bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The ALERT scale: an observational study of early prediction of adverse hospital outcome for medical patients
Authors: Roberts Daniel , Patrick Ward , Mojica Julie , Ostryzniuk Patricia , Patrick Margaret , MacKnight Chris , Kraut Allen , Shafer Leigh Anne
Published: April 2015

Objectives

Some medical patients are at greater risk of adverse outcomes than others and may benefit from higher observation hospital units. We constructed and validated a model predicting adverse hospital outcome for patients. Study results may be used to admit patients into planned tiered care units. Adverse outcome comprised death or cardiac arrest during the first 30 days of hospitalisation, or transfer to intensive care within the first 48 h of admission.

Setting

The study took place at two tertiary teaching hospitals and two community hospitals in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Participants

We analysed data from 4883 consecutive admissions at a tertiary teaching hospital to construct the Early Prediction of Adverse Hospital Outcome for Medical Patients (ALERT) model using logistic regression. Robustness of the model was assessed through validation performed across four hospitals over two time periods, including 65 640 consecutive admissions.

Outcome

Receiver-operating characteristic curves (ROC) and sensitivity and specificity analyses were used to assess the usefulness of the model.

Results

9.3% of admitted patients experienced adverse outcomes. The final model included gender, age, Charlson Comorbidity Index, Activities of Daily Living Score, Glasgow Coma Score, systolic blood pressure, respiratory rate, heart rate and white cell count. The model was discriminative (ROC=0.83) in predicting adverse outcome. ALERT accurately predicted 75% of the adverse outcomes (sensitivity) and 75% of the non-adverse outcomes (specificity). Applying the same model to each validation hospital and time period produced similar accuracy and discrimination to that in the development hospital.

Conclusions

Used during initial assessment of patients admitted to general medical wards, the ALERT scale may complement other assessment measures to better screen patients. Those considered as higher risk by the ALERT scale may then be provided more effective care from action such as planned tiered care units.
The NHS Health Check programme: implementation in east London 2009–2011
Authors: Robson John , Dostal Isabel , Madurasinghe Vichithranie , Sheikh Aziz , Hull Sally , Boomla Kambiz , Page Helen , Griffiths Chris , Eldridge Sandra
Published: April 2015

Objectives

To describe implementation and results from the National Health Service (NHS) Health Check programme.

Design

Three-year observational open cohort study: 2009–2011.

Participants

People of age 40–74 years eligible for an NHS Health Check.

Setting

139/143 general practices in three east London primary care trusts (PCTs) serving an ethnically diverse and socially disadvantaged population.

Method

Implementation was supported with education, IT support and performance reports. Tower Hamlets PCT additionally used managed practice networks and prior-stratification to call people at higher cardiovascular (CVD) risk first.

Main outcomes measures

Attendance, proportion of high-risk population on statins and comorbidities identified.

Results

Coverage 2009, 2010, 2011 was 33.9% (31 878/10 805), 60.6% (30 757/18 652) and 73.4% (21 194/28 890), respectively. Older people were more likely to attend than younger people. Attendance was similar across deprivation quintiles and was in accordance with population distributions of black African/Caribbean, South Asian and White ethnic groups. 1 in 10 attendees were at high-CVD risk (20% or more 10-year risk). In the two PCTs stratifying risk, 14.3% and 9.4% of attendees were at high-CVD risk compared to 8.6% in the PCT using an unselected invitation strategy. Statin prescription to people at high-CVD risk was higher in Tower Hamlets 48.9%, than in City and Hackney 23.1% or Newham 20.2%. In the 6 months following an NHS Health Check, 1349 new cases of hypertension, 638 new cases of diabetes and 89 new cases of chronic kidney disease (CKD) were diagnosed. This represents 1 new case of hypertension per 38 Checks, 1 new case of diabetes per 80 Checks and 1 new case of CKD per 568 Checks.

Conclusions

Implementation of the NHS Health Check programme in these localities demonstrates limited success. Coverage and treatment of those at high-CVD risk could be improved. Targeting invitations to people at high-CVD risk and managed practice networks in Tower Hamlets improved performance.
009 PP: EXPLORING CARERS' EXPERIENCES OF CARING FOR SOMEONE WITH ADVANCED DEMENTIA
Authors: Moore KJ , Ozanne E , Dow B , Ames D
Published: April 2015

During advanced stages of dementia many people are no longer able to live independently at home. In Australia, home based case management packages were introduced for people with dementia and nursing home level care needs who wanted to remain at home. My PhD study aimed to develop a more in-depth exploration of carers' experiences of caring for someone with advanced dementia within the context of the formal service system. I undertook semi-structured interviews with carers who were eligible for a package (on a waiting list n=11; currently accessing a package n=14; accessed a package prior to their relative moving into a care home n=12; or prior to their relative's death n=1). As a PhD study I did not have a second researcher available to code and analyse data in depth. I was able to discuss themes and issues with my supervisors but this was not adequate for ensuring a rigorous analysis. I relied on participants to check my interpretation of the interview using summary reports. Participants were followed up three months after the interview to check whether their circumstances had changed and to reflect on the interview and report. This process proved to be useful as some participants made small clarifications about my interpretation while most indicated that the report was an accurate summary. For some, the report was enlightening and some commented that they appreciated having the opportunity to comment. The summary reports were used to identify themes which were then illustrated with quotes from transcriptions. This paper provides an approach to analysis that aims to reduce the limitation of having a sole researcher analysing qualitative data. This study was undertaken at The University of Melbourne and the National Ageing Research Institute and was financially supported with an Assessment and Better Care Outcomes Dementia Collaborative Research Centre PhD scholarship.
014 PP: COUPLE SEXUALITY IN YOUNG ONSET DEMENTIA (THE COSY STUDY)
Authors: Symmonds JN , Whitfield T , Pavitt A , Ducksbury R , Lee L , Walker Z
Published: April 2015

Introduction

Dementia is a devastating illness. The clinical criteria for dementia focus on cognitive and functional impairment. However patients' relationships are also affected, including their intimate and sexual relationships. These relationships are an important part of an adult life, particularly in young adults and are part of a person's identity and self-esteem. A great deal of research has explored the impact of late onset dementia on couples' relationships. This study aims to explore the impact of young onset dementia (YOD) on intimate and sexual relationships.

Objectives

(a) To explore the lived experiences of couples with YOD with regard to their sexual and intimate relationships; (b) To explore any issues in this area and to report what these problems are (for both the partner and the pwYOD); (c) To identify strategies that couples have found helpful in maintaining a close sexual and intimate relationship where one person has a diagnosis of YOD; (d) To identify issues frequently raised by study participants (as well as strategies/actions that have helped to maintain a close relationship) and (e) Use these issues to inform the development of an appropriate future clinical intervention. Where enough data is available, to relate the findings to: (i) The severity of the pwYOD's illness; (ii) The type of dementia; (iii) Gender and (iv) The type of relationship the couple had before the pwYOD developed dementia.

Methods

We are in the progress of interviewing patients and their partners, with the plan to recruit in total 10–20 individuals from 8–12 couples. We have completed five interviews with further interviews planned for the near future.

Interviews will be transcribed and thematically analysed. To date, interviews have highlighted important challenges and needs, including the setup of group, individual, and couple interventions.
Carbon dioxide-induced liberation of methane from laboratory-formed methane hydrates
Authors: Horvat Kristine , Mahajan Devinder
Published: April 2015

This paper reports a laboratory mimic study that focused on the extraction of methane (CH4) from hydrates coupled with sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO2) as hydrates, by taking advantage of preferential thermodynamic stability of hydrates of CO2 over CH4. Five hydrate formation-decomposition runs focused on CH4–CO2 exchange, two baselines and three with host sediments, were performed in a 200 mL high-pressure Jerguson cell fitted with two glass windows that allowed visualization of the time-resolved hydrate phenomenon. The baseline pure hydrates formed from artificial seawater (75 mL) under 6400–6600 kPa CH4 or 2800–3200 kPa CO2 (hydrate forming regime), when the bath temperature was maintained within 4–6 °C and the gas/liquid volumetric ratio was ∼1.7:1 in the water-excess systems. The data show that the induction time for hydrate appearance was largest at 96 h with CH4, while with CO2 the time shortened by a factor of four. However, when the secondary gas (CO2 or CH4) was injected into the system containing preformed hydrates, the entering gas formed the hydrate phase instantly (within minutes) and no lag was observed. In a system containing host Ottawa sand (104 g) and artificial seawater (38 mL), the induction period reduced to 24 h. In runs with multiple charges, the extent of hydrate formation reached 44% of the theoretical value in the water-excess system, whereas the value maximized at 23% in the gas-excess system. The CO2 hydrate formation in a system that already contained CH4 hydrates was facile and they remained stable, whereas CH4 hydrate formation in a system consisting of CO2 hydrates as hosts were initially stable, but CH4 gas in hydrates quickly exchanged with free CO2 gas to form more stable CO2 hydrates. In all five runs, even though the system was depressurized, left for over a week at room temperature, and flushed with nitrogen gas in between runs, hydrates exhibited the “memory effect”, irrespective of the gas used, a result in contradiction with that reported previously in the literature. The facile CH4–CO2 exchange observed under temperature and pressure conditions that mimic naturally occurring CH4 hydrates show promise to develop a commercial carbon sequestration system.
Contrasting responses of epiphytic and terricolous lichens to variations in forest characteristics in northern boreal ecosystems
Authors: Boudreault Catherine , Drapeau Pierre , Bouchard Mathieu , St-Laurent Martin-Hugues , Imbeau Louis , Bergeron Yves
Published: April 2015

The main environmental factors that drive lichen communities are still poorly known in northern boreal ecosystems. This study compares the effects of forest stand characteristics (height, canopy cover, and age) on fruticose epiphytic and terricolous lichen communities across a large region located at the interface between closed-crown boreal forests and northern open woodlands in the province of Quebec (Canada). The dataset consists of 875 plots spread across a 242 000 km2 territory that ranges from the eastern to the western extremities of the province. The biomass of fruticose epiphytic lichens (Alectoria, Bryoria, Evernia, and Usnea) was evaluated at the branch, tree, and plot levels, and terricolous lichen cover (Cladonia spp.) was evaluated at the plot level. The results indicate that epiphytic and terricolous lichens respond significantly but differently to variations in forest characteristics. At the plot level, epiphytic lichen biomass was highest in the oldest stands (>100 years) and lowest in stand with low canopy cover (<25%) or in stands dominated by relatively short trees (<7 m). By contrast, terricolous lichen cover was highest in stands dominated by short (<7 m) or mid-sized (7–12 m) trees and lowest in stands with a relatively high canopy cover (>40%) or stands of intermediate age (60 to 100 years old). Species composition of epiphytic communities was also examined, and some species or genera exhibit a strong association with older stands (Alectoria sarmentosa (Ach.) Ach., Bryoria spp.) or with specific regions along the ca. 1500 km east–west gradient (Evernia mesomorpha Nyl. in the western part, Bryoria spp. in the central part, and A. sarmentosa in the eastern part). In terms of conservation, these results indicate that epiphytic lichens communities are potentially sensitive to the preferential logging of older stands. Both epiphytic and terricolous lichen communities are also potentially sensitive to expected climate change effects such as increased fire frequencies or increased forest growth.
Generalized coherent states for a generalization of the harmonic oscillator
Authors: Chung Won Sang
Published: April 2015

Generalized coherent states for a family of iso-spectral oscillator Hamiltonian are constructed from a suitable choice of the step operators of the harmonic oscillator. We investigate the non-classical property of these coherent states.
Optimized regulator for the quantized anharmonic oscillator
Authors: Kovacs J. , Nagy S. , Sailer K.
Published: April 2015

The energy gap between the first excited state and the ground state is calculated for the quantized anharmonic oscillator in the framework of the functional renormalization group method. The compactly supported smooth regulator is used which includes various types of regulators as limiting cases. It was found that the value of the energy gap depends on the regulator parameters. We argue that the optimization based on the disappearance of the false, broken symmetric phase of the model leads to the Litim's regulator. The least sensitivity on the regulator parameters leads, however, to an IR regulator being somewhat different of the Litim's one, but it can be described as a perturbatively improved, or generalized Litim's regulator and provides analytic evolution equations, too.
Calculation of electronic structure and mechanical properties of DO3–Fe75-xSi25Nix intermetallic compounds by first principles
Authors: Ma R. , Wan M. P. , Huang J. , Xie Q.
Published: April 2015

Based on the density functional theory (DFT), the plane-wave pseudopotential method was used to investigate the electronic structures and mechanical properties of DO 3– Fe 75-x Si 25 Ni x(x = 0, 3.125, 6.25 and 9.375) intermetallic compounds. The elastic parameters were calculated, and then the bulk modulus, shear modulus and elastic modulus were derived. The paper then focuses on the discussion of ductility and plasticity. The results show that by adding appropriate Ni to Fe 3 Si intermetallic compound can improve the ductility. But the hardness will increase when the Ni content exceeds 6.25%. Analysis of density of states (DOS) and overlap populations indicates that with the difference of the strength of bonding and activity, there were some differences of ductility among different Ni contents. The Fe 71.875 Ni 3.125 Si 25 has the lowest hardness because the covalent bonding (Fe–Si bond and Si–Ni bond) has the minimum covalent electrons.
Properties of the half-filled Hubbard model investigated by the strong coupling diagram technique
Authors: Sherman A.
Published: April 2015

The equation for the electron Green's function of the fermionic Hubbard model, derived using the strong coupling diagram technique, is solved self-consistently for the near-neighbor form of the kinetic energy and for half-filling. In this case the Mott transition occurs at the Hubbard repulsion Uc ≈ 6.96t, where t is the hopping constant. The calculated spectral functions, density of states (DOS) and momentum distribution are compared with results of Monte Carlo simulations. A satisfactory agreement was found for U > Uc and for temperatures, at which magnetic ordering and spin correlations are suppressed. For U < Uc and lower temperatures the theory describes qualitatively correctly the positions and widths of spectral continua, variations of spectral shapes and occupation numbers with changing wave vector and repulsion. The locations of spectral maxima turn out to be close to the positions of δ-function peaks in the Hubbard-I approximation.
Data-Driven Approach for Human Locomotion Generation
Authors: Kim Yejin , Kim Myunggyu
Published: April 2015

This paper introduces a data-driven approach for human locomotion generation that takes as input a set of example locomotion clips and a motion path specified by an animator. Significantly, the approach only requires a single example of straight-path locomotion for each style expressed and can produce a continuous output sequence on an arbitrary path. Our approach considers quantitative and qualitative aspects of motion and suggests several techniques to synthesize a convincing output animation: motion path generation, interactive editing, and physical enhancement for the output animation. Initiated with an example clip, this process produces motion that differs stylistically from any in the example set, yet preserves the high quality of the example motion. As shown in the experimental results, our approach provides efficient locomotion generation by editing motion capture clips, especially for a novice animator, at interactive speed.
Generation of multi-photon entanglement
Authors: Xie Dong , Wang An Min
Published: April 2015

We propose a new scheme to generate multi-photon entanglement in two steps. First, we utilize a superconductor to create multi-quantum-dot entanglement; secondly, we use the input photon to transfer it into multi-photon entanglement. Moreover, the maximum probability for the swap of photon and quantum-dot qubits is close to unity for a single input Gaussian photon. More importantly, by mapping the multi-quantum-dot state into coherent states of oscillators, such as cavity modes, the multi-quantum-dot entanglement in our scheme can be protected from the decoherence induced by the noise. Thus, it is possible to generate more than eight spatially separated entangled photons in the realistic experimental conditions.
Groups Whose Proper Subgroups of Infinite Rank Have Polycyclic Conjugacy Classes
Authors: de Giovanni Francesco , Trombetti Marco
Published: April 2015

A group G is called a PC-group if the factor group G/CG(〈x〉G) is polycyclic for each element x of G. It is proved here that if G is a group of infinite rank whose proper subgroups of infinite rank have the property PC, then G itself is a PC-group, provided that G has an abelian non-trivial homomorphic image. Moreover, under the same assumption, a complete classification of minimal non-PC groups is obtained.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF IMPACT ASSESSMENT IN THE LONG TERM?
Authors: BOND ALAN
Published: April 2015

This short paper makes the case that most impact assessment (IA) has sustainable development as the stated goal, but that it doesn't deliver sustainable outcomes. A key pillar of sustainable development is equity, both intra-generational (defined after Lamorgese and Geneletti (2013, p.119) as ensuring "equity of opportunity for everyone, particularly the poorest and most vulnerable members of the community and seek to create a good quality of life for everyone") and inter-generational equity (defined after Gibson et al. (2005, p. 235) as favouring "present options and actions that are most likely to preserve or enhance the opportunities and capabilities of future generations to live sustainably"). Notwithstanding the importance of intra-generational equity, this paper focuses on the problem that inter-generational equity presents to IA both because of the prevalence of short-term planning, and because approaches developed to deal with inherent uncertainty associated with impacts considered in the long term are overly resource intensive and therefore impractical. A research focus on IA processes that can deal with inter-generational impacts cost effectively might provide the basis on which to develop an IA tool that actually delivers on its stated goal and fits in with current decision-making norms.
A STRATEGIC ADVOCACY ROLE IN SEA FOR SUSTAINABILITY
Authors: PARTIDARIO MARIA ROSARIO
Published: April 2015

In this paper I advocate SEA as an instrument of change towards more sustainable patterns of behaviour and development, by following strategic thinking and constructive approaches. I recommend that the future research agenda of SEA should contribute to make SEA a matured, full-fleshed instrument with a clear identity, and coherent functions and forms. This may be achieved by exploring how to engage all actors in a fundamental new attitude in understanding and addressing the complexity of strategic processes, enabling dialogues towards mutual understanding, offering flexibility, ensuring a long-term and large scale perspectives when exploring development options.
Experimental and computational simulation studies on creep deformation mechanisms of a novel nanostructured Cu and Cu-10%Sn Alloy
Authors: Abo-Elsoud Mohamed A.
Published: April 2015

This work presents experimental and computational simulation studies on creep deformation mechanisms of a novel nanostructured Cu and Cu -10% Sn alloy that prepared by mechanical alloying (MA) copper with elemental Tin. Mechanical Newtonian creep model is employed for computational simulation of creep deformation mechanism under low stress-high temperature and to justify the experimental findings. The observed behaviors are discussed and compared with the predications of the Nabarro–Herring (N–H) theory of directional diffusion. A simple theory based on the climb controlled generation of dislocations from a fixed density of sources is developed to explain the observed behavior. TEM and SEM investigations are convenient and powerful techniques for characterization of phases and a novel nano-grain structured of the resulting materials. The reduction of grain size to the nanometer scale improves their mechanical properties.
NMDA receptors are the basis for persistent network activity in neocortex slices
Authors: Castro-Alamancos Manuel A. , Favero Morgana
Published: April 2015

During behavioral quiescence the neocortex generates spontaneous slow oscillations that consist of Up and Down states. Up states are short epochs of persistent activity, but their underlying source is unclear. In neocortex slices of adult mice, we monitored several cellular and network variables during the transition between a traditional buffer, which does not cause Up states, and a lower-divalent cation buffer, which leads to the generation of Up states. We found that the resting membrane potential and input resistance of cortical cells did not change with the development of Up states. The synaptic efficacy of excitatory postsynaptic potentials mediated by non-NMDA receptors was slightly reduced, but this is unlikely to facilitate the generation of Up states. On the other hand, we identified two variables that are associated with the generation of Up states: an enhancement of the intrinsic firing excitability of cortical cells and an enhancement of NMDA-mediated responses evoked by electrical or optogenetic stimulation. The fact that blocking NMDA receptors abolishes Up states indicates that the enhancement in intrinsic firing excitability alone is insufficient to generate Up states. NMDA receptors have a crucial role in the generation of Up states in neocortex slices.
Artificial Bee Colony Optimizer with Bee-to-Bee Communication and Multipopulation Coevolution for Multilevel Threshold Image Segmentation
Authors: Li Jun-yi , Zhao Yi-ding , Li Jian-hua , Liu Xiao-jun
Published: April 2015

This paper proposes a modified artificial bee colony optimizer (MABC) by combining bee-to-bee communication pattern and multipopulation cooperative mechanism. In the bee-to-bee communication model, with the enhanced information exchange strategy, individuals can share more information from the elites through the Von Neumann topology. With the multipopulation cooperative mechanism, the hierarchical colony with different topologies can be structured, which can maintain diversity of the whole community. The experimental results on comparing the MABC to several successful EA and SI algorithms on a set of benchmarks demonstrated the advantage of the MABC algorithm. Furthermore, we employed the MABC algorithm to resolve the multilevel image segmentation problem. Experimental results of the new method on a variety of images demonstrated the performance superiority of the proposed algorithm.
Process Variation Aware Wide Tuning Band Pass Filter for Steep Roll-Off High Rejection
Authors: Chen Jian , Chen Chien-In Henry
Published: April 2015

A wide tuning band pass filter (BPF) with steep roll-off high rejection and low noise figure is presented. The design feature of steep roll-off high stopband rejection (>20 dB) and low noise figure (<6 dB) provides a wide tuning frequency span (1–2.04 GHz) to accept desirable signals and reject close interfering signals. The process variation aware design approach demonstrates robustness of the BPF after calibration from process variations, operating in 1.04 GHz tuning frequency span: almost zero deviation on center frequency, an average maximum deviation 1.16 dB on a nominal pass band gain of 55.6 dB, and an average maximum deviation 1.06 MHz on a nominal bandwidth of 12.3 MHz.
Predict and Analyze Protein Glycation Sites with the mRMR and IFS Methods
Authors: Liu Yan , Gu Wenxiang , Zhang Wenyi , Wang Jianan
Published: April 2015

Glycation is a nonenzymatic process in which proteins react with reducing sugar molecules. The identification of glycation sites in protein may provide guidelines to understand the biological function of protein glycation. In this study, we developed a computational method to predict protein glycation sites by using the support vector machine classifier. The experimental results showed that the prediction accuracy was 85.51% and an overall MCC was 0.70. Feature analysis indicated that the composition ofk-spaced amino acid pairs feature contributed the most for glycation sites prediction.
Biomechanical Dynamics of Cranial Sutures during Simulated Impulsive Loading
Authors: Zhang Z. Q. , Yang J. L.
Published: April 2015

Background. Cranial sutures are deformable joints between the bones of the skull, bridged by collagen fibres. They function to hold the bones of the skull together while allowing for mechanical stress transmission and deformation.Objective. The aim of this study is to investigate how cranial suture morphology, suture material property, and the arrangement of sutural collagen fibres influence the dynamic responses of the suture and surrounding bone under impulsive loads.Methods. An idealized bone-suture-bone complex was analyzed using a two-dimensional finite element model. A uniform impulsive loading was applied to the complex. Outcome variables of von Mises stress and strain energy were evaluated to characterize the sutures’ biomechanical behavior.Results. Parametric studies revealed that the suture strain energy and the patterns of Mises stress in both the suture and surrounding bone were strongly dependent on the suture morphologies.Conclusions. It was concluded that the higher order hierarchical suture morphology, lower suture elastic modulus, and the better collagen fiber orientation must benefit the stress attenuation and energy absorption.
Wear Processes in a Mechanical Friction Clutch: Theoretical, Numerical, and Experimental Studies
Authors: Grzelczyk Dariusz , Awrejcewicz Jan
Published: April 2015

Mathematical modeling, theoretical/numerical analysis, and experimental verification of wear processes occurring on the contact surface of friction linings of a mechanical friction clutch are studied. In contrast to many earlier papers we take into consideration wear properties and flexibility of friction materials being in friction contact. During mathematical modeling and numerical simulations we consider a general nonlinear differential model of wear (differential wear model) and a model of wear in the integral form (integral wear model). Equations governing contact pressure and wear distributions of individual friction linings, decrease of distance between clutch shields, and friction torque transmitted by the clutch are derived and compared with experimental data. Both analytical and numerical analyses are carried out with the qualitative and quantitative theories of differential and integral equations, including the Laplace transform approach to ODEs. We show that theoretical results and numerical simulations agree with the experimental data. Finally, a numerical analysis of the proposed mathematical models was carried out in a wider range of parameters of the considered system.
Determination of the Stress State of a Piecewise Homogeneous Elastic Body with a Row of Cracks on an Interface Surface Subject to Antiplane Strains with Inclusions at the Tips
Authors: Golsoorat Pahlaviani Ali , Mkhitaryan Suren
Published: April 2015

The stress state of a bimaterial elastic body that has a row of cracks on an interface surface is considered. It is subjected to antiplane deformations by uniformly distributed shear forces acting on the horizontal sides of the body. The governing equations of the problem, the stress intensity factors, the deformation of the crack edges, and the shear stresses are derived. The solution of the problem via the Fourier sine series is reduced to the determination of a singular integral equation (SIE) and consequently to a system of linear equations. In the end, the problem is solved in special cases with inclusions. The results of this paper and the previously published results show that the used approach based on the Gauss-Chebyshev quadrature method can be considered as a generalized procedure to solve the collinear crack problems in mode I, II, or III loadings.
Conservative Treatment of Ewing’s Sarcoma of the Uterus in Young Women
Authors: Loverro Giuseppe , Resta Leonardo , Di Naro Edoardo , Caringella Anna Maria , Mastrolia Salvatore Andrea , Vicino Mario , Tartagni Massimo , Schonauer Luca Maria
Published: April 2015

Ewing sarcoma-primitive neuroectodermal tumors (ES/PNETs) constitute a family of neoplasms characterized by a continuum of neuroectodermal differentiations. ES/PNET of the uterus is rare. There are 48 cases of ES/PNET of the uterus published in the literature as far as we know. We describe a case of Ewing sarcoma of the uterus occurring in a 17-year-old woman presenting with a two-month history of pelvic pain. After surgical excision and microscopic, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopy examination, the diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma of the uterus was suggested. This report will discuss the diagnosis and surgical and clinical management of Ewing uterine sarcoma in young women, according to the available literature. In spite of the rarity of ES/PNETs, they should be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of uterine neoplasms in young women.
Local and Global Geometric Structure Preserving and Application to Hyperspectral Image Classification
Authors: Luo Huiwu , Tang Yuan Yan , Li Chunli , Yang Lina
Published: April 2015

Locality Preserving Projection (LPP) has shown great efficiency in feature extraction. LPP captures the locality by theK-nearest neighborhoods. However, recent progress has demonstrated the importance of global geometric structure in discriminant analysis. Thus, both the locality and global geometric structure are critical for dimension reduction. In this paper, a novel linear supervised dimensionality reduction algorithm, calledLocality and Global Geometric Structure Preserving(LGGSP) projection, is proposed for dimension reduction. LGGSP encodes not only the local structure information into the optimal objective functions, but also the global structure information. To be specific, two adjacent matrices, that is, similarity matrix and variance matrix, are constructed to detect the local intrinsic structure. Besides, a margin matrix is defined to capture the global structure of different classes. Finally, the three matrices are integrated into the framework of graph embedding for optimal solution. The proposed scheme is illustrated using both simulated data points and the well-known Indian Pines hyperspectral data set, and the experimental results are promising.
Particle Size Affects Concentration-Dependent Cytotoxicity of Chitosan Nanoparticles towards Mouse Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Authors: Omar Zaki Siti Sarah , Ibrahim Mohd Nazmi , Katas Haliza
Published: April 2015

Chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) have been extensively applied in medical and pharmaceutical fields as promising drug delivery systems. Despite that, the safety of CSNPs remains inadequate and needs further investigation, particularly on hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). CSNPs were prepared by ionic gelation method and later were characterized for their physical characteristics (particle size and zeta potential). Cytotoxicity of CSNPs was assessed by MTT assay. Particle size was highly influenced by chitosan concentration and molecular weight (medium and high molecular weight (MMW and HMW)). Higher chitosan concentration and molecular weight produced larger nanoparticles. Zeta potential of CSNPs was not significantly affected by chitosan concentrations and molecular weights used in the present study. MMW had a better stability than HMW CSNPs as their particle size and zeta potential were not significantly altered after autoclaving. Cytotoxicity of CSNPs was influenced by zeta potential and particle size. On the other hand, chitosan concentration and molecular weight indirectly influenced cytotoxicity by affecting particle size and zeta potential of CSNPs. In conclusion, cytotoxicity of CSNPs was mainly attributed to their physical characteristics and this opens a strategy to ensure the safety of CSNPs applications in stem cell technology.
Application of Purified Lawsone as Natural Dye on Cotton and Silk Fabric
Authors: Hasan Md. Mahabub , Abu Nayem Khandakar , Anwarul Azim Abu Yousuf Mohammad , Ghosh Nayon Chandra
Published: April 2015

The color which is obtained from the leaves of Henna, that is, Lawsonia inermis L., is used frequently in hair coloring. It is the chemical lawsone that is responsible for the reddish brown color. Its content makes it a substantive dye for dyeing the textile materials. This work concerns with the extraction and purification of natural dyestuff from a plant Lawsonia inermis L. and dyeing of cotton and silk fabric in exhaust dyeing method. The dye portion is isolated from the total extract by column chromatography and is evaluated by dyeing cotton and silk under different dyeing conditions. The color strength and fastness properties of the dye are undertaken by changing mordant and techniques of mordanting. The changes of colors have been noticed by using different types of mordant. The dye exhaustion percentage, wash, rubbing, and light fastness results reveal that the extract of henna can be used for coloration of cotton and silk fabric.
Metabolic Dependencies in RAS-Driven Cancers
Authors: Kimmelman Alec C.
Published: April 2015

The ability to inhibit the RAS oncogene has been the holy grail of oncology because of the critical role of this gene in a multitude of tumor types. In addition, RAS-mutant tumors are among the most aggressive and refractory to treatment. Although directly targeting the RAS oncogene has proven challenging, an alternative approach for treating RAS-driven cancers is to inhibit critical downstream events that are required for tumor maintenance. Indeed, much focus has been put on inhibiting signaling cascades downstream of RAS. Recent studies have shown that oncogenic RAS promotes a metabolic reprogramming of tumor cells, shifting them toward an anabolic metabolism necessary to produce biomass to support unconstrained proliferation. These cancers also use a diverse set of fuel sources to meet their metabolic needs and have even developed a variety of mechanisms to act as metabolic scavengers to obtain necessary metabolic substrates from both extracellular and intracellular sources. Collectively, these adaptations can create “metabolic bottlenecks” whereby tumor cells rely on particular pathways or rate-limiting metabolites. In this regard, inhibiting individual or combinations of these metabolic pathways can attenuate growth in preclinical models. Because these dependencies are tumor selective and downstream of oncogenic RAS, there is the opportunity for therapeutic intervention. Although targeting tumor metabolism is still in the early days of translation to patients, our continued advances in understanding critical metabolic adaptations in RAS-driven cancers, as well as the ability to study this altered metabolism in relevant tumor models, will accelerate the development of new therapeutic approaches. Clin Cancer Res; 21(8); 1828–34. ©2015 AACR.

See all articles in this CCR Focus section, “Targeting RAS-Driven Cancers.”
Efficacy of Fluoride Varnish and Casein Phosphopeptide-Amorphous Calcium Phosphate for Remineralization of Primary Teeth: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Memarpour Mahtab , Fakhraei Ebrahim , Dadaein Shorangize , Vossoughi Mehrdad
Published: April 2015

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of oral hygiene instruction, fluoride varnish and casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) for remineralizing white spot lesions (WSL), and the effect of these on the dmft index in primary teeth. Subjects and Methods: In this 1-year, randomized clinical trial, 140 children aged 12-36 months with WSL in the anterior maxillary teeth were selected and randomly divided into 4 groups of 35 children each. Group 1 (control) received no preventive intervention. In group 2, there was oral hygiene and dietary counseling. In group 3, there was oral hygiene and the application of fluoride varnish at 4, 8 and 12 months after baseline. In group 4, there was oral hygiene and tooth mousse was applied by the parents twice a day over a 12-month period. At baseline and 4, 8 and 12 months after the intervention, the size of WSL in millimeters and the dmft index were recorded. One hundred and twenty-two children completed the study. Data were analyzed using the repeated-measures ANOVA test. Results: In group 1, the mean percent WSL area and dmft index values had increased significantly at 12 months after baseline (p < 0.001). The interventions led to significant decreases in the size of the WSL; the greatest reduction was in group 4 (63%) followed by group 3 (51%) and group 2 (10%) after 12 months. The smallest increase in the dmft index was in group 4 (0.17), followed by groups 3 (0.3) and 2 (0.42). However, there were no significant differences between the groups (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Oral hygiene along with four fluoride varnish applications or constant CPP-ACP during the 12- month period reduced the size of WSL in the anterior primary teeth and caused a small increase in dmft index values.
Activated Clotting Time and Outcomes During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Non–ST-Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Ducrocq Gregory , Jolly Sanjit , Mehta Shamir R. , Rao Sunil V. , Patel Tejas , Moreno Raul , Gao Peggy , Steg Philippe Gabriel
Published: April 2015

Background—

Activated clotting time (ACT) is widely used to guide unfractionated heparin dosing during percutaneous coronary intervention. However, its value in predicting complications is controversial in the modern era. We sought to examine the relationship between ACT and outcomes in non–ST-segment–elevation acute coronary syndrome patients.

Methods and Results—

In the Fondaparinux With Unfractionated Heparin During Revascularization in Acute Coronary Syndromes (FUTURA/OASIS-8) trial, 2026 patients with non–ST-segment–elevation acute coronary syndrome treated with fondaparinux 2.5 mg/d and undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention were randomized to low-dose unfractionated heparin (50 U/kg) or standard-dose unfractionated heparin (85 U/kg or 60 U/kg with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, with ACT guidance). No difference was shown for major bleeding and there was a trend toward a reduction in ischemic events with standard-dose unfractionated heparin. To clarify the additional value of ACT guidance, we analyzed with logistic modeling peri–percutaneous coronary intervention outcomes according to peak ACT as a linear function. A threshold effect was then investigated. No linear correlation was found between ACT and thrombotic or bleeding events. In patients not receiving planned glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, a significant increase in rates of death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization was identified in patients with an ACT≤300 s (4.86% versus 2.78%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.84; 95% confidence interval, 1.06–3.21;
P
=0.03). No threshold was found for hemorrhagic complications in patients with or without glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors.

Conclusions—

Non–ST-segment–elevation acute coronary syndrome patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with an ACT≤300 s are at increased risk of thrombotic complications. ACT, however, does not predict hemorrhagic complications.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00790907.
Complete Versus Culprit-Only Revascularization for ST-Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction and Multivessel Disease
Authors: Bangalore Sripal , Toklu Bora , Wetterslev Jørn
Published: April 2015

Background—

The 2013 American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association guidelines for patients with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction gives a class III indication for nonculprit artery percutaneous coronary intervention at the time of primary percutaneous coronary intervention, driven by data from observational studies. However, more recent trials suggest otherwise.

Methods and Results—

We conducted PUBMED, EMBASE, and CENTRAL searches for randomized trials comparing complete versus culprit-only revascularization in patients with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction. Efficacy outcomes were major adverse cardiovascular events, as well as death, cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and repeat revascularization. Safety outcomes were contrast-induced nephropathy, contrast volume used, and procedure time. Five trials with 1165 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Complete revascularization (68% during index percutaneous coronary intervention) was associated with significant reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events (rate ratio =0.48; 95% confidence interval =0.37–0.61), death (rate ratio =0.60; 95% confidence interval =0.38–0.97), cardiovascular death (rate ratio =0.38, 95% confidence interval =0.20–0.73), and repeat revascularization (rate ratio =0.42; 95% confidence interval =0.31–0.57) when compared with culprit-only revascularization. However, trial sequential analyses (similar to interim analysis of a randomized trial) powered for a 25% relative reduction showed firm evidence (cumulative z-curve crossed the monitoring boundary) only for major adverse cardiovascular events driven by a decrease in repeat revascularization with no firm evidence for reduction in death and myocardial infarction. Moreover, there was a significant increase in contrast volume use (mean difference 85.12 [70.41–83.00] ml) and procedure time (mean difference 16.42 [13.22–19.63] mins) with complete revascularization without increase in contrast-induced nephropathy.

Conclusions—

In patients with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction, immediate or staged complete revascularization results in significant reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events driven largely by reduction in repeat revascularization with no firm evidence for the reduction in death or myocardial infarction when compared with culprit-only revascularization.
New and noteworthy species of white Entoloma (Agaricales, Entolomataceae) in China
Authors: He Xiao-Lan , Li Tai-Hui , Peng Wei-Hong , Gan Bing-Cheng
Published: April 2015

Three species of Entoloma with white basidioma in subgenus Alboleptonia from China are reported in this paper. Entoloma crocotillum is described as new to science from high altitudes in southwestern China. It is characterized by the small, white to pinkish pileus covered with matted-appressed fibrils, relatively large basidiospores with 5–6 angles, and the common presence of clamp-connections. Entoloma sulcatum, a new Chinese record, and E. stylophorum are documented based on new collections. Additionally, ITS (internal transcribed spacer region), nLSU (nuclear large subunit), and RPB2 (RNA polymerase II second largest subunit) sequences of E. crocotillum were successfully generated, and the phylogenetic positions of the three species among Alboleptonia species and other entolomatoid groups are preliminarily analyzed based on the combined nLSU and RPB2 dataset. The phylogenetic analysis showed that E. crocotillum is most closely related to E. sericellum and that Alboleptonia is not a monophyletic group.
A new species of Bellardiochloa, B. doganiana (Poaceae), from the Taurus Mountains of Turkey
Authors: Cabi Evren , Soreng Robert John , Çıngay Burçin , Karabacak Ersin
Published: April 2015

Bellardiochloa doganiana, a new species from the Taurus Mountains of Turkey, is described and illustrated. It differs from the other four species of the genus in its basal tuft of short, stiff, terete, arched, pungent-tipped basal leaf–blades, conical panicles with numerous panicle branches and mostly 1 or 2 spikelets per branch, and pedicels as long as or longer than the spikelets.
Review of the paper wasps of the Parapolybia indica species-group (Hymenoptera: Vespidae, Polistinae) in eastern parts of Asia
Authors: SAITO-MOROOKA FUKI , NGUYEN LIEN T. P. , KOJIMA JUN-ICHI
Published: April 2015

Nine species of the Parapolybia indica species-group in eastern parts of Asia are reviewed. Four new species are described: P. flava sp. nov. (Vietnam), P. crocea sp. nov. (Japan), P. nana sp. nov. (Vietnam), and P. albida sp. nov. (Vietnam). Parapolybia indica (de Saussure, 1854), P. bioculata van der Vecht, 1966 and P. tinctipennis (Cameron, 1900) are redescribed. The status is reinstanted for P. fulvinerva (Cameron, 1900), stat. resurr. and P. tinctipennis (Cameron, 1900), stat. resurr. and new status is proposed for P. bioculata van der Vecht, 1966, stat. nov. Parapolybia tinctipennis (Cameron, 1900) is newly recorded from China, Vietnam and Laos. The key to species is given. The nests of P. indica, P. bioculata, P. tinctipennis, P. flava and P. crocea are remarked.