bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and experimental validation of planar programmable inertia generators
Authors: Gosselin C. , Lecours A. , Laliberté T. , Fortin M.
Published: November 2013

This paper investigates the design and experimental development of planar programmable inertia generators. An inertia generator is a hand-held haptic device that has a programmable inertia. By moving internal masses in reaction to accelerations induced by the user, the effective inertia of the device is modified in order to render a prescribed inertia. In this paper, a one-degree-of-freedom device with one internal moving mass is first proposed. The corresponding dynamic model is developed and the rendering capabilities of the device are investigated. Then, a controller is designed to produce the appropriate motion of the internal mass in reaction to the acceleration induced by the user. A prototype is presented and experimental results are discussed. A mechanical architecture is then proposed for the design of a planar three-degree-of-freedom inertia generator. The corresponding dynamic model is derived, and it is shown that the generalized inertia matrix of the proposed mechanism is always of full rank. The rendering capabilities of the device are also investigated. Finally, simulation results obtained with the three-degree-of-freedom inertia generator are reported and discussed.
Three-dimensional modeling of composites fire behavior
Authors: Riccio A , Damiano M , Zarrelli M , Scaramuzzino F
Published: November 2013

The present paper introduces a numerical study on the fire behavior of composites during exposure to a heating source at high-incident power. A three-dimensional novel numerical model is proposed, which is able to simulate the behavior of composite materials in fire environment providing the composites mass loss rate, heat release rate, and total heat released during the heating source application. The ANSYS commercial FEM software has been selected as the platform for the implementation of the proposed numerical model. The use of the ANSYS Parametric Design Language has allowed the ANSYS FEM code to numerically simulate, by a stop–restart incremental procedure, all the most relevant physical phenomena related to fire. As an application, a cone calorimeter experiment over a laminated composite plate has been numerically simulated, and the numerical model has been validated by comparing the ANSYS numerical results to experimental literature data in terms of temperature profile over the panel thickness, mass loss rate, heat release rate, and total heat released. An excellent agreement has been found between the obtained numerical results and the experimental test, confirming the validity of the proposed three-dimensional tool, taking into account the specimen edge effects, which has perspectives of application to the assessment of the fire performance of complex composite structural components.
The rise of ‘Republican fever’ in the PRC and the implications for CCP legitimacy
Authors: Qiang Zhang , Weatherley Robert
Published: November 2013

This article examines the upsurge in Chinese public support for the legacy of the Republican era, a phenomenon known as ‘Republican fever’. The fever has arisen following the formal relaxation of restrictions on discussing the Republican period. The rationale for doing so is linked to political expediency and in particular to the CCP’s quest for nationalist legitimacy. By acknowledging the positive aspects of the Republican era as part of a placatory policy on reunification with Taiwan, the CCP is trying to present itself as a key partner in a united patriotic front with the Kuomintang. But things have not turned out as planned. As Republican fever has spread across a diverse section of Chinese society, so too has criticism of the CCP’s record in power. In light of this, we argue that instead of fortifying the Party’s nationalist legitimacy, the CCP has unwittingly started a process which appears to be eroding that legitimacy.
The Internet in China’s state–society relations: Will Goliath prevail in the chiaroscuro?
Authors: Sautedé Eric
Published: November 2013

This article explores how state and society relations have been affected by the development of information technology in China over the past 20 years. It argues that despite all the transformative changes that such technology has helped bring about, ‘benefits’ have to be weighed in terms of both empowerment of society and strengthening of state capacity. Ultimately, the digital challenge has not translated into a weakening of the authoritarian state, and this can be explained by the very nature of the party-state in China and how it has managed to make use of communication tools that prove to be both constructive and divisive.
Understanding systemic problems in providing mental health services to people with an intellectual disability and co-morbid mental disorders in Victoria
Authors: Bennett Chad
Published: November 2013

Objective:

This paper explores the difficulties the services system in Victoria has in responding to people with intellectual disability (ID) and mental health problems and identifies the underlying assumptions that have led to these. These issues are discussed and where possible put into a Victorian context with the intention of informing service development in the area of Dual Disability (co-morbid mental disorders in people with intellectual disability).

Conclusions:

People with ID have high levels of mental health need. Generic services have difficulty responding to these needs due to a range of patient, professional and service system factors as well as some of the conceptual issues underpinning policy and legislation.
The priority of social order
Authors: Hardin Russell
Published: November 2013

If we are to have political, legal, and constitutional order, we must first have a substantial degree of general social order to enable us to create and organize these grander orders. In short, such general order is causally prior to these other broad social orders. General social order historically has been built up spontaneously, perhaps through creation of norms that are enforced within the society whose more general order we wish to explain. It seems likely that many of the members of our society need not recognize many of the norms that govern our actions. Moreover, unlike pristine theory, the societal problem is subject to instrumentalist arguments, at least in a theoretical sense, for many of our social norms. Among the most important of these norms are those that coordinate our actions in manifold repetitive contexts.
Church government and religious participation
Authors: Wollschleger Jason
Published: November 2013

In this article religion is viewed as a collectively produced good. Religious groups must, therefore, overcome collective action problems, namely, coordination. This problem is usually alleviated by entering into an agency relationship with an organizer whose job is to ensure efficient production of religious goods. This will lead to an increase in participation from congregants and an increase in quality of the religious goods. However, this relationship is open to the principal–agent problem. Using data from the American Congregational Giving Study this paper finds that the organizational structure of religious groups makes some groups more susceptible to principal–agent problems, which ultimately impacts participation levels.
An experimental study on the effect of magneto-rheological finishing on diamond turned surfaces
Authors: Khatri Neha , Tewary Suman , Mishra Vinod , Sarepaka RamaGopal V
Published: November 2013

Magneto-rheological materials are a class of smart materials whose rheological properties can be rapidly varied by applying a magnetic field. Magneto-rheological finishing utilizes magneto-rheological fluid, which consists of magnetic particles, non-magnetic abrasives and some additives in water or other carrier to polish the materials. Single-point diamond turning is able to remove hundreds of microns of material and generate surface with micron accuracies. Residual turning marks are the most important factor limiting the performance in diamond turning process. Magneto-rheological finishing has inherent ability to improve micro-roughness, remove subsurface damage and reduce residual stresses induced during diamond turning process. Combining single-point diamond turning and magneto-rheological finishing creates a deterministic process for manufacturing highly finished surfaces. In this article, an attempt has been made to improve the finish of diamond turned surface with magneto-rheological finishing and to investigate the effects of parameters like current, spacing, wheel speed, feed rate and magnetic field on the final surface finish. Based on the parametric study, an optimum combination of process parameters is identified using analysis of variance. Various image processing techniques have been used for the comparison of the surface analysis of diamond turned surfaces and the magneto-rheological finished surfaces.
Three-dimensional free vibration analysis of doubly-curved shells
Authors: Zhou Ding , Lo Sia Huen
Published: November 2013

The vibration analysis of the natural frequencies and mode shapes of a class of doubly-curved shells with different boundary conditions is presented. The doubly-curved shells are geometrically taken from various parts of a hollow torus with annular cross-section. The small strain, three-dimensional, linear elasticity theory is adopted to establish the governing equations of the problem in terms of the toroidal coordinate system ( r,  θ,  ϕ). The Chebyshev-Ritz method is used to set up the eigenvalue equation: displacement in each direction is taken as a triplicate product of the Chebyshev polynomials in r, θ and ϕ, multiplied by a boundary function along with a set of generalized coefficients to yield upper bound values of the natural frequencies. The natural frequencies converge monotonically to the exact values as more terms of Chebyshev polynomials are included in the Ritz approximation. The effects of thickness ratio, radius ratio, toroidal angle in ϕ direction, initial angle and subtended angle in θ direction on natural frequencies and mode shapes are discussed in detail.
Clustering of excess health concerns for electromagnetic fields among health personnel: A quantitative and qualitative approach
Authors: Gerakopoulou Patricia , Matsoukis Ioannis L , Giagkou Nick , Dessypris Nick , Cassimos Dimitrios C ,   ENIGMA Group, Petridou Eleni Th
Published: November 2013

Clustering patterns, among health-care personnel, of excessive concerns pertaining to perceived electromagnetic field–related health impacts, as contrasted to those from other environmental factors, were explored. Knowledge/excessive concerns of 722 health-care personnel were assessed using a 22-item structured questionnaire along with a double-phase qualitative study comprising semistructured interviews and focus groups. Over 75 percent of the participants had high perceived knowledge, whereas accuracy was limited to <20 percent and correctness to 8 percent. An “excessive concern” group was clearly distinguished from a “relaxed attitude” one. Clustering of excessive concerns may derive from personal beliefs, suggesting a risk governance issue for health education policies.
Thermal and humid environment and moisture condensation characteristics of cold surfaces
Authors: Li H. , Gong G. , Xu C. , Su H. , Cao Z. , Zhou M. , Yu C. W. F.
Published: November 2013

In this study, an actual condensation model of radiant cooling system was built to investigate the condensation characteristics of cold surfaces and the thermal and humid environment near the surfaces. Dimensionless analysis was undertaken combined with multiple linear regression to explore how condensation rate would vary with governing factors, such as moisture content difference, heat flux, and temperature difference between the cold surfaces and the nearby air. The calculation formula of dew quantity is presented with good accuracy and moisture content difference was proven to be the most influential factor of dew quantity among the governing factors. This paper is presented to provide a reference for future optimization of cold radiation system and to establish boundary conditions for CFD simulation.
Teaching sociology within teacher education: Revisiting, realigning and re-embedding
Authors: Doherty Catherine , Dooley Karen , Woods Annette
Published: November 2013

This article uses theoretical resources from the sociology of education to consider the teaching of sociology in teacher education programs in Australia. Once a disciplinary ‘pillar’ of teacher education, sociology’s contribution has become less explicit while more integrated, with consequences for disciplinary identity. Here we explore how sociology is taught in teacher education curricula on two fronts. First we outline how sociology is embedded as one of a number of competing perspectives in foundational studies, and its pedagogic consequences. Then we consider the powerful contribution of sociology in literacy studies, amidst public debate about literacy performance. The analysis draws on Bernstein’s distinction between singular disciplinary curriculum design and practically oriented regional curriculum design. We seek to trouble the common-sense binary between theory and practice that structures debates around professional education in higher education more broadly, and to dignify service sociology as a valuable, generative site for the discipline’s future.
Follow the leader! Direct and indirect flows of political communication during the 2013 Italian general election campaign
Authors: Vaccari Cristian , Valeriani Augusto
Published: November 2013

This article evaluates the potential that Twitter affords politicians to communicate to citizens directly, through messages that they broadcast to users who follow them, and indirectly, to the extent that their followers autonomously re-circulate politicians’ messages to their own contacts. Analysis of more than 2 million accounts of followers of 10 national party leaders during the Italian 2013 general election campaign shows that most users are rather inactive and have very small followings. Moreover, the most followed politicians have on average the least active and followed users, and vice versa. Users’ activity and followings are also unevenly distributed, with very tiny minorities accounting for the vast majority of tweets and followers. The most followed followers of politicians are celebrities in realms other than politics, or people who are already highly visible in the politics-media ecosystem. Our findings suggest that most of the potential for indirect communication may lie in the “vital middle” of the Twitter population who are more active than average, but are not part of the restricted elite of high-impact outliers.
Pityriasis
Authors: Ferguson Mairi
Published: November 2013

The word ‘pityriasis’, is of Greek origin and signifies flaking of the skin. This process occurs in many skin conditions which are otherwise unrelated, and there are therefore several skin disorders with ‘pityriasis’ in their title. This overview will help the general practitioner to diagnose the majority of different types of pityriasis, enabling them to provide reassurance and treatment for the benign disorders, while recognising those that require referral to secondary care. This article focuses on the four most commonly encountered pityriasis disorders in primary care.
Teaching in the ICU
Authors: Bhave Meghan , Brzezinski Marek
Published: November 2013

Teaching in the fast-paced, high-pressure environment of the ICU can be very demanding. Thus, the educator-intensivist must learn teaching strategies that are time-efficient, simple, and successful. In this article, we provide an overview of the current and relevant teaching theories and highlight potential obstacles and limitations to teaching in the ICU. In the second part, we discuss a sample of simple approaches to optimize the ICU-rotation curriculum as well as effective techniques to improve teaching, while not compromising quality of care.
When One Is Ostracized, Others Loom
Authors: Pitts Shane , Wilson John Paul , Hugenberg Kurt
Published: November 2013

Social rejection causes a host of interpersonal consequences, including increases in reaffiliative behaviors. In two experiments, we show that reaffiliation motivation stemming from rejection biases perceptions of one’s distance from a social target, making others seem closer than they are. In Experiment 1, participants who had written about rejection underthrew a beanbag when the goal was to land it at the feet of a new interaction partner, relative to control participants. In Experiment 2, rejected participants provided written underestimates of the distance to a person relative to control participants, but only when the target was a real person, and not a life-sized cardboard simulation of a person. Thus, using multiple manipulations of social rejection, and multiple measures of distance perception, this research demonstrates that rejection can bias basic perceptual processes, making actual sources of reaffiliation (actual people), but not mere images of people, loom toward the self.
The History and clinical examination for self-reported erectile dysfunction: are we following European guidelines? The results of the North West of England Regional Audit
Authors: Ali Zubeir , Broome James , Pearce Ian
Published: November 2013

Introduction and objectives

There is evidence of an association between erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular risk factors including diabetes, hypertension and smoking. Indeed erectile dysfunction is now thought to be a symptom of underlying cardiovascular disease. Strong emphasis is placed upon identifying such risk factors, and management strategies to address these have been shown to be effective in treating erectile dysfunction. The European Association of Urology (EAU) have published Guidelines on Male Sexual Dysfunction 2012 which advocate a detailed medical history and clinical examination in all patients presenting with erectile dysfunction. The aim of this multicentre audit was to assess how well patients presenting to erectile dysfunction services across the North West of England are assessed with a history and examination according to EAU guidelines.

Methods and materials

An independent data collection team examined the case notes of 239 new referrals presenting with erectile dysfunction to 16 centres across the North West of England. The audit departments at each centre were requested to identify the last 20 new referrals for erectile dysfunction retrospectively from the end of 2011. The documentation was then evaluated, and we report these results.

Results

Risk factor assessment, percentage documentation - Diabetes 99.6% - Hypertension 41.8% - Cardiovascular disease 22.2% - Hyperlipidaemia 28.5% - Smoking 89.1% - Alcohol 83.3% Assessment of erectile dysfunction, percentage documentation - Duration 95% - Rigidity 90.4% - Longevity 89.1% - Spontaneous erections 91.6% - Orgasm 39.3% - Ejaculation 53.1% - Intercourse 96.7% - Libido 93.7% - International Index for Erectile Function (IIEF) 32% Examination, percentage documentation - Genitalia 85.4% - Blood pressure 74.9% - Secondary sexual characteristics 41% - Body mass index (BMI)/obesity 77.4% - Peripheral pulses 56.5%

Conclusion

The results from the North West of England Regional Audit on Erectile Dysfunction 2012 show that the documentation employed in the case notes has scope for improvement. The authors suggest that employing a specifically designed pro forma would improve the documentation and consequently the accuracy in assessment of these patients. Other recommendations include the development of designated andrology/erectile dysfunction clinics where urologists or specialist nurses with an interest in the subject matter can provide a more meaningful patient experience.
Unintentional 4-Aminopyridine Overdose in a Multiple Sclerosis Patient
Authors: Thompson John F.
Published: November 2013

Objective: To discuss the clinical presentation and treatment of a 4-aminopyridine overdose resulting from a pharmacy prescription compounding error. Case Summary: A 55-year-old female with a 12-year history of multiple sclerosis is reintroduced to immediate-release 4-aminopydrine for symptom management. Four hours after the second dose, she is admitted to the emergency room with altered mental status, pulmonary edema, and seizures progressing to status epilepticus. She is intubated and managed with benzodiazepines followed by a propofol infusion. After 5 days she is discharged to home. Laboratory analysis of the capsules detected 127 mg of 4-aminopyridine, yet the prescription label indicated the contents as 12.5 mg capsules, to be taken twice a day. Discussion: There are 14 cases of previously published 4-aminopyridine toxicity in the literature. Four of those cases are due to pharmacy compounding errors. This case presents with typical and anticipated symptomatology such as acute delirium, cognitive changes, speech changes, elevated blood pressure, tachycardia, seizures, and status epilepticus. However, this case is unique in that the patient also presented with pulmonary edema, a finding not mentioned in the previous 14 cases. These adverse drug events are due to the neurotransmitter release induced through potassium channel blockade afforded by 4-aminopyridine when ingested in excessive amounts. In the context of adverse drug events, the 4-aminopyridine overdose as the causal link for the clinical findings in this case as determined by the Naranjo probability scale is ranked as definite. Conclusion: 4-Aminopyridine is a potent potassium (Kv) channel blocker and is accepted as a therapeutic agent for multiple sclerosis patients. In excess, 4-aminopyridine can produce significant adverse neurological effects most notable being status epilepticus. To date, no 4-aminopyridine overdose case reported has ended in death. Caution is advised to those pharmacists who provide compounding services.
Superinfection with drug-resistant HIV is rare and does not contribute substantially to therapy failure in a large European cohort
Authors: Bartha István , Assel Matthias , Sloot Peter MA , Zazzi Maurizio , Torti Carlo , Schülter Eugen , Luca Andrea De , Sönnerborg Anders , Abecasis Ana B , Van Laethem Kristel , Rosi Andrea , Svärd Jenny , Paredes Roger , van de Vijver David AMC , Vandamme Anne-Mieke , Müller Viktor
Published: November 2013

Background

Superinfection with drug resistant HIV strains could potentially contribute to compromised therapy in patients initially infected with drug-sensitive virus and receiving antiretroviral therapy. To investigate the importance of this potential route to drug resistance, we developed a bioinformatics pipeline to detect superinfection from routinely collected genotyping data, and assessed whether superinfection contributed to increased drug resistance in a large European cohort of viremic, drug treated patients.

Methods

We used sequence data from routine genotypic tests spanning the protease and partial reverse transcriptase regions in the Virolab and EuResist databases that collated data from five European countries. Superinfection was indicated when sequences of a patient failed to cluster together in phylogenetic trees constructed with selected sets of control sequences. A subset of the indicated cases was validated by re-sequencing pol and env regions from the original samples.

Results

4425 patients had at least two sequences in the database, with a total of 13816 distinct sequence entries (of which 86% belonged to subtype B). We identified 107 patients with phylogenetic evidence for superinfection. In 14 of these cases, we analyzed newly amplified sequences from the original samples for validation purposes: only 2 cases were verified as superinfections in the repeated analyses, the other 12 cases turned out to involve sample or sequence misidentification. Resistance to drugs used at the time of strain replacement did not change in these two patients. A third case could not be validated by re-sequencing, but was supported as superinfection by an intermediate sequence with high degenerate base pair count within the time frame of strain switching. Drug resistance increased in this single patient.

Conclusions

Routine genotyping data are informative for the detection of HIV superinfection; however, most cases of non-monophyletic clustering in patient phylogenies arise from sample or sequence mix-up rather than from superinfection, which emphasizes the importance of validation. Non-transient superinfection was rare in our mainly treatment experienced cohort, and we found a single case of possible transmitted drug resistance by this route. We therefore conclude that in our large cohort, superinfection with drug resistant HIV did not compromise the efficiency of antiretroviral treatment.
Patterns in blood pressure medication use in US incident dialysis patients over the first 6 months
Authors: St Peter Wendy L , Sozio Stephen M , Shafi Tariq , Ephraim Patti L , Luly Jason , McDermott Aidan , Bandeen-Roche Karen , Meyer Klemens B , Crews Deidra C , Scialla Julia J , Miskulin Dana C , Tangri Navdeep , Jaar Bernard G , Michels Wieneke M , Wu Albert W , Boulware L Ebony ,   the DEcIDE Network Patient Outcomes in End-Stage Renal Disease Study Investigators
Published: November 2013

Background

Several observational studies have evaluated the effect of a single exposure window with blood pressure (BP) medications on outcomes in incident dialysis patients, but whether BP medication prescription patterns remain stable or a single exposure window design is adequate to evaluate effect on outcomes is unclear.

Methods

We described patterns of BP medication prescription over 6 months after dialysis initiation in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients, stratified by cardiovascular comorbidity, diabetes, and other patient characteristics. The cohort included 13,072 adult patients (12,159 hemodialysis, 913 peritoneal dialysis) who initiated dialysis in Dialysis Clinic, Inc., facilities January 1, 2003-June 30, 2008, and remained on the original modality for at least 6 months. We evaluated monthly patterns in BP medication prescription over 6 months and at 12 and 24 months after initiation.

Results

Prescription patterns varied by dialysis modality over the first 6 months; substantial proportions of patients with prescriptions for beta-blockers, renin angiotensin system agents, and dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers in month 6 no longer had prescriptions for these medications by month 24. Prescription of specific medication classes varied by comorbidity, race/ethnicity, and age, but little by sex. The mean number of medications was 2.5 at month 6 in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis cohorts.

Conclusions

This study evaluates BP medication patterns in both hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients over the first 6 months of dialysis. Our findings highlight the challenges of assessing comparative effectiveness of a single BP medication class in dialysis patients. Longitudinal designs should be used to account for changes in BP medication management over time, and designs that incorporate common combinations should be considered.
Osteopontin is a prognostic biomarker in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Kongsgaard Ane , Boye Kjetil , Øijordsbakken Miriam , Lund-Iversen Marius , Halvorsen Ann Rita , Solberg Steinar K , Berge Gisle , Helland Åslaug , Brustugun Odd Terje , Mælandsmo Gunhild M
Published: November 2013

Background

In a previously published report we characterized the expression of the metastasis-associated proteins S100A4, osteopontin (OPN) and ephrin-A1 in a prospectively collected panel of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumors. The aim of the present follow-up study was to investigate the prognostic impact of these potential biomarkers in the same patient cohort. In addition, circulating serum levels of OPN were measured and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the -443 position of the OPN promoter were analyzed.

Methods

Associations between immunohistochemical expression of S100A4, OPN and ephrin-A1 and relapse free and overall survival were examined using univariate and multivariate analyses. Serum OPN was measured by ELISA, polymorphisms in the -443 position of the tumor OPN promoter were analyzed by PCR, and associations between OPN levels and promoter polymorphisms and clinicopathological parameters and patient outcome were investigated.

Results

High expression of OPN in NSCLC tumors was associated with poor patient outcome, and OPN was a strong, independent prognostic factor for both relapse free and overall survival. Serum OPN levels increased according to tumor pT classification and tumor size, and patients with OPN-expressing tumors had higher serum levels than patients with OPN-negative tumors. S100A4 was a negative prognostic factor in several subgroups of adenocarcinoma patients, but not in the overall patient cohort. There was no association between ephrin-A1 expression and patient outcome.

Conclusions

OPN is a promising prognostic biomarker in NSCLC, and should be further explored in the selection of patients for adjuvant treatment following surgical resection.
Clinical characteristics and prognosis of primary leiomyosarcoma of the pancreas: a systematic review
Authors: Xu Jianwei , Zhang Taiping , Wang Tianxiao , You Lei , Zhao Yupei
Published: November 2013

Background

Primary pancreatic leiomyosarcoma (PLMS) is rare. The clinical characteristics and prognosis is still not completely understood. The aim of the present study is to identify the clinical characteristics and long-term outcomes of PLMS from the existing reported cases in different scientific literature.

Methods

PLMS cases reported in Chinese and English journals were collected and reviewed. Clinical features and long-term outcomes of these cases were summarized and analyzed statistically.

Results

A total of 69 cases reported from both Chinese and English journals were included in the present study. An equal incidence in gender was observed. The mean age was 53.9 ± 14.7 years. The most common symptoms were abdominal mass, abdominal pain, and weight loss. The mean size of the tumor was 11.4 ± 7.1 cm. The incidence of PLMS between the head and body-tail of the pancreas had a similar pattern. Twenty-five percent of patients had distant metastasis and 19% of patients had adjacent organs/vessels invasion at the time of diagnosis. But lymph node metastasis was documented in only one (1.5%) patient. The median survival time was 48 months. The overall 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates were 66.6%, 51.2%, 43.9%, and 29.3%, respectively. Results from the multivariate analysis showed that non-radical resection (P = 0.000; hazard ratio (HR) 5.128; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.041-12.987) was the independent adverse prognostic factor. Adjacent organs/vessels invasion (yes) may be considered as an another potential independent adverse prognostic factor (P = 0.071; HR 2.708; 95% CI 0.981-7.474).

Conclusions

PLMS is rare without specific clinical features. PLMS is an aggressive tumor and has a poor prognosis. Radical resection can prolong survival time of the patients.
VacA, the vacuolating cytotoxin of Helicobacter pylori, binds to multimerin 1 on human platelets
Authors: Satoh Kaneo , Hirayama Toshiya , Takano Katsuhiro , Suzuki-Inoue Katsue , Sato Tadashi , Ohta Masato , Nakagomi Junko , Ozaki Yukio
Published: November 2013

Platelets were activated under the infection with H. pylori in human and mice. We investigated the role of VacA, an exotoxin released by H. pylori in this context. Acid-activated VacA, but not heated VacA, induced platelet CD62P expression. However, VacA reacted with none of the alleged VacA receptors present on platelet membranes. We therefore analyzed VacA associated proteins obtained through VacA affinity chromatography, using MALDI-TOF-MS. Multimerin1 was detected in two consecutive experiments, as the binding protein for VacA. Plasmon resonance confirmed their binding, and dot blot analysis revealed that the peptide sequence AA 321-340 of multimerin 1 is the binding site for VacA. In conclusion, we propose a new interaction between multimerin1 and VacA , which may give another insight into H. pylori-induced platelet activations under H. pylori infection.
Decreased plasticity of coreceptor use by CD4-independent SIV Envs that emerge in vivo
Authors: Francella Nicholas , Elliott Sarah TC , Yi Yanjie , Gwyn Sarah E , Ortiz Alexandra M , Li Bing , Silvestri Guido , Paiardini Mirko , Derdeyn Cynthia A , Collman Ronald G
Published: November 2013

Background

HIV and SIV generally require CD4 binding prior to coreceptor engagement, but Env can acquire the ability to use CCR5 independently of CD4 under various circumstances. The ability to use CCR5 coupled with low-to-absent CD4 levels is associated with enhanced macrophage infection and increased neutralization sensitivity, but the additional features of these Envs that may affect cell targeting is not known.

Results

Here we report that CD4-independent SIV variants that emerged in vivo in a CD4+ T cell-depleted rhesus macaque model display markedly decreased plasticity of co-receptor use. While CD4-dependent Envs can use low levels of macaque CCR5 for efficient entry, CD4-independent variants required high levels of CCR5 even in the presence of CD4. CD4-independent Envs were also more sensitive to the CCR5 antagonist Maraviroc. CD4-dependent variants mediated efficient entry using human CCR5, whereas CD4-independent variants had impaired use of human CCR5. Similarly, CD4-independent Envs used the alternative coreceptors GPR15 and CXCR6 less efficiently than CD4-dependent variants. Env amino acids D470N and E84K that confer the CD4-independent phenotype also regulated entry through low CCR5 levels and GPR15, indicating a common structural basis. Treatment of CD4-dependent Envs with soluble CD4 enhanced entry through CCR5 but reduced entry through GPR15, suggesting that induction of CD4-induced conformational changes by non-cell surface-associated CD4 impairs use of this alternative co-receptor.

Conclusions

CD4 independence is associated with more restricted coreceptor interactions. While the ability to enter target cells through CCR5 independently of CD4 may enable infection of CD4 low-to-negative cells such as macrophages, this phenotype may conversely reduce the potential range of targets such as cells expressing low levels of CCR5, conformational variants of CCR5, or possibly even alternative coreceptors.
A new type of aortic valved stent with good stability and no influence on coronary artery
Authors: Cai Jianzhi , Huang Haitao , Zhou Yongxin , Mei Yunqing , Shao Jie , Wang Yongwu
Published: November 2013

Background

To evaluated the feasibility and safety of new aortic valved stents in transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) using retrograde approach by in vitro testing and animal implantation.

Materials and Methods

The fluid passing test, expanding and releasing tests, static and releasing tests in tube were performed for new valved stents. Transvalvular pressure gradient, effective orifice area, pre-implantation and post-implantation regurgitant volume for the new stents were detected. Then, the new stents were implanted in six pigs using retrograde approach. These pigs were euthanized 12 h after the implantation for anatomic evaluation.

Results

In vitro tests showed that the closure of the new stents leaflets were effective, and stents could be released through catheter, then expanded completely and fixed fast in the tube. The coronary artery flow rates did not changed significantly after implantation (P > 0.05), while aortic regurgitant volumes were obviously reduced (P < 0.05). No significant difference in the transvalvular pressure gradient and effective orifice area of the new stents implanted within or above the valve leaflets was found (P > 0.05). In vivo experiments indicated that TAVI was successfully performed in six pigs using retrograde approach. However, one pig was died 10 h after the implantation since the stent was not expanded completely. The leaflets in stents were opening well and no valvular regurgitation was observed in the other five pigs. And thrombosis was not found.

Discussion and Conclusion

The new type of aortic valved stent designed in this study was characterized with good stability and could avoid the impact caused by valve leaflets on the coronary artery.
The analytics of the wage effect of immigration
Authors: Borjas George J
Published: November 2013

The theory of factor demand has important implications for the study of the impact of immigration on wages. This paper derives the theoretical implications in the context of a general equilibrium model where the wage impact depends on the elasticity of product demand, the rate at which the consumer base expands as immigrants enter the receiving country, the elasticity of supply of capital, and the elasticity of substitution among inputs of production. The constraints imposed by the theory can be used to check the plausibility of the many contradictory claims that appear throughout the immigration literature.

JEL codes

J23; J61; F22
Theoretical Study on Intermolecular Interactions in Complexes of Cyclodextrins with Bile Acids: DFT and Ab Initio Fragment Molecular Orbital Calculations
Authors: Yao Lan , Mori Yukie , Takano Keiko
Published: November 2013

Inclusion complexes composed of cyclodextrin (CD) and bile acids have potential applications in drug delivery systems and chiral separation technology. In the present study, intermolecular interactions in 1:1 complexes of α-, β-, and γ-CDs with cholic acid (CA) or deoxycholic acid were analyzed both in the gas phase and in aqueous phase with density functional theory (B97-D and M06-2X) with the standard 6-31G(d) basis set together with the B3LYP functional for comparison. The association energies depend on the distance between CD and the guest as well as on the relative position and orientation of the guest in the cavity. The most stable binding mode for each complex is consistent with that proposed by NMR experiments. A pair interaction energy decomposition analysis based on ab initio fragment molecular orbital calculations was performed at the FMO-MP2/cc-pVDZ level of theory. It reveals that the β-CD/CA has more negative host–guest interaction energy than the γ-CD/CA and that dispersion and electrostatic interactions contribute comparably to the stabilization of the complexes. Several hydrogen bonds between CD and the guest also stabilize the complex.
On the System Optimum Dynamic Traffic Assignment and Earliest Arrival Flow Problems
Authors: Zheng Hong , Chiu Yi-Chang , Mirchandani Pitu B.
Published: November 2013

This paper investigates the cell-transmission model (CTM)-based single destination system optimum dynamic traffic assignment (SO-DTA) problem, focusing attention on a case where the cell properties are time-invariant. We show the backward propagation of congestion in CTM does not affect the optimal arrival flow pattern of SO-DTA, if the fundamental diagram is of triangular/trapezoidal shape as in the CTM. We mathematically prove that the set of earliest arrival flows (EAFs) not constrained by the traffic wave propagation equations obtained on the node-arc network without cell division is a subset of the SO-DTA. This finding leads to a new approach to the SO-DTA that solves the EAF. Such an EAF can be obtained by merely applying static flow techniques and turning the static flows into dynamic flows over time. Therefore, SO-DTA can theoretically be solved with a run time at the link level depending polynomially on log T. We use numerical examples to verify the results and report the computational benefits of the proposed method by solving SO-DTA on a real-world network.
Coordination chemistry of polyoxo-carbocyclic compounds containing one or more neighboring oxo-groups
Authors: Kovalchukova Olga , Strashnova Svetlana
Published: November 2013

This is a review of publications concerning the results of X-ray analysis of single crystals and spectrochemical characteristics of metal complexes containing polyoxo-carbocyclic compounds with one or more neighboring oxo-groups. The features of lattice characteristics and coordination modes, depending on the nature of the organic dianion, are shown here. The squarate anions, ${{\rm{C}}_{\rm{4}}}{\rm{O}}_{\rm{4}}^{{\rm{2 - }}}$ are predominantly involved in monodentate bridging coordination, and the derivatives containing five or six C-atoms in the cycle (croconate and rhodizonate anions) usually form bidentate chelating bridged modes. The stabilization of the crystal lattices of the metal complexes is due to the formation of hydrogen bonds and π-π stackings, which produce self-assembled three-dimensional (3D) structures with cavities and intercalation of some small molecules. The strong interlayer interactions lead to appearance of specific conductometric and magnetic properties, which together with their high thermal stabilities, make the oxocarbon complexes new and perspective materials for electronics and related areas.
New insights into epididymal function in relation to sperm maturation
Authors: Dacheux Jean-Louis , Dacheux Françoise
Published: November 2013

Testicular spermatozoa acquire fertility only after 1 or 2 weeks of transit through the epididymis. At the end of this several meters long epididymal tubule, the male gamete is able to move, capacitate, migrate through the female tract, bind to the egg membrane and fuse to the oocyte to result in a viable embryo. All these sperm properties are acquired after sequential modifications occurring either at the level of the spermatozoon or in the epididymal surroundings. Over the last few decades, significant increases in the understanding of the composition of the male gamete and its surroundings have resulted from the use of new techniques such as genome sequencing, proteomics combined with high-sensitivity mass spectrometry, and gene-knockout approaches. This review reports and discusses the most relevant new results obtained in different species regarding the various cellular processes occurring at the sperm level, in particular, those related to the development of motility and egg binding during epididymal transit.
What Happens to Functional Mitral Regurgitation after Aortic Valve Replacement for Aortic Stenosis?
Authors: Wyler Stephanie , Emmert Maximilian Y. , Biaggi Patric , Seifert Burkhardt , Grünenfelder Jürg , Falk Volkmar , Salzberg Sacha
Published: November 2013

Background: Patients with aortic stenosis (AS) treated with aortic valve replacement (AVR) may also present with associated functional mitral valve regurgitation (FMR). Whether to also address the mitral valve at the time of AVR remains unclear. This study was designed to determine the influence of MR on survival and its evolution over time.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 74 patients with FMR who underwent isolated AVR between 1999 and 2006 at our institution. Inclusion criteria were surgery for AVR with severe AS (mean age, 69 years; N = 47; 64% women) and FMR (grade I, 80%; grade II, 19%; grade III, 1%). Echocardiography follow-up data were obtained by mail questionnaires sent to the referring cardiologists of all survivors. All parameters were analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier method and the sign test.Results: The operative mortality rate was 2%, and 9 patients (12%) died during follow-up. The mean (SD) follow-up time was 48 ± 33 months, and follow-up 96% complete. The follow-up demonstrated a decrease of FMR by 2 degrees in 3 patients (4%), and 1 degree in 14 patients (19%); regurgitation remained unchanged in the majority of patients (n = 47; 63%). FMR worsened in 10 patients overall (14%), and new-onset atrial fibrillation was found in 24 patients (33%); however, the statistical analysis failed to demonstrate an impact of worsening FMR on survival.Conclusion: MR in patients with severe AS and FMR at the time of AVR does not appear to worsen significantly over time. Not dealing with the mitral valve at the time of AVR might be warranted for selected patients.
Pharmacokinetics of Intraluminally Administered Serum Papaverine for Spasm Prophylaxis of the Internal Mammary Artery
Authors: Kiessling Arndt-Holger , Romasku Deniss , Beiras-Fernandez Andres , Ferreirós Nerea , Labocha Sandra , Moritz Anton , Rastan Ardawan Julian
Published: November 2013

Background: Papaverine (Paveron N™ Linden Arzneimittel Vertrieb GmbH, Germany) is a widely used agent for preventing spasm in mammary artery preparations. The question addressed in this study is whether the intraluminal administration of papaverine can result in detectable absorption of the drug into the systemic arterial circulation.Methods: In 15 patients (age 65 ± 6 years; body mass index 28.9 ± 3.7), an internal mammary artery (IMA) was prepared during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). A maximum of 3 mL of a 1 mg/1 mL diluted papaverine solution was injected intravascularly (intraluminally) for spasm prophylaxis. The IMA was closed proximally and distally with bulldog clamps. Blood samples were taken immediately after administration (T1), after 20 minutes (T2), and at the end of the operation (T3). Samples were measured in a liquid chromatography--tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) system consisting of a binary pump from Agilent (Waldbronn, Germany) coupled to a high-throughput screening (HTS) PAL injection system (CTC, Zwingen, Switzerland) and a tandem mass spectrometer (API 4000, AB Sciex, Darmstadt, Germany). Papaverine was analyzed in positive mode using an electrospray ion source. Quantitation was performed using Analyst 1.5 software (AB Sciex, Darmstadt, Germany).Results: The newly developed LC-MS/MS method was successfully established for the detection of papaverine in plasma samples. The highest plasma papaverine levels were determined at time point T1 (mean 54.7 ± 39 ng/mL, range 16.6-179 ng/mL). The concentration was already halved 20 minutes after administration (T2) (mean 23.3 ± 2 ng/mL, range 4.6-118 ng/mL). Because of the short half-life and the hemodilution in the extracorporeal circulation, at the end of the operation papaverine (T3) had already fallen to just above the limit of detection (mean 4.1 ± 3.9 ng/mL, range 1.3-16.9 ng/mL). At time point T1, a significant negative correlation was determined between plasma levels and systemic diastolic, but not systolic, blood pressure.Conclusion: Papaverine was successfully determined systemically in plasma by LC-MS/MS after intraluminal administration in the IMA. Systemic circulatory effects are dependent on the detected quantity. Group size and the absence of a control group are considerable limitations.