bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘The distance between us’: a comparative examination of the technical, spatial and temporal dimensions of the transnational social relationships of highly skilled migrants
Authors: RYAN LOUISE , KLEKOWSKI VON KOPPENFELS AMANDA , MULHOLLAND JON
Published: March 2014

In this article, through comparing two highly skilled migrant groups in London, we explore how new types of information and communication technologies (ICTs) shape the form and content of transnational practices through time and space. In so doing, we aim to contribute to several debates in the field of migration studies. First, our findings highlight enduring practical constraints emanating from everyday routines and responsibilities, thus questioning the extent to which ICTs may be shrinking the globe and freeing people, even highly skilled ones, from spatial and temporal fixity. Second, we challenge assumptions about the ease of transnationalism by exploring the range and complexity of long‐distance interpersonal relationships and their dynamics over time. Third, by focusing on a comparison of relatively affluent, highly skilled migrants, we question the usefulness of the category of ‘middling migrants’. Our findings illustrate that, within this general and wide ranging category, there are diverse experiences, expectations and opportunities of maintaining contact with friends and family at home.
Climate Change, Buen Vivir, and the Dialectic of Enlightenment: Toward a Feminist Critical Philosophy of Climate Justice
Authors: Cochrane Regina
Published: March 2014

This paper examines the proposal that the indigenous cosmovision of buen vivir (good living)—the “organizing principle” of Ecuador's 2008 and Bolivia's 2009 constitutional reforms—constitutes an appropriate basis for responding to climate change. Advocates of this approach blame climate change on a “civilizational crisis” that is fundamentally a crisis of modern Enlightenment reason. Certain Latin American feminists and indigenous women, however, question the implications, for women, of any proposed “civilizational shift” seeking to reverse the human separation from nonhuman nature wrought via Enlightenment's “disenchantment of nature.” The paper argues that, in order to adequately address both the climate crisis and feminist concerns about buen vivir, a different critique of Enlightenment modernity is necessary—one drawing on Adorno's philosophy of negative dialectics and on Adorno and Horkheimer's nonidentitarian dialectical understanding of Enlightenment. Conceiving Enlightenment as composed of nonsublatable moments of domination and liberation, Adorno and Horkheimer call for a rational critique of reason and for affinity rather than identity with nonhuman nature. The paper ends with a brief discussion of how feminist critiques of buen vivir and approaches to climate justice can be furthered via an engagement with an environmental feminist philosophy informed by a negative dialectical approach to Enlightenment.
Consumers' interest in learning about cooking: the influence of age, gender and education
Authors: Worsley Anthony , Wang Wei , Ismail Sinem , Ridley Stacey
Published: March 2014

General and governmental interest in cooking has increased recently. In part this may be because the acquisition of food preparation skills may make individuals less dependent on processed foods and reduce risks of overweight and obesity. However, little research has been conducted on consumers' interests in learning about cooking. Therefore in 2012 an online survey was conducted in Australia among 1023 adult food preparers with the aim of determining what and how they wanted to learn to cook. Questions were asked about interest in learning about cooking‐related topics, specific main meals and cooking techniques, preferred ways to learn, and their demographic characteristics. Frequency and cross‐tabulation analyses were used to compare the responses across demographic categories, and content and correspondence analyses were used to analyse meal preferences and age‐related differences. The findings show that 71% of the sample wanted to learn more about cooking. Respondents wanted to learn to cook a wide range of evening meals, especially ethnic dishes (e.g. Chinese, Thai, Italian, ‘Asian’). Most preferred to learn from television (68%), newspapers and magazines (41%), although attendance at cooking classes (34%), YouTube (27%) and special newsletters (24%) were also popular. There were few, weak associations between interest in cooking and the respondents' demographic characteristics. The findings are discussed in relation to the common problems faced by all domestic food preparers and the major opportunities to communicate about cooking.
Consumer laundry practices in Germany
Authors: Kruschwitz Anke , Karle Anja , Schmitz Angelika , Stamminger Rainer
Published: March 2014

Sustainability is a guiding principle for a responsible, future‐oriented 21st century lifestyle and this already begins in private households with the daily household tasks. Approximately 25% of an average household's electricity consumption is required to do the laundry and dishwashing – 5% alone is for washing clothes with a corresponding energy consumption of 6 billion kilowatt hours. In addition, 600 000 tonnes of detergent and 330 million cubic metres of water are used for textile care in Germany. These figures provide the rationale for the scientific study of current practices of using washing machines and for a resulting estimate of the latent energy‐saving potential in German households.

In the context of the in‐home study presented here, 236 private households throughout Germany were studied with respect to their washing practices and existing knowledge about topics on the sustainable, energy‐saving use of their washing machines. Overall, across all households 2867 wash cycles were individually recorded and subsequently analysed over a 4‐week period.

The results of this study show that washing machines tend to be underloaded, and therefore maximum loading of the machines could lead to a reduction of wash cycles per household. With respect to detergent dosage, it was determined that the consumer does not adjust the dosage to the textile type, load size, soil level and/or water hardness, and this can lead to under‐ or overdosing depending on prevailing conditions. Finally, the selection of the wash temperature showed a 90°C/95°C programme was only chosen in 2.3% of all recorded wash cycles, however, every fourth cycle was completed at 60°C. Therefore, adjusting the load size and detergent dosage as well as selecting the right wash temperature are key themes to be taken into account in future consumer communication about energy‐saving households.
Triple combination as adjuvant to cryotherapy in the treatment of solar lentigines: investigator‐blinded, randomized clinical trial
Authors: Hexsel D. , Hexsel C. , Porto M.D. , Siega C.
Published: March 2014

Background

Post‐inflammatory hyperpigmentation is a frequent concern when treating solar lentigines.

Objectives

To assess the safety and efficacy of a triple combination cream with fluocinolone acetonide 0.01%, hydroquinone 4% and tretinoin 0.05% as adjuvant to cryotherapy in the treatment of solar lentigines in hands dorsum, and in the prevention of post‐inflammatory hyperpigmentation after cryotherapy.

Methods

This prospective, randomized, controlled, investigator‐blinded, single‐centre study enrolled 50 patients. Twenty‐five patients received a 2‐week daily triple combination cream plus sunscreen pre‐treatment and 25 received sunscreen alone. After that, cryotherapy was performed in all patients followed by a 3‐week recovery period. After this period, patients received the same initial treatment and were followed up for 8 weeks. Melanin and erythema levels of a target and a control lentigo were objectively measured using a narrowband reflectance spectrophotometer. Lentigines count, colour homogeneity and global improvement were also assessed.

Results

The number of solar lentigines reduced in the first 2 weeks only in patients who used the triple combination 25 ± 7 vs. 22 ± 8 (P < 0.0001), and reduced at the end of the study for both groups (P < 0.0001). The melanin levels also reduced in the first 2 weeks only in patients who used the triple combination 297 ± 69 vs. 273 ± 66 (P < 0.0001) and reduced at the end of the study for both groups (P < 0.0001). Erythema and residual blisters from cryotherapy were the reported adverse reactions.

Conclusion

Triple combination cream can be used to enhance the resolution of solar lentigines, and to significantly reduce melanin levels and lentigines count, improving treatment results. It was well‐tolerated and did not increase the occurrence of neither erythema nor other side‐effects after the cryotherapy.
Ultraviolet exposure and risk of melanoma and basal cell carcinoma in Ulm and Dresden, Germany
Authors: Kaskel P. , Lange U. , Sander S. , Huber M.A. , Utikal J. , Leiter U. , Krähn G. , Meurer M. , Kron M.
Published: March 2014

Background

There is a perpetuating increase in melanoma and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) incidence in Europe. Few studies are evaluating various risk factors for both tumours.

Objectives

This pre‐planned additional analysis directly compared occupational and past‐time ultraviolet exposure behaviour, and examined the effects of sun sensitivity between melanoma and sporadic BCC, and assessed its importance for the two entities.

Patients/Methods

The study included 503 patients (melanoma, n = 291 and BCC, n = 212), and 329 controls from Germany. In all, 244 (49%) of the cases and 165 (50%) of the controls were male (median age melanoma, 55 years; BCC, 69 years; and controls, 57 years). Selection of important risk factors was performed by backward elimination in a polytomous logistic regression.

Results

When directly comparing melanoma and sporadic BCC, actinic elastosis (OR 48.83; 95% CI 17.87, 133.40) and site were associated with a higher risk of melanoma, whereas mountaineering in childhood, sunburn 20 years before diagnosis, farming full time, sunbed use in general, seborrheic keratosis, actinic cheilitis, actinic keratosis and age were associated with a higher risk of sporadic BCC. Gardening 20 years before melanoma, hair colour and solar lentigo were risk factors for both entities. A re‐evaluation of the data excluding lentiginous melanoma entities (i.e. acro‐lentiginous and lentigo‐maligna melanoma) resulted in selection of the same factors. However, compared to controls, atopy evolved as a protective factor for melanoma (OR 0.29; 95% CI 0.15, 0.57) and BCC (OR 0.41; 95% CI 0.17, 0.99), respectively, but was associated with a higher risk of sporadic BCC compared to melanoma.

Conclusion

The odds for having clinical actinic elastosis was lower in BCC compared to melanoma. In contrast, various factors associated with chronic UV exposure and age had higher odds for sporadic BCC, rather than melanoma. Further research is required to set the context for these findings, especially regarding, atopy in non‐lentiginous vs. lentiginous forms of melanoma, and possible molecular pathways involved.
Penile tumours: a review
Authors: Wollina U. , Steinbach F. , Verma S. , Tchernev G.
Published: March 2014

Penile tumours are an important problem of male health affecting physical, mental and sexual health. Penile tumours can be subdivided into benign and malignant lesions. Their knowledge is important to prevent mutilating surgery in benign lesions. On the other hand, early recognition of malignancies is important for improved prognosis, and preservation of function. The most important tumour by epidemiology and prognosis is penile cancer. In contrast, malignant melanoma, sarcomas and lymphomas are rare. Clinical symptoms, histopathology and treatment options are discussed. Best possible treatment needs an interdisciplinary approach.
A measure of chronic quality of life predicts socioeconomic and medical outcomes in psoriasis patients
Authors: Kim G.E. , Seidler E. , Kimball A.B.
Published: March 2014

Background

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder that detracts from quality of life, including elements of physical, psychological and social functioning.

Objective

This study investigated whether retrospective questions about chronic quality of life (CQoL) were better predictors of poor socioeconomic and medical outcomes than the current Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI).

Methods

One hundred fourteen participants answered the 10 questions used in the standard DLQI for ‘over the last week’, ‘over the last year’ and ‘over your lifetime with psoriasis’. Subjects were examined and completed a self‐administered questionnaire regarding disabilities, relationships, education and medical and economic outcomes (a smaller subset of 58 subjects also answered questions regarding religion and discrimination).

Results

Greater lifetime DLQI (LT DLQI) correlated with lower satisfaction with treatment (P = 0.007), greater concern that psoriasis will worsen (P = 0.012), worse perceived general health (P = 0.003), younger age at which weight became problematic (P = 0.002), greater likelihood of believing psoriasis had caused weight gain (P < 0.001), shorter retention of current job (P = 0.001), more experiences of discrimination at work (P = 0.002) and in social settings (P < 0.001) over one's lifetime and more severe discrimination in social settings over one's lifetime (P = 0.002). Greater LT DLQI predicted more packs smoked per day (P = 0.005), greater likelihood of believing psoriasis caused smoking (P = 0.012), greater likelihood of recreational drug use (P = 0.004), greater likelihood of a depression diagnosis (P < 0.001), greater likelihood of having felt depressed (P = 0.011) and greater likelihood of believing psoriasis caused depression (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Compared to the standard LW DLQI, LT DLQI was a better predictor of patient outcomes related to weight, discrimination and depression.
Neuroticism and Attitudes Toward Action in 19 Countries
Authors: Ireland Molly E. , Hepler Justin , Li Hong , Albarracín Dolores
Published: March 2014

Although individuals scoring high on Neuroticism tend to avoid taking action when faced with challenges, Neuroticism is also characterized by impulsivity. To explore cognitive biases related to this costly behavior pattern, we tested whether individuals who rated themselves as higher in Neuroticism would evaluate the general concepts of action and inaction as, respectively, more negative and positive. We further investigated whether anxiety and depression would mediate and individualism‐collectivism would moderate these relations in a large international sample. Participants (N = 3,827 college students; 69% female) from 19 countries completed surveys measuring Neuroticism, attitudes toward action and inaction, depression, anxiety, and individualism‐collectivism. Hierarchical linear models tested the above predictions. Neuroticism negatively correlated with attitudes toward action and positively correlated with attitudes toward inaction. Furthermore, anxiety was primarily responsible for emotionally unstable individuals’ less positive attitudes toward action, and individuals who endorsed more collectivistic than individualistic beliefs showed a stronger negative association between Neuroticism and attitudes toward action. Researchers and practitioners interested in understanding and remediating the negative consequences of Neuroticism should pay greater attention to attitudes toward action and inaction, particularly focusing on their links with anxiety and individualism‐collectivism.
The Language of Learning: The Academic Engagement of Newcomer Immigrant Youth
Authors: Kim Ha Yeon , Suárez‐Orozco Carola
Published: March 2014

The current study uses an accelerated longitudinal design to examine the role of three dimensions of academic engagement (behavioral, relational, and cognitive) in explaining the influence of English language proficiency on newcomer immigrant youths' academic performance across adolescence. The sample included 354 youth from Central America, China, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Mexico. As established with other populations, the behavioral, relational, and cognitive dimensions of academic engagement were closely associated to one another and significantly contributed to academic performance. Mediation analyses revealed that immigrant youth with limited English language proficiency were more likely to experience low levels of relational and behavioral engagement, which contributed to lower levels of academic performance over time.
Association between trauma patients' severity and critical care nursing workload in China
Authors: Peng Lingli , Mayner Lidia , Wang Honghong
Published: March 2014

The correlation between patients' severity and nursing workload for multiple trauma patients within the first 24 h of admission was explored in this study. Multiple trauma adult patients (n = 229) admitted in the emergency rescue room of a public hospital in China over a 1 year period were enrolled in this study. The worst values of the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation‐II scores and the Nursing Activity Score were collected during the first 24 h after admission. The predicted number of registered nurses was calculated for the corresponding severity groups. In the results, one‐way ANOVA revealed that the Nursing Activity Score in the seven severity groups differed significantly. The total Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation‐II score had a positive correlation with the Nursing Activity Score. The predicted number of registered nurses required was 0.6 for the low group, 0.7 for the moderate group, 1.0 for the severe group, and 1.1 for the extremely severe group. Patients' illness severity is an important indicator of nursing workload, especially in nurse staff allocation within the emergency department.
Administration of exogenous acylated ghrelin or rikkunshito, an endogenous ghrelin enhancer, improves the decrease in postprandial gastric motility in an acute restraint stress mouse model
Authors: Nahata M. , Saegusa Y. , Sadakane C. , Yamada C. , Nakagawa K. , Okubo N. , Ohnishi S. , Hattori T. , Sakamoto N. , Takeda H.
Published: March 2014

Background

Physical or psychological stress causes functional disorders in the upper gastrointestinal tract. This study aims to elucidate the ameliorating effect of exogenous acylated ghrelin or rikkunshito, a Kampo medicine which acts as a ghrelin enhancer, on gastric dysfunction during acute restraint stress in mice.

Methods

Fasted and postprandial motor function of the gastric antrum was wirelessly measured using a strain gauge force transducer and solid gastric emptying was detected in mice exposed to restraint stress. Plasma corticosterone and ghrelin levels were also measured. To clarify the role of ghrelin on gastrointestinal dysfunction in mice exposed to stress, exogenous acylated ghrelin or rikkunshito was administered, then the mice were subjected to restraint stress.

Key Results

Mice exposed to restraint stress for 60 min exhibited delayed gastric emptying and increased plasma corticosterone levels. Gastric motility was decreased in mice exposed to restraint stress in both fasting and postprandial states. Restraint stress did not cause any change in plasma acylated ghrelin levels, but it significantly increased the plasma des‐acyl ghrelin levels. Administration of acylated ghrelin or rikkunshito improved the restraint stress‐induced delayed gastric emptying and decreased antral motility. Ameliorating effects of rikkunshito on stress‐induced gastric dysfunction were abolished by simultaneous administration of a ghrelin receptor antagonist.

Conclusions & Inferences

Plasma acylated/des‐acyl ghrelin imbalance was observed in acute restraint stress. Supplementation of exogenous acylated ghrelin or enhancement of endogenous ghrelin signaling may be useful in the treatment of decreased gastric function caused by stress.
The biological affinity of Amsassia: new evidence from the Ordovician of North China
Authors: Sun Ning , Elias Robert J. , Lee Dong‐Jin
Published: March 2014

Amsassia shaanxiensis sp. nov. occurs in the Middle Ordovician part of the Jinghe Formation in Yongshou and the lower part of the Upper Ordovician Beiguoshan Formation in Longxian, Shaanxi Province, north‐central China. In addition to module increase by bipartite longitudinal fission, which is also known in other species of Amsassia, tripartite and rare quadripartite fission are recognized in A. shaanxiensis. All species previously assigned to Lichenaria from the Middle to Upper Ordovician of Shaanxi probably belong to Amsassia. Therefore, Amsassia, rather than the tabulate coral Lichenaria, should be credited as an important contributor to reef‐building in this area. Reports of Lichenaria from elsewhere in the North China Platform require confirmation in the light of the present study. Some morphological characteristics of Amsassia are comparable to those of tabulate corals, tetradiids and chaetetid sponges. Consequently, various authors have assigned Amsassia to the Lichenariida, Tetradiida (now Prismostylales; florideophycean rhodophyte algae) and Chaetetida. Other important characters, however, seem to exclude Amsassia from those taxonomic groups. The phacelocerioid organization of modules having separate walls would not be expected in sponges. The basic symmetry of individuals may have been radial, unlike the tetramerous symmetry of tetradiids. Module increase by longitudinal fission, involving infoldings of the wall, is fundamentally different from modes of increase in corals, tetradiids and chaetetids. The skeleton was probably aragonitic, whereas that of tabulates was calcitic. The affinity of Amsassia remains unresolved, but it is unlikely to have been a coral, tetradiid or sponge. Perhaps, like the tetradiids, Amsassia was an alga.
IL3 rs40401 Polymorphism and Interaction with Smoking in Risk of Asthma in Japanese Women: The Kyushu Okinawa Maternal and Child Health Study
Authors: Miyake Y. , Tanaka K. , Arakawa M.
Published: March 2014

Three previous genetic association studies conducted in Korea and China investigated the relationship between IL3 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs40401 and asthma, but their results were inconsistent. We examined this relationship and the possibility of an interaction between IL3 SNP rs40401 and smoking in young adult Japanese women. Included were 89 women who met the criteria of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) for asthma. Control subjects were 700 women without asthma according to the ECRHS criteria who had not been diagnosed with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis by a doctor and/or who had not met the criteria of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood for rhinoconjunctivitis. A significant positive association was found between SNP rs40401 and the risk of asthma, with the TT genotype as the reference under the additive model: the adjusted odds ratio was 1.39 (95% CI: 1.004–1.93). The positive association was not statistically significant in any other genetic model. Compared with subjects with the TT or TC genotype of SNP rs40401 who had never smoked, those with the CC genotype who had ever smoked had a significantly increased risk of asthma: the adjusted OR was 2.67 (95% CI: 1.23–5.79); the additive interaction, but not the multiplicative interaction, was significant. This study suggests that IL3 SNP rs40401 is significantly associated with the risk of asthma in young adult Japanese women and reveals that the combination of ever smoking and having the CC genotype of IL3 SNP rs40401 is significantly positively associated with asthma.
The 5′ promoter region of MHC class I chain‐related gene B
Authors: Pan F. , Li L. , Luo J. , Liu X. , Tian W.
Published: March 2014

In this study, the 5′ promoter region of MHC class I chain‐related gene B (MICB) was investigated in 104 healthy, unrelated Han individuals recruited from northern China, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐sequencing methodology. Fifteen variable sites were detected, which showed a mosaic pattern of significant global linkage disequilibrium (LD). Eleven different 5′ promoter haplotypes were identified. MICB 5′ promoter haplotype‐9 carrying CT deletion at positions −139/−138, which is associated with decreased MICB promoter activity, was present in 26.9% of MICB alleles and was linked to MICB*002:01, MICB*008, and MICB*014 in this population. In addition, rs3828913 (position −176) and rs3828914 (position −152) were located adjacent to HSRE and GC box in MICB promoter, respectively. Sixteen extended haplotypes (EH) incorporating the MICB 5′ promoter and MICB coding region were observed in this population, eight of which were in significant LD. Phylogenetic analysis of 5′ promoter refined MICB sub‐lineage structure indicated that MICB*005:02, the most common MICB allele, consists of five sub‐lineages. Ewens–Watterson homozygosity statistics at MICB 5′ promoter region were consistent with neutral expectations. Our study has shed new insight into MICB genetic variation at population level, suggesting that binding sites for transcription factors in MICB promoter could be interrupted by polymorphisms within this region, resulting in allele‐specific regulation. The data will facilitate the understanding of regulation of MICB gene transcription, and will inform studies of evolution of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene complex.
An Artificial Neural Network Model to Predict Material Characteristics From the Results of Miniature Disk Bending Tests
Authors: Ghosh A. K. , Verma Vishnu , Behera G.
Published: March 2014

The inverse problem of evaluating mechanical properties of material from the observed values of load and deflection of a miniature disk bending specimen is discussed in this paper. It involves analysis of large amplitude, elasto-plastic deformation considering contact and friction. The approach in this work is to first generate—by a finite element (FE) solution—a large database of load-displacement (P-w) records for varying material properties. An artificial neural network (ANN) is trained with some of these data. The errors in the various values of the parameters during testing with additional known data were found to be reasonably small.
Inward Flow Between Stationary and Rotating Disks
Authors: Singh Achhaibar
Published: March 2014

The present study predicts the flow field and the pressure distribution for a laminar flow in the gap between a stationary and a rotating disk. The fluid enters through the peripheral gap between two concentric disks and converges to the center where it discharges axially through a hole in one of the disks. Closed form expressions have been derived by simplifying the Navier– Stokes equations. The expressions predict the backflow near the rotating disk due to the effect of centrifugal force. A convection effect has been observed in the tangential velocity distribution at high throughflow Reynolds numbers.
Examining Correlates of Game-to-Game Variation in Volleyball Players’ Achievement Goal Pursuit and Underlying Autonomous and Controlling Reasons
Authors: Vansteenkiste Maarten , Mouratidis Athanasios , van Riet Thomas , Lens Willy
Published: March 2014

In the current study we aimed to examine the antecedents and outcomes associated with the variability in competitive volleyball players’ (N = 67; Mage = 19.45; SD = 5.13) situational achievement goal pursuit and its underlying autonomous and controlling reasons. Players were followed during six consecutive games and data were analyzed through multilevel modeling. Players’ dominant contextual goal pursuit reported at the onset of the study related to their situational (i.e., game-specific) goal pursuit. Further, variation in game-to-game mastery-approach goal pursuit, as compared with the pursuit of other achievement goals, related to variation in prosocial behavior. Finally, autonomous reasons underlying situational mastery-approach goal pursuit related positively to games-specific prosocial behavior, enjoyment, and performance satisfaction. The discussion emphasizes the necessity to study players’ game-to-game motivational dynamics and the reasons underlying players’ achievement goal pursuit.
Sclerosing stromal tumour of the ovary presenting as precocious puberty: a rare neoplasm
Authors: Chaurasia Jai Kumar , Afroz Nishat , Maheshwari Veena , Naim Mohammed
Published: March 2014

A 7-year-old Indian girl presented with symptoms of excessive development of breasts, early menarche, growth of pubic hairs, accelerated growth and abdominal distension. On clinical examination, a large right abdominopelvic mass was palpable. MRI revealed a large, heterogeneous, solid and cystic tumour in the right adnexal region, suggestive of an ovarian neoplasm. The hormonal profile showed markedly elevated oestradiol and low follicle-stimulating hormone levels. Clinical diagnosis of precocious puberty with right ovarian mass was concluded. Right-sided salpingo-oophorectomy was performed. Histopathology showed features consistent with sclerosing stromal tumour of the ovary. Postoperatively, signs and symptoms of precocity gradually regressed and her serum oestradiol level came down to normal. This is the first reported case from India.
Severe systemic candidiasis following immunomodulation therapy in in vitro fertilisation-embryo transfer (IVF-ET)
Authors: Akhanoba Folasade , MacDougall Jane , Mathur Raj , Hassan Wassim
Published: March 2014

A 41-year-old nulliparous woman, with a medical history of unexplained infertility and multiple in vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycles with immunosuppressive therapy, was admitted to our tertiary obstetrics unit with sepsis at 18 weeks of pregnancy with dichorionic diamniotic twins.Candida glabratawas grown from her blood cultures, then subsequently from the liquor and placentae. She was treated with intravenous ambisome (amphotericin), but unfortunately, the infection resulted in the rupture of her membranes, preterm labour and the demise of her twins. She delivered both twins at 23 weeks, 3 days apart. The antifungal agent was changed to high-dose fluconazole after delivery for 2 weeks and she is now well. Women undergoing IVF-embryo transfer with immunomodulation therapy have a potential risk of developing candidal chorioamnionitis and sepsis.
Typhoid fever with caecal ulcer bleed: managed conservatively
Authors: Boopathy Vinoth , Periyasamy Sivakumar , Alexander Thomas , Balasubramanian Padhmini
Published: March 2014

Typhoid fever is caused by enteroinvasive Gram-negative organismSalmonella typhi. The well-known complications of typhoid fever are intestinal haemorrhage and perforation. In the pre-antibiotic era, these complications were quite common, but in the current antibiotic era the incidence of these complications is on the decline. We report a case of a patient with typhoid fever who developed haematochezia during the hospital stay and was found to have caecal ulcer with an adherent clot on colonoscopy. He was managed successfully with conservative measures without endotherapy and there was no rebleed.
Expression and subcellular localization of RAGE in melanoma cells
Authors: Popa Ioana , Ganea Elena , Petrescu Stefana M.
Published: March 2014

The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is involved in multiple stages of tumor development and malignization. To gain further knowledge on the RAGE role in tumor progression, we investigated the receptor expression profile and its subcellular localization in melanoma cells at different stages of malignancy. We found that RAGE clustered at membrane ruffles and leading edges, and at sites of cell-to-cell contact in primary melanoma cells (e.g., MelJuSo), in contrast with a more dispersed localization in metastatic cells (e.g., SK-Mel28). RAGE silencing by RNAi selectively inhibited migration of MelJuSo cells, whilst having no influence on SK-Mel28 cell migration, in a “wound healing” assay. Western blot detection of RAGE showed a more complex RAGE oligomerization in MelJuSo cells compared to melanocytes and SK-Mel28 cells. By competing the binding of antibodies with recombinant soluble RAGE, an oligomeric form running at approximately 200 kDa was detected, as it was the monomeric RAGE of 55–60 kDa. SDS-PAGE electrophoresis under reducing versus nonreducing conditions indicated that the oligomer of about 200 kDa is formed by disulfide bonds, but other interactions are likely to be important for RAGE multimerization in melanoma cells. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that treatment with two cholesterol-chelating drugs, nystatin and filipin, significantly affected RAGE localization in MelJuSo cells. SK-Mel28 cells showed a reduced RAGE glycosylation and association with cholesterol-rich membranes and also a considerable downregulation of the soluble forms. Our results indicate that RAGE isoform expression and subcellular localization could be important determinants for the regulation of its function in tumor progression.
Group preferential selection promotes cooperation in spatial public goods game
Authors: Zhang Hong-Bin , Wang Hong
Published: March 2014

We study the evolution of cooperation in public goods games on the square lattice, focusing on the co-player learning mechanism based on the preferential selection that are brought about by wealthy information of groups where participants collect and search for potential imitators from those groups. We find that co-player learning mechanism based on the choice of weighted group can lead to the promotion of public cooperation by means of the information of wealthy groups that is obtained by participants, and after that the partial choice of public goods groups is enhanced with the tunable preferential parameter. Our results highlight that the learning interactions is not solely confined to the restricted connection among players, but co-players of wealthy groups have the opportunity to be as a role model in the promotion of cooperative evolution. Moreover, we also find the size of learning affects the choice of distant players, cooperators (defectors) having more paths to exploit the phalanx of opponents to survive when the value of preferential parameter is small. Besides, the extinction thresholds of cooperators and defectors for different values of noise are also investigated.
Existence condition and phase transition of Reissner–Nordström–de Sitter black hole
Authors: Ma Meng-Sen , Zhao Hui-Hua , Zhang Li-Chun , Zhao Ren
Published: March 2014

After introducing the connection between the black hole horizon and the cosmological horizon, we discuss the thermodynamic properties of Reissner–Nordström–de Sitter (RN–dS) space–time. We present the condition under which RN–dS black hole can exist. Employing Ehrenfest' classification, we conclude that the phase transition of RN–dS black hole is the second-order one. The position of the phase transition point is irrelevant to the electric charge of the system. It only depends on the ratio of the black hole horizon and the cosmological horizon.
HARDWARE REDUCTION IN CPLD-BASED MOORE FSM
Authors: BARKALOV ALEXANDER , TITARENKO LARYSA , CHMIELEWSKI SŁAWOMIR
Published: March 2014

A new two-stage method of finite state machines (FSMs) synthesis for PAL-based complex programmable logic devices (CPLD) is proposed. It is based on both the wide fan-in of PAL cells and existence of the classes of pseudoequivalent states of Moore FSM. The first step targets decreasing for the number of PAL cells used for implementing the block of input memory functions. The second step targets decreasing for the number of PAL cells in the block of microoperations. An example of application of the proposed method is given, as well as results of experiments carried out for standard benchmarks.
Testing cosmic censorship conjecture near extremal black holes with cosmological constants
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Gao Sijie
Published: March 2014

It has been shown previously that an extremal Reissner–Nordström or an extremal Kerr black hole cannot be overcharged or overspun by a test particle, if radiative and self-force effects are neglected. In this paper, we consider extremal charged and rotating black holes with cosmological constants. By studying the motion of test particles, we find the following results: An extremal Reissner–Nordström anti-de Sitter (RN–AdS) black hole can be overcharged by a test particle but an extremal Reissner–Nordström de Sitter (RN–dS) black hole cannot be overcharged. We also show that both extremal Kerr–de Sitter (Kerr–dS) and Kerr–anti-de Sitter (Kerr–AdS) black holes can be overspun by a test particle, implying a possible breakdown of the cosmic censorship conjecture. For the Kerr–AdS case, the overspinning requires that the energy of the particle be negative, a reminiscent of the Penrose process. In contrast to the extremal RN and Kerr black holes, in which cases the cosmic censorship is upheld, our results suggest some subtle relations between the cosmological constants and the cosmic censorship. We also discuss the effect of radiation reaction for the Kerr–dS case and find that the magnitude of energy loss due to gravitational radiation may not be enough to prevent the violation of the cosmic censorship.
FINITE ELEMENT MODELING OF THE HUMAN MITRAL VALVE: IMPLICATIONS OF MORPHOLOGIES AND DYNAMICS OF THE ANNULUS AND THE CHORDAE TENDINEAE
Authors: ZHONG QI , ZENG WENHUA , HUANG XIAOYANG , WANG BOLIANG , CAI MING
Published: March 2014

Objectives: To investigate the influences caused by special morphologies and dynamics of the substructures of mitral valve by the explicit finite element program LS-DYNA. Methods: A new finite element model for the mitral apparatus characterized by layered structure of leaflets tissue, saddle shape and contraction of annulus, an approximately accurate morphology of chordae tendineae was developed. The coaptation length, leaflets stress and strain of the present model were compared with those of two auxiliary models, one with planar annulus and the other with fixed annulus. The tensile function and force distribution of chordae tendineae were analyzed in the models with and without chordae tendineae. Results: The stretch ratios computed by the present model were most closely to the experimental data. The leaflets instantly turned over to the atrial side and larger load was observed in the model without chordae tendineae. Besides, tensile force was highly correlated with average diameter of chordae tendineae (r = 0.965). Conclusion: The saddle shape of annulus benefits valve coaptation and the contraction of annulus could help decrease loads on leaflets and prevent stress concentrating excessively. Chordae tendineae could bear partial loads on the leaflets, and prevent the leaflets to turn over to the side of the atrium and help the valve close successfully.
Informative Path Planning for Improving Classification Performance through Kinematic Decisions
Authors: Hyun Baro , Zhang Weijia , Kabamba Pierre , Girard Anouck
Published: March 2014

As an information-gathering agent, unmanned system inevitably relies on its sensing abilities to perceive the world. Such a gathered information is vital for making further significant decisions, thus often operating under the assumption that maximizing the amount of information would result in minimizing the likelihood of committing erroneous decisions. In this work, we question this assumption by carefully examining the relationship between information and the probability of making erroneous decisions, then investigate the implication of the relationship in a Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) path planning problem. First, we conduct a functional analysis of two performance metrics (i.e., mutual information and the probability of misclassification) with respect to the sensing abilities. The analysis suggests an effective region of sensor space that can improve the classification performance when multiple measurements are to be taken sequentially. Based on the results of the analysis, we establish sensing strategies to a UAV path planning problem where the sensor performance depends on the relative position (i.e., range and azimuth) of the UAV with respect to the object of interest. Specifically, we use two sliding mode controllers, each of which accounts for a particular sensing strategy, with a hybrid-system switching scheme. We validate our approach with numerical simulation results.
Neural Network for Sparse Reconstruction
Authors: Li Qingfa , Liu Yaqiu , Zhu Liangkuan
Published: March 2014

We construct a neural network based on smoothing approximation techniques and projected gradient method to solve a kind of sparse reconstruction problems. Neural network can be implemented by circuits and can be seen as an important method for solving optimization problems, especially large scale problems. Smoothing approximation is an efficient technique for solving nonsmooth optimization problems. We combine these two techniques to overcome the difficulties of the choices of the step size in discrete algorithms and the item in the set‐valued map of differential inclusion. In theory, the proposed network can converge to the optimal solution set of the given problem. Furthermore, some numerical experiments show the effectiveness of the proposed network in this paper.
Direct Self‐Repairing Control for Quadrotor Helicopter Attitude Systems
Authors: Yang Huiliao , Jiang Bin , Zhang Ke
Published: March 2014

A quadrotor helicopter with uncertain actuator faults, such as loss of effectiveness and lock‐in‐place, is studied in this paper. An adaptive fuzzy sliding mode controller based on direct self‐repairing control is designed for such nonlinear system to track the desired output signal, when any actuator of this quadrotor helicopter is loss of effectiveness or stuck at some place. Moreover, using the Lyapunov stability theory, the stability of the whole system and the convergence of the tracking error can be guaranteed. Finally, the availability of the proposed method is verified by simulation on 3‐DOF hover to ensure that the system performance under faulty conditions can be quickly recovered to its normal level. And this proposed method is also proved to be better than that of LQR through simulation.
Magnetic Nanoparticle Based Nonviral MicroRNA Delivery into Freshly Isolated CD105+hMSCs
Authors: Schade Anna , Müller Paula , Delyagina Evgenya , Voronina Natalia , Skorska Anna , Lux Cornelia , Steinhoff Gustav , David Robert
Published: March 2014

Genetic modifications of bone marrow derived human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) using microRNAs (miRs) may be used to improve their therapeutic potential and enable innovative strategies in tissue regeneration. However, most of the studies use cultured hMSCs, although these can lose their stem cell characteristics during expansion. Therefore, we aimed to develop a nonviral miR carrier based on polyethylenimine (PEI) bound to magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) for efficient miR delivery in freshly isolated hMSCs. MNP based transfection is preferable for genetic modificationsin vivodue to improved selectivity, safety of delivery, and reduced side effects. Thus, in this study different miR/PEI and miR/PEI/MNP complex formulations were testedin vitrofor uptake efficiency and cytotoxicity with respect to the influence of an external magnetic field. Afterwards, optimized magnetic complexes were selected and compared to commercially available magnetic vectors (Magnetofectamine, CombiMag). We found that all tested transfection reagents had high miR uptake rates (yielded over 60%) and no significant cytotoxic effects. Our work may become crucial for virus-free introduction of therapeutic miRs as well as other nucleic acidsin vivo. Moreover, in the field of targeted stem cell therapy nucleic acid delivery prior to transplantation may allowfor initial cell modulationin vitro.
Prediction of Spectral Phonon Mean Free Path and Thermal Conductivity with Applications to Thermoelectrics and Thermal Management: A Review
Authors: Feng Tianli , Ruan Xiulin
Published: March 2014

We give a review of the theoretical approaches for predicting spectral phonon mean free path and
thermal conductivity of solids. The methods can be summarized into two categories: anharmonic lattice dynamics calculation and molecular dynamics simulation. In the anharmonic lattice dynamics calculation, the anharmonic force constants are used first to calculate the phonon scattering rates, and then the Boltzmann transport equations are solved using either standard single mode relaxation time approximation or the Iterative Scheme method for the thermal conductivity. The MD method involves the time domain or frequency domain normal mode analysis. We present the theoretical frameworks of the methods for the prediction of phonon dispersion, spectral phonon relaxation time, and thermal conductivity of pure bulk materials, layer and tube structures, nanowires, defective materials, and superlattices. Several examples of their applications in thermal management and thermoelectric materials are given. The strength and limitations of these methods are compared in several different aspects. For more efficient and accurate predictions, the improvements of those methods are still needed.
Application of Glass Fiber-Based N-Doped Titania under Visible-Light Exposure for Photocatalytic Degradation of Aromatic Pollutants
Authors: Jo Wan-Kuen , Shin Seung-Ho , Chun Ho-Hwan
Published: March 2014

Flexible glass fiber-supported nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide (GF-N-TiO2) photocatalysts with different N/Ti ratio were prepared using a dip-coating method followed by a low-temperature heat-treatment process. In addition, their photocatalytic activities were evaluated for the degradation of aromatic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) under visible-light irradiation. The prepared GF-N-TiO2photocatalysts were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, and UV-visible spectroscopy. A control photolysis test performed using an uncoated GF displayed no detectable degradation of the target compounds under visible-light irradiation. The outlet-to-inlet concentration ratios of the target pollutants obtained using the GF-N-TiO2photocatalysts were lower than that obtained using the GF-TiO2photocatalyst. The photocatalytic activity of GF-N-TiO2photocatalyst increased as the N-to-Ti ratio increased from 0.06 to 0.08 but decreased gradually as the N-to-Ti ratio increased further to 0.12, suggesting the existence of optimal N/Ti ratios. The outlet-to-inlet concentration ratio of all the target compounds displayed an increasing trend as both air flow rate and inlet concentration increased. Overall, the GF-N-TiO2photocatalysts could be applied effectively for the degradation of aromatic VOCs under visible-light irradiation when operation conditions are optimized.
Research on the Safety Audit Methods for Two‐Lane Highway Based on HRV
Authors: Zhu Zhan-dong , Lu Ying-chih , Fu Cheng-hong , Xu Ting
Published: March 2014

In order to explore stable route safety evaluation indicators, this study discusses the relationship between the heart rate variability (HRV) and other factors, such as design speed, operating speed, acceleration rate, and velocity gradient through a lot of experiments. The results show that operating speed coordination and velocity gradient (Gv) outperform others as road safety indicators. Speed coordination evaluation criteria: |ΔV85| ≤ 10 km/h, good coordination; 10 km/h ≤|ΔV85|≤ 20 km/h, general coordination, route indicators of adjacent sections should be adjusted, so that the speed difference is not more than 10 km/h; |ΔV85| ≥ 20 km/h, poor speed coordination, it needs to readjust the design of the adjacent sections. Speed gradient evaluation criteria: Gv ≤ 0.10, good road safety; 0.10 ≤ Gv < 0.15, common road safety; Gv > 0.15, poor road safety and the adjacent sections need to readjust. The conclusions provide the theoretical reference for highway safety evaluation.
Fixed Point Approximation of Nonexpansive Mappings on a Nonlinear Domain
Authors: Khan Safeer Hussain
Published: March 2014

We use a three-step iterative process to prove some strong andΔ-convergence results for nonexpansive mappings in a uniformly convex hyperbolic space, a nonlinear domain. Three-step iterative processes have numerous applications and hyperbolic spaces contain Banach spaces (linear domains) as well as CAT(0) spaces. Thus our results can be viewed as extension and generalization of several known results in uniformly convex Banach spaces as well as CAT(0) spaces.