bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Prevention of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy
Authors: Au Trang H. , Bruckner Anne , Mohiuddin Syed M. , Hilleman Daniel E.
Published: July 2014

Objective: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a complication which may develop after exposure to iodinated contrast media. The resulting acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with an increase in both short- and long-term morbidity and mortality, increased hospital length of stay, and greater health care costs. The pathophysiological mechanism associated with the development of CIN remains unknown. This narrative review summarizes the pathophysiology, risk factors, and current evidence for the prevention of CIN. Data Sources: A MEDLINE literature search (2004-May 2014) was performed using search terms contrast-induced nephropathy and prevention. Additional references were identified from literature citations, review articles, and meta-analyses. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Abstracts of English-language human clinical trials that examined therapies for the prevention of CIN were evaluated. Studies that did not investigate a preventative intervention for CIN were excluded. Emphasis was placed on recent publications. Data Synthesis: A multitude of therapies focused on the prevention of CIN have been investigated. Unfortunately, many of these studies have produced negative and/or inconsistent results. There is a paucity of adequately designed clinical studies evaluating strategies for the prevention of CIN. However, the best data supports use of preprocedural hydration with isotonic solution as the standard of care for prophylaxis. Conclusion: Given the poor prognosis associated with CIN, there is need for improved methods to prevent it. At present, the best tools to protect patients from unnecessary risk for CIN are careful assessment of renal function, judicious use of procedures that utilize contrast media, and adequate hydration with isotonic solution.
Homocysteine Levels and Oxidative Stress Parameters in Patients With Adult ADHD
Authors: Karababa İbrahim Fatih , Savas Sermin Nur , Selek Sehabettin , Cicek Erdinc , Cicek Esra Ismet , Asoglu Mehmet , Bayazit Huseyin , Kandemir Hasan , Kati Mahmut , Ulas Turgay
Published: July 2014

Objective: In our study, we aimed to evaluate the plasma homocysteine levels and oxidative stress parameters in patients with adult ADHD (A-ADHD). Method: Blood samples were taken from 32 A-ADHD patients and 32 controls enrolled in the study and plasma homocysteine, serum folate, vitamin B12, total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) were determined. Results were compared between the groups. Results: Patients’ plasma homocysteine level was significantly lower and serum folate level was significantly higher than the controls. The means of plasma homocysteine and folate levels were statistically significantly different between the groups ( p < .05). However, a statistically significant difference was not detected between groups for mean serum vitamin B12, TAS, TOS, and OSI levels ( p > .05). Conclusion: Our study suggests that oxidative balance is not impaired in A-ADHD, and contrary to other psychiatric disorders, homocysteine levels were found to be lower.
Impact behavior and finite element prediction of the compression after impact strength of foam/vinylester-glass composite sandwiches
Authors: Gordon Sebastien , Boukhili Rachid , Merah Nesar
Published: July 2014

This paper presents the impact and compression after impact behavior of PVC foam cored /E-glass reinforced/vinylester sandwiches used in a four-seat amphibian aircraft. The impact damage was sorted in three categories: barely visible impact damage; visible impact damage; and clearly visible impact damage. It was observed that when increasing impact energy, the extension of the damage from barely visible impact damage to visible impact damage corresponds to a significantly high rate of energy absorption as depicted by the absorbed energy/impact energy ratio. Sandwich coupons were modeled with the finite element analysis ANSYS software to predict the critical failure load in presence of damage zones equivalent to those observed experimentally. The finite element model predicts consistently the compression after impact strength of undamaged coupons and this result confirms the model used to represent the woven fabric by an equivalent cross-ply laminate model. However, the finite element overestimates the compression after impact strength of impacted ones. It is suggested that the induced out-of-plane displacements generate stress concentrations in the tip of cracks located at the borders of the damaged zone.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons collected from indoor built environments on heating, ventilation and air conditioning dust filters
Authors: Yassin Mohamed F. , Alhajeri Nawaf S. , Kassem Mohamed A.
Published: July 2014

People living in hot climates are likely to spend considerable time indoors and use of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The effects of these systems upon environmental pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have not been well understood. In this study, ‘priority’ PAHs in 20 HVAC filter dust samples were measured using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The samples were taken in homes, schools and mosques in five provinces in Kuwait over a 2-month period in winter. The results showed that traffic and petrochemical refineries were the main outdoor sources of PAHs measured indoors in all of the locations. Benzo[b]fluoranthene and benzo[k]fluoranthene, which are classified as carcinogenic compounds, were present at the highest mean concentrations in most of the locations. The maximum total PAH concentration (∑PAHs is the sum of all target PAHs in each building) was 3645 ng/g and was found in a school that is located south of three refineries and a power station. The highest concentrations of carcinogenic PAHs were found in a home and the lowest in a mosque. Chrysene was found at the highest concentrations and fluoranthene was found at the lowest concentrations of all the PAHs analysed.
Toward better understanding of knowledge management: Correlation to hotel performance and innovation in five-star chain hotels in Egypt
Authors: Salem Islam El-Bayoumi
Published: July 2014

Knowledge management has developed over the last era to become one of the most argued management concepts. Many Egyptian business establishments have started implementing knowledge management programs in their organizations. However, knowledge management in the hospitality industry has not accomplished the same scale of applications and empirical research as in other fields, particularly in the Egyptian hospitality industry. Consequently, this research aims at investigating knowledge management in the Egyptian hospitality industry and its correlation to hotel performance and innovation. Five-star, chain-affiliated hotels constitute this study’s population, counting for 113 chain hotels. Among them, 101 valid questionnaires have been included in the data analysis. Findings revealed a strong and positive relationship between knowledge management and hotel performance. Likewise, findings indicated that there was a strong and positive relationship between knowledge management and hotel innovation.
Immigration and self-determination
Authors: van der Vossen Bas
Published: July 2014

This article asks whether states have a right to close their borders because of their right to self-determination, as proposed recently by Christopher Wellman, Michael Walzer, and others. It asks the fundamental question whether self-determination can, in even its most unrestricted form, support the exclusion of immigrants. I argue that the answer is no. To show this, I construct three different ways in which one might use the idea of self-determination to justify immigration restrictions and show that each of these arguments fails. My conclusion is that the nature and value of self-determination have to do with the conditions of genuine self-government, not membership of political society. Consequently, the demand for open borders is fully consistent with respect to self-determination.
Ownership and autonomy in early learning: The Froebel Research Fellowship project, 2002–2015
Authors: Hargreaves David J , Robson Sue , Greenfield Sue , Fumoto Hiroko
Published: July 2014

This article provides a brief review of the main phases and findings of the Froebel Research Fellowship project, which has been funded by the Froebel Trust (previously the Incorporated Froebel Educational Institute) since 2002. The project is investigating the extent to which Froebelian ideals, such as the notion that children’s knowledge should grow from within rather than from outside the child, might be met within the demands of contemporary early childhood education and care. We have completed five main phases of the project, and a sixth is currently under way. In Phases 1–3 (2002–5), we investigated the attitudes and practices of practitioners in relation to the development of children’s personal, social and cognitive skills in the curriculum using interviews, observations and questionnaires. In Phases 4a–c (2005–2008), our focus narrowed to the study of children’s creative thinking and to the effects of social relationships upon it: children’s, parents’ and practitioners’ views were investigated in Phases 4a, 4b and 4c, respectively. Phase 5 (2009–2011) retained our emphasis on the differences between children’s, parents’ and practitioners’ views, but focussed primarily on the distinction between play and learning at home and at school. Our shift in focus from the cognitive aspects of creativity in Phases 1–3 to its social dimension in Phases 4 and 5 has now moved towards emotional and motivational issues in Phase 6 (2012–2015), in which we are investigating children’s well-being.
Characterization of natural fiber (sheep wool)-reinforced polymer-matrix composites at different operating conditions
Authors: Bharath KN , Pasha Mudasar , Nizamuddin BA
Published: July 2014

Destructive methods, viz. tensile test, bending test, water absorption test, chemical absorption test, and biodegradable test of woven sheep fiber reinforced with 40% and 50% epoxy composites, were studied at different operating conditions. The present investigation is focused on the physical and chemical characterization of the sheep wool fiber-reinforced polymer-matrix composites. Result shows that tensile and bending tests of woven sheep fiber composite of composition (50–50) have high strength and maximum bending compared to woven sheep fiber composite of composition (60–40). The (50–50) composition is having more moisture absorption than (60–40) composition, whereas (60–40) composition has more chemical absorption than (50–50) composition. Biodegradable test shows that compositions (50–50) and (60–40) after few days gain almost the same amount of weight. Destructed surfaces were examined using scanning electron microscope.
Racial Battle Fatigue for Latina/o Students
Authors: Franklin Jeremy D. , Smith William A. , Hung Man
Published: July 2014

Previous literature demonstrates that as a result of racial microaggressions and hostile campus racial climates, Latina/o students often state they experience psychological, physiological, and behavioral stress responses during and after racialized incidents on campuses. The purpose of this study is to quantitatively test the racial battle fatigue framework for Latina/o students using structural equation modeling. Findings suggest that psychological stress responses for Latinas/os are most impacted by racial microaggressions in the racial battle fatigue framework.
Moving Latino/a Students Into STEM Majors in College
Authors: Moller Stephanie , Banerjee Neena , Bottia Martha Cecilia , Stearns Elizabeth , Mickelson Roslyn Arlin , Dancy Melissa , Wright Eric , Valentino Lauren
Published: July 2014

We argue that Latino/a students are more likely to major in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in college if they were educated in high schools where they studied with satisfied teachers who worked in collaborative professional communities. Quantitative results demonstrate that collaborative professional communities in high school are important for Latino/a students’ choice of major in college. Results from qualitative interviews clarify how Latino/a students’ perceptions of precollege educational environments shape their decisions to major in STEM.
Unknown and Unknowing Possibilities
Authors: Mackinlay Elizabeth , Barney Katelyn
Published: July 2014

For tertiary educators in Indigenous Australian Studies, decolonising discourse in education has held much promise to make space for the diversity of Indigenous Australian peoples to be included, accessed, understood, discussed, and engaged with in meaningful ways. However, Tuck and Yang provide us with the stark reminder that decolonisation requires the return of Indigenous lands and does not equate to social justice. In this article, we take up Tuck and Yang’s concerns about decolonisation discourse into the terrain of transformative learning and pedagogical practice in Indigenous Australian Studies. We first position ourselves personally, professionally, and politically as non-Indigenous educators in the context of Indigenous Australian Studies in higher education and introduce the transformative learning environment of Political, Embodied, Active, and Reflective Learning (PEARL) in which we are currently involved. We then explore in more detail PEARL’s relationship to critical pedagogy, critical race theory, and decolonisation as praxis in the context of Indigenous Australian Studies. Ultimately, we enter into this discussion in a spirit of “unknowing” to question previously held assumptions about the transformative, socially just, and decolonizing potential of our educational praxis in Indigenous Australian Studies while at the same time exploring the possibilities, as Maxine Greene encourages, of decolonised vistas in this field as yet “unknown.”
What comes out of incentivized collaboration
Authors: Feys Ellen , Devos Geert
Published: July 2014

Incentivized collaboration, schools that receive incentives such as public funding or additional resources if they join a network, has become quite popular in Europe and North America (e.g. England, Flanders, United States). We used a comparative case study design to explore why schools would enter such an incentivized network and what role incentives play in the development, operation and sustaining of collaboration. Interviews and focus groups were conducted in eight Flemish (Belgium) school networks. Our analysis showed three key findings. Firstly, all schools entered a network because of the incentives instead of intrinsic motivations. Secondly, in half of the cases the initial negative motivations towards collaboration changed into positive motivations while collaborating. Thirdly, although incentives are useful when initiating a network, they are not sufficient to maintain a solid collaboration. We argue that an incentivized network reaches maturity when there is a common purpose, a degree of collaborative activity, mutual trust and solidarity. Therefore, an incentivized network needs a stable and non-competitive environment and sufficient leadership quality. We also believe that networks that are composed of schools with a common history, few members and small power differences have a better chance at survival.
A Computational Proof of Concept of a Machine-Intelligent Artificial Pancreas Using Lyapunov Stability and Differential Game Theory
Authors: Greenwood Nigel J. C. , Gunton Jenny E.
Published: July 2014

Background:

This study demonstrated the novel application of a “machine-intelligent” mathematical structure, combining differential game theory and Lyapunov-based control theory, to the artificial pancreas to handle dynamic uncertainties.

Methods:

Realistic type 1 diabetes (T1D) models from the literature were combined into a composite system. Using a mixture of “black box” simulations and actual data from diabetic medical histories, realistic sets of diabetic time series were constructed for blood glucose (BG), interstitial fluid glucose, infused insulin, meal estimates, and sometimes plasma insulin assays. The problem of underdetermined parameters was side stepped by applying a variant of a genetic algorithm to partial information, whereby multiple candidate-personalized models were constructed and then rigorously tested using further data. These formed a “dynamic envelope” of trajectories in state space, where each trajectory was generated by a hypothesis on the hidden T1D system dynamics. This dynamic envelope was then culled to a reduced form to cover observed dynamic behavior. A machine-intelligent autonomous algorithm then implemented game theory to construct real-time insulin infusion strategies, based on the flow of these trajectories through state space and their interactions with hypoglycemic or near-hyperglycemic states.

Results:

This technique was tested on 2 simulated participants over a total of fifty-five 24-hour days, with no hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic events, despite significant uncertainties from using actual diabetic meal histories with 10-minute warnings. In the main case studies, BG was steered within the desired target set for 99.8% of a 16-hour daily assessment period. Tests confirmed algorithm robustness for ±25% carbohydrate error. For over 99% of the overall 55-day simulation period, either formal controller stability was achieved to the desired target or else the trajectory was within the desired target.

Conclusions:

These results suggest that this is a stable, high-confidence way to generate closed-loop insulin infusion strategies.
Pitfalls of Insulin Pump Clocks
Authors: Aldasouqi Saleh A. , Reed Amy J.
Published: July 2014

Objective:

The objective was to raise awareness about the importance of ensuring that insulin pumps internal clocks are set up correctly at all times. This is a very important safety issue because all commercially available insulin pumps are not GPS-enabled (though this is controversial), nor equipped with automatically adjusting internal clocks. Special attention is paid to how basal and bolus dose errors can be introduced by daylight savings time changes, travel across time zones, and am-pm clock errors. Correct setting of insulin pump internal clock is crucial for appropriate insulin delivery.

Methods:

A comprehensive literature review is provided, as are illustrative cases.

Results:

Incorrect setting can potentially result in incorrect insulin delivery, with potential harmful consequences, if too much or too little insulin is delivered. Daylight saving time changes may not significantly affect basal insulin delivery, given the triviality of the time difference. However, bolus insulin doses can be dramatically affected. Such problems may occur when pump wearers have large variations in their insulin to carb ratio, especially if they forget to change their pump clock in the spring. More worrisome than daylight saving time change is the am-pm clock setting. If this setting is set up incorrectly, both basal rates and bolus doses will be affected.

Conclusions:

Appropriate insulin delivery through insulin pumps requires correct correlation between dose settings and internal clock time settings. Because insulin pumps are not GPS-enabled or automatically time-adjusting, extra caution should be practiced by patients to ensure correct time settings at all times. Clinicians and diabetes educators should verify the date/time of insulin pumps during patients’ visits, and should remind their patients to always verify these settings.
Prevention of Intention Invention in the Affect Misattribution Procedure
Authors: Gawronski Bertram , Ye Yang
Published: July 2014

The affect misattribution procedure (AMP) is one of the most promising indirect measures, showing high reliability and large effect sizes. However, the AMP has been recently criticized for being susceptible to explicit influences, in that priming effects are larger and more reliable among participants who report that they intentionally responded to the primes instead of the targets. Consistent with interpretations of these effects in terms of retrospective confabulation, two experiments obtained reliable priming effects when (a) participants lacked meta-cognitive knowledge about their responses to the primes and (b) participants’ attention was directed away from response-eliciting features of the primes. Under either of these conditions, priming effects were unrelated to self-reported intentionality, although self-reported intentionality was positively related to priming effects under control conditions. The findings highlight the contribution of meta-cognitive inferences to retrospective self-reports of intentionality and suggest an effective procedure to rule out explicit influences in the AMP.
Cultural perspectives of marketing research for sustainable development in developing countries
Authors: Arnould Eric J.
Published: July 2014

Through his research experience in developing countries, Eric Arnould asserts that questions about sustainable development are historically linked to problems of access by populations in the global South to development programs financially, socially and environmentally fit to ensure their well-being. Therefore, thinking through marketing’s potential contribution and taking action in the context of sustainable development in the global South requires posing questions at two levels: at a macro level, to understand the links between local and international markets and the local effects of these linkages; and at cultural level, to understand economic stakeholders’ behaviors within their specific cultural and institutional contexts.
Proactive Assessment for Collaboration Success
Authors: Ju Teresa L. , Lin Yao Chin , Ha Nhu-Hang
Published: July 2014

This study describes a government–academia–industry joint training project that produces Vietnamese midlevel technical managers. To ensure collaboration success, a proactive assessment methodology was developed as a supplement to the conventional project management practices. In the postproject feedback, the funding agencies acknowledged that the project fulfilled its contractual obligations and achieved its objectives. The implementing university was pleased as it broke ground in this type of collaboration in Taiwan. The industrial partners, however, were not so sure about the effectiveness of this collaborative training endeavor because there were many skirmishes between company supervisors and Vietnamese interns caused by the interns’ self-interested perception and expectation. Consequently, a theoretical framework for predicting internship acceptance and preventing unfavorable perceptions was proposed to strengthen the proactive assessment methodology. Collaboration research, funding agencies, academia, and industry could all benefit from this study.
Coffins versus cradles: Russian population, foreign policy, and power transition theory
Authors: Sciubba Jennifer Dabbs
Published: July 2014

In May 2006, President Vladimir Putin said that Russia’s dire demographics were the biggest challenge facing Russia. We know little about how states conduct foreign policy under demographic decline but some expect Russia to become more pacifist or to turn attention inward as its internal situation deteriorates. Power transition theory (PTT), however, which considers population as a key component of power, anticipates riskier international behavior under demographic changes. PTT predicts aggression under two conditions: when a dominant power sees its decline while secondary powers are rising; and when an inferior state sees its power increase while the dominant power declines. This article interprets Russia’s foreign policy actions from May 2006 through 2012 in light of PTT. I find that Russia was physically aggressive in its region when its population decline peaked, as PTT expects. Power transition theory also predicts Russia’s diplomatically aggressive foreign policy at the system level as Russian leaders’ perceptions of a favorable shift in the global balance of power gave them more confidence in Russia’s capabilities to challenge the status quo. This study furthers our understanding of foreign policy-making in times of demographic decline, extends power transition theory, and serves as a model for evaluating demographic trends and foreign policy for other great powers.
Characteristics of Music Teachers Who Effectively Promote Social Capital
Authors: Brimhall Jennifer
Published: July 2014

It is the aim of this investigation through literature review to identify teacher characteristics that may best promote social capital in students, thereby improving their ability to succeed in society. This review defines success as the procurement of a career-aimed occupation or a prestigious occupation. Consequently, it intends to (a) provide a definition of social capital, (b) outline links between increased social capital and student success, and (c) identify four characteristics of music teachers that could promote social capital. These four characteristics include positive rapport, knowledge of content area, successful communication, and regular reflection. Each is examined within music teaching contexts and illustrated through application of the characteristics in an ensemble setting.
Preparation of CdS doped carbon nanotubes and their electrochemical properties
Authors: Wang Z.-B. , Jia X.-L. , Guan Y.-J. , Shen H.
Published: July 2014

A CdS doped carbon nanotube sol was synthesised by the sol-gel technique and applied to a titanium plate to synthesise a composite electrode. Energy dispersion X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed that the electrodes contain CdS. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the carbon nanotubes were uniformly dispersed on the surface of the plate. A two-chamber microbial fuel cell was constructed using the electrode as the anode, flexible graphite as the cathode and glucose solution as the substrate in the anode chamber. The effects of CdS dose, glucose concentration and temperature on the cell efficiency and organic degradation have been analysed. At 313 K, the two-chambered fuel cell possessed the optimum output voltage of 906 mV, with a power of 19·6 mW m−2 and a removal rate of 81 for chemical oxygen demand in treatment of wastewater. The composite electrode was found to be stable and to perform reproducibly.
Prevalence and factors associated with HIV infection among injection drug users at methadone clinics in Taipei, Taiwan
Authors: Yen Yung-Feng , Yen Muh-Yong , Lin Ting , Li Lan-Huei , Jiang Xiao-Ru , Chou Pesus , Deng Chung-Yeh
Published: July 2014

Background

Methadone treatment was introduced in Taiwan in 2006 as a harm-reduction program for injection drug users (IDUs), among whom HIV was endemic. We examined the association of HIV serostatus with demographic characteristics, substance use, and sexual behaviors among IDUs at methadone clinics in Taipei, Taiwan.

Methods

During 2012–2013, IDUs at methadone clinics in Taipei were recruited to complete a risk assessment interview and undergo serologic testing for HIV infection. Correlates of HIV infection were identified by multivariate logistic regression.

Results

Of the 827 eligible participants, 85.9% were male, median age was 45 years, and mean years of injecting was 18.0 (range 1–56). The prevalence of HIV infection was 17.7%. In multivariate analysis, HIV infection was significantly associated with age ≤45 years (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–2.62), being divorced (AOR = 1.67, 95% CI 1.06–2.62), deriving the majority of income during the previous 6 months from temporary jobs or other noncriminal sources (AOR = 1.53, 95% CI 1.02–2.30), unstable housing during the previous 6 months (AOR = 1.47, 95% CI 1.003–2.15), higher number of incarcerations (AOR = 1.14, 95% CI 1.03–1.26), and a history of overdose (AOR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.01–2.28).

Conclusions

Taiwanese IDUs at methadone clinics have a relatively high HIV prevalence, which was associated with younger age and history of overdose. It is imperative to educate IDUs’ about HIV transmission, particularly for the younger and overdosed IDUs.
Efficiency enhancement of non-selenized Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells employing scalable low-cost antireflective coating
Authors: Jheng Bao-Tang , Liu Po-Tsun , Wu Meng-Chyi
Published: July 2014

In this study, a non-selenized CuInGaSe2 (CIGS) solar device with textured zinc oxide (ZnO) antireflection coatings was studied. The ZnO nanostructure was fabricated by a low-temperature aqueous solution deposition method. With controlling the morphology of the solution-grown tapered ZnO nanorod coatings, the average reflectance of the CIGS solar device decreased from 8.6% to 2.1%, and the energy conversion efficiency increased from 9.1% to 11.1%. The performance improvement in the CuInGaSe2 thin-film solar cell was well explained due to the gradual increase of the refractive index between air and the top electrode of solar cell device by the insertion of the ZnO nanostructure. The results demonstrate a potential application of the ZnO nanostructure array for efficient solar device technology.
Distributed source-relay selection scheme for vehicular relaying networks under eavesdropping attacks
Authors: Sun Li , Ren Pinyi , Du Qinghe
Published: July 2014

The recent development of vehicular networking technologies brings the promise of improved driving safety and traffic efficiency. Cooperative communication is recognized as a low-complexity solution for enhancing both the reliability and the throughput of vehicular networks. However, due to the openness of wireless medium, the vehicular wireless communications (VWC) is also vulnerable to potential eavesdropping attacks. To tackle with this issue, we in this paper propose a novel user-cooperation scheme with anti-eavesdropping capabilities. Specifically, prior to any frame transmission, a source-relay pair is jointly selected to maximize the achievable secrecy rate. After that, the selected relay assists the source to deliver its data to the destination. The proposed selection scheme can be realized in a fully distributed manner, and the security is guaranteed without using any encryption techniques at the upper layers. The closed-form expressions for the secrecy outage probability and the intercept probability are derived, and the achievable diversity order is also analyzed. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme outperforms the competing counterparts in terms of both the secrecy outage probability and the average secrecy rate.
Habitual exercise plus dietary supplementation with milk fat globule membrane improves muscle function deficits via neuromuscular development in senescence-accelerated mice
Authors: Haramizu Satoshi , Mori Takuya , Yano Michiko , Ota Noriyasu , Hashizume Kohjiro , Otsuka Atsuko , Hase Tadashi , Shimotoyodome Akira
Published: July 2014

We examined the effects of habitual exercise plus nutritional intervention through consumption of milk fat globule membrane (MFGM), a milk component, on aging-related deficits in muscle mass and function in senescence-accelerated P1 mice. Combining wheel-running and MFGM (MFGMEx) intake significantly attenuated age-related declines in quadriceps muscle mass (control: 318 ± 6 mg; MFGMEx: 356 ± 9 mg; P < 0.05) and in contractile force (1.4-fold and 1.5-fold higher in the soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles, respectively). Microarray analysis of genes in the quadriceps muscle revealed that MFGMEx stimulated neuromuscular development; this was supported by significantly increased docking protein-7 (Dok-7) and myogenin mRNA expression. Treatment of differentiating myoblasts with MFGM-derived phospholipid or sphingolipid fractions plus mechanical stretching also significantly increased Dok-7 mRNA expression. These findings suggest that habitual exercise plus dietary MFGM improves muscle function deficits through neuromuscular development, and that phospholipid and sphingolipid in MFGM contribute to its physiological actions.
Discriminant validity, responsiveness and reliability of the arthritis-specific Work Productivity Survey assessing workplace and household productivity in patients with psoriatic arthritis
Authors: Osterhaus Jane T , Purcaru Oana
Published: July 2014

Introduction

The novel arthritis-specific Work Productivity Survey (WPS) was developed to estimate patient productivity limitations associated with arthritis within and outside the home, which is an unmet need in psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The WPS has been validated in rheumatoid arthritis. This report assesses the discriminant validity, responsiveness and reliability of the WPS in adult-onset PsA.

Methods

Psychometric properties were assessed using data from the RAPID-PsA trial (NCT01087788) investigating certolizumab pegol (CZP) efficacy and safety in PsA. WPS was completed at baseline and every 4 weeks until Week 24. Validity was evaluated at baseline via known-groups defined using first and third quartiles of patients’ Disease Activity Score 28 based on C-reactive protein (DAS28(CRP)), Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI), Short Form-36 (SF-36) items and PsA Quality of Life (PsAQoL) scores. Responsiveness and reliability were assessed by comparing WPS mean changes at Week 12 in American College of Rheumatology 20% improvement criteria (ACR20) or HAQ-DI Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) 0.3 responders versus non-responders, as well as using standardized response means (SRM). All comparisons were conducted on the observed cases in the Randomized Set, regardless of the randomization group, using a non-parametric bootstrap-t method.

Results

Compared with patients with a better health state, patients with a worse health state had on average 2 to 6 times more household work days lost, more days with reduced household productivity, more days missed of family/social/leisure activities, more days with outside help hired and a significantly higher interference of arthritis per month. Among employed patients, those with a worse health state had 2 to 4 times more workplace days lost, more days with patient workplace productivity reduced, and a significantly higher interference of arthritis on patient workplace productivity versus patients with a better health state. WPS was also responsive to clinical changes, with responders having significantly larger improvements at Week 12 in WPS scores versus non-responders. The effect sizes for changes in productivity in ACR20 or HAQ-DI MCID responders were moderate (0.5 < SRM < 0.8) or small.

Conclusions

These analyses demonstrate the validity, responsiveness and reliability of the WPS, as an instrument for the measurement of patient productivity within and outside the home in an adult-onset PsA population.
Validation of the prognostic gene portfolio, ClinicoMolecular Triad Classification, using an independent prospective breast cancer cohort and external patient populations
Authors: Wang Dong-Yu , Done Susan J , Mc Cready David R , Leong Wey L
Published: July 2014

Introduction

Using genome-wide expression profiles of a prospective training cohort of breast cancer patients, ClinicoMolecular Triad Classification (CMTC) was recently developed to classify breast cancers into three clinically relevant groups to aid treatment decisions. CMTC was found to be both prognostic and predictive in a large external breast cancer cohort in that study. This study serves to validate the reproducibility of CMTC and its prognostic value using independent patient cohorts.

Methods

An independent internal cohort (n = 284) and a new external cohort (n = 2,181) were used to validate the association of CMTC between clinicopathological factors, 12 known gene signatures, two molecular subtype classifiers, and 19 oncogenic signalling pathway activities, and to reproduce the abilities of CMTC to predict clinical outcomes of breast cancer. In addition, we also updated the outcome data of the original training cohort (n = 147).

Results

The original training cohort reached a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in disease-free survivals between the three CMTC groups after an additional two years of follow-up (median = 55 months). The prognostic value of the triad classification was reproduced in the second independent internal cohort and the new external validation cohort. CMTC achieved even higher prognostic significance when all available patients were analyzed (n = 4,851). Oncogenic pathways Myc, E2F1, Ras and β-catenin were again implicated in the high-risk groups.

Conclusions

Both prospective internal cohorts and the independent external cohorts reproduced the triad classification of CMTC and its prognostic significance. CMTC is an independent prognostic predictor, and it outperformed 12 other known prognostic gene signatures, molecular subtype classifications, and all other standard prognostic clinicopathological factors. Our results support further development of CMTC portfolio into a guide for personalized breast cancer treatments.
In Situ Generated H2O2 over Supported Pd–Au Clusters in Hybrid Titania Nanocrystallites
Authors: Mehri Afef , Kochkar Hafedh
Published: July 2014

Bimetallic Au–Pd clusters were successfully elaborated by selective deposition over citrate-functionalized TiO2 nanocrystallites. Anisotropic gold nanoparticles are obtained by adjusting the Pd/Au ratio. An original method to generate “in situ” H2O2 from formic acid and O2 is discussed and evaluated in the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol as a model reaction.
Synthesis of New Earth-abundant Kesterite Cu2MgSnS4 Nanoparticles by Hot-injection Method
Authors: Wei Ming , Du Qingyang , Wang Rong , Jiang Guoshun , Liu Weifeng , Zhu Changfei
Published: July 2014

A new earth-abundant element material Cu2MgSnS4 was synthesized by hot-injection methods. X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy elucidated that as-prepared nanoparticles are Kesterite Cu2MgSnS4 without binary compounds coexisting. Scanning transmission electron microscopy–energy-dispersive spectroscopy element mapping shows the copper, magnesium, tin, and sulfur elements distributed uniformly in the nanoparticles. The result of the UV–vis absorption spectra revealed that the Cu2MgSnS4 nanoparticles have an optical band gap of 1.63 eV, which is suitable for application in the field of photovoltaic cells.
Photochemical Property of a Myoglobin–CdTe Quantum Dot Conjugate Formed by Supramolecular Host–Guest Interactions
Authors: Himiyama Tomoki , Onoda Akira , Hayashi Takashi
Published: July 2014

A myoglobin–cadmium telluride quantum dot (QD) conjugate was constructed via supramolecular host–guest interactions between a cyclodextrin molecule attached on QD and an adamantyl group covalently linked to the heme. Irradiation of the supramolecular myoglobin–cadmium telluride conjugate generated a photoreduced ferrous myoglobin species via an electron transfer from the photoexcited quantum dot, leading to the formation of CO-bound myoglobin under a CO atmosphere.
Facile Preparation of Highly Ordered Small Pore Mesoporous Silicas
Authors: Zhu Yan-Mei , Wang Ren-Liang , Zhang Wen-Ping , Ge Hai-Yan , Li Li
Published: July 2014

Highly ordered small pore mesoporous silicas were synthesized by using a mixture of surfactants as a template. The surfactant system comprises short-chain cationic surfactant (decyltrimethylammonium bromide, denoted C10TMAB) and sodium salicylate (sodium o-hydroxybenzoate, denoted SS). Addition of SS into a C10TMAB system can effectively reduce the surfactant head-group repulsion by screening the electrostatic charge, optimizing the surfactant packing, thus facilitating the synthesis of highly ordered small pore mesoporous silicas.
Recent Developments in the Chemistry of Pyridyl-functionalized, Low-coordinate Phosphorus Heterocycles
Authors: Müller Christian , Sklorz Julian A W , de Krom Iris , Loibl Antonia , Habicht Marija , Bruce Marlene , Pfeifer Gregor , Wiecko Jelena
Published: July 2014

This highlight review provides an overview of recent developments in the chemistry of pyridyl-functionalized λ3σ2-phosphinines and 3H-1,2,3,4-triazaphospholes. The access to novel chelating, low-coordinate phosphorus heterocycles can lead to a much broader scope for potential applications. New developments in areas such as homogeneous catalysis, molecular materials, and supramolecular chemistry can consequently be foreseen in the near future.
False memory susceptibility is correlated with categorisation ability in humans
Authors: Hunt Kathryn , Chittka Lars
Published: July 2014

Our memory is often surprisingly inaccurate, with errors ranging from misremembering minor details of events to generating illusory memories of entire episodes. The pervasiveness of such false memories generates a puzzle: in the face of selection pressure for accuracy of memory, how could such systematic failures have persisted over evolutionary time? It is possible that memory errors are an inevitable by-product of our adaptive memories and that semantic false memories are specifically connected to our ability to learn rules and concepts and to classify objects by category memberships. Here we test this possibility using a standard experimental false memory paradigm and inter-individual variation in verbal categorisation ability. Indeed it turns out that the error scores are significantly negatively correlated, with those individuals scoring fewer errors on the categorisation test being more susceptible to false memory intrusions in a free recall test. A similar trend, though not significant, was observed between individual categorisation ability and false memory susceptibility in a word recognition task. Our results therefore indicate that false memories, to some extent, might be a by-product of our ability to learn rules, categories and concepts.
Supporting act
Authors: Moore Sarah
Published: July 2014

Physiotherapist Sarah Moore BSc MCSP SRP ACPAT, discusses the diagnosis, treatment and management of suspensory ligament degeneration and injury
Effect of autoclave devitalization on autograft incorporation and bone morphogenetic protein of tibia in Sprague-Dawley rats
Authors: Asmara Anak A.G.Y. , Kamal Achmad F. , Siregar Nurjati C. , Prasetyo Marcel
Published: July 2014

Background: Heating process with autoclave is one of limb salvage modalities that are widely used. but the results are not satisfying, due to mechanical bone fragility. However, considering this treatment modality is widely accepted in terms of financial, religion and sociocultural aspects, we conducted a on study rats treated with resection and reconstruction with autoclave heating method to assess bone healing by sequential radiology, histopathologic osteoblasts count, and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP).Methods: Thirty six Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups with one group being the autoclave group and others served as control group. In both groups, the tibial diaphysis was extracted en bloc for 7 mm. All groups were kept for 8 weeks and treated under the same condition except the autoclave group, where the extracted bones were put into autoclave at 134°C for 15 minutes and refixed again with k-wire. We performed radiological examination at 5th and 8th week using Lane and Sandhu radiological score. After extraction, the tibial bones were inspected for histological pattern using Salked modified score, osteoblast quantity counting and BMP-2 values.Results: There were statistically significant diffences between control and autoclave group on radiological score at 5th (5.12 ± 1.6 g vs 3.21 ± 2.42, p = 0.023) and 8th week (6.06 ± 1.71 vs 4.29 ± 2.53, p = 0.040), histological score between groups (6.06 ± 1.14 vs 4.14 ± 1.99, p = 0.005), osteoblast count (p < 0.001), and BMP-2 expression,  respectively.Conclusion: Autoclave recycling autograft lowered the speed of graft incorporation and BMP-2 expression. Therefore, autoclave recycling autograft as a method of limb salvage surgery must be reevaluated and not considered to be applied for treatment in bone malignancy.
Evaluación antropométrica, ingesta dietética y nivel de actividad física en estudiantes de medicina de Santa Fe (Argentina)
Authors: Monsted Cecilia , Lazzarino María Sol , Modini Laura Beatriz , Zurbriggen Alicia , Fortino María Alejandra
Published: July 2014

Introducción: la obesidad y la enfermedad cardiovascular (ECV) aumentan en todo el mundo y también en Argentina. Los estilos de vida, especialmente la dieta y la actividad física (AF), se plantean como claves en la prevención de estas patologías. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar en estudiantes de Medicina variables antropométricas, de ingesta dietética y nivel de actividad física, y valorar la posible asociación existente entre dichas variables.Material y métodos: estudio transversal en 141 estudiantes (21-31 años) de los tres últimos años de la carrera. Se evaluó el índice de masa corporal (IMC), el % de grasa corporal (%GC) y la circunferencia abdominal (CA) y se clasificó a los sujetos según su riesgo cardiovascular (RCV) a partir de la CA. Se valoró la ingesta dietética mediante Registro 24h, cuestionario de frecuencia de consumo y se comparó el patrón de consumo con las Guías Alimentarias para la Población Argentina. Para la evaluación nutricional se usó la Tabla de Composición de Alimentos Argenfoods, y se comparó con las metas de la OMS para la Prevención de Enfermedades Crónicas No  Transmisibles. El conjunto de la dieta se evaluó mediante el Índice de Calidad Dietética Internacional (DQI-I). La actividad física (AF) se evaluó según cuestionario internacional de actividad física (IPAQ). Se valoró la posible asociación entre las distintas variables antropométricas, la antropometría e ingesta, y la antropometría y actividad física.Resultados: el 3,5% fue obeso (31,7 ± 0,7 kg/m2) y 25,5% tuvo sobrepeso (26,8 ± 1,6 kg/m2); 27,7% mostró %GC aumentada (mujeres: 36,8 ± 3,4 %; hombres: 29,1 ± 3,4 %) y 14,9% límite (mujeres: 31,7 ± 0,7;  hombres: 23,6 ± 3,4); 23,4% presentó RCV aumentado o muy aumentado según su CA (mujeres: 85,8 ± 5,6 cm; hombres: 101,4 ± 2,3 cm). Un 27,8% de individuos normopesos mostró %GC límite y aumentada (35,0 ± 0,9 %) y correspondió al sexo femenino. El RCV por CA aumentado o muy aumentado se asoció a IMC en ambos sexos (p=0,001, OR=6,24) y a %GC en mujeres (p=0,003, OR=4,57). La calidad dietética (DQI-I) fue buena sólo en un 5% y pobre en el 49,7% de los sujetos. Más del 50% no cumplió las metas de la OMS: los valores de grasas totales, saturadas, colesterol, azúcares simples y sal resultaron superiores, mientras la fibra fue  inferior. En hombres, el IMC se asoció al consumo de grasas totales (p=0,03, OR=2,01) y colesterol (p=0,039, OR=3,43) mientras el %GC estuvo asociado al consumo de grasas totales (p=0,021, OR=1,65), saturadas (p=0,007, OR=2,76) y colesterol (p=0,04, OR=1,84). La AF fue: baja (39,7%), moderada (39,0%) e intensa (21,3%), y no se asoció a parámetros antropométricos.Conclusiones: en esta población universitaria la dieta inadecuada resultó el factor de riesgo de obesidad y ECV de mayor prevalencia. Le siguieron, en orden, el exceso de grasa corporal, la baja actividad física, el IMC elevado y el RCV asociado a la CA.
Sign changing solutions of the Hardy–Sobolev–Maz'ya equation
Authors: Ganguly Debdip
Published: July 2014

In this article we will study the existence, multiplicity and Morse index of sign changing
solutions for the Hardy–Sobolev–Maz'ya (HSM) equation in bounded domain and involving critical growth.
We obtain infinitely many sign changing solutions for HSM equation.
We also establish an estimate on the Morse index for the sign changing solutions.