bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bovine Immunoinhibitory Receptors Contribute to Suppression of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis-Specific T-Cell Responses
Authors: Okagawa Tomohiro , Konnai Satoru , Nishimori Asami , Ikebuchi Ryoyo , Mizorogi Seiko , Nagata Reiko , Kawaji Satoko , Tanaka Shogo , Kagawa Yumiko , Murata Shiro , Mori Yasuyuki , Ohashi Kazuhiko
Published: October 2015

Johne's disease (paratuberculosis) is a chronic enteritis in cattle that is caused by intracellular infection with
Mycobacterium avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
. This infection is characterized by the functional exhaustion of T-cell responses to
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
antigens during late subclinical and clinical stages, presumably facilitating the persistence of this bacterium and the formation of clinical lesions. However, the mechanisms underlying T-cell exhaustion in Johne's disease are poorly understood. Thus, we performed expression and functional analyses of the immunoinhibitory molecules programmed death-1 (PD-1)/PD-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG-3)/major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) in
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
-infected cattle during the late subclinical stage. Flow cytometric analyses revealed the upregulation of PD-1 and LAG-3 in T cells in infected animals, which suffered progressive suppression of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) responses to the
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
antigen. In addition, PD-L1 and MHC-II were expressed on macrophages from infected animals, consistent with PD-1 and LAG-3 pathways contributing to the suppression of IFN-γ responses during the subclinical stages of
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
infection. Furthermore, dual blockade of PD-L1 and LAG-3 enhanced
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
-specific IFN-γ responses in blood from infected animals, and
in vitro
LAG-3 blockade enhanced IFN-γ production from
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
-specific CD4
+
and CD8
+
T cells. Taken together, the present data indicate that
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
-specific T-cell exhaustion is in part mediated by PD-1/PD-L1 and LAG-3/MHC-II interactions and that LAG-3 is a molecular target for the control of
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
-specific T-cell responses.
The mental health of US Black women: the roles of social context and severe intimate partner violence
Authors: Lacey Krim K , Parnell Regina , Mouzon Dawne M , Matusko Niki , Head Doreen , Abelson Jamie M , Jackson James S
Published: October 2015

Objective

Black women continue to have rates of mental health conditions that can be negative for their well-being. This study examined the contribution of social and contextual factors and severe physical intimate partner violence on the mental health of US Black women (African-American and Caribbean Black).

Setting

Data were largely collected via in-person community interviews at participants’ homes.

Participants

We studied 3277 African-American and Black Caribbean women from the 2001–2003 National Survey of American Life (NSAL), the largest and most complete sample of Blacks residing in the USA.

Primary and secondary outcomes

Key outcomes included an array of psychiatric disorders based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV).

Results

Bivariate results revealed noticeably high rates of any anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, any substance disorder, alcohol abuse disorder, suicide ideation and attempts, and any overall mental disorder among African-American women relative to Caribbean Black women. Multiple social and contextual factors were associated with various mental disorders among both sets of Black women in multivariate models, with the most consistent associations found for severe physical intimate partner violence. Everyday discrimination was associated with anxiety disorders (95% AOR=2.08 CI 1.23 to 3.51), eating disorders (95% AOR=2.69 CI 1.38 to 5.22), and any disorder (95% AOR=2.18 CI 1.40 to 3.40), while neighbourhood drug problems contributed to mood (95% AOR=1.19 CI 1.04 to 1.36), substance disorders (95% AOR=1.37 CI 1.11 to 1.69) and any disorder (95% AOR=1.18 CI 1.03 to 1.34).

Conclusions

Severe physical intimate partner violence, discrimination, and to a lesser extent, neighbourhood problems are important predictors of Black women's health, findings that inform intervention and clinical services tailored to meet the needs of Black women from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
Prevalence and severity of asthmatic symptoms in Grenadian school children: the Grenada National Asthma Survey
Authors: Thongkham D , Tran J , Clunes M T , Brahim F
Published: October 2015

Objective

The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of asthma in school children in the tri-island Caribbean nation of Grenada.

Setting, participants and outcomes

This was a self-report study provided to the guardians of all primary school children between ages 6 and 7 throughout Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique in 2013. Of the 2362 surveys provided, 1374 were returned, resulting in a response rate of 58.2%. Only responders listing birthdays between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2007 were included in the analysis, resulting in 1165 qualifying responders. Asthma diagnosis was based on previous physician diagnosed asthma and/or self-reported presence of wheeze in the past 12 months (current wheeze). Severity of asthma, medication usage, environmental exposures, physician and emergency department visits were compared among respondents.

Results

The prevalence of wheezing in the past year was 30.5±1.8%, and of these 68.4% were previously diagnosed with asthma. Of the current wheeze participants, 39.9±9.2% reported moderate to severe asthma symptoms and increased exposure to cigarette smoke, excessive dust, burning brush and landfills. Carriacou and Petite Martinique, the two smaller islands, had a lower incidence of current wheeze (14.1±7.7%) and exposure rates to cigarette smoke and burning brush as compared to the larger, denser island of Grenada. Although 65.7% of respondents diagnosed with asthma reported taking medication, the number of annual doctor and emergency department visits were high (2.82 and 0.86, respectively). Respondents with the most severe asthma symptoms reported the most emergency department visits with an average of 1.05 visits annually, whereas respondents with moderate asthma symptoms had the most doctor visits with an average of 3.33 visits annually.

Conclusions

This study indicates that the prevalence of childhood asthma in Grenada is very high and warrants policy consideration in public health and education to decrease its morbidity.
Beliefs underlying pain-related fear and how they evolve: a qualitative investigation in people with chronic back pain and high pain-related fear
Authors: Bunzli Samantha , Smith Anne , Schütze Robert , O'Sullivan Peter
Published: October 2015

Objectives

The fear-avoidance model describes how the belief that pain is a sign of damage leads to pain-related fear and avoidance. But other beliefs may also trigger the fear and avoidance responses described by the model. Experts have called for the next generation of fear avoidance research to explore what beliefs underlie pain-related fear and how they evolve. We have previously described damage beliefs and suffering/functional loss beliefs underlying high pain-related fear in a sample of individuals with chronic back pain. The aim of this study is to identify common and differential factors associated with the beliefs in this sample.

Design

A qualitative study employing semistructured interviews.

Setting

Musculoskeletal clinics in Western Australia.

Participants

36 individuals with chronic back pain and high scores on the Tampa Scale (mean 47/68).

Results

The overarching theme was a pain experience that did not make sense to the participants. The experience of pain as unpredictable, uncontrollable and intense made it threatening. Attempting to make sense of the threatening pain, participants with damage beliefs drew on past personal experiences of pain, societal beliefs, and sought diagnostic certainty. Met with diagnostic uncertainty, or diagnoses of an underlying pathology that could not be fixed, they were left fearful of damage and confused about how to ‘fix’ it. Participants with suffering/functional loss beliefs drew on past personal experiences of pain and sought help from healthcare professionals to control their pain. Failed treatments and the repeated failure to achieve functional goals left them unable to make ‘sensible’ decisions of what to do about their pain.

Conclusions

The findings raise the suggestion that sense-making processes may be implicated in the fear-avoidance model. Future research is needed to explore whether fear reduction may be enhanced by considering beliefs underlying fear and providing targeted intervention to help individuals make sense of their pain.
Acarbose: safe and effective for lowering postprandial hyperglycaemia and improving cardiovascular outcomes
Authors: DiNicolantonio James J , Bhutani Jaikrit , O'Keefe James H
Published: October 2015

α-Glucosidase inhibitors (AGIs) are a class of oral glucose-lowering drugs used exclusively for treatment or prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus. AGIs act by altering the intestinal absorption of carbohydrates through inhibition of their conversion into simple sugars (monosaccharides) and thus decrease the bioavailability of carbohydrates in the body, significantly lowering blood glucose levels. The three AGIs used in clinical practice are acarbose, voglibose and miglitol. This review will focus on the cardiovascular properties of acarbose. The current available data suggest that AGIs (particularly acarbose) may be safe and effective for the treatment of prediabetes and diabetes.
General lepton textures and their implications
Authors: Ahuja Gulsheen , Sharma Samandeep , Fakay Priyanka , Gupta Manmohan
Published: October 2015

The present work attempts to provide an overview of texture specific lepton mass matrices. In particular, we summarize the findings of some recent analyses carried out within non-flavor basis, wherein a parallel texture structure for the lepton and neutrino mass matrices is considered.
Inflation, LHC and the Higgs boson
Authors: Bezrukov Fedor , Shaposhnikov Mikhail
Published: October 2015

After the Higgs boson has been discovered, the Standard Model of particle physics became a confirmed theory, potentially valid up to the Planck scale and allowing to trace the evolution of the Universe from inflationary stage till the present days. We discuss the relation between the results from the LHC and the inflationary cosmology. We given an overview of the Higgs inflation, and its relation to the possible metastability of the electroweak vacuum. A short overview of the bounds on the metastability of the electroweak vacuum in the models with inflation not related to the Higgs boson is presented.
Recent status and prospect of CDEX and CJPL
Authors: Liu S. K. , Yue Q.
Published: October 2015

The China Dark Matter Experiment (CDEX) aims at the direct searches of light Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) deploying point-contact germanium detector at the China Jinping Underground Laboratory (CJPL), which has about 2400 m of rock overburdened. Results on light WIMPs from the prototype CDEX-0 with a few gram mass and CDEX-1 with a 994 g mass are reported. The CDEX-10 experiment employed a germanium detector arrays and liquid argon anti-Compton is being constructed and tested. The multi-purpose experiment CDEX-1T and the expansion project of CJPL-II will also be discussed.
Black to white hole tunneling: An exact classical solution
Authors: Haggard Hal M. , Rovelli Carlo
Published: October 2015

We present a metric that describes conventional matter collapsing into a black hole, bouncing and emerging from a white hole, and that satisfies the vacuum Einstein equations everywhere, including in the interior of the black hole and the subsequent white hole, except for a small compact 4d “quantum tunneling” zone. This shows that a black hole can tunnel into a white hole without violating classical general relativity where this can be trusted. We observe that quantum gravity can affect the metric in a region outside the horizon without violating causality because small quantum effects might pile up over time. We study how quantum theory can determines the bouncing time.
Black holes in D = 4 higher-derivative gravity
Authors: Lü H. , Perkins A. , Pope C. N. , Stelle K. S.
Published: October 2015

Extensions of Einstein gravity with higher-order derivative terms are natural generalizations of Einstein’s theory of gravity. They may arise in string theory and other effective theories, as well as being of interest in their own right. In this paper we study static black-hole solutions in the example of Einstein gravity with additional quadratic curvature terms in four dimensions. A Lichnerowicz-type theorem simplifies the analysis by establishing that they must have vanishing Ricci scalar curvature. By numerical methods we then demonstrate the existence of further black-hole solutions over and above the Schwarzschild solution. We discuss some of their thermodynamic properties, and show that they obey the first law of thermodynamics.
Cosmic gamma-ray bursts from primordial stars: A new renaissance in astrophysics?
Authors: Chardonnet Pascal , Filina Anastasia , Chechetkin Valery , Popov Mikhail , Baranov Andrey
Published: October 2015

The cosmic gamma-ray bursts are certainly an enigma in astrophysics. The “standard fireball” scenario developed during many years has provided a possible explanation of this phenomena. The aim of this work is simply to explore a new possible interpretation by developing a coherent scenario inside the global picture of stellar evolution. At the basis of our scenario, is the fact that maybe we have not fully understood how the core of a pair instability supernova explodes. In such way, we have proposed a new paradigm assuming that the core of such massive star, instead of doing a symmetrical explosion, is completely fragmented in hot spots of burning nuclear matter. We have tested our scenario with observational data like GRB spectra, lightcurves, Amati relation and GRB-SN connection, and for each set of data we have proposed a possible physical interpretation. We have also suggested some possible test of this scenario by measurement at high redshifts. If this scenario is correct, it tells us simply that the cosmic gamma-ray bursts are a missing link in stellar evolution, related to an unusual explosion.
Extracting and Integrating Nutrition Related Linked Data
Authors: Miao Qingliang , Fang Ruiyu , Meng Yao
Published: October 2015

The development of modern health care and clinical practice increase the need of nutritional and medical data extraction and integration across heterogeneous data sources. It can be useful for researchers and patients if there is a way to extract relevant information and organize it as easily shared and machine processable linked data. In this paper, we describe an automatic approach that extracts and publishes nutritional linked data including nutritional concepts and relationships extracted from nutritional data sources. Moreover, we link the nutritional data with Linked Open Data. In particular, a CRF-based approach is used to mine food, ingredient, disease entities and their relationships from nutritional text. And then, an extended nutritional ontology is used to organize the extracted data. Finally, we assign semantic links between food, ingredient, disease entities and other equivalent entities in DBPedia, Diseasome and LinkedCT.
First recorded occurrence of detrital baddeleyite (ZrO
2
) in sedimentary rock (Smith Bank Formation, Triassic, Central North Sea)
Authors: Wilkins A. D. , Wilson M. J. , Morton A. , Hurst A. , Archer S. G.
Published: October 2015

Baddeleyite (ZrO
2
) is a comparatively rare mineral in nature. It has been found previously only in igneous and metamorphic rocks, in soils and modern river sands derived from these rocks and, most recently, in deep sea ferro-manganese nodules in the Indian Ocean. Here we report two occurrences of baddeleyite in a siltstone from the Triassic Smith Bank Formation of the Central North Sea, which we believe to be the first record of this mineral as a detrital phase within a clastic sedimentary rock.
The WOZ Recognizer
Authors: Bott Jared N. , Laviola Jr. Joseph J.
Published: October 2015

Sketch recognition has the potential to be an important input method for computers in the coming years, particularly for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education. However, designing and building an accurate and sophisticated sketch recognition system is a time-consuming and daunting task. Since sketch recognition mistakes are still common, it is important to understand how users perceive and tolerate recognition errors and other user interface elements with these imperfect systems. In order to solve this problem, we developed a Wizard of Oz sketch recognition tool, the WOZ Recognizer, that supports controlled recognition accuracy, multiple recognition modes, and multiple sketching domains for performing controlled experiments. We present the design of the WOZ Recognizer and our process for representing recognition domains using graphs and symbol alphabets. In addition, we discuss how sketches are altered, how to control the WOZ Recognizer, and how users interact with it. Finally, we present an expert user case study that examines the WOZ Recognizer’s usability.
A Dynamic Continuation-Passing Style for Dynamic Delimited Continuations
Authors: Biernacki Dariusz , Danvy Olivier , Millikin Kevin
Published: October 2015

We put a preexisting definitional abstract machine for dynamic delimited continuations in defunctionalized form, and we present the consequences of this adjustment. We first prove the correctness of the adjusted abstract machine. Because it is in defunctionalized form, we can refunctionalize it into a higher-order evaluation function. This evaluation function, which is compositional, is in continuation+state-passing style and threads a trail of delimited continuations and a meta-continuation. Since this style accounts for dynamic delimited continuations, we refer to it as “dynamic continuation-passing style” and we present the corresponding dynamic CPS transformation. We show that the notion of computation induced by dynamic CPS takes the form of a continuation monad with a recursive answer type. This continuation monad suggests a new simulation of dynamic delimited continuations in terms of static ones. Finally, we present new applications of dynamic delimited continuations, including a meta-circular evaluator. The significance of the present work is that the computational artifacts surrounding dynamic CPS are not independent designs: they are mechanical consequences of having put the definitional abstract machine in defunctionalized form.
Intrauterine growth restriction perturbs nucleosome depletion at a growth hormone-responsive element in the mouse IGF-1 gene
Authors: McKnight Robert A. , Yost Christian C. , Yu Xing , Wiedmeier Julia E. , Callaway Christopher W. , Brown Ashley S. , Lane Robert H. , Fung Camille M.
Published: October 2015

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a common human pregnancy complication. IUGR offspring carry significant postnatal risk for early-onset metabolic syndrome, which is associated with persistent reduction in IGF-1 protein expression. We have previously shown that preadolescent IUGR male mice have decreased hepatic IGF-1 mRNA and circulating IGF-1 protein at postnatal day 21, the age when growth hormone (GH) normally upregulates hepatic IGF-1 expression. Here we studied nucleosome occupancy and CpG methylation at a putative growth hormone-responsive element in intron 2 (in2GHRE) of the hepatic IGF-1 gene in normal, sham-operated, and IUGR mice. Nucleosome occupancy and CpG methylation were determined in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and in liver at postnatal days 14, 21, and 42. For CpG methylation, additional time points out to 2 yr were analyzed. We confirmed the putative mouse in2GHRE was GH-responsive, and in normal mice, a single nucleosome was displaced from the hepatic in2GHRE by postnatal day 21, which exposed two STAT5b DNA binding sites. Nucleosome displacement correlated with developmentally programmed CpG demethylation. Finally, IUGR significantly altered the nucleosome-depleted region (NDR) at the in2GHRE of IGF-1 on postnatal day 21, with either complete absence of the NDR or with a shifted NDR exposing only one of two STAT5b DNA binding sites. An NDR shift was also seen in offspring of sham-operated mothers. We conclude that prenatal insult such as IUGR or anesthesia/surgery could perturb the proper formation of a well-positioned NDR at the mouse hepatic IGF-1 in2GHRE necessary for transitioning to an open chromatin state.
An Energy-Balanced Mechanism for Hierarchical Routing in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Zhang Zhenjiang , Wang Yanan , Song Fuxing , Zhang Wenyu
Published: October 2015

In wireless sensor networks (WSNs), energy-constrained sensor nodes are always deployed in hazardous and inaccessible environments, making energy management a key problem for network design. The mechanism of RNTA (redundant node transmission agents) lacks an updating mechanism for the redundant nodes, causing an unbalanced energy distribution among sensor nodes. This paper presents an energy-balanced mechanism for hierarchical routing (EBM-HR), in which the residual energy of redundant nodes is quantified and made hierarchic, so that the cluster head can dynamically select the redundant node with the highest residual energy grade as a relay to complete the information transmission to the sink node and achieve an intracluster energy balance. In addition, the network is divided into several layers according to the distances between cluster heads and the sink node. Based on the energy consumption of the cluster heads, the sink node will decide to recluster only in a certain layer so as to achieve an intercluster energy balance. Our approach is evaluated by a simulation comparing the LEACH algorithm to the HEED algorithm. The results demonstrate that the BEM-HR mechanism can significantly boost the performance of a network in terms of network lifetime, data transmission quality, and energy balance.
Numerical Mesocosm Experimental Study on Harmful Algal Blooms of Two Algal Species in the East China Sea
Authors: Zhu Liangsheng , Wang Qing
Published: October 2015

From the results of algal culture and mesocosm experiments, a numerical mesocosm experiment is designed that accounts for the effect of the marine environment (sea currents, nutrient levels, and temperature) on the harmful algal bloom (HAB) processes ofSkeletonema costatumandProrocentrum donghaiense, two of the most frequent HAB-associated species in the East China Sea. Physical and ecological environment of the waters is simulated numerically by applying a hydrodynamic-ecological-one-way-coupled marine culture box model, which is semienclosed. The algal growth rate is digitalized by a temperature-factor-optimization Droop equation. A 90-mode-day numerical mesocosm experiment for the above two species is conducted. The species were found to alternately trigger algal blooms in the experimental waters, replicating the population succession phenomenon observed in the field and confirming that the two HAB species compete for nutrients. Deductively, the numerical result shows that both the Taiwan Warm Current and the eutrophication in the adjacent water of the Yangtze River Estuary contribute to the northward movement of algal concentration centers during HAB and also suggests that the lack of nutritious supplements in the open sea limits HAB occurrences in coastal waters.
Rapid and Sensitive Detection of Lung Cancer Biomarker Using Nanoporous Biosensor Based on Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance Coupled with Interferometry
Authors: Lee Jae-Sung , Kim Sae-Wan , Jang Eun-Yoon , Kang Byoung-Ho , Lee Sang-Won , Sai-Anand Gopalan , Lee Seung-Ha , Kwon Dae-Hyuk , Kang Shin-Won
Published: October 2015

We propose a nanobiosensor to evaluate a lung cancer‐specific biomarker. The nanobiosensor is based on an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) chip and functions on the principles of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and interferometry. The pore‐depth of the fabricated nanoporous AAO chip was 1 µm and was obtained using a two‐step electrochemical anodization process. The sensor chip is sensitive to the refractive index (RI) changes of the surrounding medium and also provides simple and label‐free detection when specific antibodies are immobilized on the gold‐deposited surface of the AAO chip. In order to confirm the effectiveness of the sensor, the antibodies were immobilized on the surface of the AAO chip, and the lung cancer‐specific biomarker was applied atop of the immobilized‐antibody layer using the self‐assembled monolayer method. The nanoporous AAO chip was used as a sensor system to detect serum amyloid A1, which is a lung cancer‐specific biomarker. The specific reaction of the antigen‐antibody contributes to the change in the RI. This in turn causes a shift in the resonance spectrum in the refractive interference pattern. The limit of detection (LOD) was found to be 100 ag/mL and the biosensor had high sensitivity over a wide concentration range.
TLC‐SERS Plates with a Built‐In SERS Layer Consisting of Cap‐Shaped Noble Metal Nanoparticles Intended for Environmental Monitoring and Food Safety Assurance
Authors: Takei H. , Saito J. , Kato K. , Vieker H. , Beyer A. , Gölzhäuser A.
Published: October 2015

We report on a thin layer chromatograph (TLC) with a built‐in surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) layer for in‐situ identification of chemical species separated by TLC. Our goal is to monitor mixture samples or diluted target molecules suspended in a host material, as happens often in environmental monitoring or detection of food additives. We demonstrate that the TLC‐SERS can separate mixture samples and provide in‐situ SERS spectra. One sample investigated was a mixture consisting of equal portions of Raman‐active chemical species, rhodamine 6 G (R6G), crystal violet (CV), and 1,2‐di(4‐pyridyl)ethylene (BPE). The three components could be separated and their SERS spectra were obtained from different locations. Another sample was skim milk with a trace amount of melamine. Without development, no characteristic peaks were observed, but after development, a peak was observed at 694 cm−1. Unlike previous TLC‐SERS whereby noble metal nanoparticles are added after development of a sample, having a built‐in SERS layer greatly facilitates analysis as well as maintaining high uniformity of noble metal nanoparticles.
18F-FDG Uptake Characteristics in Differentiating Benign from Malignant Nasopharyngeal Lesions in Children
Authors: Ma Chao , Zou Renjian , Huo Yanlei , Chen Suyun , Wang Shaoyan , Wu Shuqi , Ye Zhiyi , Wu Zhenyu , Fang Feng , Wang Hui
Published: October 2015

The characteristics of FDG uptake in the physiologic and malignant nasopharynx were investigated in the paper which was correlated with either pathologic findings or clinical follow-up. Three patients had pathologically established nasopharyngeal malignancy. In the 3 nasopharyngeal malignancies, 2 had diffusely and expansively increased FDG uptake, and one had asymmetric uptake. Our results indicated that the difference between adenoid hypertrophy and malignancy is asymmetric or diffusely expansive18F-FDG uptake with or without correlating morphologic lesion on diagnostic CT in children under 10 years of age. The typical characteristics of physiologic and inflammatory18F-FDG uptake in nasopharynx are symmetrically trapezoid. Diffusely increased nasopharyngeal FDG uptake can be considered physiologic ifSUVmaxis less than 7.6 but should be carefully assessed by pharyngorhinoscopy ifSUVmaxis greater than 11 and there is no correlating morphologic lesion on diagnostic CT. The diffusely, expansively increased uptake, and asymmetric uptake in particular, should be considered as malignancy. Further biopsy is especially indicated in patients with retropharyngeal space and bilateral cervical lymph node abnormality but no history of malignancy.
Simulation and Experiment of Dynamic Properties of Joint Surfaces Based on Fractal Theory
Authors: Liu Haitao , Sun Yazhou , Liu Zongshan
Published: October 2015

Dynamic properties of joint surfaces are researched, micro behavior is also analyzed and a mathematical model based on fractal theory is built, and the relationships between normal dynamic characteristics of joints and surface pressure, surface roughness, and real contact area were simulated. The contact pressure in joint, equivalent stiffness, and damping in joint were nonstrict proportional relationship, higher surface quality of the contact joint surface, can increase normal stiffness and reduce normal damping in joint. Experiments are arranged according to the theoretical model in order to analyze the share of every major factor that affects dynamic properties of joint surfaces. Two common materials HT200 and 2Cr13 under different processing methods, surface roughness, and surface areas are used, and law curves were built between the dynamic behavior of fixed joints and preload, processing method of contact surface, surface roughness; the correctness of the theory simulation results was confirmed. A spring-damping element joints finite model was built based on the pressure distribution contours. Based on the experimental data, we simulated the model of HT200 specimen by ANSYS, at the same time, compared our model, traditional model, and experimental result, and proved that the spring-damping distribution model based on pressure has a better simulative precision.
Multivariate Calibration and Model Integrity for Wood Chemistry Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Zhou Chengfeng , Jiang Wei , Cheng Qingzheng , Via Brian K.
Published: October 2015

This research addressed a rapid method to monitor hardwood chemical composition by applying Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, with particular interest in model performance for interpretation and prediction. Partial least squares (PLS) and principal components regression (PCR) were chosen as the primary models for comparison. Standard laboratory chemistry methods were employed on a mixed genus/species hardwood sample set to collect the original data. PLS was found to provide better predictive capability while PCR exhibited a more precise estimate of loading peaks and suggests that PCR is better for model interpretation of key underlying functional groups. Specifically, when PCR was utilized, an error in peak loading of ±15 cm−1from the true mean was quantified. Application of the first derivative appeared to assist in improving both PCR and PLS loading precision. Research results identified the wavenumbers important in the prediction of extractives, lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose and further demonstrated the utility in FT-IR for rapid monitoring of wood chemistry.
A Cross-Layer Wireless Sensor Network Energy-Efficient Communication Protocol for Real-Time Monitoring of the Long-Distance Electric Transmission Lines
Authors: Yu Jun , Zhang Xueying
Published: October 2015

Optimization of energy consumption in Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) nodes has become a critical link that constrains the engineering application of the smart grid due to the fact that the smart grid is characterized by long-distance transmission in a special environment. The paper proposes a linear hierarchical network topological structure specific to WSN energy conservation in environmental monitoring of the long-distance electric transmission lines in the smart grid. Based on the topological structural characteristics and optimization of network layers, the paper also proposes a Topological Structure be Layered Configurations (TSLC) routing algorithm to improve the quality of WSN data transmission performance. Coprocessing of the network layer and the media access control (MAC) layer is achieved by using the cross-layer design method, accessing the status for the nodes in the network layer and obtaining the status of the network nodes of the MAC layer. It efficiently saves the energy of the whole network, improves the quality of the network service performance, and prolongs the life cycle of the network.
Applying the Concept of Peptide Uniqueness to Anti-Polio Vaccination
Authors: Kanduc Darja , Fasano Candida , Capone Giovanni , Pesce Delfino Antonella , Calabrò Michele , Polimeno Lorenzo
Published: October 2015

Background. Although rare, adverse events may associate with anti-poliovirus vaccination thus possibly hampering global polio eradication worldwide.Objective. To design peptide-based anti-polio vaccines exempt from potential cross-reactivity risks and possibly able to reduce rare potential adverse events such as the postvaccine paralytic poliomyelitis due to the tendency of the poliovirus genome to mutate.Methods. Proteins from poliovirus type 1, strain Mahoney, were analyzed for amino acid sequence identity to the human proteome at the pentapeptide level, searching for sequences that (1) have zero percent of identity to human proteins, (2) are potentially endowed with an immunologic potential, and (3) are highly conserved among poliovirus strains.Results. Sequence analyses produced a set of consensus epitopic peptides potentially able to generate specific anti-polio immune responses exempt from cross-reactivity with the human host.Conclusion. Peptide sequences unique to poliovirus proteins and conserved among polio strains might help formulate a specific and universal anti-polio vaccine able to react with multiple viral strains and exempt from the burden of possible cross-reactions with human proteins. As an additional advantage, using a peptide-based vaccine instead of current anti-polio DNA vaccines would eliminate the rare post-polio poliomyelitis cases and other disabling symptoms that may appear following vaccination.
Morphological Spectrum of Orbitoocular Diseases in a Tertiary Health Centre in Keffi, North Central Nigeria
Authors: Onwubuya Ifeyinwa Mary , Owoyele Tunde Mark , Olaofe Olaejirinde Olaniyi , Ezike Kevin Nwabueze
Published: October 2015

Aim. The aim of this study was to carry out a retrospective clinicopathological analysis of the ocular lesions requiring biopsy seen in the Department of Histopathology, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi, in North Central Nigeria.Materials and Method. A retrospective review of the clinicopathologic profile of orbitoocular lesions diagnosed at the FMC, Keffi, was done. Clinical and pathological data were obtained from the patients’ clinical records and original biopsy reports, respectively.Results. Sixty-six cases of orbitoocular lesions were reviewed for this study. Of the 54 cases investigated, 28 were HIV negative while 26 were HIV positive (37.1% of all cases). There were 30 cases of Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia (OSSN) with a male-to-female ratio of 0.9 : 1. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was the most frequent OSSN with 17 cases. The mean age of cases of SCC is 37.1 ± 7.6 SD (years). The mean age of carcinoma in situ is 35.8 ± 11.4 years.Conclusion. There was no significant difference in the sex distribution of patients with OSSN. It is probable that a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma may be encountered in about a year after diagnosis of a carcinoma in situ especially if the in situ carcinoma is left untreated or improperly treated.
The Relationship of On-Call Work with Fatigue, Work-Home Interference, and Perceived Performance Difficulties
Authors: Ziebertz Carla M. , van Hooff Madelon L. M. , Beckers Debby G. J. , Hooftman Wendela E. , Kompier Michiel A. J. , Geurts Sabine A. E.
Published: October 2015

Objectives. This study examined the relationship between on-call dutyexposure(active and total on-call hours a month, number of calls per duty) and employees’experiencesof being on-call (stress due to unpredictability, ability to relax during inactive on-call periods, restrictions during on-call duties, on-call work demands, and satisfaction with compensation for on-call duties) on the one hand and fatigue, strain-based and time-based work-home interference (WHI), and perceived on-call performance difficulties (PPD) on the other hand.Methods. Cross-sectional survey data were collected among a large heterogeneous sample of Dutch employees (N=5437). The final sample consisted of 157 on-call workers (23–69 years, 71% males). Data were analyzed by means of hierarchical regression analyses (controlling for age and job characteristics).Results. Differences in on-call work exposure were not systematically related to fatigue, WHI, and PPD (allp’s>0.50). The experience of being on-call explained a medium proportion of the variation in fatigue and strain-based WHI and a medium to large proportion of the variation in time-based WHI and PPD over and above the control variables.Conclusions. Our results suggest that it is employees’ experience of being on-call, especially the experience of stress due to the unpredictability, rather than the amount of exposure, that is related to fatigue, WHI, and perceived on-call performance difficulties.
A Case of Special Complication following a Large Amount of Polyacrylamide Hydrogel Injected into the Epicranial Aponeurosis: Leukocytopenia
Authors: Rong Li , Lan Shi-Jie , Shao Ying , Chen Zhe , Zhang Duo
Published: October 2015

Polyacrylamide hydrogel (PAAG) has been used as an injectable filler for soft tissue augmentation of different body parts, such as the face, breasts, and penis. However, this is the first report of leukocytopenia after injection of a large amount of PAAG in the epicranial aponeurosis. After receiving PAAG injection for craniofacial contouring, the female patient described herein experienced recurrent swelling, temporal pain (particularly with changes in ambient temperature and facial expression), and ultimately leukocytopenia due to widespread migration of the injected PAAG. We removed most of the PAAG from the affected tissues and the leukocytopenia disappeared 1 year after the operation. Based on this case, we hypothesize that injection of a large amount of PAAG into tissues that have ample blood supply, such as the epicranial aponeurosis, may induce leukocytopenia.
Nao-Xue-Shu Oral Liquid Improves Aphasia of Mixed Stroke
Authors: Yan Yuping , Wang Mingzhe , Zhang Liang , Qiu Zhenwei , Jiang Wenfei , Xu Men , Pan Weidong , Chen Xiangjun
Published: October 2015

Objective. The objective is to observe whether the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)Nao-Xue-Shuoral liquid improves aphasia of mixed stroke.Methods. A total of 102 patients with aphasia of mixed stroke were divided into two groups by a single blind random method. The patients treated by standard Western medicine plusNao-Xue-Shuoral liquid (n=58) were assigned to the treatment group while the remaining patients treated only by standard Western medicine (n=58) constituted the control group. Changes in the Western Aphasia Battery (WAB), Modified Rankin Scale (mRS), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and hemorheology parameters were assessed to evaluate the effects of the treatments.Results. Excluding the patients who dropped out, 54 patients in the treatment group and 51 patients in the control group were used to evaluate the effects. Significant and persistent improvements in the WAB score, specifically comprehension, repetition, naming, and calculating, were found in the treatment group when the effects were evaluated at the end of week 2 and week 4, respectively, compared with baseline. The naming and writing scores were also improved at the end of week 4 in this group. The comprehension and reading scores were improved at the end of week 4 in the control group compared with the baseline, but the improvements were smaller than those in the treatment group. The percentages of patients at the 0-1 range of mRS were increased at the end of week 2 and week 4 in both groups, but the improvements in the treatment group were much larger than those in the control group. Greater improvements in the NIHSS scores and the hemorheology parameters in the treatment group were also observed compared with the control group at the end of week 2 and week 4.Conclusion.Nao-Xue-Shuoral liquid formulation improved aphasia in mixed stroke patients and thus might be a potentially effective drug for treating stroke aphasia.
Characterizing Herbal Medicine Use for Noncommunicable Diseases in Urban South Africa
Authors: Hughes Gail D. , Aboyade Oluwaseyi M. , Beauclair Roxanne , Mbamalu Oluchi N. , Puoane Thandi R.
Published: October 2015

Economic challenges associated with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and the sociocultural outlook of many patients especially in Africa have increased dependence on traditional herbal medicines (THMs) for these diseases. A cross-sectional descriptive study designed to determine the prevalence of and reasons for THM use in the management of NCDs among South African adults was conducted in an urban, economically disadvantaged area of Cape Town, South Africa. In a cohort of 1030 participants recruited as part of the existing Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study, 456 individuals were identified. The overall prevalence of THM use was 27%, of which 61% was for NCDs. Participants used THM because of a family history (49%) and sociocultural beliefs (33%). Hypertensive medication was most commonly used concurrently with THM. Healthcare professionals need to be aware of the potential dualistic use of THM and conventional drugs by patients, as this could significantly influence health outcomes. Efforts should be made to educate patients on the potential for drug/herb interactions.
Intrinsic Dimension Estimation: Relevant Techniques and a Benchmark Framework
Authors: Campadelli P. , Casiraghi E. , Ceruti C. , Rozza A.
Published: October 2015

When dealing with datasets comprising high-dimensional points, it is usually advantageous to discover some data structure. A fundamental information needed to this aim is the minimum number of parameters required to describe the data while minimizing the information loss. This number, usually called intrinsic dimension, can be interpreted as the dimension of the manifold from which the input data are supposed to be drawn. Due to its usefulness in many theoretical and practical problems, in the last decades the concept of intrinsic dimension has gained considerable attention in the scientific community, motivating the large number of intrinsic dimensionality estimators proposed in the literature. However, the problem is still open since most techniques cannot efficiently deal with datasets drawn from manifolds of high intrinsic dimension and nonlinearly embedded in higher dimensional spaces. This paper surveys some of the most interesting, widespread used, and advanced state-of-the-art methodologies. Unfortunately, since no benchmark database exists in this research field, an objective comparison among different techniques is not possible. Consequently, we suggest a benchmark framework and apply it to comparatively evaluate relevant state-of-the-art estimators.
A Histologically Diagnosed Case with Infantile Osteopetrosis Complicated by Hypopituitarism
Authors: Diniz Gulden , Olukman Ozgur , Calkavur Sebnem , Buyukinan Muammer , Altay Canan
Published: October 2015

Malignant infantile osteopetrosis is a rarely seen severe disorder which appears early in life with general sclerosis of the skeleton. It is caused by functionally defective osteoclasts which fail to resorb bone. Affected infants can exhibit a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations including impaired hematopoiesis, hepatosplenomegaly, visual impairment, and hypocalcemia. With the exception of secondary hyperparathyroidism, involvement of the endocrine system seems to be quite rare. Hypopituitarism is defined as underproduction of the growth hormone in combination with deficiencies of other pituitary hormones. Any lesion that damages hypothalamus, pituitary stalk, or anterior pituitary can cause secondary hypopituitarism. In this report, we presented a rare combination of malignant infantile osteopetrosis and secondary hypopituitarism in a newborn who presented predominantly with endocrinological symptoms. This is the first case report of malignant infantile osteopetrosis accompanied by hypopituitarism secondary to sclerosis of the sella turcica. On the other hand, this is a very interesting case which was diagnosed based on histological examination of bone marrow biopsy specimens despite lack of any clinical suspicion.
Psychosocial Work Factors and Musculoskeletal Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study among Swedish Flight Baggage Handlers
Authors: Bergsten Eva L. , Mathiassen S. E. , Vingård E.
Published: October 2015

Objective. Flight baggage handlers sort and load luggage to airplanes. This study aimed at investigating associations between psychosocial exposures and low back and shoulder musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among Swedish flight baggage handlers.Methods. A questionnaire addressing MSDs (Standardized Nordic Questionnaire) and psychosocial factors (Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire, COPSOQ) was answered by 525 baggage handlers in six Swedish airports.Results. Low back (LBP) and shoulder pain (SP) were reported by 70% and 60%, respectively. Pain was reported to interfere with work (PIW) by 30% (low back) and 18% (shoulders), and intense pain (PINT) occurred in 34% and 28% of the population.Quality of leadershipwas the most dissatisfying psychosocial factor, while the most positive wassocial community at work. Low ratings in the combined domainWork organization and job contentwere significantly associated with PIW in both low back and shoulders (Adjusted Hazard Ratios 3.65 (95% CI 1.67–7.99) and 2.68 (1.09–6.61)) while lower ratings in the domainInterpersonal relations and leadershipwere associated with PIW LBP (HR 2.18 (1.06–4.49)) and PINT LBP and SP (HRs 1.95 (1.05–3.65) and 2.11 (1.08–4.12)).Conclusion. Severity of pain among flight baggage handlers was associated with psychosocial factors at work, suggesting that they may be a relevant target for intervention in this occupation.
Intravenous Contrast Medium Administration for Computed Tomography Scan in Emergency: A Possible Cause of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy
Authors: Sonhaye Lantam , Kolou Bérésa , Tchaou Mazamaesso , Amadou Abdoulatif , Assih Kouméabalo , N’Timon Bidamin , Adambounou Kokou , Agoda-Koussema Lama , Adjenou Komlavi , N’Dakena Koffi
Published: October 2015

The goal of this study was to assess risk for CIN after CT Scan during an emergency and to identify risk factors for the patient. Prospective review of all patients admitted to the emergency room (ER) of the Teaching Hospital of Lomé (Togo) during a 2-year period. CIN was defined as an increase in serum creatinine by 0.5 mg/dL from admission after undergoing CT Scan with intravenous contrast. A total of 620 patients underwent a CT Scan in the emergency room using intravenous contrast and 672 patients took the CT Scan without intravenous contrast. Out of the patients who received intravenous contrast for CT Scan, three percent of them developed CIN during their admission. Moreover, upon discharge no patient had continued renal impairment. No patient required dialysis during their admission. The multivariate analysis of all patients who had serial creatinine levels (including those who did not receive any contrast load) shows no increased risk for acute kidney injury associated intravenous contrast (odds ratio = 0.619,pvalue = 0.886); only diabetes remains independent risk factor of acute kidney injury (odds ratio = 6.26,pvalue = 0.031).