bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlation of serum homocysteine and previous history of gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Alatab Sudabeh , Fakhrzadeh Hossein , Sharifi Farshad , Mirarefin Mojde , Badamchizadeh Zohreh , Ghaderpanahi Maryam , Hossein-nezhad Arash , Larijani Bagher
Published: July 2013

Background

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common pregnancy condition. In this study, the risk of having a history of previous GDM (pGDM) on serum homocysteine level was assessed

Methods

Biomedical parameters, serum homocysteine, Insulin, homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) in women with (n = 52) and without pGDM (n = 51) were assessed. According to their current status of Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT), the participants in each group were divided into two subgroups of normal or impaired GTT.

Results

Mean serum homocysteine in normal women was 8.56 ± 3.19 vs 11.44 ± 7.34 μmol/L (p < 0.01) in women with pGDM. Two groups had significant differences in respect to serum insulin levels (8.35 ± 5.12 vs 12.48 ± 5.44, p < 0.002), and HOMA-IR (1.90 ± 1.30 vs 2.91 ± 1.30, p < 0.002). In women without pGDM, serum homocysteine in normal and impaired GTT were 7.60 ± 1.69 and 10.52 ± 3.65 μmol/L (p = 0.03), respectively, while in women with pGDM, the figures were 8.38 ± 2.52 and 14.00 ± 10.17 (p < 0.01), respectively. In multi regression analysis an association between history of GDM and homocysteine levels was presented (OR: 7.71, 95% CI: 1.67-35.42, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

A trend of elevation of homocysteine is presented in women with pGDM, that is more prominent in women with impaired GTT, and shows a significant correlation with history of GDM. Further studies with larger sample size are suggested.
BreastMark: An Integrated Approach to Mining Publicly Available Transcriptomic Datasets Relating to Breast Cancer Outcome
Authors: Madden Stephen F , Clarke Colin , Gaule Patricia , Aherne Sinead T , O'Donovan Norma , Clynes Martin , Crown John , Gallagher William M
Published: July 2013

Introduction

Breast cancer is a complex heterogeneous disease for which a substantial resource of transcriptomic data is available. Gene expression data have facilitated the division of breast cancer into, at least, five molecular subtypes, namely luminal A, luminal B, HER2, normal-like and basal. Once identified, breast cancer subtypes can inform clinical decisions surrounding patient treatment and prognosis. Indeed, it is important to identify patients at risk of developing aggressive disease so as to tailor the level of clinical intervention.

Methods

We have developed a user-friendly, web-based system to allow the evaluation of genes/microRNAs (miRNAs) that are significantly associated with survival in breast cancer and its molecular subtypes. The algorithm combines gene expression data from multiple microarray experiments which frequently also contain miRNA expression information, and detailed clinical data to correlate outcome with gene/miRNA expression levels. This algorithm integrates gene expression and survival data from 26 datasets on 12 different microarray platforms corresponding to approximately 17,000 genes in up to 4,738 samples. In addition, the prognostic potential of 341 miRNAs can be analysed.

Results

We demonstrated the robustness of our approach in comparison to two commercially available prognostic tests, oncotype DX and MammaPrint. Our algorithm complements these prognostic tests and is consistent with their findings. In addition, BreastMark can act as a powerful reductionist approach to these more complex gene signatures, eliminating superfluous genes, potentially reducing the cost and complexity of these multi-index assays. Known miRNA prognostic markers, mir-205 and mir-93, were used to confirm the prognostic value of this tool in a miRNA setting. We also applied the algorithm to examine expression of 58 receptor tyrosine kinases in the basal-like subtype, identifying six receptor tyrosine kinases associated with poor disease-free survival and/or overall survival (EPHA5, FGFR1, FGFR3, VEGFR1, PDGFRβ, and TIE1). A web application for using this algorithm is currently available.

Conclusions

BreastMark is a powerful tool for examining putative gene/miRNA prognostic markers in breast cancer. The value of this tool will be in the preliminary assessment of putative biomarkers in breast cancer. It will be of particular use to research groups with limited bioinformatics facilities.
LUX-Lung 4: A Phase II Trial of Afatinib in Patients With Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer Who Progressed During Prior Treatment With Erlotinib, Gefitinib, or Both
Authors: Katakami Nobuyuki , Atagi Shinji , Goto Koichi , Hida Toyoaki , Horai Takeshi , Inoue Akira , Ichinose Yukito , Koboyashi Kunihiko , Takeda Koji , Kiura Katsuyuki , Nishio Kazuto , Seki Yoko , Ebisawa Ryuichi , Shahidi Mehdi , Yamamoto Nobuyuki
Published: July 2013

Purpose

New molecular targeted agents are needed for patients with non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who progress while receiving erlotinib, gefitinib, or both. Afatinib, an oral irreversible ErbB family blocker, has preclinical activity in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR [ErbB1]) mutant models with EGFR-activating mutations, including T790M.

Patients and Methods

This was a Japanese single-arm phase II trial conducted in patients with stage IIIB to IV pulmonary adenocarcinoma who progressed after ≥ 12 weeks of prior erlotinib and/or gefitinib. Patients received afatinib 50 mg per day. The primary end point was objective response rate (complete response or partial response) by independent review. Secondary end points included progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety.

Results

Of 62 treated patients, 45 (72.6%) were EGFR mutation positive in their primary tumor according to local and/or central laboratory analyses. Fifty-one patients (82.3%) fulfilled the criteria of acquired resistance to erlotinib and/or gefitinib. Of 61 evaluable patients, five (8.2%; 95% CI, 2.7% to 18.1%) had a confirmed objective response rate (partial response). Median PFS was 4.4 months (95% CI, 2.8 to 4.6 months), and median OS was 19.0 months (95% CI, 14.9 months to not achieved). Two patients had acquired T790M mutations: L858R + T790M, and deletion in exon 19 + T790M; they had stable disease for 9 months and 1 month, respectively. The most common afatinib-related adverse events (AEs) were diarrhea (100%) and rash/acne (91.9%). Treatment-related AEs leading to afatinib discontinuation were experienced by 18 patients (29%), of whom four also had progressive disease.

Conclusion

Afatinib demonstrated modest but noteworthy efficacy in patients with NSCLC who had received third- or fourth-line treatment and who progressed while receiving erlotinib and/or gefitinib, including those with acquired resistance to erlotinib, gefitinib, or both.
Staging of Ciliary Body and Choroidal Melanomas Based on Anatomic Extent
Authors: Kujala Emma , Damato Bertil , Coupland Sarah E. , Desjardins Laurence , Bechrakis Nikolaos E. , Grange Jean-Daniel , Kivelä Tero
Published: July 2013

Purpose

To refine the anatomic classification and staging of ciliary body and choroidal melanomas in the TNM classification.

Patients and Methods

Tumor largest basal diameter and thickness of 7,369 patients were analyzed based on registry data from five ocular oncology centers. T categories were derived empirically by dividing data into blocks representing 3- × 3-mm fractions. Blocks with similar survival were grouped together so that no T category comprised a large majority of tumors, and each was uniform in survival, using randomly drawn 60% building and 40% validation data sets. Presence of ciliary body involvement (CBI) and extraocular extension (EXE) was analyzed among 5,403 patients to define T subcategories. Stages were generated by iteratively combining subcategories with similar survival.

Results

Of the 7,369 tumors analyzed, 24% were classified as T1, 33% as T2, 31% as T3, and 12% as T4. Ten-year Kaplan-Meier survival estimates for the T categories were 89%, 77%, 58%, and 39%, respectively (P < .001). Survival of patients in four subcategories based on presence or absence of CBI and EXE differed significantly within each T category (P = .018 for T1; P < .001 for T2 to T4). EXE exceeding 5 mm in largest diameter carried a worse prognosis than smaller extensions (P < .001) and was assigned a separate subcategory. Ten-year Kaplan-Meier survival estimates for stages I, IIA to IIB, and IIIA to IIIC were 88%, 80%, 67%, 45%, 27%, 10%, respectively (P < .001).

Conclusion

This evidence-based anatomic classification provides a basis for staging ciliary body and choroidal melanomas in the seventh edition of the Cancer Staging Manual of the American Joint Committee on Cancer.
Serum Androgens As Prognostic Biomarkers in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: Results From an Analysis of a Randomized Phase III Trial
Authors: Ryan Charles J. , Molina Arturo , Li Jinhui , Kheoh Thian , Small Eric J. , Haqq Christopher M. , Grant Russell P. , de Bono Johann S. , Scher Howard I.
Published: July 2013

Purpose

In the phase III study COU-AA-301, abiraterone acetate (AA) plus prednisone (P) prolonged overall survival (OS) in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) after docetaxel administration. In this article, we investigate the relationship between baseline serum androgen (SA) levels and OS.

Patients and Methods

COU-AA-301 is a randomized, double-blind study of AA (1,000 mg every day) plus P (5 mg by mouth twice daily; n = 797) versus P alone (n = 398). Randomization was stratified by Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (0 to 1 v 2), pain (Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form over past 24 hours: 4 to 10, present; v 0 to 3, absent), prior chemotherapy (1 v 2), and progression (prostate-specific antigen v radiographic). Association of baseline SA (testosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate), was measured by ultrasensitive liquid-liquid extraction or protein precipitation and two-dimensional liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, with OS determined by bivariate and multivariable Cox models. OS was examined with SA as greater than median and less than or equal to the median.

Results

Median survival increased with each quartile increase in testosterone level regardless of treatment arm. SA levels at baseline strongly associated with survival (P < .0001) in bivariate and multivariable analyses. Longer survival was observed for patients with SA above median compared with below median in both the AA and P arms (eg, testosterone, AA; hazard ratio, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.77; P < .0001). Treatment with AA led to longer survival versus P alone in the above- or below-median group for all androgens.

Conclusion

SA, measured with a novel ultrasensitive assay in COU-AA-301, is prognostic for OS and may be useful for risk stratification in mCRPC clinical trials.
Symptom Control and Quality of Life in LUX-Lung 3: A Phase III Study of Afatinib or Cisplatin/Pemetrexed in Patients With Advanced Lung Adenocarcinoma With EGFR Mutations
Authors: Yang James Chih-Hsin , Hirsh Vera , Schuler Martin , Yamamoto Nobuyuki , O'Byrne Kenneth J. , Mok Tony S.K. , Zazulina Victoria , Shahidi Mehdi , Lungershausen Juliane , Massey Dan , Palmer Michael , Sequist Lecia V.
Published: July 2013

Purpose

Patient-reported symptoms and health-related quality of life (QoL) benefits were investigated in a randomized, phase III trial of afatinib or cisplatin/pemetrexed.

Patients and Methods

Three hundred forty-five patients with advanced epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation–positive lung adenocarcinoma were randomly assigned 2:1 to afatinib 40 mg per day or up to six cycles of cisplatin/pemetrexed. Lung cancer symptoms and health-related QoL were assessed every 21 days until progression using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 and Lung Cancer-13 questionnaires. Analyses of cough, dyspnea, and pain were preplanned, including percentage of patients who improved on therapy, time to deterioration of symptoms, and change in symptoms over time.

Results

Questionnaire compliance was high. Compared with chemotherapy, afatinib significantly delayed the time to deterioration for cough (hazard ratio [HR], 0.60; 95% CI, 0.41 to 0.87; P = .007) and dyspnea (HR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.50 to 0.93; P = .015), but not pain (HR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.62 to 1.10; P = .19). More patients on afatinib (64%) versus chemotherapy (50%) experienced improvements in dyspnea scores (P = .010). Differences in mean scores over time significantly favored afatinib over chemotherapy for cough (P < .001) and dyspnea (P < .001). Afatinib showed significantly better mean scores over time in global health status/QoL (P = .015) and physical (P < .001), role (P = .004), and cognitive (P = .007) functioning compared with chemotherapy. Fatigue and nausea were worse with chemotherapy, whereas diarrhea, dysphagia, and sore mouth were worse with afatinib (all P < .01).

Conclusion

In patients with lung adenocarcinoma with EGFR mutations, first-line afatinib was associated with better control of cough and dyspnea compared with chemotherapy, although diarrhea, dysphagia, and sore mouth were worse. Global health status/QoL was also improved over time with afatinib compared with chemotherapy.
Labour is the essence of coexistence, and the labour law is the oldest legislation
Authors: Кривой Виктор , Krivoy Victor
Published: July 2013

The article explores the origins of labour and a man on the base of the Old Testament, references to work in the New Testament, and the role of the working people in the transformation of Christianity into a world religion. The autor makes conclusions about the origin of the pre-state labour law, its historical superiority over other branches of law, arising of all contemporary social phenomena (morality, art, family, society, law, state, science, etc.) out of labour relations. Especially stressed the role of Lev Tolstoy in the disclosure of Christian and human values of labour and picking up its status in society.
COORDINATION, SUBORDINATION AND GENETIC RELATIONSHIPS OF THE INSTITUTE OF PROCEDURAL RESPONSIBILITIES WITH OTHER INSTITUTIONS ACCOUNTABLE
Authors: Чуклова Елена , Chuklova Elena
Published: July 2013

This article defines the place of procedural responsibility in the system of legal responsibility by analyzing coordination, subordinate and genetic relationships of the institute of procedural responsibilities with other institutions accountable.
Structure of official venality in the Russian Federation
Authors: Халиков Аслям , Khalikov Aslyam
Published: July 2013

The article gives the notion of what should be referred to the corruption-related crimes involving officials according to the criminal legislation. Structural elements of official venality in Russia, including political, administrative, law-enforcement and economic aspects are described. At the same time a vertical line of official venality (superior federal, medium regional and interior local governing institutions) is shown.
Principles of legal regulation of building land
Authors: Болтанова Елена , Boltanova Elena
Published: July 2013

In this article the author proves that the legislation on land development should be based not only on those principles, which are already reflected in the current federal laws, but also on the following fundamental principles: greening the norms constituting the legal regime of built-up land and land subject to development; the ecosystem approach to the use of natural objects for construction of a balanced and comprehensive development of underground space under construction in the cities; payment for the use of natural sites for construction. These principles must become mandatory for the legislator and the law enforcement authority and provide the basis for design of other norms governing the construction land.
SUBLIMATING FUNCTION OF VALUES IN LAW: SOME THEORETICAL ASPECTS
Authors: Мишина Ирина , Mishina Irina
Published: July 2013

The article raises the question of the main function which is carried out by the values in law (sublimating function), as well as considers the conditions under which the function is realized.
PROPERTY AS AN ESSENTIAL CATEGORY OF THE RIGHT VALUE
Authors: Халиков Аслям , Khalikov Aslyam
Published: July 2013

The article refers to the value of property category in the global development of legal and philosophical ideas. The tragic results of the negation of property relations in the socialistic countries are demonstrated. The correlation between philosophical and legal categories of freedom, equality and justice with the property relations is shown.
Mediation Development and Training Practices Compared: Improving Teaching Techniques for Mediation Trainers in Russia and the U.S.A. (part 1)
Authors: Владимирова Маргарита , Vladimirova Margarita
Published: July 2013

his article compares Russian and USA mediation regulations and explores what the new field of mediation education in Russia can be learnt from the USA. The autor explores the history of developing and the place of the new Russian mediation law and how it fits within the Russian legal system. The article examines crosscultural perspectives of teaching mediation and explains the current goals of mediation courses into the USA and Russia, attempts to understand the system of teaching mediation in different law systems and explains the current goals of these courses.
DETERMINATION OF MATERIAL PARAMETERS OF SHEET METALS USING THE HYDRAULIC BULGE TEST
Authors: Lăzărescu Lucian
Published: July 2013

Hydraulic bulging experiments are performed in order to evaluate the mechanical parameters ofcold rolled steel (DC04) and aluminium alloy (EN AW 6016-T4) sheet materials. The biaxialyield stresses, and the biaxial anisotropy coefficients are derived from the biaxial stress-straincurves and the ratio between the strains in the transverse and in the rolling direction,respectively. The mechanical parameters resulted from the bulge test in combination with theresults from the tensile tests are used to determine the yield loci of the two materials. The effectof the number of input parameters on the capability of the BBC 2008 yield criterion to predictthe yield locus is also discussed in the paper.
SELECTED ASPECTS OF CERAMIC COATINGS PREPARED BY THERMAL SPRAYING WITH WATER PLASMA ARC STABILIZATION
Authors: Brezinová Janette , Maková Ivana
Published: July 2013

The paper was focused on research of selected aspects of ceramic coatings prepared by thermalspraying with water plasma arc stabilization. Before spraying, the steel substrate low carbonsteel of grade S235JRG2 was pre-treated by blasting with using the brown corundum as ablasting media. A ceramic matrix of coating - zircon silicate was used in two types: ZrSiO4applied by flame thermal spraying on nickel interlayer and composite of ZrSiO4 with differentaddition of nickel (6, 12 and 16 wt. %). The basic characteristics of ceramic coatings weredetermined by thickness and microhardness measurement. The fracture surfaces weredocumented by SEM. Adhesive and abrasive properties were evaluated by pull-off adhesion testand abrasive wear test. The results showed that the composite coatings on ZrSiO4 basis with theaddition of Ni meet the increased requirements for abrasion resistance while maintainingsufficient adhesion. The addition of Ni to a ceramic matrix of coating improved the finalstructure of coatings and it had a positive effect on the resulting adhesion. On the other hand,with the increasing of Ni addition the microhardness values of coatings decreased.
ASPECTS OF VERIFICATION AND OPTIMIZATION OF SHEET METAL NUMERICAL SIMULATIONS PROCESS USING THE PHOTOGRAMMETRIC SYSTEM
Authors: Frącz Wiesław , Stachowicz Feliks , Pieja Tomasz
Published: July 2013

The paper presents the use of photogrammetric system for verification and optimization of thenumerical simulation of sheet metal forming process. The use of GOM Argus photogrammetricsystem allowed determining the real values of the analyzed drawpiece strains, construction ofreal Forming Limit Curve (FLC) and comparing them with the limit strain values resulting fromthe FLC. The knowledge of the drawpiece real strain distribution in the sheet metal formingoptimization process allows, by using the numerical simulation in the eta/Dynaform commercialsoftware, to estimate the optimum value of the friction coefficient that was taken into account inthe numerical simulation. The GOM Argus system was also used to assess the impact of selectedtechnological parameters on the accuracy of sheet metal forming drawpiece shape in comparisonwith the theoretical CAD model. An attempt to optimize the process to obtain the correctgeometry of the drawpiece has been also carried out.
APPLYING VARIOUS TRAINING ALGORITHMS IN DATA ANALYSIS OF NANO COMPOSITES
Authors: Tofigh Ali Asghar , Shabani Mohsen Ostad
Published: July 2013

In this study, SiC nano-particles were incorporated into the A356 aluminum alloy to fabricate metal matrix nano composites (MMNCs) with uniform reinforcement distribution. The tribological and mechanical properties of A356 nano composites were experimentally investigated. It was revealed that the presence of nano-SiC reinforcement led to significant improvement in hardness, 0.2% yield strength and UTS. The highest yield strength and UTS was obtained by 3.5 vol. % of SiC nano-particles. The wear sliding test disclosed that the wear resistance of the nano SiC reinforced composites is higher than that of the unreinforced alloy. The system accuracy of each artificial neural network training algorithm in finite element technique modeling of nano composites behaviors was then investigated.
MODELING THE EFFECT OF RADIUS ON TEMPERATURE HISTORY OF TRANSIENT QUENCHED BORON STEEL
Authors: Elmaryami Abdlmanam S. A. , Omar Badrul
Published: July 2013

One-dimensional (1D) model of an axisymmetric unsteady state industrial quenched boron steel 50B46H bar based on finite element method (FEM) has been applied to investigate the influence of process history on its material properties. The effect of four different radii on its temperature history is determined. The model can be employed as a guideline to design cooling approach to achieve desired microstructure and mechanical properties such as hardness. A computer programof the model is developed, which can be used independently or incorporated into a temperature history software named (LHP)-software to continuously calculate and display temperature history of the boron steel bar and thereby to study the effect of radius on temperature history. The developed program based on (1D) FEM model has been verified by comparing its results with commercial finite element software results. The comparison indicates its validity and reliability.
ELECTROREFINING IN AQUEOUS CHLORIDE MEDIA FOR RECOVERING TIN FROM WASTE MATERIALS
Authors: Kekesi Tamas
Published: July 2013

Recycling of the impure tin generated by the hot dip tinning and wave soldering technologies widely applied in modern electronic industry can be carried in a flexible and economical way even at relatively low production rates by electrorefining. In order to avoid the economical disadvantages of the alkali stannate or the sulphuric acid – cresylic phenylic sulphonic acid baths, the hydrochloric acid tin chloride electrolyte solutions can be applied. The major difficulties of solution stability, cathode corrosion and rough electro-crystallization can be overcome by optimizing the solution composition and the current parameters. Strong chloro – complex formation in the hydrochloric acid solution enhance stability of the Sn(II) species and the consequent natural inhibition promotes a cathodic deposition of acceptable quality. The virtual current efficiency and the morphology of electro-crystallization were improved by applying periodically reversed (PCR) current. Although cathode corrosion could be depressed to a negligible level, dendritic crystal growth remains to be dominant, therefore special cell arrangement and cathode handling should be applied. The cathode deposit is easily removed and melted, allowing to obtain a recycled tin of high purity.
MICROSTRUCTURE, DEFECTS AND FATIGUE BEHAVIOR OF CAST AlSi7Mg ALLOY
Authors: Fintová Stanislava , Konečná Radomila , Nicoletto Gianni
Published: July 2013

The cast AlSi7Mg alloy prepared using different modifier was studied. The main factor influencing fatigue properties were the casting defects. Using metallography and statistical approach, Larger Extreme Value Distribution (LEVD) theory, the structure and the porosity were evaluated. According to the largest defects sizes prediction fatigue tests were performed. Fatigue cracks were initiated on the casting defects present on the specimen free surface or just below the surface identified using SEM. Specimens fatigue life was influenced by the size of the defect in the initiation place and the number of initiation places. The specimens fatigue behaviour corresponded with the assumptions according to the LEVD.
A new species of Amycterus Schoenherr from the Pilbara region of Western Australia (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Cyclominae)
Authors: Peterson Magnus
Published: July 2013

Amycterus pilbara sp. nov. is described and diagnosed. Its distribution appears to be restricted to the vicinity of the Fortescue River in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, based on available specimens. It is most closely allied to A. caudatus (W. J. Macleay) and A. flavosetosus (Ferguson), based on external structure. Four species of Amycterus Schoenherr are now known to occur in Western Australia.
Carbothermic Reduction of Zinc Ferrite by Microwave Heating
Authors: Wang Xin , Ju Shao-Hua , Srinivasakannan C. , Yang Da-Jin , Peng Jin-Hui
Published: July 2013

The kinetics of carbothermic reduction of ZnFe2O4 in the temperature range 823–1223 K, was investigated in a microwave reactor. The mechanism of formation of ZnO and Fe3O4/FeO by decomposition of ZnFe2O4 was explained using the equilibrium calculations and thermodynamics analysis using HSC chemistry software 6.0. In addition the effect of parameters such as the decomposition temperature, C/ZnFe2O4 ratio, particle size and microwave power were assessed on the decomposition kinetics. Zn recovery as high as 98.83% could be achieved at a decomposition temperature of 1023 K, C/ZnFe2O4 ratio of 1:3, particle size of +74–61 µm and microwave power of 1200 W. The kinetics of decomposition was found to be carbon gasification reaction controlled, with the activation energy of 39.21 kJ/mol.
A spherical x-ray transform and hypercube sections
Authors: Kazantsev Ivan G. , Schmidt Søren
Published: July 2013

We investigate the problem of sampling a unit great circle on the unit sphere 𝕊3 as a support of orientation distribution functions on which acts the discrete spherical x-ray transform. The circle's partition subsets are gnomonically mapped onto lines that constitute a convex polygon inside the bounding cubes of hypercube. Thus the problem
of the great circle tracing is reduced to the problem of the four-dimensional cube sectioning by the plane containing the circle and the intersection figure (the polygon) vertices finding. In this paper, a fast, non-combinatorial approach
for the polygon tracing within the general multi-dimensional frame is proposed.
Semismooth Newton and quasi-Newton methods in weighted ℓ1-regularization
Authors: Muoi Pham Quy , Hào Dinh Nho , Maass Peter , Pidcock Michael
Published: July 2013

We investigate semismooth Newton and quasi-Newton methods for
minimization problems arising from weighted
ℓ1-regularization. We give proofs of the local convergence of
these methods and show how their interpretation as active set
methods leads to the development of efficient numerical
implementations of these algorithms. We also propose and analyze
Broyden updates for the semismooth quasi-Newton method. The
efficiency of these methods is analyzed and compared with standard
implementations. The paper concludes with some numerical examples
that include both linear and nonlinear operator equations.
Some Conceptual Difficulties in Aristotle’s De caelo I.9
Authors: Thein Karel
Published: July 2013

Abstract: The article discusses two issues implied by the structure of De caelo I.9: Aristotle’s further defence of the uniqueness of the universe and, in more detail, the general question of whether the cosmology of De caelo overlaps, or is even compatible, with Aristotle’s theology including the notion of the Prime Mover. It offers an analysis of several long-standing difficulties including the question of whether the lines 279a18–22 imply an external mover of the heavens. The negative answer that I will defend does however not solve the problem of how Aristotle conceives the source of natural cosmic motion. In this respect, the article pays close attention to the peculiar conception of the animate supralunary matter and to De caelo II.3, 286a7–21 as a text that complements I.9 by relying on the holistic self-motion that implies no Prime Mover, but requires the separation of the supralunary and the sublunary spheres. The article also concludes that Arist otle, despite his rejection of the unceasingly revolving world soul, inherits some Platonic difficulties that arise once we make the notion of the divine life irreducible to divine thinking.
Relationships Between Reactive Agility Movement Time and Unilateral Vertical, Horizontal, and Lateral Jumps
Authors: Henry Greg J. , Dawson Brian , Lay Brendan S. , Young Warren B.
Published: July 2013

Henry, GJ, Dawson, B, Lay, BS, and Young, WB. Relationships between reactive agility movement time and unilateral vertical, horizontal, and lateral jumps. J Strength Cond Res 30(9): 2514–2521, 2016—This study compared reactive agility movement time and unilateral (vertical, horizontal, and lateral) jump performance and kinetics between dominant and nondominant legs in Australian rules footballers (n = 31) to investigate the role of leg strength characteristics in reactive agility performance. Jumps involved jumping forward on 1 leg, then for maximum height or horizontal or lateral distance. Agility and movement time components of reactive agility were assessed using a video-based test. Correlations between each of the jumps were strong (r = −0.62 to −0.77), but between the jumps and agility movement time the relationships were weak (r = −0.25 to −0.33). Dominant leg performance was superior in reactive agility movement time (4.5%; p = 0.04), lateral jump distance (3%; p = 0.008), and lateral reactive strength index (4.4%; p = 0.03) compared with the nondominant leg. However, when the subjects were divided into faster and slower performers (based on their agility movement times) the movement time was significantly quicker in the faster group (n = 15; 12%; p < 0.001), but no differences in jump performance or kinetics were observed. Therefore, although the capacity for jumps to predict agility performance seems limited, factors involved in producing superior lateral jump performance in the dominant leg may also be associated with advantages in agility performance in that leg. However, because reactive strength as measured by unilateral jumps seems to play a limited role in reactive agility performance and other factors such as skill, balance, and coordination, and also cognitive and decision-making factors, are likely to be more important.
China’s View of and Expectations from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
Authors: Huasheng Zhao
Published: July 2013

China’s interests in and expectations from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and Central Asia often overlap. China is currently developing cooperative institutions in areas such as security, energy, and economic development, among others. Subsequently, China finds itself in-between the SCO and Central Asia’s most difficult questions and dilemmas.
Moscow’s Global Foreign and Security Strategy
Authors: Facon Isabelle
Published: July 2013

Given China’s rising power and its growing influence in post-Soviet Central Asia, Russia’s active advertising of the merits of the China-inspired Shanghai Cooperation Organization looks surprising. However, when one explores the many geopolitical advantages that Moscow can extract from this young multilateral organization, its interest appears more than justified.
Japan’s Search for Its Central Asian Policy
Authors: Dadabaev Timur
Published: July 2013

In contrast to the claims that Japanese foreign policy increasingly shifts toward realist and pragmatic modes of engagement, this paper argues that Japanese foreign policy is largely trapped between idealist and pragmatic criteria in its Central Asian (CA) policy. Japan’s policy in CA is thus a hybrid of policies that are not properly understood in CA, nor can they be explained to the public at home.
Inpatient Characteristics of the Child Admitted With Chronic Pain
Authors: Coffelt Thomas A. , Bauer Benjamin D. , Carroll Aaron E.
Published: July 2013

OBJECTIVE:

To define the demographic, diagnostic, procedural, and episode of care characteristics for children admitted with chronic pain.

METHODS:

We used the Pediatric Health Information System database to obtain data on demographic characteristics, length of stay, readmission rates, diagnoses, and procedures for children admitted with chronic pain. Patients with sickle cell disease, cancer, burns, cerebral palsy, transplants, and ventilator-dependent children were excluded.

RESULTS:

A total of 3752 patients with chronic pain were identified from 2004 through 2010. Admissions increased by 831% over this time period. The mean age of these patients was 13.5 years, the most common race was white (79%), and female subjects outnumbered male subjects by 2.41 to 1. The most common admission and principal discharge diagnosis was abdominal pain; comorbid diagnoses were common, with a mean of 10 diagnoses per patient. In total, 65% of patients had a comorbid gastrointestinal diagnosis and 44% had a psychiatric diagnosis. The mean length of stay was 7.32 days, with an expected length of stay of 4.24 days; 12.5% were readmitted at least once within 1 year. They underwent a mean of 3.18 procedures per patient.

CONCLUSIONS:

The average child admitted with chronic pain is a teenaged female with a wide variety of comorbid conditions, many of which are gastrointestinal and psychiatric in nature. Admissions for chronic pain are rising and account for substantial resource utilization. Future studies should further characterize this population, with the overall objective of improving outcomes and optimizing cost-effective care.
Health Care Costs Associated With Child Maltreatment: Impact on Medicaid
Authors: Florence Curtis , Brown Derek S. , Fang Xiangming , Thompson Hope F.
Published: July 2013

OBJECTIVE:

To estimate the increased Medicaid expenditures associated with child maltreatment.

METHODS:

Data on child maltreatment were collected from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being, a nationally representative sample of cases investigated or assessed by local Child Protective Services agencies between October 1999 and December 2000. Medicaid claims data for 2000 to 2003 were obtained from the Medicaid Analytic Extract (MAX). Children from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being who had Medicaid were matched to the MAX data by Social Security number or birthdate, gender, and zip code. Propensity score matching was used to select a comparison group from the MAX data. Two-part regression models were used to estimate the impact of child maltreatment on expenditures. Data with individual identifiers were obtained under confidentiality agreements with the collecting agencies.

RESULTS:

Children who were identified as maltreated or as being at risk of maltreatment incurred, on average, Medicaid expenditures that were >$2600 higher per year compared with children not so identified. This finding accounted for ∼9% of all Medicaid expenditures for children.

CONCLUSIONS:

Child maltreatment imposes a substantial financial burden on the Medicaid system. These expenses could be partially offset by increased investment in child maltreatment prevention.
Patterns of Care and Persistence After Incident Elevated Blood Pressure
Authors: Daley Matthew F. , Sinaiko Alan R. , Reifler Liza M. , Tavel Heather M. , Glanz Jason M. , Margolis Karen L. , Parker Emily , Trower Nicole K. , Chandra Malini , Sherwood Nancy E. , Adams Kenneth , Kharbanda Elyse O. , Greenspan Louise C. , Lo Joan C. , O’Connor Patrick J. , Magid David J.
Published: July 2013

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Screening for hypertension in children occurs during routine care. When blood pressure (BP) is elevated in the hypertensive range, a repeat measurement within 1 to 2 weeks is recommended. The objective was to assess patterns of care after an incident elevated BP, including timing of repeat BP measurement and likelihood of persistently elevated BP.

METHODS:

This retrospective study was conducted in 3 health care organizations. All children aged 3 through 17 years with an incident elevated BP at an outpatient visit during 2007 through 2010 were identified. Within this group, we assessed the proportion who had a repeat BP measured within 1 month of their incident elevated BP and the proportion who subsequently met the definition of hypertension. Multivariate analyses were used to identify factors associated with follow-up BP within 1 month of initial elevated BP.

RESULTS:

Among 72 625 children and adolescents in the population, 6108 (8.4%) had an incident elevated BP during the study period. Among 6108 with an incident elevated BP, 20.9% had a repeat BP measured within 1 month. In multivariate analyses, having a follow-up BP within 1 month was not significantly more likely among individuals with obesity or stage 2 systolic elevation. Among 6108 individuals with an incident elevated BP, 84 (1.4%) had a second and third consecutive elevated BP within 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS:

Whereas >8% of children and adolescents had an incident elevated BP, the great majority of BPs were not repeated within 1 month. However, relatively few individuals subsequently met the definition of hypertension.
Improving Screening for Cystic Fibrosis–Related Diabetes at a Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis Program
Authors: Kern Andrew S. , Prestridge Adrienne L.
Published: July 2013

OBJECTIVE:

Despite guidelines recommending an annual oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) for all patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) aged ≥10 years, screening rates for cystic fibrosis–related diabetes (CFRD) remained low at our center. The aim of this project was to implement an outpatient system to provide effective, evidence-based screening for CFRD at a pediatric CF program.

METHODS:

Development of a system to improve outpatient screening for CFRD included structured education, communication with families, and processes for scheduling laboratory appointments. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of eligible patients seen at the clinic who received an OGTT by the subsequent clinic appointment. The proportion of patients without CFRD in our program who received an OGTT within the previous 12 months was also tracked longitudinally.

RESULTS:

The outpatient screening rate for CFRD increased from 2% of eligible patients seen at the clinic during the 18 weeks before the start of our initiative to 78% during the 18 weeks after the start of our initiative (P < .001). The screening rate was also increased from the corresponding date range the previous year, when only 35% of eligible patients received an OGTT (P < .001). The overall percentage of patients without CFRD in our program who received an OGTT in the previous 12 months increased from 47% to 71% after implementation of our initiative (P = .003).

CONCLUSIONS:

A systematic, quality improvement approach effectively increased the rate of outpatient screening for CFRD at a pediatric CF program.
New tendencies in hand surgery
Authors: Bíró Vilmos
Published: July 2013

The author summarizes the new therapeutic tendencies in hand surgery at the past one and a half decade. He discusses the development of hand surgery, as an independent field, in a form of a short historical summary, then he reviews in detail new therapeutic methods considered important such as rehabilitation procedures after tendon injuries, present position of complete hand transplantation, new operations of regeneration of the injured skin and repair of nerve damages, as well as the conservative therapeutic options of Dupuytren’s disease. Finally he outlines the modified, new operative procedures in bone and joint injuries of the hand. He concludes that constant development of hand surgical knowledge will likely result in further novel therapeutic methods. Orv. Hetil., 2013, 154, 1049–1054.
Contact line behavior on nanoporous alumina surfaces
Authors: Raspal Vincent , Massard Christophe , Bokalawela Roshan S. P. , Johnson Matthew B. , Awitor Komla O.
Published: July 2013

The aim of this study is to describe the behavior and the thickness of a three-phase system contact line on nanoporous alumina surfaces based on wetting hysteresis measurements. The nanoporous alumina templates were fabricated by anodization of aluminum foil in an oxalic or sulfuric acid solution. The oxide film consists of a well-ordered hexagonal array of pores with uniform diameter. The morphology was controlled by varying the pore diameter, depth and spacing. The wetting behavior of the nanoporous alumina templates was investigated using advancing and receding contact angle measurements carried out by varying the volume of the water droplets used. The surfaces showed a large hysteresis, with a receding contact angle always equal to zero making them strongly adhesive despite their hydrophobicity. Comparing linear and areal models indicates that the contact line thickness is negligible compared with the size of the nanopores. Contact line pinning highlights the role of the surface shape around the pores in the marked adhesive behavior of our templates.
Postpartum Weight Self-Management: A Concept Analysis
Authors: Ohlendorf Jennifer M.
Published: July 2013

Aim: The aim of this concept analysis is to create a clear definition and framework to guide weight self-management research and promotion of healthy weight self-management during the postpartum period. Background: A woman’s ability to manage her weight through the postpartum transition has lifelong implications for her weight status. Methods: This concept analysis was guided by Walker and Avant (2005). A broad search of sources was performed, yielding 56 articles in which postpartum weight self-management was the main focus. Results: From consideration of the attributes of postpartum weight self-management, a descriptive, situation-specific theory emerged: Postpartum weight self-management is a process by which the transition to motherhood is viewed by the woman as an opportunity to intentionally engage in healthy weight self-management behaviors by minimizing the salient inhibitors and maximizing the salient facilitators to action. Conclusion: This analysis provides a clarification of the process concept of postpartum weight self-management and its consequences, giving direction for measurement, clinical application, and further research. Future nursing interventions and research should be aimed at helping women to view the postpartum period as a normative transition in which they have the opportunity to take charge of their own health and the health of their family.
Scientific Research and Field Application of CO2 Immiscible Flooding in Heavy Oil Recovery
Authors: Kang Siwei , Gao Changhong , Zhang Shude
Published: July 2013

With the depletion of light oil, heavy oil is becoming one of the most promising resources to meet future energy consumption. It is estimated that total resources of heavy oil are 3396 billion barrels worldwide. Water flooding can only achieve less than 20% of heavy oil recovery. Thermal recovery has been proven as a feasible method to recover heavy oil. But it is not suitable for thin layers and deep reservoirs due to excessive heat loss. Polymer flooding and CO2 flooding are potential EOR techniques for the heavy oil reservoirs not suitable for thermal recovery. However, polymer degradation and high costs seriously hinder its field applications. Carbon Dioxide immiscible flooding effectively recovers heavy oil thanks to several mechanisms, such as oil swelling, viscosity reduction and blow-down recovery. This paper discusses the developments in CO2 immiscible flooding at laboratory scale as well as field scale. Laboratory tests show that CO2 can significantly improve heavy oil recover by 30%. Several field cases in USA, Turkey and Trinidad are reviewed. Field experiences show that CO2 flooding is a successful EOR method for heavy oil fields. However, some issues are encountered in field applications, including early gas breakthrough, corrosion, CO2 availability and high costs.
Recent Progress and Effects Analysis of Foam Flooding Field Tests in China
Authors: Zhu Youyi , Hou Qingfeng , Weng Rui , Jian Guoqing , Luo Yousong , Li Jianguo
Published: July 2013

For mature oil fields, foam flooding is an attractive chemical EOR technique and many pilot tests have been carried out in China. The performance of foam flooding pilot tests and its affect factors on oil recovery was discussed in this paper. The development trend and key technologies of foam flooding technique are pointed out.

Eighteen foam flooding pilot tests have been carried out in China from 1994 to 2010. Good performance have achieved in sixteen pilot tests. Through effects analysis of the pilot tests, three main aspects are concluded for affecting the performance of foam flooding tests. First, the characteristics of target reservoirs influence effects of foam flooding tests. The performance of foam flooding in higher oil viscous reservoirs is better than that in light oil reservoirs. The reservoir temperature and formation water salinity also influences the effects of foam flooding. Secondly, the chemical formula of foam solution and the size of slug influence the performance of foam flooding. The stability of foam formula influences the effects of foam flooding greatly. With the same amount of surfactant solution, the effect of high concentration small-sized slug is better than that in low concentration large-sized slug. Last, the injection method and gas liquid ratio can directly influence the foam performance in the reservoir, gas and liquid mixing injecting model is better than surfactant solution-alternation-gas (SAG) injection, and reasonable gas liquid ratio is important for guarantee good effects of foam flood.

At present, the trend of foam flooding in China is from nitrogen foam flooding and natural gas foam flooding to air foam flooding. The key technologies of foam flooding are the development of high stable foam formula with oil tolerance, salt and temperature resistance, good injection method and reasonable injection parameter etc.