bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An inverted J-shaped association of serum uric acid with muscle strength among Japanese adult men: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Huang Cong , Niu Kaijun , Kobayashi Yoritoshi , Guan Lei , Momma Haruki , Cui Yufei , Chujo Masahiro , Otomo Atsushi , Guo Hui , Tadaura Hiroko , Nagatomi Ryoichi
Published: August 2013

Background

Uric acid (UA) may protect muscle function from oxidative damage due to reactive oxygen species through its powerful antioxidant capacity. However, several studies have demonstrated that hyperuricemia is closely related to systemic inflammation and has oxidant properties effects, both of which may increase the risk of muscle strength loss. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of serum UA concentration with grip strength and leg extension power in adult men.

Methods

This study is a cross-sectional survey in which 630 Japanese male employees aged 30 years and older participated. Five hundred and eighty-six subjects participated in the measurement of grip strength, and 355 subjects participated in the measurement of leg extension power. Blood samples were obtained for serum UA analysis.

Results

After adjustment for potential confounders, grip strength differed significantly between participants with and those without hyperuricemia (geometric mean and 95% confidence interval [CI]: 40.3 [39.2–41.3] kg vs. 41.9 [41.3–42.5] kg; P = 0.01). In addition, serum UA levels (quartiles) showed an inverted J-shaped curve with grip strength (mean and 95% CI: Q1, 41.6 [40.6–42.6] kg; Q2, 42.2 [41.2–43.2] kg; Q3, 41.8 [40.8–42.8] kg; Q4, 40.4 [39.3–41.4] kg; P for quadratic trend = 0.05). The results in the leg extension power group were similar to those observed in the grip strength group.

Conclusion

This population-based cross-sectional study shows for the first time that hyperuricemia is associated with poor muscle strength. Moreover, the results indicate an inverted J-shaped association between serum UA quartiles and muscle strength.
Accumulation of epicardial fat rather than visceral fat is an independent risk factor for left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis
Authors: Lin Heng-Hsu , Lee Jen-Kuang , Yang Chung-Yi , Lien Yu-Chung , Huang Jenq-Wen , Wu Cho-Kai
Published: August 2013

Background

Symptoms of heart failure with preserved left ventricular systolic function are common among patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). Epicardial fat (EpF) is an ectopic fat depot with possible paracrine or mechanical effects on myocardial function. The aim of our current study is to assess the association between EpF and Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) in patients undergoing PD and to clarify the relationships among EpF, inflammation, and LVDD in this population.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study of 149 patients with preserved left ventricular systolic function who were undergoing PD. LVDD was diagnosed (according to the European Society of Cardiology guidelines) and EpF thickness measured by echocardiography. The patients without LVDD were used as controls. The serum inflammatory biomarker high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) was measured. The location and amount of adipose tissue were assessed by computed tomography (CT) at the level of the fourth lumbar vertebra.

Results

Subjects with LVDD had higher levels of hsCRP, more visceral and peritoneal fat, and thicker EpF (all p < 0.001) than controls. Visceral adipose tissue, hsCRP, and EpF all correlated significantly (p < 0.05) with LVDD. Multivariate regression analysis rendered the relationship between visceral adipose tissue and LVDD insignificant, whereas EpF was the most powerful determinant of LVDD (odds ratio = 2.41, 95% confidence interval = 1.43–4.08, p < 0.01). EpF thickness also correlated significantly with the ratio of transmitral Doppler early filling velocity to tissue Doppler early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E/e’; r = 0.27, p < 0.01).

Conclusion

EpF thickness is significantly independently associated with LVDD in patients undergoing PD and may be involved in its pathogenesis.
A novel exploratory chemometric approach to environmental monitorring by combining block clustering with Partial Least Square (PLS) analysis
Authors: Nica Dragos V , Bordean Despina Maria , Pet Ioan , Pet Elena , Alda Simion , Gergen Iosif
Published: August 2013

Background

Given the serious threats posed to terrestrial ecosystems by industrial contamination, environmental monitoring is a standard procedure used for assessing the current status of an environment or trends in environmental parameters. Measurement of metal concentrations at different trophic levels followed by their statistical analysis using exploratory multivariate methods can provide meaningful information on the status of environmental quality. In this context, the present paper proposes a novel chemometric approach to standard statistical methods by combining the Block clustering with Partial least square (PLS) analysis to investigate the accumulation patterns of metals in anthropized terrestrial ecosystems. The present study focused on copper, zinc, manganese, iron, cobalt, cadmium, nickel, and lead transfer along a soil-plant-snai food chain, and the hepatopancreas of the Roman snail (Helix pomatia) was used as a biological end-point of metal accumulation.

Results

Block clustering deliniates between the areas exposed to industrial and vehicular contamination. The toxic metals have similar distributions in the nettle leaves and snail hepatopancreas. PLS analysis showed that (1) zinc and copper concentrations at the lower trophic levels are the most important latent factors that contribute to metal accumulation in land snails; (2) cadmium and lead are the main determinants of pollution pattern in areas exposed to industrial contamination; (3) at the sites located near roads lead is the most threatfull metal for terrestrial ecosystems.

Conclusion

There were three major benefits by applying block clustering with PLS for processing the obtained data: firstly, it helped in grouping sites depending on the type of contamination. Secondly, it was valuable for identifying the latent factors that contribute the most to metal accumulation in land snails. Finally, it optimized the number and type of data that are best for monitoring the status of metallic contamination in terrestrial ecosystems exposed to different kinds of anthropic polution.
Eleven secondary cancers after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation using a total body irradiation-based regimen in 370 consecutive pediatric and adult patients
Authors: Omori Mami , Yamashita Hideomi , Shinohara Akihito , Kurokawa Mineo , Takita Jyunko , Hiwatari Mitsuteru , Nakagawa Keiichi
Published: August 2013

About the bone marrow transplantation that high dose chemotherapy and total-body irradiation (TBI) are used for as conditioning regimen, a late toxicity may become the problem in the long-term survival patient. One of the toxicities which has been implied to be associated with TBI is secondary cacinogenesis. Between June 1995 and December 2010, 370 patients who were undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation using a TBI-based regimen at our department, were the subjects of this study. Eleven secondary cancers occurred in 10 patients. The median time from transplantation to diagnosis of a secondary cancer was 6.8 years. In this analysis, the cumulative incidence rate of secondary cancer at 5 and 10 years was 2.15% and 6.46%, respectively after TBI in our institution.
An a posteriori measure of network modularity
Authors: Poisot Timothée
Published: August 2013

Measuring modularity is important to understand the structure of networks, and has an important number of real-world implications. However, several measures exists to assess the modularity, and give both different modularity values and different modules composition. In this article, I propose an a posteriori measure of modularity, which represents the ratio of interactions between members of the same modules vs. members of different modules. I apply this measure to a large dataset of 290 ecological networks, to show that it gives new insights about their modularity.
Optimizing Trading Decisions for Hydro Storage Systems Using Approximate Dual Dynamic Programming
Authors: Löhndorf Nils , Wozabal David , Minner Stefan
Published: August 2013

We propose a new approach to optimize operations of hydro storage systems with multiple connected reservoirs whose operators participate in wholesale electricity markets. Our formulation integrates short-term intraday with long-term interday decisions. The intraday problem considers bidding decisions as well as storage operation during the day and is formulated as a stochastic program. The interday problem is modeled as a Markov decision process of managing storage operation over time, for which we propose integrating stochastic dual dynamic programming with approximate dynamic programming. We show that the approximate solution converges toward an upper bound of the optimal solution. To demonstrate the efficiency of the solution approach, we fit an econometric model to actual price and inflow data and apply the approach to a case study of an existing hydro storage system. Our results indicate that the approach is tractable for a real-world application and that the gap between theoretical upper and a simulated lower bound decreases sufficiently fast.
Optimal Dynamic Mechanism Design and the Virtual-Pivot Mechanism
Authors: Kakade Sham M. , Lobel Ilan , Nazerzadeh Hamid
Published: August 2013

We consider the problem of designing optimal mechanisms for settings where agents have dynamic private information. We present the virtual-pivot mechanism, which is optimal in a large class of environments that satisfy a separability condition. The mechanism satisfies a rather strong equilibrium notion (it is periodic ex post incentive compatible and individually rational). We provide both necessary and sufficient conditions for immediate incentive compatibility for mechanisms that satisfy periodic ex post incentive compatibility in future periods. The result also yields a strikingly simple mechanism for selling a sequence of items to a single buyer. We also show that the allocation rule of the virtual-pivot mechanism has a very simple structure (a virtual index) in multiarmed bandit settings. Finally, we show through examples that the relaxation technique we use does not produce optimal dynamic mechanisms in general nonseparable environments.
Making WTO Dispute Settlement Work for African Countries: An Evaluation of Current Proposals for Reforming the DSU
Authors: Bartels Lorand
Published: August 2013

Most African countries are WTO Members, and yet to date none has been a complainant in dispute settlement proceedings. One possible reason is that the WTO enforcement regime is not well suited to smaller complainants whose imports from a larger defendant represent only a small share of that defendant’s total exports. Because retaliation rights must be “equivalent” to damage caused, retaliation may not be sufficient to induce the defendant to comply with its obligations. As a result, there may be a chilling effect on smaller countries commencing trade disputes. This article analyses current proposals within the context of the WTO DSU Review that address this problem. It also compares the WTO enforcement regime to general international law on the proportionality of countermeasures and suggests ways to soften the “equivalence” requirement.
Psychological science, conservation, and environmental sustainability
Authors: Clayton Susan , Litchfield Carla , Geller E Scott
Published: August 2013

Because environmental degradation has the potential to negatively affect mental and social well‐being, environmental sustainability is highly relevant to psychologists, who have a tradition of interventions designed to change behavior. Although many psychologists are already using psychological knowledge and tools to protect environmental resources, their efforts are neither widely known nor extensively utilized in applied conservation settings. Here, we describe some barriers to effective conservation interventions adopted by psychologists and conservation professionals alike, and provide suggestions to both disciplines for more productive engagement. We also present an illustrative example of psychological science applied to promote environmental conservation in a zoological park setting. Our aim is to raise awareness of the possibilities for such collaboration and to urge conservation professionals and psychologists to work together in order to proactively address pressing environmental challenges.
The Lived Experience of a Critical Illness—A Social Worker's Reflection
Authors: Drenth Cornelia M.
Published: August 2013

Critical illness, admission to an intensive care unit, and prolonged hospitalization all impact on the psychosocial functioning of an individual. This article highlights my own experience of a critical illness in an autoethnographic study thereby attempting to add knowledge to the scarcity of research from the patient's point of view. By writing this article, I was able to construct, deconstruct, and reconstruct my emotions, behavior, and the sequence of events in order to understand the impact of my critical illness. With this article I hope to invite healthcare professionals into my world of critical illness for better understanding of the patient's experience.
PPARα and Sirt1 Mediate Erythropoietin Action in Increasing Metabolic Activity and Browning of White Adipocytes to Protect Against Obesity and Metabolic Disorders
Authors: Wang Li , Teng Ruifeng , Di Lijun , Rogers Heather , Wu Hong , Kopp Jeffrey B. , Noguchi Constance Tom
Published: August 2013

Erythropoietin (EPO) has shown beneficial effects in the regulation of obesity and metabolic syndrome; however, the detailed mechanism is still largely unknown. Here, we created mice with adipocyte-specific deletion of EPO receptor. These mice exhibited obesity and decreased glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, especially when fed a high-fat diet. Moreover, EPO increased oxidative metabolism, fatty acid oxidation, and key metabolic genes in adipocytes and in white adipose tissue from diet-induced obese wild-type mice. Increased metabolic activity by EPO is associated with induction of brown fat–like features in white adipocytes, as demonstrated by increases in brown fat gene expression, mitochondrial content, and uncoupled respiration. Peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor (PPAR)α was found to mediate EPO activity because a PPARα antagonist impaired EPO-mediated induction of brown fat–like gene expression and uncoupled respiration. PPARα also cooperates with Sirt1 activated by EPO through modulating the NAD+ level to regulate metabolic activity. PPARα targets, including PPARγ coactivator 1α, uncoupling protein 1, and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1α, were increased by EPO but impaired by Sirt1 knockdown. Sirt1 knockdown also attenuated adipose response to EPO. Collectively, EPO, as a novel regulator of adipose energy homeostasis via these metabolism coregulators, provides a potential therapeutic strategy to protect against obesity and metabolic disorders.
Relationship of Glycated Albumin to Blood Glucose and HbA1c Values and to Retinopathy, Nephropathy, and Cardiovascular Outcomes in the DCCT/EDIC Study
Authors: Nathan David M. , McGee Paula , Steffes Michael W. , Lachin John M. ,   the DCCT/EDIC Research Group
Published: August 2013

The association of chronic glycemia, measured by HbA1c, with long-term complications of type 1 diabetes has been well established in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) and other studies. The role of intermediate-term and acute glycemia and of glucose variability on microvascular and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is less clear. In order to examine the interrelationships among long-term, intermediate-term, and acute measures of glucose and its daily variability, we compared HbA1c, glycated albumin (GA), and seven-point glucose profile concentrations measured longitudinally in a case-cohort subpopulation of the DCCT. HbA1c and GA were closely correlated with each other and with the mean blood glucose (MBG) calculated from the seven-point profile. The associations of glucose variability and postprandial concentrations with HbA1c and GA were relatively weak and were further attenuated when MBG was included in multivariate models. In the case-cohort analyses, HbA1c and GA had similar associations with retinopathy and nephropathy, which were strengthened when both measures were considered together. Only HbA1c was significantly associated with CVD. The demonstrated interrelationships among different measures of glycemia will need to be considered in future analyses of their roles in the development of long-term complications of type 1 diabetes.
Low Prepregnancy Adiponectin Concentrations Are Associated With a Marked Increase in Risk for Development of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Hedderson Monique M. , Darbinian Jeanne , Havel Peter J. , Quesenberry Charles P. , Sridhar Sneha , Ehrlich Samantha , Ferrara Assiamira
Published: August 2013

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether circulating total and high–molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin concentrations, measured before pregnancy, are associated with subsequent risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This was a nested case-control study among women who participated in the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Multiphasic Health Check-up exam (1984–1996) with a serum sample obtained and who had a subsequent pregnancy (1984–2009). Eligible women were free of recognized diabetes. Case subjects were the 256 women who developed GDM. Two control subjects were selected for each case and matched for year of blood draw, age at exam, age at pregnancy, and number of intervening pregnancies.

RESULTS

Compared with the highest quartile of adiponectin, the risk of GDM increased with decreasing quartile (odds ratio [OR] 1.5 [95% CI 0.7–2.9], 3.7 [1.9–7.2], and 5.2 [2.6–10.1]; Ptrend <0.001) after adjustment for family history of diabetes, BMI, parity, race/ethnicity, cigarette smoking, and glucose and insulin concentrations. Similar estimates were observed for HMW (Ptrend <0.001). The combined effects of having total adiponectin levels below the median (<10.29 mg/mL) and being overweight or obese (BMI ≥25.0 kg/m2) were associated with a sevenfold increased risk of GDM compared with normal-weight women with adiponectin levels above the median (OR 6.7 [95% CI 3.6–12.5]).

CONCLUSIONS

Prepregnancy low adiponectin concentrations, a marker of decreased insulin sensitivity and altered adipocyte endocrine function, is associated with reduced glucose tolerance during pregnancy and may identify women at high risk for GDM to target for early intervention.
Toward Defining a Cutoff Score for Elevated Fear of Hypoglycemia on the Hypoglycemia Fear Survey Worry Subscale in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Hajós Tibor R.S. , Polonsky William H. , Pouwer Frans , Gonder-Frederick Linda , Snoek Frank J.
Published: August 2013

OBJECTIVE

To determine a cutoff score for clinically meaningful fear of hypoglycemia (FoH) on the Hypoglycemia Fear Survey Worry subscale (HFS-W).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Data on the HFS-W, history of hypoglycemia, emotional well-being (World Health Organization-5 well-being index), and distress about diabetes symptoms (Diabetes Symptom Checklist–Revised) were available from Dutch patients with type 2 diabetes who were treated with oral medication or insulin (n = 1,530). Four criteria were applied to define a threshold for clinically meaningful FoH: 1) modal score distribution (MD criterion), 2) scores 2 SDs above the mean (SD criterion), 3) concurrent validity with severe hypoglycemia and suboptimal well-being (CV criterion), and 4) an elevated score (≥3) on more than one HFS-W item (elevated item endorsement [EI criterion]). Associations between the outcomes of these approaches and a history of severe hypoglycemia and suboptimal well-being were studied.

RESULTS

Of the 1,530 patients, 19% had a HFS-W score of 0 (MD criterion), and 5% reported elevated FoH (HFS-W ≥ mean + 2 SD; SD criterion). Patients with severe hypoglycemia reported higher HFS-W scores than those without (25 ± 20 vs. 15 ± 17; P < 0.001). Patients with suboptimal well-being reported higher HFS-W scores than those with satisfactory well-being (20 ± 18 vs. 13 ± 15; P < 0.001, CV criterion). Elevated FoH (defined by the EI criterion) was seen in 26% of patients. The SD and EI criteria were the strongest associated with history of severe hypoglycemia. The EI criterion was the strongest associated with suboptimal well-being.

CONCLUSIONS

Although no definite cutoff score has been determined, the EI criterion may be most indicative of clinically relevant FoH in this exploratory study. Further testing of the clinical relevance of this criterion is needed.
Effect of low temperatures on the infectivity of Toxocara cati larvae parasitized in mouse tissues
Authors: Taira K. , Šnábel V. , Okada N. , Saitoh Y.
Published: August 2013

The infectivity of Toxocara cati larvae in mouse tissues, following storage at 4 °C and −25 °C, was measured using a bioassay in mice. Tissues of donor mice infected with 30-day-old T. cati larvae were stored at 4 °C for 7 and 14 days, and at −25 °C for 24 hours, then tissue larvae were inoculated into recipient mice (n = 6/group). After 15 days, larval burden in recipient mice was assessed by digestion. In the control group, a mean of 42.0 % of the inoculated larvae were established in mice. Storage of tissues at 4 °C for 7 and 14 days did not affect larval infectivity; means of 43.5 % and 37.4 % of inoculated larvae, respectively, were established in mice. Larvae exposed to −25 °C for 24 hours did not establish in mice, except for one larva recovered from a single mouse. These results may support the potential of tissue larvae in livestock animals as a causative agent of human toxocarosis.
A polyphasic approach with molecular phylogeny for the characterization of Anisakis pegreffii (Anisakidae: Nematoda) in fishes from Adriatic Sea
Authors: Luca F. , Vovlas A. , Troccoli A. , Vovlas N.
Published: August 2013

In this study we investigated the morphometric and molecular characterization of a liver encapsulated third-stage larval population of Anisakis spp. infecting Merluccius merluccius and Lophius piscatorius caught in the Adriatic Sea waters (southern Italy). A polyphasic approach based on PCR-RFLP profiles of the ITS region, mitochondrial COI (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1), sequencing and molecular phylogeny of ITS and mitochondrial COI was used to identify Anisakis larvae collected from fish samples. PCR-RFLP analysis showed three banding pattern corresponding to the peculiar pattern of A. pegreffii. Sequence data from ribosomal ITS and mitochondrial COI were analysed by Neighbour Joining, Minimum Evolution and Maximum Parsimony methods to evaluate the phylogenetic relationships among A. simplex sensu lato. The phylogenetic trees obtained for both ITS and COI revealed the existence of three distinct clades for A. simplex sensu sricto, A. simplex C and A. pegreffii and the sequences obtained in this study clearly clustered together with A. pegreffii sequences present in the database.

Histopathological observations of anisakid nematode specimens detected on the liver surface of M. merluccius are illustrated. Encapsulated specimens of the L3 stage of the nematode were similar in size and morphometry to those found into the peritoneal cavity. Anisakis larvae encapsulated on the liver surface within dense and pearl coloured envelops caused host hepatic tissue necrosis, large cavities and oedematous liver spots to the host.
Percutaneous trigeminal tractotomy–nucleotomy with use of intraoperative computed tomography and general anesthesia: report of 2 cases
Authors: Thompson Eric M. , Burchiel Kim J. , Raslan Ahmed M.
Published: August 2013

For confirming the correct location of the radiofrequency electrode before creation of a lesion, percutaneous CT-guided trigeminal tractotomy–nucleotomy is most commonly performed with the patient prone and awake. However, for patients whose facial pain and hypersensitivity are so severe that the patients are unable to rest their face on a support (as required with prone positioning), awake CT-guided tractotomy-nucleotomy might not be feasible. The authors describe 2 such patients, for whom percutaneous intraoperative CT-guided tractotomy-nucleotomy under general anesthesia was successful. One patient was a 79-year-old man with profound left facial postherpetic neuralgia, who was unable to tolerate awake CT-guided tractotomy-nucleotomy, and the other was a 45-year-old woman with intractable hemicranial pain that developed after a right frontal lesionectomy for epilepsy. Each patient underwent a percutaneous intraoperative CT-guided tractotomy-nucleotomy under general anesthesia. No complications occurred, and each patient reported excellent pain relief for up to 6 and 3 months after surgery, respectively. Percutaneous intraoperative CT-guided tractotomy-nucleotomy performed on anesthetized patients is effective for facial postherpetic neuralgia and postoperative hemicranial neuralgia.
Potential role of stem cells for neuropathic pain disorders
Authors: Vadivelu Sudhakar , Willsey Matthew , Curry Daniel J. , McDonald John W.
Published: August 2013

Chronic neuropathic pain is a debilitating disease process associated with several medical disorders. Different from pain caused by inflammation, neuropathic pain is a diffuse pain disorder often found to be recalcitrant to the limited medical treatments available. Intractable nerve pain may benefit from other therapies capable of longer-lasting pain coverage or greater efficacy. A growing number of reports have emerged suggesting a role for stem cells as a cellular delivery source with neuroprotective agents opposing the effects of nerve damage. Here, the authors review the current experimental therapies examining the use of stem cells for the treatment of neuropathic pain disorders.
Increased focal hemosiderin deposition in pediatric medulloblastoma patients receiving radiotherapy at a later age
Authors: Yeom Kristen W. , Lober Robert M. , Partap Sonia , Telischak Nicholas , Tsolinas Rachel , Barnes Patrick D. , Edwards Michael S. B.
Published: August 2013

Object

Focal hemosiderin deposition (FHD) is commonly observed on brain MRI scans of patients treated for childhood medulloblastoma (MB). The authors sought to determine the clinical significance of FHD and its relationship to patient age, radiation dose, and cognitive outcomes.

Methods

A single-institution retrospective study of 93 MB patients at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford from 1998 to 2011 identified 41 patients with a negative baseline MRI scan and at least 2 posttreatment MRI scans obtained with T2* gradient recalled echo (GRE). The number and cumulative rate of FHDs detectable by GRE were compared between patients aged 6 years and younger (early age) and aged 7–21 years (late age) at the time of radiotherapy (RT) and between low-dose (1800–2340 cGy) and high-dose (2920–3960 cGy) RT.

Results

The median age at MB diagnosis was 7.3 years (range 0.9–21.0 years), the median clinical follow-up period was 5.8 years (range 0.8–13.4 years), and the median 5-year overall survival was 81% ± 7%. Of 30 school-aged children with MB, 21 (70%) required special education, and the median IQ of 10 tested patients was 100 (range 50–118). Thirty-three patients (80%) had FHD after a median latency of 1.9 years (range 0.1–5.9 years). Ninety-four percent (436 of 466) of the lesions arose in the supratentorial region of the brain, whereas 29 (6%) resided in the brainstem or the cerebellum. No spinal lesions were observed on routine spine MRI scans using T2 fast spin echo imaging. The mean cumulative lesion rate per year was 2.23 ± 3.05, and this rate was higher in older children at the time of RT compared with younger children (3.23 vs 0.67 per year, p = 0.002) but did not differ among different RT doses (p = 0.395). A child's IQ or need for special education showed no significant correlation with the rate of lesion development or number of lesions. None of the lesions resulted in symptomatic hemorrhage that required surgical intervention.

Conclusions

More FHD was observed in children treated for MB at the older ages than in those treated at the younger ages. There was no significant association of the incidence of FHD with radiation dose or cognitive outcomes, and none of the lesions required surgical intervention.
The Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) Questionnaire; Does It Predict Physical Health?
Authors: Logan Samantha , Gottlieb Benjamin , Maitland Scott , Meegan Dan , Spriet Lawrence
Published: August 2013

A lack of physical activity is common in older adults. With the increasing Canadian senior population, identifying the minimum amount of physical activity required to maintain the health of older adults is essential. This study determined whether relationships existed between the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) questionnaire scores and health-related measurements in community-dwelling older adults who were meal delivery volunteers. Based on observed relationships between PASE scores and health parameters, the study attempted to predict an optimal PASE score that would ensure health parameters fell in desired ranges for older adults. 297 community-dwelling older adults (61.3% female) 60–88 years (72.1 ± 6.5) completed the PASE and were measured for body composition, cardiovascular and blood parameters, flexibility, and handgrip strength. Significant regression models using PASE were produced for the health-related measures, but the relationships were not meaningful due to low predictive capacity. However, correlational data suggested that a minimum PASE score of ~140 for males and ~120 for females predicted a favorable waist circumference. In conclusion, findings demonstrated that PASE scores cannot be used to predict healthy physical measures, although the relationships between PASE and WC could be used to encourage older adults to become more physically active.
The Patient’s Perspective of in-Home Telerehabilitation Physiotherapy Services Following Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Kairy Dahlia , Tousignant Michel , Leclerc Nancy , Côté Anne-Marie , Levasseur Mélanie , Researchers the
Published: August 2013

This study aimed at exploring patients’ perceptions regarding telerehabilitation services received post total knee replacement. In this qualitative embedded single case study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with five patients who had previously received in-home telerehabilitation post total knee arthroplasty. Participants were asked to reflect on their 8-week rehabilitation process and on their experience with the home telerehabilitation program. Interviews were transcribed and a qualitative thematic analysis was conducted. Six overarching themes emerged from the patients’ perceptions: (1) improving access to services with reduced need for transportation; (2) developing a strong therapeutic relationship with therapist while maintaining a sense of personal space; (3) complementing telerehabilitation with in-person visits; (4) providing standardized yet tailored and challenging exercise programs using telerehabilitation; (5) perceived ease-of-use of telerehabilitation equipment; and (6) feeling an ongoing sense of support. Gaining a better understating of the patient’s experience in telerehabilitation will be essential as programs continue to be developed and implemented.
Faucon de Barcelonnette (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence)
Authors: Chadefaux Xavier
Published: August 2013

Découvert fortuitement devant la mairie de Faucon de Barcelonnette, un chevet semi-circulaire flanqué de deux absidioles est venu enrichir la topographie religieuse déjà dense, du village. Fondé sur des niveaux appartenant à l'Antiquité Classique et sur une nécropole de l'Antiquité Tardive que l'emprise de la fouille n'a pas permis de cerner clairement, ce chevet s'est révélé beaucoup plus ancien que le prieuré chalaisien envisagé de prime abord. La comparaison avec d'autres édifices alpins m'ont amené à envisager que l'église de Faucon de Barcelonnette pouvait être un jalon dans l'évolution stylistique qui aboutira au "premier âge roman méditerranéen".
Le site de Saint-Félix à Narbonne : une église d’origine paléochrétienne et son environnement funéraire (Ve - XVIe siècle)
Authors: Ginouvez Olivier
Published: August 2013

Le site d'une église narbonnaise, construite au milieu du Ve siècle, a été reconnu, en 1994, dans le cadre d'une fouille préventive. L'édifice, dont l'inscription dédicatoire a été fortuitement découverte en 1927, dans les limites de la même parcelle, est environné d'une nécropole composée de sarcophages. Tombes et architectures succèdent à un habitat urbain, fondé durant le 1er siècle av. J.-C., et encore fréquenté au début du IIIe siècle. Dédiés à saint Félix, le lieu de culte et l'espace funéraire qui l'approche seront fréquentés, via des remaniements tant topographiques qu'architecturaux, jusque dans la première moitié du XVIe siècle.
Preliminary Report of Multiple Cell Therapy for Patients with Multiple System Atrophy
Authors: Xi Haitao , Chen Lin , Huang Hongyun , Zhang Feng , Liu Yancheng , Chen Di , Xiao Juan
Published: August 2013

The aim of this study is to explore the safety and therapeutic effect of multiple cell transplantations on patients with multiple system atrophy. Ten patients suffering from multiple system atrophy were treated by multiple cell transplantations from August 2005 to March 2011. They were six males and four females, with an average age of 51.90 ± 12.92 years (23–66 years). Multiple cell types were transplanted by intravenous, intrathecal, and intracranial routes; for example, 0.4–0.5 × 106/kg umbilical cord mesenchymal cells by intravenous drip, intrathecal implantation of 2.0 × 106 Schwann cells and 2.0–5.0 × 106 neural progenitor cells through cerebellar cistern puncture, or 2 × 106 olfactory ensheathing cells and 4 × 106 neural progenitor cells injected into key points for neural network restoration (KPNNR). The neurological function was assessed before and after treatment with the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) by the World Federation of Neurology and the Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale (UMSARS). The patients achieved neurological function amelioration after treatment, which included improvements in walking ability, gaits, standing, speech, and muscular tension; the ICARS score decreased from a preoperative 46.30 ± 14.50 points to postoperative 41.90 ± 18.40 points ( p = 0.049). The UMSARS score decreased from preoperative 50.00 ± 20.65 points to postoperative 46.56 ± 23.05 points ( p = 0.037). Among them, two patients remained stable and underwent a second treatment 0.5–1 year after the first therapy. After treatment, five patients were followed up for more than 6 months. Balance and walking ability improved further in four patients, while one patient remained stable for over 6 months. In conclusion, a strategy of comprehensive cell-based neurorestorative therapy for patients with multiple system atrophy is safe and appears to be beneficial. This manuscript is published as part of the International Association of Neurorestoratology (IANR) supplement issue of Cell Transplantation.
Track and Field Online Curricula Evaluation System Design for Universities Physical education
Authors: Lin Weiliang
Published: August 2013

Purpose of this paper is to perfect track and field online curricula evaluation system, improve the teaching effect evaluation in the process of teaching. Research methods: by the research technique of literature search, the expert interview, the system design, the software establishment, questionnaire survey, the mathematical statistics. Results: Firstly Home page modules--cue and Response Evaluation are fast and effective; secondly function of automatic statistic and editing of assignments, exams will benefit to assess studentsâ?? ability to understand teaching content and analysis ability, as well as to assess the working efficiency of teachers grading the homework; thirdly Forum evaluation module will automatically statistical data and save the content of teacher-student interaction; fourthly evaluation of teaching statistics offers an honest reflection on the teaching effect that are the teachersâ?? and studentsâ?? performance in the class; fifthly each module with a clear content goals, connected smoothly and easy to control knowledge points browse. Conclusion: this course evaluation module can effectively reflect the effect of the implementation of teaching content as well as the usersâ?? grasping situation; the periodical self-test will help students make an objective judgment on their study, which can promote the communication between teachers and students, and to evaluate the teaching schedule modifications constantly.
Technical and Economic Analysis of the Prefabricated Light-Gauge Steel Inner Partition in Building Applications
Authors: Zhang He Ping , Zeng Zhi Hui , Zheng Fu Yan
Published: August 2013

The basic performance and technical characteristics of the prefabricated light-gauge steel inner partition are introduced in the article. And a detailed analysis of its economic is studied by comparing with other inner partition wall materials. The results show that the prefabricated light-gauge steel inner partition not only has good economic effect, but also has high social value.
The Discussion of Problems in Popularization and Application of the System of Inorganic Thermal Insulation Mortar with Vitrified Beads
Authors: Gu Guang Juan , Zhang Jie
Published: August 2013

The application situation of the inorganic thermal insulation mortar with vitrified beads as aggregates is displayed through the method of market research in this paper. The problem of high construction cost in the inorganic thermal insulation mortar with vitrified beads as aggregates, raw materials market monopoly, high specific water absorption, poor construction process is discussed. And put forward the corresponding solutions to solve these problems, as the inorganic glass beads can provide a theoretical basis on the substitution.
Analysis of Crack Initiation and Treatment in the South-to-North Water Diversion Suining Two Station Project
Authors: Liu Ze Jun , Wang Jun Hao , Zheng Qing Shan , She Yue Xin , Jiang Yi
Published: August 2013

For projects, especially large-scale projects, due to the long time of project construction, the construction of the complexity of the geological conditions, sometimes inevitably lead to quality defects.How scientific and reasonable quality defects hidden works to take remedial measures, or effective correction to restore the loss of time, cost, quality, safety,become an important engineering problem.Some cracks, will not have a substantial impact on the project, you can take measures to deal with to ensure proper implementation of the project.The article takes the analysis of crack initiation and Treatment in the Suining two station project.There are a lot of reference in processing defects in the country's large projects.Statistical indicators from the implementation of the results, analysis shows that to achieve even better than the regulatory requirements, and achieved the expected results.
Application of Virtual Construction Technology in Green Construction
Authors: Gan Shen Qi , Zhang Hong
Published: August 2013

This paper first introduces the current situation of the world housing industrialization, and start from our modern construction techniques to explore the concept of virtual construction technology and its important role in recent years in industrialized construction, virtual construction technology is the future of housing industrialization another direction of development in China.
The Development of Green Architectural Heritage Cave Civilization
Authors: Jin He , Liu Xue Wen
Published: August 2013

Cave dwelling in Loess Plateau embodies people's wisdom and experience of construction, not only warm in winter and cool in summer, and energy conservation, section, shockproof, dustproof, windproof, riot, sound insulation, quiet, obtain raw material locally, easy construction, low cost, is conducive to the ecological balance and protect the original natural scenery. Saving energy, green building resources saving, adapt to the special regional climate, coordination, and regional environment to meet the living needs of the 5 major characteristics, enjoy one of the 4 caves. Kiln life is human health, environmental protection way of life, at the same time, the natural way of life but also to the modern architecture to enlightenment. First analysis of the green building features as the original ecological national characteristics of the building with one of the cave dwelling embodies, has the positive significance of ecological advantages, it has on the modern green building development however, its limitations are not to be ignored; then discusses the cave improvement and Enlightenments to modern city green building design; finally the prospect of sustainable development direction and Prospect of the green building in the cave..
Green Building and Social Sustainability: Study on Mosuo Folk Housing in China
Authors: Li Meng Bi , Tang Xiao Xiang , Fan Hua , Li Zhe Kun
Published: August 2013

Culture as an important part of social sustainability, can influence on the energy saving as well. Fist because definition of good life and benchmark of comfort vary significantly in different culture. Second, as in the society like Mosuo, the understanding of home is different to majority of rest nations. The significance of architecture is much associated with cultural satisfaction instead of high standard of physical comfort. To make things better, in such built environment as Mosuo, culture is the main focus, and social relationship is always tightly bonded in a harmonious state. Another finding from this study is that Mosuos social system demonstrates an interesting ability at keeping a steady level of its population for a long time in China; where population explosion is a crucial problem. It is the typical pattern of Mosuo house that enables the distinct lifestyle of Mosuo people to be dynamic and perpetual. Considering from material choosing, house building and daily occupation, these indigenous homes present a low carbon, ecological dwelling with substantial cultural significance. Nowadays, technology is nearly regarded as the universal judgment standard. However, social sustainability has been paid attention by researchers in developed countries and its cross-discipline study with built environment is also a heated topic. This study showed a new angle that culture could contribute to the conception of sustainable life style and the consequent paradigm on a new form of green buildings.
The Envelope Energy Saving Technology of Civil Building and Application
Authors: Li Ai Hua , Li Wei Tao , Yan Xiao Xin
Published: August 2013

Compared with abroad, the energy demand of civil building in china is much higher than that in abroad. In order to solve this problem, some energy-saving technologies on envelope parts of building were brought in this paper, and one application example with this technology was introduced. It verified that the energy saving technology on envelope parts of building had some extent results.
The Strategies of Passive Energy-Efficiency Design in Low Energy Building
Authors: Wang Xin Bin , Liu Jia Ping , Fu Yu
Published: August 2013

This paper briefly analyzes the structure and conservation approaches of building energy consumption, analyzes the forming reason and influence factors of heating and air-conditioning energy consumption and proposes the passive energy conservation designing strategies of low energy consumption building. Through the passive methods of building design, envelop enclosure and planning landscape, the goal of last year building low energy conservation can be achieved.
Approaches and Countermeasures for Development of Energy-Saving Technology Service Industry in Tangshan City
Authors: Liu Xiao Chun , Zhou Li Na , Bai Jie
Published: August 2013

Energy-saving service industry becomes a new force suddenly rises, and will be the largest energy-saving industry in the world. Tangshan City, adjacent to Beijing and Tianjin, is a typical resource-based city. Because its industrial structure is based on iron and steel, petrochemical and other resources, while energy-consuming structure based mainly on coal, that made Tangshan become one of China's high energy-consuming cities. In 2011 the city's total energy consumption was 95.5282 million tons of standard coal, accounting for 32.4% of Hebei province's energy consumption, and 2.7% of the whole state's respectively, while Tangshan City's GDP accounting for 22.5% of Hebei province and 1.2% of the nation.The huge energy consumption promotes vigorous development of energy-saving industry.The scale of Tangshan's energy service industry increases rapidly currently, for example, the output value of energy service industry in 2009 reached 32 billion RMB, and then its scale is continues to expand, and EPC(Energy Performance Contracting) is implemented gradually. However, it also shows a lot of problems, such as samll amount of energy-saving enterprises, lack of core competitive companies, shortage of funds, financing difficulties, lack of leading enterprises, irrational personnel structure, and the market system has not formed yet. If Tangshan's energy-saving services industry wants to achieve a good development, it must concentrate on that the publicity of industrial policy, creating a favorable environment for its development, speeding up development and applications of energy-saving technology, establishing industrial norms, strengthening self-discipline, innovating financial system, improve the financing environment, establishing credit publicity system, and promoting construction of industrial credit system.
Research of Artificial Sites Green Roof for Energy-Saving Efficiency in Taiwan Taichung
Authors: Chen Chiou Chuan , Lee Soen Han
Published: August 2013

In this study, set the empirical plane pilot area planting the groove (long 425cm × width 300cm × Height 20cm ) in the Taichung City residential area on the second floor roof, planting the groove bottom-up sequence laying frame high-rise, water proof layer, drainage layer,filter layer (non-woven, water-pottery-stone), the medium layer and planting of layer, planting the groove around the hollow brick interval income side to lighten the load. Noon hours exposed roof temperature of 25.49-37.56°C, green roofs surface only at 16.45-24.69°C, 17.74-24.79°C indoor temperature on the second floor, effectively prevent the roof surface temperature rise, and thus reduce the interior roof of the second temperature7.75-12.77°C. Building green roofs to cooling, mainly to reduce the building temperature, reducing air conditioning electricity consumption , accomplish cooling and energy-saving benefits.Compare different annual electricity consumption in the same period, extensive green roof to total electricity consumption of 860 K.Watts/hours , exposed roof to total electricity consumption in 1767 K.Watts/hours, 48.67% of the electricity consumption savings, to achieve energy efficiency.
Height Control Measures of Highway Subgrade Fill in Xinjiang Plain Terrain
Authors: Cheng Jian Long , Fu Hang
Published: August 2013

By analyzing problems of highway subgrade fill height in Xinjiang plain terrain, this paper subdivided plain terrain types and proposed corresponding height control measures of subgrade fill based on features of different subtypes, which provides useful reference to similar engineering in plain terrain.
Research on Maintenance Level Decision of Civil Aero-Engine Module
Authors: Ao Liang Zhong , Miao Yang
Published: August 2013

This paper evaluated module performance deterioration based on module performance baselines, and established a case-based aero-engine module maintenance level decision model. Then corrected the module maintenance level based on the limits of LLP, AD/SB, hardware damages, soft time to develop a reasonable maintenance level.