bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between Cognitive Decline in Older Adults and Use of Primary Care Physician Services in Pennsylvania
Authors: Fowler Nicole R. , Morrow Lisa A. , Tu Li-Chuan , Landsittel Douglas P. , Snitz Beth E. , Rodriquez Eric G. , Saxton Judith A.
Published: February 2012

Objective: To assess the relationship between cognitive decline of older patients (≥ 65 y) and use of primary care physician (PCP) services over 24 months. Design: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from a cluster randomized trial that took place from 2006-2010 and investigated the relationship between formal neuropsychological evaluation and patient outcomes in primary care. Setting: Twenty-four PCPs in 11 practices in southwestern Pennsylvania. Most practices were suburban and included more than 5 PCPs. Participants: A sample of 423 primary care patients 65 years old or older. Measurements: The association between the number of PCP visits and a decline in cognitive status, as determined by multivariable analyses that controlled for patient-level, physician-level, and practice-level factors (eg, patient age, comorbidities, and symptoms of depression; practice location and size; PCP age and sex) and used a linear mixed model with a random intercept to adjust for clustering. Results: Over a 2-year follow-up, 199 patients (47.0%) experienced a decline in cognitive status. Patients with a cognitive decline had a mean of 0.69 more PCP visits than did patients without a cognitive decline ( P < .05). Conclusions: Early signs of cognitive decline may be an indicator of greater use of primary care. Given the demographic trends, more PCPs are likely to be needed to meet the increasing needs of the older population.
Patients’ Expectations of the Health Advice Conversation With the Diabetes Nurse Practitioner
Authors: Grund Jeanette , Stomberg Margareta Warrén
Published: February 2012

Type 2-diabetes usually makes its first appearance in adult age. In order for patients to feel in control of the disease, they need support and information that can easily be understood and which is relevant for the individual. By educating and supporting them, patients can conduct self-care and take control. The aim of this study was to highlight the expectations that patients with type 2-diabetes have of the health advice conversation with the nurse practitioner. A qualitative method using interviews was conducted and the data material was analysed according to manifest and latent content analysis. Three categories emerged in the results. Firstly, providing good accessibility to the diabetes nurse practitioner is of importance. Secondly, there is a demand for group activities in which patients have the opportunity to talk with other individuals who have diabetes. Finally, knowledge about self-care means that the patients themselves are able to change the intake of medication, their eating habits, and exercise according to need, as this leads to increased independence and self-management. The latent content demonstrates that the patient is striving towards competence and self-confidence in order to achieve a balance between lifestyle and the normalisation of blood sugar levels, which means empowerment. In addition, the informants expressed a demand for group activities where they can discuss the disease with others in the same situation. A combination of knowledge about the disease, receiving individual advice, and participation in groups can be beneficial in order to motivate the informants about lifestyle changes and to gain the ability to manage the disease.
A Web-Based Patient Tool for Preventive Health
Authors: Nundy Shantanu , Surati Mosmi , Nwadei Ifeoma , Singal Gaurav , Peek Monica E.
Published: February 2012

Background: The Internet is a promising medium for engaging the community in preventive care and health promotion, particularly among those who do not routinely access health care. Objective: The authors pilot-tested a novel website that translates evidence-based preventive health guidelines into a patient health education tool. The web-based tool allows individuals to enter their health risk factors and receive a tailored checklist of recommended preventive health services based on up-to-date guidelines from the US Preventive Services Task Force and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Methods: The authors conducted surveys and in-depth interviews among a purposive sample of adults from an urban African American community who pilot-tested the website in a standardized setting. Interviews were designed to assess the usability, navigability, and content of the website and capture patient perceptions about its educational value and usefulness. Each interview was audiotaped, transcribed, and examined using the constant comparative method. Results: Twenty-five participants piloted the tool: 96% found it easy to use and 64% reported learning something new. Many participants reported that, in addition to improving clinical preventive care (the intended purpose), the website could serve as a stand-alone tool to improve self-awareness and motivate behavior change. Conclusions: A web-based tool designed to translate preventive health guidelines for the community may serve the dual purpose of improving the delivery of preventive health care and encouraging health promotion. The website developed here is publicly available for use by practitioners and the community.
After-hours Access of Convenient Care Clinics and Cost Savings Associated With Avoidance of Higher-Cost Sites of Care
Authors: Patwardhan Avinash , Davis Jeffery , Murphy Patricia , Ryan Sandra Festa
Published: February 2012

This study examines the utilization of convenient care clinic services outside of typical physician office hours and estimates the cost savings from potentially avoided visits to the emergency room, urgent care center, and primary care physician associated with convenient care clinic encounters. The results show that 44.6% of convenient care clinic visits occurred on weekdays, 5 pm or later, or on weekends. Savings from avoided encounters with the emergency room, urgent care, and primary care physician were estimated at $135.53 million.
Influence of 1 wt- addition of Ni on structural and mechanical properties of ferritic ductile irons
Authors: Lacaze J , Larrañaga P , Asenjo I , Suárez R , Sertucha J
Published: February 2012

Two sets of ductile irons with and without Ni additions containing various low Si contents have been prepared in order to study the effect of Ni on structural and mechanical properties of thermal analysis cups and standard keel blocks. Because contradictory results appearing in literature, this work has been focused on the influence of this element on matrix structure and on impact properties at room temperature as well as at low temperatures. The structures of Ni free and Ni bearing alloys have been related to the features of cooling curves recorded on both casting types and to the tensile and impact properties of the materials.
Understanding dynamic indentation behaviour of metallic materials
Authors: Sundararajan G.
Published: February 2012

The static indentation behaviour of metallic materials, especially with a spherical indentor, has been well studied and a procedure for conversion of hardness versus indentation diameter data to flow stress–plastic strain data utilising the concepts of constraint factor and representative strain due to Tabor, has been well established on the basis of a large number of experiments and numerical simulations. In contrast, the dynamic indentation (DI) hardness behaviour of metallic materials, characterised by ultrahigh strain rate plastic deformation under adiabatic conditions, is poorly understood. In particular, it is not clear whether the concepts valid for static indentation are equally valid under DI conditions. The above aspects of DI are discussed in light of recent results on DI obtained in the author's laboratory.
Investigation on fatigue property of three-dimensional reticulated porous metal foams
Authors: Liu P S , Du H Y
Published: February 2012

As widely used new engineering materials, porous metal foams are often subject to fatigue. In the present paper, the fatigue property of three-dimensional (3D) reticulated porous metal foams has been studied in a new way. The analytical model of fatigue has been put forward based on the simplified structure of these reticulated porous materials under cyclic loads, and a direct relationship between the index weighing the fatigue property and the porosity has been presented for porous materials. The relationship indicates that the fatigue property of porous bodies under controlled nominal stress amplitudes gets worse with increasing porosity, and under controlled nominal strain amplitudes gets better with increasing porosity and decreasing pore diameter. The cyclic compression–compression test for fatigue under controlled nominal stress amplitudes and the cyclic bending test for fatigue under controlled nominal strain amplitudes were performed on the nickel foam produced by electrodeposition, a typical 3D reticulated material, and the abovementioned relationship was experimentally proved to be practical with the response of the electrical resistivity to fatigue damage. The corresponding data of aluminium foam also show similar results in the stress fatigue property.
Alloy selection for in mould inoculation to control chill width in ductile iron
Authors: Ojo S S , Riposan I
Published: February 2012

The relative performance of six FeSi based inoculants was tested for of ductile iron chill width control using in the mould inoculation after FeSiCaMgRE treatment. In the prevailing solidification conditions (W3 chill wedge, ASTM A367-85, resin sand mould), Sr–FeSi alloys did not perform well, but had a 15–30 benefit from preconditioning with Al,Zr,Ca–FeSi. Ba,Ca–FeSi alloy had the lowest efficiency, without any benefit from preconditioning. The best inoculant performance is achieved using a complex inoculant chemistry (Ca,RE,S,O–FeSi), while the Ca,Zr–FeSi alloy was the second rated inoculant, with important benefits from preconditioning in both cases. Al,Zr,Ca–FeSi preconditioning of the base iron before Ca–FeSi inoculation showed better performance than an inoculation only treatment using the same active elements (Ca,Zr,Al–FeSi alloy).
Effect of electric field on solute solubility in Al alloys measured by hardness
Authors: Wang J. , Conrad H.
Published: February 2012

The influence of dc electric field on pertinent solute solubility during the solution heat treatment of Al–Mg–Si–Cu AA 6111 Al alloy was determined by employing Vickers hardness and resistivity. Thermodynamic analysis of the results showed that the field decreased both entropy Δ Ss and enthalpy Δ Hs of the solution, but still gave a reduction in the Gibbs free energy Δ Gs = Δ Hs– TΔ Ss and in turn an increase in solubility. The reduction in Δ Gs obtained from the hardness tests was similar to that from the resistivity measurements. The decrease in Δ Gs by the field suggests that there exists an electronic aspect to the Gibbs free energy of the solution in addition to the size misfit. The solid solution strengthening corresponding to the increase in solubility by the field was in accord with the Mott–Nabarro model. Considering several Al–Mg2Si alloys, the solubility increase by an electric field was proportional to the difference in valence between the pertinent solute and the Al host.
Multiscale approach of hardness in aluminium alloy: Consideration of rate dependent behaviour
Authors: Charitidis C. A.
Published: February 2012

Many materials display strong indentation size effects regarding hardness when the material and characteristic length scales associated with non-uniform plastic deformation are of the same order at micrometre and submicrometre levels. The failure of classical mechanics to predict these size effects has led to a multiscale mathematical approach that could significantly impact the issue of bridging the nano-, micro- and mesoscales. In the present work, a multiscale approach of hardness in engineering aluminium alloys is performed by mathematical modelling based on gradient methods and verification by nanoindentation and microindentation experiments. Furthermore, in order to bridge the different scales and to consider comprehensively these issues, rate dependent measurements are considered. The highly localised plastic deformation appearance under the nanoindentation is also investigated through pile-up deformation consideration.
O157:H7 and O104:H4 Vero/Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli outbreaks: respective role of cattle and humans
Authors: Piérard Denis , De Greve Henri , Haesebrouck Freddy , Mainil Jacques
Published: February 2012

An enteroaggregative Verotoxin (Vtx)-producingEscherichia colistrain of serotype O104:H4 has recently been associated with an outbreak of haemolytic-uremic syndrome and bloody diarrhoea in humans mainly in Germany, but also in 14 other European countries, USA and Canada. This O104:H4E. colistrain has often been described as an enterohaemorrhagicE. coli(EHEC), i.e. a Vtx-producingE. coliwith attaching and effacing properties. Although both EHEC and the German O104:H4E. colistrains indeed produce Vtx, they nevertheless differ in several other virulence traits, as well as in epidemiological characteristics. For instance, the primary sources and vehicles of typical EHEC infections in humans are ruminants, whereas no animal reservoir has been identified for enteroaggregativeE. coli(EAggEC). The present article is introduced by a brief overview of the main characteristics of Vtx-producingE. coliand EAggEC. Thereafter, the O104:H4E. colioutbreak is compared to typical EHEC outbreaks and the virulence factors and host specificity of EHEC and EAggEC are discussed. Finally, a renewed nomenclature of Vtx-producingE. coliis proposed to avoid more confusion in communication during future outbreaks and to replace the acronym EHEC that only refers to a clinical condition.
Repertoire of Escherichia coli agonists sensed by innate immunity receptors of the bovine udder and mammary epithelial cells
Authors: Porcherie Adeline , Cunha Patricia , Trotereau Angelina , Roussel Perrine , Gilbert Florence B , Rainard Pascal , Germon Pierre
Published: February 2012

Escherichia coli is a frequent cause of clinical mastitis in dairy cows. It has been shown that a prompt response of the mammary gland after E. coli entry into the lumen of the gland is required to control the infection, which means that the early detection of bacteria is of prime importance. Yet, apart from lipopolysaccharide (LPS), little is known of the bacterial components which are detected by the mammary innate immune system. We investigated the repertoire of potential bacterial agonists sensed by the udder and bovine mammary epithelial cells (bMEC) during E. coli mastitis by using purified or synthetic molecular surrogates of bacterial agonists of identified pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs). The production of CXCL8 and the influx of leucocytes in milk were the readouts of reactivity of stimulated cultured bMEC and challenged udders, respectively. Quantitative PCR revealed that bMEC in culture expressed the nucleotide oligomerization domain receptors NOD1 and NOD2, along with the Toll-like receptors TLR1, TLR2, TLR4, and TLR6, but hardly TLR5. In line with expression data, bMEC proved to react to the cognate agonists C12-iE-DAP (NOD1), Pam3CSK4 (TLR1/2), Pam2CSK4 (TLR2/6), pure LPS (TLR4), but not to flagellin (TLR5). As the udder reactivity to NOD1 and TLR5 agonists has never been reported, we tested whether the mammary gland reacted to intramammary infusion of C12-iE-DAP or flagellin. The udder reacted to C12-iE-DAP, but not to flagellin, in line with the reactivity of bMEC. These results extend our knowledge of the reactivity of the bovine mammary gland to bacterial agonists of the innate immune system, and suggest that E. coli can be recognized by several PRRs including NOD1, but unexpectedly not by TLR5. The way the mammary gland senses E. coli is likely to shape the innate immune response and finally the outcome of E. coli mastitis.
ICGE: an R package for detecting relevant clusters and atypical units in gene expression
Authors: Irigoien Itziar , Sierra Basilio , Arenas Concepcion
Published: February 2012

Background

Gene expression technologies have opened up new ways to diagnose and treat cancer and other diseases. Clustering algorithms are a useful approach with which to analyze genome expression data. They attempt to partition the genes into groups exhibiting similar patterns of variation in expression level. An important problem associated with gene classification is to discern whether the clustering process can find a relevant partition as well as the identification of new genes classes. There are two key aspects to classification: the estimation of the number of clusters, and the decision as to whether a new unit (gene, tumor sample...) belongs to one of these previously identified clusters or to a new group.

Results

is a user-friendly package which provides many functions related to this problem: identify the number of clusters using mixed variables, usually found by applied biomedical researchers; detect whether the data have a cluster structure; identify whether a new unit belongs to one of the pre-identified clusters or to a novel group, and classify new units into the corresponding cluster. The functions in the ICGE package are accompanied by help files and easy examples to facilitate its use.

Conclusions

We demonstrate the utility of ICGE by analyzing simulated and real data sets. The results show that ICGE could be very useful to a broad research community.
Transcription analysis on response of porcine alveolar macrophages to Haemophilus parasuis
Authors: Wang Yang , Liu Chong , Fang Ying , Liu Xiaoli , Li Wentao , Liu Shuqing , Liu Yingyu , Liu Yuxi , Charreyre Catherine , Audonnet Jean-Christophe , Chen Pin , He Qigai
Published: February 2012

Background

Haemophilus parasuis(H. parasuis) is the etiological agent of Glässer's disease in pigs. Currently, the molecular basis of this infection is largely unknown. The innate immune response is the first line of defense against the infectious disease. Systematical analysis on host innate immune response to the infection is important for understanding the pathogenesis of the infectious microorganisms.

Results

A total of 428 differentially expressed (DE) genes were identified in the porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs) 6 days afterH. parasuisinfection. These genes were principally related to inflammatory response, immune response, microtubule polymerization, regulation of transcript and signal transduction. Through the pathway analysis, the significant pathways mainly concerned with cell adhesion molecules, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, complement and coagulation cascades, toll-like receptor signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, suggesting that the host took different strategies to activate immune and inflammatory response uponH. parasuisinfection. The global interactions network and two subnetworks of the proteins encoded by DE genes were analyzed by using STRING. Further immunostimulation analysis indicated that mRNA levels of S100 calcium-binding protein A4 (S100A4) and S100 calcium-binding protein A6 (S100A6) in porcine PK-15 cells increased within 48 h and were sustained after administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and Poly (I:C) respectively. Thes100a4ands100a6genes were found to be up-regulated significantly in lungs, spleen and lymph nodes inH. parasuisinfected pigs. We firstly cloned and sequenced the porcinecoronin1agene. Phylogenetic analysis showed that poCORONIN 1A belonged to the group containing theBos taurussequence. Structural analysis indicated that the poCORONIN 1A contained putative domains of Trp-Asp (WD) repeats signature, Trp-Asp (WD) repeats profile and Trp-Asp (WD) repeats circular profile at the N-terminus.

Conclusions

Our present study is the first one focusing on the response of porcine alveolar macrophages toH. parasuis. Our data demonstrate a series of genes are activated uponH. parasuisinfection. The observed gene expression profile could help screening the potential host agents for reducing the prevalence ofH. parasuisand further understanding the molecular pathogenesis associated withH. parasuisinfection in pigs.
Identification of novel microRNAs in Hevea brasiliensisand computational prediction of their targets
Authors: Gébelin Virginie , Argout Xavier , Engchuan Worrawat , Pitollat Bertrand , Duan Cuifang , Montoro Pascal , Leclercq Julie
Published: February 2012

Background

Plants respond to external stimuli through fine regulation of gene expression partially ensured by small RNAs. Of these, microRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role. They negatively regulate gene expression by targeting the cleavage or translational inhibition of target messenger RNAs (mRNAs). In Hevea brasiliensis, environmental and harvesting stresses are known to affect natural rubber production. This study set out to identify abiotic stress-related miRNAs in Hevea using next-generation sequencing and bioinformatic analysis.

Results

Deep sequencing of small RNAs was carried out on plantlets subjected to severe abiotic stress using the Solexa technique. By combining the LeARN pipeline, data from the Plant microRNA database (PMRD) and Hevea EST sequences, we identified 48 conserved miRNA families already characterized in other plant species, and 10 putatively novel miRNA families. The results showed the most abundant size for miRNAs to be 24 nucleotides, except for seven families. Several MIR genes produced both 20-22 nucleotides and 23-27 nucleotides. The two miRNA class sizes were detected for both conserved and putative novel miRNA families, suggesting their functional duality. The EST databases were scanned with conserved and novel miRNA sequences. MiRNA targets were computationally predicted and analysed. The predicted targets involved in "responses to stimuli" and to "antioxidant" and "transcription activities" are presented.

Conclusions

Deep sequencing of small RNAs combined with transcriptomic data is a powerful tool for identifying conserved and novel miRNAs when the complete genome is not yet available. Our study provided additional information for evolutionary studies and revealed potentially specific regulation of the control of redox status in Hevea.
Methylation of the KEAP1 gene promoter region in human colorectal cancer
Authors: Hanada Naoyuki , Takahata Takenori , Zhou Qiliang , Ye Xulu , Sun Ruowen , Itoh Jugoh , Ishiguro Atsushi , Kijima Hiroshi , Mimura Junsei , Itoh Ken , Fukuda Shinsaku , Saijo Yasuo
Published: February 2012

Background

The Keap1-Nrf2 pathway has been reported to be impaired in several cancers. However, the status of Keap1-Nrf2 system in human colorectal cancer (CRC) has not been elucidated.

Methods

We used colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines and surgical specimens to investigate the methylation status of the KEAP1 promoter region as well as expression of Nrf2 and its downstream antioxidative stress genes, NQO-1 and AKR1C1.

Results

DNA sequencing analysis indicated that all mutations detected were synonymous, with no amino acid substitutions. We showed by bisulfite genomic sequencing and methylation-specific PCR that eight of 10 CRC cell lines had hypermethylated CpG islands in the KEAP1 promoter region. HT29 cells with a hypermethylated KEAP1 promoter resulted in decreased mRNA and protein expression but unmethylated Colo320DM cells showed higher expression levels. In addition, treatment with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-Aza-dC combined with the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) increased KEAP1 mRNA expression. These result suggested that methylation of the KEAP1 promoter regulates its mRNA level. Time course analysis with the Nrf2-antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway activator t-BHQ treatment showed a rapid response within 24 h. HT29 cells had higher basal expression levels of NQO-1 and AKR1C1 mRNA than Colo320DM cells. Aberrant promoter methylation of KEAP1 was detected in 53% of tumor tissues and 25% of normal mucosae from 40 surgical CRC specimens, indicating that cancerous tissue showed increased methylation of the KEAP1 promoter region, conferring a protective effect against cytotoxic anticancer drugs.

Conclusion

Hypermethylation of the KEAP1 promoter region suppressed its mRNA expression and increased nuclear Nrf2 and downstream ARE gene expression in CRC cells and tissues.
The economic impact of stroke in The Netherlands: the €-restore4stroke study
Authors: van Eeden Mitchel , van Heugten Caroline M , Evers Silvia MAA
Published: February 2012

Background

Stroke has a considerable socio-economic impact worldwide and is the leading cause of disabilities in the Western world. Economic studies of stroke focus merely on physical aspects and clinical interventions. To our current knowledge there is no comprehensive economic study investigating the economic impact of stroke including psychological and social aspects. The €-Restore4Stroke project, part of a large comprehensive research programme Restore4Stroke, aims to investigate the total economic impact of stroke in the Netherlands.

Methods

Two trial-based economic evaluation studies will be conducted within the €-Restore4Stroke project: one focussing on a self-management intervention and one on an augmented cognitive behavioural therapy intervention. Both include cost-effectiveness analyses and cost-utility analyses as primary research methods. Furthermore, a cost-of-illness study investigating costs after stroke attached to a cohort study and a record linkage study in which four databases are linked to investigate patterns of health care consumption before and after stroke, are embedded in €-Restore4Stroke. All studies will be performed from a societal perspective. The primary outcome measure for the cost-effectiveness analysis is the increase in health status on the primary outcome scales. Within the cost-utility analysis, the primary outcome measure is quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) for which an indirect preference-based technique will be used. In the self-management study we will also look at the estimation of health effects on informal caregivers. Cost outcomes in the cost-of-illness study will be computed with a cost questionnaire and linkage of several databases will be used to derive outcomes in the record linkage study,

Discussion

€-Restore4Stroke will provide new insights and evidence for the economic impact of psychosocial consequences after stroke. Besides being innovative in various ways (i.e. focussing on the chronic phase after stroke and including personal factors as possible determinants of long-term re-integration including quality of life in a prospective longitudinal design), a major strength of €-Restore4Stroke is that we include impact on informal caregivers. The outcomes of this study will provide health care decision makers with valuable and necessary information regarding stroke care related decisions.

Trial registration

NTR3051 (RCT Self-management), NTR2999 (RCT Augmented Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)
Recombinant protein expression in Pichia pastoris strains with an engineered methanol utilization pathway
Authors: Krainer Florian W , Dietzsch Christian , Hajek Tanja , Herwig Christoph , Spadiut Oliver , Glieder Anton
Published: February 2012

Βackground

The methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris has become an important host organism for recombinant protein production and is able to use methanol as a sole carbon source. The methanol utilization pathway describes all the catalytic reactions, which happen during methanol metabolism. Despite the importance of certain key enzymes in this pathway, so far very little is known about possible effects of overexpressing either of these key enzymes on the overall energetic behavior, the productivity and the substrate uptake rate in P. pastoris strains.

Results

A fast and easy-to-do approach based on batch cultivations with methanol pulses was used to characterize different P. pastoris strains. A strain with MutS phenotype was found to be superior over a strain with Mut+ phenotype in both the volumetric productivity and the efficiency in expressing recombinant horseradish peroxidase C1A. Consequently, either of the enzymes dihydroxyacetone synthase, transketolase or formaldehyde dehydrogenase, which play key roles in the methanol utilization pathway, was co-overexpressed in MutS strains harboring either of the reporter enzymes horseradish peroxidase or Candida antarctica lipase B. Although the co-overexpression of these enzymes did not change the stoichiometric yields of the recombinant MutS strains, significant changes in the specific growth rate, the specific substrate uptake rate and the specific productivity were observed. Co-overexpression of dihydroxyacetone synthase yielded a 2- to 3-fold more efficient conversion of the substrate methanol into product, but also resulted in a reduced volumetric productivity. Co-overexpression of formaldehyde dehydrogenase resulted in a 2-fold more efficient conversion of the substrate into product and at least similar volumetric productivities compared to strains without an engineered methanol utilization pathway, and thus turned out to be a valuable strategy to improve recombinant protein production.

Conclusions

Co-overexpressing enzymes of the methanol utilization pathway significantly affected the specific growth rate, the methanol uptake and the specific productivity of recombinant P. pastoris MutS strains. A recently developed methodology to determine strain specific parameters based on dynamic batch cultivations proved to be a valuable tool for fast strain characterization and thus early process development.
Improved clinical and laboratory skills after team-based, malaria case management training of health care professionals in Uganda
Authors: Namagembe Allen , Ssekabira Umaru , Weaver Marcia R , Blum Nancy , Burnett Sarah , Dorsey Grant , Sebuyira Lydia Mpanga , Ojaku Alex , Schneider Gisela , Willis Kelly , Yeka Adoke
Published: February 2012

Background

Deployment of highly effective artemisinin-based combination therapy for treating uncomplicated malaria calls for better targeting of malaria treatment to improve case management and minimize drug pressure for selecting resistant parasites. The Integrated Management of Malaria curriculum was developed to train multi-disciplinary teams of clinical, laboratory and health information assistants.

Methods

Evaluation of training was conducted in nine health facilities that were Uganda Malaria Surveillance Programme (UMSP) sites. From December 2006 to June 2007, 194 health professionals attended a six-day course. One-hundred and one of 118 (86%) clinicians were observed during patient encounters by expert clinicians at baseline and during three follow-up visits approximately six weeks, 12 weeks and one year after the course. Experts used a standardized tool for children less than five years of age and similar tool for patients five or more years of age. Seventeen of 30 laboratory professionals (57%) were assessed for preparation of malaria blood smears and ability to interpret smear results of 30 quality control slides.

Results

Percentage of patients at baseline and first follow-up, respectively, with proper history-taking was 21% and 43%, thorough physical examination 18% and 56%, correct diagnosis 51% and 98%, treatment in compliance with national policy 42% and 86%, and appropriate patient education 17% and 83%. In estimates that adjusted for individual effects and a matched sample, relative risks were 1.86 (95% CI: 1.20,2.88) for history-taking, 2.66 (95%CI: 1.60,4.41) for physical examination, 1.77 (95%CI: 1.41,2.23) for diagnosis, 1.96 (95%CI: 1.46,2.63) for treatment, and 4.47 (95%CI: 2.68,7.46) for patient education. Results were similar for subsequent follow-up and in sub-samples stratified by patient age. Quality of malaria blood smear preparation improved from 21.6% at baseline to 67.3% at first follow-up (p < 0.008); sensitivity of interpretation of quality control slides increased from 48.6% to 70.6% (p < 0.199) and specificity increased from 72.1% to 77.2% (p < 0.736). Results were similar for subsequent follow-up, with the exception of a significant increase in specificity (94.2%, p < 0.036) at one year.

Conclusion

A multi-disciplinary team training resulted in statistically significant improvements in clinical and laboratory skills. As a joint programme, the effects cannot be distinguished from UMSP activities, but lend support to long-term, on-going capacity-building and surveillance interventions.
Traumatic neuroma in a patient with breast cancer after mastectomy: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Li Quan , Gao Er-li , Yang Yin-long , Hu Hong-ye , Hu Xiao-qu
Published: February 2012

The incidence of traumatic neuroma is extremely low, especially in those patients with breast cancer after mastectomy. There are only 10 cases reported in the literature. We report a patient who developed a palpable nodular mass near the mastectomy scar. The result of excisional biopsy was traumatic neuroma. Review of the literature reveal 10 cases with breast cancer of traumatic neuromas after mastectomy. Traumatic neuroma is a benign lesion and a reparative response of the nerve to injury, either direct/indirect trauma or chronic inflammation. Benign lesions as traumatic neuromas are more rarely seen after mastectomy. However, in order to manage patients' treatment, the most critical problem is to distinguish it from recurrent breast carcinoma. Although assistant examination methods such as ultrasound and computed tomography are valuable to a certain extent, the final diagnosis can only be confirmed on pathologic examination.
Indium tin oxide exhibiting high poly-crystallinity on oxygen plasma-treated polyethylene terephthalate surface
Authors: Son Phil Kook , Choi Suk-Won , Kim Sung Soo
Published: February 2012

Low-resistivity indium tin oxide [ITO] film was successfully deposited on oxygen plasma-treated polyethylene terephthalate [PET] surfaces at room temperature. X-ray diffraction [XRD] measurements demonstrated that the film deposited on the PET surface that had not been treated with oxygen plasma had an amorphous structure. In contrast, after the low-power oxygen plasma treatment of the PET surface, the ITO film deposited on the PET surface had a poly-crystalline structure due to interactions between electric dipoles on the PET surface and electric dipoles in the ITO film. The minimum resistivity of the poly-crystalline ITO was about 3.6 times lower than that of the amorphous ITO film. In addition, we found that the resistivity of ITO film is proportional to the intensity of the (400) line in the film's XRD spectra.
Biohydrogen production from arabinose and glucose using extreme thermophilic anaerobic mixed cultures
Authors: Abreu Angela A , Karakashev Dimitar , Angelidaki Irini , Sousa Diana Z , Alves M Madalena
Published: February 2012

Background

Second generation hydrogen fermentation technologies using organic agricultural and forestry wastes are emerging. The efficient microbial fermentation of hexoses and pentoses resulting from the pretreatment of lingocellulosic materials is essential for the success of these processes.

Results

Conversion of arabinose and glucose to hydrogen, by extreme thermophilic, anaerobic, mixed cultures was studied in continuous (70°C, pH 5.5) and batch (70°C, pH 5.5 and pH 7) assays. Two expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactors, Rarab and Rgluc, were continuously fed with arabinose and glucose, respectively. No significant differences in reactor performance were observed for arabinose and glucose organic loading rates (OLR) ranging from 4.3 to 7.1 kgCOD m-3 d-1. However, for an OLR of 14.2 kgCOD m-3 d-1, hydrogen production rate and hydrogen yield were higher in Rarab than in Rgluc (average hydrogen production rate of 3.2 and 2.0 LH2 L-1 d-1 and hydrogen yield of 1.10 and 0.75 molH2 mol-1
substrate for Rarab and Rgluc, respectively). Lower hydrogen production in Rgluc was associated with higher lactate production. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) results revealed no significant difference on the bacterial community composition between operational periods and between the reactors. Increased hydrogen production was observed in batch experiments when hydrogen partial pressure was kept low, both with arabinose and glucose as substrate. Sugars were completely consumed and hydrogen production stimulated (62% higher) when pH 7 was used instead of pH 5.5.

Conclusions

Continuous hydrogen production rate from arabinose was significantly higher than from glucose, when higher organic loading rate was used. The effect of hydrogen partial pressure on hydrogen production from glucose in batch mode was related to the extent of sugar utilization and not to the efficiency of substrate conversion to hydrogen. Furthermore, at pH 7.0, sugars uptake, hydrogen production and yield were higher than at pH 5.5, with both arabinose and glucose as substrates.
Anisotropic finite-difference algorithm for modeling elastic wave propagation in fractured coalbeds
Authors: Pei Zhenglin , Fu Li-Yun , Sun Weijia , Jiang Tao , Zhou Binzhong
Published: February 2012

The simulation of wave propagations in coalbeds is challenged by two major issues: (1) strong anisotropy resulting from high-density cracks/fractures in coalbeds and (2) numerical dispersion resulting from high-frequency content (the dominant frequency can be higher than 100 Hz). We present a staggered-grid high-order finite-difference (FD) method with arbitrary even-order ([Formula: see text]) accuracy to overcome the two difficulties stated above. First, we derive the formulae based on the standard Taylor series expansion but given in a neat and explicit form. We also provide an alternative way to calculate the FD coefficients. The detailed implementations are shown and the stability condition for anisotropic FD modeling is examined by the eigenvalue analysis method. Then, we apply the staggered-grid FD method to 2D and 3D coalbed models with dry and water-saturated fractures to study the characteristics of the 2D/3C elastic wave propagation in anisotropic media. Several factors, like density and direction of vertical cracks, are investigated. Several phenomena, like S-wave splitting and waveguides, are observed and are consistent with those observed in a real data set. Numerical results show that our formulae can correlate the amplitude and traveltime anisotropies with the coal seam fractures.
Streaming potentials at hydrocarbon reservoir conditions
Authors: Saunders J. H. , Jackson M. D. , Gulamali M. Y. , Vinogradov J. , Pain C. C.
Published: February 2012

We have examined the behavior of the streaming potential under multiphase conditions, and under conditions of varying temperature and salinity, to evaluate the feasibility of using downhole streaming-potential measurements to determine fluid distributions in a reservoir. Using new insights into the pore-scale distribution of fluids and of electric charge, we found that the saturation dependence of the streaming potential coupling coefficient is important in determining the resulting streaming potential. Through examination of the four independent physical parameters which comprise the coupling coefficient, we developed an understanding of the behavior of the coupling coefficient under conditions of elevated temperature and brine salinity. We found that although increasing salinity substantially reduces the magnitude of the coupling coefficient, and therefore also the magnitude of the predicted streaming potential, increasing temperature has only a small effect, showing about a 10% change between 25°C and 75°C, depending on salinity.
Two-dimensional inversion of direct current resistivity data incorporating topography by using finite difference techniques with triangle cells: Investigation of Kera fault zone in western Crete
Authors: Demirci Ismail , Erdoğan Erhan , Candansayar M. Emin
Published: February 2012

In this study, we suggest the use of a finite difference (FD) forward solution with triangular grid to incorporate topography into the inverse solution of direct current resistivity data. A new inversion algorithm was developed that takes topography into account with finite difference and finite element forward solution by using triangular grids. Using the developed algorithm, surface topography could also be incorporated by using triangular cells in a finite difference forward solution. Initially, the inversion algorithm was tested for two synthetic data sets. Inversion of synthetic data with the finite difference forward solution gives accurate results as well as inversion with finite element forward solution and requires less CPU time. The algorithm was also tested with a field data set acquired across the Kera fault located in western Crete, Greece. The fault location and basement depth of sedimentary units were resolved by the developed algorithm. These inversion results showed that if underground structure boundaries are not shaped according to surface topography, inversion using our finite difference forward solution with triangular cells is superior to inversion using our finite element forward solution in terms of CPU time and estimated models.
A shallow geothermal experiment in a sandy aquifer monitored using electric resistivity tomography
Authors: Hermans Thomas , Vandenbohede Alexander , Lebbe Luc , Nguyen Frédéric
Published: February 2012

Groundwater resources are increasingly used around the world for geothermal exploitation systems. To monitor such systems and to estimate their governing parameters, we rely mainly on borehole observations of the temperature field at a few locations. Bulk electric resistivity variations can bring important information on temperature changes in aquifers. We have used surface electric resistivity tomography to monitor spatially temperature variations in a sandy aquifer during a thermal injection test. Heated water (48°C) was injected for 70 hours at the rate of [Formula: see text] in a 10.5°C aquifer. Temperature changes derived from time-lapse electric images were in agreement with laboratory water electric conductivity-temperature measurements. In parallel, a coupled hydrogeologic saturated flow and heat transport model was calibrated on geophysical data for the conceptual model, and on hydrogeologic and temperature data for the parameters. The resistivity images showed an upper flow of heated water along the well above the injection screens and led to a new conceptualization of the hydrogeologic source term. The comparison between the temperature models derived from resistivity images and from the simulations was satisfactory. Quantitatively, resistivity changes allowed estimating temperature changes within the aquifer, and qualitatively, the heated plume evolution was successfully monitored. This work demonstrates the ability of electric resistivity tomography to study heat and storage experiments in shallow aquifers. These results could potentially lead to a number of practical applications, such as the monitoring or the design of shallow geothermal systems.
Cloak or Flaunt? The Fashion Dilemma
Authors: Yoganarasimhan Hema
Published: February 2012

There exists a dichotomy in the communication strategies of fashion firms—some firms purposefully cloak information on the tastefulness of their products, whereas others openly flaunt their tasteful or “it” products. This divide in communication strategies cannot be explained by existing wealth signaling models of fashion. In this paper, we offer a model of fashion that explains the above dichotomy. We model fashion as a social device that plays the dual role of allowing people to both fit in with their peers and differentiate themselves by signaling their good taste or access to information. In this context, we show that a fashion firm faces an interesting dilemma—if it restricts information, then only sophisticated consumers buy its products and use them to signal their taste. Cloaking thus preserves the signaling value of its products but reduces the number of social interactions enabled by them. In contrast, flaunting undermines the signaling value of its products but increases the interactions enabled by them. Given these trade-offs, we derive the conditions under which cloaking occurs. We also show that, in equilibrium, the most tasteful product endogenously emerges as the fashion hit or “it” product.
Effect of Chemistry on the Performance of Calcium Disilicide Primers
Authors: Anderson Paul , Csernica Chris , Hash Mark C. , Hartvigsen Joseph , Cutler Raymond A.
Published: February 2012

Rotary atomization was used to synthesize spheres of CaSi2-based compositions in order to understand issues relative to primer performance for military applications. Elemental silicon and calcium were used to synthesize the line compound CaSi2or the eutectic composition between CaSi2and Si. Fe was added to form FeSi2as a secondary phase in selected compositions. Rietveld analysis showed that CaSi2polytypes in the synthesized materials consisted primarily of 6R, with less 3R and some hexagonal material. Synthesized materials had low surface areas (≈0.1 m2/g), but short milling times increased the surface area by an order of magnitude. Peak pressures, pressure rise time, and ignition voltage showed no significant differences between experimentally prepared samples and existing commercial samples. Stoichiometric CaSi2performed as well as CaSi2-Si or CaSi2-FeSi2-Si mixtures. The military specification for calcium disilicide should be changed to reflect the broad chemistry which can be used for primer performance.
Study on Work Function of Modified Indium Tin Oxide and Performance of Organic Electroluminescent Devices.
Authors: Munkhbat Battulga , Gendensuren Bolormaa , Tumenulzii Ganbaatar , Dashzeveg Rentsenmyadag , Davaasambuu Sarangerel , Dyckes Douglas F. , Chimed Ganzorig
Published: February 2012

The work function of the indium tin oxide electrode (ITO) modified by a self-assembled monolayer (SAM), which is used as an electrode in organic electroluminescent (EL) devices, was investigated in this study. It is revealed that chemical modification of ITO with p-substituted with different terminal groups (NH2−, Cl−, and CF3−) benzoic acids as a SAMs material with carboxyl binding group is caused to increase the work function of the ITO electrode. Through a self-assembly process, the transmittance of the ITO with a SAM was not changed. The work function change of ITO with various SAM was measured by using cyclic voltammetry. Characteristics of EL devices were increased because the energy barrier was decreased in an interface between the ITO and an organic layer in the EL devices. The correlation of the work function change and the performance of the chemically modified EL devices was estimated.
Mathematical and numerical modeling of liquid crystal elastomer phase transition and deformation
Authors: de Luca Mariarita , DeSimone A.
Published: February 2012

Liquid crystal (in particular, nematic) elastomers consist of cross-linked flexible polymer chains with embedded stiff rod molecules that allow them to behave as a rubber and a liquid crystal. Nematic elastomers are characterized by a phase transition from isotropic to nematic past a temperature threshold. They behave as rubber at high temperature and show nematic behavior below the temperature threshold. Such transition is reversible. While in the nematic phase, the rod molecules are aligned along the direction of the ’’nematic director’’. This molecular rearrangement induces a stretch in the polymer chains and hence macroscopic spontaneous deformations. The coupling between nematic order parameter and deformation gives rise to interesting phenomena with a potential for new interesting applications. In the biological field, the ability to considerably change their length makes them very promising as artificial muscles actuators. Their tunable optical properties make them suitable, for example, as lenses for new imaging systems.

We present a mathematical model able to describe the behavior of nematic elastomers and numerical simulations reproducing such peculiar behavior. We use a geometrically linear version of the Warner and Terentjev model [1] and consider cooling experiments and stretching experiments in the direction perpendicular to the one of the director at cross-linking.