bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Preoperative Mastoid Ventilation on Tympanoplasty Success
Authors: Metin Mehmet , Kaptan Zeynep Kizilkaya , Dogan Sedat , Yazici Hasmet , Bayraktar Cem , Gocmen Hakan , Samim Etem Erdal
Published: October 2014

Purpose. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the relationship between mastoid air cell volumes and graft success after tympanoplasty.Material and Methods. This study was performed retrospectively with patients undergoing type I tympanoplasty and antrostomy. A total of 57 patients (20–35.09% female and 37–64.91% male) with a mean age of29.69±SD(range 12–56 years) were included in the study. The patients were invited for a control at the 1st, 3rd, and 12th months, and otoscopic examinations and audiometric tests were performed. The temporal bone computed tomography images were screened with the 4800 Dpi optic resolution scanner and transferred to the computer environment in JPG format in order to calculate the mastoid air cell volume, and the volumes were calculated using the Autocad 2007 program.Results. Although, the graft success was determined to be better in the well-ventilated group, no significant difference could be found between the groups in terms of graft success at the 1st, 3rd, and 12th months(P>0.05). No statistically significant difference could be found between the three groups in terms of the preoperative and postoperative hearing gains(P>0.05).
A Hybrid Method for Endocardial Contour Extraction of Right Ventricle in 4-Slices from 3D Echocardiography Dataset
Authors: Dawood Faten A. , Rahmat Rahmita W. , Kadiman Suhaini B. , Abdullah Lili N. , Zamrin Mohd D.
Published: October 2014

This paper presents a hybrid method to extract endocardial contour of the right ventricular (RV) in 4-slices from 3D echocardiography dataset. The overall framework comprises four processing phases. In Phase I, the region of interest (ROI) is identified by estimating the cavity boundary. Speckle noise reduction and contrast enhancement were implemented in Phase II as preprocessing tasks. In Phase III, the RV cavity region was segmented by generating intensity threshold which was used for once for all frames. Finally, Phase IV is proposed to extract the RV endocardial contour in a complete cardiac cycle using a combination of shape-based contour detection and improved radial search algorithm. The proposed method was applied to 16 datasets of 3D echocardiography encompassing the RV in long-axis view. The accuracy of experimental results obtained by the proposed method was evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. It has been done by comparing the segmentation results of RV cavity based on endocardial contour extraction with the ground truth. The comparative analysis results show that the proposed method performs efficiently in all datasets with overall performance of 95% and the root mean square distances (RMSD) measure in terms of mean ± SD was found to be 2.21 ± 0.35 mm for RV endocardial contours.
An Effective Way of J Wave Separation Based on Multilayer NMF
Authors: Li Deng-ao , Lv Jing-ang , Zhao Ju-min , Zhang Jin
Published: October 2014

J wave is getting more and more important in the clinical diagnosis as a new index of the electrocardiogram (ECG) of ventricular bipolar, but its signal often mixed in normal ST segment, using the traditional electrocardiograph, and diagnosed by experience cannot meet the practical requirements. Therefore, a new method of multilayer nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) in this paper is put forward, taking the hump shape J wave, for example, which can extract the original J wave signal from the ST segment and analyze the accuracy of extraction, showing the characteristics of hump shape J wave from the aspects of frequency domain, power spectrum, and spectral type, providing the basis for clinical diagnosis and increasing the reliability of the diagnosis of J wave.
Compound Danshen Dripping Pill Pretreatment to Prevent Contrast‐Induced Nephropathy in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Yang Rong , Chang Liang , Guo Bing-yan , Wang Yan-wei , Wang Ya-ling , Jin Xin , Liu Su-yun , Li Yong-jun
Published: October 2014

Background. Contrast‐induced nephropathy (CIN) limits the outcome of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Objective. To investigate whether pretreatment with Compound Danshen Dripping Pills (CDDP) will decrease the incidence of CIN after PCI. Methods. A total of 229 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing PCI were divided into the control group (n = 114) and the CDDP (containing salvia miltiorrhiza and sanqi) group (n = 115; given 20 CDDP pills, three times daily before PCI). Serum creatinine, creatinine clearance (CrCl), high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP), P‐selectin, and intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) were measured at admission and 24 and 48 h after PCI. Results. CrCl decreased after PCI but recovered after 48 h. In the CDDP group, CrCl recovered more rapidly (P < 0.05). The procedure increased the hsCRP, P‐selectin, and ICAM‐1 levels, but these levels were less in the CDDP group (P < 0.05). Conclusions. Pretreatment with CDDP can decrease the occurrence of CIN in patients undergoing PCI, suggesting that the early use of CDDP is an appropriate adjuvant pharmacological therapy before PCI.
Detection of Abnormal Hemoglobin Variants by HPLC Method: Common Problems with Suggested Solutions
Authors: Pant Leela , Kalita Dipti , Singh Sompal , Kudesia Madhur , Mendiratta Sumanlata , Mittal Meenakshi , Mathur Alka
Published: October 2014

Thalassemia and thalassemic hemoglobinopathies pose serious health problem leading to severe morbidity and mortality in Indian population. Plethora of hemoglobin variants is prevalent in multiethnic Indian population. The aim of the present study was to analyze laboratory aspects, namely, hematological profile and HPLC findings of the hemoglobin variants detected, and to discuss problems that we faced in diagnosis in a routine clinical laboratory. We screened a total of 4800 cases in a hospital based population of North India in a 2-years period of by automated HPLC method using the Variant Hemoglobin Testing System (Variant II Beta Thalassemia Short Program, Bio-Rad Laboratories) under the experimental conditions specified by the manufacturer. Whole blood in EDTA was used and red cell indices were determined using automated hematology analyzer. We detected 290 cases with abnormal variants in which beta thalassemia was the most common followed by hemoglobin E. Here, we discuss the laboratory aspects of various hemoglobin disorders and diagnostic difficulties in cases like borderline HbA2 values, presence of silent mutation, alpha thalassemia gene, and few rare variants which at times require correlation with genetic study. Special attention was given to HbA2 level even in presence of a structural variant to rule out coinheritance of beta thalassemia gene.
Extraction of Maxillary Central Incisors: An Orthodontic-Restorative Treatment
Authors: Hedayati Zohreh , Zare Maryam , Bahramnia Fateme
Published: October 2014

Malformed central incisors with poor prognosis could be candidates for extraction especially in crowded dental arches. This case report refers to a 12-year-old boy who suffered from malformed upper central incisors associated with severe attrition. Upper lateral incisors were positioned palatally and canines were rotated and positioned in the high buccal area. The patient had class II malocclusion and space deficiency in both dental arches. Due to incisal wear and malformed short maxillary central incisors and the need for root canal therapy with a major crown build-up, these teeth were extracted. The maxillary lateral incisors were substituted. Thus the maxillary canines were substituted for lateral incisors and the first premolars were substituted for canines. In the lower dental arch the first bicuspids were extracted. Composite resin build-up was performed on the maxillary lateral incisors and canines. This allowed for the crowding and the malocclusion to be corrected. Subsequent gingivectomy improved the patient's gingival margins and smile esthetics one month after orthodontic therapy.
Fatty Acid Composition and Lipid Profile ofDiospyros mespiliformis, Albizia lebbeck, andCaesalpinia pulcherrimaSeed Oils from Nigeria
Authors: Adewuyi Adewale , Oderinde Rotimi Ayodele
Published: October 2014

The screening of lesser-known underutilized seeds as source of food has been a way of finding solution to food insecurity in developing nations. In this regard, oil as a class of food was extracted from the seeds ofDiospyros mespiliformis  (4.72±0.2%),Albizia lebbeck  (6.40±0.60%), andCaesalpinia pulcherrima  (7.2±0.30%). The oils were finally analyzed for their fatty acid composition, lipid classes, fatty acid distribution in the lipid fractions, and molecular speciation of the triacylglycerols, glycolipids, and phospholipids. The fatty acid composition of the oils varied with C18:2 fatty acid being the most dominant in the oils. Neutral lipids were the most abundant lipid class found in the oils while molecular species of the triacylglycerol with equivalent carbon chain number C40 was majorly present in the oils ofDiospyros mespiliformisandCaesalpinia pulcherrima. The present study presents lesser-known underutilized seeds as possible sources of food.
Variability in the Management of Superficial Venous Thrombophlebitis across Practitioners Based in North America and the Global Community
Authors: Dua Anahita , Heller Jennifer A. , Patel Bhavin , Desai Sapan S.
Published: October 2014

Introduction. This study aimed to compare management patterns of patients with SVT among healthcare practitioners based in North America versus those in the global community. Methods. A 17-question, multiple choice survey with questions regarding SVT diagnosis and management strategies was provided to practitioners who attended the American Venous Forum (AVF) meeting in 2011. Results. There were 487 practitioners surveyed with 365 classified as North American (US or Canada) and 122 (56 Europe, 25 Asia, 11 South America, and 7 Africa) representing the global community. The key difference seen between the groups was in the initial imaging study used in patients presenting with SVT (P=0.046) and physicians in the US ordered fewer bilateral duplex ultrasounds and more unilateral duplex ultrasounds (49.6% versus 58.2%, 39.7% versus 34.4%). In the US cohort, phlebologists and vascular surgeons constituted 82% (n=300) of the specialties surveyed. In the global community, SVT was managed by phlebologists or vascular surgeons 44% (n=54) of the time. Surgical management was highly variable between groups. Conclusion. There is currently no consensus between or among practitioners in North America or globally as to the surgical management of SVT, duration of follow-up, and anticoagulation parameters.
Corelation between Machines Assisted Endodontic Irrigant Agitation and Apical Extrusion of Debris and Irrigant: A Laboratory Study
Authors: Gupta Jatin , Nikhil Vineeta , Jha Padmanabh
Published: October 2014

Aims.To compare amount of root canal debris and irrigant extruded apically after irrigants agitation using closed and open chambers.Methods and Material.Sixty maxillary central incisors were selected, decoronated, and mounted in preweighed glass vials filled with distilled water. Biomechanical preparation was completed using ProTaper rotary files until number F4 and 1 mL of 3% NaOCl solution after each file use. Samples were randomly divided into closed or open chamber sets which were further subdivided into 6 groups, based on the agitation techniques: no agitation (control), canalBrush, lentulospiral, passive ultrasonic agitation (PUA), EndoActivator, and EndoVac. Canals were irrigated with 1 mL of 17% EDTA and agitated for 30 s and then flushed with 2 mL of distilled water. Apically extruded irrigant was measured and vials were kept in incubator for 5 days at 68°C for drying for weight calculation.Statistical Analysis.Analysis was done using Student’st-test, one-way ANOVA, and post-hoc.Results.All agitation techniques showed apical extrusion of the debris and irrigant. The closed chamber apparatus showed significantly less extrusion of debris and irrigant than open chamber(P<0.05).Conclusions.EndoVac was found to be the safest agitation system among all test groups with regard to apical extrusion of debris and irrigant.
A Novel Mobile Personalized Recommended Method Based on Money Flow Model for Stock Exchange
Authors: Xu Qingzhen , Wu Jiayong , Chen Qiang
Published: October 2014

Personalized recommended method is widely used to recommend commodities for target customers in e‐commerce sector. The core idea of merchandise personalized recommendation can be applied to financial field, which can also achieve stock personalized recommendation. This paper proposes a new recommended method using collaborative filtering based on user fuzzy clustering and predicts the trend of those stocks based on money flow. We use M/G/1 queue system with multiple vacations and server close‐down time to measure practical money flow. Based on the indicated results of money flow, we can select the more valued stock to recommend to investors. The experimental results show that the proposed method provides investors with reliable practical investment guidance and receiving more returns.
Crusted Demodicosis in an Immunocompetent Pediatric Patient
Authors: Guerrero-González Guillermo Antonio , Herz-Ruelas Maira Elizabeth , Gómez-Flores Minerva , Ocampo-Candiani Jorge
Published: October 2014

Demodicosis refers to the infestation byDemodexspp., a saprophytic mite of the pilosebaceous unit. Demodex proliferation can result in a number of cutaneous disorders including pustular folliculitis, pityriasis folliculorum, papulopustular, and granulomatous rosacea, among others. We report the case of a 7-year-old female presenting with pruritic grayish crusted lesions over her nose and cheeks, along with facial erythema, papules, and pustules. The father referred chronic use of topical steroids. A potassium hydroxide mount of a pustule scraping revealed severalD. folliculorummites. Oral ivermectin (200 μg/kg, single dose) plus topical permethrin 5% lotion applied for 3 consecutive nights were administered. Oral ivermectin was repeated every week and oral erythromycin plus topical metronidazole cream was added. The facial lesions greatly improved within the following 3 months. While infestation of the pilosebaceous unit byDemodex folliculorummites is common, only few individuals present symptoms. Demodicosis can present as pruritic papules, pustules, plaques, and granulomatous facial lesions. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of facial crusted demodicosis in an immunocompetent child. The development of symptoms in this patient could be secondary to local immunosuppression caused by the chronic use of topical steroids.
Efficient QCA Exclusive-or and Multiplexer Circuits Based on a Nanoelectronic-Compatible Designing Approach
Authors: Chabi Amir Mokhtar , Sayedsalehi Samira , Angizi Shaahin , Navi Keivan
Published: October 2014

Quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) are a transistorless computation approach which encodes binary information via configuration of charges among quantum dots. The fundamental QCA logic primitives are majority and inverter gates which can be utilized to design various QCA circuits. This study presents a novel approach to designing efficient QCA-based circuits based on Boolean expressions achieved from reconfiguration of five-input and three-input majority gates. Whereas the multiplexer and Exclusive-or are the most important fundamental logical circuits in digital systems, designing efficient and single layer structures without coplanar cross-over wiring is advantageous in QCA technology. In order to demonstrate the efficiency and usefulness of the proposed approach, simple and dense multiplexer and Exclusive-or structures are implemented. The proposed designs have significant improvement in terms of area, complexity, latency, and gate count in comparison to previous designs. The correct logical functionalities of presented structures have been authenticated using QCA designer tool.
Reconstructions of Einstein-Aether Gravity from Ordinary and Entropy-Corrected Versions of Holographic and New Agegraphic Dark Energy Models
Authors: Debnath Ujjal
Published: October 2014

Here we briefly discuss the Einstein-Aether gravity theory by modification of Einstein-Hilbert action. We find the modified Friedmann equations and then from the equations we find the effective density and pressure for Einstein-Aether gravity sector. These can be treated as if dark energy provided some restrictions on the free functionF(K), whereKis proportional toH2. Assuming two types of the power law solutions of the scale factor, we have reconstructed the unknown functionF(K)from HDE and NADE and their entropy-corrected versions (ECHDE and ECNADE). We also obtain the EoS parameter for Einstein-Aether gravity dark energy. For HDE and NADE, we have shown that the type I scale factor generates the quintessence scenario only and type II scale factor generates phantom scenario. But for ECHDE and ECNADE, both types of scale factors can accommodate the transition from quintessence to phantom stages; that is, phantom crossing is possible for entropy-corrected terms of HDE and NADE models. Finally, we show that the models are classically unstable.
Synthesis, Spectroscopic Characterization, and Biological Evaluation Studies of 5-Bromo-3-(((hydroxy-2-methylquinolin-7-yl)methylene)hydrazono)indolin-2-one and Its Metal (II) Complexes
Authors: Siddappa Kuruba , Mayana Nabiya Sultana
Published: October 2014

The Schiff base ligand 5-bromo-3-(((8-hydroxy-2-methylquinolin-7-yl)methylene)hydrazono)indolin-2-one (BHMQMHI) was preparedviacondensation of 5-bromo-3-hydrazonoindolin-2-one and 7-formyl-8-hydroxy-2-methylquinoline and its Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Hg(II) complexes have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, conductance data, magnetic susceptibility measurements, IR, UV-Vis, mass spectrometry,1H NMR, ESR, XRD, and thermal studies. By these spectral studies it is found that Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) complexes have exhibited octahedral geometry whereas the Zn(II), Cd(II), and Hg(II) complexes have exhibited tetrahedral geometry. Potentiometric studies have been carried out on complexes of Schiff base (BHMQMHI) with Cu(II), Co(II), and Ni(II). Calvin-Bjerrum pH-titration technique as used by Irving and Rossotti has been applied to determine stability constants in mixed solvents at25 ± 1°C. The present study reports the protonation constants of this ligand and stability constants of its metal complexes in dioxane-water (50%, v/v) mixtures. Metal-ligand stability constants fall in the order of Cu(II) > Co(II) > Ni(II) which is in agreement with those reported by Irving stability order. The Schiff base (BHMQMHI) and its metal complexes have been screened for theirin vitroantibacterial and antifungal activities by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method. The DNA cleavage activities of all the complexes were studied by agarose gel electrophoresis method. In addition, the free ligand along with its complexes has been studied for their antioxidant activity.
On Nil-Symmetric Rings
Authors: Chakraborty Uday Shankar , Das Krishnendu
Published: October 2014

The concept of nil-symmetric rings has been introduced as a generalization of symmetric rings and a particular case of nil-semicommutative rings. A ringRis called right (left) nil-symmetric if, fora,b,c∈R, wherea,bare nilpotent elements,abc=0  (cab=0)impliesacb=0. A ring is called nil-symmetric if it is both right and left nil-symmetric. It has been shown that the polynomial ring over a nil-symmetric ring may not be a right or a left nil-symmetric ring. Further, it is also proved that ifRis right (left) nil-symmetric, then the polynomial ringR[x]is a nil-Armendariz ring.
A New Measure for Detecting Influential DMUs in DEA
Authors: Acarlar Irmak , Kınacı Harun , Najjari Vadoud
Published: October 2014

We discuss about influential DMUs and also we review some related studies in the literature. Then we propose a new method to detect influential DMUs, which is based on Euclidean distance and omitting the efficient DMUs by using single case deletion. Our method will be explained with an empirical example.
Effects of Awakening and the Use of Topical Dexamethasone and Levofloxacin on the Cytokine Levels in Tears Following Corneal Transplantation
Authors: Fodor Mariann , Petrovski Goran , Pásztor Dorottya , Gogolák Péter , Rajnavölgyi Éva , Berta András
Published: October 2014

Objectives. To study the short-term effect of eye opening and use of topical dexamethasone phosphate 0.1% and levofloxacin 0.5% on the cytokine levels in human tears.Methods. Prospective experimental design was used for tear collection from eyes of 10 healthy controls and 20 patients four days after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) at awakening and after instilling dexamethasone or levofloxacin. The concentrations of different cytokines were measured by cytometric bead array.Results. At eye opening, IL-6 levels were higher in the PKP group as compared to the controls. Thirty minutes later, the released levels of IL-10, IL-13, IL-17, IFNγ, and CCL5 increased in controls, while CXCL8 decreased in both control and PKP groups. The release of the cytokines remained stable after 30 mins except for IFNγ, which showed a decrease in the controls following levofloxacin instillation. No short-term effects of the topically used dexamethasone and levofloxacin could be detected on the cytokine levels in controls and after PKP.Conclusions. Evidence of changes in the levels and time course of tear cytokines after awakening or eye opening could be established and the short-term confounding effects of dexamethasone and levofloxacin on the levels of released cytokines in human tears could be excluded.
Composite Differential Evolution with Modified Oracle Penalty Method for Constrained Optimization Problems
Authors: Dong Minggang , Wang Ning , Cheng Xiaohui , Jiang Chuanxian
Published: October 2014

Motivated by recent advancements in differential evolution and constraints handling methods, this paper presents a novel modified oracle penalty function‐based composite differential evolution (MOCoDE) for constrained optimization problems (COPs). More specifically, the original oracle penalty function approach is modified so as to satisfy the optimization criterion of COPs; then the modified oracle penalty function is incorporated in composite DE. Furthermore, in order to solve more complex COPs with discrete, integer, or binary variables, a discrete variable handling technique is introduced into MOCoDE to solve complex COPs with mix variables. This method is assessed on eleven constrained optimization benchmark functions and seven well‐studied engineering problems in real life. Experimental results demonstrate that MOCoDE achieves competitive performance with respect to some other state‐of‐the‐art approaches in constrained optimization evolutionary algorithms. Moreover, the strengths of the proposed method include few parameters and its ease of implementation, rendering it applicable to real life. Therefore, MOCoDE can be an efficient alternative to solving constrained optimization problems.
Improvement of Swirl Chamber Structure of Swirl-Chamber Diesel Engine Based on Flow Field Characteristics
Authors: Yuan Wenhua , Ma Yi , Fu Jun , Chen Wei
Published: October 2014

In order to improve combustion characteristic of swirl chamber diesel engine, a simulation model about a traditional cylindrical flat-bottom swirl chamber turbulent combustion diesel engine was established within the timeframe of the piston motion from the bottom dead centre (BDC) to the top dead centre (TDC) with the fluent dynamic mesh technique and flow field vector of gas in swirl chamber and cylinder; the pressure variation and temperature variation were obtained and a new type of swirl chamber structure was proposed. The results reveal that the piston will move from BDC; air in the cylinder is compressed into the swirl chamber by the piston to develop a swirl inside the chamber, with the ongoing of compression; the pressure and temperature are also rising gradually. Under this condition, the demand of diesel oil mixing and combusting will be better satisfied. Moreover, the new structure will no longer forma small fluid retention zone at the lower end outside the chamber and will be more beneficial to the mixing of fuel oil and air, which has presented a new idea and theoretical foundation for the design and optimization of swirl chamber structure and is thus of good significance of guiding in this regard.
Higher‐Order Accelerations and Poles under the One‐Parameter Planar Hyperbolic Motions and Their Inverse Motions
Authors: Şahin Serdal , Yüce Salim
Published: October 2014

We expressed the higher‐order velocities, accelerations, and poles under the one‐parameter planar hyperbolic motions and their inverse motions. The higher‐order accelerations and poles are also presented by considering the rotation angle φ as a parameter of the motion and its inverse motion.
Serum Fetuin-A Levels in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Sun Ze-Lin , Xie Qi-Ying , Guo Gong-Liang , Ma Ke , Huang Yuan-Yuan
Published: October 2014

Background. Fetuin-A (FA) suppresses arterial calcification, promotes insulin resistance, and appears to be elevated in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD), but the data is still inconsistent. To clarify the correlation between serum FA levels and the presence and severity of CVDs, we performed this meta-analysis.Method. Potential relevant studies were identified covering the following databases: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CISCOM, CINAHL, Google Scholar, China BioMedicine (CBM), and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases. Data from eligible studies were extracted and included in the meta-analysis using a random-effects model.Results. Ten case-control studies, including 1,281 patients with CVDs and 2,663 healthy controls, were included. The results showed significant differences in serum levels of FA between the CVDs patients and the healthy controls (SMD = 1.36, 95%CI: 0.37–2.36,P=0.007). Ethnicity-subgroup analysis implied that low serum FA levels are related to CVDs in Caucasians (SMD = 1.73, 95%CI: 0.20–3.26,P=0.026), but not in Asians (SMD = 1.04, 95%CI: −0.33–2.40,P=0.138).Conclusion. The data indicated that decreased serum FA level is correlated with the development of CVDs. FA might be clinically valuable for reflecting the progression of CVDs.
Late Complications following Endoscopic Sphincterotomy for Choledocholithiasis: A Swedish Population-Based Study
Authors: Langerth A. , Brandt L. , Ekbom A. , Karlson B.-M.
Published: October 2014

In order to assess the risk of long-term complications following endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) for common bile duct stones (CBDS), we conducted a cohort study. The study included 1,113 patients who underwent ES for CBDS in six different hospitals in central Sweden between 1977 and 1990. Through the use of the Swedish population registry, each patient was assigned five population-based controls matched for sex and age. Linkage to the Inpatient Registry yielded information on morbidity and mortality for the patients as well as for the controls. After one year of washout, there were 964 patients available for follow-up. The mean age was 70.6 years, 57% were women, and the mean length of follow-up was 8.9 years. The patients’ overall morbidity was significantly higher and we observed a tendency towards increased mortality as well. Recurrent CBDS was diagnosed in 4.1% of the patients. Acute cholangitis with a hazard ratio (HR) of 36 (95%CI 11–119.4) was associated with recurrent CBDS in 39% of the patients. HR for acute pancreatitis was 6.2 (95%CI 3.4–11.3) and only one patient had CBDS at the same time. In conclusion, we consider acute pancreatitis and cholangitis both as probable long-term complications after ES.
Reliability Aware Routing for Intra-Wireless Body Sensor Networks
Authors: Bangash Javed Iqbal , Abdullah Abdul Hanan , Razzaque Mohammad Abdur , Khan Abdul Waheed
Published: October 2014

With the promise of cost effective, unobtrusive, and unsupervised continuous monitoring, wireless body sensor networks (WBSNs) have attracted a wide range of monitoring applications such as medical and healthcare, sport activity, and rehabilitation systems. Most WBSN's medical and healthcare applications are real-time and life-critical, which require strict guarantee of quality of service (QoS), in terms of latency, and reliability. Reliability in routing plays key role in providing the overall reliability in WBSNs. This paper presents reliability aware routing (RAR) for intra-WBSNs that aims to provide high reliability for reliability constraint data packets. It considers the high and dynamic path loss due to body postural movements and temperature rise of the implanted biomedical sensor nodes. We have used two network models in this paper: RAR without Relays (RAR) and RAR with Relays (RARR). The simulation results reveal that RARR outperforms the other state-of-the-art schemes while RAR has slightly low reliability at low data rates as compared to RARR but significantly higher than other state-of-the-art schemes.
Mixing Rules Formulation for a Kinetic Model of the Langmuir-Hinshelwood Semipredictive Type Applied to the Heterogeneous Photocatalytic Degradation of Multicomponent Mixtures
Authors: Rodriguez-Acosta John Wilman , Mueses Miguel Ángel , Machuca-Martínez Fiderman
Published: October 2014

Mixing rules coupled to a semipredictive kinetic model of the Langmuir-Hinshelwood type were proposed to determine the behavior of the heterogeneous solar photodegradation with TiO2-P25 of multicomponent mixtures at pilot scale. The kinetic expressions were expressed in terms of the effective concentration of total organic carbon(xTOC). An expression was obtained in a generalized form which is a function of the mixing rules as a product of a global contribution of the reaction rate constantk′and a mixing functionfC. Kinetic parameters of the model were obtained using the Nelder and Mead (N-M) algorithm. The kinetic model was validated with experimental data obtained from the degradation of binary mixtures of chlorinated compounds (DCA: dichloroacetic acid and 4-CP: 4-chlorophenol) at different initial global concentration, using a CPC reactor at pilot scale. A simplex-lattice{2,3}design experiment was adopted to perform the runs.
Potentiometric and Blood Plasma Simulation Studies of Nickel(II) Complexes of Poly(amino)amido Pentadentate Ligands: Computer Aided Metal-Based Drug Design
Authors: Odisitse Sebusi , Jackson Graham E.
Published: October 2014

The thermodynamic equilibria of nickel(II) with N,N′-di(aminoethylene)-2,6-pyridinedicarbonylamine (L1), Bis-(N,N-dimethylethyl)-2,6-pyridinedicarboxamide (L2), and N,N′-bis[2(2-pyridyl)-methyl]pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide (L3) have been studied at 25°C and an ionic strength of 0.15 mol dm−3by glass electrode potentiometry. The protonation and formation constants added to blood plasma model predict that Cu(II) competes effectively against Ni(II), Zn(II), and Ca(II) for these ligandsin vivo.
To Evaluate the Application of Alkoxide Sol‐Gel Method in Fabrication of 3YSZ‐MWCNTs Nanocomposites, in an Attempt to Improve Its Mechanical Properties
Authors: Ahmadi Ali , Youzbashi Amir Ali , Nozad Golikand Ahmad , Ebadzadeh Toraj , Maghsoudipour Amir
Published: October 2014

In the present research work, fabrication of YSZ‐CNTs composite system through alkoxide sol‐gel processing was evaluated, in an attempt to improve its mechanical properties. Nanocomposites containing 0.5–2 wt% MWCNTs were then fabricated through the hydrolysis and condensation processing of the solution mixtures containing alkoxide and inorganic precursors along with the functionalized CNTs under basic condition and its final sintering by the SPS technique at 1400°C. Results showed the formation of a nanocomposite powder based on pure 3YSZ matrix, with well dispersion of CNTs and its good adhesion to the matrix particles in composite containing 0.5 wt% CNTs. The fracture toughness of sintered samples showed around 24% increase for the composite containing 0.5 wt% CNTs. The fracture toughness, hardness, and density decreased due to the agglomeration of CNTs over 0.5 wt%. Toughening mechanisms including pullout and crack bridging were observed on the polished and fractured surfaces.
Integralφ0-Stability in terms of Two Measures for Impulsive Differential Equations with “Supremum”
Authors: Wang Peiguang , Liu Xiaojing , Xu Qing
Published: October 2014

This paper establishes a criterion on integralφ0-stability in terms of two measures for impulsive differential equations with “supremum” by using the cone-valued piecewise continuous Lyapunov functions, Razumikhin method, and comparative method. Meantime, an example is given to illustrate our result.
Subcutaneous Rupture of the Extensor Pollicis Longus Tendon after Corticosteroid Injections for DeQuervain’s Stenosing Tenovaginitis
Authors: Boussakri Hassan , Bouali Amara
Published: October 2014

DeQuervain’s stenosing tenovaginitis is a common condition. Nonsurgical treatment by corticosteroid injection has significantly improved the management of this disease. The authors describe a case of subcutaneous rupture of the extensor pollicis longus tendon at the wrist, three months after two corticosteroid injections for DeQuervain’s stenosing tenovaginitis. The etiological history has not found any trauma history of the wrist. The aim of our work is to draw attention to this rare complication and discuss its therapeutic management. Our functional results were excellent.
Surgical Management of Massive Labial Edema in a Gravid Preeclamptic Diabetic
Authors: Lindsey Jennifer S. , DeVente James E.
Published: October 2014

Background. Massive labial edema is a rare complication during pregnancy that can jeopardize vaginal delivery, as well as leading to maternal and fetal morbidity. It can be related to systemic pathologies, but has been commonly associated with preeclampsia and diabetes. This increased and sometimes longstanding pressure may result in a “labial compartment syndrome” leading to microvascular damage and tissue necrosis if not resolved in a timely fashion.Case. Massive labial edema was treated first conservatively and then surgically in a gravid diabetic patient with severe preeclampsia. Immediately after Cesarean section, the labial compartment syndrome was relieved surgically and resolved rapidly.Conclusion. When conservative attempts at management of labial edema fail, or rapid resolution is critical to maternal and fetal outcome, surgical alternatives should be considered.
Targeting JAK1/STAT3 Signaling Suppresses Tumor Progression and Metastasis in a Peritoneal Model of Human Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Wen Wei , Liang Wei , Wu Jun , Kowolik Claudia M. , Buettner Ralf , Scuto Anna , Hsieh Meng-Yin , Hong Hao , Brown Christine E. , Forman Stephen J. , Horne David , Morgan Robert , Wakabayashi Mark , Dellinger Thanh H. , Han Ernest S. , Yim John H. , Jove Richard
Published: October 2014

JAK/STAT3 is one of the major signaling pathways that is aberrantly activated in ovarian cancer and associated with tumor progression and poor prognosis in patients with ovarian cancer. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of targeting JAK/STAT3 signaling in ovarian cancer using a peritoneal dissemination mouse model. We developed this mouse model by injecting a metastatic human ovarian cancer cell line, SKOV3-M-Luc, into the peritoneal cavity of immunodeficient mice. This model displayed a phenotype similar to late-stage ovarian cancer, including extensive peritoneal metastasis and ascites production. The constitutive activation of STAT3 in human ovarian cancer cells appeared to be mediated by an autocrine cytokine loop involving the IL6 family of cytokines and JAK1 kinase. shRNA-mediated knockdown of JAK1 or STAT3 in ovarian cancer cells led to reduced tumor growth, decreased peritoneal dissemination, and diminished ascites production, suggesting a critical role of STAT3 in ovarian cancer progression. Similar results were obtained when a small-molecule inhibitor (JAKi) of the JAK1 kinase was used to treat ovarian cancer in this model. In addition, we found that the expression level of IL6 was correlated with activation of STAT3 in ovarian cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting a potential application of IL6 as a biomarker. Altogether, our results demonstrate that targeting JAK1/STAT3, using shRNA knockdown or a small-molecule inhibitor, effectively suppressed ovarian tumor progression and, therefore, could be a potential novel therapeutic approach for treating advanced ovarian cancer. Mol Cancer Ther; 13(12); 3037–48. ©2014 AACR.
Diagnosis and management of non-criteria obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: Machin Samuel J. , Mackie Ian J. , Cohen Hannah , Jayakody Arachchillage Deepa R.
Published: October 2014

Accurate diagnosis of obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a prerequisite for optimal clinical management. The international consensus (revised Sapporo) criteria for obstetric APS do not include low positive anticardiolipin (aCL) and anti β2 glycoprotein I (aβ2GPI) antibodies (> 99th centile) and/or certain clinical criteria such as two unexplained miscarriages, three non-consecutive miscarriages, late preeclampsia, placental abruption, late premature birth, or two or more unexplained in vitro fertilisation failures. In this review we examine the available evidence to address the question of whether patients who exhibit non-criteria clinical and/or laboratory manifestations should be included within the spectrum of obstetric APS. Prospective and retrospective cohort studies of women with pregnancy morbidity, particularly recurrent pregnancy loss, suggest that elimination of aCL and/or IgM aβ2GPI, or low positive positive aCL or aβ2GPI from APS laboratory diagnostic criteria may result in missing the diagnosis in a sizeable number of women who could be regarded to have obstetric APS. Such prospective and retrospective studies also suggest that women with non-criteria obstetric APS may benefit from standard treatment for obstetric APS with low-molecular-weight heparin plus low-dose aspirin, with good pregnancy outcomes. Thus, non-criteria manifestations of obstetric APS may be clinically relevant, and merit investigation of therapeutic approaches. Women with obstetric APS appear to be at a higher risk than other women of pre-eclampsia, placenta- mediated complications and neonatal mortality, and also at increased long-term risk of thrombotic events. The applicability of these observations to outcomes in women with non-criteria obstetric APS remains to be determined.
Vascularisation for cardiac tissue engineering: the extracellular matrix
Authors: Patra Chinmoy , Boccaccini Aldo , Engel Felix
Published: October 2014

Cardiovascular diseases present a major socio-economic burden. One major problem underlying most cardiovascular and congenital heart diseases is the irreversible loss of contractile heart muscle cells, the cardiomyocytes. To reverse damage incurred by myocardial infarction or by surgical correction of cardiac malformations, the loss of cardiac tissue with a thickness of a few millimetres needs to be compensated. A promising approach to this issue is cardiac tissue engineering. In this review we focus on the problem of in vitro vascularisation as implantation of cardiac patches consisting of more than three layers of cardiomyocytes (> 100 μm thick) already results in necrosis. We explain the need for vascularisation and elaborate on the importance to include non-myocytes in order to generate functional vascularised cardiac tissue. We discuss the potential of extracellular matrix molecules in promoting vascularisation and introduce nephronectin as an example of a new promising candidate. Finally, we discuss current biomaterial- based approaches including micropatterning, electrospinning, 3D micro-manufacturing technology and porogens. Collectively, the current literature supports the notion that cardiac tissue engineering is a realistic option for future treatment of paediatric and adult patients with cardiac disease.
Incremental Prognostic Value of Left Ventricular Global Longitudinal Strain in Patients With Aortic Stenosis and Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Kusunose Kenya , Goodman Andrew , Parikh Roosha , Barr Tyler , Agarwal Shikhar , Popovic Zoran B. , Grimm Richard A. , Griffin Brian P. , Desai Milind Y.
Published: October 2014

Background—

We sought to assess the utility of left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) in predicting mortality in moderate to severe and paradoxical severe aortic stenosis (AS) patients with preserved ejection fraction.

Methods and Results—

We studied 395 AS patients (70±14 years, 57% men) with aortic valve area <1.3 cm
2
evaluated between January to June 2008 (excluding severe other valve disease and LV ejection fraction <50%). Clinical and echocardiographic data were recorded. LV-GLS was analyzed using Velocity Vector Imaging. AS patients were classified as (a) moderate–severe (n=93; aortic valve area, 1.1–1.3 cm
2
), (b) standard severe (n=161; aortic valve area, ≤1 cm2; mean gradient ≥40 mm Hg), and (c) paradoxical severe (n=141; aortic valve area, ≤1 cm2 and mean gradient <40 mm Hg). Additive Euroscore was 7±3. The association of LV-GLS with all-cause mortality was assessed after risk-adjustment using Cox proportional hazards models. Median LV-GLS was −14.8% (interquartile range, −17.2%, −12.1%). At 4.4±1.4 years, there were 92 (23%) deaths. On multivariable Cox analysis, additive Euroscore (hazard ratio, 1.19; 1.13–1.27;
P
<0.001), New York Heart Association class (hazard ratio, 1.44; 1.11–1.87;
P
<0.001), AV surgery with time-dependent covariate analysis (hazard ratio, 0.29; 0.19–0.45;
P
<0.001), and LV-GLS (hazard ratio, 1.05; 1.03–1.07;
P
<0.001) were independent predictors of mortality. LV-GLS <−12.1% (4th quartile) was associated with significantly reduced survival. Addition of LV-GLS to clinical parameters (additive Euroscore+New York Heart Association class) led to significant improvement in prediction of mortality (χ
2
increased from 48 to 58;
P
<0.01).

Conclusions—

LV-GLS independently predicts mortality in moderate–severe and severe AS patients with preserved LV ejection fraction, providing incremental prognostic utility, in addition to standard clinical and echocardiographic parameters.
Implicit Agency in Observed Actions: Evidence for N1 Suppression of Tones Caused by Self-made and Observed Actions
Authors: Poonian Simandeep K. , McFadyen Jessica , Ogden Jessica , Cunnington Ross
Published: October 2014

Every day we make attributions about how our actions and the actions of others cause consequences in the world around us. It is unknown whether we use the same implicit process in attributing causality when observing others' actions as we do when making our own. The aim of this research was to investigate the neural processes involved in the implicit sense of agency we form between actions and effects, for both our own actions and when watching others' actions. Using an interval estimation paradigm to elicit intentional binding in self-made and observed actions, we measured the EEG responses indicative of anticipatory processes before an action and the ERPs in response to the sensory consequence. We replicated our previous findings that we form a sense of implicit agency over our own and others' actions. Crucially, EEG results showed that tones caused by either self-made or observed actions both resulted in suppression of the N1 component of the sensory ERP, with no difference in suppression between consequences caused by observed actions compared with self-made actions. Furthermore, this N1 suppression was greatest for tones caused by observed goal-directed actions rather than non-action or non-goal-related visual events. This suggests that top–down processes act upon the neural responses to sensory events caused by goal-directed actions in the same way for events caused by the self or those made by other agents.
John Girardeau: Libertarian Calvinist?
Authors: Crisp Oliver D.
Published: October 2014

Amongst his other writings, the nineteenth century American Presbyterian theologian John Girardeau (1825–1898) composed a book-length critique of Jonathan Edwards’ doctrine of free will. In the place of Edwards’ unrelenting determinism, Girardeau appealed to an older Reformed tradition which allowed that in mundane actions human beings often have liberties of choice. This forms the basis of an argument for a circumscribed libertarianism consistent with the confessional standards of Reformed theology. Although there are problems with Girardeau’s account, his position is an important confirmation of a sort of minority report in the Reformed tradition that has been largely overlooked by modern thinkers for whom Reformed thought is synonymous with the kind of theological determinism beloved of Edwards. The paper offers a critical exposition of, and interaction with, Girardeau’s views on this matter of human free will as a piece of retrieval theology.
A new species of Western Atlantic sea lily in the family Bathycrinidae (Echinodermata: Crinoidea), with a discussion of relationships between crinoids with xenomorphic stalks
Authors: MIRONOV ALEXANDR N. , PAWSON DAVID L.
Published: October 2014

A new species in the family Bathycrinidae is described from abyssal depths from the Bahamas. It is referred to the recently established genus Discolocrinus, which formerly comprised a single species D. thieli Mironov, 2008 from the Eastern Pacific. Discolocrinus iselini n. sp. is characterized by large body size, high tegmen with tube-like upper region, extremely elongated IBr1 and IBr2, large knobby processes on primibrachials, and overgrowth of soft tissue on the pinnules, the tissue containing numerous perforated or imperforate ossicles of varying size and form. Differences between Discolocrinus and other bathycrinids may seem to be of taxonomic importance at the family level, but knowledge of the morphology and variability of both species of Discolocrinus is incomplete and, until a richer material becomes available, the genus should remain in family Bathycrinidae. Representatives of five families with xenomorphic stalks were examined to characterize the genera on the basis of number or form of knobby processes. These processes occur in two families with differing external morphology: ten-armed Bathycrinidae and five-armed Bourgueticrinidae. They also occur in the comatulid family Atelecrinidae. This similarity might seem to indicate a close relationship between the three families. However, morphological analysis supports the separation of the families Caledonicrinidae and Septocrinidae from Bathycrinidae despite the fact that they share a xenomorphic stalk and IBr2ax. These conclusions are in agreement with results of recent molecular studies.
On the genus Calyptobates Polhemus & Polhemus (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Gerridae) from India with description of a new species and a key to the species of World
Authors: JEHAMALAR E. EYARIN , CHANDRA KAILASH
Published: October 2014

Calyptobates rajani sp. nov. is described from Great Nicobar Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. This new species is closely related to C. andaman Polhemus & Polhemus, 1994, described from Andaman Islands, India. Two species of Calyptobates Polhemus & Polhemus including the new species are presently known from India. A key to the species of Calyptobates from world and the distribution map of Indian species are also provided.