bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Where should we measure waist circumference in clinically overweight and obese youth?
Authors: Sabin Matthew A , Wong Nicole , Campbell Penny , Lee Katherine J , McCallum Zoë , Werther George A
Published: June 2014

Aims

Waist circumference (WC) measurement is a useful tool in the assessment of overweight/obese individuals, but standard measures may miss an apron of ‘overhanging’ fat (termed ‘panniculus’). The objective of this study was to assess whether, in clinically overweight/obese youth, ‘pannicular’ WC better correlates with fat mass than a standard WC measurement.

Methods

Standard and pannicular WC, alongside body composition (BC) measures, were collected from 181 consultations on 127 overweight and obese children/adolescents (52% male; mean (standard deviation) age 12.5 (3.4) years). Correlation coefficients describe associations between WC and measures of BC, and between ΔWC and ΔBC, while linear regression models assessed which of the WC measures explained more of the variability in BC and ΔBC over time.

Results

Standard and pannicular WC were highly correlated (r = 0.95). Correlation coefficients with measures of BC were generally greater for pannicular than standard WC, with greatest correlations seen for whole body (r = 0.94 vs. 0.85, respectively) and truncal (r = 0.86 vs. 0.77) fat mass. Furthermore, pannicular and Δpannicular WC explained more variability in truncal fat and Δtruncal fat than the standard measure of WC.

Conclusions

These data show that pannicular, rather than standard, WC measurements better correlate with absolute measures of fat mass, and their change over time, in clinically overweight/obese youth.
Human papillomavirus vaccination: Where are we now?
Authors: Brotherton Julia ML
Published: June 2014

The development of efficacious prophylactic human papillomavirus vaccines provided an opportunity for the primary prevention of related infections and diseases. Certain oncogenic human papillomaviruses that preferentially infect the genital epithelium cause cervical cancer and a substantial proportion of anal, penile, vaginal, vulvar and oropharyngeal cancers. Following extensive clinical trials demonstrating their efficacy and safety, two vaccines have been in global use for over 6 years. This review summarises the accumulated evidence regarding their high level of efficacy, safety in population usage, reductions in genital warts, infections and cervical disease following their adoption, and facilitators and barriers to achieving high vaccination coverage. The review also discusses practical issues and frequently asked questions regarding duration of effect, vaccination of women treated for cervical disease and alternate vaccination schedules, as well as the need to review cervical screening strategies in the post‐ vaccination environment.
Long-Term Treatment Patterns of Testosterone Replacement Medications
Authors: Donatucci Craig , Cui Zhanglin , Fang Yun , Muram David
Published: June 2014

Introduction

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is prescribed to men diagnosed with hypogonadism to alleviate symptoms, improve quality of life, and improve overall health. However, most men use TRT for only a short duration.

Aim

To evaluate the long-term treatment patterns in hypogonadal men using topical TRT or short-lasting TRT injections.

Methods

Using the Truven MarketScan® Database, 15,435 men who received their first (index) topical TRT prescription and 517 men who received their short-lasting TRT injection index prescription in 2009 were followed from 12 to 30 months after treatment initiation. Treatment interruption was defined as a medication gap of >30 days. Patients who remained off treatment were classified as having discontinued treatment. Patients who restarted therapy after 30 days were classified as cyclic users. Patients were required to have continuous insurance coverage during 1 year prior to treatment initiation and at least 1 year afterward.

Main Outcome Measures

Main outcome measures were length of therapy, discontinuation, and restarts of topical TRT or short-lasting TRT injections.

Results

The patient characteristics were similar for patients who received topical TRT or short-lasting TRT injections. Of the patients who discontinued therapy during the follow-up period, the percentages of patients who were still on therapy after 3 months were 52% and 31% for topical TRT and short-lasting TRT users, respectively. For cyclic users, there was an attrition rate of approximately 40% to 50% of patients in each cycle. For both topical TRT and short-lasting TRT injections, the gap between stopping and restarting therapy tended to decrease over time.

Conclusions

In this analysis, high discontinuation rates were observed. The treatment pattern of TRT may be related to the disease state rather than dosing, daily use, or mode of administration.
New insights into the dynamics between reef corals and their associated dinoflagellate endosymbionts from population genetic studies
Authors: Baums Iliana B. , Devlin‐Durante Meghann K. , LaJeunesse Todd C.
Published: June 2014

The mutualistic symbioses between reef‐building corals and micro‐algae form the basis of coral reef ecosystems, yet recent environmental changes threaten their survival. Diversity in host‐symbiont pairings on the sub‐species level could be an unrecognized source of functional variation in response to stress. TheCaribbean elkhorn coral,Acropora palmata, associates predominantly with one symbiont species (Symbiodinium‘fitti’), facilitating investigations of individual‐level (genotype) interactions. Individual genotypes of both host and symbiont were resolved across the entire species’ range. Most colonies of a particular animal genotype were dominated by one symbiont genotype (or strain) that may persist in the host for decades or more. WhileSymbiodiniumare primarily clonal, the occurrence of recombinant genotypes indicates sexual recombination is the source of this genetic variation, and some evidence suggests this happens within the host. When these data are examined at spatial scales spanning the entire distribution ofA. palmata, gene flow among animal populations was an order of magnitude greater than among populations of the symbiont. This suggests that independent micro‐evolutionary processes created dissimilar population genetic structures between host and symbiont. The lower effective dispersal exhibited by the dinoflagellate raises questions regarding the extent to which populations of host and symbiont can co‐evolve during times of rapid and substantial climate change. However, these findings also support a growing body of evidence, suggesting that genotype‐by‐genotype interactions may provide significant physiological variation, influencing the adaptive potential of symbiotic reef corals to severe selection.
A large genomic island allows Neisseria meningitidis to utilize propionic acid, with implications for colonization of the human nasopharynx
Authors: Catenazzi Maria Chiara E. , Jones Helen , Wallace Iain , Clifton Jacqueline , Chong James P. J. , Jackson Matthew A. , Macdonald Sandy , Edwards James , Moir James W. B.
Published: June 2014

Neisseria meningitidis is an important human pathogen that is capable of killing within hours of infection. Its normal habitat is the nasopharynx of adult humans. Here we identify a genomic island (the prp gene cluster) in N. meningitidis that enables this species to utilize propionic acid as a supplementary carbon source during growth, particularly under nutrient poor growth conditions. The prp gene cluster encodes enzymes for a methylcitrate cycle. Novel aspects of the methylcitrate cycle in N. meningitidis include a propionate kinase which was purified and characterized, and a putative propionate transporter. This genomic island is absent from the close relative of N. meningitidis, the commensal Neisseria lactamica, which chiefly colonizes infants not adults. We reason that the possession of the prp genes provides a metabolic advantage to N. meningitidis in the adult oral cavity, which is rich in propionic acid‐generating bacteria. Data from classical microbiological and sequence‐based microbiome studies provide several lines of supporting evidence that N. meningitidis colonization is correlated with propionic acid generating bacteria, with a strong correlation between prp‐containing Neisseria and propionic acid generating bacteria from the genus Porphyromonas, and that this may explain adolescent/adult colonization by N. meningitidis.
The effects of nutrition labeling on consumer food choice: a psychological experiment and computational model
Authors: Helfer Peter , Shultz Thomas R.
Published: June 2014

The widespread availability of calorie‐dense food is believed to be a contributing cause of an epidemic of obesity and associated diseases throughout the world. One possible countermeasure is to empower consumers to make healthier food choices with useful nutrition labeling. An important part of this endeavor is to determine the usability of existing and proposed labeling schemes. Here, we report an experiment on how four different labeling schemes affect the speed and nutritional value of food choices. We then apply decision field theory, a leading computational model of human decision making, to simulate the experimental results. The psychology experiment shows that quantitative, single‐attribute labeling schemes have greater usability than multiattribute and binary ones, and that they remain effective under moderate time pressure. The computational model simulates these psychological results and provides explanatory insights into them. This work shows how experimental psychology and computational modeling can contribute to the evaluation and improvement of nutrition‐labeling schemes.
Time and the domain of consciousness
Authors: Hoerl Christoph
Published: June 2014

It is often thought that there is little that seems more obvious from experience than that time objectively passes, and that time is, in this respect, quite unlike space. Yet nothing in the physical picture of the world seems to correspond to the idea of such an objective passage of time. In this paper, I discuss some attempts to explain this apparent conflict between appearance and reality. I argue that existing attempts to explain the conflict as the result of a perceptual illusion fail, and that it is, in fact, the nature of memory, rather than perception, that explains why we are inclined to think of time as passing. I also offer a diagnosis as to why philosophers have sometimes been tempted to think that an objective passage of time seems to figure directly in perceptual experience, even though it does not.
Enhancement of extraplastidic oil synthesis in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii using a type‐2 diacylglycerol acyltransferase with a phosphorus starvation–inducible promoter
Authors: Iwai Masako , Ikeda Keiko , Shimojima Mie , Ohta Hiroyuki
Published: June 2014

When cultivated under stress conditions, many plants and algae accumulate oil. The unicellular green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii accumulates neutral lipids (triacylglycerols; TAGs) during nutrient stress conditions. Temporal changes in TAG levels in nitrogen (N)‐ and phosphorus (P)‐starved cells were examined to compare the effects of nutrient depletion on TAG accumulation in C. reinhardtii. TAG accumulation and fatty acid composition were substantially changed depending on the cultivation stage before nutrient starvation. Profiles of TAG accumulation also differed between N and P starvation. Logarithmic‐growth‐phase cells diluted into fresh medium showed substantial TAG accumulation with both N and P deprivation. N deprivation induced formation of oil droplets concomitant with the breakdown of thylakoid membranes. In contrast, P deprivation substantially induced accumulation of oil droplets in the cytosol and maintaining thylakoid membranes. As a consequence, P limitation accumulated more TAG both per cell and per culture medium under these conditions. To enhance oil accumulation under P deprivation, we constructed a P deprivation‐dependent overexpressor of a Chlamydomonas type‐2 diacylglycerol acyl‐CoA acyltransferase (DGTT4) using a sulphoquinovosyldiacylglycerol 2 (SQD2) promoter, which was up‐regulated during P starvation. The transformant strongly enhanced TAG accumulation with a slight increase in 18 : 1 content, which is a preferred substrate of DGTT4. These results demonstrated enhanced TAG accumulation using a P starvation–inducible promoter.
Akrasia and the Problem of the Unity of Reason
Authors: Baker Derek
Published: June 2014

Joseph Raz and Sergio Tenenbaum argue that the Guise of the Good thesis explains both the possibility of practical reason and its unity with theoretical reason, something Humean psychological theories may be unable to do. This paper will argue, however, that Raz and Tenenbaum face a dilemma: either the version of the Guise of the Good they offer is too strong to allow for weakness of will, or it will lose its theoretical advantage in preserving the unity of reason.
Physical comorbidities affect physical activity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A prospective cohort study
Authors: McNamara Renae J. , McKeough Zoe J. , McKenzie David K. , Alison Jennifer A.
Published: June 2014

Background and objective

The prevalence of physical comorbidities such as obesity, musculoskeletal or neurological conditions in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is high, yet little is known about the impact of these physical comorbidities on physical activity. The primary aim of the study was to compare the physical activity levels of people with COPD with physical comorbidities (COPD + PC) to people with COPD without physical comorbidities (COPD) and healthy age‐matched volunteers (control group).

Methods

Twenty‐five people with COPD + PC (mean (standard deviation (SD)) age 73 (11) years, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage II–IV), 25 people with COPD (70 (8) years, GOLD stage II–IV) and 25 controls (70 (7) years) wore the SenseWear Pro3 Armband for 7 days.

Results

Engagement in light intensity physical activity (1.5–3.0 metabolic equivalents (MET)) (140 (76) minutes per day (min/day)) and moderate intensity physical activity (3.0–6.0 MET) (25 (35) min/day) in the COPD + PC group was significantly reduced compared with the COPD (231 (76) and 104 (106), respectively) and control group (259 (75) and 114 (57), respectively). In the 16 daytime hours between 6 am and 10 pm, people with COPD + PC spent a mean (SD) of 771 (98) min/day engaged in sedentary behaviour (<1.5 MET). This was significantly greater than the group with COPD (603 (148) min/day) and the control group (567 (76) min/day) (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

People with COPD + PC had significantly lower daily physical activity levels compared with people with COPD without physical comorbidities and healthy people.
Comparing Disproportionate Exposure to Acute and Chronic Pollution Risks: A Case Study in Houston, Texas
Authors: Chakraborty Jayajit , Collins Timothy W. , Grineski Sara E. , Montgomery Marilyn C. , Hernandez Maricarmen
Published: June 2014

While environmental justice (EJ) research in the United States has focused primarily on the social distribution of chronic pollution risks, previous empirical studies have not analyzed disparities in exposure to both chronic (long‐term) and acute (short‐term) pollution in the same study area. Our article addresses this limitation though a case study that compares social inequities in exposure to chronic and acute pollution risks in the Greater Houston Metropolitan Statistical Area, Texas. The study integrates estimates of chronic cancer risk associated with ambient exposure to hazardous air pollutants from the Environmental Protection Agency's National‐Scale Air Toxics Assessment (2005), hazardous chemical accidents from the National Response Center's Emergency Response Notification System (2007–2011), and sociodemographic characteristics from the American Community Survey (2007–2011). Statistical analyses are based on descriptive comparisons, bivariate correlations, and locally derived spatial regression models that account for spatial dependence in the data. Results indicate that neighborhoods with a higher percentage of Hispanic residents, lower percentage of homeowners, and higher income inequality are facing significantly greater exposure to both chronic and acute pollution risks. The non‐Hispanic black percentage is significantly higher in neighborhoods with greater chronic cancer risk, but lower in areas exposed to acute pollution events. Households isolated by language—those highly likely to face evacuation problems during an actual chemical disaster—tend to reside in areas facing significantly greater exposure to high‐impact acute events. Our findings emphasize the growing need to examine social inequities in exposure to both chronic and acute pollution risks in future EJ research and policy.
Hospital nurses' work motivation
Authors: Toode Kristi , Routasalo Pirkko , Helminen Mika , Suominen Tarja
Published: June 2014

Background

The knowledge surrounding nurses' work motivation is currently insufficient, and previous studies have rarely taken into account the role of many influential background factors.

Aim

This study investigates the motivation of Estonian nurses in hospitals, and how individual and organisational background factors influence their motivation to work.

Methods

The study is quantitative and cross‐sectional. An electronically self‐reported questionnaire was used for data collection. The sample comprised of 201 Registered Nurses working in various hospital settings in Estonia. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, two‐sample Wilcoxon rank‐sum (Mann–Whitney) test, Kruskal–Wallis equality‐of‐populations rank test and Spearman's correlation.

Results

Both extrinsic and intrinsic motivations were noted among hospital nurses. Nurses were moderately externally motivated (M = 3.63, SD = 0.89) and intrinsically strongly motivated (M = 4.98, SD = 1.03). A nurses' age and the duration of service were positively correlated with one particular area of extrinsic work motivation, namely introjected regulation (p < 0.001). Nurses who had professional training over 7 days per year had both a higher extrinsic motivation (p = 0.016) and intrinsic work motivation (p = 0.004).

Conclusions

The findings expand current knowledge of nurses' work motivation by describing the amount and orientation of work motivation among hospital nurses and highlighting background factors which should be taken into account in order to sustain and increase their intrinsic work motivation. The instrument used in the study can be an effective tool for nurse managers to determine a nurse's reasons to work and to choose a proper motivational strategy. Further research and testing of the instrument in different countries and in different contexts of nursing is however required.
Expression of the T Cell‐specific Adapter Protein in Human Tissues
Authors: Pandya A. D. , Leergaard T. B. , Dissen E. , Haraldsen G. , Spurkland A.
Published: June 2014

T cell‐specific adapter protein (TSAd) encoded by the SH2D2A gene is expressed in activated T cells, NK cells and endothelial cells, but its tissue expression has not yet been mapped. Here, we have defined the specificity of two commercially available anti‐TSAd monoclonal reagents using peptide arrays. We found them to bind separate epitopes in the C‐terminal part of TSAd. We then used immunohistochemistry to examine TSAd expression in various human lymphoid and non‐lymphoid tissues. Immunostaining of adjacent tissue sections revealed that a substantial fraction of CD3‐positive cells in normal lymphoid and non‐lymphoid tissues expressed TSAd. In particular, essentially all intra‐epithelial T cells appeared to coexpress TSAd. In addition, TSAd expression was observed in endothelial cells of dermal microvessels, while it was not detected in endothelial cells of the other tested tissues. This work provides insight into the expression pattern of TSAd in various healthy human tissues.
Immunology and pathogenesis of canine demodicosis
Authors: Ferrer Lluis , Ravera Ivan , Silbermayr Katja
Published: June 2014

Demodexmites colonized the hair follicles and sebaceous glands of mammals millions of years ago and have remained relatively unchanged in this protected ecologic niche since then.

The host immune system detects and tolerates their presence. Toll‐like receptor‐2 of keratinocytes has been demonstrated to recognize mite chitin and to elicit an innate immune response. The subsequent acquired immune response is poorly understood at present, but there is experimental and clinical evidence that this is the main mechanism in the control of mite proliferation. A transgenic mouse model (STAT−/−/CD28−/−) has demonstrated that the immune response is complex, probably involving both cellular and humoral mechanisms and requiring the role of co‐stimulatory molecules (CD28).

It is known that a genetic predisposition for developing canine juvenile generalized demodicosis exists; however, the primary defect leading to the disease remains unknown. Once the mite proliferation is advanced, dogs show a phenotype that is similar to theT‐cell exhaustion characterized by low interleukin‐2 production and high interleukin‐10 and transforming growth factor‐β production by lymphocytes, as described in other viral and parasitic diseases.

Acaricidal treatment (macrocyclic lactones) decreases the antigenic load and reversesT‐cell exhaustion, leading to a clinical cure. Although in recent years there have been significant advances in the management and understanding of this important and complex canine disease, more research in areas such as the aetiology of the genetic predisposition and the immune control of the mite populations is clearly needed.
On the beta expansion of Salem numbers of degree 8
Authors: Hichri Hachem
Published: June 2014

Boyd showed that the beta expansion of Salem numbers of degree 4 were always eventually periodic. Based on an heuristic argument, Boyd had conjectured that the same is true for Salem numbers of degree 6 but not for Salem numbers of degree 8. This paper examines Salem numbers of degree 8 and collects experimental evidence in support of Boyd’s conjecture.
Acute Postexercise Effects of Concentric and Eccentric Exercise on Glucose Tolerance
Authors: Cook Matthew David , Myers Stephen David , Kelly John Stephen Michael , Willems Mark Elisabeth Theodorus
Published: June 2014

Impaired glucose tolerance was shown to be present 48 hr following muscle-damaging eccentric exercise. We examined the acute effect of concentric and muscle-damaging eccentric exercise, matched for intensity, on the responses to a 2-hr 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Ten men (27 ± 9 years, 178 ± 7 cm, 75 ± 11 kg, VO2max: 52.3 ± 7.3 ml·kg-1·min-1) underwent three OGTTs after an overnight 12 hr fast: rest (control), 40-min (5 × 8-min with 2-min interbout rest) of concentric (level running, 0%, CON) or eccentric exercise (downhill running, –12%, ECC). Running intensity was matched at 60% of maximal metabolic equivalent. Maximal isometric force of m. quadriceps femoris of both legs was measured before and after the running protocols. Downhill running speed was higher (level: 9.7 ± 2.1, downhill: 13.8 ± 3.2 km·hr-1, p < .01). Running protocols had similar VO2max (p = .59), heart rates (p = .20) and respiratory exchange ratio values (p = .74) indicating matched intensity and metabolic demands. Downhill running resulted in higher isometric force deficits (level: 3.0 ± 6.7, downhill: 17.1 ± 7.3%, p < .01). During OGTTs, area-under-the-curve for plasma glucose (control: 724 ± 97, CON: 710 ± 77, ECC: 726 ± 72 mmol·L-1·120 min, p = .86) and insulin (control: 24995 ± 11229, CON: 23319 ± 10417, ECC: 21842 ± 10171 pmol·L-1·120 min, p = .48), peak glucose (control: 8.1 ± 1.3, CON: 7.7 ± 1.2, ECC: 7.7 ± 1.1 mmol·L-1, p = .63) and peak insulin levels (control: 361 ± 188, CON: 322 ± 179, ECC: 299 ± 152 pmol·L-1, p = .30) were similar. It was concluded that glucose tolerance and the insulin response to an OGTT were not changed immediately by muscle-damaging eccentric exercise.
The Effect of Rate of Weight Reduction on Serum Myostatin and Follistatin Concentrations in Competitive Wrestlers
Authors: Motevalli Mohamad S. , Dalbo Vincent J. , Attarzadeh Reza S. , Rashidlamir Amir , Tucker Patrick S. , Scanlan Aaron T.
Published: June 2014

Purpose:

To evaluate anthropometric measures and serum markers of myostatin-pathway activity after different weight-reduction protocols in wrestlers.

Methods:

Subjects were randomly assigned to a gradual-weight-reduction (GWR) or rapid-weight-reduction (RWR) group. Food logs were collected for the duration of the study. Anthropometric measurements and serum samples were collected after an 8-h fast at baseline and after the weight-reduction intervention. Subjects reduced body mass by 4%. The GWR group restricted calories over 12 d, while the RWR group restricted calories over 2 d. A series of 2 × 5 repeated-measures (RM) ANOVAs was conducted to examine differences in nutrient consumption, while separate 2 × 2 RM ANOVAs were conducted to examine differences in anthropometric measures and serum markers. When applicable, Tukey post hoc comparisons were conducted. Significance for all tests was set at P < .05.

Results:

There were no between-groups differences for any anthropometric measure (P > .05). Subjects in both groups experienced a significant reduction in body mass, fat mass, lean mass, and percent body fat (P < .05). There were no between-groups differences in serum markers of myostatin-pathway activity (P > .05), but subjects in the RWR condition experienced a significant increase in serum myostatin (P < .01), a decrease in follistatin (P < .01), and an increase in myostatin-to-follistatin ratio (P < .001).

Conclusion:

Although there were no between-groups differences for any outcome variables, the serum myostatin-to-follistatin ratio was significantly increased in the RWR group, possibly signaling the early stages of skeletal-muscle catabolism.
Anaerobic Work Calculated in Cycling Time Trials of Different Length
Authors: Mulder Roy C.M. , Noordhof Dionne A. , Malterer Katherine R. , Foster Carl , de Koning Jos J.
Published: June 2014

Previous research showed that gross efficiency (GE) declines during exercise and therefore influences the expenditure of anaerobic and aerobic resources.

Purpose:

To calculate the anaerobic work produced during cycling time trials of different length, with and without a GE correction.

Methods:

Anaerobic work was calculated in 18 trained competitive cyclists during 4 time trials (500, 1000, 2000, and 4000-m). Two additional time trials (1000 and 4000 m) that were stopped at 50% of the corresponding “full” time trial were performed to study the rate of the decline in GE.

Results:

Correcting for a declining GE during time-trial exercise resulted in a significant (P < .001) increase in anaerobically attributable work of 30%, with a 95% confidence interval of [25%, 36%]. A significant interaction effect between calculation method (constant GE, declining GE) and distance (500, 1000, 2000, 4000 m) was found (P < .001). Further analysis revealed that the constant-GE calculation method was different from the declining method for all distances and that anaerobic work calculated assuming a constant GE did not result in equal values for anaerobic work calculated over different time-trial distances (P < .001). However, correcting for a declining GE resulted in a constant value for anaerobically attributable work (P = .18).

Conclusions:

Anaerobic work calculated during short time trials (<4000 m) with a correction for a declining GE is increased by 30% [25%, 36%] and may represent anaerobic energy contributions during high-intensity exercise better than calculating anaerobic work assuming a constant GE.
Managing Heat and Immune Stress in Athletes With Evidence-Based Strategies
Authors: Pyne David B. , Guy Joshua H. , Edwards Andrew M.
Published: June 2014

Heat and immune stress can affect athletes in a wide range of sports and environmental conditions. The classical thermoregulatory model of heat stress has been well characterized, as has a wide range of practical strategies largely centered on cooling and heat-acclimation training. In the last decade evidence has emerged of an inflammatory pathway that can also contribute to heat stress. Studies are now addressing the complex and dynamic interplay between hyperthermia, the coagulation cascade, and a systemic inflammatory response occurring after transient damage to the gastrointestinal tract. Damage to the intestinal mucosal membrane increases permeability, resulting in leakage of endotoxins into the circulation. Practical strategies that target both thermoregulatory and inflammatory causes of heat stress include precooling; short-term heat-acclimation training; nutritional countermeasures including hydration, energy replacement, and probiotic supplementation; pacing strategies during events; and postevent cooling measures. Cooperation between international, national, and local sporting organizations is required to ensure that heat-management policies and strategies are implemented effectively to promote athletes’ well-being and performance.
Supplemental tooth in primary dentition
Authors: Mohan Ravi Prakash Sasankoti , Verma Sankalp , Singh Udita , Agarwal Neha
Published: June 2014

An extra tooth causing numerical excess in dentition is described as supernumerary tooth, and the resultant condition is termed as hyperdontia. Hyperdontia is more commonly seen in the permanent dentition than primary one. Supernumerary tooth which resembles tooth shape and supplements for occlusion is called as supplemental tooth. We present a case with supplemental tooth in primary dentition.
Thrombosed aneurysm as the initial manifestation of Takayasu arteritis
Authors: Ojeda Joel , Rodríguez Yerania , Ríos Grissel
Published: June 2014

Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a large-vessel vasculitis characterised by stenosis, dilation and/or aneurysm formation. We present a case of a 43-year-old man with an initial manifestation of an acute thrombosed aneurysm. He was found to have a thrombosed right common femoral artery aneurysm on Doppler ultrasound. Physical examinations revealed a substantial difference in blood pressure level between bilateral upper extremities, and absent pulses at right upper and lower extremities. The diagnosis was confirmed by angiography, which revealed 100% occlusion of the right common femoral artery. Biopsy of the thrombosed aneurysm was consistent with a diffuse lymphocytic subendothelial infiltrate. The patient was treated with high-dose corticosteroids and had a good response to treatment, as demonstrated by a decrease in sedimentation rate, and recovery of the right side pulses. This case helps to create awareness among physicians that TA may present with an acute occlusion of an aneurysm without the typical warning symptoms of TA.
Free group C*-algebras associated with ℓp
Authors: Okayasu Rui
Published: June 2014

For every p ≥ 2, we give a characterization of positive definite functions on a free group with finitely many generators, which can be extended to positive linear functionals on the free group C*-algebra associated with the ideal ℓp. This is a generalization of Haagerup's characterization for the case of the reduced free group C*-algebra. As a consequence, the canonical quotient map between the associated C*-algebras is not injective, and they have a unique tracial state.
Competitive diffusion in online social networks with heterogeneous users
Authors: Li Pei , He Su , Wang Hui , Zhang Xin
Published: June 2014

Online social networks have attracted increasing attention since they provide various approaches for hundreds of millions of people to stay connected with their friends. However, most research on diffusion dynamics in epidemiology cannot be applied directly to characterize online social networks, where users are heterogeneous and may act differently according to their standpoints. In this paper, we propose models to characterize the competitive diffusion in online social networks with heterogeneous users. We classify messages into two types (i.e., positive and negative) and users into three types (i.e., positive, negative and neutral). We estimate the positive (negative) influence for a user generating a given type message, which is the number of times that positive (negative) messages are processed (i.e., read) incurred by this action. We then consider the diffusion threshold, above which the corresponding influence will approach infinity, and the effect threshold, above which the unexpected influence of generating a message will exceed the expected one. We verify all these results by simulations, which show the analysis results are perfectly consistent with the simulation results. These results are of importance in understanding the diffusion dynamics in online social networks, and also critical for advertisers in viral marketing where there are fans, haters and neutrals.
Eliminating the major tornado threat in Tornado Alley
Authors: Tao R.
Published: June 2014

The 2013 devastating tornadoes in Oklahoma, Illinois and other states in Tornado Alley raise an important question: Can we do something to eliminate the major tornado threats in Tornado Alley? Violent tornadoes in Tornado Alley start from the clash-between northbound warm air flow and southbound cold air flow. As there is no mountain in Tornado Alley ranging from west to east to weaken or block the air flows, some clashes are violent, creating vortex turbulence called supercells. These supercells are initially in horizontal spinning motion at the lower atmosphere and then tilt as the air turns to rise in the storm's updraft, creating a component of spin around a vertical axis. About 30% of supercells develop into tornadoes, causing tremendous damages. Here we show that if we build three east–west great walls in the American Midwest, 300 m high and 50 m wide, one in North Dakota, one passing Oklahoma to east and the third one in the south Texas and Louisiana, we will weaken or block such air mass clashes and therefore diminish the major tornado threat in the Tornado Alley forever. We may also first build such great walls locally at some areas with frequent devastating tornado outbreaks and then gradually extend them.
SOLUTION PROCESSING OF CADMIUM SULFIDE BUFFER LAYER AND ALUMINUM-DOPED ZINC OXIDE WINDOW LAYER FOR THIN FILMS SOLAR CELLS
Authors: ALAM MAHBOOB , ISLAM MOHAMMAD , ACHOUR AMINE , HAYAT ANSAR , AHSAN BILAL , RASHEED HAROON , SALAM SHAHZAD , MUJAHID MOHAMMAD
Published: June 2014

Cadmium sulfide ( CdS ) and aluminum-doped zinc oxide ( Al : ZnO ) thin films are used as buffer layer and front window layer, respectively, in thin film solar cells. CdS and Al : ZnO thin films were produced using chemical bath deposition (CBD) and sol–gel technique, respectively. For CBD CdS , the effect of bath composition and temperature, dipping time and annealing temperature on film properties was investigated. The CdS films are found to be polycrystalline with metastable cubic crystal structure, dense, crack-free surface morphology and the crystallite size of either few nanometers or 12–17 nm depending on bath composition. In case of CdS films produced with 1:2 ratio of Cd and S precursors, spectrophotometer studies indicate quantum confinement effect, owing to extremely small crystallite size, with an increase in Eg value from 2.42 eV (for bulk CdS ) to ~ 3.76 eV along with a shift in the absorption edge toward ~ 330 nm wavelength. The optimum annealing temperature is 400°C beyond which film properties deteriorate through S evaporation and CdO formation. On the other hand, Al : ZnO films prepared via spin coating of precursor sols containing 0.90–1.10 at.% Al show that, with an increase in Al concentration, the average grain size increases from 28 nm to 131 nm with an associated decrease in root-mean-square roughness. The minimum value of electrical resistivity, measured for the films prepared using 0.95 at.% Al in the precursor sol, is ~ 2.7 × 10-4 Ω ⋅ cm. The electrical resistivity value rises upon further increase in Al doping level due to introduction of lattice defects and Al segregation to the grain boundary area, thus limiting electron transport through it.
A polynomial variation of Meinardus' theorem
Authors: Parry Daniel
Published: June 2014

We develop a polynomial analogue of Meinardus' theorem for bivariate Euler products and apply it to the study of complex multiplicatively weighted partitions.
Advances in Mixed-Integer Programming Methods for Chemical Production Scheduling
Authors: Velez Sara , Maravelias Christos T.
Published: June 2014

The goal of this paper is to critically review advances in the area of chemical production scheduling over the past three decades and then present two recently proposed solution methods that have led to dramatic computational enhancements. First, we present a general framework and problem classification and discuss modeling and solution methods with an emphasis on mixed-integer programming (MIP) techniques. Second, we present two solution methods: (a) a constraint propagation algorithm that allows us to compute parameters that are then used to tighten MIP scheduling models and (b) a reformulation that introduces new variables, thus leading to effective branching. We also present computational results and an example illustrating how these methods are implemented, as well as the resulting enhancements. We close with a discussion of open research challenges and future research directions.
Ionic Liquids in Pharmaceutical Applications
Authors: Marrucho I.M. , Branco L.C. , Rebelo L.P.N.
Published: June 2014

In the past several years, ionic liquids (ILs) have been at the cutting edge of the most promising science and technology. ILs not only have found applications in classical areas of knowledge but also are important candidates to solve classical problems within several societal challenges, such as clean and efficient energy, through the development of a broad swath of energy technologies, such as advanced batteries, dye-sensitized solar cells, double-layer capacitors, actuators, fuel cells, thermo-cells, and water splitting, essentially related to highly efficient carbon capture and storage technologies and resource efficiency to date. This review focuses on the application of IL methodologies to solve critical pharmaceutical problems, in particular, the low solubility and thus bioavailability of pharmaceutical compounds and the presence of polymorphs, which severely hamper the efficacy of important commercially available drugs. The development of strategies to use ILs as carriers of pharmaceutical active compounds is an extremely promising and wide avenue. Further, the synthesis of liquid salts through the discerning combination of cations and anions with several distinct pharmaceutical roles provides answers to some of today's pharmaceutical industrial challenges.
Factors Affecting the Rheology and Processability of Highly Filled Suspensions
Authors: Kalyon Dilhan M. , Aktaş Seda
Published: June 2014

Suspensions filled with rigid particles at volume-loading levels that approach their maximum packing fraction are widely encountered, especially in the energetics, ceramics, pharmaceutical, magnetics, composites, food, and personal care industries. Highly filled suspensions, regardless of industrial application, exhibit a number of common rheological and processability traits, including viscoplasticity and wall slip, that necessitate special rheometers and appropriate characterization and numerical simulation methods. Furthermore, various factors, including the dispersion and distribution of the particles and their agglomerates, the entrainment of air, the filtration-based migration of the binder phase, and the shear-induced migration of particles, play important roles and must be considered in the design and optimization of manufacturing operations for processing of highly filled suspensions.
From Stealthy Polymersomes and Filomicelles to “Self” Peptide-Nanoparticles for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Oltra Núria Sancho , Nair Praful , Discher Dennis E.
Published: June 2014

Polymersome vesicles and wormlike filomicelles self-assembled with amphiphilic, degradable block copolymers have recently shown promise in application to cancer therapy. In the case of filomicelles, dense, hydrophilic brushes of poly(ethylene glycol) on these nanoparticles combine with flexibility to nonspecifically delay clearance by phagocytes in vivo, which has motivated the development of “self” peptides that inhibit nanoparticle clearance through specific interactions. Delayed clearance, as well as robustness of polymer assemblies, opens the dosage window for delivery of increased drug loads in the polymer assemblies and increased tumor accumulation of drug(s). Antibody-targeting and combination therapies, such as with radiotherapy, are emerging in preclinical animal models of cancer. Such efforts are expected to combine with further advances in polymer composition, structure, and protein/peptide functionalization to further enhance transport through the circulation and permeation into disease sites.
But science is international! Finding time and space to encourage intercultural learning in a content-driven physiology unit
Authors: Etherington Sarah J.
Published: June 2014

Internationalization of the curriculum is central to the strategic direction of many modern universities and has widespread benefits for student learning. However, these clear aspirations for internationalization of the curriculum have not been widely translated into more internationalized course content and teaching methods in the classroom, particularly in scientific disciplines. This study addressed one major challenge to promoting intercultural competence among undergraduate science students: finding time to scaffold such learning within the context of content-heavy, time-poor units. Small changes to enhance global and intercultural awareness were incorporated into existing assessments and teaching activities within a second-year biomedical physiology unit. Interventions were designed to start a conversation about global and intercultural perspectives on physiology, to embed the development of global awareness into the assessment and to promote cultural exchanges through peer interactions. In student surveys, 40% of domestic and 60% of international student respondents articulated specific learning about interactions in cross-cultural groups resulting from unit activities. Many students also identified specific examples of how cultural beliefs would impact on the place of biomedical physiology within the global community. In addition, staff observed more widespread benefits for student engagement and learning. It is concluded that a significant development of intercultural awareness and a more global perspective on scientific understanding can be supported among undergraduates with relatively modest, easy to implement adaptations to course content.
Mechanisms in cardiovascular diseases: how useful are medical textbooks, eMedicine, and YouTube?
Authors: Azer Samy A.
Published: June 2014

The aim of this study was to assess the contents of medical textbooks, eMedicine (Medscape) topics, and YouTube videos on cardiovascular mechanisms. Medical textbooks, eMedicine articles, and YouTube were searched for cardiovascular mechanisms. Using appraisal forms, copies of these resources and videos were evaluated independently by three assessors. Most textbooks were brief in explaining mechanisms. Although the overall average percentage committed to cardiovascular mechanisms in physiology textbooks ( n = 7) was 16.1% and pathology textbooks ( n = 4) was 17.5%, there was less emphasis on mechanisms in most internal medicine textbooks ( n = 6), with a total average of 6.9%. In addition, flow diagrams explaining mechanisms were lacking. However, eMedicine topics ( n = 48) discussed mechanisms adequately in 22.9% (11 of 48) topics, and the percentage of content allocated to cardiovascular mechanisms was higher (15.8%, 46.2 of 292) compared with that of any internal medicine textbooks. Only 29 YouTube videos fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Of these, 16 YouTube were educationally useful, scoring 14.1 ± 0.5 (mean ± SD). The remaining 13 videos were not educationally useful, scoring 6.1 ± 1.7. The concordance between the assessors on applying the criteria measured by κ score was in the range of 0.55–0.96. In conclusion, despite the importance of mechanisms, most textbooks and YouTube videos were deficient in cardiovascular mechanisms. eMedicine topics discussed cardiovascular mechanisms for some diseases, but there were no flow diagrams or multimedia explaining mechanisms. These deficiencies in learning resources could add to the challenges faced by students in understanding cardiovascular mechanisms.
The Solution of Fully Fuzzy Quadratic Equation Based on Optimization Theory
Authors: Allahviranloo T. , Gerami Moazam L.
Published: June 2014

Firstly in this paper we introduce a new concept of the 2nd power of a fuzzy number. It is exponent to production (EP) method that provides an analytical and approximate solution for fully fuzzy quadratic equation (FFQE) :F(X̃)=D̃, whereF(X̃)=ÃX̃2+B̃X̃+C̃. To use the mentioned EP method, at first the 1-cut solution of FFQE as a real root is obtained and then unknown manipulated unsymmetrical spreads are allocated to the core point. To this purpose we findλandμas optimum values which construct the best spreads. Finally to illustrate easy application and rich behavior of EP method, several examples are given.
Analysis of Pine Wilt Disease Model with Nonlinear Incidence and Horizontal Transmission
Authors: Ozair Muhammad
Published: June 2014

The deterministic pine wilt model with vital dynamics to determine the equilibria and their stability by considering nonlinear incidence rates with horizontal transmission is analyzed. The complete global analysis for the equilibria of the model is discussed. The explicit formula for the reproductive number is obtained and it is shown that the “disease-free” equilibrium always exists and is globally asymptotically stable wheneverR0≤1. Furthermore, the disease persists at an “endemic” level when the reproductive number exceeds unity.
Role of Cellular Immunity in Cow’s Milk Allergy: Pathogenesis, Tolerance Induction, and Beyond
Authors: Jo Juandy , Garssen Johan , Knippels Leon , Sandalova Elena
Published: June 2014

Food allergy is an aberrant immune-mediated reaction against harmless food substances, such as cow’s milk proteins. Due to its very early introduction, cow’s milk allergy is one of the earliest and most common food allergies. For this reason cow’s milk allergy can be recognized as one of the first indications of an aberrant inflammatory response in early life. Classically, cow’s milk allergy, as is true for most other allergies as well, is primarily associated with abnormal humoral immune responses, that is, elevation of specific immunoglobulin E levels. There is growing evidence indicating that cellular components of both innate and adaptive immunity play significant roles during the pathogenesis of cow’s milk allergy. This is true for the initiation of the allergic phenotype (stimulation and skewing towards sensitization), development and outgrowth of the allergic disease. This review discusses findings pertaining to roles of cellular immunity in allergic inflammation, and tolerance induction against cow’s milk proteins. In addition, a possible interaction between immune mechanisms underlying cow’s milk allergy and other types of inflammation (infections and noncommunicable diseases) is discussed.