bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modulation of spike coding by subthreshold extracellular electric fields and neuronal morphology
Authors: Wei Xile , Li Bingjie , Lu Meili , Yi Guosheng , Wang Jiang
Published: July 2015

We use a two-compartment model, which includes soma and dendrite, to explore how extracellular subthreshold sinusoidal electric fields (EFs) influence the spike coding of an active neuron. By changing the intensity and the frequency of subthreshold EFs, we find that subthreshold EFs indeed affect neuronal coding remarkably within several stimulus frequency windows where the field effects on spike timing are stronger than that on spiking rate. The field effects are maximized at several harmonics of the intrinsic spiking frequency of an active neuron. Our findings implicate the potential resonance mechanism underlying subthreshold field effects. We also discuss how neuronal morphologic properties constrain subthreshold EF effects on spike timing. The morphologic properties are represented by two parameters, gcand p, where gcis the internal conductance between soma and dendrite and geometric factor p characterizes the proportion of area occupied by soma. We find that the contribution to field effects from the variation of p is stronger than that from gc, which suggests that neuronal geometric features play a crucial role in subthreshold field effects. Theoretically, these insights into how subthreshold sinusoidal EFs modulate ongoing neuron behaviors could contribute to uncovering the relevant mechanism of subthreshold sinusoidal EFs effects on neuronal coding. Furthermore, they are useful in rationally designing noninvasive brain stimulation strategies and developing electromagnetic stimulus techniques.
A COMPREHENSIVE MODEL FOR CAPILLARY PRESSURE DIFFERENCE ACROSS A DROP/BUBBLE FLOWING THROUGH A CONSTRICTED CAPILLARY
Authors: LIANG MINGCHAO , WEI JUNHONG , HAN HONGMEI , FU CHENGGUO , LIU JIANJUN
Published: July 2015

The capillary pressure is one of the crucial parameters in many science and engineering applications such as composite materials, interface science, chemical engineering, oil exploration, etc. The drop/bubble formation and its mechanisms that affect the permeability of porous media have steadily attracted much attention in the past. When a drop/bubble moves from a larger capillary to a smaller one, it is often obstructed by an additional pressure difference caused by the capillary force. In this paper, a comprehensive model is derived for the capillary pressure difference when a drop/bubble flows through a constricted capillary, i.e. a geometrically constricted passage with an abrupt change in radius. The proposed model is expressed as a function of the smaller capillary radius, pore-throat ratio, contact angle, surface tension and length of the drop/bubble in the smaller capillary. The model predictions are compared with the available experimental data, and good agreement is found between them.
Integrability of the continuum Bessel wavelet kernel
Authors: Upadhyay S. K. , Singh Reshma
Published: July 2015

In this paper, the sufficient condition for the integrability of the kernel of the inverse Bessel wavelet transform is obtained by using the theory of Hankel transform and Hankel convolution.
EVALUATING THE ANTECEDENTS OF FOUNDATIONAL INNOVATIONS: A LONGITUDINAL LOOK AT PATENTS FROM INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY
Authors: DATTA AVIMANYU
Published: July 2015

Past research has shown that foundational innovations is often contingent upon access to technologies whose influence/application exceeds the territory of that technology’s definition (technology-application diversity) and sourcing innovation outside a firm’s focal industry (sourcing diversity). However, going outside one’s focal industry can be expensive, complicated, and distracting, possibly leading to mixed results. We theorise that while technology-application diversity enhances foundational innovations, sourcing diversity impedes it. In addition, we argue that sourcing diversity negatively moderates the relationship between technology-application diversity and foundational innovation. Finally, we argue that high technology-application diversity and low sourcing diversity will have the strongest relationship with foundational innovation. To test our assertions, we studied patent filings between 1996 and 2009 from the IT industry from the S&P 500 database. The empirical evidence supported our claims. Findings recommend that to maximise chances of foundational innovation, firms must combine high instances of technologies whose application transcend their definitions with the minimum possible contacts outside their focal industry. Thus, there is an optimum combination of sourcing diversity and technology-application diversity with which foundational innovation is maximised. We close the paper by summarising the key conclusions, conferring implications for theory and practice, and proposing avenues for future research.
INNOVATION SUCCESS IN THE CONTEXT OF INBOUND OPEN INNOVATION
Authors: NITZSCHE PHILIPP , WIRTZ BERND W. , GÖTTEL VINCENT
Published: July 2015

The concept or paradigm of open innovation has gained more and more attention over the last couple of years. Firms see open innovation nowadays as an important capability to build and maintain innovativeness, even in dynamic global markets. Nevertheless, there is still a lot of uncertainty regarding the question which factors determine successful innovation within the open innovation environment. In this regard, based on the dynamic capabilities view, we hypothesise that a firm’s openness, its absorptive capacity and its flexibility primarily determine innovation success in in-bound open innovation environments. To test these hypotheses, we analyse a large scale survey sample of 496 German manufacturing companies from different industries by applying structural equation modelling. As a main result, we find evidence for a positive association between the three mentioned constructs and innovation success.
Arran Field: a complex heterolithic reservoir on the margins of the Forties Fan System
Authors: Collins Jamie , Kenyon-Roberts Steve , Cullen Brian , White Jason , Bordas-Le Floch Nathalie , Downey John
Published: July 2015

The Arran Field contains gas-condensate accumulated within the Paleocene Forties Sandstone Member of the Sele Formation. It is located along the margin of the medial Forties turbidite depositional system, on the eastern flank of the Central Graben's Eastern Trough. The field comprises a low-relief southern extension (Arran South) from a high-relief northern closure (Arran North) around a salt diapir. The eastern margin of the field represents the pinch-out of the Forties Sandstone Member against the Jaeren High. As part of the field development planning, a comprehensive re-evaluation of subsurface data was undertaken. A thorough understanding of the reservoir distribution and turbidite architectures was vital to ensure that the appropriate elements were captured within the reservoir model. This was achieved through a thorough integration and multidisciplinary interpretation of all available data including seismic, core, petrophysical and analogue data. These data indicate that the best quality Forties Sandstone Member reservoir consists of stacked, elongate, amalgamated and non-amalgamated fairway sandstone bodies. These thick-bedded and sand-dominated reservoir units pass laterally into, and are extensively interbedded with, linked debrites, heterolithic low-density turbidite lobe fringe deposits, slumps, and debris flows, along with hemipelagic and turbiditic shales. A seismic shale volume (
V
shale
), derived from inverted pre-SDM data, together with reflection seismic data, were used to identify and map intra-reservoir depositional lobe geometries. These show large-scale, lobe-like depositional bodies which migrated laterally over time and onlapped on to the Jaeren High to the east. Within these, smaller-scale elongated lobe bodies, generally derived from the NW, are interpreted from layer-parallel extractions of the seismic
V
shale
volume. Possible slump units were also identified, predominantly derived from the edges of the Arran North salt diapir, suggesting that the basin floor topography was mobile during deposition. The seismic
V
shale
volume was used to condition the static facies model, utilizing probability relationships between the seismic data and core facies at the wells, providing a soft linkage between the data and models developed. Core, analogue data and facies interpretations from the seismic data were utilized to ensure that appropriate reservoir body geometries and spatial relationships were maintained in the static model and allowed key reservoir heterogeneities to be captured. This integrated approach also supported analysis of reservoir uncertainties, with specific focus on the vertical and lateral reservoir connectivity within this lobe-dominated reservoir.
Reservoir geology of the Paleocene Forties Sandstone Member in the Fram discovery, UK Central North Sea
Authors: Jones David W. , Large Samantha , McQueen Alan , Helmi Ahmed
Published: July 2015

The Fram discovery, located in the UK Central North Sea, comprises the Paleocene-aged Forties Sandstone Member with an oil rim and primary gas-cap trapped within a four-way dip closure around a pierced salt diapir. The Forties Sandstone Member reservoir at Fram is characterized by very-fine- to fine-grained sandstones interbedded with shales with post-depositional small-scale slumping and sand injection, interpreted to be the product of high-density turbidity currents and debris flows. Deposition was in an overall distal and marginal, basin-floor lobe environment. The Forties reservoir interval is considered to comprise a series of offset-stacked, turbidite lobes characterized by a systematic variation from axial amalgamated sandstone facies to more distal, marginal and thinner-bedded heterolithic sandstone facies, producing an overall sheet-like reservoir architecture. The Forties reservoir at Fram is thinner and poorer when compared with more proximal parts of the Forties submarine fan system, and reservoir quality is strongly controlled by sedimentary facies. The architecture of the reservoir is expected to result in poorer vertical, but greater lateral, stratigraphic continuity when compared with more channelized Forties reservoirs such as the Nelson and Forties fields further to the north. A key step in understanding and characterizing the Fram reservoir was the appraisal drilling in 2009, which included coring, comprehensive wireline logging, formation pressure data acquisition and a drill stem production test. This paper provides an overview of the Fram reservoir geology and demonstrates how integration of data acquired in the 2009 29/3c-8,8z appraisal wells with 3D seismic datasets, existing E&A wells and analogues has helped to improve reservoir characterization and identify the major subsurface uncertainties needing to be addressed during the field-development planning.
Discrete Versus Solid
Authors: Mihtsentu Mezgeb Tesfayesus , Ware Colin
Published: July 2015

It is common in infographics for quantities to be represented by stacks of discrete blocks. For example, a magazine illustration showing automobile production in different countries might use stacks of blocks with each block representing a thousand cars. This is unlike what is done to represent quantity in the charts used by statisticians, or for quantitative glyphs used in maps. In these cases, solid bars or solid area glyphs such as circles are commonly used to represent quantity. This raises the question of whether breaking bars, area, or volume glyphs into discrete blocks can improve the rapid estimation of quantity. We report on a study where participants compared quantities represented using bar, area, and volume glyphs in both solid and discrete variants. The discrete variants used up to 4, 4 × 4, and 4 × 4 × 4 blocks or 10, 10 × 10, and 10 × 10 × 10 blocks for bar, area, and volume, respectively. The results show that people are significantly more accurate in estimating quantities using the discrete versions, but they take somewhat longer. For both areas and volumes, the accuracy gains were considerable.
Blind drawing
Authors: Fernando Sandra
Published: July 2015

One of the main problems faced by blind learners is lack of drawing technologies that support images and diagram drawing without the help of a sighted support worker. Even though some technologies have been experimented in the past, blind learners have not been keen on tactile drawing due to: the difficulty of the drawing task, the length of time taken to complete a simple task and the inefficiency of the drawing experience. This paper presents a blind drawing technology that introduces a drawing technique with screen navigation, sectioning and sizing. This will provide blind learner with an interactive drawing environment, which will improve the understanding of a concept or, a subject matter. It will contribute to the improvement of the overall quality of learning and drawing experience by mapping their mind images into objects and spatial information. This technique promotes an interactive and easy drawing environment to build objects, associations, layout information by zooming, navigation, and grouping. It will lead to future possibilities such as 3D world modelling, printing and multisensory integration of inputs and output methods.
Draw and drag
Authors: Grussenmeyer William
Published: July 2015

The drawing of geometric shapes, such as rectangles or triangles of varying sizes, in geometry classes is inaccessible to blind students. Most solutions to this inaccessibility are inaccurate, low tech, time consuming, or require assistance. Draw and Drag is a research project to test the feasibility of using touchscreens to allow students who are blind to do their geometry homework easily and quickly without any assistance.
Web searching by individuals with cognitive disabilities
Authors: Nour Redhwan
Published: July 2015

The ability to search for information on the web can provide tremendous support to people with cognitive disabilities, but there are few research studies with this focus. An exploratory study was conducted to explore how individuals with cognitive disabilities use three searching methods (typing, voice searching with manual microphone control, and hands-free voice searching). The results support a flexible design approach, as the preferences of the participants for the conditions varied. Some preferred typing, since they experienced some voice recognition issues with the microphone, while others chose hands-free voice searching to overcome spelling difficulties. Future work will aim to relate search behaviour of users with cognitive disabilities to their functional capabilities, and to evaluate Google's Search Education lessons to improve searching skills for people with cognitive disabilities.
Using social microvolunteering to answer visual questions from blind users
Authors: Brady Erin
Published: July 2015

Advances in technology have proven uniquely useful for blind people, but some visual questions they encounter still require human assistance to answer. We developed VizWiz, a smartphone application that connects blind people with visual questions to sighted workers who can provide answers. In order to make this app more sustainable and scalable, and keep costs from being passed directly to the users, we propose social microvolunteering, which allows people to donate their own time as answerers, but also access to a larger pool of answerers through their friends on social networking sites.
CSG-Ed
Authors: Weikle Dee A. B.
Published: July 2015

Computer science faculty have been taught to develop software, crunch through difficult math problems and generally work to be objective about how to solve a problem defined in most cases by a specification. Those who are able to excel at these tasks and continue through the more difficult and theoretical versions are most often the ones who become professors. Likely the professors of computing classes in college have never had an education course or philosophy course, never mind teaching one. The ACM 2013 guidelines not only challenge computer science professors to teach writing throughout the curriculum, but to also break with the old assumption that computing is value-neutral. This session describes a set of entry-level lesson plans for presenting and discussing three different aspects of the social impact of computing appropriate for incorporation into an entry-level general education course. Inspired by previous SIGCAS sessions on ethics in computing, the specific topics are 1) professional codes for software developers and how they relate to student value systems, 2) a single source network router case used to illustrate stakeholder identification, and 3) a very small "service" project using Wikipedia. Each of these lesson plans are presented as a separate set of learning outcomes, a basic lesson plan with tips on presenting the material, an assignment to go along with the lesson plan and a short rubric for grading the assignment. All of these lesson plans have been used multiple times with success in a college general education computing class. These lesson plans were distributed at the workshop. The lessons and accompanying materials are available from the instructor on request.

A combined list of learning outcomes includes: 1) Seeing software engineering and coding as a profession with associated responsibilities and expectations, 2) Understanding the impact computing devices and components in our infrastructure have on our daily lives, including technical aspects of a network 3) Identifying stakeholders in a case study and the importance of a global perspective in policy-making, 4) Understanding the power and vulnerabilities of Wikipedia while contributing some content to this community project, 5) Writing short logical essays to convey an opinion in a convincing manner.
cAMP induces hypertrophy and alters DNA methylation in HL-1 cardiomyocytes
Authors: Fang Xiefan , Robinson Jourdon , Wang-Hu John , Jiang Lingli , Freeman Daniel A. , Rivkees Scott A. , Wendler Christopher C.
Published: July 2015

cAMP is a highly regulated secondary messenger involved in many biological processes. Chronic activation of the cAMP pathway by catecholamines results in cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis; however, the mechanism by which elevated cAMP leads to cardiomyopathy is not fully understood. To address this issue, we increased intracellular cAMP levels in HL-1 cardiomyocytes, a cell line derived from adult mouse atrium, using either the stable cAMP analog N6,2′- O-dibutyryladenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (DBcAMP) or phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors caffeine and theophylline. Elevated cAMP levels increased cell size and altered expression levels of cardiac genes and micro-RNAs associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), including Myh6, Myh7, Myh7b, Tnni3, Anp, Bnp, Gata4, Mef2c, Mef2d, Nfatc1, miR208a, and miR208b. In addition, DBcAMP altered the expression of DNA methyltransferases ( Dnmts) and Tet methylcytosine dioxygenases (Tets), enzymes that regulate genomic DNA methylation levels. Changes in expression of DNA methylation genes induced by elevated cAMP led to increased global DNA methylation in HL-1 cells. In contrast, inhibition of DNMT activity with 5-azacytidine treatment decreased global DNA methylation levels and blocked the increased expression of several HCM genes ( Myh7, Gata4, Mef2c, Nfatc1, Myh7b, Tnni3, and Bnp) observed with DBcAMP treatment. These results demonstrate that cAMP induces cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and altered HCM gene expression in vitro and that DNA methylation patterns mediate the upregulation of HCM genes induced by cAMP. These data identify a previously unknown mechanism by which elevated levels of cAMP lead to increased expression of genes associated with cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.
Cellular and molecular processes in ovarian cancer metastasis. A Review in the Theme: Cell and Molecular Processes in Cancer Metastasis
Authors: Yeung Tsz-Lun , Leung Cecilia S. , Yip Kay-Pong , Au Yeung Chi Lam , Wong Stephen T. C. , Mok Samuel C.
Published: July 2015

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological malignancy. It is usually diagnosed at a late stage, with a 5-yr survival rate of <30%. The majority of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed after tumors have widely spread within the peritoneal cavity, limiting the effectiveness of debulking surgery and chemotherapy. Owing to a substantially lower survival rate at late stages of disease than at earlier stages, the major cause of ovarian cancer deaths is believed to be therapy-resistant metastasis. Although metastasis plays a crucial role in promoting ovarian tumor progression and decreasing patient survival rates, the underlying mechanisms of ovarian cancer spread have yet to be thoroughly explored. For many years, researchers have believed that ovarian cancer metastasizes via a passive mechanism by which ovarian cancer cells are shed from the primary tumor and carried by the physiological movement of peritoneal fluid to the peritoneum and omentum. However, the recent discovery of hematogenous metastasis of ovarian cancer to the omentum via circulating tumor cells instigated rethinking of the mode of ovarian cancer metastasis and the importance of the “seed-and-soil” hypothesis for ovarian cancer metastasis. In this review we discuss the possible mechanisms by which ovarian cancer cells metastasize from the primary tumor to the omentum, the cross-talk signaling events between ovarian cancer cells and various stromal cells that play crucial roles in ovarian cancer metastasis, and the possible clinical implications of these findings in the management of this deadly, highly metastatic disease.
Two inwardly rectifying potassium channels,Irk1andIrk2, play redundant roles inDrosophilarenal tubule function
Authors: Wu Yipin , Baum Michel , Huang Chou-Long , Rodan Aylin R.
Published: July 2015

Inwardly rectifying potassium channels play essential roles in renal physiology across phyla. Barium-sensitive K+conductances are found on the basolateral membrane of a variety of insect Malpighian (renal) tubules, including Drosophila melanogaster. We found that barium decreases the lumen-positive transepithelial potential difference in isolated perfused Drosophila tubules and decreases fluid secretion and transepithelial K+flux. In those insect species in which it has been studied, transcripts from multiple genes encoding inwardly rectifying K+channels are expressed in the renal (Malpighian) tubule. In Drosophila melanogaster, this includes transcripts of the Irk1, Irk2, and Irk3 genes. The role of each of these gene products in renal tubule function is unknown. We found that simultaneous knockdown of Irk1 and Irk2 in the principal cell of the fly tubule decreases transepithelial K+flux, with no additive effect of Irk3 knockdown, and decreases barium sensitivity of transepithelial K+flux by ∼50%. Knockdown of any of the three inwardly rectifying K+channels individually has no effect, nor does knocking down Irk3 simultaneously with Irk1 or Irk2. Irk1/Irk2 principal cell double-knockdown tubules remain sensitive to the kaliuretic effect of cAMP. Inhibition of the Na+/K+-ATPase with ouabain and Irk1/Irk2 double knockdown have additive effects on K+flux, and 75% of transepithelial K+transport is due to Irk1/Irk2 or ouabain-sensitive pathways. In conclusion, Irk1 and Irk2 play redundant roles in transepithelial ion transport in the Drosophila melanogaster renal tubule and are additive to Na+/K+-ATPase-dependent pathways.
Maps of interaural delay in the owl's nucleus laminaris
Authors: Carr Catherine E. , Shah Sahil , McColgan Thomas , Ashida Go , Kuokkanen Paula T. , Brill Sandra , Kempter Richard , Wagner Hermann
Published: July 2015

Axons from the nucleus magnocellularis form a presynaptic map of interaural time differences (ITDs) in the nucleus laminaris (NL). These inputs generate a field potential that varies systematically with recording position and can be used to measure the map of ITDs. In the barn owl, the representation of best ITD shifts with mediolateral position in NL, so as to form continuous, smoothly overlapping maps of ITD with iso-ITD contours that are not parallel to the NL border. Frontal space (0°) is, however, represented throughout and thus overrepresented with respect to the periphery. Measurements of presynaptic conduction delay, combined with a model of delay line conduction velocity, reveal that conduction delays can account for the mediolateral shifts in the map of ITD.
Connectivity between the superior colliculus and the amygdala in humans and macaque monkeys: virtual dissection with probabilistic DTI tractography
Authors: Rafal Robert D. , Koller Kristin , Bultitude Janet H. , Mullins Paul , Ward Robert , Mitchell Anna S. , Bell Andrew H.
Published: July 2015

It has been suggested that some cortically blind patients can process the emotional valence of visual stimuli via a fast, subcortical pathway from the superior colliculus (SC) that reaches the amygdala via the pulvinar. We provide in vivo evidence for connectivity between the SC and the amygdala via the pulvinar in both humans and rhesus macaques. Probabilistic diffusion tensor imaging tractography revealed a streamlined path that passes dorsolaterally through the pulvinar before arcing rostrally to traverse above the temporal horn of the lateral ventricle and connect to the lateral amygdala. To obviate artifactual connectivity with crossing fibers of the stria terminalis, the stria was also dissected. The putative streamline between the SC and amygdala traverses above the temporal horn dorsal to the stria terminalis and is positioned medial to it in humans and lateral to it in monkeys. The topography of the streamline was examined in relation to lesion anatomy in five patients who had previously participated in behavioral experiments studying the processing of emotionally valenced visual stimuli. The pulvinar lesion interrupted the streamline in two patients who had exhibited contralesional processing deficits and spared the streamline in three patients who had no deficit. Although not definitive, this evidence supports the existence of a subcortical pathway linking the SC with the amygdala in primates. It also provides a necessary bridge between behavioral data obtained in future studies of neurological patients, and any forthcoming evidence from more invasive techniques, such as anatomical tracing studies and electrophysiological investigations only possible in nonhuman species.
Heavy Metal Adsorption ontoKappaphycussp. from Aqueous Solutions: The Use of Error Functions for Validation of Isotherm and Kinetics Models
Authors: Rahman Md. Sayedur , Sathasivam Kathiresan V.
Published: July 2015

Biosorption process is a promising technology for the removal of heavy metals from industrial wastes and effluents using low-cost and effective biosorbents. In the present study, adsorption of Pb2+, Cu2+, Fe2+, and Zn2+onto dried biomass of red seaweedKappaphycussp. was investigated as a function of pH, contact time, initial metal ion concentration, and temperature. The experimental data were evaluated by four isotherm models (Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin-Radushkevich) and four kinetic models (pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich, and intraparticle diffusion models). The adsorption process was feasible, spontaneous, and endothermic in nature. Functional groups in the biomass involved in metal adsorption process were revealed as carboxylic and sulfonic acids and sulfonate by Fourier transform infrared analysis. A total of nine error functions were applied to validate the models. We strongly suggest the analysis of error functions for validating adsorption isotherm and kinetic models using linear methods. The present work shows that the red seaweedKappaphycussp. can be used as a potentially low-cost biosorbent for the removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions. Further study is warranted to evaluate its feasibility for the removal of heavy metals from the real environment.
Formation of Porous Apatite Layer during In Vitro Study of Hydroxyapatite-AW Based Glass Composites
Authors: Sooksaen Pat , Pengsuwan Natyada , Karawatthanaworrakul Sittipong , Pianpraditkul Surasak
Published: July 2015

This research discussed the fabrication, characterization, and in vitro study of composites based on the mixture of hydroxyapatite powder and apatite-wollastonite (AW) based glass. AW based glass was prepared from the SiO2-CaO-MgO-P2O5-CaF2glass system. This study focuses on the effect of composition and sintering temperature that influences the properties of these composites. Microstructural study revealed the formation of apatite layer on the composite surfaces when immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF) solution at 37°C. Composites containing ≥50 wt% AW based glass showed good bioactivity after 7 days of immersion in the SBF. A porous calcium phosphate (potentially hydroxycarbonate apatite, HCA) layer formed at the SBF-composite interface and the layer became denser at longer soaking period, for periods ranging from 7 to 28 days. Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) analysis showed that early stage of soaking occurred with the release of Ca and Si ions from the composites and the decrease of P ions with slow exchange rate.
Early Cardiac Tamponade in a Patient with Postsurgical Hypothyroidism
Authors: Sinha Archana , Yeruva Sri Lakshmi Hyndavi , Kumar Rajan , Curry Bryan H.
Published: July 2015

Pericardial effusion is a common cardiac manifestation of hypothyroidism, but effusion resulting in cardiac tamponade is extremely rare. We present a case of a 56-year-old African American woman with slurred speech and altered mental status that was initially suspected to have stroke. Her chest X-ray revealed cardiomegaly and subsequent echocardiogram showed a large pericardial effusion with echocardiographic evidence of cardiac tamponade. Clinically, patient did not have pulsus paradoxus or hypotension. Further questioning revealed a history of total surgical thyroidectomy and noncompliance with thyroid replacement therapy. Pericardiocentesis was performed promptly and thyroxine replacement therapy was started. Thereafter, her mental status improved significantly. The management of pericardial effusion associated with hypothyroidism varies depending on size of effusion and hemodynamic stability of the patient. The management strategy ranges from conservative management with close monitoring and thyroxine replacement to pericardiocentesis or creation of a pericardial window.
Effect of Negative Pressure Therapy on the Inflammatory Response of the Intestinal Microenvironment in a Porcine Septic Model
Authors: Norbury Kenneth C. , Moyer Mary Pat
Published: July 2015

In a swine model of ischemia/reperfusion injury coupled with sepsis, we have previously shown attenuation of secondary organ injury and decreased mortality with negative pressure therapy (NPT). We hypothesized that NPT modulates the intestinal microenvironment by mediating the innate immune system. Sepsis was induced in 12 anesthetized female pigs. Group 1 (n = 6) was decompressed at 12 hrs after injury (T12) and treated with standard of care (SOC), and group 2 (n = 6) with NPT for up to T48. Immunoparalysis was evident as lymphocytopenia at T24 in both groups; however, survival was improved in the NPT group versus SOC (Odds ratio = 4.0). The SOC group showed significant reduction in lymphocyte numbers compared to NPT group by T48 (p < 0.05). The capacity of peritoneal fluid to stimulate a robust reactive oxygen species response in vitro was greater for the NPT group, peaking at T24 for both M1 (p = 0.0197) and M2 macrophages (p = 0.085). Plasma elicited little if any effect which was confirmed by microarray analysis. In this septic swine model NPT appeared to modulate the intestinal microenvironment, facilitating an early robust, yet transient, host defense mediated by M1 and M2 macrophages. NPT may help overcome immunoparalysis that occurs during inflammatory response to septic injury.
Low-Power Platform and Communications for the Development of Wireless Body Sensor Networks
Authors: Naranjo-Hernández David , Roa Laura M. , Reina-Tosina Javier , Estudillo-Valderrama Miguel A. , Barbarov Gerardo
Published: July 2015

Although the roles of body sensor networks (BSNs) are similar to those carried out by the generic wireless sensor networks (WSNs), new solutions must be established to optimize communications for true pervasive biomedical monitoring transparent to the user. In this paper, a proposal of a hardware and software platform for biomedical sensors is performed, which is specially designed to minimize energy consumption in BSNs through a modular processing scheme based on the detection of events and information abstraction. The data flow is implemented through a novel communications protocol that enhances the performances of consumption and time delay of the platform. A novel aspect of the protocol is the explicit incorporation of an additional level of communications to support the distributed processing architecture that allows the execution of multiple applications in parallel within the smart sensors. The results obtained with an implementation of a smart sensor for fall detection demonstrate its feasibility as well as the viability of the communication protocol for the development of energy-efficient BSNs.
Pulmonary Thromboembolism Complicating Amebic Liver Abscess: First Reported Case in the United States—Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: McKenzie Devon , Gale Michael , Patel Sunny , Kaluta Grazyna
Published: July 2015

Even in the absence of Amebic colitis, Amebic liver abscess (ALA) is the most common extraintestinal complication ofEntamoeba histolyticainfection. In the USA, it is most prevalent in middle aged immigrant males from endemic countries such as Africa, Mexico, and India. One of the complications of ALA is inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis, which is believed to result from the mechanical compression of the IVC and the consequent thrombogenic nidus elicited from the resultant inflammatory response. There are very few reported cases and even fewer in which the thrombus became a harbinger to pulmonary thromboembolism. We present the case of a 43-year-old male from West Africa who presented with the chief complaint of right upper quadrant abdominal pain for one week associated with persistent nonproductive cough. He had a positive serumEntamoeba histolyticaantibody with CT scan findings of a hepatic abscess with thrombosis of the hepatic vein and inferior vena cava and numerous bilateral pulmonary emboli. This amebic liver abscess was successfully treated with metronidazole and paromomycin, whereas the pulmonary thromboembolism was managed with medical anticoagulation. Based on current knowledge, this is the first reported case in the USA.
Hair Growth Promotion Activity and Its Mechanism ofPolygonum multiflorum
Authors: Li Yunfei , Han Mingnuan , Lin Pei , He Yanran , Yu Jie , Zhao Ronghua
Published: July 2015

Polygonum multiflorumRadix (PMR) has long history in hair growth promotion and hair coloring in clinical applications. However, several crucial problems in its clinic usage and mechanisms are still unsolved or lack scientific evidences. In this research, C57BL/6J mice were used to investigate hair growth promotion activity and possible mechanism of PMR andPolygonum multiflorumRadix Preparata (PMRP). Hair growth promotion activities were investigated by hair length, hair covered skin ratio, the number of follicles, and hair color. Regulation effects of several cytokines involved in the hair growth procedure were tested, such as fibroblast growth factor (FGF-7), Sonic Hedgehog (SHH),β-catenin, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Oral PMR groups had higher hair covered skin ratio (100 ± 0.00%) than oral PMRP groups (48%~88%). However, topical usage of PMRP had about 90% hair covered skin ratio. Both oral administration of PMR and topically given PMRP showed hair growth promotion activities. PMR was considered to be more suitable for oral administration, while PMRP showed greater effects in external use. The hair growth promotion effect of oral PMR was most probably mediated by the expression of FGF-7, while topical PMRP promoted hair growth by the stimulation of SHH expression.
Physiological Sleep Propensity Might Be Unaffected by Significant Variations in Self-Reported Well-Being, Activity, and Mood
Authors: Putilov Arcady A.
Published: July 2015

Background and Objective. Depressive state is often associated with such physical symptoms as general weakness, fatigue, tiredness, slowness, reduced activity, low energy, and sleepiness. The involvement of the sleep-wake regulating mechanisms has been proposed as one of the plausible explanations of this association. Both physical depressive symptoms and increased physiological sleep propensity can result from disordered and insufficient sleep. In order to avoid the influence of disordered and insufficient sleep, daytime and nighttime sleepiness were tested in winter depression characterized by normal night sleep duration and architecture.Materials and Methods. A total sample consisted of 6 healthy controls and 9 patients suffered from depression in the previous winter season. Sleep latency was determined across 5 daytime and 4 nighttime 20-min attempts to nap in summer as well as in winter before and after a week of 2-hour evening treatment with bright light.Results and Conclusions. Patients self-reported abnormally lowered well-being, activity, and mood only in winter before the treatment. Physiological sleep propensity was neither abnormal nor linked to significant changes in well-being, activity, and mood following the treatment and change in season. It seems unlikely that the mechanisms regulating the sleep-wake cycle contributed to the development of the physical depressive symptoms.
The Use of Sodium Bicarbonate in the Treatment of Acidosis in Sepsis: A Literature Update on a Long Term Debate
Authors: Velissaris Dimitrios , Karamouzos Vasilios , Ktenopoulos Nikolaos , Pierrakos Charalampos , Karanikolas Menelaos
Published: July 2015

Introduction. Sepsis and its consequences such as metabolic acidosis are resulting in increased mortality. Although correction of metabolic acidosis with sodium bicarbonate seems a reasonable approach, there is ongoing debate regarding the role of bicarbonates as a therapeutic option.Methods. We conducted a PubMed literature search in order to identify published literature related to the effects of sodium bicarbonate treatment on metabolic acidosis due to sepsis. The search included all articles published in English in the last 35 years.Results. There is ongoing debate regarding the use of bicarbonates for the treatment of acidosis in sepsis, but there is a trend towards not using bicarbonate in sepsis patients with arterial blood gaspH>7.15.Conclusions. Routine use of bicarbonate for treatment of severe acidemia and lactic acidosis due to sepsis is subject of controversy, and current opinion does not favor routine use of bicarbonates. However, available evidence is inconclusive, and more studies are required to determine the potential benefit, if any, of bicarbonate therapy in the sepsis patient with acidosis.
All Three Rows of Outer Hair Cells Are Required for Cochlear Amplification
Authors: Murakoshi Michio , Suzuki Sho , Wada Hiroshi
Published: July 2015

In the mammalian auditory system, the three rows of outer hair cells (OHCs) located in the cochlea are thought to increase the displacement amplitude of the organ of Corti. This cochlear amplification is thought to contribute to the high sensitivity, wide dynamic range, and sharp frequency selectivity of the hearing system. Recent studies have shown that traumatic stimuli, such as noise exposure and ototoxic acid, cause functional loss of OHCs in one, two, or all three rows. However, the degree of decrease in cochlear amplification caused by such functional losses remains unclear. In the present study, a finite element model of a cross section of the gerbil cochlea was constructed. Then, to determine effects of the functional losses of OHCs on the cochlear amplification, changes in the displacement amplitude of the basilar membrane (BM) due to the functional losses of OHCs were calculated. Results showed that the displacement amplitude of the BM decreases significantly when a single row of OHCs lost its function, suggesting that all three rows of OHCs are required for cochlear amplification.
Previous Preterm Birth and Current Maternal Complications as a Risk Factor of Subsequent Stillbirth
Authors: Ibrahimou Boubakari , Anozie Cynthia , de la Cruz Cara , Salihu Hamisu
Published: July 2015

Purpose. To examine the association between previous preterm birth and the risk of stillbirth. Methods. This population-based retrospective cohort study analyzed live births and stillbirth records in Missouri (1989–1997). The main outcome of interest was stillbirth occurrence while the exposures were prior preterm birth. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were computed using logistic regression. Results. Women who had a previous preterm birth have 63% increased odds of stillbirth in singleton pregnancies and 75% increased odds in twins as compared to those who did not have a preterm birth in a prior pregnancy (AOR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.41–1.88 and AOR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.20–2.56), respectively. The most significant risk factor for stillbirth in singleton pregnancies was uterine bleeding (AOR = 5.89, 95% CI = 5.13–6.76). In twin pregnancies, it was the condition hydramnios/oligohydramnios (AOR = 4.72, 95% CI = 3.70–6.02). Eclampsia was associated with a heightened risk of stillbirth in singletons (AOR = 2.45, 95% CI = 1.41–4.12), but not in twins (AOR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.13–7.00). Black mothers were more likely than white to experience stillbirth (AOR = 2.10, 95% CI = 1.99–2.22 for singletons and AOR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.27–1.79 for twins). Conclusion. Stillbirth is a vital public health issue and its etiology is not well understood. Previous history of preterm birth was found to be associated with future stillbirth. Targeted early medical and obstetric care and interventions among women with preterm birth history may potentially reduce the likelihood of stillbirth.
Preliminary Evidence That Yoga Practice Progressively Improves Mood and Decreases Stress in a Sample of UK Prisoners
Authors: Bilderbeck Amy C. , Brazil Inti A. , Farias Miguel
Published: July 2015

Objectives. In the first randomized controlled trial of yoga on UK prisoners, we previously showed that yoga practice was associated with improved mental wellbeing and cognition. Here, we aimed to assess how class attendance, self-practice, and demographic factors were related to outcome amongst prisoners enrolled in the 10-week yoga intervention.Methods. The data of 55 participants (52 male, 3 female) who completed a 10-week yoga course were analysed. Changes in pre- and postyoga measures of affect, perceived stress, and psychological symptoms were entered into linear regression analyses with bias-corrected and accelerated bootstrap confidence intervals. Class attendance, self-practice, demographic variables, and baseline psychometric variables were included as regressors.Results. Participants who attended more yoga classes and those who engaged in frequent (5 times or more) self-practice reported significantly greater decreases in perceived stress. Decreases in negative affect were also significantly related to high frequency self-practice and greater class attendance at a near-significant level. Age was positively correlated with yoga class attendance, and higher levels of education were associated with greater decreases in negative affect.Conclusions. Our results suggest that there may be progressive beneficial effects of yoga within prison populations and point to subpopulations who may benefit the most from this practice.
Tactile Electrosurgical Ablation: A Technique for the Treatment of Intractable Heavy and Prolonged Menstrual Bleeding
Authors: El Saman Ali M. , AbdelHafez Faten F. , Zahran Kamal M. , Saad Hazem , Khalaf Mohamed , Hussein Mostafa , Hassanin Ibrahim M. A. , Shugaa Al Deen Saba M.
Published: July 2015

Objective. To study the efficacy and safety of tactile electrosurgical ablation (TEA) in stopping a persistent attack of abnormal uterine bleeding not responding to medical and hormonal therapy.Methods. This is a case series of 19 cases with intractable abnormal uterine bleeding, who underwent TEA at the Women’s Health Center of Assiut University. The outcomes measured were; patient’s acceptability, operative time, complications, menstrual outcomes, and reintervention.Results. None of the 19 counseled cases refused the TEA procedure which took 6–10 minutes without intraoperative complications. The procedure was successful in the immediate cessation of bleeding in 18 out of 19 cases. During the 24-month follow-up period, 9 cases developed amenorrhea, 5 had scanty menstrual bleeding, 3 were regularly menstruating, 1 case underwent repeat TEA ablation, and one underwent a hysterectomy.Conclusions. TEA represents a safe, inexpensive, and successful method for management of uterine bleeding emergencies with additional long-term beneficial effects. However, more studies with more cases and longer follow-up periods are warranted.
Acupuncture for Functional Dyspepsia: A Single Blinded, Randomized, Controlled Trial
Authors: Jin Yulian , Zhao Qing , Zhou Kehua , Jing Xianghong , Yu Xiaochun , Fang Jiliang , Liu Zhishun , Zhu Bing
Published: July 2015

In order to investigate the therapeutic potential of acupuncture on patients with functional dyspepsia (FD), patients were randomized to receive acupuncture at classic acupoints with manipulations (treatment group) versus acupuncture at nonacupoints without manipulation (control group) once every other day, three times a week, for one month and were followed up for three months. The primary outcomes included dyspeptic symptoms, quality of life, and mental status. The secondary outcomes included the fasting serum gastrin concentration, and frequency and propagation velocity of gastric slow waves. Sixty patients with FD were included, among whom, four dropped out. After one month's treatment, patients with FD showed significant improvements in primary (in both groups) and secondary (in the eight patients of the treatment group) outcomes as compared with baseline (P=0.0078to <0.0001); treatment group has better outcomes in all primary outcome measures (P<0.0001except for SDS (P=0.0005)). Improvements on dyspeptic symptoms persist during follow-up (better in the treatment group). Acupuncture with manual manipulation had better effects on improving dyspeptic symptoms, mental status, and quality of life in patients with FD. These effects may be related to the increased frequency and propagation speed of gastric slow waves and serum gastrin secretion.
Oceanographic Multisensor Buoy Based on Low Cost Sensors for Posidonia Meadows Monitoring in Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Sendra Sandra , Parra Lorena , Lloret Jaime , Jiménez José Miguel
Published: July 2015

There are some underwater areas with high ecological interest that should be monitored. Posidonia and seagrasses exert considerable work in protecting the coastline from erosion. In these areas, many animals and organisms live and find the grassland food and the protection against predators. It is considered a bioindicator of the quality of coastal marine waters. It is important to monitor them and maintain these ecological communities as clean as possible. In this paper, we present an oceanographic buoy for Posidonia meadows monitoring. It is based on a set of low cost sensors which are able to collect data from water such as salinity, temperature, and turbidity and from the weather as temperature, relative humidity, and rainfall, among others. The system is mounted in a buoy which keeps it isolated to possible oxidation problems. Data gathered are processed using a microcontroller. Finally the buoy is connected with a base station placed on the mainland through a wireless connection using a FlyPort module. The network performance is checked in order to ensure that no delays will be generated on the data transmission. This proposal could be used to monitor other areas with special ecological interest and for monitoring and supervising aquaculture activities.