bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cellulite: poor correlation between instrumental methods and photograph evaluation for severity classification
Authors: Soares J. L. M. , Miot H. A. , Sanudo A. , Bagatin E.
Published: November 2014

Synopsis

Background

Cellulite refers to skin relief alterations in women′s thighs and buttocks, causing dissatisfaction and search for treatment. Its physiopathology is complex and not completely understood. Many therapeutic options have been reported with no scientific evidence about benefits. The majority of the studies are not controlled nor randomized; most efficacy endpoints are subjective, like not well‐standardized photographs and investigator opinion. Objective measures could improve severity assessment. Our purpose was to correlate non‐invasive instrumental measures and standardized clinical evaluation.

Methods

Twenty six women presenting cellulite on buttocks, aged from 25 to 41, were evaluated by: body mass index; standardized photography analysis (10‐point severity and 5‐point photonumeric scales) by five dermatologists; cutometry and high‐frequency ultrasonography (dermal density and dermis/hypodermis interface length). Quality of life impact was assessed. Correlations between clinical and instrumental parameters were performed.

Results

Good agreement among dermatologists and main investigator perceptions was detected. Positive correlations: body mass index and clinical scores; ultrasonographic measures. Negative correlation: cutometry and clinical scores. Quality of life score was correlated to dermal collagen density.

Conclusion

Cellulite caused impact in quality of life. Poor correlation between objective measures and clinical evaluation was detected. Cellulite severity assessment is a challenge, and objective parameters should be optimized for clinical trials.
Selective Laser Melting of Soda‐Lime Glass Powder
Authors: Fateri Miranda , Gebhardt Andreas
Published: November 2014

Although process parameters of Selective Laser Melting (SLM) method have been established for different materials, fabrication of parts using SLM of glass powder has remained a challenge so far. This study presents a synopsis of an experimental investigation study on SLM of soda‐lime glass powder. The process parameters are analyzed using various test geometries, and a set of optimized process parameters is determined and used to build multiple objects. The morphology and mechanical properties of the fabricated parts are analyzed. The results demonstrate the feasibility of SLM process to successfully build objects from soda‐lime glass powder for different applications.
Thermal and Mechanical Properties of SiC–TiC0.5N0.5 Composites
Authors: Kim Kun Mo , Jang Seung Hoon , Kim Young‐Wook , Seo Won‐Seon
Published: November 2014

SiC–TiC0.5N0.5 composites were fabricated from β‐SiC and TiN powders with 2 vol% equimolar Y2O3–Sc2O3 additives by conventional hot pressing. Thermal and mechanical properties of the SiC–TiC0.5N0.5 composites were investigated as a function of initial TiN content. Relative densities of ≥98.9% were achieved for all samples. The addition of a small amount of TiN increased thermal conductivity, flexural strength, and fracture toughness of SiC ceramics. However, further addition of TiN in excess of 10 and 20 vol% deteriorated both thermal conductivity and flexural strength of the composites, respectively. In contrast, the fracture toughness of the composites increased continuously from 4.2 to 6.2 MPa∙m1/2 with increasing initial TiN content from 0 to 35 vol%, due to crack deflection by TiC0.5N0.5. The maximum values of thermal conductivity and flexural strength were 224 W/m K for a 2 vol% TiC0.5N0.5 and 599 MPa for a 10 vol% TiC0.5N0.5 composite.
Oxygen‐Vacancy‐Related High Temperature Dielectric Relaxation in (Pb1−xBax)ZrO3 Ceramics
Authors: Zhang Tian‐Fu , Tang Xin‐Gui , Liu Qiu‐Xiang , Jiang Yan‐Ping , Huang Xian‐Xiong
Published: November 2014

(Pb1−xBax)ZrO3 (x = 0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.075, 0.1) ceramics were synthesized by a traditional solid‐state reaction method, and the pure phase was obtained of all sintered samples. For all compositions, substitution of Pb2+ by Ba2+ reduced the phase transition temperature of antiferroelectric to ferroelectric and Curie temperature. Polarization–electric field hysteresis loops were conducted and typical ferroelectric hysteresis loops were observed in higher temperature range. Impedance and dielectric measurements were studied on the high temperature relaxation. Relaxation behavior could be suppressed after annealing treatment in oxygen atmosphere. Value of activation energy calculated from impedance was lower than that calculated from conduction measurements. It was concluded that short‐range hopping of oxygen vacancy contributes to the dielectric relaxation and long‐distance movement of doubly ionized oxygen vacancies contributes to the conduction.
Incretin physiology and pathophysiology from an Asian perspective
Authors: Cho Young Min
Published: November 2014

Incretin hormones, such as glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and glucagon‐like peptide‐1, are secreted on oral nutrient ingestion and regulate postprandial glucose homeostasis by conveying the signal of intestinal glucose flux. In East Asians, the secretion of glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 is not reduced in type 2 diabetes relative to normal glucose tolerance. Although the incretin effect is blunted in European patients with type 2 diabetes, a few East Asian studies showed no difference in the incretin effect between type 2 diabetes and normal glucose tolerance. Interestingly, the glucose‐lowering efficacy of dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors or glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists was reported to be greater in Asians than in non‐Asians. The difference in the treatment responses could be ascribed to a different pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes (lower insulin secretory function and less insulin resistance), lower body mass index, different genetic makeups, preserved incretin effect and different food compositions in East Asians compared with other ethnic groups. Based on the currently available data, incretin‐based therapies appear to be safe and well tolerated in East Asians. Nevertheless, continuous pharmacovigilance is required. The characteristics of incretin biology and treatment responses to incretin‐based therapies should be considered in developing ethnicity‐specific treatment guidelines and making patient‐centered decisions for patients with type 2 diabetes.
General knowledge and opinion of future health care and non‐health care professionals on rare diseases
Authors: Ramalle‐Gómara Enrique , Ruiz Elena , Quiñones Carmen , Andrés Sergio , Iruzubieta Javier , Gil‐de‐Gómez Josefa
Published: November 2014

Rationale, aims and objectives

The debate about whether to dedicate funds to rare diseases (RD) may hinge on the existence of a societal preference for prioritizing rarity. There are scarce studies about the interest of doctors and general society in RD.

Method

Four groups of future health and non‐health professionals were surveyed in a region of Spain to evaluate their opinion on RD. Questions of the study were organized into four groups: general knowledge on RD, prioritization of research of RD, willingness to assign resources to RD and real distribution of resources to RD.

Results

A total of 234 students were surveyed. The mean age of the whole study population was 24.0 years and the 83.3% were female. Only around 25% of the survey sample knew the definitions of RD and orphan drugs. Questions related to willingness to assign resources to RD did not reveal statistically significant differences between study groups. Seventy‐three per cent considered that the majority of the budget should be used to treat common diseases. However, resident doctors recognized that they have neither experience nor time to diagnose and treat RD.

Conclusion

Although resident doctors have a little more general knowledge on RD than other surveyed groups, health and non‐health future professionals have a low general knowledge on this topic and none of them prioritized the assignment of funds to RD.
Resistance to Intranasal Infection with Balamuthia mandrillaris Amebae is T‐Cell Dependent
Authors: Kiderlen Albrecht F. , Radam Elke , Laube Ulrike , Martínez A. Julio
Published: November 2014

T and B cell‐deficient BALB/c SCID mice become severely ill and die of amebic encephalitis after intranasal infection with Balamuthia mandrillaris, while adult immunocompetent BALB/c wild‐type (WT) mice are resistant. To further investigate the role of lymphocytes in protection from Balamuthia amebic encephalitis (BAE), SCID mice were reconstituted with and WT mice selectively depleted of lymphocytes before infection. Reconstitution of SCID mice with whole spleen cells from WT mice rendered the recipients as resistant to BAE as WT mice. SCID mice that had received spleen cells depleted of CD4+ T cells remained susceptible. When adult WT mice were depleted of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells or of CD4+ T cells alone, these mice also became susceptible to BAE. Depletion of CD8+ T cells alone increased susceptibility only marginally. All morbidity and mortality data were underpinned by histological analysis of the brain.
Properties of Polysaccharides Extracted from Phellinus Linteus Using High Hydrostatic Pressure Processing and Hot Water Treatment
Authors: Kim Young‐Kyung , Iwahashi Hitoshi
Published: November 2014

Extraction of medicinal polysaccharides from Phellinus linteus using hot water treatment alone and a combination of high hydrostatic pressure processing (HHP) with hot water treatment was investigated with regard to the yield, medicinal value and structural changes of the extracts. The maximum yield of polysaccharides and the highest content of β‐glucan were obtained using HHP (300 MPa, 50C, 10 min) combined with hot water treatment (65C, 3 h). Hexose sugars were present in higher molar concentrations compared with pentose sugars regardless of the extraction condition used, although the amino acid composition of the polysaccharide samples varied depending on the extraction procedure. Structural analysis using FT‐IR (Fourier transform infrared) and 1H NMR (proton nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopy showed that the extracts were composed of protein‐bound polysaccharides linked by β‐glycosidic bonds, which are critical for the physiological properties of polysaccharides, and that the absorption intensity of the HHP plus hot water extract was higher than that of the extract obtained by hot water alone (95C, 6 h). The results from this study suggest that the combination processing at high hydrostatic pressure and hot water treatment is efficient for extracting polysaccharides from P. linteus as these two treatments provide a synergistic effect.

Practical Application

Phellinus linteus, an edible medicinal mushroom, has various biological activities such as immunostimulatory and antitumor activities. This study investigated the utility of HHP for extracting medicinal components from P. linteus with regard to yield, medicinal value and structural changes. The results of this study could expand the application of HHP in the development of medicinal mushroom products.
The incidence of healthcare use, ill health and mortality in adults with intellectual disabilities and mealtime support needs
Authors: Perez C. M. , Ball S. L. , Wagner A. P. , Clare I. C. H. , Holland A. J. , Redley M.
Published: November 2014

Background

Adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) experience a wide range of eating, drinking and/or swallowing (EDS) problems, for which they receive diverse mealtime support interventions. Previous research has estimated that dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) affects 8% of all adults withIDand that 15% require some form of mealtime support. People withID(whether they require mealtime support or not) also experience a greater burden of ill health and die younger than their peers in the general population with noID.

Methods

Using an exploratory, population‐based cohort study design, we set out to examine health‐related outcomes in adults withIDwho receive mealtime support for any eating, drinking or swallowing problem, by establishing the annual incidence of healthcare use,EDS‐related ill health, and all‐cause mortality. This study was conducted in two counties in the East of England.

Results

In 2009, 142 adults with mild to profoundIDand a need for any type of mealtime support were recruited for a baseline survey. At follow‐up 1 year later, 127 individuals were alive, eight had died and seven could not be contacted. Almost all participants had one or more consultations with a general practitioner (GP) each year (85–95%) and, in the first year, 20% reportedly had one or more emergency hospitalizations. Although their annual number ofGPvisits was broadly comparable with that of the general population, one‐fifth of this population's primary healthcare use was directly attributable toEDS‐related ill health. Respiratory infections were the most common cause of morbidity, and the immediate cause of all eight deaths, while concerns about nutrition and dehydration were surprisingly minor. Our participants had a high annual incidence of death (5%) and, with a standardized mortality ratio of 267, their observed mortality was more than twice that expected in the general population of adults withID(not selected because of mealtime support forEDSproblems).

Conclusions

All Annual Health Checks now offered to adults withIDshould include questions about respiratory infections andEDSfunctioning, in order to focus attention onEDSproblems in this population. This has the potential to reduce life‐threatening illness.
Between standardisation and resilience: nurses' emergent risk management strategies during handovers
Authors: Drach‐Zahavy Anat , Goldblatt Hadass , Maizel Ana
Published: November 2014

Aims and objectives

In this study, we aimed to understand how nurses manage handovers at shift change and to identify the working strategies they employ to maintain patients' safety.

Background

Nursing handovers at shift change are potentially hazardous for patients' quality of care. The nurses on the outgoing and incoming shifts need accurate understanding of the patient's current state, under circumstances that are frequently turbulent and time constrained.

Design

Qualitative study.

Method

Eighteen nurses working in a central Israeli hospital participated in the study. Data were collected through in‐depth semi‐structured interviews, conducted over a 10‐month period in 2011–2012. The interviews were tape‐recorded and transcribed verbatim. Content analysis method was used.

Results

We revealed three interrelated themes: (1) Adaptation of declared handover goals to goals, which better fit the day‐to‐day routine of the ward; (2) Contextual turbulent circumstances, and (3) Strategies to optimise care for patients. Nurses on the outgoing shift developed organising strategies, ensuring efficient transmission of all important information; nurses on the incoming shift used cross‐checking strategies to verify the accuracy of the received information.

Conclusion

A nursing handover is both vulnerable and resilient, given its imposed constraints. The handover should be restructured, assuring resilience in patients' care while also limiting the risk for vulnerability.

Relevance to clinical practice

Handover should be restructured so that it creates opportunities to cross‐check the information against as many sources of information as possible. During handover, special time should be devoted to reading written reports and notes, preferably when the outgoing nurses are still on the ward or are accessible via e‐mail or telephone. Team discussions should focus on achieving agreement about the order and manner of delivering concise information and facilitating shared understanding and trust among nurses.
Predictive value of second and third trimester fetal renal artery Doppler indices in idiopathic oligohydramnios and polyhydramnios in low‐risk pregnancies: A longitudinal study
Authors: Benzer Nilgün , Tazegül Pekin Aybike , Yılmaz Setenay Arzu , Seçilmiş Kerimoğlu Özlem , Doğan Nasuh Utku , Çelik Çetin
Published: November 2014

Aim

Intermittent assessment of renal artery flow velocity waveforms during the early stages of pregnancy may help in predicting changes in amniotic fluid dynamics. The current study sought to determine the relation of renal artery and umbilical artery flow velocity waveforms with normal pregnancies and pregnancies complicated by either polyhydramnios or oligohydramnios.

Material and Methods

Renal and umbilical artery Doppler values were evaluated at 22, 28 and 34 weeks' gestation in 300 low‐risk pregnant women with singleton pregnancies. Pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) were recorded and the amniotic fluid volume was evaluated. Three groups were formed according to the amniotic fluid volume at birth. Group I consisted of 264 pregnant women with normal amniotic fluid, group II included 30 pregnant women with oligohydramnios and group III included six pregnant women with polyhydramnios. Doppler parameters were compared between the groups and within each group according to gestational age.

Results

Renal artery PI values were higher in group II than group I at 22 weeks, 28 weeks and 34 weeks. The PI value at 28 weeks' gestation was statistically significant (P = 0.011). At 28 weeks' gestation, group II also had higher umbilical artery PI and RI values than group I.

Conclusion

An increase in renal artery PI develops in early pregnancy before the development of oligohydramnios. In pregnancies developing polyhydramnios, renal artery PI was lower; however, our study included a small number of women with polyhydramnios.
Endorsement of Models Describing Sexual Response of Men and Women with a Sexual Partner: An Online Survey in a Population Sample of Danish Adults Ages 20–65 Years
Authors: Giraldi Annamaria , Kristensen Ellids , Sand Michael
Published: November 2014

Introduction

Several models have been used to describe men’s and women’s sexual responses. These models have been conceptualized as linear or circular models. The circular models were proposed to describe women’s sexual function best.

Aim

This study aims to determine whether men and women thought that current theoretical models of sexual responses accurately reflected their own sexual experience and to what extent this was influenced by sexual dysfunction.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of a large, broadly sampled, nonclinical population, cohort of Danish men and women. The Female Sexual Function Index, Female Sexual Distress Scale, and the International Index of Erectile Function were used to describe sexual function. Also, participants completed questionnaires with written descriptions of different sexual responses to describe their most experienced sexual response.

Main Outcome Measure

For women, we measured desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, sexual satisfaction, pain during sexual activity, sexual distress, and satisfaction with sexual life. For men, we measured erectile function, orgasm, desire, intercourse satisfaction, overall satisfaction, and satisfaction with sexual life.

Results

A total of 499 men and 573 women participated. We only analyzed responses from sexually active participants with a partner (401 men and 429 women). The majority of men endorsed the Masters & Johnson model (48.5%) or the Kaplan model (38.3%); only 5.4% endorsed the Basson model, and 7.3% endorsed none of the models. Among women, 34% endorsed the Kaplan model, 28% the Masters & Johnson model, 25.6% the Basson model, and 12.5% none of the models. Among women, sexual dysfunction and distress were significantly (P = 0.01) related to endorsement of the Basson model or none of the models. Among men, erectile dysfunction and dissatisfaction with sexual life were significantly related to endorsement of the Basson model or none of the models (P = 0.01).

Conclusions

No single model of sexual response could describe men’s and women’s sexual responses. The majority of men and women with no sexual dysfunction that were satisfied with their sexual life endorsed the linear models.
Tracing the path of a prokaryotic paracrine signal
Authors: Mullineaux Conrad W. , Nürnberg Dennis J.
Published: November 2014

Filamentous heterocyst‐forming cyanobacteria are a beautiful example of prokaryotic multicellularity. The filaments can achieve simultaneous nitrogen fixation and oxygenic photosynthesis by cooperation between two cell types: the photosynthetic vegetative cells and the nitrogen‐fixing heterocysts. The multicellular features exhibited by the system include differentiation of different cell types, metabolic interdependence and even pattern formation, as the spacing of heterocysts along the filament is non‐random. Recent years have seen exciting progress both in understanding the control of heterocyst differentiation, and also in understanding the function of ‘septal junctions’: an array of pore‐like structures at the cell junctions that allow intercellular communication by facilitating the diffusion of small molecules from cell to cell. A new report by Rivers et al. (2014) makes the connection between pattern formation and intercellular communication by showing that a mutation that partially disables the septal junctions leads to a decrease in the range of a signal dependent on the HetN protein that is one of the factors controlling heterocyst spacing. This suggests that the signal travels from cell to cell by diffusion through the septal junctions, opening the door to quantitative understanding of the mechanism that controls heterocyst spacing in filamentous cyanobacteria.
Improving intercropping: a synthesis of research in agronomy, plant physiology and ecology
Authors: Brooker Rob W. , Bennett Alison E. , Cong Wen‐Feng , Daniell Tim J. , George Timothy S. , Hallett Paul D. , Hawes Cathy , Iannetta Pietro P. M. , Jones Hamlyn G. , Karley Alison J. , Li Long , McKenzie Blair M. , Pakeman Robin J. , Paterson Eric , Schöb Christian , Shen Jianbo , Squire Geoff , Watson Christine A. , Zhang Chaochun , Zhang Fusuo , Zhang Junling , White Philip J.
Published: November 2014

Intercropping is a farming practice involving two or more crop species, or genotypes, growing together and coexisting for a time. On the fringes of modern intensive agriculture, intercropping is important in many subsistence or low‐input/resource‐limited agricultural systems. By allowing genuine yield gains without increased inputs, or greater stability of yield with decreased inputs, intercropping could be one route to delivering ‘sustainable intensification’. We discuss how recent knowledge from agronomy, plant physiology and ecology can be combined with the aim of improving intercropping systems. Recent advances in agronomy and plant physiology include better understanding of the mechanisms of interactions between crop genotypes and species – for example, enhanced resource availability through niche complementarity. Ecological advances include better understanding of the context‐dependency of interactions, the mechanisms behind disease and pest avoidance, the links between above‐ and below‐ground systems, and the role of microtopographic variation in coexistence. This improved understanding can guide approaches for improving intercropping systems, including breeding crops for intercropping. Although such advances can help to improve intercropping systems, we suggest that other topics also need addressing. These include better assessment of the wider benefits of intercropping in terms of multiple ecosystem services, collaboration with agricultural engineering, and more effective interdisciplinary research.
Scientists' commitment to underperforming research projects: linking past success and the social environment
Authors: Domurath Anne , Behrens Judith , Patzelt Holger
Published: November 2014

This article investigates scientists' commitment to underperforming research projects based on the concomitant consideration of their past success and social environments. Based on escalation of commitment and network theory, the model hypothesizes that past success triggers the commitment to underperforming projects but that the strength of this influence varies depending on the characteristics of decision makers' social networks. Results from the analysis of 3,072 scenario assessments nested within 96 scientists show that the positive relationship between past success and continued investment in underperforming projects is more positive when the network is larger, when the ties within the network are stronger, and when feedback from network partners is predominantly positive. Surprisingly and contrary to model predictions, results also show that the relationship between past success and scientists' tendency to commit to underperforming projects becomes stronger with lower communication frequency with network partners. This study extends current research by exploring the boundary conditions of the impact of decision makers' social environment on commitment to failing projects. Further, it adds to literature on the downside of success by emphasizing that decision makers, particularly those in some social environments, are driven to commit additional resources to underperforming – and potentially failing – projects. Decision makers acting in such environments should be aware that they are prone to overinvestment of resources, and the findings of this study can help them increase their awareness. Based on this study's results, decision makers (including scientists) can thus better reflect on and improve their research project evaluations. Finally, the findings of this study open up various opportunities for future research.
Young Children Do Not Hold the Classic Earth's Shadow Misconception to Explain Lunar Phases
Authors: Wilhelm Jennifer Anne
Published: November 2014

This research explored young children's early thoughts about natural phenomena and investigated sources of influence toward their knowledge construction. Two Piagetian interviews were conducted with four children. Each child was questioned about two phenomena in particular: (a) the moon and its changing appearance (moon phases) and (b) the formation of shadows. The first Piagetian interview involved a lunar protocol, and the second (given a week later) was a shadow protocol. The external interest of this research study concerns when and why do children develop the commonly held Earth's shadow misconception as the cause of the moon's phases. Findings showed that none of the young children believed that various lunar phases were due to an Earthly shadow cast upon the moon. The shadow interview results revealed that young children had primitive understandings of the shadow concept. In fact, two of the four children indicated that no light source was needed to produce a shadow.
Comparison of different diagnostic assays for the detection ofBorrelia burgdorferi‐specific antibodies in dogs
Authors: Barth Charlotte , Straubinger Reinhard K. , Krupka Inke , Müller Elisabeth , Sauter‐Louis Carola , Hartmann Katrin
Published: November 2014

Background

Antibody tests are frequently used in the diagnosis of canine Lyme borreliosis, including immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for immunoglobulin G (IgG) and M (IgM) antibodies, kinetic enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (KELA), and Western blotting (WB). Recently, theSNAP4Dx, an in‐house test using C6technology has become available.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to compareIFA,KELA, andSNAP4Dx assay results, and to determine their sensitivity and specificity when compared with theWB, used as gold standard in this study.

Methods

Two hundred canine sera were tested for the presence of specific antibodies againstBorreliaspp. using the above‐mentioned tests.

Results

The sensitivity and specificity ofIFA‐IgG was 76.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 46.87–86.72) and 87.1% (95%CI80.06–91.90), and 26.3% (95%CI11.81–48.79) and 81.0% (95%CI73.64–86.71) forIFA‐IgM, respectively.KELAwas 100% (95%CI83.18–100) sensitive and 75.4% (95%CI67.02–82.09) specific, and theSNAP4Dx was 84.2% (95%CI62.43–94.48) sensitive and 98.5% (95%CI94.83–99.60) specific.

Conclusions

BothIFAs had very low sensitivity and specificity and cannot be recommended for screening purposes. In contrast,KELAshowed excellent sensitivity, but positive results always need to be confirmed byWBto differentiate the source of antibody formation. TheSNAP4Dx had a high sensitivity and specificity, and thus can potentially replace the more labor‐intensiveWB, at least in untreated dogs.
Assessing the Local Mechanical Environment in Medial Opening Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy Using Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Pauchard Yves , Ivanov Todor G. , McErlain David D. , Milner Jaques S. , Giffin J. Robert , Birmingham Trevor B. , Holdsworth David W.
Published: November 2014

High-tibial osteotomy (HTO) is a surgical technique aimed at shifting load away from one tibiofemoral compartment, in order the reduce pain and progression of osteoarthritis (OA). Various implants have been designed to stabilize the osteotomy and previous studies have been focused on determining primary stability (a global measure) that these designs provide. It has been shown that the local mechanical environment, characterized by bone strains and segment micromotion, is important in understanding healing and these data are not currently available. Finite element (FE) modeling was utilized to assess the local mechanical environment provided by three different fixation plate designs: short plate with spacer, long plate with spacer and long plate without spacer. Image-based FE models of the knee were constructed from healthy individuals (N = 5) with normal knee alignment. An HTO gap was virtually added without changing the knee alignment and HTO implants were inserted. Subsequently, the local mechanical environment, defined by bone compressive strain and wedge micromotion, was assessed. Furthermore, implant stresses were calculated. Values were computed under vertical compression in zero-degree knee extension with loads set at 1 and 2 times the subject-specific body weight (1 BW, 2 BW). All studied HTO implant designs provide an environment for successful healing at 1 BW and 2 BW loading. Implant von Mises stresses (99th percentile) were below 60 MPa in all experiments, below the material yield strength and significantly lower in long spacer plates. Volume fraction of high compressive strain ( > 3000 microstrain) was below 5% in all experiments and no significant difference between implants was detected. Maximum vertical micromotion between bone segments was below 200 μm in all experiments and significantly larger in the implant without a tooth. Differences between plate designs generally became apparent only at 2 BW loading. Results suggest that with compressive loading of 2 BW, long spacer plates experience the lowest implant stresses, and spacer plates (long or short) result in smaller wedge micromotion, potentially beneficial for healing. Values are sensitive to subject bone geometry, highlighting the need for subject-specific modeling. This study demonstrates the benefits of using image-based FE modeling and bone theory to fine-tune HTO implant design.
Ring properties related to symmetric rings
Authors: Jung Da Woon , Kwak Tai Keun , Lee Min Jung , Lee Yang
Published: November 2014

The study of symmetric rings has important roles in ring theory and module theory. We investigate the structure of ring properties related to symmetric rings and introduce H-symmetric and π-symmetric as generalizations. We construct a non-symmetric reversible ring whose basic structure is infinite-dimensional, comparing with the finite-dimensional such rings of Anderson, Camillo and Marks. The structure of π-reversible rings (with or without identity) of minimal order is completely investigated. The properties of zero-dividing polynomials over IFP rings are studied more to show that polynomial rings over symmetric rings are π-symmetric. It is also proved that all conditions in relation with our arguments in this paper are equivalent for regular or locally finite rings.
Inflation driven by dark spinor and Higgs fields
Authors: Lee Joohan , Lee Tae Hoon , Oh Phillial
Published: November 2014

In this paper, we consider dark spinor and Higgs fields coupled to gravity and calculate their contributions to the energy density and pressure in Friedmann–Robertson–Walker spacetime. We seek solutions of the fields to yield a de Sitter universe and investigate stability properties of the solutions using linear approximation. We discuss the possibility that the inflationary period of our universe can be described by a combination of the dark spinor and Higgs fields.
On the complement of the intersection graph of submodules of a module
Authors: Akbari S. , Tavallaee H. A. , Khalashi Ghezelahmad S.
Published: November 2014

Let R be a ring with identity and M be a unitary left R-module. The complement of the intersection graph of submodules of M, denoted by Γ(M), is defined to be a graph whose vertices are in one-to-one correspondence with all nontrivial submodules of M and two distinct vertices are adjacent if and only if the corresponding submodules of M have zero intersection. In this paper, we consider the complement of the intersection graph of submodules of a module. We prove that, if Γ(M) is connected and Δ(Γ(M)) < ∞, then M is semisimple, where Δ(Γ(M)) is the maximum degree of Γ(M). We show that, if Γ(M) is a forest, then each component of Γ(M) is a star graph. Moreover, it is proved that, if Γ(M) is a tree, then Γ(M) is isomorphic to a complete graph of order at most two.
Zeta functions on tori using contour integration
Authors: Elizalde Emilio , Kirsten Klaus , Robles Nicolas , Williams Floyd
Published: November 2014

A new, seemingly useful presentation of zeta functions on complex tori is derived by using contour integration. It is shown to agree with the one obtained by using the Chowla–Selberg series formula, for which an alternative proof is thereby given. In addition, a new proof of the functional determinant on the torus results, which does not use the Kronecker first limit formula nor the functional equation of the non-holomorphic Eisenstein series. As a bonus, several identities involving the Dedekind eta function are obtained as well.
Field Experimentation and the Study of Law and Policy
Authors: Green Donald P. , Thorley Dane R.
Published: November 2014

Field experiments are randomized experiments that take place under naturalistic conditions. This research method is experiencing rapid growth throughout the social sciences and especially in legal studies, where it is used to rigorously evaluate policies and programs. We begin by charting the growth of field experimentation in law and legal studies, describing the statistical properties of experiments and discussing the practical threats that may undermine experiments conducted in field settings. Next, we review the experimental research literature in a variety of domains: legal institutions, including the judiciary, legislature, and legal profession; incentives, especially as they apply to tax compliance and business law; and laws and obligations, including legal code, policy, and legal theory. We conclude by highlighting some of the challenges that the experimental literature must confront if it is to speak convincingly to issues of law and policy.
Positive Solutions for(n-1,1)-Type Singular Fractional Differential System with Coupled Integral Boundary Conditions
Authors: Wang Ying , Liu Lishan , Zhang Xinguang , Wu Yonghong
Published: November 2014

We study the positive solutions of the(n-1,1)-type fractional differential system with coupled integral boundary conditions. The conditions for the existence of positive solutions to the system are established. In addition, we derive explicit formulae for the estimation of the positive solutions and obtain the unique positive solution when certain additional conditions hold. An example is then given to demonstrate the validity of our main results.
The Role of Disease Activity Score 28 in the Evaluation of Articular Involvement in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Ceccarelli Fulvia , Perricone Carlo , Massaro Laura , Pacucci Viviana Antonella , Cipriano Enrica , Truglia Simona , Miranda Francesca , Spinelli Francesca Romana , Alessandri Cristiano , Valesini Guido , Conti Fabrizio
Published: November 2014

Objectives. To evaluate the application of Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28) to assess joint involvement in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).Methods. Sixty-nine SLE patients, complaining of joint symptoms, and 44 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients were enrolled. In SLE patients disease activity was assessed with SLEDAI-2K. DAS28 was calculated in all the patients.Results. Thirty SLE patients (43.5%) showed clinical signs of arthritis. Mean DAS28 was4.0±1.4, 22 patients (31.9%) had low disease activity, 29 (42.0%) moderate, and 18 (26.1%) high. We dichotomized SLE patients according to the presence (Group 1) or absence (Group 2) of articular involvement according to SLEDAI-2K: 56.3% of the patients of the second group had a moderate/high activity according to DAS28. We compared SLE patients with 44 RA patients (M/F 9/35, mean age55.6±14.5years; mean disease duration140.4±105.6months). No significant differences were found regarding the values of DAS28 between SLE and RA patients. On the contrary, the values of tender and swollen joint count were significantly higher in RA compared to SLE patients (P=0.0002andP=0.0001, resp.).Conclusions. We suggest the use of the DAS28 in the assessment of joint involvement in SLE patients.
Rate Sensitive Continuum Damage Models and Mesh Dependence in Finite Element Analyses
Authors: Ljustina Goran , Fagerström Martin , Larsson Ragnar
Published: November 2014

The experiences from orthogonal machining simulations show that the Johnson-Cook (JC) dynamic failure model exhibits significant element size dependence. Such mesh dependence is a direct consequence of the utilization of local damage models. The current contribution is an investigation of the extent of the possible pathological mesh dependence. A comparison of the resulting JC model behavior combined with two types of damage evolution is considered. The first damage model is the JC dynamic failure model, where the development of the “damage” does not affect the response until the critical state is reached. The second one is a continuum damage model, where the damage variable is affecting the material response continuously during the deformation. Both the plasticity and the damage models are rate dependent, and the damage evolutions for both models are defined as a postprocessing of the effective stress response. The investigation is conducted for a series of 2D shear tests utilizing different FE representations of the plane strain plate with pearlite material properties. The results show for both damage models, using realistic pearlite material parameters, that similar extent of the mesh dependence is obtained and that the possible viscous regularization effects are absent in the current investigation.
Iterative Robust Capon Beamforming with Adaptively Updated Array Steering Vector Mismatch Levels
Authors: Zhang Tao , Sun Liguo
Published: November 2014

The performance of the conventional adaptive beamformer is sensitive to the array steering vector (ASV) mismatch. And the output signal-to interference and noise ratio (SINR) suffers deterioration, especially in the presence of large direction of arrival (DOA) error. To improve the robustness of traditional approach, we propose a new approach to iteratively search the ASV of the desired signal based on the robust capon beamformer (RCB) with adaptively updated uncertainty levels, which are derived in the form of quadratically constrained quadratic programming (QCQP) problem based on the subspace projection theory. The estimated levels in this iterative beamformer present the trend of decreasing. Additionally, other array imperfections also degrade the performance of beamformer in practice. To cover several kinds of mismatches together, the adaptive flat ellipsoid models are introduced in our method as tight as possible. In the simulations, our beamformer is compared with other methods and its excellent performance is demonstrated via the numerical examples.
Evaluation of Contrast Extravasation as a Diagnostic Criterion in the Evaluation of Arthroscopically Proven HAGL/pHAGL Lesions
Authors: Maldjian Catherine , Khanna Vineet , Bradley James , Adam Richard
Published: November 2014

Purpose. The validity of preoperative MRI in diagnosing HAGL lesions is debated. Various investigations have produced mixed results with regard to the utility of MRI. The purpose of this investigation is to apply a novel method of diagnosing HAGL/pHAGL lesions by looking at contrast extravasation and to evaluate the reliability of such extravasation of contrast into an extra-articular space as a sign of HAGL/pHAGL lesion.Methods. We utilized specific criteria to define contrast extravasation. We evaluated these criteria in 12 patients with arthroscopically proven HAGL/pHAGL lesion. We also evaluated these criteria in a control group.Results. Contrast extravasation occurred in over 83% of arthroscopically positive cases. Contrast extravasation as a diagnostic criterion in the evaluation of HAGL/pHAGL lesions demonstrated a high interobserver degree of agreement.Conclusions. In conclusion, extra-articular contrast extravasation may serve as a valid and reliable sign of HAGL and pHAGL lesions, provided stringent criteria are maintained to assure that the contrast lies in an extra-articular location. In cases where extravasation is not present, the “J” sign, though nonspecific, may be the only evidence of subtle HAGL and pHAGL lesions.Level of Evidence. Level IV, Retrospective Case-Control series.
Assessment ofAedes aegyptiPupal Productivity during the Dengue Vector Control Program in a Costal Urban Centre of São Paulo State, Brazil
Authors: de Brito Arduino Marylene
Published: November 2014

The control of dengue relies on the elimination of vector breeding sites. This study identified the container categories most productive forA. aegyptiwithin the framework of the São Paulo dengue vector control program (DVCP) in São Sebastião, a large city located on the state’s coast where dengue cases have occurred since 2001. Containers were inspected monthly for the occurrence of mosquito immature stages during two consecutive vector-breeding seasons in 2002–2004. Containers were classified by their material, use, and fixed or removable status. Pupal productivity differed significantly among container types, items made of metal and plastic, and boats being those with the highest relative contribution. Significant correlations between traditional indices ofA. aegyptiabundance (Container Index, House Index, and Breteau Index) and pupal productivity/demographic indices (Pupae/Container, Pupae/House, Pupae/ha, and Pupae/Person) ranged 0.56–0.65; correlations were not statistically significant for any combination involving the Pupae/Container index. The assessment of pupal productivity indices could be incorporated into the DVCP without any additional operational onus, allowing vector control managers to determine appropriate control actions targeting the most productive containers and sites. Further studies are needed to assess whether pupal productivity indices may be used as epidemiological indicators of risk of dengue transmission.
Experimental Study on Properties of Methane Diffusion of Coal Block under Triaxial Compressive Stress
Authors: Zhao Hong-Bao
Published: November 2014

Taking the standard size coal block samples defined by ISRM as research objects, both properties of methane diffusion of coal block under triaxial compressive stress and characteristic influences caused by methane pressure were systematically studied with thermo-fluid-solid coupling with triaxial servocontrolled seepage equipment of methane-containing coal. The result shows the methane diffusion property of coal block under triaxial compressive stress was shown in four-stage as follow, first is sharply reduce stage, second is hyperbolic reduce stage, third is close to a fixed value stage, fourth stage is 0. There is a special point making the reduced rate of characteristic curve of methane diffusion speed become sharply small; the influences of shape of methane diffusion speed characteristic curve caused by methane pressure are not obvious, which only is shown in numerical size of methane diffusion speed. Test time was extended required by appear of the special point makes the reduce rate of methane diffusion speed become sharply small. The fitting four-phase relation of methane diffusion of coal block under triaxial compressive stress was obtained, and the idea is proposed that influences of the fitting four-phase relation caused by methane pressure were only shown in value of fitting parameters.
Endovascular Intervention for Acute Ischemic Stroke in Light of Recent Trials
Authors: Alkhalili Kenan , Chalouhi Nohra , Tjoumakaris Stavropoula , Hasan David , Starke Robert M. , Zanaty Mario , Rosenwasser Robert H. , Jabbour Pascal
Published: November 2014

Three recently published trials, MR RESCUE, IMS III, and SYNTHESIS Expansion, evaluating the efficacy and safety of endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke have generated concerns about the future of endovascular approach. However, the tremendous evolution that imaging and endovascular treatment modalities have undergone over the past several years has raised doubts about the validity of these trials. In this paper, we review the role of endovascular treatment strategies in acute ischemic stroke and discuss the limitations and shortcomings that prevent generalization of the findings of recent trials. We also provide our experience in endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke.
Influence of Orthotropy on Biomechanics of Peri-Implant Bone in Complete Mandible Model with Full Dentition
Authors: Ding Xi , Liao Sheng-Hui , Zhu Xing-Hao , Wang Hui-Ming
Published: November 2014

Objective.The study was to investigate the impact of orthotropic material on the biomechanics of dental implant, based on a detailed mandible with high geometric and mechanical similarity.Materials and Methods.Multiple data sources were used to elaborate detailed biological structures and implant CAD models. In addition, an extended orthotropic material assignment methodology based on harmonic fields was used to handle the alveolar ridge region to generate compatible orthotropic fields. The influence of orthotropic material was compared with the commonly used isotropic model and simplified orthotropic model.Results.The simulation results showed that the values of stress and strain on the implant-bone interface almost increased in the orthotropic model compared to the isotropic case, especially for the cancellous bone. However, the local stress concentration was more obvious in the isotropic case compared to that in orthotropic case. The simple orthotropic model revealed irregular stress and strain distribution, compared to the isotropic model and the real orthotropic model. The influence of orthotropy was little on the implant, periodontal ligament, tooth enamel, and dentin.Conclusion.The orthotropic material has significant effect on stress and strain of implant-bone interface in the mandible, compared with the isotropic simulation. Real orthotropic mechanical properties of mandible should be emphasized in biomechanical studies of dental implants.