bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“That's not Grassfed!” Identity Formation, Maintenance, and Co‐Optation in Oklahoma's Grassfed Livestock Movement
Authors: Raridon Andrew , Mix Tamara L.
Published: February 2016

Using interview data from thirty‐one grassfed ranchers across Oklahoma, we adapt a culturally focused social movement framework to explore a regional grassfed livestock movement. Drawing on social movement and agrifood literature, we examine how grassfed actors forge a cohesive grassfed collective identity and how collective identity processes inspire engagement in forms of individualized, cultural protest. We address how collective identity politicizes movement actors, moving them to prioritize cultural issues of the grassfed movement and development of a grassfed activist identity, sometimes above other tangible, economic rewards. We also consider how grassfed ranchers are restricting the boundaries of movement membership in response to increased interest in alternative agricultural practices by new producers and by agrifood elites, and how they use market‐oriented tactics to enforce those boundaries. In doing so we draw parallels to conventionalization processes in the organic sector. By emphasizing the identity work of grassfed producer‐activists, we provide new perspectives on an emerging agricultural movement gaining traction in the US and abroad.
Clear‐cutting and slash burning effects on soil CO2 efflux partitioning in Chinese fir and evergreen broadleaved forests in subtropical China
Authors: Guo J.F. , Chen G.S. , Xie J.S. , Yang Z.J.
Published: February 2016

Clear‐cutting (CC) and slash burning (SB) are common silvicultural practices in subtropical China, yet the time‐course response of soil CO2 efflux components to such disturbance is not well understood. This study examined the effects of CC and SB on soil CO2 efflux components in a Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook (Chinese fir, CF) plantation and a secondary evergreen broadleaved forest (BF) located in Fujian Province, southeastern China. Aboveground litter removal and root trenching were used to estimate CO2 fluxes from soil organic matter decomposition (RSOM), litter decomposition (RL), and autotrophic respiration by roots and mycorrhizae (RR). These components were measured 5–7 times per month from 18 October 2001 to 25 December 2003 using soda lime absorption. We found that RR, RL and RSOM were initially higher in CC and SB plots than controls in both forests, but these three component fluxes in disturbed plots all fell below those of the control 5–20 months after the disturbance. Also, Q10 values of these components decreased following disturbance. The annual flux of each respiration component was greater under BF than CF. The contribution of RR to soil CO2 efflux in the control plots averaged 35% in CF and 46% in BF. RSOM was the dominant component of soil CO2 efflux in CC and SB plots, accounting for over 50%. Our results highlight the importance of temporal trends of the component fluxes following disturbance and contribute to a broader understanding of forest management effects on the soil C cycle.
Disturbance of water‐air temperature synchronisation by dam reservoirs
Authors: Kędra Mariola , Wiejaczka Łukasz
Published: February 2016

A thermal regime of aquatic ecosystems determines the possibility of survival and development of aquatic biota. Thermal stratification of river water impounded by dam reservoirs can cause a permanent disturbance in the naturally existing water‐air temperature relationship downstream of reservoirs. This article aims at determining the role of dam reservoirs in the disturbance of naturally shaped synchronous behaviour of water‐air temperatures. The object of the analysis is the Carpathian river Dunajec downstream of a reservoir complex built in 1994–1997. Results of spectral analysis indicate that the annual scale is the main scale of water temperature (WT) variation, and this scale corresponds to the main frequency of phase synchronisation. However, following the reservoirs construction, the definite synchronous behaviour of interacting air and WTs was apparently distorted, because the response time of WT to changing atmospheric conditions has considerably increased in comparison with the predam period.
Automatic labeling of MR brain images by hierarchical learning of atlas forests
Authors: Zhang Lichi , Wang Qian , Gao Yaozong , Wu Guorong , Shen Dinggang
Published: February 2016

Purpose:

Automatic brain image labeling is highly demanded in the field of medical image analysis. Multiatlas‐based approaches are widely used due to their simplicity and robustness in applications. Also, random forest technique is recognized as an efficient method for labeling, although there are several existing limitations. In this paper, the authors intend to address those limitations by proposing a novel framework based on the hierarchical learning of atlas forests.

Methods:

Their proposed framework aims to train a hierarchy of forests to better correlate voxels in the MR images with their corresponding labels. There are two specific novel strategies for improving brain image labeling. First, different from the conventional ways of using a single level of random forests for brain labeling, the authors design a hierarchical structure to incorporate multiple levels of forests. In particular, each atlas forest in the bottom level is trained in accordance with each individual atlas, and then the bottom‐level forests are clustered based on their capabilities in labeling. For each clustered group, the authors retrain a new representative forest in the higher level by using all atlases associated with the lower‐level atlas forests in the current group, as well as the tentative label maps yielded from the lower level. This clustering and retraining procedure is conducted iteratively to yield a hierarchical structure of forests. Second, in the testing stage, the authors also present a novel atlas forest selection method to determine an optimal set of atlas forests from the constructed hierarchical structure (by disabling those nonoptimal forests) for accurately labeling the test image.

Results:

For validating their proposed framework, the authors evaluate it on the public datasets, including Alzheimer's disease neuroimaging initiative, Internet brain segmentation repository, and LONI LPBA40. The authors compare the results with the conventional approaches. The experiments show that the use of the two novel strategies can significantly improve the labeling performance. Note that when more levels are constructed in the hierarchy, the labeling performance can be further improved, but more computational time will be also required.

Conclusions:

The authors have proposed a novel multiatlas‐based framework for automatic and accurate labeling of brain anatomies, which can achieve accurate labeling results for MR brain images.
A model for wave propagation in a porous solid saturated by a three-phase fluid
Authors: Santos Juan E. , Savioli Gabriela B.
Published: February 2016

This paper presents a model to describe the propagation of waves in a poroelastic medium saturated by a three-phase viscous, compressible fluid. Two capillary relations between the three fluid phases are included in the model by introducing Lagrange multipliers in the principle of virtual complementary work. This approach generalizes that of Biot for single-phase fluids and allows to determine the strain energy density, identify the generalized strains and stresses, and derive the constitutive relations of the system. The kinetic and dissipative energy density functions are obtained assuming that the relative flow within the pore space is of laminar type and obeys Darcy's law for three-phase flow in porous media. After deriving the equations of motion, a plane wave analysis predicts the existence of four compressional waves, denoted as type I, II, III, and IV waves, and one shear wave. Numerical examples showing the behavior of all waves as function of saturation and frequency are presented.
Differences in Pedaling Technique in Cycling: A Cluster Analysis
Authors: Lanferdini Fábio J. , Bini Rodrigo R. , Figueiredo Pedro , Diefenthaeler Fernando , Mota Carlos B. , Arndt Anton , Vaz Marco A.
Published: February 2016

Purpose:

To employ cluster analysis to assess if cyclists would opt for different strategies in terms of neuromuscular patterns when pedaling at the power output of their second ventilatory threshold (POVT2) compared with cycling at their maximal power output (POMAX).

Methods:

Twenty athletes performed an incremental cycling test to determine their power output (POMAX and POVT2; first session), and pedal forces, muscle activation, muscle–tendon unit length, and vastus lateralis architecture (fascicle length, pennation angle, and muscle thickness) were recorded (second session) in POMAX and POVT2. Athletes were assigned to 2 clusters based on the behavior of outcome variables at POVT2 and POMAX using cluster analysis.

Results:

Clusters 1 (n = 14) and 2 (n = 6) showed similar power output and oxygen uptake. Cluster 1 presented larger increases in pedal force and knee power than cluster 2, without differences for the index of effectiveness. Cluster 1 presented less variation in knee angle, muscle–tendon unit length, pennation angle, and tendon length than cluster 2. However, clusters 1 and 2 showed similar muscle thickness, fascicle length, and muscle activation. When cycling at POVT2 vs POMAX, cyclists could opt for keeping a constant knee power and pedal-force production, associated with an increase in tendon excursion and a constant fascicle length.

Conclusions:

Increases in power output lead to greater variations in knee angle, muscle–tendon unit length, tendon length, and pennation angle of vastus lateralis for a similar knee-extensor activation and smaller pedal-force changes in cyclists from cluster 2 than in cluster 1.
Toward total synthesis of cell function: Reconstituting cell dynamics with synthetic biology
Authors: Kim Allen K. , DeRose Robert , Ueno Tasuku , Lin Benjamin , Komatsu Toru , Nakamura Hideki , Inoue Takanari
Published: February 2016

Synthetic biology approaches have revealed new insights into cellular proliferation, differentiation, phagocytosis, and chemotaxis.
Assessment of the Worldwide Antimalarial Resistance Network Standardized Procedure for
In Vitro
Malaria Drug Sensitivity Testing Using SYBR Green Assay for Field Samples with Various Initial Parasitemia Levels
Authors: Cheruiyot Agnes C. , Auschwitz Jennifer M. , Lee Patricia J. , Yeda Redemptah A. , Okello Charles O. , Leed Susan E. , Talwar Mayank , Murthy Tushar , Gaona Heather W. , Hickman Mark R. , Akala Hoseah M. , Kamau Edwin , Johnson Jacob D.
Published: February 2016

The malaria SYBR green assay, which is used to profile
in vitro
drug susceptibility of
Plasmodium falciparum
, is a reliable drug screening and surveillance tool. Malaria field surveillance efforts provide isolates with various low levels of parasitemia. To be advantageous, malaria drug sensitivity assays should perform reproducibly among various starting parasitemia levels rather than at one fixed initial value. We examined the SYBR green assay standardized procedure developed by the Worldwide Antimalarial Resistance Network (WWARN) for its sensitivity and ability to accurately determine the drug concentration that inhibits parasite growth by 50% (IC
50
) in samples with a range of initial parasitemia levels. The initial sensitivity determination of the WWARN procedure yielded a detection limit of 0.019% parasitemia.
P. falciparum
laboratory strains and field isolates with various levels of initial parasitemia were then subjected to a range of doses of common antimalarials. The IC
50
s were comparable for laboratory strains with between 0.0375% and 0.6% parasitemia and for field isolates with between 0.075% and 0.6% parasitemia for all drugs tested. Furthermore, assay quality (Z′) analysis indicated that the WWARN procedure displays high robustness, allowing for drug testing of malaria field samples within the derived range of initial parasitemia. The use of the WWARN procedure should allow for the inclusion of more malaria field samples in malaria drug sensitivity screens that would have otherwise been excluded due to low initial parasitemia levels.
Putative Role of the Aldo-Keto Reductase from Trypanosoma cruzi in Benznidazole Metabolism
Authors: Garavaglia Patricia Andrea , Laverrière Marc , Cannata Joaquín J. B. , García Gabriela Andrea
Published: February 2016

Benznidazole (Bz), the drug used for treatment of Chagas' disease (caused by the protozoan
Trypanosoma cruzi
), is activated by a parasitic NADH-dependent type I nitroreductase (NTR I). However, several studies have shown that other enzymes are involved. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the aldo-keto reductase from
T. cruzi
(
Tc
AKR), a NADPH-dependent oxido-reductase previously described by our group, uses Bz as the substrate. We demonstrated that both recombinant and native
Tc
AKR enzymes reduce Bz by using NADPH, but not NADH, as a cofactor.
Tc
AKR-overexpressing epimastigotes showed higher NADPH-dependent Bz reductase activity and a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC
50
) value for Bz 1.8-fold higher than that of the controls, suggesting that
Tc
AKR is involved in Bz detoxification instead of activation. To understand the role of
Tc
AKR in Bz metabolism, we studied
Tc
AKR expression and NADPH/NADH-dependent Bz reductase activities in two
T. cruzi
strains with differential susceptibility to Bz: CL Brener and Nicaragua. Taking into account the results obtained with
Tc
AKR-overexpressing epimastigotes, we expected the more resistant strain, Nicaragua, to have higher
Tc
AKR levels than CL Brener. However, the results were the opposite. CL Brener showed 2-fold higher
Tc
AKR expression and 5.7-fold higher NADPH-Bz reduction than the Nicaragua strain. In addition, NADH-dependent Bz reductase activity, characteristic of NTR I, was also higher in CL Brener than in Nicaragua. We conclude that although
Tc
AKR uses Bz as the substrate,
Tc
AKR activity is not a determinant of Bz resistance in wild-type strains and may be overcome by other enzymes involved in Bz activation, such as NADPH- and NADH-dependent reductases.
Escape Mutations in NS4B Render Dengue Virus Insensitive to the Antiviral Activity of the Paracetamol Metabolite AM404
Authors: van Cleef Koen W. R. , Overheul Gijs J. , Thomassen Michael C. , Marjakangas Jenni M. , van Rij Ronald P.
Published: February 2016

Despite the enormous disease burden associated with dengue virus infections, a licensed antiviral drug is lacking. Here, we show that the paracetamol (acetaminophen) metabolite AM404 inhibits dengue virus replication. Moreover, we find that mutations in NS4B that were previously found to confer resistance to the antiviral compounds NITD-618 and SDM25N also render dengue virus insensitive to AM404. Our work provides further support for NS4B as a direct or indirect target for antiviral drug development.
Trypanosoma cruzi Causes Paralyzing Systemic Necrotizing Vasculitis Driven by Pathogen-Specific Type I Immunity in Mice
Authors: Roffê Ester , Marino Ana Paula M. P. , Weaver Joseph , Wan Wuzhou , de Araújo Fernanda F. , Hoffman Victoria , Santiago Helton C. , Murphy Philip M.
Published: February 2016

Infectious agents are often considered potential triggers of chronic inflammatory disease, including autoimmunity; however, direct evidence is usually lacking. Here we show that following control of acute infection of mice with the myotropic Colombiana strain of
Trypanosoma cruzi
, parasites persisted in tissue at low levels associated with development of systemic necrotizing vasculitis. Lesions occurred in many but not all organs and tissues, with skeletal muscle arteries being the most severely affected, and were associated with myositis, atrophy, paresis/paralysis, and death. Histopathology showed fibrinoid vascular necrosis, rare amastigote nests within skeletal muscle myocytes, and massive leukocyte infiltrates composed mainly of inflammatory monocytes, F4/80
+
macrophages, and
T. cruzi
tetramer-specific CD8
+
T lymphocytes capable of producing gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) but not interleukin-17 (IL-17).
T. cruzi
-specific IgG was detected in sera from infected mice, but antibody deposits and neutrophilic inflammation were not features of the lesions. Thus,
T. cruzi
infection of mice may be a specific infectious trigger of paralyzing systemic necrotizing vasculitis most severely affecting skeletal muscle, driven by pathogen-specific type I immune responses.
Novel Two-Step Hierarchical Screening of Mutant Pools Reveals Mutants under Selection in Chicks
Authors: Yang Hee-Jeong , Bogomolnaya Lydia M. , Elfenbein Johanna R. , Endicott-Yazdani Tiana , Reynolds M. Megan , Porwollik Steffen , Cheng Pui , Xia Xiao-Qin , McClelland Michael , Andrews-Polymenis Helene
Published: February 2016

Contaminated chicken/egg products are major sources of human salmonellosis, yet the strategies used by
Salmonella
to colonize chickens are poorly understood. We applied a novel two-step hierarchical procedure to identify new genes important for colonization and persistence of
Salmonella enterica
serotype Typhimurium in chickens. A library of 182
S.
Typhimurium mutants each containing a targeted deletion of a group of contiguous genes (for a total of 2,069 genes deleted) was used to identify regions under selection at 1, 3, and 9 days postinfection in chicks. Mutants in 11 regions were under selection at all assayed times (colonization mutants), and mutants in 15 regions were under selection only at day 9 (persistence mutants). We assembled a pool of 92 mutants, each deleted for a single gene, representing nearly all genes in nine regions under selection. Twelve single gene deletion mutants were under selection in this assay, and we confirmed 6 of 9 of these candidate mutants via competitive infections and complementation analysis in chicks.
STM0580
,
STM1295
,
STM1297
,
STM3612
,
STM3615
, and
STM3734
are needed for
Salmonella
to colonize and persist in chicks and were not previously associated with this ability. One of these key genes,
STM1297
(
selD
), is required for anaerobic growth and supports the ability to utilize formate under these conditions, suggesting that metabolism of formate is important during infection. We report a hierarchical screening strategy to interrogate large portions of the genome during infection of animals using pools of mutants of low complexity. Using this strategy, we identified six genes not previously known to be needed during infection in chicks, and one of these (
STM1297
) suggests an important role for formate metabolism during infection.
Expectations and patients’ experiences of obesity prior to bariatric surgery: a qualitative study
Authors: Homer Catherine Verity , Tod Angela Mary , Thompson Andrew R , Allmark Peter , Goyder Elizabeth
Published: February 2016

Objectives

This study aimed to understand the experiences and expectations of people seeking bariatric surgery in England and identify implications for behavioural and self-management interventions.

Design

A qualitative study using modified photovoice methods, triangulating photography with semistructured indepth interviews analysed using framework techniques.

Setting

Areas served by two bariatric surgery multidisciplinary teams in the north of England.

Participants

18 adults (14 women and 4 men) who accepted for bariatric surgery, and were aged between 30 and 61 years. Participants were recruited through hospital-based tier 4 bariatric surgery multidisciplinary teams.

Results

The experiences of participants indicates the nature and extent of the burden of obesity. Problems included stigmatisation, shame, poor health, physical function and reliance on medications. Participants expected surgery to result in major physical and psychological improvement. They described how this expectation was rooted in their experiences of stigma and shame. These feelings were reinforced by previous unsuccessful weight loss attempts. Participants expected extreme and sometimes unrealistic levels of sustained weight loss, as well as improvements to physical and mental health. The overall desire and expectation of bariatric surgery was of ‘normality’. Participants had received previous support from clinicians and in weight management services. However, they reported that their expectations of surgery had not been reviewed by services, and expectations appeared to be unrealistic. Likewise, their experience of stigmatisation had not been addressed.

Conclusions

The unrealistic expectations identified here may negatively affect postoperative outcomes. The findings indicate the importance of services addressing feelings of shame and stigmatisation, and modifying patient's expectations and goals for the postoperative period.
Randomised controlled pilot study to assess the feasibility of a Mediterranean Portfolio dietary intervention for cardiovascular risk reduction in HIV dyslipidaemia: a study protocol
Authors: Stradling Clare , Thomas G Neil , Hemming Karla , Frost Gary , Garcia-Perez Isabel , Redwood Sabi , Taheri Shahrad
Published: February 2016

Introduction

HIV drug treatment has greatly improved life expectancy, but increased risk of cardiovascular disease remains, potentially due to the additional burdens of infection, inflammation and antiretroviral treatment. The Mediterranean Diet has been shown to reduce cardiovascular risk and mortality in the general population, but no evidence exists for this effect in the HIV population. This study will explore the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) to examine whether a Mediterranean-style diet that incorporates a portfolio of cholesterol-lowering foods, reduces cardiovascular risk in people with HIV dyslipidaemia.

Methods and analysis

60 adults with stable HIV infection on antiretroviral treatment and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol >3 mmol/L will be recruited from 3 West Midlands HIV services. Participants will be randomised 1:1 to 1 of 2 dietary interventions, with stratification by gender and smoking status. Participants allocated to Diet1 will receive advice to reduce saturated fat intake, and those to Diet2 on how to adopt the Mediterranean Portfolio Diet with additional cholesterol-lowering foods (nuts, stanols, soya, oats, pulses). Measurements of fasting blood lipids, body composition and arterial stiffness will be conducted at baseline, and month 6 and 12 of the intervention. Food intake will be assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Score, 3-day food diaries and metabolomic biomarkers. Questionnaires will be used to assess quality of life and process evaluation. Qualitative interviews will explore barriers and facilitators to making dietary changes, and participant views on the intervention. Qualitative data will be analysed using the Framework Method. Feasibility will be assessed in terms of trial recruitment, retention, compliance to study visits and the intervention. SD of outcomes will inform the power calculation of the definitive RCT.

Ethics

The West Midlands Ethics Committee has approved this study and informed consent forms. This trial is the first to test cholesterol-lowering foods in adults with HIV.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN32090191; Pre-results.
Residential segregation, dividing walls and mental health: a population-based record linkage study
Authors: Maguire Aideen , French Declan , O'Reilly Dermot
Published: February 2016

Background

Neighbourhood segregation has been described as a fundamental determinant of physical health, but literature on its effect on mental health is less clear. While most previous research has relied on conceptualised measures of segregation, Northern Ireland is unique as it contains physical manifestations of segregation in the form of segregation barriers (or ‘peacelines’) which can be used to accurately identify residential segregation.

Methods

We used population-wide health record data on over 1.3 million individuals, to analyse the effect of residential segregation, measured by both the formal Dissimilarity Index and by proximity to a segregation barrier, on the likelihood of poor mental health.

Results

Using multilevel logistic regression models, we found residential segregation measured by the Dissimilarity Index poses no additional risk to the likelihood of poor mental health after adjustment for area-level deprivation. However, residence in an area segregated by a ‘peaceline’ increases the likelihood of antidepressant medication by 19% (OR=1.19, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.23) and anxiolytic medication by 39% (OR=1.39, 95% CI 1.32 to 1.48), even after adjustment for gender, age, conurbation, deprivation and crime.

Conclusions

Living in an area segregated by a ‘peaceline’ is detrimental to mental health suggesting segregated areas characterised by a heightened sense of ‘other’ pose a greater risk to mental health. The difference in results based on segregation measure highlights the importance of choice of measure when studying segregation.
Pentoxifylline for vascular health: a brief review of the literature
Authors: McCarty Mark F , O'Keefe James H , DiNicolantonio James J
Published: February 2016

Pentoxifylline is a methylxanthine derivative that has been used for several decades in the symptomatic management of intermittent claudication. For reasons that remain fairly obscure, this drug benefits blood rheology in a number of complementary ways: decreasing blood and plasma viscosity, lowering plasma fibrinogen while promoting fibrinolysis, and improving blood filterability by enhancing erythrocyte distensibility and lessening neutrophil activation. Anti-inflammatory effects on neutrophils and macrophage/monocytes—some of them attributable to pentoxifylline metabolites—appear to play a mediating role in this regard. Although clinical trials with pentoxifylline have often been too small in size to reach statistically significant findings regarding impacts on hard end points, a review of the existing literature suggests that pentoxifylline may have potential for slowing the progression of atherosclerosis, stabilising plaque, reducing risk for vascular events, improving the outcome of vascular events, dampening the systemic inflammatory response following cardiopulmonary bypass, providing symptomatic benefit in angina and intermittent claudication, enhancing cerebral blood flow in patients with cerebrovascular disease while slowing progression of vascular dementia, improving prognosis in congestive heart failure, and aiding diabetes control. This safe and usually well-tolerated drug works in ways quite distinct from other drugs more commonly used for cardiovascular protection, and hence may confer complementary benefit when used in conjunction with them. Major clinical trials of adequate statistical power are now needed to confirm the scope of benefits that pentoxifylline can confer; studies evaluating hard end points in acute coronary syndrome, stroke/transient ischaemic attack and systolic heart failure might be particularly valuable.
Synthesis andIn VitroEvaluation of New Thiosemicarbazone Derivatives as Potential Antimicrobial Agents
Authors: Kaplancıklı Zafer Asım , Altıntop Mehlika Dilek , Sever Belgin , Cantürk Zerrin , Özdemir Ahmet
Published: February 2016

In an effort to develop potent antimicrobial agents, new thiosemicarbazone derivatives were synthesizedviathe reaction of 4-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]thiosemicarbazide with aromatic aldehydes. The compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on pathogenic bacteria and yeasts using the CLSI broth microdilution method. Microplate Alamar Blue Assay was also carried out to determine the antimycobacterial activities of the compounds againstMycobacterium tuberculosisH37Rv. Among these derivatives, compounds5and11were more effective againstEnterococcus faecalis(ATCC 29212) than chloramphenicol, whereas compounds1,2, and12and chloramphenicol showed the same level of antibacterial activity againstE. faecalis. Moreover, compound2and chloramphenicol exhibited the same level of antibacterial activity againstStaphylococcus aureus. On the other hand, the most potent anticandidal derivatives were found as compounds2and5. These derivatives and ketoconazole exhibited the same level of antifungal activity againstCandida glabrata. According to the Microplate Alamar Blue Assay, the tested compounds showed weak to moderate antitubercular activity.
Mobile Based User-Centered Learning Environment for Adult Absolute Illiterates
Authors: ur-Rehman Inayat , Shamim Azra , Khan Tamim Ahmed , Elahi Manzoor , Mohsin Sajjad
Published: February 2016

Education plays a vital role in the success of any community. Countries with increased literacy rate have improved their status on the world map. In recent years, the use of e-learning methodologies has been significant. However, majority of the previous methodologies are focused on the formal education or toddlers. The technoliteracy solutions for children are not suitable for adults and those designed specifically for adults are text dominant and require the users of these applications to be functional literate. Moreover, users’ interest (sense of belonging) is not taken into consideration in existing solutions. To address the aforementioned issues, a user study is conducted to collect users’ interests. Another highlight of our study is that we develop our system as a mobile device application to facilitate our target user group. Based on the collected interests, a 3D virtual learning environment is designed and developed for adult illiterate learners. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed environment, an experimental study is carried out with users. The results show that the proposed learning environment significantly improves adults learning.
Effect of Preemptive Flurbiprofen Axetil and Tramadol on Transurethral Resection of the Prostate under Spinal Anesthesia
Authors: Wang Jinguo , Li Hongqin , Ma Haichun , Wang Na
Published: February 2016

Objective. To investigate the efficacy of preoperative intravenous flurbiprofen axetil and tramadol on spinal anesthesia for transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Methodology. In this prospective clinical study, we enrolled 60 patients undergoing TURP under spinal anesthesia with small-dose bupivacaine and sufentanil. Patients were randomly divided in two: group flurbiprofen axetil and tramadol (Group FT) intravenously received 1 mg/kg flurbiprofen axetil and 1 mg/kg tramadol 20 min prior to the surgical procedures and group control (Group C) was given normal saline. The characteristics of spinal anesthesia, blood pressure, heart rate, analgesic requirement, visual analogue scale (VAS), and overall satisfaction degree were collected. Results. Time to the first analgesic requirement was significantly longer in Group FT. Patients who needed postoperative analgesics were fewer in Group FT. VAS scores were lower in Group FT at postoperative time points of 1, 2, 6, and 12 h. The patients in Group FT were more satisfied than in Group C. Conclusions. Preoperative flurbiprofen axetil and tramadol can reduce and delay postoperative pain and then decrease analgesic consumption for TURP under spinal anesthesia without an increase of side effects.
Finite Element Optimised Back Analysis of In Situ Stress Field and Stability Analysis of Shaft Wall in the Underground Gas Storage
Authors: Yan Yifei , Shao Bing , Xu Jianguo , Yan Xiangzhen
Published: February 2016

A novel optimised back analysis method is proposed in this paper. The in situ stress field of an underground gas storage (UGS) reservoir in a Turkey salt cavern is analysed by the basic theory of elastic mechanics. A finite element method is implemented to optimise and approximate the objective function by systematically adjusting boundary loads. Optimising calculation is performed based on a novel method to reduce the error between measurement and calculation as much as possible. Compared with common back analysis methods such as regression method, the method proposed can further improve the calculation precision. By constructing a large circular geometric model, the effect of stress concentration is eliminated and a minimum difference between computed and measured stress can be guaranteed in the rectangular objective region. The efficiency of the proposed method is investigated and confirmed by its capability on restoring in situ stress field, which agrees well with experimental results. The characteristics of stress distribution of chosen UGS wells are obtained based on the back analysis results and by applying the corresponding fracture criterion, the shaft walls are proven safe.
A Case of Recurrent Rudimentary Horn Ectopic Pregnancies Managed by Methotrexate Therapy and Laparoscopic Excision of the Rudimentary Horn
Authors: Moawad Gaby N. , Abi Khalil Elias D.
Published: February 2016

This report presents a case of a 31-year-old woman successfully treated medically for a noncommunicating rudimentary horn ectopic pregnancy who presented with a second, successive rudimentary horn pregnancy. Patient underwent laparoscopic excision of right rudimentary horn and right salpingectomy after failed methotrexate therapy. Given the potential for rupture and recurrence, serious efforts should be made to excise a uterine rudimentary horn.
Hybrid Films Based on a Bridged Silsesquioxane Doped with Goethite and Montmorillonite Nanoparticles as Sorbents of Wastewater Contaminants
Authors: Waiman Carolina V. , dell’Erba Ignacio E. , Chesta Carlos A. , Gómez María Lorena
Published: February 2016

The synthesis and characterization of silsesquioxane (SSO) films with pendant dodecyl groups and doped with goethite (Gt) or montmorillonite (MMT) nanoparticles were carried out and the new materials tested as sorbents of diverse contaminants. The synthetic method used yielded SSO films with the inorganic substrates homogeneously distributed within the polymeric matrices. The new materials were characterized by SEM, FTIR, XRD, and DSC and tested to evaluate their capability for adsorbing metallic cations, organic dyes, and phosphate, frequent contaminants of industrial effluents. All films were found suitable for removing metallic cations. Results also showed that the SSO films undoped and doped with Gt are primarily apt for anionic compounds removal. Although the SSO films doped with MMT are capable of removing cationic contaminants from aqueous samples, the stiffness of the SSO matrix hinders MMT properties as an adsorbent. The possibility of dispersing nanoparticulate systems in the stable and chemically inert SSO matrices simplifies their application for contaminant removal, particularly because it makes the separation process of the absorbed pollutant from the treated medium easier.
Recombinant Human Thyroid Stimulating Hormone versus Thyroid Hormone Withdrawal for Radioactive Iodine Treatment of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer with Nodal Metastatic Disease
Authors: Wolfson Robert M. , Rachinsky Irina , Morrison Deric , Driedger Al , Spaic Tamara , Van Uum Stan H. M.
Published: February 2016

Introduction.Recombinant human thyroid stimulating hormone (rhTSH) is approved for preparation of thyroid remnant ablation with radioactive iodine (RAI) in low risk patients with well differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). We studied the safety and efficacy of rhTSH preparation for RAI treatment of thyroid cancer patients with nodal metastatic disease.Methods.A retrospective analysis was performed on 108 patients with histopathologically confirmed nodal metastatic DTC, treated with initial RAI between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2007. Within this selected group, 31 and 42 patients were prepared for initial and all subsequent RAI treatments by either thyroid hormone withdrawal (THW) or rhTSH protocols and were followed up for at least 3 years.Results.The response to initial treatment, classified as excellent, acceptable, or incomplete, was not different between the rhTSH group (57%, 21%, and 21%, resp.) and the THW group (39%, 13%, and 48%, resp.;P=0.052). There was no significant difference in the final clinical outcome between the groups. The rhTSH group received significantly fewer additional doses of RAI than the THW group (P=0.03).Conclusion.In patients with nodal-positive DTC, preparation for RAI with rhTSH is a safe and efficacious alternative to THW protocol.
Development and Validation of a Questionnaire to Assess Multimorbidity in Primary Care: An Indian Experience
Authors: Pati Sanghamitra , Hussain Mohammad Akhtar , Swain Subhashisa , Salisbury Chris , Metsemakers Job F. M. , Knottnerus J. André , Akker Marjan van den
Published: February 2016

Multimorbidity remains an underexplored domain in Indian primary care. We undertook a study to assess the prevalence, correlates, and outcomes of multimorbidity in primary care settings in India. This paper describes the process of development and validation of our data collection tool “Multimorbidity Assessment Questionnaire for Primary Care (MAQ-PC).” An iterative process comprising desk review, chart review, and expert consultations was undertaken to generate the questionnaire. The MAQ-PC contained items on chronic conditions, health care utilization, health related quality of life, disease severity, and sociodemographics. It was first tested with twelve adults for comprehensibility followed by test-retest reliability with 103 patients from four primary care practices. For interrater reliability, two interviewers separately administered the questionnaire to sixteen patients. MAQ-PC displayed strong internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha: 0.69), interrater reliability (Cohen’s Kappa: 0.78–1), and test-retest reliability (ICC: 0.970–0.741). Substantial concordance between self-report and physician diagnosis (Scott Kappa: 0.59–1.0) was observed for listed chronic conditions indicating strong concurrent validity. Nearly 54% had one chronic condition and 23.3% had multimorbidity. Our findings demonstrate MAQ-PC to be a valid and reliable measure of multimorbidity in primary care practice and suggest its potential utility in multimorbidity research in India.
Structural Overview and Morphotectonic Evolution of a Strike-Slip Fault in the Zone of North Almora Thrust, Central Kumaun Himalaya, India
Authors: Joshi Lalit M. , Pant Pitamber D. , Kotlia Bahadur S. , Kothyari Girish C. , Luirei Khayingshing , Singh Anoop K.
Published: February 2016

The aim of the present research is to provide the base line details of the NNW-SSE trending Raintoli fault (RF) which is running parallel to the North Almora Thrust (NAT) along the Saryu valley from Seraghat-Naichun to Seri in the central sector of the Uttarakhand Himalaya, India. The RF is characterized as dextral strike slip fault and behaves as a ductile shear zone within the zone of NAT. The dextral sense of shear movement of RF is delineated by the fabric of the shear zone rocks including microscopically observed indicators such as sigma and delta porphyroclasts, quartz c-axis, and the field structural data. Additionally, in the quaternary period the dextral strike slip fault is reactivated with oblique slip component as characterized by various geomorphic indicators, for example, triangular facets, abandoned river channels, unpaired fluvial terraces, and V-shaped valleys with recurrent seismicity. Further, the morphometric parameters including Valley Floor Width to Valley Height (Vf), asymmetry factor (AF), and gradient index (GI) further prove active nature of RF as suggested by low values of hypsometric integration, V-shaped valley, higher gradient index, and tilting of Saryu basin.
Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgical Enucleation of a Giant Esophageal Leiomyoma Presenting with Persistent Cough
Authors: Mujawar Parvez , Pawar Tushar , Chavan Rahulkumar Narayan
Published: February 2016

Esophageal leiomyoma is a relatively rare tumor of esophagus but it is the most common benign neoplasm of the esophagus. Small esophageal leiomyoma can be observed but larger ones and those producing symptoms should be excised. As observed for other esophageal tumors, dysphagia is its main symptom. Traditionally, open thoracotomy and enucleation are its main treatment but in the last few years video assisted thoracoscopic surgical (VATS) enucleation is gaining recognition with proven advantages of minimally invasive surgery. Herein we present our experience with patient presenting with cough rather than dysphagia as a main symptom, who was diagnosed to be having giant esophageal leiomyoma. VATS guided enucleation was accomplished successfully. Size of lesion was16×4×3 cm. Postoperative recovery was uneventful and patient is not having any signs of recurrence, after three years during follow-up period.
Performance and Complexity Evaluation of Iterative Receiver for Coded MIMO-OFDM Systems
Authors: El Chall Rida , Nouvel Fabienne , Hélard Maryline , Liu Ming
Published: February 2016

Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology in combination with channel coding technique is a promising solution for reliable high data rate transmission in future wireless communication systems. However, these technologies pose significant challenges for the design of an iterative receiver. In this paper, an efficient receiver combining soft-input soft-output (SISO) detection based on low-complexity K-Best (LC-K-Best) decoder with various forward error correction codes, namely, LTE turbo decoder and LDPC decoder, is investigated. We first investigate the convergence behaviors of the iterative MIMO receivers to determine the required inner and outer iterations. Consequently, the performance of LC-K-Best based receiver is evaluated in various LTE channel environments and compared with other MIMO detection schemes. Moreover, the computational complexity of the iterative receiver with different channel coding techniques is evaluated and compared with different modulation orders and coding rates. Simulation results show that LC-K-Best based receiver achieves satisfactory performance-complexity trade-offs.
Prediction of Defective Software Modules Using Class Imbalance Learning
Authors: Tomar Divya , Agarwal Sonali
Published: February 2016

Software defect predictors are useful to maintain the high quality of software products effectively. The early prediction of defective software modules can help the software developers to allocate the available resources to deliver high quality software products. The objective of software defect prediction system is to find as many defective software modules as possible without affecting the overall performance. The learning process of a software defect predictor is difficult due to the imbalanced distribution of software modules between defective and nondefective classes. Misclassification cost of defective software modules generally incurs much higher cost than the misclassification of nondefective one. Therefore, on considering the misclassification cost issue, we have developed a software defect prediction system using Weighted Least Squares Twin Support Vector Machine (WLSTSVM). This system assigns higher misclassification cost to the data samples of defective classes and lower cost to the data samples of nondefective classes. The experiments on eight software defect prediction datasets have proved the validity of the proposed defect prediction system. The significance of the results has been tested via statistical analysis performed by using nonparametric Wilcoxon signed rank test.
The Pattern of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis in a Single Tertiary Center in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al-Hemairi Mohammad H. , Albokhari Shatha M. , Muzaffer Mohammed A.
Published: February 2016

Introduction.Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is the most common chronic arthritis in children. Our aim is to describe demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics and treatment of JIA patients followed up in Pediatric Rheumatology clinic in a tertiary center in Saudi Arabia.Methods. Medical records of all patients who are followed up between January 2007 and January 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Data were collected about demographic, clinical, and laboratory features and treatment.Results.Total patients were 82, males were 31 (37.8%), and mean age of JIA onset was 7.1 ± 3.6 yr. Mean follow-up duration was 2.67±1.6 yr. Systemic onset JIA (SoJIA) was the commonest (36.5%), followed by polyarticular in 29.2% and oligoarticular in 28%. Large and small joints are involved in 76 (92%) and 30 (36.6%), respectively. Main extra-articular feature was fever in 34 (41.4%). Uveitis was diagnosed in 7 (8.5%) and in 5 (21.7%) of oligoarticular JIA. Anemia was found in 49 (59.7%), high ESR in 45 (54.8%), and leukocytosis and thrombocytosis in 33 (40.2%). Positive ANA was found in 30 (36.5%) mainly in oligoarticular subtype as 12 (52%) patients (out of 23) had this positive test. 9 patients (10.9%) required NSAIDs only, 6 patients (7.3%) required NSAIDs and intra-articular steroids only, and 19 (23%) required NSAIDs, methotrexate, steroids, and biologics.Conclusion.SoJIA is the most common JIA subtype in our study. A population based rather than a single center study will give more details about JIA characteristics in Saudi Arabia
Blind Direction-of-Arrival Estimation with Uniform Circular Array in Presence of Mutual Coupling
Authors: Liu Song , Yang Lisheng , Yang Shizhong , Jiang Qingping , Wu Haowei
Published: February 2016

A blind direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation algorithm based on the estimation of signal parameters via rotational invariance techniques (ESPRIT) is proposed for a uniform circular array (UCA) when strong electromagnetic mutual coupling is present. First, an updated UCA model with mutual coupling in a discrete Fourier transform (DFT) beam space is deduced, and the new manifold matrix is equal to the product of a centrosymmetric diagonal matrix and a Vandermonde-structure matrix. Then we carry out blind DOA estimation through a modified ESPRIT method, thus avoiding the need for spatial angular searching. In addition, two mutual coupling parameter estimation methods are presented after the DOAs have been estimated. Simulation results show that the new algorithm is reliable and effective especially for closely spaced signals.
A Distance Model of Intuitionistic Fuzzy Cross Entropy to Solve Preference Problem on Alternatives
Authors: Li Mei , Wu Chong
Published: February 2016

In the field of decision-making, for the multiple attribute decision-making problem with the partially unknown attribute weights, the evaluation information in the form of the intuitionistic fuzzy numbers, and the preference on alternatives, this paper proposes a comprehensive decision model based on the intuitionistic fuzzy cross entropy distance and the grey correlation analysis. The creative model can make up the deficiency that the traditional intuitionistic fuzzy distance measure is easy to cause the confusion of information and can improve the accuracy of distance measure; meanwhile, the grey correlation analysis method, suitable for the small sample and the poor information decision-making, is applied in the evaluation. This paper constructs a mathematical optimization model of maximizing the synthesis grey correlation coefficient between decision-making evaluation values and decision-makers’ subjective preference values, calculates the attribute weights with the known partial weight information, and then sorts the alternatives by the grey correlation coefficient values. Taking venture capital firm as an example, through the calculation and the variable disturbance, we can see that the methodology used in this paper has good stability and rationality. This research makes the decision-making process more scientific and further improves the theory of intuitionistic fuzzy multiple attribute decision-making.