bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phage Therapy in the Food Industry
Authors: Endersen Lorraine , O'Mahony Jim , Hill Colin , Ross R. Paul , McAuliffe Olivia , Coffey Aidan
Published: January 2014

Despite advances in modern technologies, the food industry is continuously challenged with the threat of microbial contamination. The overuse of antibiotics has further escalated this problem, resulting in the increasing emergence of antibiotic-resistant foodborne pathogens. Efforts to develop new methods for controlling microbial contamination in food and the food processing environment are extremely important. Accordingly, bacteriophages (phages) and their derivatives have emerged as novel, viable, and safe options for the prevention, treatment, and/or eradication of these contaminants in a range of foods and food processing environments. Whole phages, modified phages, and their derivatives are discussed in terms of current uses and future potential as antimicrobials in the traditional farm-to-fork context, encompassing areas such as primary production, postharvest processing, biosanitation, and biodetection. The review also presents some safety concerns to ensure safe and effective exploitation of bacteriophages in the future.
Metabolic Stimulation of Plant Phenolics for Food Preservation and Health
Authors: Sarkar Dipayan , Shetty Kalidas
Published: January 2014

Plant phenolics as secondary metabolites are key to a plant's defense response against biotic and abiotic stresses. These phytochemicals are also increasingly relevant to food preservation and human health in terms of chronic disease management. Phenolic compounds from different food crops with different chemical structures and biological functions have the potential to act as natural antioxidants. Plant-based human foods are rich with these phenolic phytochemicals and can be used effectively for food preservation and bioactive enrichments through metabolic stimulation of key pathways. Phenolic metabolites protect against microbial degradation of plant-based foods during postharvest storage. Phenolics not only provide biotic protection but also help to counter biochemical and physical food deteriorations and to enhance shelf life and nutritional quality. This review summarizes the role of metabolically stimulated plant phenolics in food preservation and their impact on the prevention of oxidative stress–induced human diseases.
Public Health Impacts of Foodborne Mycotoxins
Authors: Wu Felicia , Groopman John D. , Pestka James J.
Published: January 2014

Mycotoxins are toxic and carcinogenic metabolites produced by fungi that colonize food crops. The most agriculturally important mycotoxins known today are aflatoxins, which cause liver cancer and have also been implicated in child growth impairment and acute toxicoses; fumonisins, which have been associated with esophageal cancer (EC) and neural tube defects (NTDs); deoxynivalenol (DON) and other trichothecenes, which are immunotoxic and cause gastroenteritis; and ochratoxin A (OTA), which has been associated with renal diseases. This review describes the adverse human health impacts associated with these major groups of mycotoxins. First, we provide background on the fungi that produce these different mycotoxins and on the food crops commonly infected. Then, we describe each group of mycotoxins in greater detail, as well as the adverse effects associated with each mycotoxin and the populations worldwide at risk. We conclude with a brief discussion on estimations of global burden of disease caused by dietary mycotoxin exposure.
Reduction of Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol by Monoclonal Antibody Inhibition of PCSK9
Authors: Stein Evan A. , Raal Frederick
Published: January 2014

Published phase I and II trials with two fully human monoclonal antibodies to PCSK9 have provided comprehensive evidence that inhibiting PCSK9 is a very effective method to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). In all populations studied so far, whether on statins or LDL-C-reducing diet alone, with or without a genetic defect in the LDL receptor, and in subjects intolerant to statins, the LDL-C reductions have been large and consistent. Even the most efficacious statin, rosuvastatin, at its highest dose has not achieved such reductions. The clinical trials have established that monoclonal antibody therapy targeted to PCSK9 may be administered subcutaneously every two or four weeks. Current data suggest these drugs will provide an effective therapeutic option for LDL-C reduction and that, if proven safe in phase III trials, they will be as important to LDL-C control, and likely to cardiovascular disease risk reduction, as statins have been over the past three decades.
Evidence-Based Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Difede JoAnn , Olden Megan , Cukor Judith
Published: January 2014

The term translational research is typically used to refer both to “bench to bedside” research, in which preclinical research findings inform the development of novel therapeutics, and to the dissemination of new treatments to the community to encourage the use of the new health practices and treatments. Both definitions are germane to understanding the evidence base for treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) today. This article offers (a) an overview of evidence-based treatments for PTSD, (b) a description of a translational model of PTSD, and (c) a discussion of common barriers to dissemination and implementation of the empirically validated treatments. Recent studies in the field are discussed with a focus on pharmacotherapies, psychotherapies, and combined treatments.
IL-1 Blockade in Autoinflammatory Syndromes
Authors: Jesus Adriana A. , Goldbach-Mansky Raphaela
Published: January 2014

Monogenic autoinflammatory syndromes present with excessive systemic inflammation including fever, rashes, arthritis, and organ-specific inflammation and are caused by defects in single genes encoding proteins that regulate innate inflammatory pathways. Pathogenic variants in two interleukin-1 (IL-1)–regulating genes, NLRP3 and IL1RN, cause two severe and early-onset autoinflammatory syndromes, CAPS (cryopyrin associated periodic syndromes) and DIRA (deficiency of IL-1 receptor antagonist). The discovery of the mutations that cause CAPS and DIRA led to clinical and basic research that uncovered the key role of IL-1 in an extended spectrum of immune dysregulatory conditions. NLRP3 encodes cryopyrin, an intracellular “molecular sensor” that forms a multimolecular platform, the NLRP3 inflammasome, which links “danger recognition” to the activation of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β. The success and safety profile of drugs targeting IL -1 in the treatment of CAPS and DIRA have encouraged their wider use in other autoinflammatory syndromes including the classic hereditary periodic fever syndromes (familial Mediterranean fever, TNF receptor–associated periodic syndrome, and hyperimmunoglobulinemia D with periodic fever syndrome) and additional immune dysregulatory conditions that are not genetically well defined, including Still's, Behcet's, and Schnitzler diseases. The fact that the accumulation of metabolic substrates such as monosodium urate, ceramide, cholesterol, and glucose can trigger the NLRP3 inflammasome connects metabolic stress to IL-1β-mediated inflammation and provides a rationale for therapeutically targeting IL-1 in prevalent diseases such as gout, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease.
Burnout and Work Engagement: The JD–R Approach
Authors: Bakker Arnold B. , Demerouti Evangelia , Sanz-Vergel Ana Isabel
Published: January 2014

Whereas burnout refers to a state of exhaustion and cynicism toward work, engagement is defined as a positive motivational state of vigor, dedication, and absorption. In this article, we discuss the main definitions and conceptualizations of both concepts used in the literature. In addition, we review the most important antecedents of burnout and work engagement by examining situational and individual predictors. We also review the possible consequences of burnout and engagement and integrate the research findings using job demands–resources theory. Although both burnout and work engagement are related to important job-related outcomes, burnout seems to be more strongly related to health outcomes, whereas work engagement is more strongly related to motivational outcomes. We discuss daily and momentary fluctuations in burnout and work engagement as possibilities for future research.
Learning in the Twenty-First-Century Workplace
Authors: Noe Raymond A. , Clarke Alena D.M. , Klein Howard J.
Published: January 2014

Human capital resources are key for organizations to gain a competitive advantage. Learning based on formal training and development programs, informal learning, and knowledge sharing influences the development of human capital resources. This article provides a selective review of research on learning that occurs in many different forms and at the individual, team, and organizational levels. It is organized around five themes—thinking differently about learning, reconsidering the form and design of learning, facilitating learning in the workplace, expanding the scope of learning outcomes, and improving methodology in learning research. These themes provide a framework for understanding how learning can contribute to the development of human capital resources and organizations’ competitive advantage. For each theme, relevant research is reviewed, and limitations and future research directions are provided.
Laboratory-Frame Photoelectron Angular Distributions in Anion Photodetachment: Insight into Electronic Structure and Intermolecular Interactions
Authors: Sanov Andrei
Published: January 2014

This article provides an overview of some recent advances in the modeling of photoelectron angular distributions in negative-ion photodetachment. Building on the past developments in threshold photodetachment spectroscopy that first tackled the scaling of the partial cross sections with energy, depending on the angular momentum quantum number ℓ, it examines the corresponding formulation of the central potential model and extends it to the more general case of hybrid molecular orbitals. Several conceptual approaches to understanding photoelectron angular distributions are discussed. In one approach, the angular distributions are examined based on the contributions of the symmetry-allowed s and p partial waves of the photodetached electron. In another related approach, the parent molecular orbitals are described based on their dominant s and p characters, whereas the continuum electron is described in terms of interference of the corresponding Δℓ =±1 photodetachment channels.
Cold State-Selected Molecular Collisions and Reactions
Authors: Stuhl Benjamin K. , Hummon Matthew T. , Ye Jun
Published: January 2014

Over the past decade, and particularly the past five years, a quiet revolution has been building at the border between atomic physics and experimental quantum chemistry. The rapid development of techniques for producing cold and even ultracold molecules without a perturbing rare-gas cluster shell is now enabling the study of chemical reactions and scattering at the quantum scattering limit with only a few partial waves contributing to the incident channel. Moreover, the ability to perform these experiments with nonthermal distributions comprising one or a few specific states enables the observation and even full control of state-to-state collision rates in this computation-friendly regime: This is perhaps the most elementary study possible of scattering and reaction dynamics.
Scale, Causes, and Implications of the Primary Care Nursing Shortage
Authors: MacLean Logan , Hassmiller Susan , Shaffer Franklin , Rohrbaugh Kathleen , Collier Tiffany , Fairman Julie
Published: January 2014

As the demand for health care consistently rises and many individuals, even within developed countries, lack access to primary care services, a better understanding of how primary care is defined, the main causes of the primary care shortage both within the United States and across the globe, and key solutions to these issues are paramount. Upon review of the US and international primary care literature, the authors first briefly discuss the fluidity of how primary care is defined and how it is applied in nations with differing levels of health care infrastructure. The main causes of the deficit both domestically and globally are then examined. Finally, upon careful review of the research produced within the past seven years, this article suggests strategies that maximize the primary care workforce: the effective use of technology, task shifting, interprofessional teams, and more consistent primary care data to build workforce strategies.
Epidemiology, Treatment Patterns, and Outcomes of Metastatic Soft Tissue Sarcoma in a Community-Based Oncology Network
Authors: Chen Clara , Borker Rohit , Ewing James , Tseng Wan-Yu , Hackshaw Michelle D. , Saravanan Shanmugapriya , Dhanda Rahul , Nadler Eric
Published: January 2014

Purpose. To assess epidemiology, treatment patterns, and outcomes of metastatic soft tissue sarcoma (mSTS) patients in USA community oncology practices.Methods. This retrospective, descriptive study used US Oncology’s iKnowMed electronic health records database. Adults (≥18 years) with mSTS and at least two visits between July 2007 and June 2010 were included. Key outcomes were practice patterns, overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS).Results. 363 mSTS patients (174 treated and 189 untreated) met the prespecified exclusion/inclusion criteria. The most common subtypes were leiomyosarcoma (n=104; 29%), liposarcoma (n=40; 11%), and synovial sarcoma (n=12; 3%); the remainder (n=207; 57%) comprised 27 histologic subtypes. Treated patients were younger and had lower ECOG scores; 75% and 25% received first-line combination or monotherapy, respectively. Median OS of treated and untreated patients was 22 and 17 months, respectively, and 29 months in patients with the three most common subtypes. Before controlling for effects of covariates, younger age and lower ECOG scores were associated with better OS and PFS.Conclusion. This study provides insights into mSTS epidemiology, treatment patterns, and outcomes in a large community-based oncology network. These results warrant further studies with larger cohorts.
A Parsimonious Bootstrap Method to Model Natural Inflow Energy Series
Authors: Cyrino Oliveira Fernando Luiz , Costa Ferreira Pedro Guilherme , Castro Souza Reinaldo
Published: January 2014

The Brazilian energy generation and transmission system is quite peculiar in its dimension and characteristics. As such, it can be considered unique in the world. It is a high dimension hydrothermal system with huge participation of hydro plants. Such strong dependency on hydrological regimes implies uncertainties related to the energetic planning, requiring adequate modeling of the hydrological time series. This is carried out via stochastic simulations of monthly inflow series using the family of Periodic Autoregressive models, PAR(p), one for each period (month) of the year. In this paper it is shown the problems in fitting these models by the current system, particularly the identification of the autoregressive order “p” and the corresponding parameter estimation. It is followed by a proposal of a new approach to set both the model order and the parameters estimation of the PAR(p) models, using a nonparametric computational technique, known as Bootstrap. This technique allows the estimation of reliable confidence intervals for the model parameters. The obtained results using the Parsimonious Bootstrap Method of Moments (PBMOM) produced not only more parsimonious model orders but also adherent stochastic scenarios and, in the long range, lead to a better use of water resources in the energy operation planning.
Prenatal Detection of Congenital Heart Diseases: One-Year Survey Performing a Screening Protocol in a Single Reference Center in Brazil
Authors: Rocha Luciane Alves , Araujo Júnior Edward , Rolo Liliam Cristine , Barros Fernanda Silveira Bello , da Silva Karina Peres , Leslie Ana Teresa Figueiredo Stochero , Nardozza Luciano Marcondes Machado , Moron Antonio Fernandes
Published: January 2014

Objective. To describe the experience of a tertiary center in Brazil to which patients are referred whose fetuses are at increased risk for congenital heart diseases (CHDs).Methods. This was a cross-sectional observational study. The data was collected prospectively, during the year 2012, through a screening protocol of the fetal heart adapted from the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (ISUOG) guideline. We performed a fetal echocardiogram screening for all pregnant women who were referred to the fetal cardiology outpatient obstetrics clinic of a university hospital. The exams were classified as normal or abnormal. The cases considered abnormal were undergone to a postnatal echocardiogram. We categorized the abnormal fetal heart according to severity in “complex,” “significant,” “minor,” and “others.”Results. We performed 271 fetal heart screening. The incidence of abnormal screenings was 9.96% (27 fetuses). The structural CHD when categorized due to severity showed 48.1% (n=13) of “complex” cases, 18.5% (n=5) “significant” cases, and 7.4% (n=2) “minor” cases. The most common referral reason was by maternal causes (67%) followed by fetal causes (33%). The main referral indication was maternal metabolic disease (30%), but there was just one fetus with CHD in such cases (1.2%). CHDs were found in 19/29 fetuses with suspicion of some cardiac abnormality by obstetrician (65.5%).Conclusion. We observed a high rate of CHD in our population. We also found that there was higher incidence of complex cases.
Effects of a Proprietary Freeze‐Dried Water Extract of Eurycoma longifolia (Physta) and Polygonum minus on Sexual Performance and Well‐Being in Men: A Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Study
Authors: Udani Jay K. , George Annie A. , Musthapa Mufiza , Pakdaman Michael N. , Abas Azreena
Published: January 2014

Background. Physta is a proprietary product containing a freeze‐dried water extract of Eurycoma longifolia (tongkat ali), which is traditionally used as an energy enhancer and aphrodisiac. We aim to evaluate a 300 mg combination of Physta and Polygonum minus, an antioxidant, with regard to sexual performance and well‐being in men. Methods. Men that aged 40–65 years were screened for this 12‐week randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group study. Outcome measures included validated questionnaires that aimed to evaluate erectile function, satisfaction with intervention, sexual intercourse performance, erectile hardness, mood, and overall quality of life. Results. 12 subjects in the active group and 14 in the placebo group completed the study. Significant improvements were noted in scores for the Sexual Intercourse Attempt diary, Erection Hardness Scale, Sexual Health Inventory of Men, and Aging Male Symptom scale (P < 0.05 for all). Three adverse events were reported in the active group and four in the placebo group, none of which were attributed to study product. Laboratory evaluations, including liver and kidney function testing, showed no clinically significant abnormality. Conclusion. Supplementation for twelve weeks with Polygonum minus and the proprietary Eurycoma longifolia extract, Physta, was well tolerated and more effective than placebo in enhancing sexual performance in healthy volunteers.
Auditory-Cortex Short-Term Plasticity Induced by Selective Attention
Authors: Jääskeläinen Iiro P. , Ahveninen Jyrki
Published: January 2014

The ability to concentrate on relevant sounds in the acoustic environment is crucial for everyday function and communication. Converging lines of evidence suggests that transient functional changes in auditory-cortex neurons, “short-term plasticity”, might explain this fundamental function. Under conditions of strongly focused attention, enhanced processing of attended sounds can take place at very early latencies (~50 ms from sound onset) in primary auditory cortex and possibly even at earlier latencies in subcortical structures. More robust selective-attention short-term plasticity is manifested as modulation of responses peaking at ~100 ms from sound onset in functionally specialized nonprimary auditory-cortical areas by way of stimulus-specific reshaping of neuronal receptive fields that supports filtering of selectively attended sound features from task-irrelevant ones. Such effects have been shown to take effect in ~seconds following shifting of attentional focus. There are findings suggesting that the reshaping of neuronal receptive fields is even stronger at longer auditory-cortex response latencies (~300 ms from sound onset). These longer-latency short-term plasticity effects seem to build up more gradually, within tens of seconds after shifting the focus of attention. Importantly, some of the auditory-cortical short-term plasticity effects observed during selective attention predict enhancements in behaviorally measured sound discrimination performance.
An Operation Optimization for Express Freight Trains Based on Shipper Demands
Authors: Zhang Yuzhao , Yan Yusong
Published: January 2014

The supreme goal of railway express freight transportation is to meet the various demands of shippers. This paper considers the optimization problem of the operation plan for express freight trains based on shipper demands, including transport volume, service frequency, and transit time. An integer programming model that takes maximum shipper demands as optimized objective is proposed to realize the assignment of trains to candidate paths. In this model, the number of marshalling cars for express freight train is set as a decision variable rather than a constant to better satisfy the demand characteristics. A heuristic solution algorithm based on genetic algorithm is then designed. Finally, a numerical case is applied to verify the feasibility of the model and the algorithm.
Potential of Eucalyptus Oil as Repellent against House Rat,Rattus rattus
Authors: Singla Neena , Thind Ramandeep Kaur , Mahal Amrit Kaur
Published: January 2014

Rodent repellents are chemicals which by taste or odour or possibly by both will prevent animal from feeding or gnawing. Such substances may be used in protecting an area from rodent infestation or in protecting packaged food, packing materials, electric cables, and other important vulnerable materials. Mature and healthy house rat,Rattus rattusof both sexes, was exposed to 5, 10, and 20% eucalyptus oil applied as spray in laboratory pens in bichoice tests. Each concentration was applied through three different modes of application, that is, daily, once, and alternatively in a week. Repellent effect of the oil was assessed based on food consumption from treated and untreated sides for four days. In overall, food consumption was significantly (P<0.0001) low from treatment side compared to the untreated side indicating significant repellent effect of the oil at all the three concentrations tested. Repellent effect of the oil was, however, not found to differ significantly between the two sexes. Percent repellency in both male and female rats was apparently more with daily application of 5 and 10% eucalyptus oil. Present studies reveal the potential of eucalyptus oil in repelling awayR. rattus; however, further studies may be conducted to enhance the persistence of repellent effect for longer period of time.
Asymptotic Behaviour and Extinction of Delay Lotka-Volterra Model with Jump-Diffusion
Authors: Li Dan , Cui Jing’an , Song Guohua
Published: January 2014

This paper studies the effect of jump-diffusion random environmental perturbations on the asymptotic behaviour and extinction of Lotka-Volterra population dynamics with delays. The contributions of this paper lie in the following: (a) to consider delay stochastic differential equation with jumps, we introduce a proper initial data space, in which the initial data may be discontinuous function with downward jumps; (b) we show that the delay stochastic differential equation with jumps associated with our model has a unique global positive solution and give sufficient conditions that ensure stochastically ultimate boundedness, moment average boundedness in time, and asymptotic polynomial growth of our model; (c) the sufficient conditions for the extinction of the system are obtained, which generalized the former results and showed that the sufficiently large random jump magnitudes and intensity (average rate of jump events arrival) may lead to extinction of the population.
The m-Path Cover Polynomial of a Graph and a Model for General Coefficient Linear Recurrences
Authors: McSorley John P. , Feinsilver Philip
Published: January 2014

An m-path cover Γ={Pℓ1,Pℓ2,…,Pℓr} of a simple graph G is a set of vertex disjoint paths of G, each with ℓk≤m vertices, that span G. With every Pℓ we associate a weight, ω(Pℓ), and define the weight of Γ to be ω(Γ)=∏k=1r‍ω(Pℓk). The m-path cover polynomial of G is then defined as ℙm(G)=∑Γ‍ω(Γ), where the sum is taken over all m-path covers Γ of G. This polynomial is a specialization of the path-cover polynomial of Farrell. We consider the m-path cover polynomial of a weighted path P(m-1,n) and find the (m+1)-term recurrence that it satisfies. The matrix form of this recurrence yields a formula equating the trace of the recurrence matrix with the m-path cover polynomial of a suitably weighted cycle C(n). A directed graph, T(m), the edge-weighted m-trellis, is introduced and so a third way to generate the solutions to the above (m+1)-term recurrence is presented. We also give a model for general-term linear recurrences and time-dependent Markov chains.
Finite-Time Stability and Stabilization of Itô-Type Stochastic Singular Systems
Authors: Yan Zhiguo , Zhang Weihai
Published: January 2014

This paper is concerned with the finite-time stability and stabilization problems for linear Itô stochastic singular systems. The condition of existence and uniqueness of solution to such class of systems are first given. Then the concept of finite-time stochastic stability is introduced, and a sufficient condition under which an Itô stochastic singular system is finite-time stochastic stable is derived. Moreover, the finite-time stabilization is investigated, and a sufficient condition for the existence of state feedback controller is presented in terms of matrix inequalities. In the sequel, an algorithm is given for solving the matrix inequalities arising from finite-time stochastic stability (stabilization). Finally, two examples are employed to illustrate our results.
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors in Pregnancy: Can Genes Help Us in Predicting Neonatal Adverse Outcome?
Authors: Giudici Valentina , Pogliani Laura , Cattaneo Dario , Dilillo Dario , Zuccotti Gian Vincenzo
Published: January 2014

Lots has been written on use of SSRI during pregnancy and possible short and long term negative outcomes on neonates. the literature so far has described a various field of peripartum illness related to SSRI exposure during foetal life, such as increased incidence of low birth weight, respiratory distress, persistent pulmonary hypertension, poor feeding, and neurobehavioural disease. We know that different degrees of outcomes are possible, and not all the newborns exposed to SSRIs during pregnancy definitely will develop a negative outcome. So far, still little is known about the possible etiologic mechanism that could not only explain the adverse neonatal effects but also the degree of clinical involvement and presentation in the early period after birth. Pharmacogenetics and moreover pharmacogenomics, the study of specific genetic variations and their effect on drug response, are not widespread. This review describes possible relationship between SSRIs pharmacogenetics and different neonatal outcomes and summarizes the current pharmacogenetic inquiries in relation to maternal-foetal environment.
Epidemiology and Virulence Determinants including Biofilm Profile ofCandidaInfections in an ICU in a Tertiary Hospital in India
Authors: Kaur Ravinder , Goyal Ritu , Dhakad Megh S. , Bhalla Preena , Kumar Rakesh
Published: January 2014

The purpose of this prospective study was to isolate, speciate, and determine antifungal susceptibility and virulence patterns ofCandidaspecies recovered from the intensive care units (ICUs) in an Indian hospital. Study included 125 medical/postoperative patients admitted to ICU. Identification and speciation of yeast isolates were done by the biochemical methods. Antifungal susceptibility was done by broth microdilution method. Virulence testing ofCandidaspecies was done by phospholipase, proteinase, and adherence assay. A total of 103Candidaisolates were isolated;C. tropicaliswas the predominant species (40.7%), followed byC. albicans(38.83 %),C. glabrata(11.65%),C. parapsilosis(3.88%), and 1.94% each ofC. krusei,C. kefyr, andC. sphaerica. 60Candidaisolates (58.25%) showed resistance to fluconazole, while 7 (6.7%) isolates showed resistance to amphotericin B. Phospholipase and proteinase activities were seen in 73.8% and 55.3%Candidaisolates with different species showing a wide range of activities, while 68.9%Candidaisolates showed {4+} adherence activity. The present study revealed thatnonalbicans Candidaspecies (NAC spp.) caused most of the cases of Candidemia in the ICU patients. The isolation ofC. tropicalisfrom a large number of cases highlights the ability of this pathogen to cause bloodstream infections. The presence of azole resistance is a matter of concern.
Lattice-Valued Convergence Spaces: Weaker Regularity andp-Regularity
Authors: Li Lingqiang , Jin Qiu
Published: January 2014

By using some lattice-valued Kowalsky’s dual diagonal conditions, some weaker regularities for Jäger’s generalized stratifiedL-convergence spaces and those for Boustique et al’s stratifiedL-convergence spaces are defined and studied. Here, the latticeLis a complete Heyting algebra. Some characterizations and properties of weaker regularities are presented. For Jäger’s generalized stratifiedL-convergence spaces, a notion of closures of stratifiedL-filters is introduced and then a newp-regularity is defined. At last, the relationships betweenp-regularities and weaker regularities are established.
Impact of Formal Financial Market Participation on Farm Size and Expenditure on Variable Farm Inputs: The Case of Maize Farmers in Ghana
Authors: Awunyo-Vitor Dadson , Al-Hassan Ramatu M. , Sarpong Daniel B.
Published: January 2014

The study examined maize farmers’ participation in the formal financial market and its impact on farm size and expenditure on variable farm inputs. A multistage sampling method was used in selecting 595 maize farmers from the seven districts in Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regions of Ghana. A structured questionnaire and interview schedule were used to elicit information from the respondents. The impact of formal financial market participation on farm size and expenditure on variable inputs was estimated using Propensity Score Matching (PSM) method. The results of the study showed that formal financial market participation has the potential to significantly increase expenditure on variable inputs by farmers and consequently use of improved technology. Therefore, formal financial market participation should be encouraged through education and promotional activities.
Antiaging Properties of a Grape-Derived Antioxidant Are Regulated by Mitochondrial Balance of Fusion and Fission Leading to Mitophagy Triggered by a Signaling Network of Sirt1-Sirt3-Foxo3-PINK1-PARKIN
Authors: Das Somak , Mitrovsky Goran , Vasanthi Hannah R. , Das Dipak K.
Published: January 2014

It was proposed that resveratrol, a polyphenolic antioxidant and a calorie restriction mimetic could promote longevity but subsequent studies could not prove this. The original proposal was based on the fact that a grape-derived antioxidant could activate the antiaging gene Sirt1. Most studies agree that indeed grape activates Sirt1, but a question remains whether Sirt1 is the cause or consequence of resveratrol treatment. Subsequently, mitochondrial Sirt3 was found to be activated. The present study on ischemic reperfusion (I/R) in rat hearts demonstrates that Foxo3a is activated subsequent to Sirt3 activation, which then activates PINK1. PINK1 potentiates activation of PARKIN leading to the activation of mitochondrial fission and mitophagy. Confocal microscopy conclusively shows the coexistence of Sirt3 with Foxo3a and Foxo3a with PINK1 and PARKIN. Mitophagy was demonstrated both by confocal microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Western blot analyses data are consistent with the results of confocal microscopy. It appears that the grape-derived antioxidant modifies the intracellular environment by changing the oxidizing milieu into a reducing milieu and upregulating intracellular glutathione, potentiates a signal transduction cascade consisting of Sirt1/Sirt3-Foxo3a-PINK1-PARKIN-mitochondrial fusion fission-mitophagy that leads to cardioprotection, and paves the way to an anti-aging environment.
Anticonvulsant Potential of Certain New (2E)-2-[1-Aryl-3-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)propylidene]-N-(aryl/H)hydrazinecarboxamides
Authors: Attia Mohamed I. , Aboul-Enein Mohamed N. , El-Azzouny Aida A. , Maklad Yousreya A. , Ghabbour Hazem A.
Published: January 2014

Anticonvulsant potential and neurotoxicity of certain new imidazole-containing arylsemicarbazones6a–pare reported. The test compounds6a–pexhibited anticonvulsant activity mainly in the scPTZ screen. Compound6pemerged as the most active surrogate displaying 100% protection at a dose level of 636 μmol/kg in the scPTZ screen without any neurotoxicity. The assigned (E)-configuration of the title compounds6a–pwas confirmedviasingle crystal X-ray structure of compound6g.
Creation of Entangled Universes Avoids the Big Bang Singularity
Authors: Robles-Pérez Salvador J.
Published: January 2014

The creation of universes in entangled pairs may avoid the initial singularity and it would have observable consequences in a large macroscopic universe like ours, at least in principle. In this paper we describe the creation of an entangled pair of universes from a double instanton, which avoids the initial singularity, in the case of a homogeneous and isotropic universe with a conformally coupled massless scalar field. The thermodynamical properties of interuniversal entanglement might have observable consequences on the properties of our single universe provided that the thermodynamics of entanglement is eventually related to the classical formulation of thermodynamics.
Could a Reported 2007 Analysis of Super-Kamiokande Data Have Missed a Detectable Supernova Signal from Andromeda?
Authors: Ehrlich Robert
Published: January 2014

According to a 2007 paper there was no evidence for a neutrino burst of two or more events in Super-Kamiokande (SK) during the entire period of data taking from 1996 to 2005 from Andromeda or anywhere else. There is, however, a scenario under which a detectable signal could have been missed given the search method employed by the analysis, and it would have been found using an alternate method. The alternate method depends on the hypothesis that two of the neutrino mass eigenstates have masses 4.0 eV and 21.4 eV which was inferred from an analysis of the SN 1987A data. Although one might argue that the hypothesis of such large neutrino masses is remote, there is a way they could be compatible with observed constraints on neutrino masses involving a third tachyonic (m2<0) eigenstate, plus three sterile neutrinos. Given the importance of a positive supernova search result and the ease of conducting it using existing SK data, there would seem to be little reason not to do it.
A 3D Finite-Difference BiCG Iterative Solver with the Fourier-Jacobi Preconditioner for the Anisotropic EIT/EEG Forward Problem
Authors: Turovets Sergei , Volkov Vasily , Zherdetsky Aleksej , Prakonina Alena , Malony Allen D.
Published: January 2014

The Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) and electroencephalography (EEG) forward problems in anisotropic inhomogeneous media like the human head belongs to the class of the three-dimensional boundary value problems for elliptic equations with mixed derivatives. We introduce and explore the performance of several new promising numerical techniques, which seem to be more suitable for solving these problems. The proposed numerical schemes combine the fictitious domain approach together with the finite-difference method and the optimally preconditioned Conjugate Gradient- (CG-) type iterative method for treatment of the discrete model. The numerical scheme includes the standard operations of summation and multiplication of sparse matrices and vector, as well as FFT, making it easy to implement and eligible for the effective parallel implementation. Some typical use cases for the EIT/EEG problems are considered demonstrating high efficiency of the proposed numerical technique.
Development of Amperometric Laccase Biosensor through Immobilizing Enzyme in Magnesium‐Containing Mesoporous Silica Sieve (Mg‐MCM‐41)/Polyvinyl Alcohol Matrix
Authors: Dai Z. , Guo M. Q. , Wang X. J. , Wang H. F. , Chen W. Y.
Published: January 2014

Magnesium‐containing mesoporous silica sieve (Mg‐MCM‐41) provided a suitable immobilization of biomolecule matrix due to its uniform pore structure, high surface areas, fast electron‐transfer rate, and good biocompatibility. Based on this, an amperometric biosensor was developed by entrapping laccase into the Mg‐MCM‐41/PVA composite matrix. Laccase from Trametes versicolor was assembled on a composite film of Mg‐MCM‐41/PVA modified Au electrode and the electrode was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy, and chronoamperometry. The results indicated that the Mg‐MCM‐41/PVA/Lac modified electrode exhibited excellent catalytic activity towards catechol at room temperature in pH 4.8 acetate buffer solution. The optimum experimental conditions of biosensor for the detection of catechol were studied in detail. Under the optimal conditions, the linear range was from 0.94 to 10.23 μM with the sensitivity of 16.9227 A/M, the detection limit of 0.00531 μM, and the response time of less than 14 s. The Michaelis‐Menten constant () was estimated by Lineweaver‐Burk equation and the value was about 1.01 μM. In addition, the biosensor exhibited high reproducibility and long‐time stability. This work demonstrated that Mg‐MCM‐41/PVA composite provides a suitable support for laccase immobilization and construction of biosensor.
eFisioTrack: A Telerehabilitation Environment Based on Motion Recognition Using Accelerometry
Authors: Ruiz-Fernandez Daniel , Marín-Alonso Oscar , Soriano-Paya Antonio , García-Pérez Joaquin D.
Published: January 2014

The growing demand for physical rehabilitation processes can result in the rising of costs and waiting lists, becoming a threat to healthcare services’ sustainability. Telerehabilitation solutions can help in this issue by discharging patients from points of care while improving their adherence to treatment. Sensing devices are used to collect data so that the physiotherapists can monitor and evaluate the patients’ activity in the scheduled sessions. This paper presents a software platform that aims to meet the needs of the rehabilitation experts and the patients along a physical rehabilitation plan, allowing its use in outpatient scenarios. It is meant to be low-cost and easy-to-use, improving patients and experts experience. We show the satisfactory results already obtained from its use, in terms of the accuracy evaluating the exercises, and the degree of users’ acceptance. We conclude that this platform is suitable and technically feasible to carry out rehabilitation plans outside the point of care.
Periodic Solutions for Nonlinear Integro-Differential Systems with Piecewise Constant Argument
Authors: Chiu Kuo-Shou
Published: January 2014

We investigate the existence of the periodic solutions of a nonlinear integro-differential system with piecewise alternately advanced and retarded argument of generalized type, in short DEPCAG; that is, the argument is a general step function. We consider the critical case, when associated linear homogeneous system admits nontrivial periodic solutions. Criteria of existence of periodic solutions of such equations are obtained. In the process we use Green’s function for periodic solutions and convert the given DEPCAG into an equivalent integral equation. Then we construct appropriate mappings and employ Krasnoselskii’s fixed point theorem to show the existence of a periodic solution of this type of nonlinear differential equations. We also use the contraction mapping principle to show the existence of a unique periodic solution. Appropriate examples are given to show the feasibility of our results.
The Explicit Identities for Spectral Norms of Circulant‐Type Matrices Involving Binomial Coefficients and Harmonic Numbers
Authors: Zhou Jianwei , Chen Xiangyong , Jiang Zhaolin
Published: January 2014

The explicit formulae of spectral norms for circulant‐type matrices are investigated; the matrices are circulant matrix, skew‐circulant matrix, and g‐circulant matrix, respectively. The entries are products of binomial coefficients with harmonic numbers. Explicit identities for these spectral norms are obtained. Employing these approaches, some numerical tests are listed to verify the results.
Long Term Survival Analysis of Hepatectomy for Neuroendocrine Tumour Liver Metastases
Authors: Cheung Tan To , Chok Kenneth S. H. , Chan Albert C.Y. , Tsang Simon , Dai Jeff W. C. , Lang Brian H. H. , Yau Thomas , Chan See Ching , Poon Ronnie T. P. , Fan Sheung Tat , Lo Chung Mau
Published: January 2014

Background.Liver is the commonest site for metastasis in patients with neuroendocrine tumour (NET). A vast majority of treatment strategies including liver directed nonsurgical therapy, liver directed surgical therapy, and nonliver directed therapy have been proposed. In this study we aim to investigate the outcome of liver resection in neuroendocrine tumour liver metastases (NELM).Method.293 patients had hepatectomy for liver metastasis in our hospital between June 1996 and December 2010. Twelve patients were diagnosed to have NET in their final pathology and their data were reviewed.Results.The median ages of the patients were 48.5 years (range 20–71 years). Eight of the patients received major hepatectomy. Four patients received minor hepatectomy. The median operation time was 418 minutes (range 195–660 minutes). The median tumor size was 8.75 cm (range 0.9–21 cm). There was no hospital mortality. The overall one-year and three-year survivals were 91.7% and 55.6%. The one-year and three-year disease-free survivals were 33.3% and 16.7%.Conclusion.Hepatectomy is an effective and safe treatment for NELM. Reasonable outcome on long term overall survival and disease-free survival can be achieved in this group of patients with a low morbidity rate.
Pioglitazone Upregulates Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 Expression in Insulin-Sensitive Tissues in Rats with High-Fat Diet-Induced Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
Authors: Zhang Wei , Xu Yi-Zhi , Liu Bo , Wu Rong , Yang Ying-Ying , Xiao Xiao-Qiu , Zhang Xia
Published: January 2014

Background and Aim.Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) can improve hepatic steatosis in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Angiotensin (Ang) II, the primary effector of renin-angiotensin system (RAS), plays vital roles in the development and progression of NASH. And some AngII-mediated effects can be regulated by TZDs. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) 2, a new component of RAS, can degrade Ang II to attenuate its subsequent physiological actions. We aimed to evaluate the effects of TZDs on ACE2 expression in insulin-sensitive tissues in NASH rats.Methods. Forty rats were divided into the normal control, high-fat diet (HFD), pioglitazone control, and HFD plus pioglitazone groups. After 24 weeks of treatment, we evaluated changes in liver histology and tissue-specific ACE2 expression.Results. ACE2 gene and protein expression was significantly greater in liver and adipose tissue in the HFD group compared with normal control group, while was significantly reduced in skeletal muscle. Pioglitazone significantly reduced the degree of hepatic steatosis compared with the HFD group. Pioglitazone significantly increased ACE2 protein expression in liver, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle compared with the HFD group.Conclusions. Pioglitazone improves hepatic steatosis in the rats with HFD-induced NASH and upregulates ACE2 expression in insulin-sensitive tissues.
Generalized ⊕-Radical Supplemented Modules
Authors: Nişancı Türkmen Burcu , Pancar Ali
Published: January 2014

Çalışıcı and Türkmen called a module M generalized ⊕-supplemented if every
submodule has a generalized supplement that is a direct summand of M. Motivated
by this, it is natural to introduce another notion that we called generalized ⊕-radical
supplemented modules as a proper generalization of generalized ⊕-supplemented modules. In this paper, we obtain various properties of generalized ⊕-radical supplemented modules.
We show that the class of generalized ⊕-radical supplemented modules is closed under
finite direct sums. We attain that over a Dedekind domain a module M is generalized
⊕-radical supplemented if and only if M/P(M) is generalized ⊕-radical supplemented. We
completely determine the structure of these modules over left V-rings. Moreover, we
characterize semiperfect rings via generalized ⊕-radical supplemented modules.
Extending the Indications for Primary Nerve Surgery in Obstetrical Brachial Plexus Palsy
Authors: Bade Stuart A. , Lin Jenny C. , Curtis Christine G. , Clarke Howard M.
Published: January 2014

Purpose.This study identifies a small subset of patients with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy who, while they do not meet common surgical indications, may still benefit from primary nerve surgery.Methods.Between April 2004 and April 2009, 17 patients were offered primary nerve surgery despite not meeting the standard surgical indications of the authors. The authors performed a retrospective analysis of these 17 patients using prospectively collected data.Results.This group of 17 patients were identified as having poor shoulder function at about 9 months of age despite passing the Cookie Test. Fourteen patients underwent surgical intervention and three families declined surgery. All patients in the operative group regained some active external rotation after surgery. Five patients in this group have required further interventions. Two of the three patients for whom surgery was declined have had no subsequent spontaneous improvement in active external rotation.Discussion.The commonly used indications for primary nerve surgery in obstetrical brachial plexus palsy may not adequately identify all patients who may benefit from surgical intervention. Patients who pass the Cookie Test but have poor spontaneous recovery of active shoulder movements, particularly external rotation, may still benefit from primary nerve surgery.
RobustH∞Control for a Class of Nonlinear Distributed Parameter Systems via Proportional-Spatial Derivative Control Approach
Authors: Yang Cheng-Dong , Qiu Jianlong , Wang Jun-Wei
Published: January 2014

This paper addresses the problem of robustH∞control design via the proportional-spatial derivative (P-sD) control approach for a class of nonlinear distributed parameter systems modeled by semilinear parabolic partial differential equations (PDEs). By using the Lyapunov direct method and the technique of integration by parts, a simple linear matrix inequality (LMI) based design method of the robustH∞P-sD controller is developed such that the closed-loop PDE system is exponentially stable with a given decay rate and a prescribedH∞performance of disturbance attenuation. Moreover, a suboptimalH∞controller is proposed to minimize the attenuation level for a given decay rate. The proposed method is successfully employed to address the control problem of the FitzHugh-Nagumo (FHN) equation, and the achieved simulation results show its effectiveness.