October 2015

The efficiency and accuracy of estimating the Hurst exponent have been two inevitable considerations. Recently, an efficient implementation of the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) (simply called the fast MLE) for the Hurst exponent was proposed based on a combination of the Levinson algorithm and Cholesky decomposition, and furthermore the fast MLE has also considered all four possible cases, including known mean, unknown mean, known variance, and unknown variance. In this paper, four cases of an approximate MLE (AMLE) were obtained based on two approximations of the logarithmic determinant and the inverse of a covariance matrix. The computational cost of the AMLE is much lower than that of the MLE, but a little higher than that of the fast MLE. To raise the computational efficiency of the proposed AMLE, a required power spectral density (PSD) was indirectly calculated by interpolating two suitable PSDs chosen from a set of established PSDs. Experimental results show that the AMLE through interpolation (simply called the interpolating AMLE) can speed up computation. The computational speed of the interpolating AMLE is on average over 24 times quicker than that of the fast MLE while remaining the accuracy very close to that of the MLE or the fast MLE.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY APPROPRIATION STRATEGY AND ITS IMPACT ON INNOVATION PERFORMANCE
Authors: HUSSAIN SAIRAH , TERZIOVSKI MILE
Published: October 2015

How should intellectual property (IP) be protected and appropriated to gain value for the firm? This study aims to answer this question by examining the impact of the key determinants of IP appropriability, namely organizational resources, IP management practices and organizational learning culture, on innovation performance. The study uses quantitative survey data obtained from the Australian biotechnology, pharmaceutical and ICT industries in order to test several hypotheses. Our results show that exploitation and protection of IP within an organisational learning culture have a significant effect on the firm’s innovation performance. The implication for managers is that IP appropriation is likely to be most successful when trade secrets and profits from innovation are applied simultaneously within an organizational learning culture.
Phospholemman is not required for the acute stimulation of Na+-K+-ATPase α2-activity during skeletal muscle fatigue
Authors: Manoharan Palanikumar , Radzyukevich Tatiana L. , Hakim Javadi Hesamedin , Stiner Cory A. , Landero Figueroa Julio A. , Lingrel Jerry B , Heiny Judith A.
Published: October 2015

The Na+-K+-ATPase α2-isoform in skeletal muscle is rapidly stimulated during muscle use and plays a critical role in fatigue resistance. The acute mechanisms that stimulate α2-activity are not completely known. This study examines whether phosphorylation of phospholemman (PLM/FXYD1), a regulatory subunit of Na+-K+-ATPase, plays a role in the acute stimulation of α2 in working muscles. Mice lacking PLM (PLM KO) have a normal content of the α2-subunit and show normal exercise capacity, in contrast to the greatly reduced exercise capacity of mice that lack α2 in the skeletal muscles. Nerve-evoked contractions in vivo did not induce a change in total PLM or PLM phosphorylated at Ser63 or Ser68, in either WT or PLM KO. Isolated muscles of PLM KO mice maintain contraction and resist fatigue as well as wild type (WT). Rb+ transport by the α2-Na+-K+-ATPase is stimulated to the same extent in contracting WT and contracting PLM KO muscles. Phosphorylation of sarcolemmal membranes prepared from WT but not PLM KO skeletal muscles stimulates the activity of both α1 and α2 in a PLM-dependent manner. The stimulation occurs by an increase in Na+ affinity without significant change in Vmax and is more effective for α1 than α2. These results demonstrate that phosphorylation of PLM is capable of stimulating the activity of both isozymes in skeletal muscle; however, contractile activity alone is not sufficient to induce PLM phosphorylation. Importantly, acute stimulation of α2, sufficient to support exercise and oppose fatigue, does not require PLM or its phosphorylation.
Postural influence on intracranial and cerebral perfusion pressure in ambulatory neurosurgical patients
Authors: Petersen L. G. , Petersen J. C. G. , Andresen M. , Secher N. H. , Juhler M.
Published: October 2015

We evaluated postural effects on intracranial pressure (ICP) and cerebral perfusion pressure [CPP: mean arterial pressure (MAP) − ICP] in neurosurgical patients undergoing 24-h ICP monitoring as part of their diagnostic workup. We identified nine patients (5 women, age 44 ± 20 yr; means ± SD), who were “as normal as possible,” i.e., without indication for neurosurgical intervention (e.g., focal lesions, global edema, abnormalities in ICP-profile, or cerebrospinal fluid dynamics). ICP (tip-transducer probe; Raumedic) in the brain parenchyma ( n = 7) or in the lateral ventricles ( n = 2) and cardiovascular variables (Nexfin) were determined from 20° head-down tilt to standing up. Compared with the supine position, ICP increased during 10° and 20° of head-down tilt (from 9.4 ± 3.8 to 14.3 ± 4.7 and 19 ± 4.7 mmHg; P < 0.001). Conversely, 10° and 20° head-up tilt reduced ICP to 4.8 ± 3.6 and 1.3 ± 3.6 mmHg and ICP reached −2.4 ± 4.2 mmHg in the standing position ( P < 0.05). Concordant changes in MAP maintained CPP at 77 ± 7 mmHg regardless of body position ( P = 0.95). During head-down tilt, the increase in ICP corresponded to a hydrostatic pressure gradient with reference just below the heart, likely reflecting the venous hydrostatic indifference point. When upright, the decrease in ICP was attenuated, corresponding to formation of a separate hydrostatic gradient with reference to the base of the skull, likely reflecting the site of venous collapse. ICP therefore seems to be governed by pressure in the draining veins and collapse of neck veins may protect the brain from being exposed to a large negative pressure when upright. Despite positional changes in ICP, MAP keeps CPP tightly regulated.
Microvascular oxygen partial pressure during hyperbaric oxygen in diabetic rat skeletal muscle
Authors: Yamakoshi Kohei , Yagishita Kazuyoshi , Tsuchimochi Hirotsugu , Inagaki Tadakatsu , Shirai Mikiyasu , Poole David C. , Kano Yutaka
Published: October 2015

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) is a major therapeutic treatment for ischemic ulcerations that perforate skin and underlying muscle in diabetic patients. These lesions do not heal effectively, in part, because of the hypoxic microvascular O2partial pressures (PmvO2) resulting from diabetes-induced cardiovascular dysfunction, which alters the dynamic balance between O2delivery (Q̇o2) and utilization (V̇o2) rates. We tested the hypothesis that HBO in diabetic muscle would exacerbate the hyperoxic PmvO2dynamics due, in part, to a reduction or slowing of the cardiovascular, sympathetic nervous, and respiratory system responses to acute HBO exposure. Adult male Wistar rats were divided randomly into diabetic (DIA: streptozotocin ip) and healthy (control) groups. A small animal hyperbaric chamber was pressurized with oxygen (100% O2) to 3.0 atmospheres absolute (ATA) at 0.2 ATA/min. Phosphorescence quenching techniques were used to measure PmvO2in tibialis anterior muscle of anesthetized rats during HBO. Lumbar sympathetic nerve activity (LSNA), heart rate (HR), and respiratory rate (RR) were measured electrophysiologically. During the normobaric hyperoxia and HBO, DIA tibialis anterior PmvO2increased faster (mean response time, CONT 78 ± 8, DIA 55 ± 8 s, P < 0.05) than CONT. Subsequently, PmvO2remained elevated at similar levels in CONT and DIA muscles until normobaric normoxic recovery where the DIA PmvO2retained its hyperoxic level longer than CONT. Sympathetic nervous system and cardiac and respiratory responses to HBO were slower in DIA vs. CONT. Specifically the mean response times for RR (CONT: 6 ± 1 s, DIA: 29 ± 4 s, P < 0.05), HR (CONT: 16 ± 1 s, DIA: 45 ± 5 s, P < 0.05), and LSNA (CONT: 140 ± 16 s, DIA: 247 ± 34 s, P < 0.05) were greater following HBO onset in DIA than CONT. HBO treatment increases tibialis anterior muscle PmvO2more rapidly and for a longer duration in DIA than CONT, but not to a greater level. Whereas respiratory, cardiovascular, and LSNA responses to HBO are profoundly slowed in DIA, only the cardiovascular arm (via HR) may contribute to the muscle vascular incompetence and these faster PmvO2kinetics.
Stress-Softening Formulae of Polymer Bearings
Authors: Shariff M. H. B. M. , Sivasankaran Anoop , Kavazović Zanin
Published: October 2015

The motivation for this work was the absence of closed form solutions that can reasonably describe the axial deformation behaviour of stress-softening polymer bearings. In this paper, new closed form solutions that exhibit Mullins phenomenon are developed. We show that the apparent Young modulus depends on the shape factor and the minimal infinitesimal strain. We furthermore found that, in a nonlinear deformation, the shape factor plays an important role in stress softening. The solutions are design friendly and are consistent with expected results.
Immunohistochemical Expression of Ornithine Decarboxylase, Diamine Oxidase, Putrescine, and Spermine in Normal Canine Enterocolic Mucosa, in Chronic Colitis, and in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Rossi Giacomo , Cerquetella Matteo , Pengo Graziano , Mari Subeide , Balint Emilia , Bassotti Gabrio , Manolescu Nicolae
Published: October 2015

We compared the immunohistochemical expression of putrescine (PUT), spermine (SPM), ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), and diamine oxidase (DAO) in bioptic samples of canine colonic mucosa with chronic inflammation (i.e., granulomatous colitis and lymphoplasmacytic colitis) or neoplasia. Single and total polyamines levels were significantly higher in neoplastic tissue than in normal samples. Samples with different degrees of inflammation showed a general decrease expression of ODC if compared to controls; SPM was practically not expressed in control samples and very low in samples with chronic-granulomatous inflammation. In carcinomatous samples, the ODC activity was higher with respect to controls and samples with inflammation. This is the first description of polyamines expression in dog colonic mucosa in normal and in different pathological conditions, suggesting that the balance between polyamine degradation and biosynthesis is evidently disengaged during neoplasia.
Subharmonic Response of Linear Vibroimpact System with Fractional Derivative Damping to a Randomly Disrobed Periodic Excitation
Authors: Rong Haiwu , Wang Xiangdong
Published: October 2015

The subharmonic response of single-degree-of-freedom vibroimpact oscillator with fractional derivative damping and one-sided barrier under narrow-band random excitation is investigated. With the help of a special Zhuravlev transformation, the system is reduced to one without impacts, thereby permitting the applications of asymptotic averaging over the period for slowly varying random process. The analytical expression of the response amplitude is obtained in the case without random disorder, while only the approximate analytical expressions for the steady-state moments of the response amplitude are obtained in the case with random disorder. The effects of the fractional order derivative term, damping term, random disorder, and the coefficient of restitution and other system parameters on the system response are discussed. Theoretical analyses and numerical simulations show that fractional derivative makes both the system damping and stiffness coefficients increase, such that it changes the system parameters region at which the response amplitude reaches the maximum. The system energy loss in collision is equivalent to increasing the damping coefficient of the system. System response amplitude will increase when the excitation frequency is close to the resonant frequency and will decay rapidly when the excitation frequency gradually deviates from the resonance frequency.
The Design of Low Noise Amplifiers in Deep Submicron CMOS Processes: A Convex Optimization Approach
Authors: Hoe David H. K. , Jin Xiaoyu
Published: October 2015

With continued process scaling, CMOS has become a viable technology for the design of high-performance low noise amplifiers (LNAs) in the radio frequency (RF) regime. This paper describes the design of RF LNAs using a geometric programming (GP) optimization method. An important challenge for RF LNAs designed at nanometer scale geometries is the excess thermal noise observed in the MOSFETs. An extensive survey of analytical models and experimental results reported in the literature is carried out to quantify the issue of excessive thermal noise for short-channel MOSFETs. Short channel effects such as channel-length modulation and velocity saturation effects are also accounted for in our optimization process. The GP approach is able to efficiently calculate the globally optimum solution. The approximations required to setup the equations and constraints to allow convex optimization are detailed. The method is applied to the design of inductive source degenerated common source amplifiers at the 90 nm and 180 nm technology nodes. The optimization results are validated through comparison with numerical simulations using Agilent’s Advanced Design Systems (ADS) software.
Psychological Outcome in Young Survivors of Severe TBI: A Cross-Informant Comparison
Authors: Doser Karoline , Poulsen Ingrid , Norup Anne
Published: October 2015

Objective. To investigate the psychological outcome and the agreement between self-ratings and proxy-ratings in young individuals after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).Methods. Twenty pairs of former patients who sustained a severe TBI in their adolescence or early adulthood and their significant others (SOs) were contacted around 66 months after injury to complete a measure of psychological and behavioral problems. The Adult Self-Report 18–59 and the Adult Behavior Checklist 18–59 were used.Results. Results showed significant differences compared to the normative sample in the domains withdrawal, attention, and intrusive and internalizing problems. Good or excellent levels of agreement were found between the self-rating and the proxy-rating in overt areas such as somatic complaints and aggressive and intrusive behavior. Fair or poor levels of agreement were found in nonovert areas such as anxiety and depression, withdrawal, thought and attention problems, and personal strength.Conclusion. The findings show that young patients experience psychological dysfunction. Our study suggests that the use of either a self-rating or a proxy-rating would be appropriate for evaluating overt domains, regarding the good to excellent levels of agreement. However, in nonovert domains, such as withdrawal and attention, an additional proxy-rating from a SO could provide supplementary information and build a more complete objective assessment.
Effect of Cylinder Size on the Modulus of Elasticity and Compressive Strength of Concrete from Static and Dynamic Tests
Authors: Lee Byung Jae , Kee Seong-Hoon , Oh Taekeun , Kim Yun-Yong
Published: October 2015

The primary objective of this study is to investigate the effects of cylinder size (150 by 300 mm and 100 by 200 mm) on empirical equations that relate static elastic moduli and compressive strength and static and dynamic elastic moduli of concrete. For the purposes, two sets of one hundred and twenty concrete cylinders, 150 by 300 mm and 100 by 200 mm, were prepared from three different mixtures with target compressive strengths of 30, 35, and 40 MPa. Static and dynamic tests were performed at 4, 7, 14, and 28 days to evaluate compressive strength and static and dynamic moduli of cylinders. The effects of the two different cylinder sizes were investigated through experiments in this study and database collected from the literature. For normal strength concrete (≤40 MPa), the two different cylinder sizes do not result in significant differences in test results including experimental variability, compressive strength, and static and dynamic elastic moduli. However, it was observed that the size effect became substantial in high strength concrete greater than 40 MPa. Therefore, special care is still needed to compare the static and dynamic properties of high strength concrete from the two different cylinder sizes.
Core‐Shell Nanocatalysts Obtained in Reverse Micelles: Structural and Kinetic Aspects
Authors: Tojo Concha , Buceta David , López-Quintela M. Arturo
Published: October 2015

Ability to control the metal arrangement in bimetallic nanocatalysts is the key to improving their catalytic activity. To investigate how metal distribution in nanostructures can be modified, we developed a computer simulation model on the synthesis of bimetallic nanoparticles obtained in microemulsions by a one‐pot method. The calculations allow predicting the metal arrangement in nanoparticle under different experimental conditions. We present results for two couples of metals, Au/Pt (Δε = 0.26 V) and Au/Ag (Δε = 0.19 V), but conclusions can be generalized to other bimetallic pairs with similar difference in standard reduction potentials. It was proved that both surface and interior compositions can be controlled at nanometer resolution easily by changing the initial reactant concentration inside micelles. Kinetic analysis demonstrates that the confinement of reactants inside micelles has a strong effect on the reaction rates of the metal precursors. As a result, the final nanocatalyst shows a more mixed core and a better defined shell as concentration is higher.
Focal123I-FP-CIT SPECT Abnormality in Midbrain Vascular Parkinsonism
Authors: Solla Paolo , Cannas Antonino , Arca Roberta , Fonti Davide , Orofino Gianni , Marrosu Francesco
Published: October 2015

Cerebrovascular diseases are considered among possible causes of acute/subacute parkinsonism, representing up to 22% of secondary movement disorders. In cases of suspected vascular parkinsonism (VP), dopamine transporter SPECT has been highly recommended to exclude nigrostriatal dopaminergic degeneration. We report the case of a hemiparkinsonism related to a left midbrain infarct with focal lateralized putaminal abnormalities at123I-FP-CIT SPECT imaging. The asymmetric uptake at dopamine transporter SPECT was different to findings commonly observed in typical PD pattern, because the ipsilateral striatum, in opposite to idiopathic PD, showed normal tracer binding. However, this selective parkinsonism after infarction of the midbrain was responsive to levodopa. In conclusion, we retain that there is a need of more functional imaging studies in VP addressed to a more consistent classification of its different clinical forms and to a better understanding of the adequate pharmacological management.
RasOncogene-Mediated Progressive Silencing of Extracellular Superoxide Dismutase in Tumorigenesis
Authors: Cammarota Francesca , de Vita Gabriella , Salvatore Marco , Laukkanen Mikko O.
Published: October 2015

Extracellular superoxide dismutase (SOD3) is a secreted enzyme that uses superoxide anion as a substrate in a dismutase reaction that results in the formation of hydrogen peroxide. Both of these reactive oxygen species affect growth signaling in cells. Although SOD3 has growth-supporting characteristics, the expression ofSOD3is downregulated in epithelial cancer cells. In the current work, we studied the mechanisms regulatingSOD3expressionin vitrousing thyroid cell models representing different stages of thyroid cancer. We demonstrate that a low level of RAS activation increasesSOD3mRNA synthesis that then gradually decreases with increasing levels of RAS activation and the decreasing degree of differentiation of the cancer cells. Our data indicate thatSOD3regulation can be divided into two classes. The first class involves RAS–driven reversible regulation ofSOD3expression that can be mediated by the following mechanisms: RAS GTPase regulatory genes that are responsible forSOD3self-regulation; RAS-stimulated p38 MAPK activation; and RAS-activated increased expression of themir21microRNA, which inversely correlates withsod3mRNA expression. The second class involves permanent silencing ofSOD3mediated by epigenetic DNA methylation in cells that represent more advanced cancers. Therefore, the work suggests thatSOD3belongs to the group ofrasoncogene-silenced genes.
A Comparative Study between Vitrectomy with Internal Tamponade and a New Modified Fiber Optic Illuminated Ando Plombe for Cases of Macular Hole Retinal Detachment in Myopic Eyes
Authors: Bedda Ahmed M. , Abdel Hadi Ahmed M. , Abd Al Shafy Muhammad S.
Published: October 2015

Aim.To compare pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with silicone tamponade or gas (Groups Ia and Ib) and a new modified Ando plombe equipped with a fiber optic light (Group II) for cases with macular hole retinal detachment (MHRD) in high myopic eyes (axial length > 26 mm).Methods.A prospective interventional randomized case series included 60 eyes (20 in each group). Successful outcome was considered if the retina was completely attached at the end of the follow-up period. Complications were identified for each group.Results.Visual acuity improved by 37.31%, 40.67%, and 49.40% in Groups Ia, Ib, and II, respectively. The success rate was 55%, 60%, and 100% in Groups Ia , Ib, and II, respectively, with a statistically significant difference between Groups Ia, Ib, and II (p< 0.001 in Ia,p: 0.002 in Ib). Complications rates were 60%, 45%, and 20% in Groups Ia, Ib, and II, respectively, with a statistically significant difference between Groups Ia and II (p: 0.01).Conclusion.Fiber optic illuminated Ando plombe allows better positioning under the macula and consequently improves the success rate of epimacular buckling in comparison to PPV with internal tamponade in MMHRD.
Functional Roles of the E3 Ubiquitin Ligase UBR5 in Cancer
Authors: Shearer Robert F. , Iconomou Mary , Watts Colin K.W. , Saunders Darren N.
Published: October 2015

The Ubiquitin-Proteasome System (UPS) is an important regulator of cell signaling and proteostasis, which are essential to a variety of cellular processes. The UPS is disrupted in many diseases including cancer, and targeting the UPS for cancer therapy is gaining wide interest. E3 ubiquitin ligases occupy a key position in the hierarchical UPS enzymatic cascade, largely responsible for determining substrate specificity and ubiquitin (Ub) chain topology. The E3 ligase UBR5 (aka EDD1) is emerging as a key regulator of the UPS in cancer and development. UBR5 expression is deregulated in many cancer types and UBR5 is frequently mutated in mantle cell lymphoma. UBR5 is highly conserved in metazoans, has unique structural features, and has been implicated in regulation of DNA damage response, metabolism, transcription, and apoptosis. Hence, UBR5 is a key regulator of cell signaling relevant to broad areas of cancer biology. However, the mechanism by which UBR5 may contribute to tumor initiation and progression remains poorly defined. This review synthesizes emerging insights from genetics, biochemistry, and cell biology to inform our understanding of UBR5 in cancer. These molecular insights indicate a role for UBR5 in integrating/coordinating various cellular signaling pathways. Finally, we discuss outstanding questions in UBR5 biology and highlight the need to systematically characterize substrates, and address limitations in current animal models, to better define the role of UBR5 in cancer. Mol Cancer Res; 13(12); 1523–32. ©2015 AACR.
Association of Body Mass Index with Clinical Outcomes in Non-Dialysis-Dependent Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Ahmadi Seyed-Foad , Zahmatkesh Golara , Ahmadi Emad , Streja Elani , Rhee Connie M. , Gillen Daniel L. , De Nicola Luca , Minutolo Roberto , Ricardo Ana C. , Kovesdy Csaba P. , Kalantar-Zadeh Kamyar
Published: October 2015

Background: Previous studies have not shown a consistent link between body mass index (BMI) and outcomes such as mortality and kidney disease progression in non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Therefore, we aimed to complete a systematic review and meta-analysis study on this subject. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and screened 7,123 retrieved studies for inclusion. Two investigators independently selected the studies using predefined criteria and assessed each study's quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale. We meta-analyzed the results based on the BMI classification system by the WHO. Results: We included 10 studies (with a total sample size of 484,906) in the systematic review and 4 studies in the meta-analyses. The study results were generally heterogeneous. However, following reanalysis of the largest reported study and our meta-analyses, we observed that in stage 3-5 CKD, being underweight was associated with a higher risk of death while being overweight or obese class I was associated with a lower risk of death; however, obesity classes II and III were not associated with risk of death. In addition, reanalysis of the largest available study showed that a higher BMI was associated with an incrementally higher risk of kidney disease progression; however, this association was attenuated in our pooled results. For earlier stages of CKD, we could not complete meta-analyses as the studies were sparse and had heterogeneous BMI classifications and/or referent BMI groups. Conclusion: Among the group of patients with stage 3-5 CKD, we found a differential association between obesity classes I-III and mortality compared to the general population, indicating an obesity paradox in the CKD population.
Investigation of the Source of Snoring Sound by Drug-Induced Sleep Nasendoscopy
Authors: Xu Hui-Jie , Jia Rui-Fang , Yu Hui , Gao Zhan , Huang Wei-Ning , Peng Hao , Yang Yi , Zhang Lei
Published: October 2015

Objective: To investigate the source of snoring sound in patients with simple snoring (SS) and different degrees of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in order to provide a basis for the surgical treatment of snoring. Methods: Fifty-two patients with either SS or OSAS (with an apnea-hypopnea index ≤40) underwent drug-induced sleep nasendoscopy (DISN). Vibration sites in the pharyngeal cavity were observed. Results: Vibration of the soft palate, pharyngeal lateral wall, epiglottis, and tongue base appeared in 100, 53.8, 42.3, and 26.9% of the patients, respectively. The source of snoring sound was divided into two types: palatal fluttering only (type I) and multisite vibration (type II). The latter was divided into 3 subtypes: palatal fluttering with epiglottis vibration (type IIa), palatal fluttering with lateral wall vibration (type IIb), and palatal fluttering with vibration of the lateral wall, epiglottis, and tongue base together (type IIc). The distribution of type I snoring was the highest in SS patients. Type IIb was more common in patients with medium and severe OSAS. Type IIc was most common in patients with severe OSAS. Conclusion: The source of snoring sound is diverse, with SS and OSAS patients showing different features. DISN is a very effective method of identifying the snoring source.
Childhood Obesity Is a Chronic Disease Demanding Specific Health Care - a Position Statement from the Childhood Obesity Task Force (COTF) of the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO)
Authors: Farpour-Lambert Nathalie J. , Baker Jennifer L. , Hassapidou Maria , Holm Jens Christian , Nowicka Paulina , O''Malley Grace , Weiss Ram
Published: October 2015

Childhood obesity is one of the greatest health challenges of the 21st century. The EASO COTF is convinced that classifying obesity as a chronic disease in children and adolescents is a crucial step for increasing individual and societal awareness, and for improving early diagnosis and intervention. Such a classification will enhance the development of novel preventive and treatment approaches, health care policies and systems, and the education of healthcare workers. The management of obesity prior to the appearance of co-morbidities may prevent their escalation into significant medical and psychosocial problems, and reduce their economic and societal impact. Childhood is a unique window of opportunity to influence lifetime effects on health, quality of life, prevention of non-communicable chronic diseases and disabilities. The Convention on the Rights of the Child by UNICEF states that parties shall strive to ensure that no child is deprived of his or her right of access to health care services. The EASO COTF is aiming to address these issues via educational activities for health care workers, identification of research agendas, and the promotion of collaborations among clinicians, researchers, health institutions, organizations and states across Europe.
As ciências cognitivas e a pesquisa na criação artística e a estética
Authors: Couchot Edmond
Published: October 2015

Este trabalho comenta, num primeiro momento, a história das ciências cognitivas, partindo da cibernética, passando pelo que chamaremos de “cognitivismo”, e, depois, pelo que denominaremos “conexionismo”, e, chegando, enfim, ao momento atual, que é marcado pela multiplicidade das direções de pesquisa, em que se delineia uma forte tendência crítica aos paradigmas anteriores. Num segundo momento, discute-se a influência das ciências cognitivas sobre as teorias da arte e da estética.
Pesquisa em arte por ocasião dos doutorados baseados na prática. Um estudo do caso da Universidade de Paris 1 Sorbonne
Authors: Darras Bernard
Published: October 2015

Em várias instituições acadêmicas coloca-se a questão de abrir a pesquisa em mestrado e doutorado a outras abordagens, além dos dispositivos científicos clássicos do PhD ou do doutorado de especialidade. O que está em pauta, portanto, são os doutorados profissionais e aqueles baseados na prática. Um dos primeiros exemplos nesse campo foi desenvolvido no Reino Unido, com os doutorados baseados na prática em artes criativas e cênicas e em design [Practice-based Doctorates in the Creative and Performing Arts and Design]. Após essa experiência, pelo mundo todo pergunta-se sobre a natureza desses doutorados, que poderiam eventualmente não mais necessitar da elaboração de uma tese redigida para acompanhar o artefato inventado ou criado. Neste artigo, tratarei essas questões com base em uma abordagem crítica do sistema doutoral posto em prática na Sorbonne desde os anos 1970. A partir da história dos candidatos e da história das instituições, questionarei os dispositivos científicos e artísticos implantados e as limitações e problemas gerados. A primeira parte deste artigo é dedicada aos processos de condicionamento axiológico dos estudantes. A segunda parte, ao processo de artificação de suas práticas; e a terceira, ao debate sobre os problemas epistemológicos da pesquisa em arte, confrontada com a pesquisa científica e com os problemas encontrados pelos doutorandos. Ao final, são abordados os instrumentos e métodos trazidos pelas ciências humanas e sociais.
A mundanidade da arte
Authors: Oliveira Luiz Sérgio
Published: October 2015

Uma parcela significativa da arte contemporânea tem articulado sua produção em colaboração com as comunidades, delas permanecendo radicalmente dependente, literalmente enraizada nos contextos sociais, políticos e culturais nos quais se insere, repelindo a noção de autonomia em favor de um processo de mundanização da arte. Dessa maneira, a arte estaria na busca de uma ressonância social mais robusta através da rejeição de um processo de privatização da arte e do resgate de sua dimensão pública, negligenciada pelo modernismo. Como consequência, esse espectro mais ambicioso da arte contemporânea parece apontar para a necessidade de redefinição dos mecanismos de articulação e funcionamento de todo o sistema de arte – produção, circulação, consumo, instituições e crítica da arte –, exigindo uma verificação profunda de nossas certezas no terreno institucional e sugerindo a necessidade de reinvenção do próprio sistema.
Paisagem, graça e sentimento do belo: Winckelmann, Chateaubriand e Girodet
Authors: Gomes Júnior Guilherme Simões
Published: October 2015

O artigo trata das fronteiras incertas entre neoclássicos e românticos ao abordar paisagem, graça e sentimento do belo. Não pretende negar as rubricas, que até hoje fazem sentido, mas mostra o quanto muita coisa estava embaralhada. Se no plano da reflexão e da prática da arte da paisagem a separação é nítida, no que diz respeito à graça e ao sentimento do belo, o historiador alemão Winckelmann, figura fundamental do cânone neoclássico, surpreende ao abrir a possibilidade de ruptura com a normatividade acadêmica, de caráter francamente objetivo, ao subordinar o belo a uma operação de caráter subjetivo, ao alcance de poucos, o que, em parte, justifica sua calorosa acolhida entre expoentes do romantismo, como Chateaubriand e Girodet.
Diálogos estéticos e alguns caminhos da intertextualidade para a história da arte e do vídeo
Authors: Ribeiro Regilene Sarzi
Published: October 2015

Trata-se de um exercício sobre a intertextualidade em quatro videoartes brasileiras produzidas entre os anos de 1975 e 2002. A abordagem metodológica é pautada na descrição de intertextos e percursos iconográficos que podem levar o crítico de arte e o público ao texto audiovisual. Os diálogos estéticos revelam diferentes referências intertextuais e elementos plásticos que forma uma rede de relações iconográficas. A partir da análise estética, são tecidas relações entre vídeos e obras de arte de diferentes épocas, visando narrar uma breve história da arte por meio da intertextualidade.
Cinema, ciência e percepção
Authors: Barreto Márcio
Published: October 2015

O cinema invoca a questão dos limites da percepção humana, pois modula o tempo em imagens tão reais quanto artificiais, revelando algo mais próximo de uma nova dimensão da realidade do que de sua representação. No início do século XX, a ciência modifica o real percebido através das lentes dos microscópios e das teorias da física moderna; o parentesco entre cinema e ciência está principalmente naquilo que excede o campo perceptivo e é explorado neste artigo para mostrar como a tensão entre o caráter estático da fotografia e a fluidez fugitiva do tempo revela a ciência sem seus estereótipos habituais.
Conversa com Nelson Felix
Authors: Felix Nelson , Costa Lucas
Published: October 2015

Entrevista realizada com o artista carioca Nelson Felix (1954), para a pesquisa de mestrado de Lucas Costa, sobre processos instáveis em arte. Nesta conversa, o artista comenta os elementos que constituem uma certa tensão em seu trabalho e da dificuldade em definir essas sensações, que são disparadas no processo criativo e inseridas no trabalho de maneira intrincada. Neste contexto, Nelson Felix se aproxima de uma tradição artística, justamente para refletir sobre a produção contemporânea e sua própria atuação no circuito. No sentido amplo, a conversa gira em torno da atividade artística, sobre a potência de um pensamento cultural.
Artur Lescher's Grammar
Authors: Fabbrini Ricardo Nascimento
Published: October 2015

The article aims at contributing to the characterisation of the works or artistic imagery of Artur Lescher. It highlights the purity of its forms that results from non-compositional structures while integrating in its grammar elements of tension, both between materials in the same work and among the works in the gallery they are once arranged. It also associates this grammar to semantics, relating his works to the child's imagination, since some of its forms refer back to old toys, while in others refer to the idea of repetition, to the game itself. Given this array of constructive work that leads, however, to the allegory, the spectator is asked to unravel the puzzle image, in an attempt to quell the unrest that results from what is also familiar and strange to (Das Unheimliche). It is in this aspect that the power of negativity, social or political criticism of his art resides.
Stoffbilder: On Capitalist Realisms
Authors: Weiner Andrew Stefan
Published: October 2015

This essay critically examines the exhibition Leben mit Pop: Eine Reproduktion des Kapitalistischen Realismus, which was first staged in 2013 at the Kunsthalle Düsseldorf. This exhibition surveyed the emergence of Capitalist Realism as a regional form of Pop Art in West Germany during the 1960s. The article evaluates Leben mit Pop as a modification of established art historical scholarship and as an intervention within ongoing debates in curatorial practices and critical cultural theory. It aims to resituate Capitalist Realism relative to the consolidation of the North Atlantic art market, arguing that this allows for a more incisive account of its relevance to contemporary art.
Introducing a Video-Based Strategy for Theorizing Social Presence Emergence in 3D Virtual Environments
Authors: Kohonen-Aho Laura , Alin Pauli
Published: October 2015

Researchers have recently suggested that although new technologies (e.g., 3D virtual environments) can enhance social presence in virtual teams, social presence is nontechnological in nature. Others have specified that social presence emerges in social interaction through copresence, psychological involvement, and behavioral engagement. However, current research methods do not fully capture the emergent nature of social presence in 3D virtual environments. We address this shortcoming by developing a novel research strategy for theorizing social presence emergence in 3D virtual environments. The novel research strategy is based on the assumption that understanding socially constructed phenomena (such as social presence) requires investigating human microbehaviors, that is, nonverbal interactions. To capture and theorize human microbehaviors in 3D virtual environments, the research strategy suggests video recording and analyzing interaction in the 3D virtual environment and in the physical environment. The research strategy expands the methodological scope of current social presence research and thus provides novel opportunities for creating a better understanding of how social presence emerges in virtual teams that operate in 3D virtual environments.
Data-Driven Motion Mappings Improve Transparency in Teleoperation
Authors: Khurshid Rebecca P. , Kuchenbecker Katherine J.
Published: October 2015

A teleoperation system with high transparency enables the operator to focus on completing the task at hand instead of on controlling the robot. We previously proposed that modifying the mapping from human movement to desired robot movement might improve the transparency of teleoperators in ways similar to adding sensory feedback. Specifically, we created non-Cartesian motion mappings that correct for systematic reaching errors made by humans, so that the robot motion resembles the operator's intent rather than his or her produced movement. This article presents a study that compares subjects' performance on a virtual teleoperated targeting task under three different motion mappings: a Cartesian-scaling motion mapping that is typically implemented in teleoperators, a corrective variable-similarity motion mapping that is fit to aggregate data from subjects in a previous study, and a corrective variable-similarity motion mapping that is fit to calibration data collected from each subject. Twelve participants reached toward 120 targets under each of the three motion mappings with balanced random presentation order and a washout task between conditions. Subjects were able to complete the targeting task with higher accuracy in the initial direction of robot motion, at higher speeds, and with more natural and efficient reaching movements under the variable-similarity motion mappings. Subjects also overwhelmingly preferred the variable-similarity motion mappings. These results indicate that subjects experienced a higher level of transparency when using the virtual teleoperator with the variable-similarity motion mappings than with the standard Cartesian mapping. Therefore, mappings that correct for systematic errors in human motion, such as the variable-similarity motion mappings tested here, should be considered in teleoperator design.
Catullus’s Ameana Cycle as Literary Criticism
Authors: Hendren T. George
Published: October 2015

This paper will reevaluate Catullus’s venom in poems 41 and 43 (the so-called ‘Ameana Cycle’) to show that his attacks on Ameana are in fact veiled criticisms of Mamurra’s loathsome poetry. Catullus’s descriptions of Ameana substantiate this reading: her physical features are disproportionate and ill suited to Roman conceptions of beauty, she is entirely without wit, and despite her patent imperfections, she has no idea how hideous she really is. The use of a poetic mistress in this manner has parallels within the Catullan corpus, and is also referenced in the work of Martial.