bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Twenty‐four‐hour intraocular pressure patterns in patients with thyroid eye disease
Authors: Parekh Anjali S , Mansouri Kaweh , Weinreb Robert N , Tafreshi Ali , Korn Bobby S , Kikkawa Don O
Published: July 2014

Background

To prospectively investigate the safety, tolerability and 24‐h intraocular pressure (IOP) patterns in patients with thyroid eye disease (TED) using a contact lens sensor (CLS).

Design

Prospective study.

Participants

Ten patients with established TED.

Methods

Ten eyes of 10 patients were prospectively evaluated in an ambulatory 24‐h IOP monitoring session using the CLS (Sensimed AG, Lausanne, Switzerland). Patients pursued daily activities, and sleep behaviour was uncontrolled.

Main Outcome Measures

Incidence of adverse events (AEs) and tolerability (scale of 0–10, increasing intolerance) were assessed. IOP patterns were evaluated using a cosinor rhythmometry model, and linear regression slopes were constructed for the transition from wake/sitting (W/S) to sleep/supine (S/S) and vice versa.

Results

Mean age was 61.8 ± 21.6 years, and 90% of patients were female. Main AEs were blurred vision (50%), conjunctival hyperaemia (100%) and superficial punctate keratitis (20%). Tolerability of the lens was found to be 1.5 ± 0.7. Positive linear slopes of the CLS signal from wake to sleep were detected (18.0 ± 43.8 arbitrary units [a.u.]; P = 0.254), whereas at the transition from S/S to W/S a significant decrease (−62.9 ± 56.8 a.u.; P = 0.010) was found. Five patients (50%) had a significant nocturnal/sleep acrophase with the peak occurring at 6:30 a.m. The mean amplitude of the 24‐h curves was 102.2 ± 52.6 a.u.

Conclusions

In patients with TED, the CLS provides a safe and well‐tolerated approach to 24‐h IOP monitoring. After modelling the 24‐h IOP curves, TED patients were found to have a morning acrophase.
Targets and Timelines for Reducing Salt in Processed Food in the Americas
Authors: Campbell Norm , Legowski Barbara , Legetic Branka , Ferrante Daniel , Nilson Eduardo , Campbell Christine , L'Abbé Mary
Published: July 2014

Reducing dietary salt is one of the most effective interventions to lessen the burden of premature death and disability. In high‐income countries and those in nutrition transition, processed foods are a significant if not the main source of dietary salt. Reformulating these products to reduce their salt content is recommended as a best buy to prevent chronic diseases across populations. In the Americas, there are targets and timelines for reduced salt content of processed foods in 8 countries—Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, and the National Salt Reduction Initiative in the United States and Paraguay. While there are common elements across the countries, there are notable differences in their approaches: 4 countries have exclusively voluntary targets, 2 countries have combined voluntary and regulated components, and 1 country has only regulations. The countries have set different types of targets and in some cases combined them: averages, sales‐weighted averages, upper limits, and percentage reductions. The foods to which the targets apply vary from single categories to comprehensive categories accounting for all processed products. The most accessible and transparent targets are upper limits per food category. Most likely to have a substantive and sustained impact on salt intake across whole populations is the combination of sales‐weighted averages and upper limits. To assist all countries with policies to improve the overall nutritional value of processed foods, the authors call for food companies to supply food composition data and product sales volume data to transparent and open‐access platforms and for global companies to supply the products that meet the strictest targets to all markets. Countries participating in common markets at the subregional level can consider harmonizing targets, nutrition labels, and warning labels.
Surface feeding and aggressive behaviour of diploid and triploid brown trout Salmo trutta during allopatric pair‐wise matchings
Authors: Preston A. C. , Taylor J. F. , Adams C. E. , Migaud H.
Published: July 2014

Diploid and triploid brown trout Salmo trutta were acclimated for 6 weeks on two feeding regimes (floating and sinking). Thereafter, aggression and surface feeding response were compared between pairs of all diploid, all triploid and diploid and triploid S. trutta in an experimental stream. In each pair‐wise matching, fish of similar size were placed in allopatry and rank was determined by the total number of aggressive interactions recorded. Dominant individuals initiated more aggression than subordinates, spent more time defending a territory and positioned themselves closer to the surface food source (Gammarus pulex), whereas subordinates occupied the peripheries. In cross ploidy trials, diploid S. trutta were more aggressive than triploid, and dominated their sibling when placed in pair‐wise matchings. Surface feeding, however, did not differ statistically between ploidy irrespective of feeding regime. Triploids adopted a sneak feeding strategy while diploids expended more time defending a territory. In addition, we also tested whether triploids exhibit a similar social dominance to diploids when placed in allopatry. Although aggression was lower in triploid pairs than in the diploid and triploid pairs, a dominance hierarchy was also observed between individuals of the same ploidy. Dominant triploid fish were more aggressive and consumed more feed items than subordinate individuals. Subordinate fish displayed a darker colour index than dominant fish suggesting increased stress levels. Dominant triploid fish, however, appeared to be more tolerant of subordinate individuals and did not display the same degree of invasive aggression as seen in the diploid and diploid or diploid and triploid matchings. These novel findings suggest that sterile triploid S. trutta feed similarly but are less aggressive than diploid trout. Future studies should determine the habitat choice of triploid S. trutta after release and the interaction between wild fish and triploids during the breeding season prior to utilization of triploids as an alternative management strategy within freshwater fisheries.
Body morphology differs in wild juvenile Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha that express different migratory phenotypes in the Willamette River, Oregon, U.S.A.
Authors: Billman E. J. , Whitman L. D. , Schroeder R. K. , Sharpe C. S. , Noakes D. L. G. , Schreck C. B.
Published: July 2014

Body morphology of juvenile Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha in the upper Willamette River, Oregon, U.S.A., was analysed to determine if variation in body shape is correlated with migratory life‐history tactics followed by juveniles. Body shape was compared between migrating juveniles that expressed different life‐history tactics, i.e. autumn migrants and yearling smolts, and among parr sampled at three sites along a longitudinal river gradient. In the upper Willamette River, the expression of life‐history tactics is associated with where juveniles rear in the basin with fish rearing in downstream locations generally completing ocean ward migrations earlier in life than fish rearing in upstream locations. The morphological differences that were apparent between autumn migrants and yearling smolts were similar to differences between parr rearing in downstream and upstream reaches, indicating that body morphology is correlated with life‐history tactics. Autumn migrants and parr from downstream sampling sites had deeper bodies, shorter heads and deeper caudal peduncles compared with yearling smolts and parr from the upstream sampling site. This study did not distinguish between genetic and environmental effects on morphology; however, the results suggest that downstream movement of juveniles soon after emergence is associated with differentiation in morphology and with the expression of life‐history variation.
Mandible behaviour interpretation during wakefulness, sleep and sleep‐disordered breathing
Authors: Maury Gisèle , Senny Frédéric , Cambron Laurent , Albert Adelin , Seidel Laurence , Poirrier Robert
Published: July 2014

The mandible movement (MM) signal provides information on mandible activity. It can be read visually to assess sleep–wake state and respiratory events. This study aimed to assess (1) the training of independent scorers to recognize the signal specificities; (2) intrascorer reproducibility and (3) interscorer variability. MM was collected in the mid‐sagittal plane of the face of 40 patients. The typical MM was extracted and classified into seven distinct pattern classes: active wakefulness (AW), quiet wakefulness or quiet sleep (QW/S), sleep snoring (SS), sleep obstructive events (OAH), sleep mixed apnea (MA), respiratory related arousal (RERA) and sleep central events (CAH). Four scorers were trained; their diagnostic capacities were assessed on two reading sessions. The intra‐ and interscorer agreements were assessed using Cohen's κ. Intrascorer reproducibility for the two sessions ranged from 0.68 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.59–0.77] to 0.88 (95% CI: 0.82–0.94), while the between‐scorer agreement amounted to 0.68 (95% CI: 0.65–0.71) and 0.74 (95% CI: 0.72–0.77), respectively. The overall accuracy of the scorers was 75.2% (range: 72.4–80.7%). CAH MMs were the most difficult to discern (overall accuracy 65.6%). For the two sessions, the recognition rate of abnormal respiratory events (OAH, CAH, MA and RERA) was excellent: the interscorer mean agreement was 90.7% (Cohen's κ: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.79–0.88). The discrimination of OAH, CAH, MA characteristics was good, with an interscorer agreement of 80.8% (Cohen's κ: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.62–0.68). Visual analysis of isolated MMs can successfully diagnose sleep–wake state, normal and abnormal respiration and recognize the presence of respiratory effort.
DNA methylation pattern of Photoperiod‐B1 is associated with photoperiod insensitivity in wheat (Triticum aestivum)
Authors: Sun Han , Guo Zhiai , Gao Lifeng , Zhao Guangyao , Zhang Wenping , Zhou Ronghua , Wu Yongzhen , Wang Haiyang , An Hailong , Jia Jizeng
Published: July 2014

As one of the three key components of the ‘Green Revolution’, photoperiod insensitivity is vital for improved adaptation of wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars to a wider geographical range. Photoperiod‐B1a (Ppd‐B1a) is one of the major genes that confers photoperiod insensitivity in ‘Green Revolution’ varieties, and has made a significant contribution to wheat yield improvement.

In this study, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the photoperiod insensitivity of Ppd‐B1a alleles from an epigenetic perspective using a combination of bisulfite genomic sequencing, orthologous comparative analysis, association analysis, linkage analysis and gene expression analysis.

Based on the study of a large collection of wheat germplasm, we report two methylation haplotypes of Ppd‐B1 and demonstrate that the higher methylation haplotype (haplotype a) was associated with increased copy numbers and higher expression levels of the Ppd‐B1 gene, earlier heading and photoperiod insensitivity. Furthermore, assessment of the distribution frequency of the different methylation haplotypes suggested that the methylation patterns have undergone selection during the wheat breeding process.

Our study suggests that DNA methylation in the regulatory region of the Ppd‐B1 alleles, which is closely related to copy number variation, plays a significant role in wheat breeding, to confer photoperiod insensitivity and better adaptation to a wider geographical range.
Validity of the Apple iPhone®/iPod Touch® as an Accelerometer-Based Physical Activity Monitor: A Proof-of-Concept Study
Authors: Nolan Meaghan , Mitchell J. Ross , Doyle-Baker Patricia K.
Published: July 2014

Background:

The popularity of smartphones has led researchers to ask if they can replace traditional tools for assessing free-living physical activity. Our purpose was to establish proof-of-concept that a smartphone could record acceleration during physical activity, and those data could be modeled to predict activity type (walking or running), speed (km·h−1), and energy expenditure (METs).

Methods:

An application to record and e-mail accelerations was developed for the Apple iPhone®/iPod Touch®. Twentyfive healthy adults performed treadmill walking (4.0 km·h−1 to 7.2 km·h−1) and running (8.1 km·h−1 to 11.3 km·h−1) wearing the device. Criterion energy expenditure measurements were collected via metabolic cart.

Results:

Activity type was classified with 99% accuracy. Speed was predicted with a bias of 0.02 km·h−1 (SEE: 0.57 km·h−1) for walking, –0.03 km·h−1 (SEE: 1.02 km·h−1) for running. Energy expenditure was predicted with a bias of 0.35 METs (SEE: 0.75 METs) for walking, –0.43 METs (SEE: 1.24 METs) for running.

Conclusion:

Our results suggest that an iPhone/iPod Touch can predict aspects of locomotion with accuracy similar to other accelerometer-based tools. Future studies may leverage this and the additional features of smartphones to improve data collection and compliance.
Intrapersonal and Social Environment Correlates of Leisure-Time Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Canadian Adults
Authors: Aparicio-Ting Fabiola E. , Friedenreich Christine M. , Kopciuk Karen A. , Plotnikoff Ronald C. , Bryant Heather E.
Published: July 2014

Background:

Little is known about the intrapersonal and social factors associated with sufficient physical activity (PA) for cancer prevention, which is greater than for cardiovascular health.

Methods:

1087 and 1684 randomly selected men and women, age 35–64, completed self-administered questionnaires on PA behavior and psycho-social characteristics. Using gender-stratified logistic regression, we investigated correlates of compliance with Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology PA guidelines for general health (150 min/wk), and the American Cancer Society (ACS; 225 min/wk) and World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AIRC; 420 min/wk) guidelines for cancer prevention.

Results:

Only 39% and 19% of men and women met ACS and WCRF/AICR guidelines, respectively. Self-efficacy, scheduling PA and friend social support were positively correlated with recommended PA for cancer prevention. In men, poor self-rated health and perceived negative outcomes were negatively correlated and hypertension was positively correlated with meeting cancer prevention guidelines. For women, not being married and having a companion for PA were positively correlated with meeting cancer prevention guidelines.

Conclusions:

Few adults participate in sufficient PA for cancer risk reduction. Multidimensional public health strategies that incorporate intrapersonal and social factors and are tailored for each gender are needed to promote PA for cancer prevention.
Awareness and Knowledge of the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans
Authors: Kay Melissa C. , Carroll Dianna D. , Carlson Susan A. , Fulton Janet E.
Published: July 2014

Background:

To estimate the proportion of U.S. adults aware and knowledgeable of the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.

Methods:

Analysis is based on a cross-sectional national sample of adults in the 2009 (n = 4281) HealthStyles survey. We estimated the prevalence of adults who reported awareness of government physical activity guidelines and who were knowledgeable of the currently recommended moderate-intensity physical activity guideline (ie, 150 minutes per week) from the 2008 Guidelines.

Results:

In 2009, the percent of adults who reported being aware of government physical activity (PA) guidelines was 36.1%. The percent of adults knowledgeable of the moderate-intensity physical activity guideline was less than 1% (0.56%).

Conclusions:

Most U.S. adults lack sufficient awareness and knowledge of the 2008 Guidelines, putting them at risk for failure to meet them. The nation needs more effective communication strategies to translate and disseminate PA guidelines.
Land of the Rising Pulse: A Social Ecological Perspective of Physical Activity Opportunities for Schoolchildren in Japan
Authors: Webster Collin Andrew , Suzuki Naoki
Published: July 2014

The uptake of policies and recommendations to promote physical activity (PA) in American schools has been slow. It can be useful to investigate international contexts where school-based PA promotion has had more success and consider whether facilitative factors have transferability to American schools. This study employed a social ecological perspective to examine the school-based PA opportunities for Grade 2 students in Japan and the factors influencing these opportunities. Observations in five public schools, relevant documents, and interviews with teachers, principals, and district and ministry officials were analyzed using constant comparison. Findings showed multiple PA opportunities existed in daily routines and throughout the year. Government policy had a downstream influence on all lower levels of the education system. Many of the PA opportunities Japanese schools provided align with American recommendations, but different educational priorities between Japan and the United States might make implementing these opportunities more challenging in American schools.
Fermi establishes classical novae as a distinct class of gamma-ray sources
Authors:   The Fermi-LAT Collaboration
Published: July 2014

Gamma-ray novas may be garden variety

When astronomers detected gamma rays from the nova V407 Cyg, an explosive mass transfer from a red giant onto a white dwarf, they found it surprising enough. They blamed the rays on strong stellar winds enabling particle acceleration. Now, the Fermi-LAT Collaboration has observed gamma rays from three more novas, all lacking the strong winds. Although the three sources vary slightly in nature, none is particularly unusual. If all novas emit gamma rays, then astronomers would expect to see the same number of novas that they did in fact see within a 5-kpc distance over 5 years.

Science
, this issue p.
554
More pain; less gain
Authors: Fields Howard L.
Published: July 2014

Persistent pain changes a neural circuit and reduces willingness to work for food

[Also see Research Article by

Schwartz
et al.

]
Cure setbacks force HIV researchers to reset sights
Authors: Cohen Jon
Published: July 2014

Remission is seen as a more realistic goal.
Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli: a Single-Center, 11-Year Pediatric Experience
Authors: Schindler Emily I. , Sellenriek Patricia , Storch Gregory A. , Tarr Phillip I. , Burnham Carey-Ann D.
Published: July 2014

The aim of this study was to identify the best practices for the detection of Shiga toxin-producing
Escherichia coli
(STEC) in children with diarrheal illness treated at a tertiary care center, i.e., sorbitol-MacConkey (SMAC) agar culture, enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for Shiga toxin, or the simultaneous use of both methods. STEC was detected in 100 of 14,997 stool specimens submitted for enteric culture (0.7%), with 65 cases of
E. coli
O157. Among
E. coli
O157 isolates, 57 (88%) were identified by both SMAC agar culture and EIA, 6 (9%) by SMAC agar culture alone, and 2 (3%) by EIA alone. Of the 62 individuals with diarrheal hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) seen at our institution during the study period, 16 (26%) had STEC isolated from cultures at our institution and 15 (24%) had STEC isolated at other institutions. No STEC was recovered in 31 cases (50%). Of the HUS cases in which STEC was isolated, 28 (90%) were attributable to
E. coli
O157 and 3 (10%) were attributable to non-O157 STEC. Consistent with previous studies, we have determined that a subset of
E. coli
O157 infections will not be detected if an agar-based method is excluded from the enteric culture workup; this has both clinical and public health implications. The best practice would be concomitant use of an agar-based method and a Shiga toxin EIA, but a Shiga toxin EIA should not be considered to be an adequate stand-alone test for detection of
E. coli
O157 in clinical samples.
AUF1 p45 Promotes West Nile Virus Replication by an RNA Chaperone Activity That Supports Cyclization of the Viral Genome
Authors: Friedrich Susann , Schmidt Tobias , Geissler René , Lilie Hauke , Chabierski Stefan , Ulbert Sebastian , Liebert Uwe G. , Golbik Ralph P. , Behrens Sven-Erik
Published: July 2014

A central aspect of current virology is to define the function of cellular proteins (host factors) that support the viral multiplication process. This study aimed at characterizing cellular proteins that assist the RNA replication process of the prevalent human pathogen West Nile virus (WNV). Using
in vitro
and cell-based approaches, we defined the p45 isoform of AU-rich element RNA-binding protein 1 (AUF1) as a host factor that enables efficient WNV replication. It was demonstrated that AUF1 p45 has an RNA chaperone activity, which aids the structural rearrangement and cyclization of the WNV RNA that is required by the viral replicase to initiate RNA replication. The obtained data suggest the RNA chaperone activity of AUF1 p45 is an important determinant of the WNV life cycle.

IMPORTANCE
In this study, we identified a cellular protein, AUF1 (also known as heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein D [hnRNPD]), acting as a helper (host factor) of the multiplication process of the important human pathogen West Nile virus. Several different variants of AUF1 exist in the cell, and one variant, AUF1 p45, was shown to support viral replication most significantly. Interestingly, we obtained a set of experimental data indicating that a main function of AUF1 p45 is to modify and thus prepare the West Nile virus genome in such a way that the viral enzyme that generates progeny genomes is empowered to do this considerably more efficiently than in the absence of the host factor. The capability of AUF1 p45 to rearrange the West Nile virus genome was thus identified to be an important aspect of a West Nile virus infection.
Gene Expression of Five Different Iteradensoviruses: Bombyx mori Densovirus, Casphalia extranea Densovirus, Papilio polyxenes Densovirus, Sibine fusca Densovirus, and Danaus plexippus Densovirus
Authors: Yu Qian , Tijssen Peter
Published: July 2014

Iteradensoviruses are 5-kb parvoviruses with typical J-shaped inverted terminal repeats of about 250 nucleotides and terminal hairpins of about 165 nucleotides. The single-stranded DNA genome contains several open reading frames, but their expression strategy is still unknown. Here the transcription maps and expression of the viruses in this genus were explored. As for brevidensoviruses, the two nonstructural (NS) genes were expressed by overlapping promoters with alternate transcription starts at both sides of the NS1 start codon.
Kinetic Models for Receptor-Catalyzed Conversion of Coxsackievirus B3 to A-Particles
Authors: Carson Steven D.
Published: July 2014

The immunoglobulin superfamily protein receptors for poliovirus, human rhinovirus, and coxsackievirus B (CVB) serve to bind the viruses to target cells and to facilitate the release of the virus genome by catalyzing the transition from the mature infectious virus to the A-particle uncoating intermediate. Receptor binding sites characterized by two equilibrium dissociation constants have been identified. The site with higher affinity is best observed at warmer temperatures and appears to correlate with the reversible conformational state in which the capsid is permeable to small molecules and peptides that are buried in the crystal structures are exposed. Measurements of CVB conversion to inactive particles over time in the presence of varied concentrations of soluble coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor showed that the observed first-order rate constant varies with receptor concentration. The dose-response data, previously modeled as the sum of first-order reactions, have been used to evaluate models for the receptor-catalyzed conversion of CVB that include the high- and low-affinity binding sites associated with capsid breathing. Allosteric models wherein receptor binding shifts the equilibrium toward the open capsid conformation, in which the high-affinity binding site is available, best fit the data.

IMPORTANCE
This paper compares models that relate the structural, mechanistic, and kinetic details of receptor-virus interactions known from previous work with human enteroviruses. New models are derived using recent results from receptor-catalyzed conversion of coxsackievirus B3 to non-infectious A-particles. Of those considered, the acceptable models include the capsid breathing cycle and two conformation-dependent receptor binding sites. The results indicate that the receptor enhancement of virus conversion to A-particles involves allostery through conformation selection.
Birth of identity: understanding changes to birth certificates and their value for identity resolution
Authors: Duncan Jeffrey , Narus Scott P , Clyde Stephen , Eilbeck Karen , Thornton Sidney , Staes Catherine
Published: July 2014

Introduction Identity information is often used to link records within or among information systems in public health and clinical settings. The quality and stability of birth certificate identifiers impacts both the success of linkage efforts and the value of birth certificate registries for identity resolution.

Objective Our objectives were to describe: (1) the frequency and cause of changes to birth certificate identifiers as children age, and (2) the frequency of events (ie, adoptions, paternities, amendments) that may trigger changes and their impact on names.

Methods We obtained two de-identified datasets from the Utah birth certificate registry: (1) change history from 2000 to 2012, and (2) occurrences for adoptions, paternities, and amendments among births in 1987 and 2000. We conducted cohort analyses for births in 1987 and 2000, examining the number, reason, and extent of changes over time. We conducted cross-sectional analyses to assess the patterns of changes between 2000 and 2012.

Results In a cohort of 48 350 individuals born in 2000 in Utah, 3164 (6.5%) experienced a change in identifiers prior to their 13th birthday, with most changes occurring before 2 years of age. Cross-sectional analysis showed that identifiers are stable for individuals over 5 years of age, but patterns of changes fluctuate considerably over time, potentially due to policy and social factors.

Conclusions Identities represented in birth certificates change over time. Specific events that cause changes to birth certificates also fluctuate over time. Understanding these changes can help in the development of automated strategies to improve identity resolution.
Can older people remember medication reminders presented using synthetic speech?
Authors: Wolters Maria K , Johnson Christine , Campbell Pauline E , DePlacido Christine G , McKinstry Brian
Published: July 2014

Reminders are often part of interventions to help older people adhere to complicated medication regimes. Computer-generated (synthetic) speech is ideal for tailoring reminders to different medication regimes. Since synthetic speech may be less intelligible than human speech, in particular under difficult listening conditions, we assessed how well older people can recall synthetic speech reminders for medications. 44 participants aged 50–80 with no cognitive impairment recalled reminders for one or four medications after a short distraction. We varied background noise, speech quality, and message design. Reminders were presented using a human voice and two synthetic voices. Data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models. Reminder recall was satisfactory if reminders were restricted to one familiar medication, regardless of the voice used. Repeating medication names supported recall of lists of medications. We conclude that spoken reminders should build on familiar information and be integrated with other adherence support measures.
Proximal humerus head-splitting fracture associated with single-part anterior dislocation
Authors: Gokkus Kemal , Agar Emre , Sagtas Ergin , Aydin Ahmet Turan
Published: July 2014

Fractures that split the humeral head are extremely rare, and usually, the split part is posteriorly dislocated. However, in our case, the split part was anteriorly dislocated and trapped between the anterior glenoid and the subscapularis muscle. In this case, the acquisition of preoperative CT results was vital to plan the exposure and reduction strategies. Open anatomic reduction and internal fixation should be considered as the first treatment of choice in young active adults.
Decision-making impairment in patients with multiple sclerosis: a case–control study
Authors: Farez Mauricio F , Crivelli Lucía , Leiguarda Ramón , Correale Jorge
Published: July 2014

Objectives

To assess decision-making under explicit risk conditions in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis patients and its relationship to decisions made under conditions of ambiguity. To assess cognitive functions related to decision-making performance in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Setting

MS center in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Participants

27 patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis and 27 sex-matched, age-matched and education-matched healthy controls.

Intervention

Neuropsychological assessment and decision-making evaluation using the Game of Dice Task and the Iowa Gambling Task.

Outcomes

Game of Dice Task and the Iowa Gambling Task scores.

Results

Patients with MS showed significantly poorer performance on the Game of Dice Task, choosing disadvantageous dice more often (p=0.019), as well as significantly lower overall scores in the Iowa Gambling Task (p=0.007). Block analysis showed that patients with MS and controls had scores that were comparable for blocks 1 and 2 (p=0.15 and p=0.24, respectively). Conversely, patients with MS scored poorly on blocks 4 (p=0.003) and 5 (p=0.023), the last two of the test, corresponding to decision-making under conditions of risk. Finally, the Game of Dice Task performance together with the last three blocks of the Iowa Gambling Task were correlated with visuospatial learning, processing speed and working memory but not with executive functioning.

Conclusions

Patients with MS showed deficits in decision-making under risk conditions, which might be related to deficits in visuospatial learning, processing speed and working memory.
Safer@home—Simulation and training: the study protocol of a qualitative action research design
Authors: Wiig Siri , Guise Veslemøy , Anderson Janet , Storm Marianne , Lunde Husebø Anne Marie , Testad Ingelin , Søyland Elsa , Moltu Kirsti L
Published: July 2014

Introduction

While it is predicted that telecare and other information and communication technology (ICT)-assisted services will have an increasingly important role in future healthcare services, their implementation in practice is complex. For implementation of telecare to be successful and ensure quality of care, sufficient training for staff (healthcare professionals) and service users (patients) is fundamental. Telecare training has been found to have positive effects on attitudes to, sustained use of, and outcomes associated with telecare. However, the potential contribution of training in the adoption, quality and safety of telecare services is an under-investigated research field. The overall aim of this study is to develop and evaluate simulation-based telecare training programmes to aid the use of videophone technology in elderly home care. Research-based training programmes will be designed for healthcare professionals, service users and next of kin, and the study will explore the impact of training on adoption, quality and safety of new telecare services.

Methods and analysis

The study has a qualitative action research design. The research will be undertaken in close collaboration with a multidisciplinary team consisting of researchers and managers and clinical representatives from healthcare services in two Norwegian municipalities, alongside experts in clinical education and simulation, as well as service user (patient) representatives. The qualitative methods used involve focus group interviews, semistructured interviews, observation and document analysis. To ensure trustworthiness in the data analysis, we will apply member checks and analyst triangulation; in addition to providing contextual and sample description to allow for evaluation of transferability of our results to other contexts and groups.

Ethics and dissemination

The study is approved by the Norwegian Social Science Data Services. The study is based on voluntary participation and informed written consent. Informants can withdraw at any point in time. The results will be disseminated at research conferences, peer review journals, one PhD thesis and through public presentations to people outside the scientific community.
Perceived health after percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation: in-depth interviews of patients and next-of-kin
Authors: Andresen Brith , Andersen Marit Helen , Lindberg Harald , Døhlen Gaute , Fosse Erik
Published: July 2014

Objective

Percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation is an alternative to open heart surgery in selected patients with pulmonary outflow tract disorder. The technique may reduce the number of open-chest surgeries in these patients. This study was conducted to understand how the patients and their next-of-kin experienced this new treatment option.

Design

Qualitative explorative design with individual in-depth interviews.

Setting

Oslo University Hospital, the only cardiac centre in Norway offering advanced surgical and interventional treatment to patient with congenital heart defects, serving the whole Norwegian population.

Participants

During a 2-year period a total of 10 patients, median age 17 (7–30) and 18 next-of-kin were consecutively selected for individual in-depth interviews 3–6 months after the pulmonary valve implantation. The verbatim transcripts were analysed using a phenomenological methodology.

Results

Patients emphasised the importance of regaining independence and taking control of daily life shortly after the new interventional treatment. Renewed hope towards treatment options was described as ‘a light in the tunnel’. Next-of-kin emphasised the importance both for the patient and their family of resuming normal life quickly after the procedure. The physical burden was experienced as minor after the minimally invasive intervention, compared to their previous experience with surgical procedures.

Main outcome measure

The importance of maintaining normality in everyday life for a good family function.

Conclusions

The repeated surgeries during infancy and adolescence of patients with congenital heart disease represent a heavy burden both for the patient and their family. All families especially emphasised the importance of resuming normal life quickly after each procedure. The novel technique of pulmonary valve implantation is thus a favourable approach because of minor interference in daily life.
Nouvelle Autoroute 30: a Champlain clay crust earthworks case study
Authors: Barker Chris , Phear Alan , Côté François , Cueto David Garcia
Published: July 2014

The Champlain Sea Basin in eastern Canada is known for its sensitive clay and associated engineering problems through this much-developed area along the St Lawrence River. Geologically, the surface of the Champlain clay has been subjected to desiccation, frost action, and weathering. This has resulted in the reduction of the water content and sensitivity of the surficial crust layer of this very wet clay deposit sufficiently to enable it to be used as an earthworks material. However, the material is still much wetter than its optimum moisture content. By co-operative value engineering, the team on the Nouvelle Autoroute 30 project in Montréal, Quebec, investigated and achieved moisture content and degree of compaction derogations to the Ministry of Transport, Quebec specification. This allowed the successful construction of many low and high road embankments using an unprecedented 2.3 × 106 m3 of this weathered Champlain clay crust material. This paper describes how the design and construction issues associated with using this material for earthworks were evaluated and addressed.
An investigation of the conformational behavior of a chlorinated hydrocarbon, 1,1,2-trichloroethane, adsorbed in zeolites by Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Wang Haiyan , Schwieger Wilhelm , Huang Yining
Published: July 2014

The conformational behavior of 1,1,2-trichloroethane (TCE) adsorbed in two representative zeolites (silicalite-1 and zeolite L) was investigated by Fourier transform (FT)-Raman spectroscopy in combination with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results indicate that the conformational properties of the TCE molecules inside a zeolitic host are strongly influenced by both the framework topology and the existence of charge balancing cations. When TCE is adsorbed inside completely siliceous silicalite-1, the population of the trans conformer increases significantly relative to pure liquid. Adsorption of TCE also induces a phase transition from the monoclinic to orthorhombic crystal system in the framework of silicalite-1 at high loading levels. At low loading, the TCE molecules are adsorbed inside the channels of silicalite-1. When at high loading levels, TCE molecules reside at both the channel intersection as well as the midsection of the channels. For zeolite L, the presence of an extra-framework cation shows a strong influence on TCE conformation. The strong interaction of the cation with the large dipole moment of the gauche isomer leads to a large increase in the gauche population. Raman data provide direct evidence that the cations in the framework interact much more strongly with the gauche isomer than the trans isomer.
Synthesis, self-assembly, and degradation of amphiphilic triblock copolymers with fully photodegradable hydrophobic blocks
Authors: McIntosh J. Trevor , Nazemi Ali , Bonduelle Colin V. , Lecommandoux Sebastien , Gillies Elizabeth R.
Published: July 2014

The development of stimuli-responsive materials is of significant interest for many applications including drug delivery, medical imaging, sensors, and microfluidic devices. Among the available stimuli, light is particularly attractive as it can be applied with high spatial and temporal resolution. We describe here the synthesis of amphiphilic triblock copolymers composed of poly(ethylene glycol) and a hydrophobic block containing o-nitrobenzyl esters throughout the backbone using copper-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition chemistry. These materials were designed to have a high weight fraction of the hydrophobic block to favour nonmicellar aggregates. The self-assembly in water was studied using nanoprecipitation and the resulting assemblies were characterized by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. Under optimized conditions, it was possible to prepare polymer vesicles, commonly referred to as polymersomes, with diameters of approximately 100 nm. The degradation of these materials in response to UV light was studied by spectroscopy, light scattering, and electron microscopy, demonstrating that the vesicles were broken down. These results suggest the potential of these materials for applications such as encapsulation and release.
Lattice-Boltzmann simulation for pressure driven microscale gas flows in transition regime
Authors: Yue Xiang-Ji , Wu Ze-Huan , Ba Yao-Shuai , Lu Yan-Jun , Zhu Zhi-Peng , Ba De-Chun
Published: July 2014

This paper carries out numerical simulation for pressure driven microscale gas flows in transition flow regime. The relaxation time of LBM model was modified with the application of near wall effective mean free path combined with a combination of Bounce-back and Specular Reflection (BSR) boundary condition. The results in this paper are more close to those of DSCM and IP-DSCM compared with the results obtained by other LBM models. The calculation results show that in transition regime, with the increase of Knudsen number, the dimensionless slip velocity at the wall significantly increases, but the maximum linear deviation of nonlinear pressure distribution gradually decreases.
Fluid-structure interaction in abdominal aortic aneurysms: Structural and geometrical considerations
Authors: Mesri Yaser , Niazmand Hamid , Deyranlou Amin , Sadeghi Mahmood Reza
Published: July 2014

Rupture of the abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is the result of the relatively complex interaction of blood hemodynamics and material behavior of arterial walls. In the present study, the cumulative effects of physiological parameters such as the directional growth, arterial wall properties (isotropy and anisotropy), iliac bifurcation and arterial wall thickness on prediction of wall stress in fully coupled fluid-structure interaction (FSI) analysis of five idealized AAA models have been investigated. In particular, the numerical model considers the heterogeneity of arterial wall and the iliac bifurcation, which allows the study of the geometric asymmetry due to the growth of the aneurysm into different directions. Results demonstrate that the blood pulsatile nature is responsible for emerging a time-dependent recirculation zone inside the aneurysm, which directly affects the stress distribution in aneurismal wall. Therefore, aneurysm deviation from the arterial axis, especially, in the lateral direction increases the wall stress in a relatively nonlinear fashion. Among the models analyzed in this investigation, the anisotropic material model that considers the wall thickness variations, greatly affects the wall stress values, while the stress distributions are less affected as compared to the uniform wall thickness models. In this regard, it is confirmed that wall stress predictions are more influenced by the appropriate structural model than the geometrical considerations such as the level of asymmetry and its curvature, growth direction and its extent.
Brane cosmological constant in two-brane warped geometry model
Authors: Lahiri Sayantani , SenGupta Soumitra
Published: July 2014

In the backdrop of generalized Randall–Sundrum braneworld scenario, we look for the possible origin of an effective four-dimensional cosmological constant (Ω vis ) on the visible three-brane due to the effects of bulk curvature and the modulus field that can either be a constant or a time-dependent quantity. In case of constant modulus field, the induced Ω vis leads to an exponentially expanding universe and the presence of vacuum energy densities on either of the three-branes as well as a nonvanishing bulk curvature [Formula: see text] are essential to generate an effective Ω vis . The Hubble constant turns out to be equal to the visible brane cosmological constant which agrees with the present result. In an alternative scenario, a time-dependent modulus field is found to be capable of decelerating the universe. The Hubble parameter, in this case is determined for a slowly time-varying modulus field.
Optimizing the determination of the neutrino mixing angle θ13 from reactor data
Authors: Khan Amir N. , McKay Douglas W. , Ralston John P.
Published: July 2014

The technical breakthroughs of multiple detectors developed by Daya Bay and RENO collaborations have gotten great attention. Yet the optimal determination of neutrino mixing parameters from reactor data depends on the statistical method and demands equal attention. We find that a straightforward method using minimal parameters will generally outperform a multi-parameter method by delivering more reliable values with sharper resolution. We review standard confidence levels and statistical penalties for models using extra parameters, and apply those rules to our analysis. We find that the methods used in recent work of the Daya Bay and RENO collaborations have several undesirable properties. The existing work also uses nonstandard measures of significance which we are unable to explain. A central element of the current methods consists of variationally fitting many more parameters than data points. As a result, the experimental resolution of sin 2(2θ13) is degraded. The results also become extremely sensitive to certain model parameters that can be adjusted arbitrarily. The number of parameters to include in evaluating significance is an important issue that has generally been overlooked. The measures of significance applied previously would be consistent if and only if all parameters but one were considered to have no physical relevance for the experiment's hypothesis test. Simpler, more transparent methods can improve the determination of the mixing angle θ13 from reactor data, and exploit the advantages from superb hardware technique of the experiments. We anticipate that future experimental analysis will fully exploit those advantages.
BINARY LOGISTIC REGRESSION AND PHM ANALYSIS FOR RELIABILITY DATA
Authors: MENDES ALEXANDRE C. , FARD NASSER
Published: July 2014

This study proposes a modification for the binary logistic regression to treat time-dependent covariates for reliability studies. The proportional hazard model (PHM) properties are well suited for modeling survival data when there are categorical predictors; as it compares hazards to a reference category. However, time-dependent covariates present a challenge for the analysis as stratification does not produce hazards for the covariate stratified or creation of dummy time-dependent covariates faces difficulty on selecting the time interval for the interaction and the coefficient results may be difficult to interpret. The findings show that the logistic regression can provide equal or better results than the PHM applied for reliability analysis when time-dependent covariate is evaluated. The PHM is potentially preferred to address data set without time-dependent variables as it does not require any data manipulation. The logistic regression ignores the information on timing of the events; which is corrected by breaking each subject survival history into a set of discrete time intervals that are treated as distinct observations evaluated as a binary distribution. Recurrent events can be addressed by both methods with proper correction for lack of heterogeneity. The application of the modified logistic regression model for the study of reliability is innovative and with readily potential application for step-stress time-dependent accelerated life testing.
Quaternionic modular forms and exceptional sets of hypergeometric functions
Authors: Baba Srinath , Granath Håkan
Published: July 2014

We determine the exceptional sets of hypergeometric functions corresponding to the (2, 4, 6) triangle group by relating them to values of certain quaternionic modular forms at CM points. We prove a result on the number fields generated by exceptional values, and by using modular polynomials we explicitly compute some examples.
Rank and crank moments for partitions without repeated odd parts
Authors: Jennings-Shaffer Chris
Published: July 2014

Using quasimodular forms with respect to Γ0(4) we find exact relations between the M2-rank for partitions without repeated odd parts and three residual cranks. From these identities we are able to deduce various congruences mod 3 and 5 between the rank and crank moments. In turn, these congruences give congruences for M2spt (n), the number of occurrences of smallest parts in the partitions of n with smallest part even and without repeated odd parts, and for the higher-order analog M2spt2 (n).