bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Template‐based CTA to x‐ray angio rigid registration of coronary arteries in frequency domain with automatic x‐ray segmentation
Authors: Aksoy Timur , Unal Gozde , Demirci Stefanie , Navab Nassir , Degertekin Muzaffer
Published: September 2013

Purpose:

A key challenge for image guided coronary interventions is accurate and absolutely robust image registration bringing together preinterventional information extracted from a three‐dimensional (3D) patient scan and live interventional image information. In this paper, the authors present a novel scheme for 3D to two‐dimensional (2D) rigid registration of coronary arteries extracted from preoperative image scan (3D) and a single segmented intraoperative x‐ray angio frame in frequency and spatial domains for real‐time angiography interventions by C‐arm fluoroscopy.

Methods:

Most existing rigid registration approaches require a close initialization due to the abundance of local minima and high complexity of search algorithms. The authorsˈ method eliminates this requirement by transforming the projections into translation‐invariant Fourier domain for estimating the 3D pose. For 3D rotation recovery, template Digitally Reconstructed Radiographs (DRR) as candidate poses of 3D vessels of segmented computed tomography angiography are produced by rotating the camera (image intensifier) around the DICOM angle values with a specific range as in C‐arm setup. The authors have compared the 3D poses of template DRRs with the segmented x‐ray after equalizing the scales in three domains, namely, Fourier magnitude, Fourier phase, and Fourier polar. The best rotation pose candidate was chosen by one of the highest similarity measures returned by the methods in these domains. It has been noted in literature that frequency domain methods are robust against noise and occlusion which was also validated by the authorsˈ results. 3D translation of the volume was then recovered by distance‐map based BFGS optimization well suited to convex structure of the authorsˈ objective function without local minima due to distance maps. A novel automatic x‐ray vessel segmentation was also performed in this study.

Results:

Final results were evaluated in 2D projection space for patient data; and with ground truth values and landmark distances for the images acquired with a solid phantom vessel. Results validate that rotation recovery in frequency domain is robust against differences in segmentations in two modalities. Distance‐map translation is successful in aligning coronary trees with highest possible overlap.

Conclusions:

Numerical and qualitative results show that single view rigid alignment in projection space is successful. This work can be extended with multiple views to resolve depth ambiguity and with deformable registration to account for nonrigid motion in patient data.
Calculation of dose distributions for 12 106Ru/106Rh ophthalmic applicator models with the PENELOPE Monte Carlo code
Authors: Hermida‐López M.
Published: September 2013

Purpose:

For decades,106Ru/106Rh ophthalmic applicators have been widely used to treat intraocular malignancies with good clinical outcomes. Determining the dosimetry of such applicators is challenging because of their spherical shape, the low range of emitted betas and the steep gradients involved. Furthermore, there is a lack of dose distribution data in the literature for some applicator models. It is crucial to understand the generated dose distributions to improve the treatment planning process. This study aims to calculate the dose distributions in water for 12 commercially available 106Ru/106Rh ophthalmic applicators.

Methods:

The applicators were modeled using the Monte Carlo (MC) code PENELOPE‐2008.1. A planar nonclinical applicator was also simulated. Depth‐dose profiles along the central axis and lateral dose profiles at several depths were calculated and compared with the available published measured and calculated data. In the absence of published data, measurements performed by the manufacturer were used.

Results:

For some applicators, the calculated results obtained in this work showed improved consistency with the available experimental data compared with previously published calculations. For others, the data calculated in this work represent the first published dose data.

Conclusions:

The MC code PENELOPE‐2008.1 can accurately calculate the dose distributions for106Ru/106Rh ophthalmic applicators. The obtained set of tabulated dose distribution values may be useful for quality assurance of treatment planning systems and as a reference for comparison with future measurements and calculations.
Power spectrum analysis of the x‐ray scatter signal in mammography and breast tomosynthesis projections
Authors: Sechopoulos Ioannis , Bliznakova Kristina , Fei Baowei
Published: September 2013

Purpose:

To analyze the frequency domain characteristics of the signal in mammography images and breast tomosynthesis projections with patient tissue texture due to detected scattered x‐rays.

Methods:

Acquisitions of x‐ray projection images of 19 different patient breasts were simulated using previously acquired volumetric patient images. Acquisition of these images was performed with a dedicated breast CT prototype system, and the images were classified into voxels representing skin, adipose, and glandular tissue with a previously validated automated algorithm. The classified three dimensional images then underwent simulated mechanical compression representing that which is performed during acquisition of mammography and breast tomosynthesis images. The acquisition of projection images of each patient breast was simulated using Monte Carlo methods with each simulation resulting in two images: one of the primary (non‐scattered) signal and one of the scatter signal. To analyze the scatter signal for both mammography and breast tomosynthesis, two projections images of each patient breast were simulated, one with the x‐ray source positioned at 0° (mammography and central tomosynthesis projection) and at 30° (wide tomosynthesis projection). The noise power spectra (NPS) for both the scatter signal alone and the total signal (primary + scatter) for all images were obtained and the combined results of all patients analyzed. The total NPS was fit to the expected power‐law relationship NPS(f) = k/f∧β and the results were compared with those previously published on the power spectrum characteristics of mammographic texture. The scatter signal alone was analyzed qualitatively and a power‐law fit was also performed.

Results:

The mammography and tomosynthesis projections of three patient breasts were too small to analyze, so a total of 16 patient breasts were analyzed. The values of β for the total signal of the 0° projections agreed well with previously published results. As expected, the scatter power spectrum reflected a fast drop‐off with increasing spatial frequency, with a reduction of four orders of magnitude by 0.1 lp/mm. The β values for the scatter signal were 6.14 and 6.39 for the 0° and 30° projections, respectively.

Conclusions:

Although the low‐frequency characteristics of scatter in mammography and breast tomosynthesis were known, a quantitative analysis of the frequency domain characteristics of this signal was needed in order to optimize previously proposed software‐based x‐ray scatter reduction algorithms for these imaging modalities.
Content‐based image retrieval of multiphase CT images for focal liver lesion characterization
Authors: Chi Yanling , Zhou Jiayin , Venkatesh Sudhakar K. , Tian Qi , Liu Jimin
Published: September 2013

Purpose:

Characterization of focal liver lesions with various imaging modalities can be very challenging in the clinical practice and is experience‐dependent. The authors’ aim is to develop an automatic method to facilitate the characterization of focal liver lesions (FLLs) using multiphase computed tomography (CT) images by radiologists.

Methods:

A multiphase‐image retrieval system is proposed to retrieve a preconstructed database of FLLs with confirmed diagnoses, which can assist radiologists’ decision‐making in FLL characterization. It first localizes the FLL on multiphase CT scans using a hybrid generative‐discriminative FLL detection method and a nonrigid B‐spline registration method. Then, it extracts the multiphase density and texture features to numerically represent the FLL. Next, it compares the query FLL with the model FLLs in the database in terms of the feature and measures their similarities using the L1‐norm based similarity scores. The model FLLs are ranked by similarities and the top results are finally provided to the users for their evidence studies.

Results:

The system was tested on a database of 69 four‐phase contrast‐enhanced CT scans, consisting of six classes of liver lesions, and evaluated in terms of the precision‐recall curve and the Bullˈs Eye Percentage Score (BEP). It obtained a BEP score of 78%. Compared with any single‐phase based representation, the multiphase‐based representation increased the BEP scores of the system, from 63%–65% to 78%. In a pilot study, two radiologists performed characterization of FLLs without and with the knowledge of the top five retrieved results. The results were evaluated in terms of the diagnostic accuracy, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the mean diagnostic confidence. One radiologistˈs accuracy improved from 75% to 92%, the area under ROC curves (AUC) from 0.85 to 0.95 (p = 0.081), and the mean diagnostic confidence from 4.6 to 7.3 (p = 0.039). The second radiologistˈs accuracy did not change, at 75%, with AUC increasing from 0.72 to 0.75 (p = 0.709), and the mean confidence from 4.5 to 4.9 (p = 0.607).

Conclusions:

Multiphase CT images can be used in content‐based image retrieval for FLLˈs categorization and result in good performance in comparison with single‐phase CT images. The proposed method has the potential to improve the radiologists’ diagnostic accuracy and confidence by providing visually similar lesions with confirmed diagnoses for their interpretation of clinical studies.
Estimation of source range using horizontal multipath in continental shelf environments
Authors: Ballard Megan S.
Published: September 2013

A method to estimate source range in environments that exhibit three-dimensional propagation effects is presented. A hybrid modeling technique using vertical modes and horizontal rays is employed. Results are obtained in a computationally efficient manner and require limited knowledge of the environment. The method is applied to data recorded on a horizontal line array located 12 km east of the southern coast of Florida. The results show an average error of 3.7% in estimating the range of an acoustic source located 20 to 63 km away from the array.
Cytomegalovirus-induced colonic stricture presenting as acute intestinal obstruction in an immunocompetent adult
Authors: Dinesh B V , Selvaraju Karthikeyan , Kumar Sampath , Thota Sumath
Published: September 2013

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection causes siginificant morbidty and mortality in immunopromised patients. Though it is usually silent in immunocompetent adults, rarely it can cause serious life-threatening complications. Gastrointestinal tract is one of the commonly involved organs, where it produces a spectrum of clinical manifestation ranging from mild non-specific abdominal pain and diarrhoea to severe infection with toxic megacolon and death. We present a 65-year-old immunocompetent male patient admitted with acute colonic obstruction secondary to CMV-induced colonic stricture, highlighting the importance of considering it as a differential diagnosis for colonic obstruction and reviewing its management.
Third ventricular enlargement in early stages of multiple sclerosis is a predictor of motor and neuropsychological deficits: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Müller Martin , Esser Regina , Kötter Katharina , Voss Jan , Müller Achim , Stellmes Petra
Published: September 2013

Objectives

Whether transcranal sonography (TCS) depicted third ventricular enlargement as a sign of brain atrophy is predictive for neuropsychological deficits in mildly affected patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Design

Cross-sectional study of a cohort of mildly diseased patients with MS.

Setting

Neurological MS outpatient clinic at a large teaching hospital in central Europe.

Participants

Fifty-four patients with MS (16 men, 38 women, mean age 40±10 years, mean disease duration 6±5 years; mean Expanded Disability Status Scale 2±1.3) and 33 healthy controls (12 men, 21 women; 38±11 years) underwent clinical examination, an assessment of the third ventricle width by means of TCS and the Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological tests for MS, the 25-Feet Foot Walk test, the 9-Hole PEG test, the Beck Depression Inventory and a quantitative fatigue assessment. Statistical analysis was performed with univariate correlation and thereafter by stepwise regression analysis.

Results

Patients’ mean third ventricular width (3.9±1.6 mm) was significantly wider compared to controls (3.4±0.8 mm). Using stepwise regression analysis models with age, MS duration, third ventricle width and quantitative fatigue assessment as baseline variables, an increasing third ventricle width significantly correlated with the target variables worsening of motor deficits (p<0.002), worsening of verbal recall (p<0.04) and of visual spatial recall (p<0.005). Severity of depression and of fatigue was unrelated to third ventricular width.

Conclusions

In this cohort of patients with MS with mild disease, third ventricular enlargement was indicative for motor deficits and cognitive impairment, even after considering fatigue as a relevant comorbidity. Third ventricular enlargement by means of TCS seems to be a useful, clinically meaningful parameter to stage patients’ disease severity. Follow-up studies must show whether an intraindividual future third ventricular increase indeed signals larger cognitive impairment.
Real time shift reporting by emergency physicians predicts overall ED performance
Authors: Husain Nadia , Bein Kendall J , Green Timothy C , Veillard Anne-Sophie , Dinh Michael M
Published: September 2013

Objective

To investigate factors associated with emergency physician perception of the shift and to determine whether these perceptions were predictors of overall daily emergency department (ED) performance indicators.

Methods

This was an observational study conducted at an inner city ED in New South Wales. Shift reports completed by the emergency physician in charge at clinical handover times between February and July 2012 were included. Variables collected by the shift report included (1) total number of patients in ED, (2) number of patients in the ED with length of stay (LOS) greater than 4 h, (3) number of admitted patients, (4) number of patients waiting to be seen by a doctor and (5) medical staffing levels. Outcomes of interest for this study were shift perception scores (1=very poor to 5=very good) and daily ED performance measures. Performance measures were the proportion of patients admitted or discharged from ED within 4 h (National Emergency Access Target, NEAT) and the percentage of inpatient admissions leaving ED within 8 h of ED arrival time.

Results

The number of patients in ED with LOS >4 h (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.79 to 0.87, p value <0.001) and number of patients waiting to be seen (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.88 to 0.95, p value <0.001) were the factors most strongly associated with shift perception score. After adjustment, the mean NEAT performance improved 6% for each incremental increase in average shift perception score (β=0.06 95% CI 0.04 to 0.07, p<0.001).

Conclusions

Shift reports and shift perceptions by emergency physicians may be used to predict overall ED performance.
OP10 How do Women Living in Socioeconomically Contrasting Neighbourhoods Perceive the Relationship between their Neighbourhoods and Health? A Qualitative Study in Aleppo, Syria
Authors: Zaman S , Fouad F , Pless-Mulloli T , White M , Ahmad B
Published: September 2013

Background

There is substantial evidence from multilevel studies in high income countries that neighbourhood socioeconomic status (SES) influences health independent of individual SES characteristics. In comparison, few qualitative studies have explored lay knowledge of neighbourhood influence on health. We explored and compared views on how neighbourhoods influenced health in married women, from different socioeconomic positions and living in neighbourhoods of contrasting SES in Aleppo.

Methods

A qualitative study was undertaken in April-May 2011 as part of a mixed-method study investigating the relationship between neighbourhood socioeconomic status and self-reported health (prior to the armed conflict in Aleppo). In-depth interviews were conducted with 27 married women. Respondents were asked how living in the neighbourhood influenced their health and whether anything disturbed them in their life in the neighbourhood. Thematic analysis was used.

Results

Only a few high-income women living in high SES neighbourhoods perceived a direct link between neighbourhood characteristics and physical health. However, all respondents pointed to multiple physical and social neighbourhood characteristics that they perceived as stressors. Many respondents, irrespective of their neighbourhood SES, perceived the poor quality of the physical neighbourhood environment, especially from traffic congestion and waste, to influence their wellbeing. We found similarities in women’s views on perceived neighbourhood stressors based on household and neighbourhood socioeconomic status as well as ethnicity and religion. Irrespective of socioeconomic position, respondents from certain religious or ethnic minorities emphasised the importance to their wellbeing of living in neighbourhoods with a large population of a similar religious or ethnic composition. The majority of women living in poor neighbourhoods viewed poor quality housing and overcrowding as sources of stress.

Conclusion

Our findings support previous results from western nations. Overall this suggests that the influence of neighbourhood on wellbeing maybe a universal phenomenon. Religion represented an important ‘normative guideline’ in the way women perceived their neighbourhoods and their effect on wellbeing. This study offers a unique insight into mechanisms by which neighbourhoods influenced health and wellbeing of women before the armed conflict in Syria. Understanding the nature and causes of neighbourhood influences on health and health inequalities will be particularly important for urban and social renewal policies as Syria emerges from its present crisis. It will also have wider application for urban renewal in other nations.
PP14 Whole Grain intake Correlates in Young Adults
Authors: Kamar M , Evans Cel
Published: September 2013

Background

Whole grain consumption has been linked to reduced risks of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and various types of cancer. Almost a third of UK adults and children do not consume whole grains at all, and as little as 5% of the population reach the recommended three portions per day. Little has been done to explore whole grain consumption correlates in the UK - with no studies on young adults. This age group has been found to be on the lower end of whole grain intake in studies at the national level. This study aimed to explore the awareness, consumption patterns, barriers and possible facilitators for whole grain consumption in a sample of UK young adults.

Methods

Participants were 20 students aged 20-35 years old of various ethnicities. Dietary patterns and awareness about whole grains were measured using picture-assisted 24-hour recalls followed by questionnaires. Focus group discussions were conducted, where awareness, barriers and facilitators for consumption were discussed. Participants were also educated on health benefits, available varieties, identification of whole grain products, and provided with sample products to try. After 2 weeks the participants were followed-up using picture-assisted 24-hour recalls and questionnaires.

Results

The results of the study show an improvement in consumption, awareness of health benefits, identification, and acceptance of whole grain foods among participants at follow up by 0.25 servings/week, 41%, 50%, and 8.5% respectively. The majority of participants reported bread and cereal products to be their favourite varieties. The top barriers to whole grain consumption appeared to be: sensory properties, higher price, lower availability, and lack of awareness of health benefits. Suggested facilitators of consumption were educational campaigns, a standardised whole grain product stamp, price reductions and offers, and increased availability and varieties. Asian ethnicity, female gender, home eating, and healthier lifestyles were observed to be positively associated with some whole grain intake correlates, but with no statistical significance.

Conclusion

This study identified barriers and facilitators to whole grain consumption in UK young adults. More research should address whole grain intake correlates and interventions. This would encourage governmental, health service, and industrial action to improve whole grain awareness, availability, and consumption.
PP27 Pre-Gestational Diabetes and the Risks of Fetal and Infant Death: a Population-Based Study
Authors: PWG Tennant , Glinianaia S V , Bilous R W , Rankin J , Bell R
Published: September 2013

Background

Pre-gestational diabetes is associated with a range of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including an increased risk of major congenital anomalies. The impact on normally-formed offspring, however, is less well defined. This study utilised data from a long-running population-based survey of women with pre-gestational diabetes to explore the risks of foetal and infant death and examine which factors modify these risks.

Methods

All normally-formed singleton pregnancies delivered at ≥20 weeks of gestation in the North of England during 1996-2008 were identified from the population-based Northern Perinatal Morbidity and Mortality Survey. Pregnancies affected by pre-gestational diabetes were identified from the Northern Diabetes in Pregnancy Survey, which also collects data on a range of clinical and sociodemographic variables. Relative risks (RRs) of foetal death (≥20 weeks gestation) and infant death were estimated by comparing the prevalence among women with and without pre-gestational diabetes. Predictors of foetal and infant death in women with pre-gestational diabetes were examined by logistic regression. Glycated haemoglobin concentrations (HbA1c) within three months peri-conception and in the third trimester (as markers of blood glucose concentration) were analysed by piecewise regression due to curvilinear associations.

Results

There were 46 foetal deaths and 10 infant deaths among 1548 deliveries in women with pre-gestational diabetes. The prevalence of foetal death in women with diabetes was over four times greater than among those without (RR 4.54 [3.41, 6.05], p<0.0001), while the infant mortality rate was nearly two times greater, although the effect did not reach the conventional level for statistical significance (1.82 [0.98, 3.38], p=0.06). Increasing peri-conception HbA1c above 45mmol/mol (AOR 1.02 [1.01, 1.03], p=0.006), pre-pregnancy retinopathy (AOR 2.02 [1.05, 3.89], p=0.03), and lack of pre-pregnancy folate supplement use (AOR 2.44 [1.12, 5.25], p=0.03) were all independently associated with increased risks of fetal or infant death. In deliveries after 28 weeks only, increasing third-trimester HbA1c above 36mmol/mol was associated with an increased risk of fetal or infant death (AOR 1.05 [1.02, 1.08], p=0.001), with no apparent additional contribution from peri-conception HbA1c.

Conclusion

Pre-gestational diabetes is associated with a substantially increased risk of fetal death in normally-formed offspring, the effect of which appears to be largely moderated by glycaemia control. Greater vigilance in the control of blood glucose, both before and throughout pregnancy, is needed if the risks of serious adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with pre-gestational diabetes are to be reduced towards the levels in healthy women.
PP30  Primary Care Utilisation and its Socio-Economic Determinants: findings from the Lifeways Cross-Generation Cohort Study During the Recession Period in the Republic of Ireland
Authors: Viljoen K , Murrin C , Segurado R , O’Brien J , Somerville R , Khalil H , Kelleher C C
Published: September 2013

Background

Worldwide there is a well-established association between rates of primary and secondary health care utilisation and socio-economic deprivation. The collapse of the Celtic Tiger economy and recession in 2006/7 may have had a significant impact on health care utilisation.

Aim:

To examine patterns of primary care utilisation rates in the Irish adult population and its determinants over a 10 year period.

Setting:

Lifeways is a Cross-Generation Cohort Study of 1082 families recruited initially in the East and West of Ireland. Data were collected by self-administered questionnaire at baseline 2001-3, in 2007 and 2011/12, and from general practitioners in 2003. At the fourth phase of follow-up in 2011 1588 adults in 592 families responded.

Methods

Respondents provided data on health care utilisation (HCU), morbidity and socio-economic status at three time points and through GP notes. Recession impact was measured by standard questions and a composite economy score calculated (1–15, higher score indicating bigger impact). Rates of HCU were defined as ‘Less frequent’ < = 2 consultations/yr and ‘More frequent’ > = 3 consultations/yr. HCU was compared according to lineage, General Medical Services (GMS) means-tested eligibility to free health care, morbidity and various socio-economic indicators across the 4 time points. We subsequently fit a linear mixed effects model where family id and personal id were modelled as random effects with random intercepts for each family and random intercepts and slopes over time for each individual.

Results

At each time point, a strong, significant age gradient was noted, with women (mothers and grandmothers) being the more frequent users than men. Grandparents showed an average of 15% higher utilisation than parents (Chi-sq, p < 0.0001). GMS eligibility remained the strongest predictor of HCU at all time points (Chi-sq 172.468, p < 0.0001). At baseline, those with difficulty getting by had significantly higher HCU rates 53.7% vs. 46.3% (Chi-sq 10.212, p < 0.0001). In the final mixed model, economy score, time, GMS eligibility and co-morbidity were all highly significant predictors of healthcare utilisation adjusted for age, sex and region. Significantly higher odds of healthcare utilisation at 10yr follow-up were demonstrated for those who are GMS eligible (OR 6.9 [95% CI 2.5, 19.1], p<0.0001). A significant decrease in the odds of utilisation with increasing economic stress was also evident (6.9 [0.5, 0.9], p=0.02).

Conclusion

This analysis suggests persistent effects of morbidity characteristics on healthcare utilisation patterns. Exacerbated by the recent recession in adults in the Republic of Ireland.
OP13 An Economic Evaluation of Salt Reduction Policies to Reduce Cardiovascular Disease in England: A Policy Modelling Study
Authors: Capewell S , Collins M , Mason H , O’Flaherty M , Guzman-Castillo M , Critchley J
Published: September 2013

Background

Dietary salt intake has been causally linked to high blood pressure and increased risk of cardiovascular events. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) causes approximately 35% of total UK deaths, at an estimated annual cost of £30 billion with £14.4 billion spent on treating CVD per year. WHO and NICE have both strongly recommended dietary salt reduction. However, to implement more effective policies in future, UK policy makers will need robust evidence to assess the costs and benefits of specific interventions.

Methods

A validated model called IMPACT CHD, calibrated for England’s population aged 25 to 85+ years, was used to quantify and compare four population salt reduction policies. These interventions comprised: 1) Change4Life health promotion campaign, 2) front of pack traffic light labelling to display food salt content, 3) Food Standards Agency continuing to work with the food industry to reduce salt on a voluntary basis or 4) Mandatory reformulation (legislation) to reduce salt in processed foods. The effectiveness of these policies in reducing salt intake, and hence blood pressure, was determined by systematic literature review. The IMPACT CHD model was used to calculate the reduction in mortality associated with each policy, quantified as life years gained over 10 years. The cost of each policy used published evidence from the Department of Health and Food Standards Agency. Health care costs for specific CHD patient groups were estimated and compared against a “do nothing” baseline. A ten-year time horizon was taken from 2007 (the model baseline year) to 2017. Policy and health care costs were discounted at 3.5%. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis was used to quantify uncertainty.

Results

All policies resulted in a life year gain over the baseline. Change4life and labelling each resulted in a gain of approximately 1960 life years, voluntary reformulation a gain of some 14,560 life years and mandatory reformulation approximately 19,320 life years. The costs of each policy appeared cost saving against the baseline. Mandatory reformulation apparently offered the largest cost saving, over £660 million compared to baseline.

Conclusion

All population health interventions to reduce dietary salt intake on an English population appear cost saving and could substantially reduce health care expenditure on cardiovascular disease. Mandatory reformulation of processed foods might achieve the highest reduction in dietary salt intake and therefore the largest savings.
PP35 How are Health Inequalities Affected by Control in the Living Environment? A Critical Review of Theory
Authors: Orton L C , Pennington A J , Nayak S , Petticrew M , White M , Sowden A , Whitehead M
Published: September 2013

Background

Recent public health strategies aim to increase the control, or power, that individuals, communities and populations have over decisions that affect their daily lives. While systematic reviews have revealed the health impact of measures to improve control in the work environment, evidence from the ‘living environment’ has not been synthesised. We conducted a critical review of proposed theories and causal pathways linking control in the living environment and socio-economic inequalities in health.

Methods

We identified theoretical discourses (published in books, academic papers, reports and policy documents) across a range of diverse fields, including: public health, social determinants of health and health inequalities; sociology/political science; and international development. Initially, seminal works were identified by experts. We then employed a ‘pearl-growing’ approach: hand-searching reference lists and asking key informants to identify additional publications. Theoretical elements were extracted and analytical frameworks developed to elucidate the pathways identified.

Results

On reviewing a substantial body of literature, we found the relationship between control in the living environment and health inequalities had been conceptualised at three levels:

Personal level Low perceived control impacts on health via fatalism and hostility reactions, which are engendered by social position and the cumulative effects of chronic stress across the lifecourse.

Micro/Meso level The immediate external environment, determined by social position, dictates opportunities for individuals and communities to exercise autonomy and control over their living conditions. This effect occurs at the individual, household and community levels, and is important for health via control beliefs (as above), people’s abilities to improve their living conditions and avoid disease risks, and through community trust and reciprocity.

Macro level Socio-political structures and processes operate at the level of whole societies, stratifying access to resources and opportunities, or power, that people have to achieve good health. This can result in better health outcomes for low-income populations with greater gender equity; and negative outcomes for whole societies in which people lose the opportunity for control over their lives.

Conclusion

Theories proposed on how control in the living environment could lead to the generation of socio-economic inequalities in mental and physical health reveal a range of processes at individual, micro/meso and macro levels. The findings of this critical review are being used to inform a theory-led systematic review of empirical evidence examining the links between control and health. This will allow us to refine the conceptual pathways, and identify potential intervention points and promising interventions.
The effect of acute endurance exercise on lipoproteins: a comparison of the nuclear magnetic resonance technique with the conventional lipid profile in healthy men
Authors: Shaheen Hanaa Adnan , Alpert Patricia T. , Navalta James , Tandy Richard D. , Young Jack C. , Santo Antonio S.
Published: September 2013

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) of lipoprotein particle size and number may provide greater sensitivity to detecting cardiovascular disease risk compared with the conventional lipid profile in some individuals. The salubrious effect of cardiovascular exercise on blood lipids using the conventional profile is well documented; however, NMR analysis is lacking. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a 60-min bout of dynamic exercise on lipoprotein particle size and number as measured by NMR and compare it with the conventional blood lipid profile. Eight active, healthy men (26 ± 5.17 years) ran for 60 min at 70% maximal oxygen uptake on a motor-driven treadmill. Fasting blood samples were drawn at pre-exercise and 5–10 min and 24 h postexercise. The conventional lipid profile showed a significant change in triglycerides (p = 0.019) immediately after exercise with an increase of 22% and a nonsignificant decrease of 13% from baseline after 24 h. The NMR profile showed a significant change in the large high-density lipoprotein particle concentration (p = 0.046) with an increase of 5.8% immediately after exercise, and a decrease of 6.7% at 24 h after exercise. None of the NMR profile changes were significantly different from the baseline value. These data suggest that sensitivity differences between techniques depend on the variable considered; however, they do not warrant concomitant analysis in future studies using this population. Finally, no appreciable favorable or adverse effect was observed in the overall cardiovascular disease risk profile in active, normolipidemic males.
Effect of a high-protein diet on development of heart failure in response to pressure overload
Authors: Ribeiro Rogerio F. , Dabkowski Erinne R. , O’Connell Kelly A. , Xu Wenhong , Galvao Tatiana de Fatima , Hecker Peter A. , Shekar Kadambari C. , Stefanon Ivanita , Stanley William C.
Published: September 2013

Heart failure treatment guidelines provide no recommendations regarding the intake of protein, though it has been proposed that increasing protein intake may result in clinical improvement. High-protein intake might improve protein synthesis and cell function, and prevent deterioration in mitochondrial and left ventricular function. We assessed the effects of a high-protein diet on the development of heart failure characterized by cardiac hypertrophy, impaired mitochondrial oxidative metabolism and contractile dysfunction induced by transverse aortic constriction in rats. A standard diet with 18% of energy intake from protein was compared with a high-protein diet (30% of energy intake). First, we evaluated the effects of protein intake on the development of heart failure during 14 weeks of aortic constriction, and found similar cardiac hypertrophy, contractile dysfunction, ventricular dilation, and decreased cardiac mitochondrial oxidative capacity with both 18% and 30% protein. We then assessed more advanced heart failure, with 22 weeks of aortic constriction. We again saw no difference in cardiac mass, left ventricular volume, mitochondrial oxidative capacity or resistance to permeability transition between the 18% and 30% protein diets. There was a modest but significant decrease in survival with heart failure with the 30% protein diet compared with 18% protein (p < 0.003). In conclusion, consumption of a high-protein diet did not affect cardiac mass, left ventricular volumes or ejection fraction, or myocardial mitochondrial oxidative capacity in rats with pressure overload induced heart failure, but significantly decreased survival.
Flow and heat transfer over a moving surface with nonlinear velocity and variable thickness in a nanofluid in the presence of thermal radiation
Authors: Elbashbeshy E.M.A. , Emam T.G. , Abdel-wahed M.S.
Published: September 2013

We investigate the flow and heat transfer in nanofluids over a continuous variable thickness surface subjected to nonlinear velocity and thermal radiation. Three types of nanofluids, namely Cu, Ag, and Al2O3 were studied. A similarity transformation was used to obtain a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations, which was solved numerically for general conditions. Numerical results were obtained for the skin friction, Nusselt number as well as for the velocity and temperature for selected values of the governing parameters, such as nanoparticle volume friction, surface thickness parameter, velocity power index parameter, and radiation parameter. A comparison of obtained numerical results is made with previously published results in some special cases, and found to be in a good agreement.
Spatial variation in the echolocation calls of the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus)
Authors: Veselka N. , McGuire L.P. , Dzal Y.A. , Hooton L.A. , Fenton M.B.
Published: September 2013

We studied spatial variation in echolocation call structure of the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus (LeConte, 1831)) by analysing calls recorded from free-flying individuals at 1 site in Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, 1 site in Chautaqua, New York, and 20 sites along the Hudson River, New York. We controlled for factors that are often thought to lead to interspecific variation in echolocation calls (habitat, ontogeny, presence of conspecifics, recording techniques, ambient conditions), which allowed us to focus on the effect of spatial scale on call structure. As predicted, we found that at small scales (up to 1 km), there was significant geographic variation, likely owing to roost-specific signatures and group foraging activities. At intermediate scales (2–500 km), we found no differences in call structure, suggesting that populations within this area are part of a single hibernating and breeding population. Finally, echolocation call structure differed at the continental scale (>1000 km) likely because of little genetic exchange among sampled populations. Our results highlight the importance of considering the magnitude of spatial scale when examining variation in echolocation call structure.
REMOTE INFORMATION CONCENTRATION BY W STATE
Authors: PENG JIA-YIN , BAI MING-QIANG , MO ZHI-WEN
Published: September 2013

Employing the six-particle W state as the quantum channel in this paper, we investigate remote information concentration (RIC) which is the reverse process of the 1→5 optimal asymmetric economical phase-covariant telecloning (OAEPCT). To achieve the task, Bell state measurement and unitary operation are needed. It is shown that the quantum information initially distributed in five spatially separated qubits can be remotely and probabilistically concentrated back to a single qubit without performing any global operations. The result shows a peculiar phenomenon that the RIC is not always performed perfectly. It can be achieved with certain probability.
INVESTIGATION FOR MOLECULAR ATTRACTION IMPACT BETWEEN CONTACTING SURFACES IN MICRO-GEARS
Authors: YANG PING , LI XIALONG , ZHAO YANFANG , YANG HAIYING , WANG SHUTING , YANG JIANMING
Published: September 2013

The aim of this research work is to provide a systematic method to perform molecular attraction impact between contacting surfaces in micro-gear train. This method is established by integrating involute profile analysis and molecular dynamics simulation. A mathematical computation of micro-gear involute is presented based on geometrical properties, Taylor expression and Hamaker assumption. In the meantime, Morse potential function and the cut-off radius are introduced with a molecular dynamics simulation. So a hybrid computational method for the Van Der Waals force between the contacting faces in micro-gear train is developed. An example is illustrated to show the performance of this method. The results show that the change of Van Der Waals force in micro-gear train has a nonlinear characteristic with parameters change such as the modulus of the gear and the tooth number of gear etc. The procedure implies a potential feasibility that we can control the Van Der Waals force by adjusting the manufacturing parameters for gear train design.
ATOMISTIC VIEWS OF DYNAMICAL FRACTURE INSTABILITIES IN SILICON: MOLECULAR DYNAMICS STUDIES
Authors: GUO P. , LUO Y. W. , LI M. , YUAN P. F. , SUN Q. , JIA Y.
Published: September 2013

This study investigates the crystallographic orientations most widely known to exhibit fractures in silicon, such as those on the (111) plane cracks travelling along the [Formula: see text] direction ([Formula: see text] cracks). The (111) crack plane is believed to be the most stable fracture plane. However, fracture instabilities caused by brittle crack jumps remain on (111) the crack plane in a discontinuous manner. In this study, molecular dynamics simulations were performed to investigate the atomistic-level studies of fracture properties under a uniaxial tensile load (mode I load) in the (111) [Formula: see text] Si system. Our simulation results suggest that the formation of untypical-membered Si atomic rings in the vicinity of the crack tip, which can be induced by atomic stress near the crack tip, has an important role in the behavior of crack propagation instabilities. The presence of untypical-membered Si atomic rings acts as a self-protecting mechanism that contribute in maintaining the crack on the (111) fracture plane. Notably, our simulations also presented that the situation when a seven- Si atomic ring moves away from the crack tip associated with a sudden jump of crack speed can be regarded as the origin of the peculiar speed advancement behavior of the [Formula: see text] systems. Moreover, several of our simulation results are in agreement with related experimental measurements.
POTENTIAL ENERGY SURFACES OF OXYGEN VACANCIES IN RUTILE TiO2: CONFIGURATION COORDINATE AND MIGRATION BARRIER SCHEMES
Authors: KAZEMPOUR ALI
Published: September 2013

Applying the screened hybrid functional Heyd–Scuseria–Ernzerhof (HSE) method, we studied the polaronic degree of freedom of different charged oxygen vacancies V o in rutile TiO 2. The HSE method not only corrects the band gap, but also allows for correct polaron localization. Due to the important role of phonon in oxygen vacancy associated levels in the gap, we calculated configuration coordinate (CC) potential energy surfaces for all charged V o 's. Our calculated CC diagrams with effective impression on host states, show significant improvement of electron–lattice interaction compared to semi(local) DFT methods. The obtained values of stokes shifts for sequential transitions of charged vacancies agree well with experimental evidences which confirm Ti 3+ centers are responsible for photoluminescence. In addition, we explored the effect of polaron localization on diffusive mechanism of V o along most open [001] direction. Calculated values of migration barriers for [Formula: see text] are found to be in quantitative agreement with experimental migration energy [E. Iguchi and K. Yajima, J. Phys. Soc. Jpn.32 (1971) 1415] of 2.4 eV. These results highlight the small polaronic behavior of V o 's and is consistent with studies suggest the polaronic hopping model for electron transport of n-type conductivity in reduced TiO 2 [J.-F. Baumard and F. Gervais, Phys. Rev. B15 (1977) 2316–2323].
STATISTICAL PROPERTIES OF A TRAPPED RELATIVISTIC FERMI GAS WITH PAIR PRODUCTION
Authors: SU GUOZHEN , CHEN LIWEI , CHEN JINCAN
Published: September 2013

Statistical properties of an ideal gas of relativistic fermions trapped in a D-dimensional power-law potential are studied, in which the effect of particle–antiparticle pair production is taken into account. It is shown that the relativistic effect is considerable even at very low temperatures for the system with Fermi energy comparable with the rest energy of a particle. In contrast, the effect of pair production is significant at high temperatures, but negligible at low temperatures. Moreover, it is found that the pair production results in several novel characteristics, such as the asymptotic behavior of chemical potential and rapid increase of heat capacity in the high temperature region.
A quasi-incompressible diffuse interface model with phase transition
Authors: Aki Gonca L. , Dreyer Wolfgang , Giesselmann Jan , Kraus Christiane
Published: September 2013

This work introduces a new thermodynamically consistent diffuse model for two-component flows of incompressible fluids. For the introduced diffuse interface model, we investigate physically admissible sharp interface limits by matched asymptotic techniques. To this end, we consider two scaling regimes where in one case we recover the Euler equations and in the other case the Navier–Stokes equations in the bulk phases equipped with admissible interfacial conditions. For the Navier–Stokes regime, we further assume the densities of the fluids are close to each other in the sense of a small parameter which is related to the interfacial thickness of the diffuse model.
THE MECHANISM WHY COLLIDERS COULD CREATE QUASI-STABLE BLACK HOLES
Authors: TORRES R. , FAYOS F. , LORENTE-ESPÍN O.
Published: September 2013

It has been postulated that black holes (BHs) could be created in particle collisions within the range of the available energies for nowadays colliders (LHC). In this paper, we analyze the evaporation of a type of BHs that are candidates for this specific behavior, namely, small BHs on a brane in a world with large extra-dimensions. We examine their evolution under the assumption that energy conservation is satisfied during the process and compare it with the standard evaporation approach. We claim that, rather than undergoing a quick total evaporation, BHs become quasi-stable. We comment on the (absence of) implications for safety of this result. We also discuss how the presence of BHs together with the correctness of the energy conservation approach might be experimentally verified.
PARTICLE DARK MATTER IN THE GALACTIC HALO: RESULTS AND PERSPECTIVES
Authors: BERNABEI R. , BELLI P. , DI MARCO A. , MONTECCHIA F. , CAPPELLA F. , D'ANGELO A. , INCICCHITTI A. , CARACCIOLO V. , CERULLI R. , DAI C. J. , HE H. L. , MA X. H. , SHENG X. D. , WANG R. G. , Ye Z. P.
Published: September 2013

The DAMA project is an observatory for rare processes operating deep underground at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory of the I.N.F.N. In particular, the main apparatus DAMA/LIBRA is mainly dedicated to the investigation of the presence of Dark Matter (DM) particles in the galactic halo by exploiting the model independent DM annual modulation signature. The present DAMA/LIBRA and the former DAMA/ NaI (exposed masses: ≃ 250 kg and ≃ 100 kg of highly radiopure NaI ( Tl ), respectively) experiments have released so far a total exposure of 1.17 ton × yr, collected over 13 annual cycles. They have obtained a positive model independent result for the presence of DM particles in the galactic halo at 8.9σ C.L. Some of the obtained results are shortly summarized and future perspectives mentioned.