bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metastatic lesions in the gastroduodenum — an unusual manifestation of malignant melanoma and pulmonary adenocarcinoma
Authors: Benedeto-Stojanov Daniela , Bjelaković Goran , Milentijević Maja , Stojanov Dragan , Brzački Vesna , Petrović Gordana
Published: August 2014

The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is an unusual site for metastasis. The rate of GIT metastases detected clinically is very low because of unspecific symptoms and signs of GIT involvement, which include general weakness, tiredness, weight loss, unspecific abdominal pain, fatigue, and anemia. We report clinical, endoscopic, and pathological patterns of two patients (malignant melanoma and primary lung tumor) with metastatic lesions in the gastroduodenum. The first case is a 59-year-old man with unspecific symptoms as nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. He underwent resection of skin melanoma on his back one year before. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed two melanotic polypoid masses with ulcerations at the tip, one in the stomach and one in the duodenal bulb. Endoscopic biopsy of these polypoid masses and immunohistochemical stains confirmed the diagnosis of metastatic malignant melanoma. The second case is a 73-year-old man with a two-day history of melena and unspecific abdominal pain. Three weeks before, the patient was operated on for the adenocarcinoma of the lung. Endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract revealed irregular polypoid mass with ulcerations at the tip: three of the stomach mucosa, two in the duodenal bulb and more than ten hemorrhagic polypoid masses at the desendent duodenum. Biopsies of these lesions confirmed the diagnosis of metastatic lung adenocarcinoma. In patients with a history of malignant melanoma and lung cancer unspecific symptoms, like abdominal pain, anemia, and gastrointestinal bleeding gastroduodenal metastases should be suspected. The diagnosis requires careful endoscopic examinations of the mucosa for metastatic lesions and biopsy with special immunohistochemical stains.
Agreement between manual and automated measurements of simple QRS/T angle
Authors: Jaroszyński Andrzej , Jaroszyńska Anna , Szcześniak Anna , Szymczyk Agnieszka , Zaborowski Tomasz , Zapolski Tomasz , Wysokiński Andrzej , Załuska Wojciech
Published: August 2014

The spatial QRS/T angle (QRS/T) has been identified as a strong and independent predictor of adverse cardiac events. QRS/T can be determined from the electrocardiogram (ECG) by matrix transformation methods or formula which uses a combination of net QRS and T-wave amplitudes (QRS/Tsimple). Amplitudes can be measured automatically by using dedicated software (QRS/Tauto) or can be manually measured on a computer screen (QRS/Tmanual). This latter method allows analysis of QRS/T, when digital ECGs are not available. The aim of the study was to determine the agreement in the measurements between automatically derived QRS and T amplitudes and manually measured on the computer screen amplitudes. The relative error of the QRS/T between the two methods was estimated in 73 patients. In the case of QRS/Tmanual the inter-observer as well as intra-observer variability was estimated. The relative error between QRS/Tauto vs. QRS/Tmanual was 3.51%. Inter-observer and intra-observer variability of the QRS/Tmanual was 1.19% and 1.18% respectively. Manual measurement of the QRS/T is reliable, however, the predictive value of this parameter should be tested in clinical trials, before QRS/Tmanual can be considered a useful tool in clinical practice or retrospective studies.
Obesity and the levels of liver enzymes (ALT, AST & GGT) in East Medinipur, India
Authors: Das Ajay Kumar , Chandra Prasanna , Gupta Akash , Ahmad Naved
Published: August 2014

Objective Obesity is a common disorder in our country. Most widely used method to gauge obesity is Body Mass Index (BMI) which is equal to weight in kilogram divided by height in meter square. The objective of our study was to find the levels of liver enzymes ALT, AST & GGT in two groups (overweight individuals and obese individuals). Methods: A total no of 156 individuals were selected for the study and they were categorized into three groups on the basis of BMI- Group I Normal, BMI 18.5 to 24.9 (n=72), Group II Overweight, BMI 25.0 to 29.9 (n=39) and Group III Obese, BMI >30 (n=45). Serum ALT, AST & GGT were estimated by Accurex AC 112 plus semi auto analyser and values were given in U/L. Results: Values of ALT, AST & GGT were with in the normal references range in all the three groups. Conclusion: No significant relation was found between ALT, AST & GGT in normal, overweight and obese individuals. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v6i1.10147 Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.6(1) 2015 40-42
Carotid artery intima-media thickness in patients with acute ischemic stroke and its correlation with risk factors for atherosclerosis and/or stroke
Authors: Das Shovan Kumar , Sarkar Amit , Pramanik Subhraprakash , Bandyopadhyay Mitabha , Mondal Koushik , Singh Sanjai Kumar
Published: August 2014

Introduction: Stroke is the second leading cause of mortality worldwide. Ischemic stroke is  more prevalent than hemorrhagic stroke and atherosclerosis is the major cause of ischemic stroke. The increased carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) is considered to be useful indicator of early atherosclerosis. So, this study was aimed to correlate the relationship between atherosclerotic risk factors and intima-media thickness of carotid artery in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 100 consecutive patients of acute ischemic stroke and 50 healthy relatives of patients as control were studied for presence of atherosclerotic risk factors and carotid artery intima?media thickness by B-mode Doppler ultrasonography.Results: In this age and sex matched study, higher CIMT measurement was found among patients of acute ischemic stroke than healthy controls (0.849 ± 0.196 vs 0.602 ± 0.092; p < 0.001). The CIMT was well correlated with smoking (Beta = 0.295; t = 5.728; 95% CI 0.088 to 0.181; p < 0.001); hypertension (Beta = 0.387; t = 6.518; CI 0.112 to 0.209; p < 0.001); di abetes (Beta = 0.237; t = 4.848; CI 0.074 to 0.175; p < 0.001); hypercholesterolemia (Beta = 0.292; t = 5.840; CI 0.096 to 0.195; p < 0.001), but not with age (p = 0.153). The CIMT was also found to be higher among acute ischemic stroke patients who were smoker, hypertensive, diabetic and hypercholesterolemic than non?smoker, normotensive, non-diabetic and normo-cholesterolemic respectively. Conclusion: The CIMT being indicator of atherosclerosis can be used as future predictor of ischemic stroke. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v6i1.10301 Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.6(1) 2015 22-27
Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia on a young patient
Authors: Yontar Osman Can , Tenekecioglu Erhan , Karaagac Kemal , Tutuncu Ahmet
Published: August 2014

Twelve-lead electrocardiogram is the most frequently utilized device for cardiologists. Although it is a basic device, great attention must be paid when it comes to give vital decisions. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v6i1.10804 Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.6(1) 2015 127-128
Clinical predictors of functional recovery at six month post-stroke
Authors: Gbiri Caleb Ademola , Akinpleu Aderonke Omobonike , Ogunniyi Adesola , Akinwuntan Abiodun E , Van Staden C Werdie
Published: August 2014

Aim: To investigate predictors of functional recovery at six-month among Nigerians with first-ever stroke. Methods: Participants with first ever stroke were recruited at stroke?onset from the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Stroke severity was measured using the National Institute of Health Stroke-Scale. Stroke was classified using the results of the CT scan of the brain. The weighted-standard values of Barthel Index and Frenchay Activities Index were combined to indicate Comprehensive Activities of Daily Living (CADL). The presence of depressive features and Trunk-Control (TC) were measured using the Centre for Epidemiological Scale-Depression and the Postural Assessment-Scale for Stroke?Patients respectively. Measurements were taken every month for six months. Data were analyzed using multivariate regression and survival analyses at p=0.05. Results: Sixty?five participants were recruited. Ten died within a week of stroke onset. Fifty-five (mean age = 57.4±14.8 years, 28 males) participants completed the study; Twenty-six (47.3%) had ischaemic stroke and 29 (52.7%) had haemorrhagic stroke. Forty of the 55 participants were married and of the 40, 31 reported spousal support. Type of stroke (β=7.5) and age (β=–0.4) significantly predicted functional recovery after controlling for co-morbidity (β=–2.1), brainstem lesion (β= –0.2), stroke severity (β= –0.6) and TC (β= 0.7) and the scores on depressive symptoms ratings (β= –0.1). Conclusion: Functional recovery at six?month is better in individuals who had haemorrhagic stroke. However, functional recovery decreases as age increases. The combination of haemorrhagic stroke with the presence of co-morbidity predicted death after stroke. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v6i1.5911 Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.6(1) 2015 49-54
Presentation of menopausal symptoms: A village based community study
Authors: Srivastava Mona , Srivastava Ritu , Pandit Balram
Published: August 2014

Background: The present observational, cross sectional study was carried out in rural women (n=117) from the Varanasi area with natural menopause to evaluate menopausal symptoms in women above the age of 40, as well as to evaluate the correlation of age on these symptoms. Materials and Methods: A crossectional assessment by interviewing regarding the menopausal complaints in the following 40-44(n=27), 45- 50(n=30) and above 50 (n =60) years age groups. Menstrual rating scale (MRS) was administered to all the women forming the sample. Results: Mean age at menopause was 47.35 years. Mean number of menopausal symptoms in three age groups were as (mean±SD)10.53±7.33, 7.70± 6.76 and14.50±10.77 respectively, which varied significantly (F=4.86, df=2, 87, P=0.009). The study reveal, varying nature of symptoms with age and MDSM (Mean Duration since Menopause), with vasomotor symptoms being more prevalent with lesser MDSM and psychological and rheumatic complaints more prevalent with increasing age and MDSM in this region. Conclusion: Such regional studies will help to corroborate data so that health care providers can plan strategies for the middle aged women suffering from these menopausal symptoms. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v6i1.8431 Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.6(1) 2015 87-90
Dietary intake of pregnant women and its effect on the birth weight of newborns in rural area of Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: Sahu Krishna Kumar , Idris MZ , Agarwal Monika , Singh SK , Manar MK
Published: August 2014

Background: Nutritional deficiency during pregnancy in rural India is common. The nutritional requirements during pregnancy are increased and on the other hand the dietary intake decreases because of symptoms related to pregnancy. This adversely affects the weight of newborn. In developing countries low birth weight is major problem. So this study concern to determine the nutritional status of pregnant women and its effect on birth weight of newborn. Methods: A cross section descriptive study was conducted from Oct 2011 to May 2012 at Sarojni Nagar PHC, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh over 323 pregnant women. They were interviewed regarding their dietary intake (on the basis of 24 hours recall method) during pregnancy. Of these 323 pregnant women, 291 could be followed up and amongst these 287 pregnant women delivered a live baby. The birth weight was measured immediate after birth. Results: In this study mean energy, protein, iron and calcium intake during pregnancy were 2013.3 ± 327.6 cal/day, 57.8 ± 11.4 gm/day, 30.15 ± 5.57 mg/day and 910.7 ± 210.4 mg/day respectively, whereas the mean intake of vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin C and folic acid were 608.4±161.2 μg, 1.2±0.2mg, 1.6±0.2mg, 11.9±2.1mg, 113.3 ±2.1mg and 196.2±38.4μg respectively. Nutritional deficiency during pregnancy was positively related with low birth weight. Conclusion: In the rural setup of India majority of the pregnant women were having inadequate dietary intake. Hence, policies related to maternal nutrition should be made so as to decrease the prevalence of low birth weight. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v6i1.9473 Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.6(1) 2015 67-70
Land Policy Instruments in Nepal
Authors: Chhetri Ram Bhandari
Published: August 2014

Corporate mobilization can be made realistic if policy facilitation is provided by the government sector. This research study aimed at exploring the possibility of a mechanism that will attract substantial investments from the private sector by mobilizing the existing capital market. To do so, the research within its objective framework examined the essential policy framework from the literature review, the existing legal, financial and planning and housing policies posing impediments to the prospective participation of the corporate sector in land and housing activities. This included but not necessarily restricted to the land administration, land legislatives, cadastral mapping system and current planning techniques used and the operational constraints it would pose upon the prospective mobilization of the corporate financing in land and housing development. The research study then finally intended to arrive at the framework that could possibly facilitate or promote corporate finance in land and housing sector in a greater way. The finding from the research is then translated into a framework for increased participation for corporate sector in land and housing that chiefly included following aspects. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jie.v10i1.10880Journal of the Institute of Engineering, Vol. 10, No. 1, 2014, pp. 69–79
Technical Problem Analysis of Micro Hydro Plants: A Case Study at Pokhari Chauri of Kavre District
Authors: Maharjan Sugam , Shrestha Rajendra
Published: August 2014

In Nepal, there are number of Micro hydro plant installed each year for village electrification and income growth activity. This paper highlights on the technical problem face by existing micro-hydro systems. The study shows the technical status of micro-hydro plant needs to be improved. Most of the problems are found in civil components due to the use of locally available materials and unskilled labor in construction works. The problem associated with mechanical components is due to the mishandling of equipment and lack of preventive maintenance. In addition, the study shows that the lack of technical knowledge about the electrical and electronic components to the operator, created problems in electrical system. Thus various problem associated with micro-hydro system has been identified. For the sustainable development of micro- hydro system, the technical problem and financial problem has been analyzed.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jie.v10i1.10896Journal of the Institute of Engineering, Vol. 10, No. 1, 2014, pp. 149–156
Mathematical Models of Mb/M/1 Bulk Arrival Queueing System
Authors: Ghimire Sushil , Ghimire R. P. , Thapa Gyan Bahadur
Published: August 2014

This paper deals with the study of bulk queueing model with the fixed batch size ‘b’ and customers arrive to the system with Poisson fashion with the rate λ and are severed exponentially with the rate μ. On formulating the mathematical model, we obtain the expressions for mean waiting time in the queue, mean time spent in the system, mean number of customers/work pieces in the queue and in the system by using generating function method. Some numerical illustrations are also obtained by using MATLAB-7 so as to show the applicability of the model under study.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jie.v10i1.10899Journal of the Institute of Engineering, Vol. 10, No. 1, 2014, pp. 184–191
Breakfast Cereal Consumption Moderates the Association Between Body Composition and Body Esteem in Young Women but not in Young Men
Authors: Scott Holly-Anne , Marcinow Michelle , Hicks Rachel , Buchholz Andrea C.
Published: August 2014

Purpose: To explore the role of breakfast cereal consumption on the relationships among BMI, percent fat mass (%FM), and body esteem in young adults.

Methods: Weight, height, and %FM (by air displacement plethysmography) were measured in 29 males (aged 25.1 ± 4.0 years) and 28 females (aged 24.6 ± 4.0 years). Body esteem was measured using the Body Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults (BESAA). Three-day food records classified participants as breakfast cereal consumers (n = 27, any amount of ready-to-eat or cooked cereal consumed at breakfast) versus nonconsumers (n = 30, no cereal consumed at breakfast).

Results: The %FM was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) inversely correlated with weight esteem (r = −0.769), appearance esteem (r = −0.723), and external attribution (r = −0.620) in female noncereal consumers. BMI was similarly correlated with BESAA scores. These relationships were not significant in female cereal consumers (all r < 0.426), despite no difference in confounding variables between female cereal consumers and nonconsumers. Neither BMI nor %FM were correlated with measures of body esteem (all r < 0.466, NS) in either male cereal consumers or nonconsumers.

Conclusions: Breakfast cereal consumption may moderate the relationship among BMI, %FM, and body esteem in young adult women and may be useful for improving body esteem without focusing on weight loss.
Improving Nutritional Health of the Public through Social Change: Finding Our Roles in Collective Action
Authors: Raine Kim D.
Published: August 2014

Improving the nutritional health of the public continues to be a major challenge. Our mission of advancing health through food and nutrition has become increasingly complex, particularly as food environments shape the availability, affordability, and social acceptability of food and nutrition “choices”. Promoting nutritional health requires that dietitians expand our knowledge in understanding the determinants of healthy eating and of social change strategies that advocates for and acts on improving food environments. While no single strategy can solve the challenges of public health nutrition, we can each identify unique strengths and opportunities. If we practice in complementary ways, using those strengths for collective action will make us stronger together toward social change supporting improved nutritional health of the public.
Estimation of normal computed tomography measurements for the upper cervical spine in the pediatric age group
Authors: Vachhrajani Shobhan , Sen Anish N. , Satyan Krishna , Kulkarni Abhaya V. , Birchansky Sherri B. , Jea Andrew
Published: August 2014

Object

Upper cervical spine injuries in the pediatric age group have been recognized as extremely unstable from ligamentous disruption and as potentially lethal. Few measurement norms have been published for the pediatric upper cervical spine to help diagnose this pathological state. Instead, adult measurement techniques and results are usually applied inappropriately to children. The authors propose using high-resolution reconstructed CT scans to define a range of normal for a collection of selected upper cervical spine measurements in the pediatric age group.

Methods

Sagittal and coronal reformatted images were obtained from thin axial CT scans obtained in 42 children (< 18 years) in a 2-month period. There were 25 boys and 17 girls. The mean age was 100.9 months (range 1–214 months). Six CT scans were obtained for nontrauma indications, and 36 were obtained as part of a trauma protocol and later cleared for cervical spine injury. Six straightforward and direct linear distances—basion-dental interval (BDI); atlantodental interval (ADI); posterior atlantodental interval (PADI); right and left lateral mass interval (LMI); right and left craniocervical interval (CCI); and prevertebral soft-tissue thickness at C-2—that minimized logistical and technical distortions were measured and recorded. Statistical analysis including interobserver agreement, age stratification, and sex differences was performed for each of the 6 measurements.

Results

The mean ADI was 2.25 ± 0.24 mm (± SD), the mean PADI was 18.3 ± 0.07 mm, the mean BDI was 7.28 ± 0.10 mm, and the mean prevertebral soft tissue width at C-2 was 4.45 ± 0.43 mm. The overall mean CCI was 2.38 ± 0.44 mm, and the overall mean LMI was 2.91 ± 0.49 mm. Linear regression analysis demonstrated statistically significant age effects for PADI (increased 0.02 mm/month), BDI (decreased 0.02 mm/month), and CCI (decreased 0.01 mm/month). Similarly significant effects were found for sex; females demonstrated on average a smaller CCI by 0.26 mm and a smaller PADI by 2.12 mm. Moderate to high interrater reliability was demonstrated across all parameters.

Conclusions

Age-dependent and age-independent normal CT measurements of the upper cervical spine will help to differentiate physiological and pathological states in children. The BDI appears to change significantly with age but not sex; on the other hand, the LMI and ADI appear to be age-independent measures. This preliminary study suggests acceptable levels of interrater reliability, and further expanded study will aim to validate these measurements to produce a profile of normal upper cervical spine measurements in children.
Endogenous Phenolics in Hulls and Cotyledons of Mustard and Canola: A Comparative Study on Its Sinapates and Antioxidant Capacity
Authors: Mayengbam Shyamchand , Aachary Ayyappan , Thiyam-Holländer Usha
Published: August 2014

Endogenous sinapic acid (SA), sinapine (SP), sinapoyl glucose (SG) and canolol (CAN) of canola and mustard seeds are the potent antioxidants in various lipid-containing systems. The study investigated these phenolic antioxidants using different fractions of canola and mustard seeds. Phenolic compounds were extracted from whole seeds and their fractions: hulls and cotyledons, using 70% methanol by the ultrasonication method and quantified using HPLC-DAD. The major phenolics from both hulls and cotyledons extracts were SP, with small amounts of SG, and SA with a significant difference of phenolic contents between the two seed fractions. Cotyledons showed relatively high content of SP, SA, SG and total phenolics in comparison to hulls (p < 0.001). The concentration of SP in different fractions ranged from 1.15 ± 0.07 to 12.20 ± 1.16 mg/g and followed a decreasing trend- canola cotyledons > mustard cotyledons > mustard seeds > canola seeds > mustard hulls > canola hulls. UPLC-tandem Mass Spectrometry confirmed the presence of sinapates and its fragmentation in these extracts. Further, a high degree of correlation (r = 0.93) was noted between DPPH scavenging activity and total phenolic content.
Dietary Exposure of Nigerians to Mutagens and Estrogen-Like Chemicals
Authors: Omoruyi Iyekhoetin , Ahamioje Derek , Pohjanvirta Raimo
Published: August 2014

Food and drinking water are poorly delineated sources of human exposure to chemical food mutagens and endocrine-disrupting chemicals. In this study, we investigated the presence of mutagens and chemicals exhibiting estrogenic activity in the daily diet of Nigerians, using in vitro assays. Commercially processed foods or snacks and various brands of pure water sachets were extracted by solid-phase extraction and liquid-liquid extraction, respectively. Mutagenicity was determined by the conventional Ames test and two complementary assays on two strains of Salmonella (TA 100 and TA 98), while the estrogenic activity was assessed by a yeast bioluminescent assay, using two recombinant yeast strains (Saccharomyces cerevisiae BMAEREluc/ERα and S. cerevisiae BMA64/luc). A third of the food varieties investigated (chin-chin, hamburger, suya and bean cake) were mutagenic in all three assays, either in the presence or absence of S9 mix. Of the packed water samples, five out of the sixteen investigated (31%), were found to be estrogenic, with estradiol and bisphenol A equivalents ranging from 0.79 to 44.0 ng/L and 124.2 to 1,000.8 ng/L, respectively. Hence, although the current situation in Nigeria does not appear to be substantially worse than, e.g., in Europe, regular monitoring is warranted in the future.
Utility and Cutoff Value of Hair Nicotine as a Biomarker of Long-Term Tobacco Smoke Exposure, Compared to Salivary Cotinine
Authors: Kim Sungroul , Apelberg Benjamin , Avila-Tang Erika , Hepp Lisa , Yun Dongmin , Samet Jonathan , Breysse Patrick
Published: August 2014

While hair samples are easier to collect and less expensive to store and transport than biological fluids, and hair nicotine characterizes tobacco exposure over a longer time period than blood or urine cotinine, information on its utility, compared with salivary cotinine, is still limited. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 289 participants (107 active smokers, 105 passive smokers with self-reported secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure, and 77 non-smokers with no SHS exposure) in Baltimore (Maryland, USA). A subset of the study participants (n = 52) were followed longitudinally over a two-month interval. Median baseline hair nicotine concentrations for active, passive and non-smokers were 16.2, 0.36, and 0.23 ng/mg, respectively, while those for salivary cotinine were 181.0, 0.27, and 0.27 ng/mL, respectively. Hair nicotine concentrations for 10% of passive or non-smokers were higher than the 25th percentile value for active smokers while all corresponding salivary cotinine concentrations for them were lower than the value for active smokers. This study showed that hair nicotine concentration values could be used to distinguish active or heavy passive adult smokers from non-SHS exposed non-smokers. Our results indicate that hair nicotine is a useful biomarker for the assessment of long-term exposure to tobacco smoke.
Practical Barriers and Ethical Challenges in Genetic Data Sharing
Authors: Simpson Claire , Goldenberg Aaron , Culverhouse Rob , Daley Denise , Igo Robert , Jarvik Gail , Mandal Diptasri , Mascalzoni Deborah , Montgomery Courtney , Pierce Brandon , Plaetke Rosemarie , Shete Sanjay , Goddard Katrina , Stein Catherine
Published: August 2014

The underlying ethos of dbGaP is that access to these data by secondary data analysts facilitates advancement of science. NIH has required that genome-wide association study data be deposited in the Database of Genotypes and Phenotypes (dbGaP) since 2003. In 2013, a proposed updated policy extended this requirement to next-generation sequencing data. However, recent literature and anecdotal reports suggest lingering logistical and ethical concerns about subject identifiability, informed consent, publication embargo enforcement, and difficulty in accessing dbGaP data. We surveyed the International Genetic Epidemiology Society (IGES) membership about their experiences. One hundred and seventy five (175) individuals completed the survey, a response rate of 27%. Of respondents who received data from dbGaP (43%), only 32% perceived the application process as easy but most (75%) received data within five months. Remaining challenges include difficulty in identifying an institutional signing official and an overlong application process. Only 24% of respondents had contributed data to dbGaP. Of these, 31% reported local IRB restrictions on data release; an additional 15% had to reconsent study participants before depositing data. The majority of respondents (56%) disagreed that the publication embargo period was sufficient. In response, we recommend longer embargo periods and use of varied data-sharing models rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
The Influence of Fatty Acids on the GpA Dimer Interface by Coarse-Grained Molecular Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Flinner Nadine , Mirus Oliver , Schleiff Enrico
Published: August 2014

The hydrophobic thickness of membranes, which is manly defined by fatty acids, influences the packing of transmembrane domains of proteins and thus can modulate the activity of these proteins. We analyzed the dynamics of the dimerization of Glycophorin A (GpA) by molecular dynamics simulations to describe the fatty acid dependence of the transmembrane region assembly. GpA represents a well-established model for dimerization of single transmembrane helices containing a GxxxG motif in vitro and in silico. We performed simulations of the dynamics of the NMR-derived dimer as well as self-assembly simulations of monomers in membranes composed of different fatty acid chains and monitored the formed interfaces and their transitions. The observed dimeric interfaces, which also include the one known from NMR, are highly dynamic and converted into each other. The frequency of interface formation and the preferred transitions between interfaces similar to the interface observed by NMR analysis strongly depend on the fatty acid used to build the membrane. Molecular dynamic simulations after adaptation of the helix topology parameters to better represent NMR derived structures of single transmembrane helices yielded an enhanced occurrence of the interface determined by NMR in molecular dynamics simulations. Taken together we give insights into the influence of fatty acids and helix conformation on the dynamics of the transmembrane domain of GpA.
Estimation of regional cerebral blood flow using N-isopropyl-p-123I iodoamphetamine acquisition data from the lungs and brain
Authors: Abe S. , Takahashi Y. , Fujita N. , Ikeda M. , Ota N. , Kajita Y. , Yamamoto S. , Naganawa S. , Kato K.
Published: August 2014

Aim: Previously, we devised a method for estimating 123I labeled N-isopropyl-p-iodo- amphetamine (123I IMP) arterial blood activity at 10 minutes after intravenous injection of 123I IMP (Ca10) without any blood sampling using 123I IMP autoradiography (ARG) acquisition data, and verified its usefulness for quantification of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF). In this study, we attempted to develop an improved noninvasive method for estimating rCBF. Patients, methods:
123I IMP studies with 23 patients and 15O-H2O positron emission tomography (PET) ARG studies with 20 patients were evaluated. Multiple regression analysis was used to estimate an integral of the arterial blood counts during the time after injection of 123I (JCa) using parameters from the time series of the lung counts and brain counts as the explanatory variables and the fraction [brain single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) average count / the mean of rCBFs (mean CBF) measured by 15O-H2O PET ARG method] as the objective variable. Results: The regression equation was as follows: Estimated JCa = (7.09x10-3 · Cb12) - (1.57x10-4 · CbpreSPECT) + (9.48x10-5 · CbpostSPECT) + (1.35x10-4· L15) - (6.95x10-4· L33) + (7.61x10-4· L81) - (0.417), where Cb12: brain count at 12 minutes, Cbpre-SPECT: brain count before SPECT, Cbpost-SPECT: brain count after SPECT, L15, L33, and L81: lung count at 15, 33, and 81 seconds, respectively. The mean CBF values (ml/min/100g) calculated using the estimated JCa values more closely correlated with those measured by 15O-H2O PET ARG method (r = 0.833, p < 0.01) than those obtained by our previous method (r = 0.590, p < 0.01). Conclusion: The rCBFs obtained by this method approximated more accurately to the values measured by 15O-H2O PET ARG method than those obtained by our previous method.
Self-organization of mesoscopic silver wires by electrochemical deposition
Authors: Zhong Sheng , Koch Thomas , Walheim Stefan , Rösner Harald , Nold Eberhard , Kobler Aaron , Scherer Torsten , Wang Di , Kübel Christian , Wang Mu , Hahn Horst , Schimmel Thomas
Published: August 2014

Long, straight mesoscale silver wires have been fabricated from AgNO3 electrolyte via electrodeposition without the help of templates, additives, and surfactants. Although the wire growth speed is very fast due to growth under non-equilibrium conditions, the wire morphology is regular and uniform in diameter. Structural studies reveal that the wires are single-crystalline, with the [112] direction as the growth direction. A possible growth mechanism is suggested. Auger depth profile measurements show that the wires are stable against oxidation under ambient conditions. This unique system provides a convenient way for the study of self-organization in electrochemical environments as well as for the fabrication of highly-ordered, single-crystalline metal nanowires.
Synthesis of a bifunctional cytidine derivative and its conjugation to RNA for in vitro selection of a cytidine deaminase ribozyme
Authors: Rublack Nico , Müller Sabine
Published: August 2014

Over the past 20 years, the generation of functional RNAs by in vitro selection has become a standard technique. Apart from aptamers for simple binding of defined ligands, also RNAs for catalysis of chemical reactions have been selected. In the latter case, a key step often is the conjugation of one of the two reactants to the library, requiring suitable strategies for terminal or internal RNA functionalization. With the aim of selecting a ribozyme for deamination of cytidine, we have set up a selection scheme involving the attachment of the cytidine acting as deamination substrate to the 3'-terminus of the RNAs in the library, and library immobilization. Here, we report the synthesis of a bifunctional cytidine derivative suitable for conjugation to RNA and linkage of the conjugated library to a streptavidine-coated surface. Successful conjugation of the cytidine derivative to the 3'-terminus of a model RNA is demonstrated.
A SNP Genotyping Array for Hexaploid Oat
Authors: Tinker Nicholas A. , Chao Shiaoman , Lazo Gerard R. , Oliver Rebekah E. , Huang Yung‐Fen , Poland Jesse A. , Jellen Eric N. , Maughan Peter J. , Kilian Andrzej , Jackson Eric W.
Published: August 2014

Recognizing a need in cultivated hexaploid oat (Avena sativa L.) for a reliable set of reference single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), we have developed a 6000 (6K) BeadChip design containing 257 Infinium I and 5486 Infinium II designs corresponding to 5743 SNPs. Of those, 4975 SNPs yielded successful assays after array manufacturing. These SNPs were discovered based on a variety of bioinformatics pipelines in complementary DNA (cDNA) and genomic DNA originating from 20 or more diverse oat cultivars. The array was validated in 1100 samples from six recombinant inbred line (RIL) mapping populations and sets of diverse oat cultivars and breeding lines, and provided approximately 3500 discernible Mendelian polymorphisms. Here, we present an annotation of these SNPs, including methods of discovery, gene identification and orthology, population‐genetic characteristics, and tentative positions on an oat consensus map. We also evaluate a new cluster‐based method of calling SNPs. The SNP design sequences are made publicly available, and the full SNP genotyping platform is available for commercial purchase from an independent third party.
Scholarly Publication Practices of Doctor of Nursing Practice-Prepared Nurses
Authors: Broome Marion E. , Riner Mary E. , Allam Eman S.
Published: August 2014

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) graduates are expected to contribute to nursing knowledge through empirically based studies testing the effectiveness of practice approaches that ultimately benefit patients and health care systems. This article describes publication practices of DNP graduates in the scholarly literature. Published studies (2005 to 2012) with at least one author with a DNP degree were identified. The search yielded 300 articles in 59 journals; 175 met the inclusion criteria and were included in this study. A codebook, consisting of 15 major categories, was used to extract relevant information. Original clinical investigations were the most frequent, followed by practice-focused patient and provider studies. The number of studies published in peer-reviewed journals with DNP-prepared authors increased over time. We recommend greater integration of translational science models into DNP curricula to achieve the goal of publishing scholarly products that use evidence to improve either practice or patient outcomes. [
J Nurs Educ.
2013;52(8):429–434.]
Impact of Doctor of Nursing Practice Education in Shaping Health Care Systems for the Future
Authors: Dunbar-Jacob Jacqueline , Nativio Donna G. , Khalil Heba
Published: August 2014

The approval of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing in 2004 and publication of
The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice
in 2006 promised significant benefit to nursing and to shaping health care systems. Currently, 229 DNP programs exist and more are planned. This article provides an overview of program types, graduates, and postgraduation placement, using Pennsylvania as an exemplar, to describe the potential impact of DNP education in health care systems. Nurse educators need to consider whether our current directions enable us to realize opportunities for shaping health care systems or whether we need to make course corrections. [
J Nurs Educ.
2013;52(8):423–427.]
The Politics of E-Learning
Authors: Livermore Celia Romm , Raisinghani Mahesh , Rippa Pierluigi
Published: August 2014

The goal of this research was to study the political strategies utilized in the context of E-Learning. The research is based on the E-Learning Political Strategies (ELPoS) model. The model is based on two dimensions: (1) the direction of the political strategy (upward or downward) and (2) the scope of the political strategy (individual or group based). The model assumes that the interaction between these dimensions will define four different types of E-Learning political strategies, which, in turn, will lead to different outcomes. The model is presented in the context of the literature on E-Learning and is accompanied with four short case studies that demonstrate its political strategies. The discussion and conclusions section integrates the findings from the case studies and outlines the rules that govern the utilization of political E-Learning strategies in different organizational contexts.
Pathways of Technological Change
Authors: Woods Jeffrey G.
Published: August 2014

While technological change benefits the U.S. service sector and the economy as a whole, the creation, design and production of innovations may favor highly-skilled over less-skilled workers. If skill-biased technical change creates more job vacancies for skilled, relative to less-skilled workers, less-skilled workers are at greater risk of becoming structurally unemployed. An epidemiological model is developed that describes the pathways to, and prevention of, structural unemployment (SU) of less-skilled workers. Less-skilled workers must protect themselves from being “infected” by the diffusion of skill-biased technical change in the service sector. They must choose to become “vaccinated” with “injections” of human capital to reduce the probability of contracting the “disease” of (SU) and to avoid permanently working in de-skilled jobs. By making less-skilled workers more productive, one can simultaneously improve the distribution of education and training, health and income inequality while providing the government more tax revenue.
Innovation Diffusion
Authors: Evangelatos Nikolaos , Carayannis Elias
Published: August 2014

The phenomenon of diffusion has been extensively studied from different disciplines in the natural and social sciences and has been used in the study of innovation dynamics. Diffusion plays also a central role to the study of disease-spread within a population, being an essential element of epidemiological research. In case of disease-diffusion, the contagious agents spread among susceptible individuals, thus rendering them infected. Those individuals can in turn communicate the disease to other susceptible community members and start an epidemic. These characteristics of disease-spread have been successfully studied by epidemiological theoretical tools. Patent citations, traditionally used as indicators for R&D output, signal the acquisition of knowledge and, in that sense, facilitate diffusion of innovation. In this paper the authors argue that patent citations could be seen as contagious agents and the diffusion of innovation could be studied with tools from the field of epidemiology. In this direction authors draw a theoretical framework for future original research.
On the Social Costs of Bankruptcy
Authors: Hackney Donald D. , McPherson Matthew Q. , Friesner Daniel , Correia Candice
Published: August 2014

The goal of BAPCPA is to shift bankruptcy filers from Chapter 7 to Chapter 13. The basis for this goal is the assumption that Chapter 7 filers repay much less of their debt than do Chapter 13 filers. Therefore, shifting debtors from Chapter 7 to Chapter 13 will increase debt repayment and lessen the amount of bankruptcy costs shifted to society as a whole. In order for this reasoning to be valid, it is necessary to substantiate the claim that Chapter 13 actually leads to substantial debt repayment. This paper examines the validity of this assumption using a random sample of filers from the Eastern Washington U.S. Federal Bankruptcy Court District in 2003 and 2005. The authors find that filers do, indeed, repay a substantial portion of their debts. This suggests that Chapter 13 is effective in generating debt repayment. However, Chapter 13 repayments also create major administrative costs, and frequently provide little benefit to general unsecured creditors. Moreover, the effectiveness of Chapter 13 bankruptcies is substantially reduced (by nearly a 2.5 to 1 ratio) if debtors do not successfully complete the repayment plans. As such, BAPCPA appears to miss an opportunity to further reduce the social costs of bankruptcy.
A Case Study of Teaching Parallel and Distributed Computing Topics on a Computer Cluster
Authors: Lin Hong
Published: August 2014

This paper presents the establishment of cluster computing lab at a minority serving institution that aims to provide computing resources to support undergraduate computer science curriculum. The computing resources of the cluster are managed by a job distribution environment that allows the users to upload, compile, and run their jobs. The job distribution software distributes the submitted jobs to the computing nodes of the cluster. The authors will present a case study of using this platform to teach parallel and distributed computing topics in the operating system course. The evaluation of the teaching effectiveness is presented thereafter.
The Multifaceted Roles of Bcl11b in Thymic and Peripheral T Cells: Impact on Immune Diseases
Authors: Avram Dorina , Califano Danielle
Published: August 2014

The transcription factor Bcl11b is expressed in all T cell subsets and progenitors, starting from the DN2 stage of T cell development, and it regulates critical processes implicated in the development, function, and survival of many of these cells. Among the common roles of Bcl11b in T cell progenitors and mature T cell subsets are the repression of the innate genetic program and, to some extent, expression maintenance of TCR-signaling components. However, Bcl11b also has unique roles in specific T cell populations, suggesting that its functions depend on cell type and activation state of the cell. In this article, we provide a comprehensive review of the roles of Bcl11b in progenitors, effector T cells, regulatory T cells, and invariant NKT cells, as well as its impact on immune diseases. While emphasizing common themes, including some that might be extended to skin and neurons, we also describe the control of specific functions in different T cell subsets.
Hematopoiesis in Steady-State versus Stress: Self-Renewal, Lineage Fate Choice, and the Conversion of Danger Signals into Cytokine Signals in Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Authors: Borghesi Lisa
Published: August 2014

Long-term hematopoietic stem cells (LT-HSCs) replenish the innate and adaptive immune compartments throughout life. Although significant progress has defined the major transcription factors that regulate lineage specification, the architectural proteins that globally coordinate DNA methylation, histone modification, and changes in gene expression are poorly defined. Provocative new studies establish the chromatin organizer special AT-rich binding protein 1 (Satb1) as one such global regulator in LT-HSCs. Satb1 is a nuclear organizer that partitions chromatin through the formation of cage-like structures. By integrating epigenetic and transcriptional pathways, Satb1 coordinates LT-HSC division, self-renewal, and lymphoid potential. Unexpected among the assortment of genes under Satb1 control in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are cytokines, a finding that takes on additional importance with the provocative finding that short-term HSCs and downstream multipotent progenitors are potent and biologically relevant cytokine secretors during stress-mediated hematopoiesis. Together, these studies reveal a new mechanism of fate regulation and an unforeseen functional capability of HSCs.
The influence of the North Atlantic Oscillation and El Niño–Southern Oscillation on mean and extreme values of column ozone over the United States
Authors: Petropavlovskikh I. , Evans R. , McConville G. , Manney G. L. , Rieder H. E.
Published: August 2014

Abstract. Continuous measurements of total ozone (by Dobson spectrophotometers) across the contiguous United States (US) began in the early 1960s. Here, we analyze temporal and spatial variability and trends in total ozone from the five US sites with long-term records. While similar long-term ozone changes are detected at all five sites, we find differences in the patterns of ozone variability on shorter time scales. In addition to standard evaluation techniques, STL-decomposition methods (Seasonal Trend decomposition of time series based on LOcally wEighted Scatterplot Smoothing, LOESS) are used to address temporal variability and trends in the Dobson data. The LOESS-smoothed trend components show a decline of total ozone between the 1970s and 2000s and a "stabilization" at lower levels in recent years, which is also confirmed by linear trend analysis. Methods from statistical extreme value theory (EVT) are used to characterize days with high and low total ozone (termed EHOs and ELOs, respectively) at each station and to analyze temporal changes in the frequency of ozone extremes and their relationship to dynamical features such as the North Atlantic Oscillation and El Niño Southern Oscillation. A comparison of the "fingerprints" detected in the frequency distribution of the extremes with those for standard metrics (i.e., the mean) shows that more "fingerprints" are found for the extremes, particularly for the positive phase of the NAO, at all five US monitoring sites. Results from the STL-decomposition support the findings of the EVT analysis. Finally, we analyze the relative influence of low and high ozone events on seasonal mean column ozone at each station. The results show that the influence of ELOs and EHOs on seasonal mean column ozone can be as much as ±5%, or about twice as large as the overall long-term decadal ozone trends.