bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sleep disturbances and quality of life in Sub-Saharan African migraineurs
Authors: Morgan Isabel , Eguia Francisco , Gelaye Bizu , Peterlin B Lee , Tadesse Mahlet G , Lemma Seblewengel , Berhane Yemane , Williams Michelle A
Published: March 2015

Background

Although in the past decade occidental countries have increasingly recognized the personal and societal burden of migraine, it remains poorly understood in Africa. No study has evaluated the impact of sleep disturbances and the quality of life (QOL) in sub-Saharan Africans with migraine.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study evaluating adults, ≥ 18 years of age, attending outpatient clinics in Ethiopia. Standardized questionnaires were utilized to collect demographic, headache, sleep, lifestyle, and QOL characteristics in all participants. Migraine classification was based on International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD)-II criteria. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaires were utilized to assess sleep quality and QOL characteristics, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression models were fit to estimate adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

Results

Of 1,060 participants, 145 (14%) met ICHD-II criteria for migraine. Approximately three-fifth of the study participants (60.5%) were found to have poor sleep quality. After adjustments, migraineurs had over a two-fold increased odds (OR = 2.24, 95% CI 1.49-3.38) of overall poor sleep quality (PSQI global score >5) as compared with non-migraineurs. Compared with non-migraineurs, migraineurs were also more likely to experience short sleep duration (≤7 hours) (OR = 2.07, 95% CI 1.43-3.00), long sleep latency (≥30 min) (OR = 1.97, 95% CI 1.36-2.85), daytime dysfunction due to sleepiness (OR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.12-2.02), and poor sleep efficiency (<85%) (OR = 1.93, 95% CI 1.31-2.88). Similar to occidental countries, Ethiopian migraineurs reported a reduced QOL as compared to non-migraineurs. Specifically Ethiopian migraineurs were more likely to experience poor physical (OR = 1.56, 95% CI 1.08-2.25) and psychological health (OR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.20-2.56), as well as poor social relationships (OR = 1.56, 95% CI 1.08-2.25), and living environments (OR = 1.41, 95% CI 0.97-2.05) as compared to those without migraine.

Conclusion

Similar to occidental countries, migraine is highly prevalent among Ethiopians and is associated with poor sleep quality and a lower QOL. These findings support the need for physicians and policy makers to take action to improve the quality of headache care and access to treatment in Ethiopia.
Ligustrazinyl amides: a novel class of ligustrazine-phenolic acid derivatives with neuroprotective effects
Authors: Li Guoliang , Xu Xin , Xu Kuo , Chu Fuhao , Song Jixiang , Zhou Shen , Xu Bing , Gong Yan , Zhang Huazheng , Zhang Yuzhong , Wang Penglong , Lei Haimin
Published: March 2015

Background

Ligustrazine has potent effects of thrombolysis, neuroprotection and vascular protection, which were important for effectively protecting the nervous system. Previous study in our laboratory reported that ligustrazine-benzoic acid derivatives have been shown to exhibit beneficial effect against CoCl2-induced neurotoxicity in differentiated PC12 cells. To further improve ligustrazine’s neuroprotection, we integrated the ligustrazine and phenolic acid fragments into one molecule via an amide bond based on structural combination.

Results

In this study, 12 novel ligustrazine-phenolic acid derivatives were synthesized and nine others were prepared by improved methods. Furthermore, these compounds were evaluated for their protective effects against CoCl2-induced neurotoxicity in differentiated PC12 cells. The amides conjunctional derivatives exhibited promising neuroprotective activities in comparison with ligustrazine. In addition, the most active congener (E)-3-(2,3,4-trimethoxyphenyl)-N-((3,5,6-trimethylpyrazin-2-yl)methyl)acrylamide (L10, EC50 = 25 μM), which is 2 times higher than that of ligustrazine, may be a potential candidate for intervention in neurological diseases. Structure-activity relationship was discussed briefly.

Conclusions

Results of series of ligustrazinyl amides enrich the study of ligustrazine derivatives with neuroprotective effects. Our completed work supports that the attempt to apply structure combination to discover more efficient neuroprotection lead compounds is viable.
Physical activity and risk of rheumatoid arthritis in women: a population-based prospective study
Authors: Di Giuseppe Daniela , Bottai Matteo , Askling Johan , Wolk Alicja
Published: March 2015

Introduction

Only one study has analysed the association between exercise and development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), showing no association. Aim of this paper was to evaluate the association of physical activity in all its aspect with RA.

Methods

To examine this association, middle age and elderly women from the Swedish Mammography Cohort, a population-based prospective study, were analysed. Data on physical activity were collected in 1997 by self-administrated food-frequency questionnaire. Risk of RA associated with physical activity was estimated using Cox proportional hazard regression models.

Results

Among 30,112 women born between 1914 and 1948 followed-up from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2010, 201 RA cases were identified (226,477 person-years). There was a statistically significant 35% lower risk of RA (relative risk (RR), 0.65; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.43-0.96) among women in the highest category of leisure-time activity (combining more than 20 minute per day of walking/bicycling (median 40–60 minute per day) and more than 1 hour per week of exercise (median 2–3 hours per week)) as compared to women in the lowest category (less than 20 minute per day of walking/bicycling and less than 1 hour per week of exercise). A non-statistically significant decreased risk was observed for household work (−32%) and work/occupation (−15%), while an increased risk was observed for leisure-time physical inactivity (+27%). Daily energy expenditure was not associated with risk of RA.

Conclusions

This prospective population-based cohort study of women supports the hypothesis that physical activity can be a protective factor in the etiology of rheumatoid arthritis. Our results add to accumulated evidence on benefits of modifiable leisure-time physical activity for prevention of many other chronic diseases.
Role of C-reactive protein in osteoclastogenesis in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Kim Kyoung-Woon , Kim Bo-Mi , Moon Hee-Won , Lee Sang-Heon , Kim Hae-Rim
Published: March 2015

Introduction

C-reactive protein (CRP) is one of the biomarkers for the diagnosis and assessment of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). CRP is not only the by-product of inflammatory response, but also plays proinflammatory and prothrombotic roles. The aim of this study was to determine the role of CRP on bone destruction in RA.

Methods

CRP levels in RA synovial fluid (SF) and serum were measured using the immunoturbidimetric method. The expression of CRP in RA synovium was assessed using immunohistochemical staining. CD14+ monocytes from peripheral blood were cultured with CRP, and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) expression and osteoclast differentiation were evaluated using real-time PCR, counting tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive multinucleated cells and assessing bone resorbing function. CRP-induced osteoclast differentiation was also examined after inhibition of Fcγ receptors.

Results

There was a significant correlation between CRP levels in serum and SF in RA patients. The SF CRP level was correlated with interleukin (IL)-6 levels, but not with RANKL levels. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that compared with the osteoarthritis synovium, CRP was more abundantly expressed in the lining and sublining areas of the RA synovium. CRP stimulated RANKL production in monocytes and it induced osteoclast differentiation from monocytes and bone resorption in the absence of RANKL.

Conclusions

CRP could play an important role in the bony destructive process in RA through the induction of RANKL expression and direct differentiation of osteoclast precursors into mature osteoclasts. In the treatment of RA, lowering CRP levels is a significant parameter not only for improving disease activity but also for preventing bone destruction.
Strain and process development for poly(3HB-co-3HP) fermentation by engineered Shimwellia blattae from glycerol
Authors: Sato Shunsuke , Andreeßen Björn , Steinbüchel Alexander
Published: March 2015

Poly(3-hydroxybytyrate-co-3-hydroxypropionate), poly(3HB-co-3HP), is a possible alternative to synthetic polymers such as polypropylene, polystyrene and polyethylene due to its low crystallinity and fragility. We already reported that recombinant strains of Shimwellia blattae expressing 1,3-propanediol dehydrogenase DhaT as well as aldehyde dehydrogenase AldD of Pseudomonas putida KT2442, propionate-CoA transferase Pct of Clostridium propionicum X2 and PHA synthase PhaC1 of Ralstonia eutropha H16 are able to accumulate up to 14.5% (wtPHA/wtCDW) of poly(3-hydroxypropionate), poly(3HP), homopolymer from glycerol as a sole carbon source (Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 98:7409-7422, 2014a). However, the cell density was rather low. In this study, we optimized the medium aiming at a more efficient PHA synthesis, and we engineered a S. blattae strain accumulating poly(3HB-co-3HP) with varying contents of the constituent 3-hydroxypropionate (3HP) depending on the cultivation conditions. Consequently, 7.12, 0.77 and 0.32 gPHA/L of poly(3HB-co-3HP) containing 2.1, 8.3 and 18.1 mol% 3HP under anaerobic/aerobic (the first 24 hours under anaerobic condition, thereafter, aerobic condition), low aeration/agitation (the minimum stirring rate required in medium mixing and small amount of aeration) and anaerobic conditions (the minimum stirring rate required in medium mixing without aeration), respectively, were synthesized from glycerol by the genetically modified S. blattae ATCC33430 strains in optimized culture medium.
An astute synthesis of locked nucleic acid monomers
Authors: Sharma Vivek K , Rungta Pallavi , Maikhuri Vipin K , Prasad Ashok K
Published: March 2015

Novel attributes of Locked Nucleic Acid (LNA) makes it preferable over most of the other classes of modified nucleic acid analogues and therefore, it has been extensively explored in different synthetic oligonucleotide based therapeutics. In addition to five oligonucleotides of this class undergoing clinical trials, a healthy pipeline in pre-clinical studies validates the tenacity of LNA. Due to the increasing demand, an efficient biocatalytic methodology has recently been devised for the convergent synthesis of LNA monomers via selective enzymatic monoacetylation of diastereotopic hydroxymethyl functions of 3-O-benzyl-4-C-hydroxymethyl-1,2-O-isopropylidene-α-D-ribofuranose. This commentary article provides an insight into the different synthetic strategies followed for the synthesis of LNA monomers and their triumphs in clinical biotechnology.
Nomograms Predicting Progression-Free Survival, Overall Survival, and Pelvic Recurrence in Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer Developed From an Analysis of Identifiable Prognostic Factors in Patients From NRG Oncology/Gynecologic Oncology Group Randomized Trials of Chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Rose Peter G. , Java James , Whitney Charles W. , Stehman Frederick B. , Lanciano Rachelle , Thomas Gillian M. , DiSilvestro Paul A.
Published: March 2015

Purpose

To evaluate the prognostic factors in locally advanced cervical cancer limited to the pelvis and develop nomograms for 2-year progression-free survival (PFS), 5-year overall survival (OS), and pelvic recurrence.

Patients and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 2,042 patients with locally advanced cervical carcinoma enrolled onto Gynecologic Oncology Group clinical trials of concurrent cisplatin-based chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Nomograms for 2-year PFS, five-year OS, and pelvic recurrence were created as visualizations of Cox proportional hazards regression models. The models were validated by bootstrap-corrected, relatively unbiased estimates of discrimination and calibration.

Results

Multivariable analysis identified prognostic factors including histology, race/ethnicity, performance status, tumor size, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, tumor grade, pelvic node status, and treatment with concurrent cisplatin-based chemotherapy. PFS, OS, and pelvic recurrence nomograms had bootstrap-corrected concordance indices of 0.62, 0.64, and 0.73, respectively, and were well calibrated.

Conclusion

Prognostic factors were used to develop nomograms for 2-year PFS, 5-year OS, and pelvic recurrence for locally advanced cervical cancer clinically limited to the pelvis treated with concurrent cisplatin-based chemotherapy and radiotherapy. These nomograms can be used to better estimate individual and collective outcomes.
Paclitaxel Plus Carboplatin Versus Paclitaxel Plus Cisplatin in Metastatic or Recurrent Cervical Cancer: The Open-Label Randomized Phase III Trial JCOG0505
Authors: Kitagawa Ryo , Katsumata Noriyuki , Shibata Taro , Kamura Toshiharu , Kasamatsu Takahiro , Nakanishi Toru , Nishimura Sadako , Ushijima Kimio , Takano Masashi , Satoh Toyomi , Yoshikawa Hiroyuki
Published: March 2015

Purpose

In metastatic or recurrent cervical cancer, cisplatin-based chemotherapy is standard. The JCOG0505 randomized phase III trial evaluated the clinical benefits of carboplatin-based regimen.

Patients and Methods

Eligible patients had metastatic or recurrent cervical cancer and had ≤ one platinum-containing treatment and no prior taxane. Patients were randomly assigned either to conventional paclitaxel plus cisplatin (TP; paclitaxel 135 mg/m2 over 24 hours on day 1 and cisplatin 50 mg/m2 on day 2, repeated every 3 weeks) or paclitaxel plus carboplatin (TC; paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 over 3 hours and carboplatin area under curve 5 mg/mL/min on day 1, repeated every 3 weeks). Primary end point was overall survival (OS). Planned sample size was 250 patients to confirm the noninferiority of TC versus TP with the threshold hazard ratio (HR) of 1.29.

Results

Between February 2006 and November 2009, 253 patients were enrolled. The HR of OS was 0.994 (90% CI, 0.79 to 1.25; noninferiority P = .032 by stratified Cox regression). Median OS was 18.3 months with TP versus 17.5 months with TC. Among patients who had not received prior cisplatin, OS was shorter with TC (13.0 v 23.2 months; HR, 1.571; 95% CI, 1.06 to 2.32). One treatment-related death occurred with TC. Proportion of nonhospitalization periods was significantly longer with TC (P < .001).

Conclusion

TC was noninferior to TP and should be a standard treatment option for metastatic or recurrent cervical cancer. However, cisplatin is still the key drug for patients who have not received platinum agents.
Synthesis of Diazonaphthoquinones from Naphthols by Diazo-Transfer Reaction
Authors: Kitamura Mitsuru , Sakata Rie , Tashiro Norifumi , Ikegami Azusa , Okauchi Tatsuo
Published: March 2015

Various orthodiazonaphthoquinones (1-diazo-2(1H)-naphthalenones and 2-diazo-1(2H)-naphthalenones) were synthesized using the diazo-transfer reaction between the appropriate naphthol and 2-azido-1,3-dimethylimidazolinium chloride (ADMC). The ADMC was prepared by the reaction between 2-chloro-1,3-dimethylimidazolinium chloride and sodium azide. The diazo-transfer reaction selectively introduced the diazo group at the C(2) position of 1-naphthol or the C(1) position of 2-naphthol. The naphthalenediols that were tested, except for 1,3-naphthalenediol, also reacted with ADMC to afford the corresponding monodiazotized compound. X-ray analyses suggested that the diazonaphthoquinones did not have diazoniumnaphtholate structures but had diazocarbonyl structures.
Credit Supply and the Price of Housing
Authors: Favara Giovanni , Imbs Jean
Published: March 2015

An exogenous expansion in mortgage credit has significant effects on house prices. This finding is established using US branching deregulations between 1994 and 2005 as instruments for credit. Credit increases for deregulated banks, but not in placebo samples. Such differential responses rule out demand-based explanations, and identify an exogenous credit supply shock. Because of geographic diver-sification, treated banks expand credit: housing demand increases, house prices rise, but to a lesser extent in areas with elastic housing supply, where the housing stock increases instead. In an instrumental variable sense, house prices are well explained by the credit expansion induced by deregulation. (JEL G21, G28, R21, R31)
The Cyclicality of Sales, Regular and Effective Prices: Business Cycle and Policy Implications
Authors: Coibion Olivier , Gorodnichenko Yuriy , Hong Gee Hee
Published: March 2015

We study the cyclical properties of sales, regular price changes, and average prices paid by consumers (“effective” prices) using data on prices and quantities sold for numerous retailers across many US metropolitan areas. Inflation in the effective prices paid by consumers declines significantly with higher unemployment while little change occurs in the inflation rate of prices posted by retailers. This difference reflects the reallocation of household expenditures across retailers, a feature of the data which we document and quantify, rather than sales. We propose a simple model with household store-switching and assess its implications for business cycles and policymakers. (JEL D12, E31, E32, L25, L81)
Vehicle Scrappage and Gasoline Policy
Authors: Jacobsen Mark R. , van Benthem Arthur A.
Published: March 2015

We estimate the sensitivity of scrap decisions to changes in used car values and show how this “scrap elasticity” produces emissions leakage under fuel efficiency standards, a process known as the Gruenspecht effect. We first estimate the effect of gasoline prices on used vehicle values and scrappage of vehicles with different fuel economies. We then estimate the scrap elasticity itself, which we find to be −0.7. When applied in a model of fuel economy standards, 13–16 percent of the expected fuel savings leak away through the used vehicle market. This effect rivals or exceeds the importance of the often-cited mileage rebound effect. (JEL H23, L62, L78, Q35, Q38, Q48, Q58)
Generalized Integral Theorems and Application to the Equations of Continuum Mechanics
Authors: Myers M. K.
Published: March 2015

A development of generalized differentiation with respect to time is given within the structure of the functional approach to generalized function theory. The analysis is in parallel with techniques used in an earlier publication by F. Farassat and the author. The results are used to derive a generalized three dimensional Leibnitz' theorem that leads to a generalized Reynolds' transport theorem. This is then applied to derive the governing equations of continuum mechanics. It is shown that the process produces both the governing field equations and their associated discontinuity conditions in a single operation.
Acoustic Velocity Formulation for Kirchhoff Data Surfaces
Authors: Ghorbaniasl Ghader , Hirsch Charles , Siozos-Rousoulis Leonidas , Lacor Chris
Published: March 2015

This paper deals with the derivation of an analytical time-domain formulation for the prediction of the acoustic velocity field generated by moving bodies in a medium at rest, according to the Kirchhoff method. The present formulation can be implemented in acoustic pressure codes based on the Farassat's Kirchhoff formula for arbitrary moving bodies, thus allowing direct and fast calculation of the acoustic velocity field in scattering problems. For validation purposes, four test cases are considered, namely a three-dimensional monopole, dipole and quadrupole source, as well as a monopole in uniform flow. Comparison of the results with the analytical solutions proves the remarkable accuracy of the present formulation.
Finite Element Evaluation of Blast Design Response Criteria for Load-Bearing Precast Wall Panels
Authors: Nickerson Joseph M. , Trasborg Patrick A. , Naito Clay J. , Newberry Charles M. , Davidson James S.
Published: March 2015

An impediment to using total precast construction for government, diplomatic and defense buildings is that load-bearing walls are defined as primary components and are therefore subject to significantly more restrictive blast response limits than non-load-bearing walls. These requirements are particularly restrictive for prestressed load-bearing wall panels. This paper presents analytical research used to define the behavior of precast/prestressed panels under combined axial loading and lateral impulse loading and to assess the current response criteria. Particular focus is placed on the ductility of load-bearing wall panels in comparison to non-load-bearing panels. The analytical procedures primarily rely on high-fidelity finite element methodology (nonlinear static and explicit nonlinear dynamic) that has been thoroughly validated through full-scale laboratory testing. The study indicates that under elevated axial load the response limits of prestressed and conventionally reinforced wall panels are comparative and could be increased from current limits, and revised response limits for future blast design of load-bearing precast wall panels are recommended.
Dynamic Behaviors of Multi-Layered Steel Targets with Air Gaps Subjected to the Impact of EFP Simulants
Authors: Ji Chong , Chen Li , Long Yuan , Xu Quanjun
Published: March 2015

Experiments and fine three-dimensional FE analyses were carried out to study the behaviors of multi-layered steel targets with air gaps subjected to normal and oblique impact of EFP (Explosively Formed Projectile) simulants. The experiments were performed using the EFP simulants with hemispherical nose that impact the targets vertically at a striking velocity of 1290m/s, while the armor shields consisted of multi 6mm-thick layers made of Q235 steel materials. The damage pattern and damage area of the targets as well as the residual velocities of EFP simulants in the experiments are presented in this paper. Systematic FE analyses on the perforation process of the experiments were conducted using the explicit finite element code LS-DYNA accompanied by the Johnson-Cook elasto-viscoplastic model. A good agreement is generally obtained between the numerical and experimental results. To further and better understand the whole process of fracture development and perforation of the layered steel targets induced by the impact of EFP simulants, the influence on obliquity angles during the impact and perforation process of EFP simulants were also investigated. The referred impact obliquity angle is varied from 5° to 40°. The result indicates that the residual velocities of EFP simulants decreased significantly with the increase of obliquity angle, and to some extent, a larger impact obliquity angle may result in the ricochet of EFP simulants.
A nomenclatural and taxonomic review of Tradescantia (Commelinaceae) species described in Vellozo’s Flora fluminensis with notes on Brazilian Tradescantia
Authors: de Oliveira Pellegrini Marco Octávio , Forzza Rafaela Campostrini , Sakuragui Cassia Mônica
Published: March 2015

Tradescantia names from Vellozo’s Flora fluminensis are revised, five lectotypes and one epitype are designated; one name is accepted and three names are treated as synonyms. Notes on Tradescantia sect. Austrotradescantia and Tradescantia sect. Cymbispatha are presented, based on the studies of Vellozo’s names. Also, further notes on the Brazilian Tradescantia and a key for the sections occurring in Brazil are here presented.
Didymochlaenaceae: A new fern family of eupolypods I (Polypodiales)
Authors: Zhang Li-Bing , Zhang Liang
Published: March 2015

The pantropical monospecific fern genus Didymochlaena had long been placed in the family Dryopteridaceae before the advent of molecular phylogenetics. Recent molecular studies confirmed that it is a member of eupolypods I, but its familial placement has been controversial. It has been resolved using molecular data either as a member of Hypodematiaceae or as sister to the rest of eupolypods I. In the present study we performed phylogenetic analyses (MP, ML, BI) based on DNA data from five plastid loci (atpA, rbcL, rps4‐trnS, trnL, trnL‐F) of 88 accessions representing 79 species in 20 genera of all 9 families currently recognized in eupolypods I as ingroup and 5 species from 3 families of eupolypods II as outgroups. Our analyses resolved Didymochlaena as sister to the rest of eupolypods I with strong support. The results of an analysis of nuclear 18S data available from GenBank did not contradict those based on plastid data. This resolution is consistent with its sorus/indusium shape and a previous phylogenetic analysis based on both plastid and nuclear loci. Sorus shape, spore characters, and chromosome number previously used to place the genus in Dryopteridaceae are in fact not synapomorphies of the family. Our study clearly showed that the family Didymochlaenaceae should be recognized and we hereby validate this name previously proposed by Ching.
Primary School Pupil as a Subject of Learning Activities in the Process of Project Tasks Completing
Authors: Аксючиц
Published: March 2015

The paper considers the essence of such concepts, as “subjectness” and “subject”; characterizes primary school age as the sensitive period for

developing a learner’s subject position. Further, it is shown, how educational activities can help primary school pupils to master teamwork in the

process of learning. Also highlighted is the role of project tasks as one of the efficient means to form primary schoolchildren’s subject position, to

develop their creativity thinking and to enhance their abilities to self-learning, self-education and self-development.
The management of chronic rupture of the Achilles tendon
Authors: Maffulli N. , Oliva F. , Costa V. , Del Buono A.
Published: March 2015

We hypothesised that a minimally invasive peroneus brevis tendon transfer would be effective for the management of a chronic rupture of the Achilles tendon. In 17 patients (three women, 14 men) who underwent minimally invasive transfer and tenodesis of the peroneus brevis to the calcaneum, at a mean follow-up of 4.6 years (2 to 7) the modified Achilles tendon total rupture score (ATRS) was recorded and the maximum circumference of the calf of the operated and contralateral limbs was measured. The strength of isometric plantar flexion of the gastrocsoleus complex and of eversion of the ankle were measured bilaterally. Functional outcomes were classified according to the four-point Boyden scale.

At the latest review, the mean maximum circumference of the calf of the operated limb was not significantly different from the pre-operative mean value, (41.4 cm, 32 to 50 vs 40.6 cm, 33 to 46; p = 0.45), and not significantly less than that of the contralateral limb (43.1 cm, 35 to 52; p = 0.16). The mean peak torque (244.6 N, 125 to 367) and the strength of eversion of the operated ankle (149.1 N, 65 to 240) were significantly lower (p < 0.01) than those of the contralateral limb (mean peak torque 289, 145 to 419; strength of eversion: 175.2, 71 to 280). The mean ATRS significantly improved from 58 pre-operatively (35 to 68) to 91 (75 to 97; 95% confidence interval 85.3 to 93.2) at the time of final review. Of 13 patients who practised sport at the time of injury, ten still undertook recreational activities.

This procedure may be safely performed, is minimally invasive, and allows most patients to return to pre-injury sport and daily activities.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:353–7.
The validity of a novel radiological method for measuring femoral stem version on anteroposterior radiographs of the hip after total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Weber M. , Lechler P. , von Kunow F. , Völlner F. , Keshmiri A. , Hapfelmeier A. , Grifka J. , Renkawitz T.
Published: March 2015

Femoral stem version has a major influence on impingement and early post-operative stability after total hip arthroplasty (THA).

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the validity of a novel radiological method for measuring stem version. Anteroposterior (AP) radiographs and three-dimensional CT scans were obtained for 115 patients (female/male 63/72, mean age 62.5 years (50 to 75)) who had undergone minimally invasive, cementless THA. Stem version was calculated from the AP hip radiograph by rotation-based change in the projected prosthetic neck–shaft (NSA*) angle using the mathematical formula ST = arcos [tan (NSA*) / tan (135)]. We used two independent observers who repeated the analysis after a six-week interval. Radiological measurements were compared with 3D-CT measurements by an independent, blinded external institute.

We found a mean difference of 1.2° (sd 6.2) between radiological and 3D-CT measurements of stem version. The correlation between the mean radiological and 3D-CT stem torsion was r = 0.88 (p < 0.001). The intra- (intraclass correlation coefficient ≥ 0.94) and inter-observer agreement (mean concordance correlation coefficient = 0.87) for the radiological measurements were excellent.

We found that femoral tilt was associated with the mean radiological measurement error (r = 0.22, p = 0.02).

The projected neck–shaft angle is a reliable method for measuring stem version on AP radiographs of the hip after a THA. However, a highly standardised radiological technique is required for its precise measurement.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015; 97-B:306–11.
Revision total hip arthroplasty in patients with extensive proximal femoral bone loss using a fluted tapered modular femoral component
Authors: Amanatullah D. F. , Howard J. L. , Siman H. , Trousdale R. T. , Mabry T. M. , Berry D. J.
Published: March 2015

Revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) is challenging when there is severe loss of bone in the proximal femur. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of revision THA in patients with severe proximal femoral bone loss treated with a fluted, tapered, modular femoral component. Between January 1998 and December 2004, 92 revision THAs were performed in 92 patients using a single fluted, tapered, modular femoral stem design. Pre-operative diagnoses included aseptic loosening, infection and peri-prosthetic fracture. Bone loss was categorised pre-operatively as Paprosky types III-IV, or Vancouver B3 in patients with a peri-prosthetic fracture. The mean clinical follow-up was 6.4 years (2 to 12). A total of 47 patients had peri-operative complications, 27 of whom required further surgery. However, most of these further operations involved retention of a well-fixed femoral stem, and 88/92 femoral components (97%) remained in situ. Of the four components requiring revision, three were revised for infection and were well fixed at the time of revision; only one (1%) was revised for aseptic loosening. The most common complications were post-operative instability (17 hips, 19%) and intra-operative femoral fracture during insertion of the stem (11 hips, 12%). Diaphyseal stress shielding was noted in 20 hips (22%). There were no fractures of the femoral component. At the final follow-up 78% of patients had minimal or no pain.

Revision THA in patients with extensive proximal femoral bone loss using the Link MP fluted, tapered, modular stem led to a high rate of osseointegration of the stem at mid-term follow-up.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015; 97-B:312–17.
Robotic surgery in trauma and orthopaedics
Authors: Karthik K. , Colegate-Stone T. , Dasgupta P. , Tavakkolizadeh A. , Sinha J.
Published: March 2015

The use of robots in orthopaedic surgery is an emerging field that is gaining momentum. It has the potential for significant improvements in surgical planning, accuracy of component implantation and patient safety. Advocates of robot-assisted systems describe better patient outcomes through improved pre-operative planning and enhanced execution of surgery. However, costs, limited availability, a lack of evidence regarding the efficiency and safety of such systems and an absence of long-term high-impact studies have restricted the widespread implementation of these systems. We have reviewed the literature on the efficacy, safety and current understanding of the use of robotics in orthopaedics.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015; 97-B:292–9.
Knowing how to play or being playful? The playful/ontic approach and intergenerational theatre in Canada and India
Authors: Gusul Matthew
Published: March 2015

James Thompson’s 2004 article ‘Digging Up Stories’ suggests Theatre for Development’s focus has mostly been on epistemic concerns. Projects emphasize participants learning techniques or exercises to be applied in various contexts. Thompson proposes Theatre for Development should draw back from epistemic concerns to work with the ontic concerns of communities. In light of Thompson’s analysis, I can see my time-planning process and performance have placed ontic considerations as primary and epistemic concerns as secondary. Working as assistant director of GeriActors and Friends (G&F), an intergenerational theatre company based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and while consulting towards the creation of an intergenerational theatre company in Tamil Nadu, India, I have employed playfulness as the primary state of being for the theatrical processes. Playfulness can be utilized in intergenerational theatre and Theatre for Development projects to embrace Thompson’s proposed focus on the ontic approach.
Epigenetic considerations of the APOE gene
Authors: Yu Chang-En , Foraker Jessica
Published: March 2015

The apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene is robustly linked with numerous physiological conditions, including healthy aging, altered cardiovascular fitness, and cognitive function. These connections have been established primarily by phenotype-genotype association studies using APOE’s three common genetic variants (ε2, ε3, and ε4). These variants encode for the three apoE protein isoforms (E2, E3, and E4), which have slightly different structures and, consequently, distinct functions in lipid metabolism. However, the differential lipid binding and transferring properties of these isoforms cannot fully explain the association of APOE with such a wide range of physiological phenotypes. One potential explanation for APOE’s pleiotropic roles may lie in its unique epigenetic properties. In this article, we present a brief review of the APOE gene and protein, its disease associations, and epigenetic components, with a focus on DNA methylation. We close with a discussion of the prospective epigenetic implications of APOE in disease.
The emerging role of the first 17 amino acids of huntingtin in Huntington’s disease
Authors: Arndt James R. , Chaibva Maxmore , Legleiter Justin
Published: March 2015

Huntington’s disease (HD) is caused by a polyglutamine (polyQ) domain that is expanded beyond a critical threshold near the N-terminus of the huntingtin (htt) protein, directly leading to htt aggregation. While full-length htt is a large (on the order of ∼350 kDa) protein, it is proteolyzed into a variety of N-terminal fragments that accumulate in oligomers, fibrils, and larger aggregates. It is clear that polyQ length is a key determinant of htt aggregation and toxicity. However, the flanking sequences around the polyQ domain, such as the first 17 amino acids on the N terminus (Nt17), influence aggregation, aggregate stability, influence other important biochemical properties of the protein and ultimately its role in pathogenesis. Here, we review the impact of Nt17 on htt aggregation mechanisms and kinetics, structural properties of Nt17 in both monomeric and aggregate forms, the potential role of posttranslational modifications (PTMs) that occur in Nt17 in HD, and the function of Nt17 as a membrane targeting domain.
Asymmetric Laplace Regression: Maximum Likelihood, Maximum Entropy and Quantile Regression
Authors: Bera Anil K. , Galvao Antonio F. , Montes-Rojas Gabriel V. , Park Sung Y.
Published: March 2015

This paper studies the connections among the asymmetric Laplace probability density (ALPD), maximum likelihood, maximum entropy and quantile regression. We show that the maximum likelihood problem is equivalent to the solution of a maximum entropy problem where we impose moment constraints given by the joint consideration of the mean and median. The ALPD score functions lead to joint estimating equations that delivers estimates for the slope parameters together with a representative quantile. Asymptotic properties of the estimator are derived under the framework of the quasi maximum likelihood estimation. With a limited simulation experiment we evaluate the finite sample properties of our estimator. Finally, we illustrate the use of the estimator with an application to the US wage data to evaluate the effect of training on wages.
The effect of the percentage of steered plies on the bending-induced buckling performance of a variable stiffness composite cylinder
Authors: Rouhi Mohammad , Ghayoor Hossein , Hoa Suong V. , Hojjati Mehdi
Published: March 2015

The fiber steering capability of automated fiber placement machines offers the designers more room to fully exploit the directional properties of composite materials. Circumferential stiffness tailoring by fiber steering can considerably increase the bending-induced buckling performance of laminated composite cylinders. The potential structural improvement resulting from fiber steering depends on different design parameters such as the number of plies considered for fiber steering in a laminate. In this study, the buckling performance improvement of a variable stiffness (VS) composite cylinder is investigated for different percentages of plies considered for fiber steering in a multilayered composite laminate. A surrogate-based modeling along with a multi-step optimization is used in the design procedure of this study. The improvements in the buckling performance are shown and verified using finite element analysis in ABAQUS software. The mechanisms leading to buckling performance improvement of VS composites are also investigated and presented for different percentages of fiber-steered plies.
An approach to color-based sorting of bulk materials with automated
estimation of system parameters
Authors: Richter Matthias , Längle Thomas , Beyerer Jürgen
Published: March 2015

In this paper, we present a flexible method for color-based sorting
of bulk materials. It is based on semantically meaningful color features that
are constructed from a set of training images. First, estimates of
color-occurrence frequencies of different materials are derived from the
training images and fused into color classes, which are then used to classify
individual pixels. An object descriptor is built as count statistic over the
color classes appearing in the object image. This descriptor has many
advantages: it is compact and very fast to compute, invariant to scale and
rotation, has a very clear, intuitive interpretation, and can be used with
simple rule-based classifiers. However, tuning the parameters that govern the
feature construction process is laborious and requires a lot of experience on
part of the system operator. To overcome this shortcoming, we automatically
learn the parameters using genetic algorithms. We apply our method to wine
grape sorting problems to show that this approach outperforms a human expert.
At the same time, it takes considerably less effort on the human part and
frees the expert to attend to other tasks. Furthermore, the system
allows non-experts to successfully put a sorting machine in operation.
Zur Theorie der elektrischen Leitfähigkeit von Metallen I
Authors: Koppe H.
Published: March 2015

Es wird eine Methode zur Behandlung von Transporterscheinungen in Metallen angegeben, die besonders für hochentartete Fermi-Gesamtheiten geeignet ist.
Ein für die Quantenmechanik bemerkenswerter Satz der Korrelationsrechnung
Authors: Bopp Fritz
Published: March 2015

Ein bemerkenswerter Satz der Korrelationsrechnung wird abgeleitet. Er führt zu einer Darstellung von Mittelwerten der gewöhnlichen Korrelationsstatistik, die formal mit den Mittelwerten Gibbs scher Gesamtheiten quantenmechanischer Systeme übereinstimmt. Die Bedeutung dieser Übereinstimmung für die Quantenmechanik wird untersucht.
Magnetische Messungen an Eisenamalgam zur Frage: Ferromagnetismus und Korngröße
Authors: Mayer Armin , Vogt Eckhart
Published: March 2015

Die schon früher an Eisenamalgamen beobachtete hohe Koerzitivkraft entsteht im Verlaufe eines durch Temperaturerhöhung zu beschleunigenden Alterungsvorganges, bei dem ein Maximum von 950 Oe erreicht wird; längeres Altern setzt die Koerzitivkraft wieder herab. Frisch hergestelltes Amalgam zeigt niedrige Koerzitivkraft (nur etwa 20 Oe); es besitzt ferner bei Raumtemperatur anomal niedrige Sättigungsmagnetisierung, die beim Abkühlen auf die Temperatur flüssiger Luft annähernd zum normalen Wert kompakten Eisens ansteigt; die Temperaturabhängigkeit des Sättigungsmoments ist reversibel. Diese auffälligen Befunde deuten auf einen so hohen Dispersionsgrad des im Hg frisch suspendierten Fe hin, daß die Korngröße (vermutlich ∼ 30 A) noch nicht zur Ausbildung einer so stabilen spontanen Magnetisierung ausreicht, wie sie im kompakten Eisen vorliegt. Der Übergang von Ferromagnetismus zu Paramagnetismus, kennzeichnend für das Gebiet der Curie-Temperatur, ist bei so kleinen Teilchen zu niedrigen Temperaturen verschoben.
Beobachtungen an Eisenspitzen im Feldelektronenmikroskop
Authors: Schleicher Hans-Walter
Published: March 2015

Es wird ein Verfahren zur Herstellung feiner Eisenspitzen durch elektrolytisches Polieren angegeben. Die von solchen Spitzen im Feldelektronenmikroskop erhaltenen Bilder sind sehr verschiedenartig, einige Bildertypen lassen sich jedoch reproduzieren. Die starken Abweichungen der Erscheinungen von denen des Wolframs und Molybdäns werden auf das Vorliegen einer durch den Herstellungsprozeß bedingten Oxydbedeckung zurückgeführt, die offenbar nicht vollständig entfernt werden konnte. Es wird vermutet, daß an dem äußersten Spitzenende ein Fe3O4-Kristall vorliegt. Für eine Reihe von Erscheinungen steht eine Deutung noch aus.
Eine neue Methode zur Anreicherung von Isotopen im Übergangsgebiet zwischen Knudsen - und Poiseuille - Strömung
Authors: Beckey H. D. , Groth W.E.
Published: March 2015

Ein bisher unbekannter Trenneffekt für gasförmige Isotope wurde im Übergangsgebiet zwischen Knudsen- und Poiseuille-Strömung gefunden: verbindet man zwei Gefäße durch eine Kapillare, deren Durchmesser etwa gleich λ/s ist (λ = mittlere freie Weglänge der Gasmischung), kühlt das eine Ende und erwärmt das andere, so reichert sich die leichte Komponente am kalten, die schwere am warmen Ende der Kapillare an („Negativer Effekt“). Die Druck- und Zeitabhängigkeit dieses Effektes wurde bei Mischungen von leichtem und schwerem Wasserstoff und bei Helium-Neon-Mischungen untersucht. Durch eine Modifizierung der Versuchsordnung (Rückstromrohr mit Poiseuille-Strömung) konnte im Druckbereich der reinen Knudsen-Strömung das Vorzeichen des Effektes umgekehrt werden („Positiver Effekt“).

Als Ursache des negativen Effektes wurde gefunden, daß die durch den Konzentrationsgradienten verursachte „Vor-Wanderung“ infolge der Änderung der mittleren freien Weglänge entlang der Kapillare weniger separativ ist als die „Rück-Wanderung“, die durch den Temperaturgradienten verursacht wird. Die Theorien von Pollard und Present2 über die Selbstdiffusion von Gasen in langen Kapillaren und die von Present und De Bethune3 über die Diffusion einer binären Gasmischung, welche die Existenz einer nicht-viskosen, nicht-separierenden Strömung im Übergangsgebiet zwischen Knudsen- und Poiseuille-Strömung zeigten, wurden durch Einbeziehung der Wirkung von Temperaturgradienten erweitert; sie ergaben dann die experimentell gefundenen Anreicherungseffekte.
Über die Intensitätsabhängigkeit der Quantenbilanz photochemischer Prozesse
Authors: Hausser Karl H. , Wegner Udo
Published: March 2015

Es wird im Anschluß an ein experimentelles Ergebnis untersucht, wieso bei einem photochemischen Vorgang, dessen Dosis-Effekt-Kurve den Charakter einer Eintreffer-Kurve hat, eine Abhängigkeit der pro umgewandeltem Molekül absorbierten Quanten von der Intensität des eingestrahlten Lichtes auftreten kann. Dabei zeigt es sich, daß in bestimmten Fällen trotzVorliegens eines Zweitreffer-Vorganges eine Eintreffer-Kurve vorgetäuscht werden kann und zwar dann, wenn der Zwischenzustand instabil und von kurzer Lebensdauer ist und wenn sein Absorptionsquerschnitt sich von demjenigen des Ausgangszustandes erheblich unterscheidet. Es werden der theoretische Verlauf der Umwandlungs-Kurven in einem solchen Fall berechnet und einige Kurvenscharen als Beispiele gegeben. Mit Hilfe der gewonnenen Formeln läßt sich bei Vorliegen von mehreren bei verschiedenen Lichtintensitäten gemessenen Umwandlungs-Kurven die Halbwertzeit und der Absorptionsquerschnitt des experimentell nicht erfaßbaren instabilen Zwischenzustandes berechnen.
Der Einfluß von Zweierstößen auf die molekulare Gasströmung
Authors: Hiby J. W. , Pahl M.
Published: March 2015

Bei einer molekularen Gasströmung (mittlere freie Weglänge λ ≫ mittleren Wandabstand) bewirken Zweierstöße eine Abweichung gegenüber der idealen Molekularströmung (λ → ∞), und zwar wird die Strömung, je nach der geometrischen Form des Strömungswiderstandes, durch die Stöße behindert oder verstärkt. Die Kinetik der relativ seltenen Zweierstöße kann (unter der Voraussetzung eines genügend kleinen Druckgradienten) näherungsweise auf das Problem der Einzelstreuung von Molekülen in einem Gas mit Maxwellscher Geschwindigkeitsverteilung zurückgeführt werden, für die wir kürzlich im starrelastischen Kugelmodell eine Funktion der Richtungsverteilung abgeleitet haben.

Im vorliegenden I. Teil wird im Anschluß an Rechnungen von Pollard und Preset eine Näherungsgleichung gewonnen für den Leitwert F einer langen, kreiszylindrischen Röhre im molekularen Strömungsbereich als Funktion des mittleren Gasdruckes p. Aus dem Vergleich mit Messungen von Knudsen, Gaede und Klose ergibt sich der Maxwellsche Reflexionskoeffizient für H2, N2, O2 und CO2 im Mittel zu f = 0,98 ± 0,01. Auf die Problematik, die mit der Definition dieses Koeffizienten zusammenhängt, wird ausführlich eingegangen.

Der II. Teil der Arbeit wird andere Formen von Strömungswiderständen behandeln: Spaltkanal zwischen ebenen, parallelen Platten; kreisrunde Lochblende; kurze Röhre; poröses Medium.
Zur Theorie der Wärmeleitfähigkeit reagierender fluider Mischungen
Authors: Meixner J.
Published: March 2015

Die Nernstsche Beziehung für die Wärmeleitfähigkeit dissoziierender Gase, welche die Diffusion der Dissoziationsenergie berücksichtigt, wird auf beliebige fluide Systeme, in denen eine chemische Reaktion möglich ist, verallgemeinert. Der Einfluß der Thermodiffusion, des Diffusionsthermoeffekts und der Reaktionsgeschwindigkeit auf die Wärmeleitfähigkeit wird abgeschätzt.
Das chemische Isotopentrennverfahren als Rektifikationsproblem
Authors: Becker E. W. , Bier K.
Published: March 2015

Es wird eine Methode zur Bestimmung optimaler Betriebsbedingungen für Einzelkolonnen und Kolonnen-Kaskaden am Beispiel der 13C-Anreicherung entwickelt. Die Abhängigkeit der Trenneigenschaften der Füllkörperkolonnen von den interessierenden Versuchsparametern wird in 60 Ein zelversuchen experimentell bestimmt. Durch ein besonderes Aktivierungsverfahren kann dabei die Trennschärfe der Kolonnen erheblich verbessert werden. Mit den experimentell gewonnenen Daten wird auf Grund der abgeleiteten Formeln eine vierstufige Trennkaskade für eine Produktionsleistung von 0,18 Mol Kohlenstoff pro Tag mit 12% 13C berechnet. Die praktische Ausführung dieser Anlage wird in der folgenden Arbeit beschrieben.