bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PROACTIVE HRM FOR REDUCING KNOWLEDGE RISKS — EVALUATING COMMITMENT AND TRUSTWORTHINESS
Authors: OLANDER HEIDI , HURMELINNA-LAUKKANEN PIA
Published: December 2015

Although the first look might suggest otherwise, knowledge protection is a complex phenomenon that does not lend itself to easy classification. Discussion easily turns to intellectual property rights (IPRs) such as patents or secrecy, while other aspects such as human resource management (HRM) for knowledge protection is neglected. Yet, innovative firms depend on their knowledgeable employees to generate new innovation, to assist in profiting from them, and maintain the capabilities for later innovative activities. Therefore both reactive and proactive action is needed to mitigate problems with knowledge leaving and leaking. This study addresses the ways in which companies can prepare for knowledge-related risks as early as during employee recruitment. The findings from our case study suggest that somewhat different issues are considered in relation to different types of risks (leaving and leaking), and that while intuition plays a notable role in proactive assessment, a more analytical approach can also be taken.
Market Impacts and the Life Cycle of Investors Orders
Authors: Bacry Emmanuel , Iuga Adrian , Lasnier Matthieu , Lehalle Charles-Albert
Published: December 2015

This study is the first to decipher market impact at all time scales on the same database, from a trade-by-trade scale to a daily one. Moreover, the very concentrated nature of the database (400,000 metaorders issued by investors, electronically traded, during one year—2010—, on European market all regulated by the same directive—MiFID—) ensures investors did not change their habits during the study.

At the intraday scale, we confirm a square root temporary impact in the daily participation, and we shed light on a duration factor in [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text]. Including this factor in the fits reinforces the square root shape of impact. We observe a power-law for the transient impact with an exponent between [Formula: see text] (for long metaorders) and [Formula: see text] (for shorter ones). Moreover, we show that the market does not anticipate the size of the metaorders. The intraday decay seems to exhibit two regimes (though hard to identify precisely): a “slow” regime right after the execution of the metaorder followed by a faster one. At the daily time scale, we show price moves after a metaorder can be split between realizations of expected returns that have triggered the investing decision and an idiosynchratic impact that slowly decays to zero.

Moreover, we propose a class of toy models based on Hawkes processes (the Hawkes Impact Model, HIM) to illustrate our reasoning. We show how the Impulsive-HIM model, despite its simplicity, embeds appealing features like transience and decay of impact. The latter is parametrized by a parameter C having a macroscopic interpretation: the ratio of contrarian reaction (i.e., impact decay) and of the “herding” reaction (i.e., impact amplification).
Clusters of Multiple Mutations: Incidence and Molecular Mechanisms
Authors: Chan Kin , Gordenin Dmitry A.
Published: December 2015

It has been long understood that mutation distribution is not completely random across genomic space and in time. Indeed, recent surprising discoveries identified multiple simultaneous mutations occurring in tiny regions within chromosomes while the rest of the genome remains relatively mutation-free. Mechanistic elucidation of these phenomena, called mutation showers, mutation clusters, or kataegis, in parallel with findings of abundant clustered mutagenesis in cancer genomes, is ongoing. So far, the combination of factors most important for clustered mutagenesis is the induction of DNA lesions within unusually long and persistent single-strand DNA intermediates. In addition to being a fascinating phenomenon, clustered mutagenesis also became an indispensable tool for identifying a previously unrecognized major source of mutation in cancer, APOBEC cytidine deaminases. Future research on clustered mutagenesis may shed light onto important mechanistic details of genome maintenance, with potentially profound implications for human health.
Cell Competition During Growth and Regeneration
Authors: Gogna Rajan , Shee Kevin , Moreno Eduardo
Published: December 2015

Tissue growth and regeneration are autonomous, stem-cell-mediated processes in which stem cells within the organ self-renew and differentiate to create new cells, leading to new tissue. The processes of growth and regeneration require communication and interplay between neighboring cells. In particular, cell competition, which is a process in which viable cells are actively eliminated by more competitive cells, has been increasingly implicated to play an important role. Here, we discuss the existing literature regarding the current landscape of cell competition, including classical pathways and models, fitness fingerprint mechanisms, and immune system mechanisms of cell competition. We further discuss the clinical relevance of cell competition in the physiological processes of tissue growth and regeneration, highlighting studies in clinically important disease models, including oncological, neurological, and cardiovascular diseases.
Insulin and IGF-1 activate Kir4.1/5.1 channels in cortical collecting duct principal cells to control basolateral membrane voltage
Authors: Zaika Oleg , Palygin Oleg , Tomilin Viktor , Mamenko Mykola , Staruschenko Alexander , Pochynyuk Oleh
Published: December 2015

Potassium Kir4.1/5.1 channels are abundantly expressed at the basolateral membrane of principal cells in the cortical collecting duct (CCD), where they are thought to modulate transport rates by controlling transepithelial voltage. Insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) stimulate apically localized epithelial sodium channels (ENaC) to augment sodium reabsorption in the CCD. However, little is known about their actions on potassium channels localized at the basolateral membrane. In this study, we implemented patch-clamp analysis in freshly isolated murine CCD to assess the effect of these hormones on Kir4.1/5.1 at both single channel and cellular levels. We demonstrated that K+-selective conductance via Kir4.1/5.1 is the major contributor to the macroscopic current recorded from the basolateral side in principal cells. Acute treatment with 10 μM amiloride (ENaC blocker), 100 nM tertiapin-Q (TPNQ; ROMK inhibitor), and 100 μM ouabain (Na+-K+-ATPase blocker) failed to produce a measurable effect on the macroscopic current. In contrast, Kir4.1 inhibitor nortriptyline (100 μM), but not fluoxetine (100 μM), virtually abolished whole cell K+-selective conductance. Insulin (100 nM) markedly increased the open probability of Kir4.1/5.1 and nortriptyline-sensitive whole cell current, leading to significant hyperpolarization of the basolateral membrane. Inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase cascade with LY294002 (20 μM) abolished action of insulin on Kir4.1/5.1. IGF-1 had similar stimulatory actions on Kir4.1/5.1-mediated conductance only when applied at a higher (500 nM) concentration and was ineffective at 100 nM. We concluded that both insulin and, to a lesser extent, IGF-1 activate Kir4.1/5.1 channel activity and open probability to hyperpolarize the basolateral membrane, thereby facilitating Na+reabsorption in the CCD.
Redistribution of inhaled hyperpolarized 3He gas during breath-hold differs by asthma severity
Authors: Hahn Andrew D. , Cadman Robert V. , Sorkness Ronald L. , Jarjour Nizar N. , Nagle Scott K. , Fain Sean B.
Published: December 2015

The purpose of this work was to quantify the redistribution of ventilation-weighted signal in the lungs of asthmatic subjects during a breath-hold using high temporal-spatial resolution hyperpolarized (HP) He-3 MRI. HP He-3 MRI was used to obtain time-resolved, volumetric images of lung ventilation during breath-hold in 39 human subjects classified as either healthy/nondiseased ( n = 14), mild-to-moderate asthmatic ( n = 17), or severely asthmatic ( n = 8). Signals were normalized to a standard lung volume, so that voxels within the lung from all 39 subjects could be analyzed as a group to increase statistical power and enable semiautomated classification of voxels into 1 of 5 ventilation level categories (ranging from defect to hyperintense). End-inspiratory ventilation distribution and temporal rates of mean signal change for each of the five ventilation categories were compared using ANOVA. Time rates of signal change were hypothesized to represent underlying gas redistribution processes, potentially influenced by disease. We found that mild-to-moderate asthmatic subjects showed the greatest rate of signal change, even though those with severe asthma had the greatest end-inspiration ventilation heterogeneity. The observed results support the existence of local differences in airway resistances associated with the different obstructive patterns in the lungs for severe vs. mild-to-moderate asthmatic subjects.
Retrograde lower body arterial reservoir discharge underlies rapid reversal of ductus arteriosus shunting after early cord clamping at birth in preterm lambs
Authors: Smolich Joseph J. , Kenna Kelly R. , Mynard Jonathan P.
Published: December 2015

Arterial reservoir (“windkessel”) function, whereby a part of left ventricular (LV) output is stored in elastic arteries during systole and discharged in diastole, is a well-established physiological phenomenon. However, its role in rapid reversal (to left-to-right) and a systolic-to-diastolic shift of shunting across the ductus arteriosus after birth is unknown. To address this question, ductal and aortic isthmus flows were measured with high-fidelity transit-time probes in six anesthetized preterm fetal lambs before and after cord clamping and subsequent early mechanical ventilation and for 30 min postbirth. Descending aortic flow was calculated as the sum of isthmus and ductal flows. Left-to-right ductal flow profiles were related to those of the isthmus and descending aorta, with upper body arterial reservoir discharge indicated by forward diastolic isthmus flow, and retrograde lower body arterial reservoir discharge by negative diastolic descending aortic flow. Left-to-right ductal shunting appeared immediately after cord clamping ( P < 0.001), due entirely to newly emergent retrograde lower body reservoir discharge, and rose with ventilation via increased lower body reservoir discharge ( P < 0.005), supplemented by upper body reservoir discharge after 45 s ( P < 0.025) and LV systolic flow after 3 min ( P = 0.025). The contribution of lower body reservoir discharge to left-to-right ductal shunting fell to 55 ± 8% at ≥15 min ( P < 0.001) but remained higher ( P < 0.002) than LV systolic flow (33 ± 8%) or upper body reservoir discharge (12 ± 5%). These results suggest that retrograde lower body arterial reservoir discharge plays a key role in rapid reversal and a systolic-to-diastolic shift of ductal shunting after cord clamping and early ventilation at birth.
Can explicit visual feedback of postural sway efface the effects of sensory manipulations on mediolateral balance performance?
Authors: Cofré Lizama L. Eduardo , Pijnappels Mirjam , Reeves N. Peter , Verschueren Sabine M. P. , van Dieën Jaap H.
Published: December 2015

Explicit visual feedback on postural sway is often used in balance assessment and training. However, up-weighting of visual information may mask impairments of other sensory systems. We therefore aimed to determine whether the effects of somatosensory, vestibular, and proprioceptive manipulations on mediolateral balance are reduced by explicit visual feedback on mediolateral sway of the body center of mass and by the presence of visual information. We manipulated sensory inputs of the somatosensory system by transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation on the feet soles (TENS) of the vestibular system by galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) and of the proprioceptive system by muscle-tendon vibration (VMS) of hip abductors. The effects of these manipulations on mediolateral sway were compared with a control condition without manipulation under three visual conditions: explicit feedback of sway of the body center of mass (FB), eyes open (EO), and eyes closed (EC). Mediolateral sway was quantified as the sum of energies in the power spectrum and as the energy at the dominant frequencies in each of the manipulation signals. Repeated-measures ANOVAs were used to test effects of each of the sensory manipulations, of visual conditions and their interaction. Overall, sensory manipulations increased body sway compared with the control conditions. Absence of normal visual information had no effect on sway, while explicit feedback reduced sway. Furthermore, interactions of visual information and sensory manipulation were found at specific dominant frequencies for GVS and VMS, with explicit feedback reducing the effects of the manipulations but not effacing these.
A foveal target increases catch-up saccade frequency during smooth pursuit
Authors: Heinen Stephen J. , Potapchuk Elena , Watamaniuk Scott N. J.
Published: December 2015

Images that move rapidly across the retina of the human eye blur because the retina has sluggish temporal dynamics. Voluntary smooth pursuit eye movements are modeled as matching object velocity to minimize retinal motion and prevent retinal blurring. However, “catch-up” saccades that are ubiquitous during pursuit interrupt it and disrupt clear vision. But catch-up saccades may not be a common feature of ocular pursuit, because their existence has been documented with a small moving spot, the classic pursuit stimulus, which is a weak motion stimulus that may poorly emulate larger pursuit objects. We found that spot pursuit does not generalize to that of larger objects. Observers pursued a spot or a larger virtual object with or without a superimposed spot target. Single-spot targets produced lower pursuit acceleration than larger objects. Critically, more saccadic intrusions occurred when stimuli had a central dot, even when position and velocity errors were equated, suggesting that catch-up saccades result from pursuing a single, small object or a feature on a large one. To determine what differentiates a large object from a small one, we progressively shrank the featureless virtual object and found that catch-up saccade frequency was highest when it fit in the fovea. The results suggest that pursuit of a small target or an object feature recruits a saccade mechanism that does not compensate for a weak motion signal; rather, the target compels foveation. Furthermore, catch-up saccades are likely generated by neural circuitry typically used to foveate small objects or features.
Egg Activation at Fertilization by a Soluble Sperm Protein
Authors: Swann Karl , Lai F. Anthony
Published: December 2015

The most fundamental unresolved issue of fertilization is to define how the sperm activates the egg to begin embryo development. Egg activation at fertilization in all species thus far examined is caused by some form of transient increase in the cytoplasmic free Ca2+concentration. What has not been clear, however, is precisely how the sperm triggers the large changes in Ca2+observed within the egg cytoplasm. Here, we review the studies indicating that the fertilizing sperm stimulates a cytosolic Ca2+increase in the egg specifically by delivering a soluble factor that diffuses into the cytosolic space of the egg upon gamete membrane fusion. Evidence is primarily considered in species of eggs where the sperm has been shown to elicit a cytosolic Ca2+increase by initiating Ca2+release from intracellular Ca2+stores. We suggest that our best understanding of these signaling events is in mammals, where the sperm triggers a prolonged series of intracellular Ca2+oscillations. The strongest empirical studies to date suggest that mammalian sperm-triggered Ca2+oscillations are caused by the introduction of a sperm-specific protein, called phospholipase C-zeta (PLCζ) that generates inositol trisphosphate within the egg. We will discuss the role and mechanism of action of PLCζ in detail at a molecular and cellular level. We will also consider some of the evidence that a soluble sperm protein might be involved in egg activation in nonmammalian species.
Spatiotemporal Changes Posttreatment in Peripheral Arterial Disease
Authors: Myers Sara A. , Huben Neil B. , Yentes Jennifer M. , McCamley John D. , Lyden Elizabeth R. , Pipinos Iraklis I. , Johanning Jason M.
Published: December 2015

Accumulating evidence suggests revascularization of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) limbs results in limited improvement in functional gait parameters, suggesting underlying locomotor system pathology. Spatial and temporal (ST) gait parameters are well studied in patients with PAD at baseline and are abnormal when compared to controls. The purpose of this study was to systematically review and critically analyze the available data on ST gait parameters before and after interventions. A full review of literature was conducted and articles were included which examined ST gait parameters before and after intervention (revascularization and exercise). Thirty-three intervention articles were identified based on 154 articles that evaluated ST gait parameters in PAD. Four articles fully assessed ST gait parameters before and after intervention and were included in our analysis. The systematic review of the literature revealed a limited number of studies assessing ST gait parameters. Of those found, results demonstrated the absence of improvement in gait parameters due to either exercise or surgical intervention. Our study demonstrates significant lack of research examining the effectiveness of treatments on ST gait parameters in patients with PAD. Based on the four published articles, ST gait parameters failed to significantly improve in patients with PAD following intervention.
Environmental Impacts on the Strength Parameters of Mineral-Acrylic (PMMA/ATH) Facade Panels
Authors: Byrdy Aleksander , Kołaczkowski Michał
Published: December 2015

Composite mineral-acrylic panels consist in 80% of natural minerals produced from bauxite (aluminium hydroxides (ATH)) and in 20% from acrylic resin (polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)). This material due to high usability is widely used in interior finishes. Recently, the mineral-acrylic panels have been used as external claddings of buildings. So far, there are several dozen elevations realized worldwide. Due to the variability of the strength parameters of PMMA acrylic resins depending on the environmental influence, a number of tests on samples of mineral-acrylic panels to verify their suitability for use in climate conditions in Central Europe were performed. The studies determined the change of the material parameters after being subjected to aging process in conditions of high temperature, high relative humidity, freeze-thaw cycles, and UV radiation. In the studies parameters such as flexural strength and modulus of elasticity were measured at a reference temperature of 23°C. In raised and lowered temperatures only the tensile strength tests were conducted. Due to the lack of information in the available literature, the authors carried out tests of the temperature influence on the PMMA/ATH composite modulus of elasticity and flexural strength which is crucial in designing process.
Clinical Presentation and Antibiotic Susceptibility of Contact Lens Associated Microbial Keratitis
Authors: Hedayati Hesam , Ghaderpanah Mahboubeh , Rasoulinejad Seyed Ahmad , Montazeri Mohammad
Published: December 2015

Introduction.In recent years, the number of contact lens wearers has dramatically increased in Iran, particularly in youngsters. The purpose of current study was to assess the clinical presentation and antibiotic susceptibility of contact lens related microbial keratitis in Ahvaz, southwest of Iran.Methodology.A cross-sectional investigation of 26 patients (33 eyes) with contact lens induced corneal ulcers who were admitted to Imam Khomeini Hospital, Ahwaz City, from June 2012 to June 2013 was done. In order to study microbial culture and susceptibility of corneal ulcers, all of them were scraped.Results.Eight samples were reported as sterile.Pseudomonas aeruginosa(80%) in positive cultures was the most widely recognized causative organism isolated. This is followed byStaphylococcus aureus12% andEnterobacter8%. The results showed that 84% of the microorganism cases were sensitive to ciprofloxacin, while imipenem, meropenem, and ceftazidime were the second most effective antibiotics (76%).Conclusion.Results of current study show the importance of referring all contact lens wearers with suspected corneal infection to ophthalmologists for more cure. The corneal scraping culture and contact lens solution should be performed to guide antibiotic therapy.
Projected and Observed Aridity and Climate Change in the East Coast of South India under RCP 4.5
Authors: Ramachandran A. , Praveen Dhanya , Jaganathan R. , Palanivelu K.
Published: December 2015

In the purview of global warming, the present study attempts to project changes in climate and quantify the changes in aridity of two coastal districts in south India under the RCP 4.5 trajectory. Projected climate change output generated by RegCM 4.4 model, pertaining to 14 grid points located within the study area, was analyzed and processed for this purpose. The meteorological parameters temperature and precipitations were used to create De Martonne Aridity Index, to assess the spatial distribution of aridity. The original index values ranged from 13.7 to 16.4 mm/°C, characterizing this area as a semidry climate. The outcome from the changed scenario analysis under RCP 4.5 showed that, during the end of the 21st century, the aridity may be increased more as the index values tend to reduce. The increasing trend in the drying phenomenon may be attributed to the rising of mean annual temperatures.
Reputation-Based Incentives for Data Dissemination in Mobile Participatory Sensing Networks
Authors: Li Jie , Wang Xingwei , Yu Ruiyun , Liu Rui
Published: December 2015

The ever-more-capable smart mobile phone gave birth to a novel sensing paradigm, participatory sensing. In the application environment of mobile participatory sensing networks, mobile equipment is usually weakly connected. Due to uncertainty of connection, mobile nodes sometimes need encounter opportunities to accomplish data communication and transmission. However, the participants’ reluctance would diminish their enthusiasm if there is no incentive mechanism. To address this nontrivial issue, we propose reputation-based incentive schemes to motivate participants to disseminate reliable data in participatory sensing system, named RIDD, while minimizing incentive cost for maintaining sufficient number of reliable participants. When an intended receiver receives the data packet from a participant, the receiver authorizes the participant by an acknowledgment message within an encryption code automatically generated by the data packet, which serves as a proof of successful data delivery. RIDD evaluates participants using reputation degree calculated according to the encryption code, encouraging reliable participants to keep being interested in the participatory service with rewards. We conduct simulations in different scenarios. The results show that RIDD remarkably increases the winning probability of participants who disseminate accurate data and reduces the cost for retaining sufficient number of reliable participants.
Sleep Habits of Elementary and Middle School Children in South Texas
Authors: Surani Salim , Hesselbacher Sean , Surani Saherish , Sadasiva Sreevidya , Surani Zoya , Surani Sara S. , Khimani Amina , Subramanian Shyam
Published: December 2015

Background.Sleep difficulties, including insufficient sleep and inadequate sleep hygiene, have been prevalent among children. Sleep deprivation can lead to poor grades, sleepiness, and moodiness. We undertook this study to assess the prevalence of sleep abnormalities among elementary and middle school students in South Texas and how the groups compare with one another.Method.After approval from the appropriate school district for a sleep education program, a baseline survey was taken of elementary and middle school students, using the Children’s Sleep Habit Questionnaire-Sleep Self-Report Form, which assessed the domains of bedtime resistance, sleep onset delay, sleep anxiety, sleep duration, night awakening, and daytime sleepiness.Results.The survey was completed by 499 elementary and 1008 middle school children. Trouble sleeping was reported by 43% in elementary school, compared with 29% of middle school children. Fifty percent of middle school children did not like sleeping, compared with 26% in elementary school. Bedtime resistance, sleep onset delay, and nighttime awakening were more common among elementary school students. Daytime sleepiness was more common among the middle school children when compared to elementary school children.Conclusions.Sleep abnormalities are present in elementary school children with changes in sleep habits into middle school.
Autonomous Coil Alignment System Using Fuzzy Steering Control for Electric Vehicles with Dynamic Wireless Charging
Authors: Hwang Karam , Park Jaehyoung , Kim Dongwook , Park Hyun Ho , Kwon Jong Hwa , Kwak Sang Il , Ahn Seungyoung
Published: December 2015

An autonomous coil alignment system (ACAS) using fuzzy steering control is proposed for vehicles with dynamic wireless charging. The misalignment between the power receiver coil and power transmitter coil is determined based on the voltage difference between two coils installed on the front-left/front-right of the power receiver coil and is corrected through autonomous steering using fuzzy control. The fuzzy control is chosen over other control methods for implementation in ACAS due to the nonlinear characteristic between voltage difference and lateral misalignment distance, as well as the imprecise and constantly varying voltage readings from sensors. The operational validity and feasibility of the ACAS are verified through simulation, where the vehicle equipped with ACAS is able to align with the power transmitter in the road majority of the time during operation, which also implies achieving better wireless power delivery.
Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging of Substantia Nigra Is a Sensitive Method for Early Diagnosis and Disease Evaluation in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Zhang Guohua , Zhang Yuhu , Zhang Chengguo , Wang Yukai , Ma Guixian , Nie Kun , Xie Haiqun , Liu Jianping , Wang Lijuan
Published: December 2015

Background.To diagnose Parkinson disease (PD) in an early stage and accurately evaluate severity, it is important to develop a sensitive method for detecting structural changes in the substantia nigra (SN).Method.Seventy-two untreated patients with early PD and 72 healthy controls underwent diffusion tensor and diffusion kurtosis imaging. Regions of interest were drawn in the rostral, middle, and caudal SN by two blinded and independent raters. Mean kurtosis (MK) and fractional anisotropy in the SN were compared between the groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and Spearman correlation analyses were used to compare the diagnostic accuracy and correlate imaging findings with Hoehn-Yahr (H-Y) staging and part III of the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS-III).Result.MK in the SN was increased significantly in PD patients compared with healthy controls. The area under the ROC curve was 0.976 for MK in the SN (sensitivity, 0.944; specificity, 0.917). MK in the SN had a positive correlation with H-Y staging and UPDRS-III scores.Conclusion.Diffusion kurtosis imaging is a sensitive method for PD diagnosis and severity evaluation. MK in the SN is a potential biomarker for imaging studies of early PD that can be widely used in clinic.
Strong Manual Acupuncture Stimulation of “Huantiao” (GB 30) Reduces Pain-Induced Anxiety and p-ERK in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex in a Rat Model of Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Shao Xiao-mei , Shen Zui , Sun Jing , Fang Fang , Fang Jun-fan , Wu Yuan-yuan , Fang Jian-qiao
Published: December 2015

Persistent neuropathic pain is associated with anxiety. The phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK) in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) plays an important role in pain-induced anxiety. Acupuncture is widely used for pain and anxiety. However, little is known about which acupuncture technique is optimal on pain-induced anxiety and the relationship between acupuncture effect and p-ERK. The rat model was induced by L5 spinal nerve ligation (SNL). Male adult SD rats were randomly divided into control, SNL, strong manual acupuncture (sMA), mild manual acupuncture (mMA), and electroacupuncture (EA) group. Bilateral “Huantiao” (GB 30) were stimulated by sMA, mMA, and EA, respectively. The pain withdrawal thresholds (PWTs) and anxiety behavior were measured, and p-ERK protein expression and immunoreactivity cells in ACC were detected. PWTs increased significantly in both sMA and EA groups. Meanwhile, anxiety-like behavior was improved significantly in the sMA and mMA groups. Furthermore, the overexpression of p-ERK induced by SNL was downregulated by strong and mild manual acupuncture. Therefore, strong manual acupuncture on bilateral “Huantiao” (GB 30) could be a proper therapy relieving both pain and pain-induced anxiety. The effect of different acupuncture techniques on pain-induced anxiety may arise from the regulation of p-ERK in ACC.
Ventricular Tachycardia from a Central Line Fracture Fragment Embolus: A Rare Complication of a Commonly Used Procedure—A Case Report and Review of the Relevant Literature
Authors: Biswas Saptarshi , McNerney Patrick
Published: December 2015

A 22-year-old male admitted with multiple gunshot wounds (GSW) had central line placed initially for hemodynamic monitoring and later for long term antibiotics and total parenteral nutrition (TPN). On postoperative day 4 he presented with bouts of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia; the cause was unknown initially and later attributed to a catheter fragment accidentally severed and lodged in the right heart. Percutaneous retrieval technique was used to successfully extract the catheter fragment and complete recovery was achieved.
Association of 2184AG Polymorphism in the RAGE Gene with Diabetic Nephropathy in Chinese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Cai Wei , Li Jian , Xu Ji-Xiong , Liu Ying , Zhang Wei , Xiao Jun-Ren , Zhu Ling-Yan , Liu Jian-Ying
Published: December 2015

Objective. The interaction between advanced glycation end products and their cellular receptor (RAGE) has an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic microvascular complications. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the 2184A/G polymorphism in the RAGE gene and diabetic nephropathy in Chinese Han patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods. A total of 868 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (486 without and 382 with diabetic nephropathy) were enrolled in this study. The genotype and allele frequencies of the 2184A/G polymorphism were detected using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment-length polymorphism method. Results. The G allele and AG + GG genotype frequencies in patients with diabetic nephropathy were significantly lower than those in patients without diabetic nephropathy (P=0.001 and P=0.005, resp.). After adjustments for possible confounders, multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that the 2184A/G polymorphism was independently associated with diabetic nephropathy (OR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.22–0.92, P=0.028). Conclusions. Our study indicated that the 2184A/G polymorphism in the RAGE gene was significantly associated with diabetic nephropathy in Chinese Han patients with type 2 diabetes.
Long-Term Outcomes of Cultivated Limbal Epithelial Transplantation: Evaluation and Comparison of Results in Children and Adults
Authors: Ganger Anita , Vanathi M. , Mohanty Sujata , Tandon Radhika
Published: December 2015

Purpose.To compare the long-term clinical outcomes of cultivated limbal epithelial transplantation (CLET) in children and adults with limbal stem cell deficiency.Design. Retrospective case series.Methods. Case records of patients with limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) who underwent CLET from April 2004 to December 2014 were studied. Outcome measures were compared in terms of anatomical success and visual improvement. Parameters for total anatomical success were avascular, epithelized, and clinically stable corneal surface without conjunctivalization, whereas partial anatomical success was considered when mild vascularization (sparing centre of cornea) and mild conjunctivalization were noted along with complete epithelization.Results. A total of 62 cases underwent the CLET procedure: 38 (61.3%) were children and 24 (38.7%) were adults. Patients with unilateral LSCD (33 children and 21 adults) had autografts and those with bilateral LSCD (5 children and 3 adults) had allografts. Amongst the 54 autografts partial and total anatomical success were noted in 21.2% and 66.6% children, respectively, and 19.0% and 80.9% in adults, respectively (pvalue 0.23). Visual improvement of 1 line and ≥2 lines was seen in 57.5% and 21.2% children, respectively, and 38% and 38% in adults, respectively (pvalue 0.31).Conclusion. Cultivated limbal epithelial transplantation gives good long-term results in patients with LSCD and the outcomes are comparable in children and adults.
Evaluation of Analgesic Effect of Caudal Epidural Tramadol, Tramadol-Lidocaine, and Lidocaine in Water Buffalo Calves (Bubalus bubalis)
Authors: Atiba Ayman , Ghazy Alaa , Gomaa Naglaa , Kamal Tarek , Shukry Mustafa
Published: December 2015

Aim of this study was to compare the analgesic effect of tramadol and a combination of tramadol-lidocaine with that produced by lidocaine administration in the epidural space in buffalo calves. In a prospective randomized crossover study, ten male buffalo calves were used to compare the epidural analgesic effect of tramadol (1 mg/kg) and tramadol-lidocaine combination (0.5 mg/kg and 0.11 mg/kg, resp.) with that produced by 2% lidocaine (0.22 mg/kg). Loss of sensation was examined by pin-prick test. Onset time, duration, and degree of analgesia and ataxia were recorded after each treatment. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), rectal temperature, and haematobiochemical parameters were recorded after all treatments. Time to onset and duration of analgesia, respectively, were as follows: tramadol11±2 min and208±15 min; tramadol-lidocaine6±2 min and168±9 min; lidocaine4±1 min and67±13 min. Onset time and duration were significantly longer with tramadol than the other treatments. Duration was significantly longer with tramadol-lidocaine than lidocaine. Ataxia was mildly observed in tramadol-lidocaine and was moderate in lidocaine. HR, RR, and rectal temperature did not differ significantly from baseline after any treatment. Haematobiochemical parameters returned to basal levels by 24 h after all treatments. This combination might be clinically useful to provide analgesia in buffalo for long-duration surgical procedures.
Differences in Pertussis Incidence by Income among Oregon Teens during an Outbreak
Authors: Robison Steve G. , Liko Juventila , Cieslak Paul R.
Published: December 2015

That disease and poverty are connected is a cornerstone of public health thought. In the case of pertussis, however, it is possible that the expected relationship to poverty is reversed. Grounds exist for considering that increases in income are associated with increases in pertussis rates, both in terms of real risk through social and network features and through the possibility of greater likelihood of care seeking and detection based on income. Using reported adolescent pertussis cases from a 2012 outbreak in Oregon, pertussis incidence rates were determined for areas grouped by zip code into higher, middle, and lower median household income. Adolescents of ages 13–16 years in higher income areas were 2.6 times (95% CI 1.8–3.8) more likely as all others to have reported pertussis during the 2012 outbreak and 3.1 (95% CI 1.4–6.5) times as likely as those in lower income areas. The higher pertussis rates associated with higher income areas were observed regardless of Tdap rate differences. These results suggest that income may be associated with disease risk, likelihood of diagnosis and reporting, or both. Further evaluation of this finding is warranted.
Medical Record Review to Differentiate between Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease and Parkinsonism: A Danish Record Linkage Study with 10 Years of Follow-Up
Authors: Wermuth Lene , Cui Xin , Greene Naomi , Schernhammer Eva , Ritz Beate
Published: December 2015

Background. The electronic medical records provide new and unprecedented opportunities for large population-based and clinical studies if valid and reliable diagnoses can be obtained, to determine what information is needed to distinguish idiopathic PD from Parkinsonism in electronic medical records.Methods. Chart review of complete medical records of 2,446 patients with a hospital discharge diagnosis of PD, who, between 1996 and 2009, were registered in the Danish National Hospital Register as idiopathic PD. All patients were examined in neurology departments. Clinical features were abstracted from charts to determine Parkinsonian phenotypes and disease course, using predefined criteria for idiopathic PD.Results. Chart review verified that 2,068 (84.5%) patients met criteria for idiopathic PD. The most distinguishing features of idiopathic PD patients were asymmetric onset, and fewer atypical features at onset or follow-up compared to Parkinsonism, and the area under the curve (AUC) for these items alone is moderate (0.74–0.77) and the highest AUC (0.91) was achieved when using all clinical features recorded in addition to PD medication use and a follow-up of 5 years or more.Conclusion. To reduce disease misclassification, information extracted from medical record review with at least 5 years of follow-up after first diagnosis was key to improve diagnostic accuracy.
A Combination of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Pancreatic Endoderm Transplant with LDHA-Repressing miRNA Can Attenuate High-Fat Diet Induced Type II Diabetes in Mice
Authors: Chen Yunya , Wang Xiujie , Shao Xinyu
Published: December 2015

Type II diabetes mellitus (T2D) is a chronic metabolic disorder that results from defects in both insulin secretion and insulin action. The deficit and dysfunction of insulin secretingβ-cell are signature symptom for T2D. Additionally, in pancreaticβ-cell, a small group of genes which are abundantly expressed in most other tissues are highly selectively repressed. Lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) is one of such genes. Upregulation of LDHA is found in both human T2D and rodent T2D models. In this study, we identified a LDHA-suppressing microRNA (hsa-miR-590-3p) and used it together with human embryonic stem cell (hESC) derived pancreatic endoderm (PE) transplantation into a high-fat diet induced T2D mouse model. The procedure significantly improved glucose metabolism and other symptoms of T2D. Our findings support the potential T2D treatment using the combination of microRNA and hESC-differentiated PE cells.
Chaos Synchronization of Two Chaotic Nonlinear Gyros Using Backstepping Design
Authors: Loembe-Souamy Rostand M. Davy , Jiang Guo-Ping , Fan Chun-Xia , Wang Xin-Wei
Published: December 2015

We investigate the chaos synchronization of two certain chaotic gyros using the backstepping approach. We design a simple controller and verify the stability of the error system by using proper Lyapunov functions. The designed control laws ensure stable controlled and synchronized states for two chaotic nonlinear gyros. Numerical simulations are implemented for illustration and verification of the effectiveness of the backstepping technique.
Kinetics and Thermodynamics of Oil Extraction fromJatropha curcasL. Using Ethanol as a Solvent
Authors: Santos Silmara Bispo dos , Martins Marcio Arêdes , Caneschi Ana Lívia , Aguilar Paulo Rafael Morette , Coimbra Jane Sélia dos Reis
Published: December 2015

In the study the yield and kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of the oil extraction process fromJatropha curcasL. using ethanol as a solvent were evaluated for different temperatures, moisture contents of the solid phase, and particle sizes. The extraction process yield increased with contact time of solid particles with the solvent until reaching equilibrium (saturation of the solvent), for all the temperatures, moisture contents, and average particle sizes. These parameters significantly influenced (95% confidence) the extracted oil yield. A convective mass transfer model was used to simulate the extraction process and estimate the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters. For all conditions evaluated, values of oil yield in the liquid phase close to equilibrium were obtained in approximately 20 min. The variations of enthalpy and entropy were positive, indicating that the process is endothermic and irreversible. Values obtained for the variation in Gibbs free energy showed that the extraction process using ethanol as a solvent is spontaneous and thermodynamically favorable for the moisture content of 0%, where the smaller the average particle size the greater the spontaneity of the process.
An Enhanced Localization Method for Moving Targets in Coal Mines Based on Witness Nodes
Authors: Hu Qingsong , Ding Yishan , Wu Lixin , Cao Can , Zhang Shen
Published: December 2015

An enhanced localization method based on witness nodes (WitEnLoc) is proposed, in which some sensing nodes are selected as witness nodes to confirm the existence of the target at the site given by the initial localization value and improve the accuracy of the existing localization system. WitEnLoc is primarily comprised of three stages: initial value calculation, target node searching, and search result correction. During the initial value calculation stage, the initial value is obtained using the existing localization system, and witness nodes are determined using the IoT (Internet of Things) control platform. In the target node searching stage, inward and/or outward searches are conducted in order to reduce the scope of each target node. During the search result correction stage, the search results are used to correct the initial value in order to obtain a more accurate final value. The simulation results indicate that the proposed WitEnLoc method can significantly improve the accuracy of the existing localization system.
Assessing Factors Related to Waist Circumference and Obesity: Application of a Latent Variable Model
Authors: Dalvand Sahar , Koohpayehzadeh Jalil , Karimlou Masoud , Asgari Fereshteh , Rafei Ali , Seifi Behjat , Niksima Seyed Hassan , Bakhshi Enayatollah
Published: December 2015

Background. Because the use of BMI (Body Mass Index) alone as a measure of adiposity has been criticized, in the present study our aim was to fit a latent variable model to simultaneously examine the factors that affect waist circumference (continuous outcome) and obesity (binary outcome) among Iranian adults.Methods. Data included 18,990 Iranian individuals aged 20–65 years that are derived from the third National Survey of Noncommunicable Diseases Risk Factors in Iran. Using latent variable model, we estimated the relation of two correlated responses (waist circumference and obesity) with independent variables including age, gender, PR (Place of Residence), PA (physical activity), smoking status, SBP (Systolic Blood Pressure), DBP (Diastolic Blood Pressure), CHOL (cholesterol), FBG (Fasting Blood Glucose), diabetes, and FHD (family history of diabetes).Results. All variables were related to both obesity and waist circumference (WC). Older age, female sex, being an urban resident, physical inactivity, nonsmoking, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, diabetes, and having family history of diabetes were significant risk factors that increased WC and obesity.Conclusions. Findings from this study of Iranian adult settings offer more insights into factors associated with high WC and high prevalence of obesity in this population.
Phosphodiesterase‐5 Inhibitors: Action on the Signaling Pathways of Neuroinflammation, Neurodegeneration, and Cognition
Authors: Peixoto Christina Alves , Nunes Ana Karolina Santana , Garcia-Osta Ana
Published: December 2015

Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5‐Is) have recently emerged as a potential therapeutic strategy for neuroinflammatory, neurodegenerative, and memory loss diseases. Mechanistically, PDE5‐Is produce an anti‐inflammatory and neuroprotection effect by increasing expression of nitric oxide synthases and accumulation of cGMP and activating protein kinase G (PKG), the signaling pathway of which is thought to play an important role in the development of several neurodiseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this paper was to review present knowledge of the signaling pathways that underlie the use of PDE5‐Is in neuroinflammation, neurogenesis, learning, and memory.
A Supplemented High-Fat Low-Carbohydrate Diet for the Treatment of Glioblastoma
Authors: Martuscello Regina T. , Vedam-Mai Vinata , McCarthy David J. , Schmoll Michael E. , Jundi Musa A. , Louviere Christopher D. , Griffith Benjamin G. , Skinner Colby L. , Suslov Oleg , Deleyrolle Loic P. , Reynolds Brent A.
Published: December 2015

Purpose: Dysregulated energetics coupled with uncontrolled proliferation has become a hallmark of cancer, leading to increased interest in metabolic therapies. Glioblastoma (GB) is highly malignant, very metabolically active, and typically resistant to current therapies. Dietary treatment options based on glucose deprivation have been explored using a restrictive ketogenic diet (KD), with positive anticancer reports. However, negative side effects and a lack of palatability make the KD difficult to implement in an adult population. Hence, we developed a less stringent, supplemented high-fat low-carbohydrate (sHFLC) diet that mimics the metabolic and antitumor effects of the KD, maintains a stable nutritional profile, and presents an alternative clinical option for diverse patient populations.

Experimental Design: The dietary paradigm was tested in vitro and in vivo, utilizing multiple patient-derived gliomasphere lines. Cellular proliferation, clonogenic frequency, and tumor stem cell population effects were determined in vitro using the neurosphere assay (NSA). Antitumor efficacy was tested in vivo in preclinical xenograft models and mechanistic regulation via the mTOR pathway was explored.

Results: Reducing glucose in vitro to physiologic levels, coupled with ketone supplementation, inhibits proliferation of GB cells and reduces tumor stem cell expansion. In vivo, while maintaining animal health, the sHFLC diet significantly reduces the growth of tumor cells in a subcutaneous model of tumor progression and increases survival in an orthotopic xenograft model. Dietary-mediated anticancer effects correlate with the reduction of mTOR effector expression.

Conclusions: We demonstrate that the sHFLC diet is a viable treatment alternative to the KD, and should be considered for clinical testing. Clin Cancer Res; 22(10); 2482–95. ©2015 AACR.