bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physiological adaptations to interval training and the role of exercise intensity
Authors: MacInnis Martin J. , Gibala Martin J.
Published: October 2016

Interval exercise typically involves repeated bouts of relatively intense exercise interspersed by short periods of recovery. A common classification scheme subdivides this method into high‐intensity interval training (HIIT; ‘near maximal’ efforts) and sprint interval training (SIT; ‘supramaximal’ efforts). Both forms of interval training induce the classic physiological adaptations characteristic of moderate‐intensity continuous training (MICT) such as increased aerobic capacity () and mitochondrial content. This brief review considers the role of exercise intensity in mediating physiological adaptations to training, with a focus on the capacity for aerobic energy metabolism. With respect to skeletal muscle adaptations, cellular stress and the resultant metabolic signals for mitochondrial biogenesis depend largely on exercise intensity, with limited work suggesting that increases in mitochondrial content are superior after HIIT compared to MICT, at least when matched‐work comparisons are made within the same individual. It is well established that SIT increases mitochondrial content to a similar extent to MICT despite a reduced exercise volume. At the whole‐body level, is generally increased more by HIIT than MICT for a given training volume, whereas SIT and MICT similarly improve despite differences in training volume. There is less evidence available regarding the role of exercise intensity in mediating changes in skeletal muscle capillary density, maximum stroke volume and cardiac output, and blood volume. Furthermore, the interactions between intensity and duration and frequency have not been thoroughly explored. While interval training is clearly a potent stimulus for physiological remodelling in humans, the integrative response to this type of exercise warrants further attention, especially in comparison to traditional endurance training.

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Quantification of the Influence of Unsteady Aerodynamic Loading on the Damping Characteristics of Airfoils Oscillating at Low Reduced Frequency—Part II: Numerical Verification
Authors: Vega Almudena , Corral Roque
Published: October 2016

This paper numerically investigates the correlation between the so-called unsteady loading parameter (ULP), derived in Part I of the corresponding paper, and the unsteady aerodynamics of oscillating airfoils at low reduced frequency with special emphasis on the work-per-cycle curves. Simulations using a frequency-domain linearized Navier–Stokes solver have been carried out on rows of a low-pressure turbine airfoil section, the NACA65 section, and a flat plate, to show the correlation between the actual value of the ULP and the flutter characteristics, for different airfoils, operating conditions, and mode shapes. Both the traveling wave and influence coefficient formulations of the problem are used in combination to increase the understanding of the ULP influence in different aspects of the unsteady flow field. It is concluded that, for a blade vibrating in a prescribed motion at design conditions, the ULP can quantitatively predict the effect of unsteady loading variations due to changes in both the incidence and the mode shape on the work-per-cycle curves. It is also proved that the unsteady loading parameter can be used to qualitatively compare the flutter characteristics of different airfoils.
Milling a silicon nitride membrane by focused ion beam
Authors: Peltonen Antti , Nguyen Hung Q. , Muhonen Juha T. , Pekola Jukka P.
Published: October 2016

An ultrathin amorphous membrane, such as that made of silicon nitride (SiN) suspended on silicon substrate, is a popular platform for various applications. However, its hardness causes many difficult technical problems for patterning, especially when combined with other fabrication processes. In nanofabrication, focused ion beam (FIB) is a popular milling technique. It would be a perfect tool for perforating the SiN membrane, but the ion beam charges the membrane, induces stress, and breaks them sporadically. The authors design a metallic structure near the cutting area to neutralize the charges. It reduces stress on the membrane and enables the perforation. Commercial SiN membranes are perforated with FIB and are suspended on thin legs on silicon chip. The authors study and discuss various designs and the applicability of this approach.
Ray-trace modeling of acoustic Green's function based on the semiclassical (eikonal) approximation
Authors: Prislan Rok , Veble Gregor , Svenšek Daniel
Published: October 2016

The Green's function (GF) for the scalar wave equation is numerically constructed by an advanced geometric ray-tracing method based on the eikonal approximation related to the semiclassical propagator. The underlying theory is first briefly introduced, and then it is applied to acoustics and implemented in a ray-tracing-type numerical simulation. The so constructed numerical method is systematically used to calculate the sound field in a rectangular (cuboid) room, yielding also the acoustic modes of the room. The simulated GF is rigorously compared to its analytic approximation. Good agreement is found, which proves the devised numerical approach potentially useful also for low frequency acoustic modeling, which is in practice not covered by geometrical methods.
The role of compression in the simultaneous masker phase effect
Authors: Tabuchi Hisaaki , Laback Bernhard , Necciari Thibaud , Majdak Piotr
Published: October 2016

Peripheral compression is believed to play a major role in the masker phase effect (MPE). While compression is almost instantaneous, activation of the efferent system reduces compression in a temporally evolving manner. To study the role of efferent-controlled compression in the MPE, in experiment 1, simultaneous masking of a 30-ms 4-kHz tone by 40-ms Schroeder-phase harmonic complexes was measured with on- and off-frequency precursors as a function of masker phase curvature for two masker levels (60 and 90 dB sound pressure level). The MPE was quantified by the threshold range [min/max difference (MMD)] across the phase curvatures. For the 60-dB condition, the presence of on-frequency precursor decreased the MMD from 10 to 5 dB. Experiment 2 studied the role of the precursor on the auditory filter's bandwidth. The on-frequency precursor was found to increase the bandwidth, an effect incorporated in the subsequent modeling. A model of the auditory periphery including cochlear filtering and basilar membrane compression generally underestimated the MMDs. A model based on two-step compression, including compression of inner hair cells, accounted for the MMDs across precursor and level conditions. Overall, the observed precursor effects and the model predictions suggest an important role of compression in the simultaneous MPE.
Predicting speech intelligibility based on a correlation metric in the envelope power spectrum domain
Authors: Relaño-Iborra Helia , May Tobias , Zaar Johannes , Scheidiger Christoph , Dau Torsten
Published: October 2016

A speech intelligibility prediction model is proposed that combines the auditory processing front end of the multi-resolution speech-based envelope power spectrum model [mr-sEPSM; Jørgensen, Ewert, and Dau (2013). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 134(1), 436–446] with a correlation back end inspired by the short-time objective intelligibility measure [STOI; Taal, Hendriks, Heusdens, and Jensen (2011). IEEE Trans. Audio Speech Lang. Process. 19(7), 2125–2136]. This “hybrid” model, named sEPSMcorr, is shown to account for the effects of stationary and fluctuating additive interferers as well as for the effects of non-linear distortions, such as spectral subtraction, phase jitter, and ideal time frequency segregation (ITFS). The model shows a broader predictive range than both the original mr-sEPSM (which fails in the phase-jitter and ITFS conditions) and STOI (which fails to predict the influence of fluctuating interferers), albeit with lower accuracy than the source models in some individual conditions. Similar to other models that employ a short-term correlation-based back end, including STOI, the proposed model fails to account for the effects of room reverberation on speech intelligibility. Overall, the model might be valuable for evaluating the effects of a large range of interferers and distortions on speech intelligibility, including consequences of hearing impairment and hearing-instrument signal processing.
Investment returns of US commercial timberland: insights into index construction methods and results
Authors: Mei Bin
Published: October 2016

This study compares different index construction methods of timberland investment returns and evaluates the resulting indices by various asset pricing models. In addition to various NCRIEF indices, I include a de-smoothed index that attempts to restore property market values, a transaction-based index that tracks ex post transaction prices, and a pure-play index that is based on unleveraged returns of public timber firms and only has exposures to the timber segment. The findings are that the appraisal-based timberland index has higher mean and lower volatility compared with the transaction-based timberland index, separate accounts outperform comingled funds in the private timberland market, the pure-play timberland index exhibits higher return and lower risk than the corresponding portfolio of public timber firms, and abnormal performance of timberland asset becomes less significant after controlling for the appraisal smoothing or by using real transaction data. These results can help timberland investors better benchmark their financial performance.
Infinity in string cosmology: A review through open problems
Authors: Antoniadis Ignatios , Cotsakis Spiros
Published: October 2016

We review recent developments in the field of string cosmology with particular emphasis on open problems having to do mainly with geometric asymptotics and singularities. We discuss outstanding issues in a variety of currently popular themes, such as tree-level string cosmology asymptotics, higher-order string correction effects, M-theory cosmology, braneworlds and finally ambient cosmology.
ON OPTIMAL STRATEGIES FOR UTILITY MAXIMIZERS IN THE ARBITRAGE PRICING MODEL
Authors: RÁSONYI MIKLÓS
Published: October 2016

We consider a popular model of microeconomics with countably many assets: the Arbitrage Pricing Model. We study the problem of optimal investment under an expected utility criterion and look for conditions ensuring the existence of optimal strategies. Previous results required a certain restrictive hypothesis on the tails of asset return distributions. Using a different method, we manage to remove this hypothesis, at the price of stronger assumptions on the moments of asset returns.
The copper–catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition for the construction of fullerene–porphyrin conjugates
Authors: Hahn Uwe , Nierengarten Jean-François
Published: October 2016

Click chemistry has become a very popular and efficient concept for synthetic chemists for the construction of new molecules. Among the click chemistry approaches known to date, it is undoubted that the copper-catalyzed alkyne-azide 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (CuAAC) has played a key role. Such reactions in general offer virtually unlimited possibilities to prepare new molecules for [Formula: see text]. materials science applications. As such, the synthesis of porphyrin–fullerene conjugates obtained via CuAAC are summarized within the present review article.
Tetrakis(N-methyl-p-pyridinio)porphyrin and its zinc complex can photosensitize damage of human serum albumin through electron transfer and singlet oxygen generation
Authors: Ouyang Dongyan , Inoue Shiori , Okazaki Shigetoshi , Hirakawa Kazutaka
Published: October 2016

The photosensitized protein-damaging activity of water-soluble freebase tetrakis([Formula: see text]-methyl-[Formula: see text]-pyridinio)porphyrin (H2TMPyP), and its zinc complex (ZnTMPyP) was investigated using human serum albumin (HSA) as a target protein. These porphyrins bound to HSA and caused photosensitized oxidation of the tryptophan residue. The protein damage was enhanced in deuterium oxide and inhibited by sodium azide, a physical quencher of singlet oxygen, suggesting the contribution of singlet oxygen. However, an excess amount of sodium azide could not completely inhibit protein damage. These findings suggest the partial contribution of another mechanism to the protein damage, possibly the electron transfer mechanism. The Gibbs free energy of the electron transfer mechanism showed that electron transfer-mediated tryptophan oxidation by photoexcited H2TMPyP is more advantageous than that by ZnTMPyP. Actually, the quantum yield of protein damage through electron transfer by H2TMPyP was larger than that by ZnTMPyP. In addition, this study demonstrated that the association between porphyrin and protein plays an important role in photosensitized protein damage.
Multimodal Analysis and Prediction of Persuasiveness in Online Social Multimedia
Authors: Park Sunghyun , Shim Han Suk , Chatterjee Moitreya , Sagae Kenji , Morency Louis-Philippe
Published: October 2016

Our lives are heavily influenced by persuasive communication, and it is essential in almost any type of social interaction from business negotiation to conversation with our friends and family. With the rapid growth of social multimedia websites, it is becoming ever more important and useful to understand persuasiveness in the context of social multimedia content online. In this article, we introduce a newly created multimedia corpus of 1,000 movie review videos with subjective annotations of persuasiveness and related high-level characteristics or attributes (e.g., confidence). This dataset will be made freely available to the research community. We designed our experiments around the following five main research hypotheses. First, we study if computational descriptors derived from verbal and nonverbal behavior can be predictive of persuasiveness. We further explore combining descriptors from multiple communication modalities (acoustic, verbal, para-verbal, and visual) for predicting persuasiveness and compare with using a single modality alone. Second, we investigate how certain high-level attributes, such as credibility or expertise, are related to persuasiveness and how the information can be used in modeling and predicting persuasiveness. Third, we investigate differences when speakers are expressing a positive or negative opinion and if the opinion polarity has any influence in the persuasiveness prediction. Fourth, we further study if gender has any influence in the prediction performance. Last, we test if it is possible to make comparable predictions of persuasiveness by only looking at thin slices (i.e., shorter time windows) of a speaker's behavior.
Elastic-Plastic Numerical Analysis of Tunnel Stability Based on the Closest Point Projection Method Considering the Effect of Water Pressure
Authors: Song Zhan-ping , Yang Ten-tian , Jiang An-nan
Published: October 2016

To study the tunnel stability at various static water pressures and determine the mechanical properties and deformation behavior of surrounding rock, a modified effective stress formula was introduced into a numerical integration algorithm of elastic-plastic constitutive equation, that is, closest point projection method (CPPM). Taking the effects of water pressure and seepage into account, a CPPM-based formula was derived and a CPPM algorithm based on Drucker-Prager yield criterion considering the effect of pore water pressure was provided. On this basis, a CPPM-based elastic-plastic numerical analysis program considering pore water pressure was developed, which can be applied in the engineering of tunnels and other underground structures. The algorithm can accurately take the effects of groundwater on stability of surrounding rock mass into account and it can show the more pronounced effect of pore water pressure on stress, deformation, and the plastic zone in a tunnel. The stability of water flooding in Fusong tunnel was systematically analyzed using the developed program. The analysis results showed that the existence of groundwater seepage under tunnel construction will give rise to stress redistribution in the surrounding rock mass. Pore water pressure has a significant effect on the surrounding rock mass.
A Total Economic Valuation of Wetland Ecosystem Services: An Evidence from Jagadishpur Ramsar Site, Nepal
Authors: Baral Sony , Basnyat Bijendra , Khanal Rajendra , Gauli Kalyan
Published: October 2016

Wetlands are the most productive ecosystem and provide wide arrays of wetland ecosystems (goods and services) to the local communities in particular and global communities in general. However, management of the wetland often does not remain priority and recognized as the unproductive waste land mainly due to poor realization of the economic value of the wetlands. Taking this into account, the study estimated the total economic value of the Jagadishpur Reservoir taking into account direct, indirect, and nonuse value. The study prioritized six major values of the reservoir which include wetland goods consumption, tourism, irrigation, carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and conservation for future use (existence and option value). The study used market and nonmarket based valuation techniques to estimate total economic value of the reservoir. Household survey, focus group discussions, and interaction with the tourism entrepreneurs and district stakeholders were carried out to collect information. The study estimated the total annual economic value of the reservoir as NRs 94.5 million, where option/existence value remains main contributor followed by direct use value such as wetland goods and tourism and indirect use value, for example, carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and irrigation. The study reveals that the local communities gave high importance to the future use value and are willing to make investment for conservation and restoration of reservoir given its conservation significance.
Total and Partial Laser Arytenoidectomy for Bilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis
Authors: Yılmaz Taner , Altuntaş Ozan Muzaffer , Süslü Nilda , Atay Gamze , Özer Serdar , Kuşçu Oğuz , Sözen Tevfik
Published: October 2016

Introduction. Treatment for bilateral vocal fold paralysis (BVFP) has evolved from external irreversible procedures to endolaryngeal laser surgery with greater focus on anatomic and functional preservation. Since the introduction of endolaryngeal laser arytenoidectomy, certain modifications have been described, such as partial resection procedures and mucosa sparing techniques as opposed to total arytenoidectomy.Discussion. The primary outcome measure in studies on BVFP treatment using total or partial arytenoidectomy is avoidance of tracheotomy or decannulation and reported success ranges between 90 and 100% in this regard. Phonation is invariably affected and arytenoidectomy worsens both aerodynamic and acoustic vocal properties. Recent reports indicate that partial and total arytenoidectomies have similar outcome in respect to phonation and swallowing. We use CO2laser assisted partial arytenoidectomy with a posteromedially based mucosal flap for primary cases and reserve total arytenoidectomy for revision. Lateral suturing of preserved mucosa provides tension on the vocal fold leading to better voice and leaves no raw surgical field to unpredictable scarring or granulation.Conclusion. Arytenoidectomy as a permanent static procedure remains a traditional yet sound choice in the treatment of BVFP. Laser dissection provides a precise dissection in a narrow surgical field and the possibility to perform partial arytenoidectomy.
Molecular Role of EGFR-MAPK Pathway in Patchouli Alcohol-Induced Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Arrest on A549 CellsIn VitroandIn Vivo
Authors: Lu XinGang , Yang Liu , Lu ChengHua , Xu ZhenYu , Qiu HongFu , Wu JiaJia , Wang JingWen , Tong JiaFeng , Zhu Yin , Shen Jie
Published: October 2016

Nowadays, chemotherapy is still the main effective treatment for cancer. Herb prescriptions containingPogostemon cablin Benth(also known as “Guang-Huo-Xiang”) have been widely used in Chinese medicine today. In our research, we found that patchouli alcohol, a compound isolated from the oil ofPogostemon cablin Benth, exerted antitumor ability against human lung cancer A549 cells ability bothin vitroandin vivo. MTT assay was used to assess cell viability. Hoechst 33342 staining and TUNEL cover glass staining provided the visual evidence of apoptosis. Caspase activity measurement showed that patchouli alcohol activated caspase 9 and caspase 3 of mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. Consistently, patchouli alcohol inhibited the xenograft tumorin vivo. Further investigation of the underlying molecular mechanism showed that MAPK and EGFR pathway might contribute to the antitumor effect of patchouli alcohol. Our study proved that patchouli alcohol might be able to serve as a novel antitumor compound in the clinical treatment of lung cancer.
Effect of Topical Administration of Fractions and Isolated Molecules from Plant Extracts on Skin Wound Healing: A Systematic Review of Murine Experimental Models
Authors: Sarandy Mariáurea Matias , Lopes Fernanda Barbosa , Matta Sérgio Luis Pinto da , Pinto Marcus Vinicius Mello , Sartori Sirlene Souza Rodrigues , Novaes Rômulo Dias , Golçalves Reggiani Vilela
Published: October 2016

Background and Purpose.Skin wound healing is a dynamic process driven by molecular events responsible for the morphofunctional repair of the injured tissue. In a systematic review, we analyzed the relevance of plant fractions and isolates on skin wound healing. By revising preclinical investigations with murine models, we investigated if the current evidence could support clinical trials.Methods.Studies were selected in the MEDLINE/PubMed and Scopus databases according to the PRISMA statement. All 32 identified studies were submitted to data extraction and the methodological bias was investigated according to ARRIVE strategy.Results.The studies demonstrated that plant fractions and isolates are able to modulate the inflammatory process during skin wound healing, being also effective in attenuating the oxidative tissue damage in the scar tissue and stimulating cell proliferation, neoangiogenesis, collagen synthesis, granulation tissue expansion, reepithelialization, and the wound closure rate. However, we identified serious methodological flaws in all studies, such as the high level of reporting bias and absence of standardized experimental designs, analytical methods, and outcome measures.Conclusion.Considering these limitations, the current evidence generated from flawed methodological animal studies makes it difficult to determine the relevance of herbal medicines to treat skin wounds and derails conducting clinical studies.
Intelligent Cognitive Radio Models for Enhancing Future Radio Astronomy Observations
Authors: Periola Ayodele Abiola , Falowo Olabisi Emmanuel
Published: October 2016

Radio astronomy organisations desire to optimise the terrestrial radio astronomy observations by mitigating against interference and enhancing angular resolution. Ground telescopes (GTs) experience interference from intersatellite links (ISLs). Astronomy source radio signals received by GTs are analysed at the high performance computing (HPC) infrastructure. Furthermore, observation limitation conditions prevent GTs from conducting radio astronomy observations all the time, thereby causing low HPC utilisation. This paper proposes mechanisms that protect GTs from ISL interference without permanent prevention of ISL data transmission and enhance angular resolution. The ISL transmits data by taking advantage of similarities in the sequence of observed astronomy sources to increase ISL connection duration. In addition, the paper proposes a mechanism that enhances angular resolution by using reconfigurable earth stations. Furthermore, the paper presents the opportunistic computing scheme (OCS) to enhance HPC utilisation. OCS enables the underutilised HPC to be used to train learning algorithms of a cognitive base station. The performances of the three mechanisms are evaluated. Simulations show that the proposed mechanisms protect GTs from ISL interference, enhance angular resolution, and improve HPC utilisation.
Combined Diagnosis of PD Based on the Multidimensional Parameters
Authors: Heidari Mohammad
Published: October 2016

This paper presents a comprehensive multiparameter diagnosis method based on multiple partial discharge (PD) signals which include high-frequency current (HFC), ultrasound, and ultrahigh frequency (UHF). The HFC, ultrasound, and UHF PD are calculated under different types of faults. Therefor the characteristic values, as nine basic characteristic parameters, eight phase characteristic parameters, and the like are calculated. Diagnose signals are found with the method based on information fusion and semisupervised learning for HFC PD, adaptive mutation parameters of particle entropy for ultrasonic signals, and IIA-ART2A neural network for UHF signals. In addition, integrate the diagnostic results, which are the probability of fault of various defects and matrix, of different PD diagnosis signals, and analysis with Sugeno fuzzy integral to get the final diagnosis.
Development and Validation of a Three-Dimensional Diffusion Code Based on a High Order Nodal Expansion Method for Hexagonal-zGeometry
Authors: Lu Daogang , Guo Chao
Published: October 2016

A three-dimensional, multigroup, diffusion code based on a high order nodal expansion method for hexagonal-zgeometry (HNHEX) was developed to perform the neutronic analysis of hexagonal-zgeometry. In this method, one-dimensional radial and axial spatially flux of each node and energy group are defined as quadratic polynomial expansion and four-order polynomial expansion, respectively. The approximations for one-dimensional radial and axial spatially flux both have second-order accuracy. Moment weighting is used to obtain high order expansion coefficients of the polynomials of one-dimensional radial and axial spatially flux. The partially integrated radial and axial leakages are both approximated by the quadratic polynomial. The coarse-mesh rebalance method with the asymptotic source extrapolation is applied to accelerate the calculation. This code is used for calculation of effective multiplication factor, neutron flux distribution, and power distribution. The numerical calculation in this paper for three-dimensional SNR and VVER 440 benchmark problems demonstrates the accuracy of the code. In addition, the results show that the accuracy of the code is improved by applying quadratic approximation for partially integrated axial leakage and four-order approximation for one-dimensional axial spatially flux in comparison to flat approximation for partially integrated axial leakage and quadratic approximation for one-dimensional axial spatially flux.
Nanog Predicts Poor Prognosis in Human Pancreatic Cancer and Is Downregulated by QingyihuaJi Formula in Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Gao Song , Pan Yan , Song Libin , Dong Lei , Weng Lao I. , Wang Peng , Hua Yongqiang , Chen Zhen , Liu Luming
Published: October 2016

Qingyihuaji formula (QYHJ), confirmed efficacious in a series of clinical trials, has been applied to human pancreatic carcinoma treatment in Shanghai Cancer Center for years. Recent evidence highlighted that pluripotent stem cells transcription factor Nanog plays a pivotal role in carcinogenesis. However, there is little published information regarding the underlying clinical significance and mechanisms of transcription factor Nanog in pancreatic cancer. In this study, our results indicated that Nanog is overexpressed in human pancreatic cancer stem cells and downregulated by QYHJ, which may contribute to explain the clinical effectiveness of QYHJ and provide advanced pancreatic cancer patients with a new therapeutic option, supporting our hypothesis that the degradation pathway is another mechanism by which QYHJ affects Nanog expression.
Meeting the Challenge of Diabetes in Ageing and Diverse Populations: A Review of the Literature from the UK
Authors: Wilkinson Emma , Waqar Muhammad , Sinclair Alan , Randhawa Gurch
Published: October 2016

The impact of type 2 diabetes on ageing societies is great and populations across the globe are becoming more diverse. Complications of diabetes unequally affect particular groups in the UK older people, and people with a South Asian background are two population groups with increased risk whose numbers will grow in the future. We explored the evidence about diabetes care for older people with South Asian ethnicity to understand the contexts and mechanisms behind interventions to reduce inequalities. We used a realist approach to review the literature, mapped the main areas where relevant evidence exists, and explored the concepts and mechanisms which underpinned interventions. From this we constructed a theoretical framework for a programme of research and put forward suggestions for what our analysis might mean to providers, researchers, and policy makers. Broad themes of cultural competency; comorbidities and stratification; and access emerged as mid-level mechanisms which have individualised, culturally intelligent, and ethical care at their heart and through which inequalities can be addressed. These provide a theoretical framework for future research to advance knowledge about concordance; culturally meaningful measures of depression and cognitive impairment; and care planning in different contexts which support effective diabetes care for aging and diverse populations.
Remediation of Rhodamine B Dye from Aqueous Solution UsingCasuarina equisetifoliaCone Powder as a Low-Cost Adsorbent
Authors: Dahri Muhammad Khairud , Kooh Muhammad Raziq Rahimi , Lim Linda B. L.
Published: October 2016

The removal of toxic dye rhodamine B (RB) from aqueous solution was achieved by usingCasuarina equisetifoliacone (CEC) as an adsorbent. Batch experiment method was used in order to investigate the effects of contact time, pH, temperature, ionic strength, and dye concentration on the adsorption process. Kinetics and isotherm theoretical models were applied on the experimental data and it was found that the pseudo-2nd-order kinetics and the Langmuir isotherm model best fitted into the data. The Langmuir maximum adsorption capacity for CEC was determined as 49.5 mg g−1. The adsorption of RB onto CEC is thermodynamically favourable, feasible, and endothermic in nature.
Generalizability of Dutch Prediction Models for Low Hemoglobin Deferral: A Study on External Validation and Updating in Swiss Whole Blood Donors
Authors: Baart A. Mireille , Fontana Stefano , Tschaggelar Anita , Heymans Martijn W. , de Kort Wim L.A.M.
Published: October 2016

Background: Sex-specific prediction models for low hemoglobin (Hb) deferral have been developed in Dutch whole blood donors. In this study, we validated and updated the models in a cohort of Swiss whole blood donors. Methods: Prospectively collected data from 53,772 Swiss whole blood donors were used. The predictive performance of the Dutch models was assessed in terms of calibration (agreement between predicted probabilities and observed frequencies) and discrimination (ability to discriminate between deferred and approved donors). The models were updated by revising the strength of the individual predictors in the models. Results: A total of 1,065 men (3.3%) and 2,063 women (9.7%) were deferred from donation because of a low Hb level. Validation in Swiss donors demonstrated underestimation of predicted risks and significantly lower discriminative ability. The predictive effects of most predictors were weaker in Swiss donors. Updating the models increased the calibration for both men and women, and slightly increased the discriminative ability in men. Conclusion: Validation of the Dutch prediction models in Swiss whole blood donors showed lower, though adequate performance. In general, the Dutch prediction models can reliably predict the risk of Hb deferral, although for application in other countries small adaptations are necessary.
Comparison of Two-Dimensional Shear Wave Elastography and Real-Time Tissue Elastography for Assessing Liver Fibrosis in Chronic Hepatitis B
Authors: Wu Tao , Wang Ping , Zhang Ting , Zheng Jian , Li Shuoyang , Zeng Jie , Kudo Masatoshi , Zheng Rongqin
Published: October 2016

Background: Noninvasive assessment of liver fibrosis has important clinical significance. Different techniques including two-dimensional shear-wave elastography (2D SWE) and real-time tissue elastography (RTE) are reported to be useful for the noninvasive diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis. All these techniques are affected by many factors. How to choose a reasonable method needs further studies. Purpose: This study was conducted to comparatively assess the diagnostic performance of 2D SWE and RTE in patients with Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) and influence of inflammation on the stiffness values obtained by both techniques, so as to objectively assess the reasonable choice between these 2 elastography techniques for noninvasive assessment of hepatic fibrosis in clinical practice. Materials and Methods: Four-hundred and thirty-seven patients with CHB meeting the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent liver stiffness measurements by using 2D SWE and RTE on the same day. Histologic fibrosis was staged and inflammation activity was graded based on the METAVIR scoring system on liver biopsy specimens. Results: The liver stiffness values by using 2D SWE and RTE both increased in parallel with the degree of liver fibrosis and the grade of inflammation. However, the diagnostic efficacy of significant fibrosis and cirrhosis using 2D SWE was significantly higher than that of RTE. The 2D SWE measurement values were statistically different in different alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and METAVIR activity grades; however, no statistically significant differences were observed by using RTE. The diagnostic efficacy of 2D SWE significantly varied with elevated ALT levels compared with RTE. Conclusion: 2D SWE was more accurate than RTE in the assessment of significant fibrosis and cirrhosis in patients with CHB. Compared with RTE, the measurement values and diagnostic performance obtained by 2D SWE were prone to be more easily affected by the inflammation fluctuations.
Clinical Factors Predicting the Effect of Tolvaptan for Refractory Ascites in Patients with Decompensated Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Chishina Hirokazu , Hagiwara Satoru , Nishida Naoshi , Ueshima Kazuomi , Sakurai Toshiharu , Ida Hiroshi , Minami Yasunori , Takita Masahiro , Kono Masashi , Minami Tomohiro , Iwanishi Mina , Umehara Yasuko , Watanabe Tomohiro , Komeda Yoriaki , Arizumi Tadaaki , Kudo Masotoshi
Published: October 2016

Objective: Refractory ascites reduces the quality of life of liver cirrhosis patients. Albumin preparation and diuretics, such as furosemide, have been used to treat refractory ascites, but the effect was poor in many patients. In this study, we analyzed patients treated with tolvaptan (TLV) at our hospital and investigated predictors of the effect. Methods: The subjects were 70 patients for whom TLV was introduced to treat refractory ascites who could be analyzed between November 2013 and March 2015 at our hospital. Patient background before initiation of oral TLV treatment, the dose of diuretics, and each item of biochemical tests of blood and urine were investigated, and factors correlated with the treatment effect were analyzed. An increase of ≥1,000 ml in the daily urine volume from the day before oral treatment or a decrease of ≥1 kg in the body weight within 7 days as an early effect was observed in 33 patients and not observed in 37 patients. TLV treatment was continued for 60 days or longer in 12 of the 37 patients in whom no early effect was observed, and the presence or absence of a delayed effect and predictors of the effect were investigated. A decrease in ascites on abdominal CT with improvement of subjective symptoms at 60 days was defined as a delayed effect. Results: When early predictors of the effect were investigated by univariate analysis, serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Cr) were significantly higher in the non-responder group (BUN: p = 0.03, Cr: p = 0.04), but no factor independently associated with the treatment effect was extracted on multivariate analysis. The delayed effect was noted in 4 (33.3%) of the 12 patients, but no predictor of the effect before treatment was identified. However, reactions, such as an increase in serum Na and reduction of urinary osmotic pressure, were observed early after TLV administration in some patients in whom the delayed effect was observed. Conclusions: The diuretic effect of TLV may decrease in renal hypofunction patients. Since the delayed effect was noted in a specific ratio of patients, continuation of TLV administration is an option even though the early treatment effect is poor unless ascites aggravates or adverse effects develop.
Prediction of Embolization Area after Conventional Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Using SYNAPSE VINCENT
Authors: Ogawa Chikara , Minami Yasunori , Morita Masahiro , Noda Teruyo , Arasawa Soichi , Izuta Masako , Kubo Atsushi , Matsunaka Toshihiro , Tamaki Hiroyuki , Shibatoge Mitsushige , Kudo Masatoshi
Published: October 2016

Purpose: Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is one of the most effective therapeutic options for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and it is important to protect residual liver function after treatment as well as the effect. To reduce the liver function deterioration, we evaluated the automatic software to predict the embolization area of TACE in 3 dimensions. Materials and Methods: Automatic prediction software of embolization area was used in chemoembolization of 7 HCCs. Embolization area of chemoembolization was evaluated within 1 week CT findings after TACE and compared simulated area using automatic prediction software. Results: The maximal diameter of these tumors is in the range 12-42 mm (24.6 ± 9.5 mm). The average time for detecting tumor-feeding branches was 242 s. The total time to detect tumor-feeding branches and simulate the embolization area was 384 s. All cases could detect all tumor-feeding branches of HCC, and the expected embolization area of simulation with automatic prediction software was almost the same as the actual areas, as shown by CT after TACE. Conclusion: This new technology has possibilities to reduce the amount of contrast medium used, protect kidney function, decrease radiation exposure, and improve the therapeutic effect of TACE.
Is Autoimmune Thrombocytopenia Itself the Primary Disease in the Presence of Second Diseases Data from a Long-Term Observation
Authors: Aboud Nasra , Depré Fabian , Salama Abdulgabar
Published: October 2016

Background: Dependent on the absence or presence of associated diseases, autoimmune thrombocytopenia (ITP) can be classified as primary or secondary form. The manifestation of the associated diseases is not temporally defined and may occur during observation. Thus the question which disease is the primary one remains unanswered. Methods: All 386 patients included in this study were treated by a single primary physician between 1996 and 2015 at the Charité Berlin and met current ITP criteria. Medical records and investigations were reviewed to assess diseases associated with ITP. Results: Initially, the vast majority of patients presented with primary ITP (isolated disease). Based on our findings, ITP was found to be associated with other abnormalities in most cases. These abnormalities included: positive direct antiglobulin test in 49 of 386 tested patients (13%), affections of the thyroid gland in 41 of 386 tested patients (11%), infections in 30 (8%), solid malignancies in 20 (5%) and hematological malignancies in 10 patients (3%), as well as many other miscellaneous diseases. Moreover, of 160 patients who did not receive prior intravenous immunoglobulin treatment, 40 (25%) showed antibody deficiency. Conclusion: In conclusion, the incidence of ‘true' ITP as a primary disease is less common than has yet been suggested. Additionally, there is evidence that ITP itself predispose affected subjects toward development of other diseases.
How Reliable Are Administrative Data for Capturing Stroke Patients and Their Care
Authors: Porter Joan , Mondor Luke , Kapral Moira K. , Fang Jiming , Hall Ruth E.
Published: October 2016

Background/Aims: The reliability of diagnostic coding of acute stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) in administrative data is uncertain. The purpose of this study is to determine the agreement between administrative data sources and chart audit for the identification of stroke type, stroke risk factors, and the use of hospital-based diagnostic procedures in patients with stroke or TIA. Methods: Medical charts for a population-based sample of patients (n = 14,508) with ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), or TIA discharged from inpatient and emergency departments (ED) in Ontario, Canada, between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013, were audited by trained abstractors. Audited data were linked and compared with hospital administrative data and physician billing data. The positive predictive value (PPV) of hospital administrative data and kappa agreement for the reporting of stroke type were calculated. Kappa agreement was also determined for stroke risk factors and for select stroke-related procedures. Results: The PPV for stroke type in inpatient administrative data ranged from 89.5% (95% CI 88.0-91.0) for TIA, 91.9% (95% CI 90.2-93.5) for ICH, and 97.3% (95% CI 96.9-97.7) for ischemic stroke. For ED administrative data, PPV varied from 78.8% (95% CI 76.3-81.2) for ischemic, 86.3% (95% CI 76.8-95.7) for ICH, and 95.3% (95% CI 94.6-96.0) for TIA. The chance-corrected agreement between the audited and administrative data was good for atrial fibrillation (k = 0.60) and very good for diabetes (k = 0.86). Hospital administrative data combined with physician billing data more than doubled the observed agreement for carotid imaging (k = 0.65) and echocardiography (k = 0.66) compared to hospital administrative data alone. Conclusions: Inpatient and ED administrative data were found to be reliable in the reporting of the International Classification of Diagnosis, 10th revision, Canada (ICD-10-CA)-coded ischemic stroke, ICH and TIA, and for the recording of atrial fibrillation and diabetes. The combination of physician billing data with hospital administrative data greatly improved the capture of some diagnostic services provided to inpatients.
Higher Levels of Magnesium and Lower Levels of Calcium in Whole Blood Are Positively Correlated with the Metabolic Syndrome in a Chinese Population: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Yuan Zheping , Liu Chengguo , Tian Yiping , Zhang Xuhui , Ye Huaizhuang , Jin Lifeng , Ruan Liansheng , Sun Zhanhang , Zhu Yimin
Published: October 2016

Magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) are essential for numerous kinds of metabolisms in human body. To investigate the associations between Mg and Ca and the ratio of Ca to Mg (Ca/Mg) in whole blood with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a Chinese population, a matched case-control study including 204 MetS patients and 204 healthy controls (aged 48-89) was carried out in 2011. MetS were diagnosed according to the criteria of Chinese Diabetes Society. Controls had no abnormal metabolic components and were matched with cases by age, gender and region. Blood samples were collected in the morning after an overnight fast. Whole blood Mg and Ca were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Subjects who were male constituted 44.1% of the part of this study. The average age was 64.0 ± 7.18, and the average body mass index was 24.3 ± 3.75. The MetS group showed significantly higher Mg and lower Ca and Ca/Mg as compared with the control group. Comparing with the bottom tertile (T1) of Mg, increased ORs for MetS were found in median tertile (T2) and top tertile (T3) of Mg. For Ca, T2 and T3 were negatively associated with MetS. Inverse relationship was also found between Ca/Mg ratio and MetS. Our findings suggested that increased Mg and decreased Ca and Ca/Mg in whole blood were correlated with MetS in Chinese adults.
On the Building of a Narrative
Authors: Tikkanen Karin W.
Published: October 2016

Thever sacrumritual remains a riddle in the early history of the Apennine peninsula. Several ancient Roman as well as Greek sources use the ritual in explaining Samnite movements across the peninsula, as ritual group expulsion of settlers sent out to colonize new lands. In short, this becomes the narrative ‘plot’ of archaic colonization.

The ritual is however described very differently in the different sources, with regard to detail and to the plot elements involved in the tale. This article explores the various layers in the rendering of the ritual, and the different voices that take part in forming thever sacrumnarrative. With this perspective thever sacrumbecomes an expanded testimony of a tradition, used by different authors to stress various elements of their own historical reports.
Bridge or Barrier? Mary and Islam in William of Tripoli and Nicholas of Cusa
Authors: George-Tvrtković Rita
Published: October 2016

Both Christianity and Islam claim the Virgin Mary, but most Christians throughout history have seen her as a barrier between the two religions, not a bridge. In the medieval period, Latin Christians noted errors in Qurʾānic Mariology and raised standards of the Virgin in wars against Muslims. By the sixteenth century, the use of Mary as an interfaith barrier escalated among Catholics who employed her to combat both Ottomans and Protestants. Yet two medieval churchmen, William of Tripoli and Nicholas of Cusa, stressed concord between Christian and Muslim Mariologies, despite the fact that they were both writing at times of great interreligious strife: William soon before the fall of Acre in 1291, and Nicholas soon after the fall of Constantinople in 1453. This article discusses how William and Nicholas, unlike most of their confreres, saw Mary as a theological link between Islam and Christianity. This perspective represents but one point in the historical trajectory of Christian views of Mary vis-à-vis Islam, a spectrum which has shifted from seeing the Virgin as either a bridge or barrier, depending on her polemical or irenic utility.
Versions of Ecclesiology
Authors: Fiddes Paul S.
Published: October 2016

The recent book by Nicholas Healy, Hauerwas. A (very) critical introduction, charges that the centrality given to ecclesiology by Hauerwas unbalances theology in general, especially undermining doctrines of God and salvation, and ends with a Christology based on human experience akin to the thought of Schleiermacher. Healy adds that, ironically, an ethic supposedly characterized by the formation of character through practices does not lead to sufficient attention to the empirical church. The article proceeds to review two recent volumes of essays by Hauerwas, which he intends to be retrospective on his life’s work, and explores the extent to which they might provide a riposte to Healy’s criticisms, focusing especially on the themes of ‘the logic of believing’, story, church as ‘contrast-community’, grace and salvation, and the incompleteness of theology. The article urges that a more trinitarian ecclesiology than either writer offers can preserve the best insights of both, affirming Healy’s recognition of the blurring of boundaries between church and world, and Hauerwas’ stresses on covenantal partnership between God and church and the indispensable identity of the church.