bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk factors and analysis of long-term headache in sporadic vestibular schwannoma: a multicenter cross-sectional study
Authors: Carlson Matthew L. , Tveiten Øystein Vesterli , Driscoll Colin L. , Boes Christopher J. , Sullan Molly J. , Goplen Frederik K. , Lund-Johansen Morten , Link Michael J.
Published: June 2015

OBJECT

The primary goals of this study were: 1) to examine the influence of disease and treatment on headache in patients with sporadic vestibular schwannoma (VS); and 2) to identify clinical predictors of long-term headache disability.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional observational study with international multicenter enrollment. Patients included those with primary sporadic < 3-cm VS and a separate group of general population control subjects without tumors. Interventions included a postal survey incorporating the Headache Disability Inventory (HDI), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and a VS symptom questionnaire. The main outcome measures were univariate and multivariable associations with HDI total score.

RESULTS

The overall survey response rate was 79%. Data from 538 patients with VS were analyzed. The mean age at time of survey was 64 years, 56% of patients were female, and the average duration between treatment and survey was 7.7 years. Twenty-seven percent of patients received microsurgery, 46% stereotactic radiosurgery, and 28% observation. Patients with VS who were managed with observation were more than twice as likely to have severe headache disability compared with 103 control subjects without VS. When accounting for baseline differences, there was no statistically significant difference in HDI outcome between treatment modalities at time of survey. Similarly, among the microsurgery cohort, the long-term risk of severe headache disability was not different between surgical approaches. Multivariable regression demonstrated that younger age, greater anxiety and depression, and a preexisting diagnosis of headache were the primary predictors of severe long-term headache disability, while tumor size and treatment modality had little influence.

CONCLUSIONS

At a mean of almost 8 years following treatment, approximately half of patients with VS experience headaches of varying frequency and severity. Patient-driven factors including age, sex, mental health, and preexisting headache syndrome are the strongest predictors of long-term severe headache disability. Tumor size and treatment modality have less impact. These data may assist with patient counseling regarding long-term expectations following diagnosis and treatment.
Multiple nocardial abscesses of the brainstem and spinal cord diagnosed after an open biopsy through a cervical partial central corpectomy: case report
Authors: Peeters Ian , Casselman Jan W. , Vandecasteele Stefaan J. , Janssen Alexander , Regaert Bart , Vantomme Nikolaas , Vanopdenbosch Ludo J.
Published: June 2015

Nocardiosis of the central nervous system is a challenging and difficult diagnosis for the clinician. The combination of infections of the brain and spinal cord is even more rare. The authors report on a patient with multiple lesions in the brainstem and cervical spinal cord. This 81-year-old immunocompetent woman presented with symptoms of progressive walking difficulty and ataxia. The results of an extensive workup with laboratory investigation, MRI, lumbar puncture, positron emission tomography (PET), and bone marrow biopsy remained inconclusive. Only after an open biopsy of a cervical lesion by an anterior approach through a partial central corpectomy of the cervical spine, was the diagnosis of nocardiosis made, allowing for specific antibiotic treatment.
Are the standard parameters of cervical spine alignment and range of motion related to age, sex, and cervical disc degeneration?
Authors: Liu Baoge , Wu Bingxuan , Van Hoof Tom , Okito Jean-Pierre Kalala , Liu Zhenyu , Zeng Zheng
Published: June 2015

OBJECT

The aims of this study were 1) to establish the standard parameters of alignment and total and segmental range of motion (ROM) of the cervical spine in the asymptomatic population, and 2) to identify factors that influence cervical ROM and alignment.

METHODS

The authors measured 636 standard cervical lateral, flexion, and extension plain radiographs of 212 asymptomatic volunteers. The relationship between cervical alignment and total ROM was assessed with simple linear regression. Multivariate linear regression was used to determine the effect of the influential factors on cervical alignment and total and segmental ROM.

RESULTS

The mean value for C2–7 cervical alignment was 21.40° ± 12.15°, and the mean value for total ROM was 63.59° ± 15.37°. Sex was a significant factor in cervical alignment, total ROM, and segmental ROM for C2–3 and C5–6 (p < 0.05). Age had a significant negative association with both the total ROM and all of the segmental ROM measurements (p < 0.05). Cervical disc degeneration at the level of interest had a significant negative association with C4–5, C5–6, and C6–7 ROM (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Cervical alignment in female subjects was 2.47° lower than that in male subjects. Total ROM was 3.86° greater in female than in male subjects and decreased 6.46° for each decade of aging. Segmental ROM decreased 1.28° for each decade of aging and 2.26° for each category increase in disc degeneration at the level of interest.
Embryonal tumor with abundant neuropil and true rosettes in the brainstem: case report
Authors: Sato Hidetoshi , Terakawa Yuzo , Tsuyuguchi Naohiro , Kuwae Yuko , Ohsawa Masahiko , Ohata Kenji
Published: June 2015

Embryonal tumor with abundant neuropil and true rosettes (ETANTR) is rarely seen in the brainstem, and there are few case reports of brainstem ETANTR in the literature. Accordingly, the characteristics and the role of surgical treatment of this rare entity remain unclear. The authors present a case of brainstem ETANTR involving a 33-month-old boy along with a review of the literature and discuss the role of surgical removal in the treatment of this entity. In the authors’ case, the tumor was surgically treated with subtotal resection, which resulted in improvement of the patient’s preoperative symptoms. Chemotherapy was initiated but did not appear to be effective, radiotherapy was declined, and the boy died 6 months after the operation. Based on their analysis of 10 previously reported cases and their own case, the authors conclude that, with respect to survival, surgery may be beneficial even in cases of ETANTR in the brainstem. They note, however, that further studies with a large number of cases are needed to validate the role of surgical treatment in brainstem ETANTR.
Visual feedback using a smart-phone mirroring system influences trunk muscle activity and kinematics of the trunk and pelvis in healthy and chronic low-back pain groups during arm and leg lift in quadruped position
Authors: Yoon Tae-Lim , Cynn Heon-Seock , Choi Sil-Ah , Choi Woo-Jeong , Lee Ji-Hyun , Choi Bong-Sam
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: Inappropriate motor patterns such as incorrect roll out of the pelvis should be avoided during stabilization exercise in patients or also in healthy individuals.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of visual feedback (VF) on internal oblique (IO), external oblique (EO), multifidus (MF), and erector spinae (ES) and the kinematics of the trunk and pelvis between healthy and chronic low back pain (CLBP) groups during arm and leg lift in quadruped(ALLQ) position.

METHODS: Ten apparently healthy subjects and 10 patients with CLBP performed ALLQ position with and without VF while being monitored using sEMG and a motion analysis system.

RESULTS: In comparison to non-VF condition, a VF was associated with a significant increase in the EMG activity of both IOs, decrease in MF and decrease in right ES in the CLBP. Right ES activity significantly increased in the CLBP when VF was not present. Axial rotation of the pelvis decreased in the healthy group with VF.

CONCLUSION: VF applied through wireless smart-phone mirroring system has a selective positive effect on trunk muscles and pelvic movement and may be beneficial for CLBP patients. Further research is necessary to explore this novel approach to muscle and segment action.
Factors affecting success of an integrated community-based telehealth system
Authors: Hsieh Hui-Lung , Tsai Chung-Hung , Chih Wen-Hai , Lin Huei-Hsieh
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: The rise of chronic and degenerative diseases in developed countries has become one critical epidemiologic issue. Telehealth can provide one viable way to enhance health care, public health, and health education delivery and support.

OBJECTIVE: The study aims to empirically examine and evaluate the success factors of community-based telehealth system adoption.

METHODS: The valid 336 respondents are the residents of a rural community in Taiwan. The structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to assess the proposed model applied to telehealth.

RESULTS: The findings showed the research model had good explanatory power and fitness. Also, the findings indicated that system quality exerted the strongest overall effect on intention to use. Furthermore, service quality exerted the strongest overall effect on user satisfaction. The findings also illustrated that the joint effects of three intrinsic qualities (system quality, information quality, and service quality) on use were mediated by user satisfaction and intention to use.

CONCLUSION: The study implies that community-based telehealth service providers should improve three intrinsic qualities to enhance user satisfaction and intention to use, which in turn can lead to increase the usage of the telehealth equipment. The integrated community-based telehealth system may become an innovative and suitable way to deliver better care to the residents of communities.
Ultrasound elastography of the supraspinatus tendon guided by US-MRI virtual navigation
Authors: Liu Jun , Zhan Weiwei , Zhou Mingyang , Zhang Xiaoxiao
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: A virtual navigation system (VNS) can combine two imaging modalities for synchronous observation and can be beneficial for diagnosis and treatment. Ultrasound elastography (UE) can distinguish between soft and hard tissues. However, the application of UE to musculoskeletal structures is rare.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate UE of the supraspinatus tendon using ultrasound-magnetic resonance imaging (US-MRI) virtual navigation.

METHODS: Sixty patients with an ache in the shoulder were diagnosed with supraspinatus tendon injuries using MRI. US-MRI virtual navigation was used to identify lesions in the supraspinatus tendon, and finally US elastography (UE) was performed. Volunteers whose supraspinatus tendons were diagnosed as normal by MRI were also selected for US elastography. The UE scores were then compared between patients and volunteers.

RESULTS: A total of 60 patients were diagnosed with supraspinatus tendon injuries using MRI and forty-two patients classified as Grade I exhibited no obvious abnormality by US. The supraspinatus tendon injury scores were significantly higher in Grade I patients compared with volunteers (P< 0.05).

CONCLUSION: US elastography is helpful for the diagnosis of the supraspinatus tendon injuries when used with US-MRI virtual navigation.
Innovation design of medical equipment based on TRIZ
Authors: Gao Changqing , Guo Leiming , Gao Fenglan , Yang Bo
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: Medical equipment is closely related to personal health and safety, and this can be of concern to the equipment user. Furthermore, there is much competition among medical equipment manufacturers. Innovative design is the key to success for those enterprises.

OBJECTIVE: The design of medical equipment usually covers vastly different domains of knowledge. The application of modern design methodology in medical equipment and technology invention is an urgent requirement.

METHODS: TRIZ (Russian abbreviation of what can be translated as `theory of inventive problem solving') was born in Russia, which contain some problem-solving methods developed by patent analysis around the world, including Conflict Matrix, Substance Field Analysis, Standard Solution, Effects, etc. TRIZ is an inventive methodology for problems solving.

RESULTS: As an Engineering example, infusion system is analyzed and re-designed by TRIZ. The innovative idea is generated to liberate the caretaker from the infusion bag watching out. The research in this paper shows the process of the application of TRIZ in medical device inventions.

CONCLUSION: It is proved that TRIZ is an inventive methodology for problems solving and can be used widely in medical device development.
Small-area low-power heart condition monitoring system using dual-mode SAR-ADC for low-cost wearable healthcare systems
Authors: Shin Young-San , Wee Jae-Kyung , Song Inchae , Lee Seongsoo
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: Heart rate monitoring is useful to detect many cardiovascular diseases. It can be implemented in a small device with low power consumption, and it can exploit low-cost piezoelectric pressure sensors to measure heart rate. However, it is also desirable to transmit heartbeat waveform for emergency treatment, which significantly increases transmission power.

OBJECTIVE: In this paper, a low-cost wireless heart condition monitoring SoC is proposed. It can monitor and transmit both heart rate and heartbeat waveform, but the hardware is extremely simplified to achieve in a small package.

METHODS: By slight modification of successive-approximation analog-digital converter, it can count heart rate and read out heartbeat waveform with the same hardware. In the normal mode, only an 8-bit heart rate is transmitted for power reduction. If the heart rate is out of a given range, it goes to the emergency mode and a 10-bit heartbeat waveform is transmitted for fast treatment.

RESULTS: The fabricated chip size is 1.1 mm2 in 0.11 μ m CMOS technology, including the radio-frequency transmitter. The measured power consumption is 161.8 μ W in normal mode and 507.3 μ W in emergency mode, respectively.

CONCLUSION: The proposed SoC achieves low-cost, small area, and low-power. It is useful as part of a disposable healthcare system.
A piecewise geometric analysis method for real-time ambulatory ECG detection
Authors: Zhou H.-Y. , Li J. , Zuo D.-C. , Hou K.-M. , Vaulx C. de
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: As one of the pervasive healthcare services, Ubiquitous cardiac care (UCC) systems should have at least two significant characteristics: real-time detection capability for cardiac arrhythmia events and a small resource requirement for its computation and storage.

PURPOSE: Due to the strict-constrained system support and ambulatory signal quality in the out-of-hospital pervasive healthcare applications, a dedicated real-time AED (Ambulatory Electrocardiograph Detection) algorithm has been implemented.

METHODOLOGY: By adopting the piecewise geometric analysis method, this algorithm can provide a real-time continuous detection capability for QRS complexes, which consists of three main functional modules: the Data preparation; the R-wave vertex discovery; and the QRS complex recognition. Currently, this algorithm has been applied on an on-line UCC application system at the hospital for more than 30 patients.

RESULT: The performance evaluation has been made not only on the standard MIT-BIH cardiac arrhythmia database but also on the clinical testing. The experiential results explore this algorithm has in average sensitivity of 99.37% and specificity of 99.72%.

CONCLUSION: This AED algorithm has minimal beat detection latency and a less computation consumption, which make it meet the requirements of ubiquitous cardiac care applications.
An effective hand vein feature extraction method
Authors: Li Haigang , Zhang Qian , Li Chengdong
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: As a new authentication method developed years ago, vein recognition technology features the unique advantage of bioassay.

OBJECTIVE: This paper studies the specific procedure for the extraction of hand back vein characteristics.

METHODS: There are different positions used in the collecting process, so that a suitable intravenous regional orientation method is put forward, allowing the positioning area to be the same for all hand positions. In addition, to eliminate the pseudo vein area, the valley regional shape extraction operator can be improved and combined with multiple segmentation algorithms. The images should be segmented step by step, making the vein texture to appear clear and accurate. Lastly, the segmented images should be filtered, eroded, and refined. This process helps to filter the most of the pseudo vein information.

RESULTS: Finally, a clear vein skeleton diagram is obtained, demonstrating the effectiveness of the algorithm.

CONCLUSION: This paper presents a hand back vein region location method. This makes it possible to rotate and correct the image by working out the inclination degree of contour at the side of hand back.
Pilot's visual attention allocation modeling under fatigue
Authors: Wu Xu , Wanyan Xiaoru , Zhuang Damin
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: Human factors involved with visual attention mechanism and fatigue are critical causes of modern aviation accidents.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the connection between attention and flight fatigue, a mathematical model of pilot's visual attention allocation was established based on information processing channels. Multi-task condition and current psychophysical state were taken into account as well.

METHODS: Sixteen participants were recruited to perform a long-term dual-task in a Boeing 737-800 flight simulator. The primary task was an envelope flight task and the secondary was an unusual attitude (UA) recovery task. Reaction time of the secondary task was recorded as a behavior performance index, while heart rate and respiration rate were measured as physiological indices as well as fixation distribution as attention allocation index.

RESULTS: The experiment results showed a significant affect of experiment time that indicated the occurrence and influence of fatigue. Eye movement tracking also revealed good agreement with the predictable model and hence verified its effectiveness. Moreover, applicability of the model was validated under flight fatigue and multiple tasks condition.

CONCLUSION: The current study provided a quantitative connection between pilot's visual attention allocation and flight fatigue, which was verified in the ergonomics experiment.
FE modeling and analysis of L4-L5 lumbar segment under physiological loadings
Authors: Yu Bin , Zhang Chen , Qin Chunyu , Yuan Huaijiang
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: Because of the complexity and construction, the failure rate of lumbar surgery is still high. It is necessary to find a solution to help improve the accuracy and safety of surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Construction and stress analysis of lumbar spine.

METHODS: The generated FE model based on CT scan images was validated and used to investigate the motion, and stress/strain of the vertebrae under different physiological loadings. A degenerated model was also simulated by changing the materials properties (E and Poisson's Ratio) of the intervertebral disc nucleus and annulus fibers from 1.0 N/mm^2 to 3.0 N/mm^2, and 0.42 to 0.45, respectively.

RESULTS: When annulus fibrosis is degenerating or under ictal external loadings, the annulus fibrosis will be in a state of protrusion and there will potential for other pathological changes, such as herniation of the nucleus pulpous.

CONCLUSION: The effects of these changes in the corresponding motion and stress/strain of the spinal motion segments were investigated with some conclusions drawn in relation to the normal model for future application of medical diagnosis and surgical treatment.
Agent-based intelligent medical diagnosis system for patients
Authors: Zhang Yingfeng , Liu Sichao , Zhu Zhenfei , Si Shubin
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: According to the analysis of the challenges faced by the current public health circumstances such as the sharp increase in elderly patients, limited medical personnel, resources and technology, the agent-based intelligent medical diagnosis system for patients (AIMDS) is proposed in this research.

OBJECTIVE: Based on advanced sensing technology and professional medical knowledge, the AIMDS can output the appropriate medical prescriptions and food prohibition when the physical signs and symptoms of the patient are inputted.

METHODS: Three core modules are designed include sensing module, intuition-based fuzzy set theory/medical diagnosis module, and medical knowledge module.

RESULTS: The result shows that the optimized prescription can reach the desired level, with great curative effect for patient disease, through a case study simulation.

CONCLUSION: The presented AIMDS can integrate sensor technique and intelligent medical diagnosis methods to make an accurate diagnosis, resulting in three-type of optimized descriptions for patient selection.
A pilot application of Korotkoff sound delay time in evaluating cardiovascular status
Authors: Xiang Haiyan , Liu Yanyong , Qin Yufei , Cao Zhengtao , Guo Tao , Yu Mengsun
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: Korotkoff sounds have been used to measure systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressures noninvasively for over 100 years. However, most of the research concerning the Korotkoff sound were focused on the origin and frequency component analyzing the Korotkoff sound signal.

OBJECTIVE: To show that the occurrence time of the Korotkoff sounds for each cardiac cycle demonstrates a characteristic value during the cuff deflating process of blood pressure measurement.

METHODS: The Korotkoff sound delay time (KDT) decreases as the cuff pressure P deflates and KDT is a function of arterial transmural pressure. In the present research, an experiment system was established to explore the relationship between the KDT and the cuff pressure in different subjects.

RESULTS: A pilot experiment was conducted to obtain different subjects' KDTs and investigate the relationship between KDT and cuff pressure.

CONCLUSION: The relationship between KDT and invasive blood pressure was also studied and its potential application in detection of cardiovascular status was discussed.
Investigating the modulation of brain activity associated with handgrip force and fatigue
Authors: Cao Liu , Hao Dongmei , Rong Yao , Zhou Yanan , Li Mingai , Tian Yunqing
Published: June 2015

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of force level and fatigue on brain activity during handgrip tasks.

METHODS: Electroencephalography (EEG) signals were recorded from eleven healthy male subjects when they performed 25%, 50% and 75% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), and were in fatigue state. EEG powers in different handgrip tasks were analyzed in the frequency domain and time domain respectively.

RESULTS: The EEG power at 25%MVC was significantly lower than that at 75%MVC in gamma band (p< 0.05) for electrode C3, C4, Cz, Pz and Fz. EEG power at 25%MVC was also significantly lower than that at 75%MVC in beta band (p< 0.05) for electrode C3. However, the handgrip force level and fatigue did not affect the EEG powers for the other frequencies and electrodes (p> 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The results suggest that handgrip force level may modulate the brain activity in certain frequency bands and cortical regions. EEG power is a useful tool to characterize the motor state.
Computational fluid dynamics analysis and PIV validation of a bionic vortex flow pulsatile LVAD
Authors: Xu Liang , Yang Ming , Ye Lin , Dong Zhaopeng
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: Hemocompatibility is highly affected by the flow field in Left Ventricular Assistant Devices (LVAD).

OBJECTIVE: An asymmetric inflow and outflow channel arrangement with a 45° intersection angle with respect to the blood chamber is proposed to approximate the vascular structure of the aorta and left atrium on the left ventricle. The structure is expected to develop uninterruptible vortex flow state which is similar to the flow state in human left ventricle.

METHODS: The Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) asymmetric model is simulated using ANSYS workbench. To validate the velocity field calculated by CFD, a Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) experiment is conducted.

RESULTS: The CFD results show that the proposed blood chamber could generate a shifting vortex flow that would be redirected to the aorta during ejection to form a persistent recirculating flow state, which is similar to the echocardiographic flow state in left ventricle. Both the PIV and the CFD results show the development of a persistent vortex during the pulsatile period. Comparison of the qualitative flow pattern and quantitative probed velocity histories in a pulsatile period shows a good agreement between the CFD and PIV data.

CONCLUSION: The goal of developing persistent quasi intra-ventricle vortex flow state in LVAD is realized.
Studying frequency processing of the brain to enhance long-term memory and develop a human brain protocol
Authors: Friedrich Wernher , Du Shengzhi , Balt Karlien
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: The temporal lobe in conjunction with the hippocampus is responsible for memory processing. The gamma wave is involved with this process. To develop a human brain protocol, a better understanding of the relationship between gamma and long-term memory is vital.

OBJECTIVE: A more comprehensive understanding of the human brain and specific analogue waves it uses will support the development of a human brain protocol.

METHODS: Fifty-eight participants aged between 6 and 60 years participated in long-term memory experiments. It is envisaged that the brain could be stimulated through binaural beats (sound frequency) at 40 Hz (gamma) to enhance long-term memory capacity. EEG recordings have been transformed to sound and then to an information standard, namely ASCII.

RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed a proportional relationship between long-term memory and gamma activity. Results from EEG recordings indicate a pattern. The pattern was obtained through the de-codification of an EEG recording to sound and then to ASCII.

CONCLUSIONS: Stimulation of gamma should enhance long term memory capacity. More research is required to unlock the human brains' protocol key. This key will enable the processing of information directly to and from human memory via gamma, the hippocampus and the temporal lobe.
Research on coupling relationship between ECG and PW signal in the cardiovascular system
Authors: Jiang Fangfang , Song Shaoxiu , Cheng Jiabin , He Siliang , Yang Xiao
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has become the main cause of morbidity and mortality world-wide.

OBJECTIVE: In order to obtain the potential function of cardiovascular system information further, the parameters of the coupling relationship between Electrocardiogram (ECG) signal and Pulse Wave (PW) signal are proposed.

METHODS: In this paper, we detected the peaks of ECG and PW signal synchronously from the Fantasia database using Empirical Mode Decomposition(EMD) algorithm, and analyzed the interval between different age groups in the same domain, then calculating the Euclidean distance to characterize the coupling relationship.

RESULTS: Via the experimental results of 20 subjects, the parameters of the old group were always larger than the young group. Thus the synchronization and consistency for PW following the ECG are weaker than the young group, which is in keeping with the clinical rule.

CONCLUSIONS: The conclusion is that there is a certain representation for the cardiovascular system with the coupling relationship parameter proposed.
Integrated design of micro force sensor oriented to cell micro-operation
Authors: An Zhen , Xiang Chaoqun , Wang Jinming , Dong Liping , Hao Lina
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: During the process of cell micro operation, the contact force between the entry needle and the cell membrane is usually a very small area to be tested.

OBJECTIVE: These two features have been utilized to design a high precision micro force sensor to provide a force feedback in the process of cell micro operation.

METHODS: However, PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride) has continued to display both a wide range of frequency response and a highly sensitive transform between force and electricity. In this paper a charge signal is obtained. In order to transform the charge signal into a voltage signal, a signal processing circuit was designed. The data acquisition card PCI-6221(National Instruments) was used. It was employed to collect the voltage signal.

RESULTS: The resultant micro force sensor was calibrated by using a rating test.

CONCLUSIONS: The experimental test results demonstrated that the sensitivity and linearity of the designed micro force sensor were higher than the sensitivity and linearity of a traditional piezoelectric sensor.
Biomechanics analysis of human walking with load carriage
Authors: Yang Xiuxia , Zhao Guorong , Liu Di , Zhou Weiei , Zhao Hewei
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: Comprehensive analysis of the inherent laws and the biomechanic principles of human walking with load carriage and building kinematics, and kinematics model of human walking with load carriage, are very meaningful for the development of devices and apparatus that are related to human walking with load carriage, such as a lower limb exoskeleton.

OBJECTIVE: The gait experiment of human walking with load carriage is designed and performed in this paper.

METHODS: The obtained video is marked and analyzed by using SIMI motion analytical software. The space motion coordinates at each body's mark point that is needed in the kinematics model of established human walking with load carriage is obtained. Based on inverse kinematics, a dynamic model of human walking with load carriage is established. The SPSS statistical analysis software is used for statistical processing for determining key gait parameters.

RESULTS: The influence of load and speed on the walking gait parameters is analyzed systematically.

CONCLUSIONS: The method provides a theoretical basis for the design of an exoskeleton.
MR temperature imaging using PRF phase difference and a geometric model-based fat suppression method
Authors: Liu Shoubin , Zhou Yanming
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: Because protons in fat do not exhibit a temperature-dependent frequency shift, proton resonance frequency shift(PRFS)-based MR thermometry always suffers from disturbances due to the presence of fats or lipids.

OBJECTIVE: A new fat suppression method for PRFS-based MR thermometry is proposed to obtain accurate variation of phase angle.

METHODS: Similar to the approach of separating fat and water with the two-point Dixon technique, we first scan a complex MR image for reference and then scan another complex image varying with temperature at the same TE point. Based on the conventional PRFS method, we use geometric relationships to remove the effect of fat on the variation of the phase angle.

RESULTS: Two phantoms with different water-to-fat ratios are involved in the temperature mapping test. Experimental results show that the temperature images of two phantoms are approximated under the same conditions.

CONCLUSIONS: The proposed fat suppression method is simple and effective for PRFS-based MR thermometry.
SIS evolutionary game model and multi-agent simulation of an infectious disease emergency
Authors: Yang Fan , Yang Qing , Liu Xingxing , Wang Pan
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: Susceptible-Infected-Susceptible (SIS) infectious disease outbreaks are hazardous events. However, if governments sectors do not adequately supervise such outbreaks, these infectious diseases could spread significantly, resulting in large economic losses and social issues.

OBJECTIVE: In this paper, an evolutionary game and simulation model based on the interactions between strategies and states was proposed, and the game between the public and government sectors and its impact on epidemic situations was discussed.

METHODS: Replicator dynamics equations and the multi-agent model simulation were used for analysis.

RESULTS: According to replicator dynamics equations as well as the multi-agent model simulation, the public all eventually adopted the mobility strategy. In addition, the supervision strength of the governmental sectors was equal to 0 after the strength fluctuated at a low level under the trigger strategy. Ultimately, the entire public shifted to the S state throughout the course of the emergency.

CONCLUSIONS: Social order was maintained and social loss was controlled to a certain extent in the final analysis.
Green cob and fodder yield of sweet corn as influenced by sowing time in the hilly region
Authors: Shaheenuzzamn M , Saha RR , Ahmed B , Rahman J , Salim M
Published: June 2015

A field experiment was conducted at the farm of Hill Tract Agricultural Research Station, Ramgarh, Khagrachari Hill District during Rabi season of 2010-11 and 2011-12 to determine the optimum sowing time for better yield of green cob as well as fodder of sweet corn (var. BARI Sweet corn-1) in the hilly region. Five sowing dates (November 20, November 30, December 10, December 20 and December 30) were included in the study. During 2010-11, the highest green cob yield was obtained from 20 November sowing (8.43 t/ha) followed by 30 November sowing (7.81 t/ha) and the lowest yield (5.00 ton/ha) from 20 December sowing. During 2011-12, the maximum green cob yield (8.60 t/ha) was also obtained from 20 November, which was statistically identical with that of 30 November (8.03 t/ha), 10 December (7.67 t/ha) and 20 December (8.11 ton/ha) sowing. Average of two years result showed that, the maximum fodder yield (39.99 t/ha) was obtained from 30 November sowing which was at par with that of 20 November sowing. Maximum TSS (Total soluble sugar) value of Sweet corn was obtained from 20 November sowing during 2010-11 and 30 November sowing during 2011-12. Across over two years, 20 November to 30 November sowing was found suitable for sweet corn production in the hilly areas in terms of green cob and fodder yield and also TSS value.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 40(1): 61-69, March 2015
Correlation and path coefficients analyses in Basmati rice
Authors: Ratna M , Begum S , Husna A , Dey SR , Hossain MS
Published: June 2015

Correlation and path coefficients analyses among fourteen morphological characters were studied in six advanced lines of Basmati rice and one commercial check namely BRRI Dhan 29. In general, genotypic correlation coefficients were higher than the corresponding phenotypic correlation coefficients suggesting that the environmental influence reduces the relationship between yield and yield contributing characters of rice. Correlation coefficient analysis showed significant positive correlation between plant height and panicle length at genotypic level. Number of filled spikelets/panicle showed significant positive correlation with yield at both genotypic and phenotypic levels but significant negative correlation was observed between plant height and yield. Number of effective tillers/plant had negative significant correlation with panicle length and with number of unfilled spikelets/panicle at genotypic level. Number of ineffective tillers/plant had significant negative correlation with 1000-seed weight at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. Path coefficient analysis revealed highest positive direct effect of number of filled spikelets/panicle on grain yield but plant height and number of unfilled spikelets/panicle had negative direct effect on grain.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 40(1): 153-161, March 2015
Hippocampal Cortactin Levels are Reduced Following Spatial Working Memory Formation, an Effect Blocked by Chronic Calpain Inhibition
Authors: Olson Mikel , Ingebretson Anna , Harmelink Katherine
Published: June 2015

The mechanism by which the hippocampus facilitates declarative memory formation appears to involve, among other things, restructuring of the actin cytoskeleton within neuronal dendrites. One protein involved in this process is cortactin, which is an important link between extracellular signaling and cytoskeletal reorganization. In this paper, we demonstrate that total hippocampal cortactin, as well as Y421-phosphorylated cortactin are transiently reduced following spatial working memory formation in the radial arm maze (RAM). Because cortactin is a substrate of the cysteine protease calpain, we also assessed the effect of chronic calpain inhibition on RAM performance and cortactin expression. Calpain inhibition impaired spatial working memory and blocked the reduction in hippocampal cortactin levels following RAM training. These findings add to a growing body of research implicating cortactin and calpain in hippocampus-dependent memory formation.
Building Envelope Over-Cladding: Impact on Energy Balance and Microclimate
Authors: Dernie David , Gaspari Jacopo
Published: June 2015

A considerable part of recent EU policies is currently addressed at developing effective measures to support the transition towards a low carbon society according to the principles and goals of Roadmap to 2050. In this general framework the links between the development of low-emission strategies and climate-resilient approaches to buildings play a key role. As most part of the existing building stock was built before the 1980s, retrofit and renovation actions are widely investigated. Despite progress in this field, relatively little attention has been given to the connections between the achievable energy savings and the energy investment needed to pursue the renovation process and to how technological choices can impact on the energy balance according to a multi-criteria perspective. The paper will explore how different technologies and design solutions to building envelopes cladding contribute to the reduction of the heat gains in urban environments and how appropriate adaptive strategies can further mitigate against accelerated greenhouse emissions. It will discuss the relationship between individual building performance and consequent effect on external environment. The effects of technological and material choices are evaluated for some design scenarios and conditions in order to develop an indicative impact mode.
Coatings Best Paper Award 2015
Authors: Lavacchi Alessandro
Published: June 2015

With the start of 2015, Coatings is instituting an annual award to recognize outstanding papers related to coatings and surface engineering that meet the aims, scope and high standards of this journal. [...]
Fast Computation of the Non-Central Chi Square PDF Outside the HDR Under a Requisite Precision Constraint
Authors: Gendron Paul
Published: June 2015

Computation of the non-central chi square probability density function is encountered in diverse fields of applied statistics and engineering. The distribution is commonly computed as a Poisson mixture of central chi square densities, where the terms of the sum are computed starting with the integer nearest the non-centrality parameter. However, for computation of the values in either tail region these terms are not the most significant and starting with them results in an increased computational load without a corresponding increase in accuracy. The most significant terms are shown to be a function of both the non-centrality parameter, the degree of freedom and the point of evaluation. A computationally simple approximate solution to the location of the most significant terms as well as the exact solution based on a Newton–Raphson iteration is presented. A quadratic approximation of the interval of summation is also developed in order to meet a requisite number of significant digits of accuracy. Computationally efficient recursions are used over these improved intervals. The method provides a means of computing the non-central chi square probability density function to a requisite accuracy as a Poisson mixture over all domains of interest.
Concurrence Measurement for the Two-Qubit Optical and Atomic States
Authors: Zhou Lan , Sheng Yu-Bo
Published: June 2015

Concurrence provides us an effective approach to quantify entanglement, which is quite important in quantum information processing applications. In the paper, we mainly review some direct concurrence measurement protocols of the two-qubit optical or atomic system. We first introduce the concept of concurrence for a two-qubit system. Second, we explain the approaches of the concurrence measurement in both a linear and a nonlinear optical system. Third, we introduce some protocols for measuring the concurrence of the atomic entanglement system.
Growth and Nutrient Status of Foliage as Affected by Tree Species and Fertilization in a Fire-Disturbed Urban Forest
Authors: Kim Choonsig , Jeong Jaeyeob , Park Jae-Hyun , Ma Ho-Seop
Published: June 2015

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the growth and macronutrient (C, N, P, K) status in the foliage of four tree species (LT: Liriodendron tulipifera L.; PY: Prunus yedoensis Matsumura; QA: Quercus acutissima Carruth; PT: Pinus thunbergii Parl.) in response to fertilization with different nutrient ratios in a fire-disturbed urban forest located in BongDaesan (Mt.), Korea. Two fertilizers (N3P8K1 = 113:300:37 kg·ha−1·year−1; N6P4K1 = 226:150:37 ha−1·year−1) in four planting sites were applied in April 2013 and March 2014. The growth and nutrient responses of the foliage were monitored six times for two years. Foliar growth and nutrient concentrations were not significantly different (p > 0.05) in response to different doses of N or P fertilizer, but the foliage showed increased N and P concentrations and content after fertilization compared with the control (N0P0K0). Foliar C and K concentrations were little affected by fertilization. Foliar nutrient concentrations and contents were significantly higher in PY and LT than in PT. The results suggest that the foliar N and P concentration could be used as a parameter to assess the nutrient environments of tree species restored in a fire-disturbed urban forest.
A Tale of Two Bargaining Solutions
Authors: Karagözoğlu Emin , Keskin Kerim
Published: June 2015

We set up a rich bilateral bargaining model with four salient points (disagreement point, ideal point, reference point, and tempered aspirations point), where the disagreement point and the utility possibilities frontier are endogenously determined. This model allows us to compare two bargaining solutions that use reference points, the Gupta-Livne solution and the tempered aspirations solution, in terms of Pareto efficiency in a strategic framework. Our main result shows that the weights solutions place on the disagreement point do not directly imply a unique efficiency ranking in this bargaining problem with a reference point. In particular, the introduction of a reference point brings one more degree of freedom to the model which requires also the difference in the weights placed on the reference point to be considered in reaching an efficiency ranking.
Social Support, Stigma and Disclosure: Examining the Relationship with HIV Medication Adherence among Ryan White Program Clients in the Mid-South USA
Authors: Pichon Latrice , Rossi Kristen , Ogg Siri , Krull Lisa , Griffin Dorcas
Published: June 2015

Social support from friends and family is positively related to better health outcomes among adults living with HIV. An extension of these networks such as religious communities may be an untapped source of social support for promoting HIV medical adherence. This paper explores the association of HIV medication adherence to satisfaction with support from family, friends and church members, as well as HIV-related stigma, and HIV disclosure. In partnership with the Shelby County Health Department, the Memphis Ryan White Part A Program, and the University of Memphis School of Public Health, a total of 286 interviewer-administered surveys were conducted with Ryan White clients. Seventy-six percent (n = 216) of participants reported being prescribed antiretroviral medication (ARVs). Nearly all participants (n = 202, 94%) prescribed ARVs reported disclosing their HIV status to someone. Almost 20% (n = 40) of those prescribed ARVs reported not being satisfied with support received from his/her church. Interestingly, participants reported rarely experiencing stigma as a result of their HIV status. The extent to which satisfaction with support from personal networks and institutional settings like the church affect medication adherence is yet to be understood. The complexity of HIV disclosure and HIV stigma in relation to these supports warrants further investigation to understand how best to improve HIV health outcomes.
Successful and Safe Long-Term Standard Antiviral Therapy in a Patient with “Explosive” Immune Response in Course of HCV-Related Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Conca Paolo , Cafaro Giovanni , De Renzo Amalia , Coppola Antonio , Cimino Ernesto , Tarantino Giovanni
Published: June 2015

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been recognized to be both a hepato- and lymphotropic virus. HCV lymphotropism represents an essential detail in the pathogenesis of virus-related autoimmune and lymphoproliferative disorders, ranging from clonal expansion of B-cells with organ and non-organ-specific autoantibody production up to overt non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma along a continuous step-by-step model of B-cell lymphomagenesis, where the intermediated mixed cryoglobulinemia could be considered as a stage of suppressible antigen-driven lymphoproliferation. The HCV long-lasting extrahepatic replicative state generates an abnormal systemic immunological response, including rheumatoid factor (RF) and cryo- and non-cryoprecipitable immune complexes, as well as clinical manifestations, comprising dermatitis, polyarthralgias and arthritis, pulmonary disease, aplastic anemia, glomerulonephritis and vasculitis. The mechanism of these extra-hepatic disorders is thought of as linked to immune complex disease, but their pathogenesis is poorly clarified. Immune-suppressive treatment could induce high-level hepatitis C viremia and impair hepatic disease. We report a female patient, whose chronic HCV-related liver cirrhosis with associated explosive, but oligosymptomatic lymphoproliferative immune response, i.e., RF beyond three thousand times the upper of normal range (unr), type II cryoglobulinemia with cryocrit 40% and monoclonal gammopathy IgM-k, has been successfully and safely treated by long-lasting (sixty-six months) combined antiviral therapy (pegylated interferon alfa and ribavirin), at moderate and tapering dose regimen, prolonged for nearly 24 months after the first viral suppression. At the last follow-up (fifty-one months), the patient was showing very-long term antiviral response, progressive decline of secondary immune activation and absence of significant side-effects. Further research is required to fully verify the real impact on therapeutic choice/regimen.
Hepatoma-Derived Growth Factor: Its Possible Involvement in the Progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Enomoto Hirayuki , Nakamura Hideji , Liu Weidong , Nishiguchi Shuhei
Published: June 2015

The development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an important complication of viral infection induced by hepatitis virus C, and our major research theme is to identify a new growth factor related to the progression of HCC. HDGF (hepatoma-derived growth factor) is a novel growth factor that belongs to a new gene family. HDGF was initially purified from the conditioned medium of a hepatoma cell line. HDGF promotes cellular proliferation as a DNA binding nuclear factor and a secreted protein acting via a receptor-mediated pathway. HDGF is a unique multi-functional protein that can function as a growth factor, angiogenic factor and anti-apoptotic factor and it participates in the development and progression of various malignant diseases. The expression level of HDGF may be an independent prognostic factor for predicting the disease-free and overall survival in patients with various malignancies, including HCC. Furthermore, the overexpression of HDGF promotes the proliferation of HCC cells, while a reduction in the HDGF expression inhibits the proliferation of HCC cells. This article provides an overview of the characteristics of HDGF and describes the potential role of HDGF as a growth-promoting factor for HCC.