bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring Presenteeism: Which Questionnaire to Use in Physical Activity Research?
Authors: Brown Helen Elizabeth , Burton Nicola , Gilson Nicholas David , Brown Wendy
Published: February 2014

Background:

An emerging area of interest in workplace health is presenteeism; the measurable extent to which physical or psychosocial symptoms, conditions and disease adversely affect the work productivity of those who choose to remain at work. Given established links between presenteeism and health, and health and physical activity, presenteeism could be an important outcome in workplace physical activity research. This study provides a narrative review of questionnaires for use in such research.

Methods:

Eight self-report measures of presenteeism were identified. Information regarding development, constructs measured and psychometric properties was extracted from relevant articles.

Results:

Questionnaires were largely self-administered, had 4–44 items, and recall periods ranging from 1 week to 1 year. Items were identified as assessing work performance, physical tolerance, psychological well-being and social or role functioning. Samples used to test questionnaires were predominantly American male employees, with an age range of 30–59 years. All instruments had undergone psychometric assessment, most commonly discriminant and construct validity.

Conclusion:

Based on instrument characteristics, the range of conceptual foci covered and acceptable measurement properties, the Health and Work Questionnaire, Work Ability Index, and Work Limitations Questionnaire are suggested as most suitable for further exploring the relationship between physical activity and presenteeism.
Modifiable Behaviors Help to Explain the Inequalities in Perceived Health Associated With Deprivation and Social Class: Evidence From a National Sample
Authors: Nevill Alan , Donnelly Paul , Shibli Simon , Foster Charlie , Murphy Marie
Published: February 2014

Background:

The association between health and deprivation is of serious concern to many health promotion agencies. The purpose of the current study was to assess whether modifiable behaviors of physical activity (PA), sports participation, diet, smoking and body mass index (BMI) can help to explain these inequalities in a sample of 4653 respondents from Northern Ireland.

Methods:

The study is based on a cross-sectional survey of Northern Irish adults. Responses to a self-rated health question were dichotomized and binary logistic regression was used to identify the health inequalities between areas of high, middle or low deprivation. These differences were further adjusted for other sociodemographic factors and subsequently for various modifiable behaviors of PA, sports participation, diet, smoking, and BMI.

Results:

Respondents from high and middle areas of deprivation are more likely to report poorer health. As soon as sociodemographic factors and other modifiable behaviors were included, these inequalities either disappeared or were greatly reduced.

Conclusion:

Many inequalities in health in NI can be explained by the respondents’ sociodemographic characteristics that can be further explained by introducing information about respondents who meet the recommended PA guidelines, play sport, eat 5 portions of fruit and vegetables, and maintain an optimal BMI.
Inverse Relationship Between Physical Activity and Arterial Stiffness in Adults With Hypertension
Authors: O’Donovan Cuisle , Lithander Fiona E. , Raftery Tara , Gormley John , Mahmud Azra , Hussey Juliette
Published: February 2014

Background:

Physical activity has beneficial effects on arterial stiffness among healthy adults. There is a lack of data on this relationship in adults with hypertension. The majority of studies which have examined physical activity and arterial stiffness have used subjective measures of activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between objectively measured habitual physical activity and arterial stiffness in individuals with newly diagnosed essential hypertension.

Methods:

Adults attending an outpatient hypertension clinic were recruited into this cross sectional study. Physical activity was measured using a triaxial accelerometer. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx) were measured using applanation tonometry. Participant’s full lipid profile and glucose were determined through the collection of a fasting blood sample.

Results:

Fifty-three adults [51(14) years, 26 male] participated, 16 of whom had the metabolic syndrome. Inactivity was positively correlated with PWV (r = .53, P < .001) and AIx (r = .48, P < .001). There were significant inverse associations between habitual physical activity of all intensities and both AIx and PWV. In stepwise regression, after adjusting for potential confounders, physical activity was a significant predictor of AIx and PWV.

Conclusion:

Habitual physical activity of all intensities is associated with reduced arterial stiffness among adults with hypertension.
National Policy on Physical Activity: The Development of a Policy Audit Tool
Authors: Bull Fiona C. , Milton Karen , Kahlmeier Sonja
Published: February 2014

Background:

Physical inactivity is a leading risk factor for noncommunicable disease worldwide. Increasing physical activity requires large scale actions and relevant, supportive national policy across multiple sectors.

Methods:

The policy audit tool (PAT) was developed to provide a standardized instrument to assess national policy approaches to physical activity. A draft tool, based on earlier work, was developed and pilot-tested in 7 countries.

Results:

After several rounds of revisions, the final PAT comprises 27 items and collects information on 1) government structure, 2) development and content of identified key policies across multiple sectors, 3) the experience of policy implementation at both the national and local level, and 4) a summary of the PAT completion process.

Conclusions:

PAT provides a standardized instrument for assessing progress of national policy on physical activity. Engaging a diverse international group of countries in the development helped ensure PAT has applicability across a wide range of countries and contexts. Experiences from the development of the PAT suggests that undertaking an audit of health enhancing physical activity (HEPA) policy can stimulate greater awareness of current policy opportunities and gaps, promote critical debate across sectors, and provide a catalyst for collaboration on policy level actions. The final tool is available online.
Testing and Genotyping of High-Risk Human Papillomavirus by the cobas HPV Test and the Hybrid Capture 2 High-Risk HPV DNA Test Using Cervical and Vaginal Samples
Authors: Pyne Michael T. , Law Christian , Hillyard David R. , Schlaberg Robert
Published: February 2014

The accurate detection and typing of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) are critical for cervical cancer screening. The Hybrid Capture 2 (hc2) and cobas HPV tests showed high agreement for cervical samples (94.4%, κ = 0.72,
n
= 693) and moderate agreement for vaginal samples (κ = 0.62,
n
= 108). The HPV16 and HPV18 results were highly consistent between the cobas and Linear Array tests (κ ≥ 0.96,
n
= 197). Three hc2-negative vaginal samples were repeatedly invalid by the cobas test due to β-globin control failures, highlighting amplification control benefits. No cross-contamination was detected in a challenge experiment.
Poland syndrome involving the left hemithorax with dextrocardia and herniation of the spleen
Authors: Panda Shasanka Shekhar , Bajpai Minu , Singh Amit , Jana Manisha
Published: February 2014

Poland syndrome is characterised by unilateral absence of the large pectoral muscle, ipsilateral symbrachydactyly and occasionally other malformations of the anterior chest wall and breast. The condition is more frequent among men and usually occurs on the right hemithorax in the unilateral form. This case is unique because we believe it is a rare case of Poland syndrome involving the left hemithorax along with dextrocardia and herniation of the spleen from the left subcostal region.
Red fist and muscle weakness with a rare complication
Authors: van Groeningen Iris , Arnoldus Joyce , Perenboom Roos , Voskuyl Alexandre
Published: February 2014

A 64-year-old man was referred to our hospital, for a second opinion, with fever, skin lesions and general muscle pain. He has been treated in another hospital with antibiotics on suspicion of erysipelas. A week later skin lesions developed on the metacarpophalangeal and proximal carpophalangeal joints of the hands and nose. His mobility was impaired due to muscle pain and muscle weakness. He also showed proximal muscle atrophy and most importantly a typical heliotrope rash in the eyes. Based on these clinical observations, the most likely diagnosis was dermatomyositis. The diagnosis was confirmed by the presence of increased serum creatine kinase levels and abnormalities in skin and muscle biopsy. Prednisone (70 mg/kg) was initiated, but after  19 days the patient developed aPneumocystis jirovecipneumonia. He died of respiratory failure a few days later.
Retained foreign body after chest stab wound
Authors: Apiliogullari Burhan , Duzgun Nuri , Kurtipek Ercan , Esme Hidir
Published: February 2014

Foreign bodies may occur after a thoracic trauma, but foreign bodies retained after stab wounds are rare. This paper reports the case of a 20-year-old man who was admitted with the diagnosis of haemothorax following a single stab wound on the chest. One month later, he was referred to the authors’ clinic with symptoms of pain and swelling under the left scapula due to a previously overlooked foreign body on the chest wall.
Synthesis, characterization and hydrolytic stability of diorganotin(IV)bis(O-alkyl alkylphosphonate)s
Authors: Shankar Ravi , Asija Meenal , Singla Nisha , Kociok-Köhn Gabriele , Molloy Kieran C.
Published: February 2014

Diorganotinbis(O-alkyl alkylphosphonate)s, R2Sn(O2P(OR1)R1)2 [R1 = Me, R = Me (1), Et (2), n-Bu (3); R1 = Et, R = Me (4), Et (5), n-Bu (6)] have been synthesized from the reaction between dimethyl/diethyl/di-n-butyltin dichloride and dialkyl alkylphosphonates, (R1O)2P(O)R1, in a solvent-free medium (120 °C, 18 h). X-ray crystal structure of 1 reveals two independent molecules in the unit cell that form one-dimensional polymeric motifs by virtue of bridging bidentate phosphonate groups. The structural attribute of each polymeric chain represents an orderly infinite array of -[Sn-O-P-O-]2 8-membered puckered cyclic rings with hexa-coordinated tin atoms. The structure of 2 resembles that of 1 and exhibits nearly identical structural parameters. The presence of C–H···O hydrogen bonding interactions involving P-OMe and (or) phosphonate (P=O) groups in both 1 and 2 afford the formation of two- and three-dimensional structural motifs, respectively. The phase purity and structural integrity of the bulk sample of 1 upon exposure to water has been ascertained by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). All the compounds reported herein have been characterized by IR and multinuclear (1H, 13C, 31P, 119Sn) NMR spectral studies.
Stand age and soils as drivers of plant functional traits and aboveground biomass in secondary tropical dry forest
Authors: Becknell Justin M. , Powers Jennifer S.
Published: February 2014

The distribution of tropical forest biomass across the landscape is poorly understood, particularly in increasingly common secondary tropical forests. We studied the landscape-scale distribution of edaphic properties, plant community characteristics, and aboveground biomass (AGB) in secondary tropical dry forests in northwest Costa Rica. We used structural equation modeling to examine conceptual models of relationships among these factors, with data from 84 0.1 ha plots. Stand age and soils explained 33%–60% of the variation in community-weighted mean values of foliar traits including specific leaf area, foliar nitrogen, phosphorus, and δ13C. Aboveground biomass ranged from 1.7 to 409 Mg·ha−1 among plots between 5 and >100 years old. Stand age alone explained 46% of the variation in AGB among plots, while a model including age, soil pH, traits, and forest type explained 58%. Stand age was the most important variable explaining the distribution of AGB and community characteristics in secondary forests. We speculate that plot size, landscape heterogeneity, disturbance history, and stand dynamics contribute to the unexplained variation in AGB across the landscape.
Isolation and diversity of natural product biosynthetic genes of cultivable bacteria associated with marine sponge Mycale sp. from the coast of Fujian, China
Authors: Su Pei , Wang De-Xiang , Ding Shao-Xiong , Zhao Jing
Published: February 2014

The marine sponge Mycale sp., a potential source of natural bioactive products, is widely distributed along the coast of Fujian, China. The cultivable bacterial community associated with Mycale sp., the antibacterial activities, and the PKS (polyketide synthase) and NRPS (nonribosomal peptide synthetase) gene diversity of these bacteria were investigated. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene showed that the 51 isolates from Mycale sp. belonged to Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Gammaproteobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, and Firmicutes. Among them, some bacteria were first isolated from marine sponge. The 20 isolates with antimicrobial activities were primarily clustered within the groups Actinobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, and Bacillus. Strain HNS054, which showed 99% similarity to Streptomyces labedae, exhibited the strongest antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus MTCC 1430, Bacillus subtilis MTCC 441) and Vibrio species. The screening of natural product biosynthetic genes revealed that 8 Actinobacteria species with antimicrobial activities possessed PKS-KS (ketosynthase) or NRPS-A domains, and the Nocardiopsis species contained a hybrid or mixed PKS–NRPS system. The phylogenetic analysis of the amino acid sequences indicated that the identified KS domains clustered with those from diverse bacterial groups, including Actinobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, and Firmicutes. Most KS domain sequences had high homology (>80%) to type I KSs, but the KS domain of Nocardiopsis sp. strain HNS048 had 77% similarity to the type II KS domain of Burkholderia gladioli. The NRPS-A domains of the 8 isolates were grouped into the Gammaproteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes groups. The NRPS-A gene of strain HNS052, identified as Nocardiopsis cyriacigeorgica, showed only 54% similarity to Rhodococcus opacus. All results suggested that Mycale sp. harboured diverse bacteria that could contribute to the production of novel bioactive substances in the future.
Adinkra (in)equivalence from Coxeter group representations: A case study
Authors: Chappell Isaac , Gates S. James , Hübsch T.
Published: February 2014

Using a Mathematica TM code, we present a straightforward numerical analysis of the 384-dimensional solution space of signed permutation 4×4 matrices, which in sets of four, provide representations of the 𝒢ℛ(4, 4) algebra, closely related to the 𝒩 = 1 (simple) supersymmetry algebra in four-dimensional space–time. Following after ideas discussed in previous papers about automorphisms and classification of adinkras and corresponding supermultiplets, we make a new and alternative proposal to use equivalence classes of the (unsigned) permutation group S4 to define distinct representations of higher-dimensional spin bundles within the context of adinkras. For this purpose, the definition of a dual operator akin to the well-known Hodge star is found to partition the space of these 𝒢ℛ(4, 4) representations into three suggestive classes.
Equations for massless and massive spin-1/2 particles with varying speed and neutrino in matter
Authors: Kruglov S. I.
Published: February 2014

The modified Dirac equations describing massless and massive spin-1/2 particles violating the Lorentz invariance are considered. The equation for massless fermions with varying speed is formulated in the 16-component first-order form. The projection matrix, which is the density matrix, extracting solutions to the equation has been obtained. Exact solutions to the equation and energy spectrum for a massive neutrino are obtained in the presence of background matter. We have considered as subluminal as well as superluminal propagations of neutrinos. The bounds on the Lorentz invariance violation parameter from astrophysical observations by IceCube, OPERA, MINOS collaborations and by the SN1987A supernova are obtained for superluminal neutrinos.
Bifurcation of Limit Cycles in Small Perturbation of a Class of Liénard Systems
Authors: Sun Xianbo , Xi Hongjian , Zangeneh Hamid R. Z. , Kazemi Rasool
Published: February 2014

In this article, we study the limit cycle bifurcation of a Liénard system of type (5,4) with a heteroclinic loop passing through a hyperbolic saddle and a nilpotent saddle. We study the least upper bound of the number of limit cycles bifurcated from the periodic annulus inside the heteroclinic loop by a new algebraic criterion. We also prove at least three limit cycles will bifurcate and six kinds of different distributions of these limit cycles are given. The methods we use and the results we obtain are new.
On the Pseudo-Randomicity of Discrete Spatiotemporal Systems
Authors: Tian Chuanjun
Published: February 2014

This paper is concerned with the pseudo-randomicity of a discrete spatiotemporal system of the form [Formula: see text] where f : I2 → I is a function, I is a bounded subset of R = (-∞, ∞), and m, n ∈ N 0 = {0, 1, 2, …}. Several new definitions on the pseudo-randomicity of this system are given, with several specific pseudo-random discrete spatiotemporal systems presented.
Continuum Shell Model for Buckling of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes with Different Chiral Angles
Authors: Roy Chowdhury Amar Nath , Wang Chien Ming , Koh Soo Jin Adrian
Published: February 2014

In this paper, an equivalent thick cylindrical shell model is proposed for the buckling analysis of short single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with allowance for different chiral angles. Extensive, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are first performed using the adaptive intermolecular reactive bond order potential to determine the critical buckling loads/strains. The MD simulations buckling results are then used as reference solutions to calibrate the properties of the thick cylindrical shell model. Central to this development is the establishment of an empirical expression for the Young's modulus that is a function of both the diameter and the chiral angle of the SWCNT. For the shell model, we have assumed that the Poisson ratio ν = 0.19 and the shell thickness h = 0.066 nm . It will be shown that the proposed shell model furnishes good estimates of the critical buckling loads for SWCNTs with different chiral angles. The critical buckling strains are also evaluated from the critical buckling load with the aid of the stress–strain relation of SWCNTs.
The decycling number of $P_{m} \square P_{n}^{\ast}$
Authors: Lien Min-Yun , Fu Hung-Lin , Shih Chie-Huai
Published: February 2014

A set of vertices of a graph whose removal leaves an acyclic graph is called a decycling set of the graph. The minimum size of a decycling set of a graph G is referred to as the decycling number of G, denoted by ∇(G). In this paper, we study the decycling number of the Cartesian product of two paths, ∇(Pm□Pn), and obtain several new results. Mainly, we prove that [Formula: see text]. Moreover, we obtain the exact value of ∇(Pm□Pn) for some classes (modulo 6) of pairs (m, n).
A NEW MOBILE ELECTRON ACCELERATOR FOR INTRA OPERATIVE ELECTRON RADIATION THERAPY
Authors: ADRICH P. , BACZEWSKI A. , BARAN M. , DRABIK W. , GRYN K. , HANKE R. , JAKUBOWSKA E. , JANKOWSKI E. , KĘDZIERSKI G. , KIELAR N. , KUJAWIŃSKI Ł. , KOPEĆ J. , KOSIŃSKI K. , KOZIOŁ R. , KRASZEWSKI P. , KRAWCZYK P. , KULCZYCKA E. , LALIK P. , MARCZENKO M. , MASTERNAK A. , MISIARZ A. , OLSZEWSKI J. , OZON K. , PŁAWSKI E. , POLAK A. , PSONKA W. , RUTKOWSKA M. , RZADKIEWICZ J. , SIENKIEWICZ Z. , STASZCZAK M. , SWAT K. , SYNTFELD-KAŻUCH A. , TERKA M. , WASILEWSKI A. , WILCZEK J. , WOJCIECHOWSKI M. , WÓJTOWICZ M. , WRONKA S. , WYSOCKA-RABIN A. , ZALEWSKI K.
Published: February 2014

A demonstrator of a new, highly mobile, robotized linear electron accelerator for Intra Operative Electron Radiation Therapy (IOERT) is under construction at National Centre for Nuclear Studies. In an IOERT treatment, a high dose of electron radiation is delivered in a single fraction directly to an exposed location after tumor ablation during oncological surgery. Due to the fact that the tumor can be located anywhere in the body, a high maneuverability of the accelerator and its adaptability to anatomical conditions are required. Moreover, since the treatment is usually executed in an unshielded operation room, the radiation protection issues are of principal importance. To assure safety of the patient and medical personnel, the therapeutic head is designed to constrain the radiation to the volume of the tumor lodge while minimizing leakage and stray radiation. For these reasons, construction of accelerators for IOERT differs considerably from the construction of linear electron accelerators for external beam radiation therapy. This paper presents some challenges and solutions in construction of the accelerator and in particular its therapeutic head with beam forming system.
ACHIEVING A LINEAR DOSE RATE RESPONSE IN PULSE-MODE SILICON PHOTODIODE SCINTILLATION DETECTORS OVER A WIDE RANGE OF EXCITATIONS
Authors: CARROLL LEWIS
Published: February 2014

We are developing a new dose calibrator for nuclear pharmacies that can measure radioactivity in a vial or syringe without handling it directly or removing it from its transport shield “pig”. The calibrator's detector comprises twin opposing scintillating crystals coupled to Si photodiodes and current-amplifying trans-resistance amplifiers. Such a scheme is inherently linear with respect to dose rate over a wide range of radiation intensities, but accuracy at low activity levels may be impaired, beyond the effects of meager photon statistics, by baseline fluctuation and drift inevitably present in high-gain, current-mode photodiode amplifiers. The work described here is motivated by our desire to enhance accuracy at low excitations while maintaining linearity at high excitations. Thus, we are also evaluating a novel “pulse-mode” analog signal processing scheme that employs a linear threshold discriminator to virtually eliminate baseline fluctuation and drift. We will show the results of a side-by-side comparison of current-mode versus pulse-mode signal processing schemes, including perturbing factors affecting linearity and accuracy at very low and very high excitations. Bench testing over a wide range of excitations is done using a Poisson random pulse generator plus an LED light source to simulate excitations up to ∼106 detected counts per second without the need to handle and store large amounts of radioactive material.
MEASUREMENT OF 230Pa AND 186Re PRODUCTION CROSS SECTIONS INDUCED BY DEUTERONS AT ARRONAX FACILITY
Authors: DUCHEMIN CHARLOTTE , GUERTIN ARNAUD , METIVIER VINCENT , HADDAD FERID , MICHEL NATHALIE
Published: February 2014

A dedicated program has been launched on production of innovative radionuclides for PET imaging and for β- and α targeted radiotherapy using proton or α particles at the ARRONAX cyclotron. Since the accelerator is also able to deliver deuteron beams up to 35 MeV, we have reconsidered the possibility of using them to produce medical isotopes. Two isotopes dedicated to targeted therapy have been considered: 226Th, a decay product of 230Pa, and 186Re. The production cross sections of 230Pa and 186Re, as well as those of the contaminants created during the irradiation, have been determined by the stacked-foil technique using deuteron beams. Experimental values have been quantified using a referenced cross section. The measured cross sections have been used to determine expected production yields and compared with the calculated values obtained using the Talys code with default parameters.
A LABORATORY-BASED X-RAY PHASE CONTRAST IMAGING SCANNER WITH APPLICATIONS IN BIOMEDICAL AND NON-MEDICAL DISCIPLINES
Authors: HAGEN C. K. , DIEMOZ P. C. , ENDRIZZI M. , MUNRO P. R. T. , SZAFRANIEC M. B. , MILLARD T. P. , SPELLER R. , OLIVO D A.
Published: February 2014

X-ray phase contrast imaging (XPCi) provides a much higher visibility of low-absorbing details than conventional, attenuation-based radiography. This is due to the fact that image contrast is determined by the unit decrement of the real part of the complex refractive index of an object rather than by its imaginary part (the absorption coefficient), which can be up to 1000 times larger for energies in the X-ray regime. This finds applications in many areas, including medicine, biology, material testing, and homeland security. Until lately, XPCi has been restricted to synchrotron facilities due to its demanding coherence requirements on the radiation source. However, edge illumination XPCi, first developed by one of the authors at the ELETTRA Synchrotron in Italy, substantially relaxes these requirements and therefore provides options to overcome this problem. Our group has built a prototype scanner that adapts the edge-illumination concept to standard laboratory conditions and extends it to large fields of view. This is based on X-ray sources and detectors available off the shelf, and its use has led to impressive results in mammography, cartilage imaging, testing of composite materials and security inspection. This article presents the method and the scanner prototype, and reviews its applications in selected biomedical and non-medical disciplines.
Study of Knocking Effect in Compression Ignition Engine with Hydrogen as a Secondary Fuel
Authors: Sivabalakrishnan R. , Jegadheesan C.
Published: February 2014

The aim of this project is detecting knock during combustion of biodiesel-hydrogen fuel and also the knock is suppressed by timed injection of diethyl ether (DEE) with biodiesel-hydrogen fuel for different loads. Hydrogen fuel is an effective alternate fuel in making a pollution-free environment with higher efficiency. The usage of hydrogen in compression ignition engine leads to production of knocking or detonation because of its lower ignition energy, wider flammability range, and shorter quenching distance. Knocking combustion causes major engine damage, and also reduces the efficiency. The method uses the measurement and analysis of cylinder pressure signal for various loads. The pressure signal is to be converted into frequency domain that shows the accurate knocking combustion of fuel mixtures. The variation of pressure signal is gradually increased and smoothly reduced to minimum during normal combustion. The rapid rise of pressure signal has occurred during knocking combustion. The experimental setup was mainly available for evaluating the feasibility of normal combustion by comparing with the signals from both fuel mixtures in compression ignition engine. This method provides better results in predicting the knocking feature of biodiesel-hydrogen fuel and the usage of DEE provides complete combustion of fuels with higher performance, and lower emission.
Acute Kidney Injury after Major Abdominal Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis
Authors: Teixeira Catarina , Rosa Rosário , Rodrigues Natacha , Mendes Inês , Peixoto Lígia , Dias Sofia , Melo Maria João , Pereira Marta , Bicha Castelo Henrique , Lopes José António
Published: February 2014

Background. We analyzed the incidence, risk factors, and prognosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a cohort of patients undergoing major abdominal surgery.Methods. A total of 450 patients were retrospectively studied. AKI was defined by an increase in serum creatinine (SCr) ≥ 0.3 mg/dl or by an increase in SCr ≥ 50% and/or by a decrease in urine output to 0.5 ml/kg/hour for 6 hours, in the first 48 hours after surgery. Logistic regression method was used to determine predictors of AKI and in-hospital mortality. A two-tailedPvalue <0.05 was considered significant.Results. One hundred one patients (22.4%) had postoperative AKI. Age (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.05), nonrenal Revised Cardiac Risk Index score (adjusted OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.3–3.1,P=0.003), intraoperative erythrocytes transfusions (adjusted OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.4–3.5,P <.0001), and nonrenal Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (adjusted OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01–1.06,P=0.0191) were associated with postoperative AKI. AKI was associated with increased in-hospital mortality (20.8% versus 2.3%,P <.0001; unadjusted OR 11.2, 95% CI 4.8–26.2,P <.0001; adjusted OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.2–11.7,P=0.024).Conclusion. AKI was common in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery and was associated with in-hospital mortality.
A Distance-Aware Safety-Related Message Broadcasting Algorithm for Vehicular Networks
Authors: Li Xiaohuan , Hu Bin-jie , Chen Hongbin , Ye Jin
Published: February 2014

A new distance-aware broadcasting algorithm was proposed to enhance the propagation distance in the latency time of safety-related message broadcasting. The IEEE 802.11p standard states that if the medium is detected as idle, a station would defer its transmission within a backoff time to avoid collisions with other stations. The backoff times follow uniform distribution over [0, CW]. In this way, fairness among all the stations can be guaranteed. However, propagation distance was ignored and in safety-related message broadcasting fairness is not the most important issue. In the proposed algorithm, the lengths of backoff times are generated from a nonuniform distribution. They are related with the distances between the source station and its forwarding stations. The farthest forwarding station has the highest probability to forward messages. Performance of the proposed algorithm is analyzed by using a 2D Markov chain. Analytical and simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can enhance the performance of safety-related message broadcasting in terms of propagation distance, which is reflected by the successful transmission probability. The proposed algorithm does not need additional waiting time, RTS/CTS, and ACK, therefore having better compatibility with the IEEE 802.11p standard than earlier distance-aware algorithms.
The Effects ofHelicobacter pyloriEradication on Proteinuria in Patients with Primary Glomerulonephritis
Authors: Caliskan Bahar , Yazici Halil , Caliskan Yasar , Ozluk Yasemin , Gulluoglu Mine , Kilicaslan Isin , Turkmen Aydin , Sever Mehmet Sukru
Published: February 2014

Background. Membranous nephropathy (MN) is a common cause of nephrotic syndrome. In most cases it is idiopathic, while it may also be secondary to many diseases. In this study, prevalence ofH. pyloriinfection and the effects ofH. pylorieradication on proteinuria levels were investigated.Methods. Thirty five patients with MN (19 male), 12 patients with IgA nephropathy (4 male) and 12 patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) (8 male) were studied. The presence ofH. pyloriantigen was investigated in renal tissues obtained by biopsy, and the effects ofH. pylorieradication on proteinuria levels were investigated.Results. Immunohistochemistry withH. pyloriantigen revealed no positive staining in the glomeruli of all patients. 19 patients (54%) with MN, 10 (83%) with IgA nephropathy and 4 (33%) with FSGS were positive forH. pyloristool antigen test(P=0.045). Patients withH. pyloriinfection were administered eradication therapy (lansoprazole, 30 mg twice daily, plus amoxicillin, 0.75 g twice daily, plus clarithromycin, 250 mg twice daily, for 14 days). Before the eradication therapy the mean proteinuria of patients with MN, IgA nephropathy and FSGS were 2.42 ± 3.24 g/day, 2.12 ± 1.63 g/day and 1.80 ± 1.32 g/day, respectively. Three months after eradication, baseline proteinuria levels of patients with MN significantly decreased to 1.26 ± 1.73 g/day(P=0.031). In all three groups there were no significant differences with regard to serum creatinine, albumin and C-reactive protein levels before and after eradication therapy.Conclusions. The eradication ofH. pyloriinfection may be effective to reduce proteinuria in patients with MN, while spontaneous remission of MN could not be excluded in this patient cohort. This trial is registered withNCT00983034.
Morphometric Evaluation of Interrenal Gland and Kidney Macrophages Aggregates in Normal Healthy Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and after Bacterial Challenge withYersinia ruckeri
Authors: Gregori Michela , Miragliotta Vincenzo , Leotta Roberto , Cecchini Stefano , Prearo Marino , Abramo Francesca
Published: February 2014

Macrophage aggregates (MA) occur in various organs of fish as discrete aggregations of pigmented macrophages. The study presented herein investigates the quantitative modifications from normal anatomical condition, of interrenal gland (IG) and kidney MA in six treatment groups of adult rainbow trout submitted to either specific or aspecific immune stimulation and subsequently challenged withYersinia ruckeri. Routinely stained tissue sections from both IG and kidney were analysed. The percentage of tissues occupied by MA and the MA density (number/mm2) were calculated on at least 10 randomly selected nonoverlapping fields taken from each tissue section. MA morphometric findings from challenged fish were compared to those from a control group. Results showed that fish from control group displayed a statistically significant (P<0.05) higher percentage of tissue occupied by MA and MA density. Among different treatment groups, anti-Yersinia ruckeriimmunized fish, which did not show clinical signs of disease after bacterial challenge, displayed higher values of morphometric parameters compared with symptomatic fish from other groups. Our study demonstrates that the quantification of the area occupied by MA might be an efficient parameter to evaluate the general condition of a salmonid population since it positively correlates with the health status and negatively with stress factor such as the acute bacterial infection.
Determination of (4E,6E,12E)-Tetradecatriene-8,10-diyne-1,3-diyl Diacetate in Rat Plasma and Tissues by HPLC-UV Method and Their Application to a Pharmacokinetic and Tissue Distribution Study
Authors: Huo Yan , Liu Yu-Qiang , Bai Zhong-Xu , Cai Qian
Published: February 2014

In ChinaAtractylodis Rhizomais widely used for the treatment of rheumatic diseases and digestive disorders. Stir-frying with wheat bran is the most common processing method. In order to clarify the influence of processing on pharmacological properties ofAtractylodis Rhizoma, an investigation was carried out to compare the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of typical constituent after oral administration of rawAtractylodis Rhizomaand processed ones. A simple, rapid, and sensitive high performance liquid chromatography with UV detection was developed and validated for the determination of (4E,6E,12E)-tetradecatriene-8,10-diyne-1,3-diyl diacetate in rat plasma. A chromatography was carried out on Diamonsil C18(250 × 4.6 mm; 5 μm) analytical column, using a mobile phase which consisted of acetonitrile and 0.1% phosphoric acid water (60 : 40, v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL·min−1. The wavelength was set at 336 nm. The LLOQ of (4E,6E,12E)-tetradecatriene-8,10-diyne-1,3-diyl diacetate was 0.00143 μg·mL−1. Both accuracy and precision were satisfactory. The pharmacokinetic results showed that theTmax⁡was 1 hour in advance and theCmax⁡was increased after processing. Tissue distribution showed that the highest level was in spleen. And the concentrations in the spleen were increased after stir-frying with bran.
Solution of AntiSeepage for Mengxi River Based on Numerical Simulation of Unsaturated Seepage
Authors: Ji Youjun , Zhang Linzhi , Yue Jiannan
Published: February 2014

Lessening the leakage of surface water can reduce the waste of water resources and ground water pollution. To solve the problem that Mengxi River could not store water enduringly, geology investigation, theoretical analysis, experiment research, and numerical simulation analysis were carried out. Firstly, the seepage mathematical model was established based on unsaturated seepage theory; secondly, the experimental equipment for testing hydraulic conductivity of unsaturated soil was developed to obtain the curve of two-phase flow. The numerical simulation of leakage in natural conditions proves the previous inference and leakage mechanism of river. At last, the seepage control capacities of different impervious materials were compared by numerical simulations. According to the engineering actuality, the impervious material was selected. The impervious measure in this paper has been proved to be effectible by hydrogeological research today.
The Existence of Solutions to the NonhomogeneousA-Harmonic Equations with Variable Exponent
Authors: Wen Haiyu
Published: February 2014

We first discuss the existence and uniqueness of weak solution for the obstacle problem of the nonhomogeneousA-harmonic equation with variable exponent, and then we obtain the existence of the solutions of the equationd⋆A(x,dω)=B(x,dω)in the weighted variable exponent Sobolev spaceWdp(x)(Ω,Λl,μ).
The Magnetic Nanoparticle Movement in Magnetic Fluid Characterized by the Laser Dynamic Speckle Interferometry
Authors: Wang Xijun
Published: February 2014

A dual scanning laser speckle interferometry experiment was designed to observe the dynamic behavior of the magnetic fluid actuated by a magnetic field. In order to improve the spatial resolution of the dynamic speckle measurement, the phase delay scanning was used to compensate the additional phase variation which was caused by the transverse scanning. The correlation coefficients corresponding to the temporal dynamic speckle patterns within the same time interval scattering from the nanoparticles were calculated in the experiment on nanoscale magnetic clusters. In the experiment, the speckle of the magnetic nanoparticle fluid movement has been recorded by the lens unmounted CCD within the interferometry strips, although the speckle led to the distinguished annihilation of the light coherence. The results have showed that the nanoparticle fluid dynamic properties appeared synergistically in the fringe speckles. The analyses of the nanoparticle′s relative speed and the speckle pattern moving amount in the fringes have proved the nanoparticle’s movement in a laminar flow in the experiment.
Cubic Hermite Collocation Method for Solving Boundary Value Problems with Dirichlet, Neumann, and Robin Conditions
Authors: Ganaie Ishfaq Ahmad , Arora Shelly , Kukreja V. K.
Published: February 2014

Cubic Hermite collocation method is proposed to solve two point linear and nonlinear boundary value problems subject to Dirichlet, Neumann, and Robin conditions. Using several examples, it is shown that the scheme achieves the order of convergence as four, which is superior to various well known methods like finite difference method, finite volume method, orthogonal collocation method, and polynomial and nonpolynomial splines and B-spline method. Numerical results for both linear and nonlinear cases are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the scheme.
On Pseudospherical Smarandache Curves in Minkowski 3-Space
Authors: Koc Ozturk Esra Betul , Ozturk Ufuk , Ilarslan Kazim , Nešović Emilija
Published: February 2014

In this paper we define nonnull and null pseudospherical Smarandache curves according to the Sabban frame of a spacelike curve lying on pseudosphere in Minkowski 3-space. We obtain the geodesic curvature and the expressions for the Sabban frame’s vectors of spacelike and timelike pseudospherical Smarandache curves. We also prove that if the pseudospherical null straight lines are the Smarandache curves of a spacelike pseudospherical curveα, thenαhas constant geodesic curvature. Finally, we give some examples of pseudospherical Smarandache curves.
A Pressure Transient Model for Power‐Law Fluids in Porous Media Embedded with a Tree‐Shaped Fractal Network
Authors: Tan Xiao-Hua , Liu Jian-Yi , Zhao Jia-Hui , Li Xiao-Ping , Zhang Guang-Dong , Tang Chuan
Published: February 2014

This work studies the pressure transient of power‐law fluids in porous media embedded with a tree‐shaped fractal network. A pressure transient model was created based on the fractal properties of tree‐shaped capillaries, generalized Darcy’s law and constitutive equation for power‐law fluids. The dimensionless pressure model was developed using the Laplace transform and Stehfest numerical inversion method. According to the model’s solution, the bi‐logarithmic type curves of power‐law fluids in porous media embedded with a tree‐shaped fractal network are illustrated. The influences of different fractal factors and Power‐law fluids parameters on pressure transient responses are discussed.
Disparities in Spatial Prevalence of Feline Retroviruses due to Data Aggregation: A Case of the Modifiable Areal Unit Problem
Authors: Chhetri Bimal K. , Berke Olaf , Pearl David L. , Bienzle Dorothee
Published: February 2014

The knowledge of the spatial distribution feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus infections, which are untreatable, can inform on their risk factors and high-risk areas to enhance control. However, when spatial analysis involves aggregated spatial data, results may be influenced by the spatial scale of aggregation, an effect known as the modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP). In this study, area level risk factors for both infections in 28,914 cats tested with ELISA were investigated by multivariable spatial Poisson regression models along with MAUP effect on spatial clustering and cluster detection (for postal codes, counties, and states) by Moran’sItest and spatial scan test, respectively. The study results indicate that the significance and magnitude of the association of risk factors with both infections varied with aggregation scale. Further more, Moran’sItest only identified spatial clustering at postal code and county levels of aggregation. Similarly, the spatial scan test indicated that the number, size, and location of clusters varied over aggregation scales. In conclusion, the association between infection and area was influenced by the choice of spatial scale and indicates the importance of study design and data analysis with respect to specific research questions.
Event-BasedH∞Filter Design for Sensor Networks with Missing Measurements
Authors: Liu Jinliang , Fei Shumin , Tian Engang
Published: February 2014

In order to save network resources and network bandwidth, this paper proposed an event triggered mechanism based on sampled-data information, which has some advantages over existing ones. Considering the missing sensor measurements and the network-induced delay in the transmission, we construct a new event-basedH∞filtering by taking the effect of sensor faults with different failure rates. By using the Lyapunov stability theory and the stochastic analysis theory, sufficient criteria are derived for the existence of a solution to the algorithm of the event-based filter design. Finally, an example is exploited to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Numerical Schemes for Stochastic Differential Equations with Variable and Distributed Delays: The Interpolation Approach
Authors: Zhao Xueyan , Deng Feiqi , Kuang Shifang
Published: February 2014

A kind of the Euler-Maruyama schemes in discrete forms for stochastic differential equations with variable and distributed delays is proposed. The linear interpolation method is applied to deal with the values of the solutions at the delayed instants. The assumptions of this paper on the coefficients and related parameters are somehow weaker than those imposed by the related past literature. The error estimations for the Euler-Maruyama schemes are given, which are proved to be the same as those for the fundamental Euler-Maruyama schemes.
Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number in Peripheral Blood Is Independently Associated with Visceral Fat Accumulation in Healthy Young Adults
Authors: Lee Jee-Yon , Lee Duk-Chul , Im Jee-Aee , Lee Ji-Won
Published: February 2014

Aims. Visceral obesity is associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases and it is important to identify the underlying mechanisms. There is growing evidence that mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with metabolic disturbances related to visceral obesity. In addition, maintaining mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number is important for preserving mitochondrial function. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between mtDNA copy number and visceral fat in healthy young adults.Methods. A total of 94 healthy young subjects were studied. Biomarkers of metabolic risk factors were assessed along with body composition by computed tomography. mtDNA copy number was measured in peripheral leukocytes using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods.Results. The mtDNA copy number correlated with BMI (r=-0.22,P=0.04), waist circumference (r=-0.23,P=0.03), visceral fat area (r=-0.28,P=-0.01), HDL-cholesterol levels (r=0.25,P=0.02), and hs-CRP (r=0.32,P=0.02) after adjusting for age and sex. Both stepwise and nonstepwise multiple regression analyses confirmed that visceral fat area was independently associated with mtDNA copy number (β=-0.33,P<0.01,β=0.32, andP=0.03, resp.).Conclusions. An independent association between mtDNA content and visceral adiposity was identified. These data suggest that mtDNA copy number is a potential predictive marker for metabolic disturbances. Further studies are required to understand the causality and clinical significance of our findings.
An Optimized Grey Dynamic Model for Forecasting the Output of High‐Tech Industry in China
Authors: Wang Zheng-Xin , Pei Ling-Ling
Published: February 2014

The grey dynamic model by convolution integral with the first‐order derivative of the 1‐AGO data and n series related, abbreviated as GDMC(1, n), performs well in modelling and forecasting of a grey system. To improve the modelling accuracy of GDMC(1, n), n interpolation coefficients (taken as unknown parameters) are introduced into the background values of the n variables. The parameters optimization is formulated as a combinatorial optimization problem and is solved collectively using the particle swarm optimization algorithm. The optimized result has been verified by a case study of the economic output of high‐tech industry in China. Comparisons of the obtained modelling results from the optimized GDMC(1, n) model with the traditional one demonstrate that the optimal algorithm is a good alternative for parameters optimization of the GDMC(1, n) model. The modelling results can assist the government in developing future policies regarding high‐tech industry management.