bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Three-Component Model Based on Macropropagation Phenomena Approach for Complex Building Scattering
Authors: Ait-Ighil Mehdi , Perez-Fontan Fernando , Lemorton Joel , Lacoste Frederic , Bourga Christophe , Bousquet Michel
Published: August 2015

Multipaths represent a common predominant and uncontrolled component on channel impairments for all terrestrial and Land Mobile Satellite systems. Without restrictions w.r.t mobile terrestrial applications, the addressed multipath problematic in this paper is focused on Land Mobile Satellite applications where delayed signal replicas are highly impacting performances on communication systems while they induce strong positioning errors for navigation systems. The actual trend in propagation channel modelling is to improve the multipath characterisation and representation by using semideterministic and hybrid physical-statistical models into channel simulators instead of narrow-band empirical approaches. In this context, this paper presents a new simplified model, called 3CM (3-Component Model) to reproduce building scattering in an efficient way which strongly improves computation performances. This model is based on asymptotic methods, namely, PO (Physical Optics) which allows the 3CM to be frequency scalable, polarimetric, and dielectric materials oriented. Note that the proposed model and the retained approach can be integrated into more complex tools such as existing ray tracers. However, this issue is not discussed in this paper.
Possible Triggering Effect of Influenza Vaccination on Psoriasis
Authors: Gunes Ali Tahsin , Fetil Emel , Akarsu Sevgi , Ozbagcivan Ozlem , Babayeva Lale
Published: August 2015

Psoriasis is a chronic, recurrent, immune-mediated inflammatory disease and it can be provoked or exacerbated by a variety of different environmental factors, particularly infections and drugs. In addition, a possible association between vaccination and the new onset and/or exacerbation of psoriasis has been reported by a number of different authors. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of influenza vaccination on patients with psoriasis. Here, we report the findings from 43 patients suffering from psoriasis (clinical phenotypes as mixed guttate/plaque lesions, palmoplantar or scalp psoriasis) whose diseases had been triggered after influenza vaccination applied in the 2009-2010 season. The short time intervals between vaccination and psoriasis flares in our patients and the lack of other possible triggers suggest that influenza vaccinations may have provocative effects on psoriasis. However, further large and controlled studies need to be carried out to confirm this relationship.
Synthesis of Hydrocarbons from H2‐Deficient Syngas in Fischer‐Tropsch Synthesis over Co‐Based Catalyst Coupled with Fe‐Based Catalyst as Water‐Gas Shift Reaction
Authors: Ma Ting , Imai Hiroyuki , Shige Tomohiro , Sugio Taisuke , Li Xiaohong
Published: August 2015

The effects of metal species in an Fe‐based catalyst on structural properties were investigated through the synthesis of Fe‐based catalysts containing various metal species such, as Mn, Zr, and Ce. The addition of the metal species to the Fe‐based catalyst resulted in high dispersions of the Fe species and high surface areas due to the formation of mesoporous voids about 2–4 nm surrounded by the catalyst particles. The metal‐added Fe‐based catalysts were employed together with Co‐loaded beta zeolite for the synthesis of hydrocarbons from syngas with a lower H2/CO ratio of 1 than the stoichiometric H2/CO ratio of 2 for the Fischer‐Tropsch synthesis (FTS). Among the catalysts, the Mn‐added Fe‐based catalyst exhibited a high activity for the water‐gas shift (WGS) reaction with a comparative durability, leading to the enhancement of the CO hydrogenation in the FTS in comparison with Co‐loaded beta zeolite alone. Furthermore, the loading of Pd on the Mn‐added Fe‐based catalyst enhanced the catalytic durability due to the hydrogenation of carbonaceous species by the hydrogen activated over Pd.
PE Teacher and Classmate Support in Level of Physical Activity: The Role of Sex and BMI Status in Adolescents from Kosovo
Authors: Bronikowski Michal , Bronikowska Malgorzata , Laudańska-Krzemińska Ida , Kantanista Adam , Morina Besnik , Vehapi Shemsedin
Published: August 2015

The aim of this paper is to examine the role of physical education (PE) teacher and classmate support in relation to sex and BMI status in adolescents’ physical activity (PA) in Kosovo. A Classmate and Teacher Support Scale (with additional questions) was used on a cross-sectional sample of 608 girls and 620 boys aged 15–18, randomly selected from secondary schools of seven major municipalities in Kosovo. PA level was determined with a Physical Activity Screening Measure questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and a three-way ANOVA, along with Tukey’s HSD post hoc test, were employed. The findings showed the levels of teacher and classmate support to be important factors in stimulating adolescents’ PA. It was found that boys with normal weight, high support from teachers, and medium or high support from classmates were more physically active, compared with girls.
Risk Prediction of One-Year Mortality in Patients with Cardiac Arrhythmias Using Random Survival Forest
Authors: Miao Fen , Cai Yun-Peng , Zhang Yu-Xiao , Li Ye , Zhang Yuan-Ting
Published: August 2015

Existing models for predicting mortality based on traditional Cox proportional hazard approach (CPH) often have low prediction accuracy. This paper aims to develop a clinical risk model with good accuracy for predicting 1-year mortality in cardiac arrhythmias patients using random survival forest (RSF), a robust approach for survival analysis. 10,488 cardiac arrhythmias patients available in the public MIMIC II clinical database were investigated, with 3,452 deaths occurring within 1-year followups. Forty risk factors including demographics and clinical and laboratory information and antiarrhythmic agents were analyzed as potential predictors of all-cause mortality. RSF was adopted to build a comprehensive survival model and a simplified risk model composed of 14 top risk factors. The built comprehensive model achieved a prediction accuracy of 0.81 measured by c-statistic with 10-fold cross validation. The simplified risk model also achieved a good accuracy of 0.799. Both results outperformed traditional CPH (which achieved a c-statistic of 0.733 for the comprehensive model and 0.718 for the simplified model). Moreover, various factors are observed to have nonlinear impact on cardiac arrhythmias prognosis. As a result, RSF based model which took nonlinearity into account significantly outperformed traditional Cox proportional hazard model and has great potential to be a more effective approach for survival analysis.
Identifying Critical Loads of Frame Structures with Equilibrium Equations in Rate Form
Authors: Qi Zhaohui , Kong Xianchao , Wang Gang
Published: August 2015

Frame structures are widely used in engineering practice. They are likely to lose their stability before damage. As an indicator of load-carrying capability, the first critical load plays a crucial role in the design of such structures. In this paper, a new method of identifying this critical load is presented, based on the governing equations in rate form. With the presented method, a great deal of well-developed numerical methods for ordinary differential equations can be used. As accurate structural tangent stiffness matrices are essential to stability analysis, the method to obtain them systematically is discussed. To improve the computational efficiency of nonlinear stability analysis in large-scale frame structures, the corotational substructure elements are formulated as well to reduce the dimension of the governing equations. Four examples are studied to illustrate the validity and efficiency of the presented method.
A Universal Mental Health Promotion Programme for Young People in Italy
Authors: Gigantesco Antonella , Del Re Debora , Cascavilla Isabella , Palumbo Gabriella , De Mei Barbara , Cattaneo Chiara , Giovannelli Ilaria , Bella Antonino
Published: August 2015

In Italy, the Mental Health Unit of the National Institute of Public Health has developed a school-based mental health programme based on a structured handbook. The aim of this programme is to promote self-efficacy, psychological well-being, and life satisfaction. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of this programme. We used data from 308 students who participated in a study in 9 Italian high schools during the 2011-2012 school year. In order to analyse the school intervention programme, we set up a pre-post test design study involving 18 classrooms (8 of which acting as a control). The schools were selected via a snowball technique, and then the classrooms that agreed to participate were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The programme was performed during regular school hours in one-hour a week sessions for a total of 20 hours of classroom time. Assessments before and 2 months after the programme were performed using Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy, Satisfaction With Life, and Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scales. The results showed an improvement in self-efficacy in regulating negative affect, overall psychological well-being, and satisfaction with life. These results demonstrate that the programme produced significant positive effects on the mental health status of participating students.
Primo-Vascular System as Presented by Bong Han Kim
Authors: Vodyanoy Vitaly , Pustovyy Oleg , Globa Ludmila , Sorokulova Iryna
Published: August 2015

In the 1960s Bong Han Kim discovered and characterized a new vascular system. He was able to differentiate it clearly from vascular blood and lymph systems by the use of a variety of methods, which were available to him in the mid-20th century. He gave detailed characterization of the system and created comprehensive diagrams and photographs in his publications. He demonstrated that this system is composed of nodes and vessels, and it was responsible for tissue regeneration. However, he did not disclose in detail his methods. Consequently, his results are relatively obscure from the vantage point of contemporary scientists. The stains that Kim used had been perfected and had been in use for more than 100 years. Therefore, the names of the stains were directed to the explicit protocols for the usage with the particular cells or molecules. Traditionally, it was not normally necessary to describe the method used unless it is significantly deviated from the original method. In this present work, we have been able to disclose staining methods used by Kim.
Considering the Differential Impact of Three Facets of Organizational Health Climate on Employees’ Well‐Being
Authors: Zweber Zandra M. , Henning Robert A. , Magley Vicki J. , Faghri Pouran
Published: August 2015

One potential way that healthy organizations can impact employee health is by promoting a climate for health within the organization. Using a definition of health climate that includes support for health from multiple levels within the organization, this study examines whether all three facets of health climate—the workgroup, supervisor, and organization—work together to contribute to employee well‐being. Two samples are used in this study to examine health climate at the individual level and group level in order to provide a clearer picture of the impact of the three health climate facets. k‐means cluster analysis was used on each sample to determine groups of individuals based on their levels of the three health climate facets. A discriminant function analysis was then run on each sample to determine if clusters differed on a function of employee well‐being variables. Results provide evidence that having strength in all three of the facets is the most beneficial in terms of employee well‐being at work. Findings from this study suggest that organizations must consider how health is treated within workgroups, how supervisors support employee health, and what the organization does to support employee health when promoting employee health.
A Rare Cause of Prepubertal Gynecomastia: Sertoli Cell Tumor
Authors: Dursun Fatma , Su Dur Şeyma Meliha , Şahin Ceyhan , Kırmızıbekmez Heves , Karabulut Murat Hakan , Yörük Asım
Published: August 2015

Prepubertal gynecomastia due to testis tumors is a very rare condition. Nearly 5% of the patients with testicular mass present with gynecomastia. Sertoli cell tumors are sporadic in 60% of the reported cases, while the remaining is a component of multiple neoplasia syndromes such as Peutz-Jeghers syndrome and Carney complex. We present a 4-year-old boy with gynecomastia due to Sertoli cell tumor with no evidence of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome or Carney complex.
Detection and Classification of Cancer from Microscopic Biopsy Images Using Clinically Significant and Biologically Interpretable Features
Authors: Kumar Rajesh , Srivastava Rajeev , Srivastava Subodh
Published: August 2015

A framework for automated detection and classification of cancer from microscopic biopsy images using clinically significant and biologically interpretable features is proposed and examined. The various stages involved in the proposed methodology include enhancement of microscopic images, segmentation of background cells, features extraction, and finally the classification. An appropriate and efficient method is employed in each of the design steps of the proposed framework after making a comparative analysis of commonly used method in each category. For highlighting the details of the tissue and structures, the contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization approach is used. For the segmentation of background cells, k-means segmentation algorithm is used because it performs better in comparison to other commonly used segmentation methods. In feature extraction phase, it is proposed to extract various biologically interpretable and clinically significant shapes as well as morphology based features from the segmented images. These include gray level texture features, color based features, color gray level texture features, Law’s Texture Energy based features, Tamura’s features, and wavelet features. Finally, the K-nearest neighborhood method is used for classification of images into normal and cancerous categories because it is performing better in comparison to other commonly used methods for this application. The performance of the proposed framework is evaluated using well-known parameters for four fundamental tissues (connective, epithelial, muscular, and nervous) of randomly selected 1000 microscopic biopsy images.
Enhancement of the IEEE 802.11 Power Saving Mode by Prioritized Reservations
Authors: Lei Xiaoying , Rhee Seung Hyong
Published: August 2015

The increasing demand for real-time applications in WSN has raised the requirement of protocols considering both energy efficiency and end-to-end delay. A PSM is proposed in the IEEE 802.11 protocol to reduce the power consumptions of wireless nodes. Wireless nodes can stay in doze mode and periodically wake up to retrieve the frames buffered in the APs. However, the 802.11 PSM is not such energy efficiency for WSN. First, in the process of the node's transmitting polling frames to AP, channel contentions may cause sensor nodes to deplete power quickly. Second, the mechanism of retrieving buffered frames can be inefficient since a polling frame is able to pick up only one data frame. Third, a prioritized service for urgent needs is not supported. In this paper, we propose a prioritized reservation scheme to enhance the IEEE 802.11 PSM. The concept of PSCW is suggested, during which PSM sensor nodes can retrieve the buffered frames using the reserved SPs, where the priorities of the PSM nodes are considered in scheduling the SPs. Through analytic models and discrete simulations, we show that our proposed mechanism outperforms the existing PSM schemes in terms of energy efficiency and prioritized services.
Ecology and Distribution of Thaumarchaea in the Deep Hypolimnion of Lake Maggiore
Authors: Coci Manuela , Odermatt Nina , Salcher Michaela M. , Pernthaler Jakob , Corno Gianluca
Published: August 2015

Ammonia-oxidizing Archaea (AOA) play an important role in the oxidation of ammonia in terrestrial, marine, and geothermal habitats, as confirmed by a number of studies specifically focused on those environments. Much less is known about the ecological role of AOA in freshwaters. In order to reach a high resolution at the Thaumarchaea community level, the probe MGI-535 was specifically designed for this study and applied to fluorescencein situhybridization and catalyzed reporter deposition (CARD-FISH) analysis. We then applied it to a fine analysis of diversity and relative abundance of AOA in the deepest layers of the oligotrophic Lake Maggiore, confirming previous published results of AOA presence, but showing differences in abundance and distribution within the water column without significant seasonal trends with respect to Bacteria. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis of AOA clone libraries from deep lake water and from a lake tributary, River Maggia, suggested the riverine origin of AOA of the deep hypolimnion of the lake.
Examining the Relationship between Heavy Alcohol Use and Assaults: With Adjustment for the Effects of Unmeasured Confounders
Authors: Liang Wenbin , Chikritzhs Tanya
Published: August 2015

Background. Experimental studies suggest that alcohol can lead to aggression in laboratory settings; however, it is impossible to test the causal relationship between alcohol use and real-life violence among humans in randomized clinical trials.Objectives. (i) To examine the relationship between heavy alcohol use and assaults in a population based study; (ii) to demonstrate the proxy outcome method, as a means of controlling the effects of unknown/unmeasured confounders in observational studies.Methods. This study used data collected from three waves of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). The effects of heavy alcohol use on assault were measured using multivariable logistic regressions in conjunction with the proxy outcome method.Results. Application of the proxy outcome method indicated that effect sizes of heavy alcohol use on the risk of assault were overestimated in the standard models. After adjusting for the effects of unknown/unmeasured confounders, the risk of assault remained 43% and 63% higherP<0.05among participants who consumed 5+ drinks/day for 5–8 days/month and 9–30 days/month, respectively.Conclusions. Even after adjustment for unknown/unmeasured confounders the association between heavy alcohol use and risk of violence remained significant. These findings support the hypothesis that heavy alcohol use can cause violence.
Methyl Protodioscin from the Roots ofAsparagus cochinchinensisAttenuates Airway Inflammation by Inhibiting Cytokine Production
Authors: Lee Ju Hee , Lim Hun Jai , Lee Chan Woo , Son Kun-Ho , Son Jong-Keun , Lee Sang Kook , Kim Hyun Pyo
Published: August 2015

The present study was designed to find pharmacologically active compound against airway inflammation from the roots ofAsparagus cochinchinensis. The 70% ethanol extract of the roots ofA. cochinchinensis(ACE) was found to inhibit IL-6 production from IL-1β-treated lung epithelial cells (A549) and the major constituent, methyl protodioscin (MP), also strongly inhibited the production of IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-)αfrom A549 cells at 10–100 μM. This downregulating effect of proinflammatory cytokine production was found to be mediated, at least in part, via inhibition of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and c-Jun activation pathway. When examined on anin vivomodel of airway inflammation in mice, lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced acute lung injury, ACE, and MP significantly inhibited cell infiltration in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid by the oral treatment at doses of 100–400 mg/kg and 30–60 mg/kg, respectively. MP also inhibited the production of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1βin lung tissue. All of these findings provide scientific evidence supporting the role ofA. cochinchinensisas a herbal remedy in treating airway inflammation and also suggest a therapeutic value of MP on airway inflammatory disorders.
Impact of Stratospheric Sudden Warming on East Asian Winter Monsoons
Authors: Chen Quanliang , Xu Luyang , Cai Hongke
Published: August 2015

Fifty-two Stratospheric sudden warming (SSW) events that occurred from 1957 to 2002 were analyzed based on the 40-year European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Reanalysis dataset. Those that could descent to the troposphere were composited to investigate their impacts on the East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM). It reveals that when the SSW occurs, the Arctic Oscillation (AO) and the North Pacific Oscillation (NPO) are both in the negative phase and that the tropospheric circulation is quite wave-like. The Siberian high and the Aleutian low are both strengthened, leading to an increased gradient between the Asian continent and the North Pacific. Hence, a strong EAWM is observed with widespread cooling over inland and coastal East Asia. After the peak of the SSW, in contrast, the tropospheric circulation is quite zonally symmetric with negative phases of AO and NPO. The mid-tropospheric East Asian trough deepens and shifts eastward. This configuration facilitates warming over the East Asian inland and cooling over the coastal East Asia centered over Japan. The activities of planetary waves during the lifecycle of the SSW were analyzed. The anomalous propagation and the attendant altered amplitude of the planetary waves can well explain the observed circulation and the EAWM.
Micellar Enhanced Three-Dimensional Excitation-Emission Matrix Fluorescence for Rapid Determination of Antihypertensives in Human Plasma with Aid of Second-Order Calibration Methods
Authors: Fu Hai-Yan , Li He-Dong , Ni Chuang , Yang Tian-Ming , Fan Yao , Zhang Hao , Yang Ji , Chen Lin , She Yuan-Bin
Published: August 2015

A highly sensitive three-dimensional excitation-emission fluorescence method was proposed to determine antihypertensives including valsartan and amlodipine besylate in human plasma with the aid of second-order calibration methods based on parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) and alternating trilinear decomposition (ATLD) algorithms. Antihypertensives with weak fluorescent can be transformed into a strong fluorescent property by changing microenvironment in samples using micellar enhanced surfactant. Both the adopted algorithms with second-order advantage can improve the resolution and directly attain antihypertensives concentration even in the presence of potential strong intrinsic fluorescence from human plasma. The satisfactory results can be achieved for valsartan and amlodipine besylate in complicated human plasma. Furthermore, some statistical parameters and figures of merit were evaluated to investigate the performance of the proposed method, and the accuracy and precision of the proposed method were also validated by the elliptical joint confidence region (EJCR) test and repeatability analysis of intraday and interday assay. The proposed method could not only light a new avenue to directly determine valsartan or amlodipine besylate in human plasma, but also hold great potential to be extended as a promising alternative for more practical applications in the determination of weak fluorescent drugs.
Diffractive Bremsstrahlung in Hadronic Collisions
Authors: Pasechnik Roman , Kopeliovich Boris , Potashnikova Irina
Published: August 2015

Production of heavy photons (Drell-Yan), gauge bosons, Higgs bosons, and heavy flavors, which is treated within the QCD parton model as a result of hard parton-parton collision, can be considered a bremsstrahlung process in the target rest frame. In this review, we discuss the basic features of the diffractive channels of these processes in the framework of color dipole approach. The main observation is a dramatic breakdown of diffractive QCD factorisation due to the interplay between soft and hard interactions, which dominates these processes. This observation is crucial for phenomenological studies of diffractive reactions in high energy hadronic collisions.
Universal Keyword Classifier on Public Key Based Encrypted Multikeyword Fuzzy Search in Public Cloud
Authors: Munisamy Shyamala Devi , Chokkalingam Arun
Published: August 2015

Cloud computing has pioneered the emerging world by manifesting itself as a service through internet and facilitates third party infrastructure and applications. While customers have no visibility on how their data is stored on service provider’s premises, it offers greater benefits in lowering infrastructure costs and delivering more flexibility and simplicity in managing private data. The opportunity to use cloud services on pay‐per‐use basis provides comfort for private data owners in managing costs and data. With the pervasive usage of internet, the focus has now shifted towards effective data utilization on the cloud without compromising security concerns. In the pursuit of increasing data utilization on public cloud storage, the key is to make effective data access through several fuzzy searching techniques. In this paper, we have discussed the existing fuzzy searching techniques and focused on reducing the searching time on the cloud storage server for effective data utilization. Our proposed Asymmetric Classifier Multikeyword Fuzzy Search method provides classifier search server that creates universal keyword classifier for the multiple keyword request which greatly reduces the searching time by learning the search path pattern for all the keywords in the fuzzy keyword set. The objective of using BTree fuzzy searchable index is to resolve typos and representation inconsistencies and also to facilitate effective data utilization.
Analysis on the Extreme Heat Wave over China around Yangtze River Region in the Summer of 2013 and Its Main Contributing Factors
Authors: Li Jin , Ding Ting , Jia Xiaolong , Zhao Xianchan
Published: August 2015

In the summer of 2013, a rare extreme heat wave occurred in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River in China. Based on high resolution reanalysis data from ECMWF, comprehensive analyses on the associated atmospheric circulation and the sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) were provided. The stable and strong West Pacific Subtropical High (WPSH) was the direct cause for the heat wave. The WPSH had four westward extensions, which brought about four hot spells in southern China. The South Asia High (SAH) at 150 hPa was more eastward and more northward than normal. The strong Hadley circulation in the central and western Pacific and the anomalous easterlies at 500 hPa and 250 hPa in the middle and high latitudes were favorable for more hot days (HDs). The total HDs in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River had close relationships with the zonal wind anomalies in the middle and high latitudes, the SSTA in the Indian Ocean and Pacific, and the dry soil conditions of the Yangtze River Valley in spring and summer. The anomalies of the tropical, subtropical, and polar circulation and the underlying surfaces could be responsible for this extreme heat wave.
Risk Factors for Development of Septic Shock in Patients with Urinary Tract Infection
Authors: Hsiao Chih-Yen , Yang Huang-Yu , Chang Chih-Hsiang , Lin Hsing-Lin , Wu Chao-Yi , Hsiao Meng-Chang , Hung Peir-Haur , Liu Su-Hsun , Weng Cheng-Hao , Lee Cheng-Chia , Yen Tzung-Hai , Chen Yung-Chang , Wu Tzu-Chin
Published: August 2015

Introduction. Severe sepsis and septic shock are associated with substantial mortality. However, few studies have assessed the risk of septic shock among patients who suffered from urinary tract infection (UTI).Materials and Methods. This retrospective study recruited UTI cases from an acute care hospital between January 2006 and October 2012 with prospective data collection.Results. Of the 710 participants admitted for UTI, 80 patients (11.3%) had septic shock. The rate of bacteremia is 27.9%; acute kidney injury is 12.7%, and the mortality rate is 0.28%. Multivariable logistic regression analyses indicated that coronary artery disease (CAD) (OR: 2.521, 95% CI: 1.129–5.628,P=0.024), congestive heart failure (CHF) (OR: 4.638, 95% CI: 1.908–11.273,P=0.001), and acute kidney injury (AKI) (OR: 2.992, 95% CI: 1.610–5.561,P=0.001) were independently associated with septic shock in patients admitted with UTI. In addition, congestive heart failure (female, OR: 4.076, 95% CI: 1.355–12.262,P=0.012; male, OR: 5.676, 95% CI: 1.103–29.220,P=0.038, resp.) and AKI (female, OR: 2.995, 95% CI: 1.355–6.621,P=0.007; male, OR: 3.359, 95% CI: 1.158–9.747,P=0.026, resp.) were significantly associated with risk of septic shock in both gender groups.Conclusion. This study showed that patients with a medical history of CAD or CHF have a higher risk of shock when admitted for UTI treatment. AKI, a complication of UTI, was also associated with septic shock. Therefore, prompt and aggressive management is recommended for those with higher risks to prevent subsequent treatment failure in UTI patients.
Similarity Measures of Sequence of Fuzzy Numbers and Fuzzy Risk Analysis
Authors: Zararsız Zarife
Published: August 2015

We present the methods to evaluate the similarity measures between sequence of triangular fuzzy numbers for making contributions to fuzzy risk analysis. Firstly, we calculate the COG (center of gravity) points of sequence of triangular fuzzy numbers. After, we present the methods to measure the degree of similarity between sequence of triangular fuzzy numbers. In addition, we give an example to compare the methods mentioned in the text. Furthermore, in this paper, we deal with the(t1,t2)type fuzzy number. By defining the algebraic operations on the(t1,t2)type fuzzy numbers we can solve the equations in the formx+u(t1,t2)=v(t1,t2), whereu(t1,t2)andv(t1,t2)are fuzzy number. By this way, we can build an algebraic structure on fuzzy numbers. Additionally, the generalized difference sequence spaces of triangular fuzzy numbers[l∞(Ft)]B(r^,s^),[c(Ft)]B(r^,s^), and[c0(Ft)]B(r^,s^), consisting of all sequencesu∗=(u(t1,t2)k)such thatBr^,s^u∗is in the spacesl∞(Ft),c(Ft), andc0(Ft), have been constructed, respectively. Furthermore, some classes of matrix transformations from the spacecFtB(r^,s^)andμ(Ft)toμ(Ft)andcFtB(r^,s^)are characterized, respectively, whereμ(Ft)is any sequence space.
Identification of Primo-Vascular System in Abdominal Subcutaneous Tissue Layer of Rats
Authors: Lim Chae Jeong , Lee So Yeong , Ryu Pan Dong
Published: August 2015

The primo-vascular system (PVS) is a novel network identified in various animal tissues. However, the PVS in subcutaneous tissue has not been well identified. Here, we examined the putative PVS on the surface of abdominal subcutaneous tissue in rats. Hemacolor staining revealed dark blue threadlike structures consisting of nodes and vessels, which were frequently observed bundled with blood vessels. The structure was filled with various immune cells including mast cells and WBCs. In the structure, there were inner spaces (20–60 µm) with low cellularity. Electron microscopy revealed a bundle structure and typical cytology common with the well-established organ surface PVS, which were different from those of the lymphatic vessel. Among several subcutaneous (sc) PVS tissues identified on the rat abdominal space, the most outstanding was the scPVS aligned along the ventral midline. The distribution pattern of nodes and vessels in the scPVS closely resembled that of the conception vessel meridian and its acupoints. In conclusion, our results newly revealed that the PVS is present in the abdominal subcutaneous tissue layer and indicate that the scPVS tissues are closely correlated with acupuncture meridians. Our findings will help to characterize the PVS in the other superficial tissues and its physiological roles.
The State of the Art of the DSM‐5 “with Mixed Features” Specifier
Authors: Verdolini Norma , Agius Mark , Ferranti Laura , Moretti Patrizia , Piselli Massimiliano , Quartesan Roberto
Published: August 2015

The new DSM‐5 “with mixed features” specifier (MFS) has renewed the interest of the scientific community in mixed states, leading not only to new clinical studies but also to new criticisms of the current nosology. Consequently, in our paper we have reviewed the latest literature, trying to understand the reactions of psychiatrists to the new nosology and its epidemiological, prognostic, and clinical consequences. It seems that the most widespread major criticism is the exclusion from the DSM‐5 MFS of overlapping symptoms (such as psychomotor agitation, irritability, and distractibility), with a consequent reduction in diagnostic power. On the other hand, undoubtedly the new DSM‐5 classification has helped to identify more patients suffering from a mixed state by broadening the narrow DSM‐IV‐TR criteria. As for the clinical presentation, the epidemiological data, and the therapeutic outcomes, the latest literature does not point out a univocal point of view and further research is needed to fully assess the implications of the new DSM‐5 MFS. It is our view that a diagnostic category should be preferred to a specifier and mixed states should be better considered as a spectrum of states, according to what was stated many years ago by Kraepelin.
Primo Vascular System: An Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Potential Transitional Tissue Involved in Gastric Cancer Metastasis
Authors: Ping An , Zhendong Su , Rongmei Qu , Jingxing Dai , Wei Chen , Zhongyin Zhou , Hesheng Luo , Soh Kwang-Sup
Published: August 2015

Gastric cancer is the fourth commonest cancer in the world and the second leading cause of cancer-related death. Investigation of gastric cancer metastasis is one of the hottest and major focuses in cancer research. Growing evidence manifested that primo vascular system (PVS) is a new kind of circulatory system beyond vascular and lymphatic system. Previous researches revealed that PVS is a specific tissue between endothelium and mesenchyme and is involved in cancer, especially in tumor metastasis and regeneration. In current study, we investigated the role of primo vessels in gastric cancer metastasis and its possible relationship to vascular vessels formation. Our results indicated that primo vessels were involved in gastric cancer metastasis. We observed blood vessel-mediated metastasis, primo vessel-mediated metastasis, and an intermediate state between them. We deduced that primo vessels may be precursors of blood vessels. These results possibly provided a thoroughly new theoretic development in cancer metastasis.
Novel Electrochemical Treatment of Spent Caustic from the Hydrocarbon Industry Using Ti/BDD
Authors: Medel Alejandro , Méndez Erika , Hernández-López José L. , Ramírez José A. , Cárdenas Jesús , Frausto Roberto F. , Godínez Luis A. , Bustos Erika , Meas Yunny
Published: August 2015

During the crude oil refining process, NaOH solutions are used to remove H2S, H2Saq, and sulfur compounds from different hydrocarbon streams. The residues obtained are called “spent caustics.” These residues can be mixed with those obtained in other processes, adding to its chemical composition naphthenic acids and phenolic compounds, resulting in one of the most dangerous industrial residues. In this study, the use of electrochemical technology (ET), using BDD with Ti as substrate (Ti/BDD), is evaluated in electrolysis of spent caustic mixtures, obtained through individual samples from different refineries. In this way, the Ti/BDD’s capability of carrying out the electrochemical destruction of spent caustics in an acidic medium is evaluated having as key process a chemical pretreatment phase. The potential production of•OHs, as the main reactive oxygen species electrogenerated over Ti/BDD surface, was evaluated in HCl and H2SO4through fluorescence spectroscopy, demonstrating the reaction medium’s influence on its production. The results show that the hydrocarbon industry spent caustics can be mineralized to CO2and water, driving the use of ET and of the Ti/BDD to solve a real problem, whose potential and negative impact on the environment and on human health is and has been the environmental agencies’ main focus.
Association Study between Idiopathic Scoliosis and Polymorphic Variants of VDR, IGF-1, and AMPD1 Genes
Authors: Nikolova Svetla , Yablanski Vasil , Vlaev Evgeni , Stokov Luben , Savov Alexey Slavkov , Kremensky Ivo Marinov
Published: August 2015

Idiopathic scoliosis (IS) is a complex genetic disorder of the musculoskeletal system, characterized by three-dimensional rotation of the spine with unknown etiology. For the aims of the current study we selected 3 single nucleotide polymorphisms with a low incidence of the polymorphic allele in Bulgarian population, AMPD1 (rs17602729), VDR (rs2228670), and IGF-1 (rs5742612), trying to investigate the association between these genetic polymorphisms and susceptibility to and progression of IS. The polymorphic regions of the genes were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR products were cleaved with the appropriate restriction enzymes. The statistical analysis was performed by Pearson’s chi-squared test. A value of p<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. In conclusion, this case-control study revealed no statistically significant association between the VDR, IGF-1, and AMPD1 polymorphisms and the susceptibility to IS or curve severity in Bulgarian patients. Replication case-control studies will be needed to examine the association between these candidate-genes and IS in different populations. The identification of molecular markers for IS could be useful for early detection and prognosis of the risk for a rapid progression of the curve. That would permit early stage treatment of the patient with the least invasive procedures.
Health Behaviors and Overweight in Nursing Home Employees: Contribution of Workplace Stressors and Implications for Worksite Health Promotion
Authors: Miranda Helena , Gore Rebecca J. , Boyer Jon , Nobrega Suzanne , Punnett Laura
Published: August 2015

Background. Many worksite health promotion programs ignore the potential influence of working conditions on unhealthy behaviors. Methods. A study of nursing home employees (56% nursing aides) utilized a standardized questionnaire. We analyzed the cross‐sectional associations between workplace stressors and obesity, cigarette smoking, and physical inactivity. Results. Of 1506 respondents, 20% reported exposure to three or more workplace stressors (physical or organizational), such as lifting heavy loads, low decision latitude, low coworker support, regular night work, and physical assault. For each outcome, the prevalence ratio was between 1.5 and 2 for respondents with four or five job stressors. Individuals under age 40 had stronger associations between workplace stressors and smoking and obesity. Conclusions. Workplace stressors were strongly associated with smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity, even among the lowest‐status workers. Current working conditions affected younger workers more than older workers. Although this study is cross‐sectional, it has other strengths, including the broad range of work stressors studied. Strenuous physical work and psychosocial strain are common among low‐wage workers such as nursing home aides. Workplace health promotion programs may be more effective if they include measures to reduce stressful work environment features, so that working conditions support rather than interfere with employee health.
The Productivity Dilemma in Workplace Health Promotion
Authors: Cherniack Martin
Published: August 2015

Background. Worksite‐based programs to improve workforce health and well‐being (Workplace Health Promotion (WHP)) have been advanced as conduits for improved worker productivity and decreased health care costs. There has been a countervailing health economics contention that return on investment (ROI) does not merit preventive health investment. Methods/Procedures. Pertinent studies were reviewed and results reconsidered. A simple economic model is presented based on conventional and alternate assumptions used in cost benefit analysis (CBA), such as discounting and negative value. The issues are presented in the format of 3 conceptual dilemmas. Principal Findings. In some occupations such as nursing, the utility of patient survival and staff health is undervalued. WHP may miss important components of work related health risk. Altering assumptions on discounting and eliminating the drag of negative value radically change the CBA value. Significance. Simple monetization of a work life and calculation of return on workforce health investment as a simple alternate opportunity involve highly selective interpretations of productivity and utility.
Data Tracking and Effect of Frequency Offset to Simultaneous Collecting Method for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Myoenzono Ryo , Takyu Osamu , Shirai Keiichiro , Fujii Takeo , Ohta Mai , Sasamori Fumihito , Handa Shiro
Published: August 2015

In the packet access of wireless sensor networks, a distributed access protocol is employed to avoid packet collision but it also causes delay. Therefore, real time data collection is difficult. In wireless communication for simultaneous multidata collection (WC-SDC), sensed data are projected onto the parameters of the wireless communication. The specific feature of the sensed data appears in received signals. Even if the transmitted signal from each sensor collides by simultaneous access, the mixture sensed can be separated by using the specific features. Therefore, the real time data collection is achieved. However, frequency mismatch causes the fluctuation of sensed data, which gives the adverse impact to data separation. In this paper, a data tracking method is used for the data separation in the WC-SDC. We clarify the accuracy of data separation and the impact from the frequency offset. We propose a method for coping with the frequency offset and the error tracking. From the numerical results, our proposed method accurately achieves data separation even under 7% frequency offset normalized by the minimum frequency resolution.
Mechanisms of Normalisation of Bone Metabolism during Recovery from Hyperthyroidism: Potential Role for Sclerostin and Parathyroid Hormone
Authors: Skowrońska-Jóźwiak Elżbieta , Lewandowski Krzysztof C. , Adamczewski Zbigniew , Krawczyk-Rusiecka Kinga , Lewiński Andrzej
Published: August 2015

Sclerostin, a protein expressed by osteocytes, is a negative regulator of bone formation. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between parathyroid hormone (PTH) and markers of bone metabolism and changes of sclerostin concentrations before and after treatment of hyperthyroidism.Patients and Methods. The study involved 33 patients (26 women), age (mean ± SD) 48 ± 15 years, with hyperthyroidism. Serum sclerostin, PTH, calcium, and bone markers [osteocalcin (OC) and collagen type I cross-linked C-telopeptide I (CTX)] were measured at diagnosis of hyperthyroidism and after treatment with thiamazole.Results. After treatment of hyperthyroidism a significant decrease in free T3(FT3) and free T4(FT4) concentrations was accompanied by marked decrease of serum sclerostin (from 43.7 ± 29.3 to 28.1 ± 18.4 pmol/L;p<0.001), OC (from 35.6 ± 22.0 to 27.0 ± 14.3 ng/mL;p<0.001), and CTX (from 0.49 ± 0.35 to 0.35 ± 0.23 ng/dL;p<0.005), accompanied by an increase of PTH (from 29.3 ± 14.9 to 39.8 ± 19.8;p<0.001). During hyperthyroidism there was a positive correlation between sclerostin and CTX (rs=0.41,p<0.05) and between OC and thyroid hormones (with FT3  rs=0.42, with FT4  rs=0.45,p<0.05).Conclusions. Successful treatment of hyperthyroidism results in a significant decrease in serum sclerostin and bone markers concentrations, accompanied by an increase of PTH.
Protective Effect of Aqueous Crude Extract of Neem (Azadirachta indica) Leaves onPlasmodium berghei-Induced Renal Damage in Mice
Authors: Somsak Voravuth , Chachiyo Sukanya , Jaihan Ubonwan , Nakinchat Somrudee
Published: August 2015

Malaria is a major public health problem in the world because it can cause of death in patients. Malaria-associated renal injury is associated with 45% of mortality in adult patients hospitalized with severe form of the disease. Therefore, new plant extracts to protect against renal injury induced by malaria infection are urgently needed. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of aqueous crude extract ofAzadirachta indica(neem) leaves on renal injury induced byPlasmodium bergheiANKA infection in mice. ICR mice were injected intraperitoneally with 1 × 107parasitized erythrocytes of PbANKA, and neem extracts (500, 1,000, and 2,000 mg/kg) were given orally for 4 consecutive days. Plasma blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels were subsequently measured. Malaria-induced renal injury was evidenced as marked increases of BUN and creatinine levels. However, the oral administration of neem leaf extract to PbANKA infected mice for 4 days brought back BUN and creatinine levels to near normalcy, and the highest activity was observed at doses of 1,000 and 2,000 mg/kg. Additionally, no toxic effects were found in normal mice treated with this extract. Hence, neem leaf extract can be considered a potential candidate for protection against renal injury induced by malaria.
MiRNA-203 Reduces Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Radioresistance by Targeting IL8/AKT Signaling
Authors: Qu Jia-Quan , Yi Hong-Mei , Ye Xu , Zhu Jin-Feng , Yi Hong , Li Li-Na , Xiao Ta , Yuan Li , Li Jiao-Yang , Wang Yuan-Yuan , Feng Juan , He Qiu-Yan , Lu Shan-Shan , Xiao Zhi-Qiang
Published: August 2015

Radioresistance poses a major challenge in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treatment, but little is known about how miRNA (miR) regulates this phenomenon. In this study, we investigated the function and mechanism of miR-203 in NPC radioresistance, one of downregulated miRs in the radioresistant NPC cells identified by our previous microarray analysis. We observed that miR-203 was frequently downregulated in the radioresistant NPC tissues compared with radiosensitive NPC tissues, and its decrement significantly correlated with NPC radioresistance and poor patient survival, and was an independent predictor for reduced patient survival. In vitro radioresponse assays showed that miR-203 mimic markedly decreased NPC cell radioresistance. In a mouse model, therapeutic administration of miR-203 agomir dramatically sensitized NPC xenografts to irradiation. Mechanistically, we confirmed that IL8 was a direct target of miR-203, and found that reduced miR-203 promoted NPC cell radioresistance by activating IL8/AKT signaling. Moreover, the levels of IL8 and phospho-AKT were significantly increased in the radioresistant NPC tissues compared with radiosensitive NPC tissues, and negatively associated with miR-203 level. Our data demonstrate that miR-203 is a critical determinant of NPC radioresponse, and its decrement enhances NPC radioresistance through targeting IL8/AKT signaling, highlighting the therapeutic potential of the miR-203/IL8/AKT signaling axis in NPC radiosensitization. Mol Cancer Ther; 14(11); 2653–64. ©2015 AACR.
Physiological Functions and Regulation of the Na+/H+ Exchanger [NHE1] in Renal Tubule Epithelial Cells
Authors: Vallés Patricia G , Bocanegra Victoria , Gil Lorenzo Andrea , Costantino Valeria Victoria
Published: August 2015

The sodium-hydrogen exchanger isoform-1 [NHE1] is a ubiquitously expressed plasma membrane protein that plays a central role in intracellular pH and cell volume homeostasis by catalyzing an electroneutral exchange of extracellular sodium and intracellular hydrogen. Outside of this important physiological function, the NHE1 cytosolic tail domain acts as a molecular scaffold regulating cell survival and actin cytoskeleton organization through NHE1-dependent signaling proteins. NHE1 plays main roles in response to physiological stress conditions which in addition to cell shrinkage and acidification, include hypoxia and mechanical stimuli, such as cell stretch. NHE1-mediated modulation of programmed cell death results from the exchanger-mediated changes in pHi, cell volume, and/or [Na+]I; and, it has recently become known that regulation of cellular signaling pathways are involved as well. This review focuses on NHE1 functions and regulations. We describe evidence showing how these structural actions integrate with ion translocation in regulating renal tubule epithelial cell survival.