bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Amiloride Clinical Trial In Optic Neuritis (ACTION) protocol: a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial
Authors: McKee Justin B , Elston John , Evangelou Nikos , Gerry Stephen , Fugger Lars , Kennard Christopher , Kong Yazhuo , Palace Jacqueline , Craner Matthew
Published: November 2015

Introduction

Neurodegeneration is a widely accepted contributor to the development of long-term disability in multiple sclerosis (MS). While current therapies in MS predominantly target inflammation and reduce relapse rate they have been less effective at preventing long-term disability. The identification and evaluation of effective neuroprotective therapies within a trial paradigm are key unmet needs. Emerging evidence supports amiloride, a licenced diuretic, as a neuroprotective agent in MS through acid sensing ion channel blockade. Optic neuritis (ON) is a common manifestation of MS with correlates of inflammation and neurodegeneration measurable within the visual pathways. Amiloride Clinical Trial In Optic Neuritis (ACTION) will utilise a multimodal approach to assess the neuroprotective efficacy of amiloride in acute ON.

Methods and analysis

46 patients will be recruited within 28 days from onset of ON visual symptoms and randomised on a 1:1 basis to placebo or amiloride 10 mg daily. Double-blinded treatment groups will be balanced for age, sex and visual loss severity by a random-deterministic minimisation algorithm. The primary objective is to demonstrate that amiloride is neuroprotective in ON as assessed by scanning laser polarimetry of the peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness at 6 months in the affected eye compared to the unaffected eye at baseline. RNFL in combination with further retinal measures will also be assessed by optical coherence tomography. Secondary outcome measures on brain MRI will include cortical volume, diffusion-weighted imaging, resting state functional MRI, MR spectroscopy and magnetisation transfer ratio. In addition, high and low contrast visual acuity, visual fields, colour vision and electrophysiology will be assessed alongside quality of life measures.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was given by the south central Oxford B research ethics committee (REC reference: 13/SC/0022). The findings from ACTION will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and at scientific conferences.

Trial registration number

EudraCT2012-004980-39, ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:NCT01802489.
‘Big needles, small bodies’—the absence of acupuncture treatment for infants in contemporary Shanghai: a qualitative study
Authors: Skjeie Holgeir , Brekke Mette
Published: November 2015

Objective

To explore contemporary practices and clinical recommendations regarding the use of acupuncture for infants by Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners in Shanghai.

Design

A qualitative study consisting of four field visits between February 2014 and March 2015. Data was collected using participant observation, focus group interview, in-depth interview, textbook page analysis and informant validation.

Participants

14 Shanghainese professionals, including interpreters and TCM practitioners, of which seven were acupuncturists.

Setting

The Longhua Hospital (paediatric, acupuncture and Tui na departments) in southern Shanghai and the campus of the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Results

The Longhua Hospital outpatient acupuncture clinic receives 400 consultations on average per day. Children, including patients from the paediatric department, are referred to this clinic. During 3 days of participant observations at this department, we saw two children. No infants. During 3 days at the paediatric department and 1 day at the Tui na department we saw no referrals. Formal interviews and informal conversations with acupuncturists and other TCM professionals revealed that acupuncture was neither routinely practiced nor recommended for infants and small children. Acupuncture was considered potentially painful for this young patient population. Alternative treatment options such as herbal treatments or medical massage were widely available and preferred. Western medical diagnostics and treatment were also used, recommended, and trusted.

Conclusions

Acupuncture for infants is not a preferred therapeutic method among TCM practitioners working in contemporary Shanghai. Acupuncture on broad indications in infants appears to be a Western practice with little basis in TCM modern-day practice.
The prevalence of medical error related to end-of-life communication in Canadian hospitals: results of a multicentre observational study
Authors: Heyland Daren K , Ilan Roy , Jiang Xuran , You John J , Dodek Peter
Published: November 2015

Background

In the hospital setting, inadequate engagement between healthcare professionals and seriously ill patients and their families regarding end-of-life decisions is common. This problem may lead to medical orders for life-sustaining treatments that are inconsistent with patient preferences. The prevalence of this patient safety problem has not been previously described.

Methods

Using data from a multi-institutional audit, we quantified the mismatch between patients’ and family members’ expressed preferences for care and orders for life-sustaining treatments. We recruited seriously ill, elderly medical patients and/or their family members to participate in this audit. We considered it a medical error if a patient preferred not to be resuscitated and there were orders to undergo resuscitation (overtreatment), or if a patient preferred resuscitation (cardiopulmonary resuscitation, CPR) and there were orders not to be resuscitated (undertreatment).

Results

From 16 hospitals in Canada, 808 patients and 631 family members were included in this study. When comparing expressed preferences and documented orders for use of CPR, 37% of patients experienced a medical error. Very few patients (8, 2%) expressed a preference for CPR and had CPR withheld in their documented medical orders (Undertreatment). Of patients who preferred not to have CPR, 174 (35%) had orders to receive it (Overtreatment). There was considerable variability in overtreatment rates across sites (range: 14–82%). Patients who were frail were less likely to be overtreated; patients who did not have a participating family member were more likely to be overtreated.

Conclusions

Medical errors related to the use of life-sustaining treatments are very common in internal medicine wards. Many patients are at risk of receiving inappropriate end-of-life care.
Dabigatran etexilate and reduction in serum apolipoprotein B
Authors: Joseph Philip , Pare Guillaume , Wallentin Lars , Connolly Stuart , Yusuf Salim , Wang Jia , Ezekowitz Michael , Eikelboom John , Siegbahn Agneta , Reilly Paul , Themeles Ellison , Oldgren Jonas
Published: November 2015

Objective

Carboxylesterases, which convert dabigatran etexilate to its active form, dabigatran, have also been shown to influence lipoprotein metabolism, although any pleotropic effects of the drug based on this possible mechanism has not been evaluated. We examined the effects of dabigatran etexilate on serum lipoprotein markers in the Randomized Evaluation of Long-Term Anticoagulation Therapy (RE-LY) study.

Methods

2513 participants from the RE-LY randomised control trial with baseline and 3-month apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) measurements were included. We prospectively compared the effects of dabigatran 110 mg twice daily, dabigatran 150 mg twice daily and warfarin on changes in ApoB and ApoA1 concentrations using a mixed model analysis.

Results

From baseline to 3 months, a significant reduction in ApoB concentration was observed with low-dose dabigatran (−0.057 (95% CI −0.069 to −0.044) g/L, p<0.001) and high-dose dabigatran (−0.065 (95% CI −0.078 to −0.053) g/L, p<0.001) but not warfarin (−0.006 g/L (95% CI −0.018 to 0.007) g/L, p=0.40). Compared with warfarin, ApoB reduction was significantly greater with both doses of dabigatran (p<0.001 for both groups). Reductions in ApoA1 concentrations did not statistically differ with either dose of dabigatran when compared with warfarin.

Conclusions

Dabigatran is associated with a significant (∼7%) reduction in ApoB concentration, suggesting a novel effect of this drug on lipoprotein metabolism. Further studies are needed to determine the mechanism of this observed effect, and its impact on clinical outcomes.
Republished: Successful endovascular stroke therapy in a 103-year-old woman
Authors: Boo SoHyun , Duru Uzoma B , Smith Matthew S , Rai Ansaar T
Published: November 2015

People older than 80 years of age constitute the most rapidly growing age group in the world. Several trials confirming superior efficacy of endovascular therapy did not have an upper age limit and showed favorable treatment effects, regardless of age. Current American Heart Association/American Stroke Association guidelines do not restrict treatment based on age as long as other eligibility criteria are met. A 103-year-old woman presented 2 h after stroke onset secondary to a left internal carotid artery terminus (ICA-T) occlusion. Admission National Institutes of Health Stoke Scale (NIHSS) score was 38, with no early ischemic changes on imaging, pre-stroke modified Rankin Scale score was 0, and she lived independently with minimal help. After initiation of intravenous thrombolysis, the patient underwent successful mechanical thrombectomy with Thombosis in Cerebral Infaction-3 recanalization. She showed remarkable recovery (NIHSS score of 1 at 48 h). Stroke onset to recanalization was 3 h 40 min. Our objective in documenting the oldest patient to successfully undergo stroke intervention is to corroborate that with the current evidence, appropriate patients undergoing rapid treatment may allow us to advance the limits of endovascular therapy.
Interpretation of the loading–wetting behaviour of compacted soils within the “MPK” framework. Part II: Dynamic compaction
Authors: Kodikara Jayantha , Islam Tanvirul , Rajeev Pathmanathan
Published: November 2015

Dynamic compaction is commonly used to construct structural fills for various geo-infrastructures. Current practice is to specify a minimum dry density and moisture content criterion to be used in the field on the basis of Proctor compaction carried out in the laboratory. However, there are still no practical methods for predicting compacted clay behaviour under expected mechanical and environmental loadings. Current theories are difficult to apply in practice due to difficulties in determining the necessary parameters. In this paper, the recently developed “void ratio – moisture ratio (volume of water / volume of solids) – net stress space” (MPK) framework is extended to cover dynamically compacted soils, with significant supporting experimental evidence. Two types of soils are used: lightly reactive kaolin and reactive Merri Creek clay. As the compaction stress was unknown for dynamic compaction, recompression of soil specimens from compacted soil was used to establish the “loading wetting state boundary surface” (LWSBS). Independent tests show that the framework can predict well the behaviour of compacted soils under loading–unloading and yielding, collapse during wetting, change of loading yield stress after wetting, and swelling pressure development during constrained wetting. The value of the approach is that the testing methods are straightforward, do not require specialized equipment, and testing times are much shorter. In addition, the uncertainty that laboratory dynamic compaction may not relate directly to field roller compaction can be addressed with the developed framework. Soil specimens obtained from field soil pads compacted by actual rollers can be used to establish the LWSBS. This information will allow prediction of the likely behaviour of field-compacted fills under expected environmental and mechanical loadings subject to one-dimensional conditions. Extension to triaxial conditions would require further experimental work and theoretical modelling.
Cenozoic uplift of the Central Andes in northern Chile and Bolivia—reconciling paleoaltimetry with the geological evolution
Authors: Lamb Simon
Published: November 2015

The Cenozoic geological evolution of the Central Andes, along two transects between ∼17.5°S and 21°S, is compared with paleo-topography, determined from published paleo-altimetry studies. Surface and rock uplift are quantified using simple 2-D models of crustal shortening and thickening, together with estimates of sedimentation, erosion, and magmatic addition. Prior to ∼25 Ma, during a phase of amagmatic flat-slab subduction, thick-skinned crustal shortening and thickening (nominal age of initiation ∼40 Ma) was focused in the Eastern and Western Cordilleras, separated by a broad basin up to 300 km wide and close to sea level, which today comprises the high Altiplano. Surface topography at this time in the Altiplano and the western margin of the Eastern Cordillera appears to be ∼1 km lower than anticipated from crustal thickening, which may be due to the pull-down effect of the subducted slab, coupled to the overlying lithosphere by a cold mantle wedge. Oligocene steepening of the subducted slab is indicated by the initiation of the volcanic arc at ∼27–25 Ma, and widespread mafic volcanism in the Altiplano between 25 and 20 Ma. This may have resulted in detachment of mantle lithosphere and possibly dense lower crust, triggering 1–1.5 km of rapid uplift (over ≪5 Myrs) of the Altiplano and western margin of the Eastern Cordillera and establishing the present day lithospheric structure beneath the high Andes. Since ∼25 Ma, surface uplift has been the direct result of crustal shortening and thickening, locally modified by the effects of erosion, sedimentation, and magmatic addition from the mantle. The rate of crustal shortening and thickening varies with location and time, with two episodes of rapid shortening in the Altiplano, lasting <5 Myrs, that are superimposed on a long-term history of ductile shortening in the lower crust, driven by underthrusting of the Brazilian Shield on the eastern margin.
Catch-per-unit-effort and size spectra of lake fish assemblages reflect underlying patterns in ecological conditions and anthropogenic activities across regional and local scales
Authors: Chu Cindy , Lester Nigel P. , Giacomini Henrique C. , Shuter Brian J. , Jackson Donald A.
Published: November 2015

Across broad geographic scales, ecological indicators for fish assemblages should represent causal ecological processes, be sensitive enough to show patterns across the landscape, and reflect underlying biotic or abiotic conditions that influence those patterns. We assessed the responses of commonly applied ecological indicators for lake fish assemblages (mean body size, catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE), and normalized length size spectrum (NLSS) slope) to regional (climate, water chemistry, and watershed stress due to human activities) and local (lake morphometry, water quality, and angling pressure) ecological and anthropogenic variables. The indicators were estimated using fish assemblage catch data acquired via a standardized gillnetting protocol implemented within 693 lakes in Ontario, Canada. To our knowledge, our study is the first size-based or catch-based indicator evaluation to include detailed observations of angling pressure on hundreds of inland lakes. Boosted regression tree models showed that CPUE of large-bodied organisms and NLSS slope best described underlying patterns in the regional and local variables. Models developed with a mix of regional and local variables performed better than models developed with regional or local variables alone. The relative influences of the variables and responses varied among indicators, but in general, ecological variables had greater influence on the indicators than anthropogenic variables. These results emphasize the complex and multiscaled nature of factors and ecological processes affecting body size, habitat-community production, and trophic dynamics in lake fish assemblages.
The Hawking temperature in the context of dark energy for four-dimensional asymptotically AdS black holes with scalar hair
Authors: Naji J.
Published: November 2015

New solutions of four-dimensional asymptotically anti-de Sitter black holes with scalar hair are considered and Hawking temperature in the context of dark energy is discussed using the tunneling method. We obtain a modification of the Hawking temperature because of the presence of dark energy.
Irisin levels in relation to metabolic and liver functions in Egyptian patients with metabolic syndrome
Authors: Rizk Fatma H. , Elshweikh Samah A. , Abd El-Naby Amira Y.
Published: November 2015

Irisin is a new myokine that is suspected to influence metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, there is a great controversy with respect to its level in cases of MetS and its correlation with different metabolic parameters. The present study assesses irisin levels in MetS patients and studies its relationship to metabolic and liver functions to evaluate the possible role of the liver in regulation of this level. Sixty subjects were included in this experiment, who were divided into 3 groups: group I (normal control), group II (MetS patients with normal liver enzymes), and group III (MetS with elevated liver enzymes and fatty liver disease). Serum irisin levels showed significant increases in groups II and III compared with group I, and significant increases in group III compared with group II. Also, irisin levels were positively correlated with body mass index, serum triglycerides, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), and liver enzymes. We concluded that serum irisin levels increased in patients with MetS, especially those with elevated liver enzymes, and had a positive correlation with parameters of lipid metabolism and glucose homeostasis with the possibility of hepatic clearance to irisin.
SNP diversity within and amongBrassica rapaaccessions reveals no geographic differentiation
Authors: Tanhuanpää P. , Erkkilä M. , Tenhola-Roininen T. , Tanskanen J. , Manninen O.
Published: November 2015

Genetic diversity was studied in a collection of 61 accessions of Brassica rapa, which were mostly oil-type turnip rapes but also included two oil-type subsp. dichotoma and five subsp. trilocularis accessions, as well as three leaf-type subspecies (subsp. japonica, pekinensis, and chinensis) and five turnip cultivars (subsp. rapa). Two-hundred and nine SNP markers, which had been discovered by amplicon resequencing, were used to genotype 893 plants from the B. rapa collection using Illumina BeadXpress. There was great variation in the diversity indices between accessions. With STRUCTURE analysis, the plant collection could be divided into three groups that seemed to correspond to morphotype and flowering habit but not to geography. According to AMOVA analysis, 65% of the variation was due to variation within accessions, 25% among accessions, and 10% among groups. A smaller subset of the plant collection, 12 accessions, was also studied with 5727 GBS-SNPs. Diversity indices obtained with GBS-SNPs correlated well with those obtained with Illumina BeadXpress SNPs. The developed SNP markers have already been used and will be used in future plant breeding programs as well as in mapping and diversity studies.
Isometry generators in momentum representation of the Dirac theory on the de Sitter spacetime
Authors: Cotăescu Ion I. , Băltăţeanu Doru-Marcel
Published: November 2015

In this paper, it is shown that the covariant representation (CR) transforming the Dirac field under de Sitter isometries is equivalent to a direct sum of two unitary irreducible representations (UIRs) of the Sp(2, 2) group transforming alike the particle and antiparticle field operators in momentum representation. Their basis generators and Casimir operators are written down for the first time finding that these representations are equivalent to an UIR from the principal series whose canonical labels are determined by the fermion mass and spin. The properties of the conserved observables (i.e. one-particle operators) associated to the de Sitter isometries via Noether theorem and of the corresponding Pauli–Lubanski type operator are also pointed out.
Pentaquarks and strange tetraquark mesons
Authors: Anisovich V. V. , Matveev M. A. , Sarantsev A. V. , Semenova A. N.
Published: November 2015

We consider the interplay of the pentaquark states and strange tetraquark states in the decay [Formula: see text]. Possible existence of ([Formula: see text])-states is taken up and their manifestation in the [Formula: see text]-channel is discussed. It is emphasized that these exotic mesons can imitate broad bumps in the [Formula: see text]-channel.
Exploring Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Interstitial Lung Diseases: Rationale, Aims, and Design of a Nationwide Prospective Registry—The EXCITING-ILD Registry
Authors: Kreuter Michael , Herth Felix J. F. , Wacker Margarethe , Leidl Reiner , Hellmann Andreas , Pfeifer Michael , Behr Jürgen , Witt Sabine , Kauschka Dagmar , Mall Marcus , Günther Andreas , Markart Philipp
Published: November 2015

Despite a number of prospective registries conducted in past years, the current epidemiology of interstitial lung diseases (ILD) is still not well defined, particularly regarding the prevalence and incidence, their management, healthcare utilisation needs, and healthcare-associated costs. To address these issues in Germany, a new prospective ILD registry, “Exploring Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Interstitial Lung Diseases” (EXCITING-ILD), is being conducted by the German Centre for Lung Research in association with ambulatory, inpatient, scientific pulmonology organisations and patient support groups. This multicentre, noninterventional, prospective, and observational ILD registry aims to collect comprehensive and validated data from all healthcare institutions on the incidence, prevalence, characteristics, management, and outcomes regarding all ILD presentations in the real-world setting. Specifically, this registry will collect demographic data, disease-related data such as ILD subtype, treatments, diagnostic procedures (e.g., HRCT, surgical lung biopsy), risk factors (e.g., familial ILD), significant comorbidities, ILD managements, and disease outcomes as well as healthcare resource consumption. The EXCITING-ILD registry will include in-patient and out-patient ILD healthcare facilities in more than 100 sites. In summary, this registry will document comprehensive and current epidemiological data as well as important health economic data for ILDs in Germany.
An Improved CO2-Crude Oil Minimum Miscibility Pressure Correlation
Authors: Zhang Hao , Hou Dali , Li Kai
Published: November 2015

Minimum miscibility pressure (MMP), which plays an important role in miscible flooding, is a key parameter in determining whether crude oil and gas are completely miscible. On the basis of 210 groups of CO2-crude oil system minimum miscibility pressure data, an improved CO2-crude oil system minimum miscibility pressure correlation was built by modified conjugate gradient method and global optimizing method. The new correlation is a uniform empirical correlation to calculate the MMP for both thin oil and heavy oil and is expressed as a function of reservoir temperature, C7+molecular weight of crude oil, and mole fractions of volatile components (CH4and N2) and intermediate components (CO2, H2S, and C2~C6) of crude oil. Compared to the eleven most popular and relatively high-accuracy CO2-oil system MMP correlations in the previous literature by other nine groups of CO2-oil MMP experimental data, which have not been used to develop the new correlation, it is found that the new empirical correlation provides the best reproduction of the nine groups of CO2-oil MMP experimental data with a percentage average absolute relative error (%AARE) of 8% and a percentage maximum absolute relative error (%MARE) of 21%, respectively.
A Biologically Inspired Computational Model of Basal Ganglia in Action Selection
Authors: Baston Chiara , Ursino Mauro
Published: November 2015

The basal ganglia (BG) are a subcortical structure implicated in action selection. The aim of this work is to present a new cognitive neuroscience model of the BG, which aspires to represent a parsimonious balance between simplicity and completeness. The model includes the 3 main pathways operating in the BG circuitry, that is, the direct (Go), indirect (NoGo), and hyperdirect pathways. The main original aspects, compared with previous models, are the use of a two-term Hebb rule to train synapses in the striatum, based exclusively on neuronal activity changes caused by dopamine peaks or dips, and the role of the cholinergic interneurons (affected by dopamine themselves) during learning. Some examples are displayed, concerning a few paradigmatic cases: action selection in basal conditions, action selection in the presence of a strong conflict (where the role of the hyperdirect pathway emerges), synapse changes induced by phasic dopamine, and learning new actions based on a previous history of rewards and punishments. Finally, some simulations show model working in conditions of altered dopamine levels, to illustrate pathological cases (dopamine depletion in parkinsonian subjects or dopamine hypermedication). Due to its parsimonious approach, the model may represent a straightforward tool to analyze BG functionality in behavioral experiments.
Finite-Dimensional Hybrid Observer for Delayed Impulsive Model of Testosterone Regulation
Authors: Yamalova Diana , Churilov Alexander , Medvedev Alexander
Published: November 2015

The paper deals with the model-based estimation of hormone concentrations that are inaccessible for direct measurement in the blood stream. Previous research demonstrated that the dynamics of nonbasal endocrine regulation can be closely captured by linear continuous models with time delays under a pulse-modulated feedback. The presence of continuous time delays is inevitable in such a model due to transport phenomena and the time necessary for an endocrine gland to produce a certain hormone quantity. Yet, thanks to the finite-dimensional reducibility of the linear time-delay part of the system, a finite-dimensional model can be used to reconstruct both the continuous and discrete states of the hybrid time-delay plant. A hybrid observer exploiting this possibility is suggested and analyzed by means of a discrete impulse-to-impulse mapping.
Data Transmission with Reduced Delay for Distributed Acoustic Sensors
Authors: Ryu Hyun-Gyu , Lee Sang-Keum , Har Dongsoo
Published: November 2015

This paper proposes a channel access control scheme fit to dense acoustic sensor nodes in a sensor network, where multiple acoustic sensor nodes within communication range of a cluster head are grouped into clusters. Acoustic sensor nodes in a cluster detect acoustic signals and convert them into electric signals (packets). Detection by acoustic sensors can be executed periodically or randomly. As a result, each acoustic sensor generates its packets (50 bytes each) periodically or randomly over short time intervals (400 ms~4 seconds) and transmits directly to a cluster head (coordinator node). Our approach proposes using a slotted carrier sense multiple access. All acoustic sensor nodes in a cluster are allocated to time slots and the number of allocated sensor nodes to each time slot is uniform. All sensor nodes allocated to a time slot listen for packet transmission from the beginning of the time slot for a duration proportional to their priority. The order of packet transmissions with the acoustic sensor nodes in the time slot is autonomously adjusted according to the history of packet transmissions in the time slot. In simulations, performances of the proposed scheme are demonstrated by the comparisons with other low rate wireless channel access schemes.
Dynamic Modeling and Control Strategy Optimization for a Hybrid Electric Tracked Vehicle
Authors: Wang Hong , Song Qiang , Wang Shengbo , Zeng Pu
Published: November 2015

A new hybrid electric tracked bulldozer composed of an engine generator, two driving motors, and an ultracapacitor is put forward, which can provide high efficiencies and less fuel consumption comparing with traditional ones. This paper first presents the terramechanics of this hybrid electric tracked bulldozer. The driving dynamics for this tracked bulldozer is then analyzed. After that, based on analyzing the working characteristics of the engine, generator, and driving motors, the power train system model and control strategy optimization is established by using MATLAB/Simulink and OPTIMUS software. Simulation is performed under a representative working condition, and the results demonstrate that fuel economy of the HETV can be significantly improved.
Study on Repaired Earthquake-Damaged Bridge Piers under Seismic Load
Authors: Deng Jun , Liu Tonghua , Xie Weizhi , Lu Wei
Published: November 2015

The concrete bridge pier damaged during earthquakes need be repaired to meet the design standards. Steel tube as a traditional material or FRP as a novel material has become popular to repair the damaged reinforced concrete (RC) bridge piers. In this paper, experimental and finite element (FE) studies are employed to analyze the confinement effectiveness of the different repair materials. The FE method was used to calculate the hysteretic behavior of three predamaged circle RC bridge piers repaired with steel tube, basalt fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP), and carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), respectively. Meanwhile, the repaired predamaged circle concrete bridge piers were tested by pseudo-static cyclic loading to study the seismic behavior and evaluate the confinement effectiveness of the different repair materials and techniques. The FE analysis and experimental results showed that the repaired piers had similar hysteretic curves with the original specimens and all the three repair techniques can restore the seismic performance of the earthquake-damaged piers. Steel tube jacketing can significantly improve the lateral stiffness and peak load of the damaged pier, while the BFRP and CFRP sheets cannot improve these properties due to their thin thickness.
Partial Cross-Ownership, Cost Asymmetries, and Welfare
Authors: Fanti Luciano
Published: November 2015

The present study analyses the effects on social welfare of the existence of cross-participation at ownership level in a Cournot duopoly. We show that cross-participation, although it lowers the degree of competition by reducing total output and consumer surplus, may increase social welfare, provided that (i) the firm owned by a single shareholder is less efficient than the other (cross-participated) firm and (ii) the size of the market is not too large. Therefore, the policy implication is that larger cross-participations at ownership level should be favoured, despite their anticompetitive nature, when the cross-participated firm is relatively more efficient and the extent of the market is not too large.
Comparison of Dry Needling versus Orthopedic Manual Therapy in Patients with Myofascial Chronic Neck Pain: A Single-Blind, Randomized Pilot Study
Authors: Campa-Moran Irene , Rey-Gudin Etelvina , Fernández-Carnero Josué , Paris-Alemany Alba , Gil-Martinez Alfonso , Lerma Lara Sergio , Prieto-Baquero Almudena , Alonso-Perez José Luis , La Touche Roy
Published: November 2015

Objective. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of three interventions for the treatment of myofascial chronic neck pain. Methods. Thirty-six patients were randomly assigned to one of three intervention groups: orthopedic manual therapy (OMT), dry needling and stretching (DN-S), and soft tissue techniques (STT). All groups received two treatment sessions with a 48 h time interval. Outcome measures included neck pain intensity measured using a visual analogue scale, cervical range of motion (ROM), pressure pain threshold for measuring mechanical hyperalgesia, and two self-reported questionnaires (neck disability index and pain catastrophizing scale). Results. The ANOVA revealed significant differences for the group × time interaction for neck disability, neck pain intensity, and pain catastrophizing. The DN-S and OMT groups reduced neck disability. Only the OMT group showed decreases in mechanical hyperalgesia and pain catastrophizing. The cervical ROM increased in OMT (i.e., flexion, side-bending, and rotation) and DN-S (i.e., side-bending and rotation) groups. Conclusions. The three interventions are all effective in reducing pain intensity. Reduction in mechanical hyperalgesia and pain catastrophizing was only observed in the OMT group. Cervical ROM improved in the DN-S and OMT groups and also neck disability being only clinically relevant for OMT group.
Local Functional Coefficient Autoregressive Model for Multistep Prediction of Chaotic Time Series
Authors: Su Liyun , Li Chenlong
Published: November 2015

A new methodology, which combines nonparametric method based on local functional coefficient autoregressive (LFAR) form with chaos theory and regional method, is proposed for multistep prediction of chaotic time series. The objective of this research study is to improve the performance of long-term forecasting of chaotic time series. To obtain the prediction values of chaotic time series, three steps are involved. Firstly, the original time series is reconstructed inm-dimensional phase space with a time delayτby using chaos theory. Secondly, select the nearest neighbor points by using local method in them-dimensional phase space. Thirdly, we use the nearest neighbor points to get a LFAR model. The proposed model’s parameters are selected by modified generalized cross validation (GCV) criterion. Both simulated data (Lorenz and Mackey-Glass systems) and real data (Sunspot time series) are used to illustrate the performance of the proposed methodology. By detailed investigation and comparing our results with published researches, we find that the LFAR model can effectively fit nonlinear characteristics of chaotic time series by using simple structure and has excellent performance for multistep forecasting.
Target Tracking Algorithm Using Angular Point Matching Combined with Compressive Tracking
Authors: Luo Jing , Dong Tingting , Zi Chunyuan , Xiu Chunbo , Tian Huixin , Xi Jiangtao
Published: November 2015

To solve the problems of tracking errors such as target missing that emerged in compressive tracking (CT) algorithm due to factors such as pose variation, illumination change, and occlusion, a novel tracking algorithm combined angular point matching with compressive tracking (APMCCT) was proposed. A sparse measurement matrix was adopted to extract the Haar-like features. The offset of the predicted target position was integrated into the angular point matching, and the new target position was calculated. Furthermore, the updating mechanism of the template was optimized. Experiments on different video sequences have shown that the proposed APMCCT performs better than CT algorithm in terms of accuracy and robustness and adaptability to pose variation, illumination change, and occlusion.
C1q Nephropathy: The Unique Underrecognized Pathological Entity
Authors: Devasahayam Joe , Erode-Singaravelu Gowrishankar , Bhat Zeenat , Oliver Tony , Chandran Arul , Zeng Xu , Dakshinesh Paramesh , Pillai Unni
Published: November 2015

C1q nephropathy is a rare glomerular disease with characteristic mesangial C1q deposition noted on immunofluorescence microscopy. It is histologically defined and poorly understood. Light microscopic features are heterogeneous and comprise minimal change disease (MCD), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), and proliferative glomerulonephritis. Clinical presentation is also diverse, and ranges from asymptomatic hematuria or proteinuria to frank nephritic or nephrotic syndrome in both children and adults. Hypertension and renal insufficiency at the time of diagnosis are common findings. Optimal treatment is not clear and is usually guided by the underlying light microscopic lesion. Corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment, with immunosuppressive agents reserved for steroid resistant cases. The presence of nephrotic syndrome and FSGS appear to predict adverse outcomes as opposed to favorable outcomes in those with MCD. Further research is needed to establish C1q nephropathy as a universally recognized distinct clinical entity. In this paper, we discuss the current understanding of pathogenesis, histopathology, clinical features, therapeutic options, and outcomes of C1q nephropathy.
Identification of Risks Pertaining to Abandoned Housing Projects in Malaysia
Authors: Abdul-Rahman Hamzah , Wang Chen , Ariffin Nur Hamizah
Published: November 2015

Housing industry is one of the most dynamic, risky, and challenging industries. In Malaysia, this industry has a poor reputation for managing risks, with many major projects failing to be completed within the allotted time. Due to the inherent risks involved in construction projects, it is essential to recognize the risks that cause problems associated with abandoned housing projects. Therefore, this study aims to identify the risks that contribute to issues of abandoned housing projects and to propose mitigation strategies. The methodologies used in this study are combination of qualitative and quantitative methods of literature review, questionnaire survey, and interview. The results show that many risks are involved in housing project, including risks related to environmental impacts, construction, politics, law, management, finance, materials, and economy, of which the probability of risks from unexpected ground condition, project delays, bureaucracy, contractual disputes between developer and landlord, weakness in management by inexperience developer, and financial crisis is very high. It was also found that all relevant parties involved in housing industry are required to have extensive cooperation in advance and should perform systematic risk management strategies in order to mitigate the risks leading to problems associated with abandoned housing projects.
Enhanced Hydrophilicity and Protein Adsorption of Titanium Surface by Sodium Bicarbonate Solution
Authors: Jia Shengnan , Zhang Yu , Ma Ting , Chen Haifeng , Lin Ye
Published: November 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate a novel and convenient method of chemical treatment to modify the hydrophilicity of titanium surfaces. Sand‐blasted and acid‐etched (SLA) titanium surfaces and machined titanium surfaces were treated with sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) solution. The wetting behavior of both kinds of surfaces was measured by water contact angle (WCA) test. The surface microstructure was assessed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and three‐dimensional (3D) optical microscopy. The elemental compositions of the surfaces were analyzed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The protein adsorption analysis was performed with fibronectin. Results showed that, after 1 M NaHCO3 treatment, the hydrophilicity of both SLA and machined surfaces was enhanced. No significant microstructural change presented on titanium surfaces after NaHCO3 treatment. The deprotonation and ion exchange activities might cause the enhanced hydrophilicity of titanium surfaces. The increased protein adsorption of NaHCO3‐treated SLA surfaces might indicate their improved tissue‐integration in clinical use.
Categories of(I,I)-Fuzzy Greedoids
Authors: Xiu Zhen-Yu , Shi Fu-Gui
Published: November 2015

The concepts ofI-greedoids, fuzzifying greedoids, and (I,I)-fuzzy greedoids are introduced and feasibility preserving mappings between greedoids are defined. ThenI-feasibility preserving mappings, fuzzifying feasibility preserving mappings, and (I,I)-fuzzy feasibility preserving mappings are given as generalizations of feasibility preserving mappings. We study the relations among greedoids,I-greedoids, fuzzifying greedoids, and (I,I)-fuzzy greedoids from a categorical point of view.
Method to Calculate the Electricity Generated by a Photovoltaic Cell, Based on Its Mathematical Model Simulations in MATLAB
Authors: Morcillo-Herrera Carlos , Hernández-Sánchez Fernando , Flota-Bañuelos Manuel
Published: November 2015

This paper presents a practical method for calculating the electrical energy generated by a PV panel (kWhr) through MATLAB simulations based on the mathematical model of the cell, which obtains the “Mean Maximum Power Point” (MMPP) in the characteristicV-Pcurve, in response to evaluating historical climate data at specific location. This five-step method calculates through MMPP per day, per month, or per year, the power yield by unit area, then electrical energy generated by PV panel, and its real conversion efficiency. To validate the method, it was applied to Sewage Treatment Plant for a Group of Drinking Water and Sewerage of Yucatan (JAPAY), México, testing 250 Wp photovoltaic panels of five different manufacturers. As a result, the performance, the real conversion efficiency, and the electricity generated by five different PV panels in evaluation were obtained and show the best technical-economic option to develop the PV generation project.
Impact of Deep Brain Stimulation on Daily Routine Driving Practice in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Buhmann Carsten , Vettorazzi Eik , Oehlwein Christian , Rikkers Fred , Poetter-Nerger Monika , Gulberti Alessandro , Gerloff Christian , Moll Christian K. , Hamel Wolfgang
Published: November 2015

Objective.To determine the influence of deep brain stimulation (DBS) on daily routine driving behavior in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients.Methods.A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was done in 121 DBS-PD patients. The influences of patient characteristics and DBS on current driving and driving at time of surgery and the predictive value of the preoperative levodopa-test on postoperative driving were evaluated.Results.50% of 110 driving-license holders currently drove. 63.0% rated themselves as safe drivers, 39.4% reported improvement, and 10.9% noted deterioration in driving after DBS surgery. Inactive drivers had quit driving mainly due to disease burden (90.9%). Active drivers were younger, more often males, and less impaired according to H&Y and MMSE, had surgery more recently, and reported more often overall benefit from DBS. H&Y “on” and UPDRS III “off” scores at time of surgery were lower in pre- and postoperative active than in inactive drivers. Tremor and akinesia were less frequent reasons to quit driving after than before DBS surgery. Postoperatively, 22.7% (10/44) of patients restarted and 10.6% (7/66) of patients discontinued driving, independently of H&Y stage. The preoperative levodopa-test was not predictive for the postoperative driving outcome.Conclusion.50% of PD patients with DBS drive. DBS surgery changes daily routine driving behavior.
Combining Niche Modelling, Land-Use Change, and Genetic Information to Assess the Conservation Status ofPouteria splendensPopulations in Central Chile
Authors: Morales Narkis S. , Fernández Ignacio C. , Carrasco Basilio , Orchard Cristina
Published: November 2015

To assess the conservation status of a species with little ecological information is usually a challenging process.Pouteria splendensis an endemic shrub of the coastal range of Central Chile currently classified as lower risk (LR) by IUCN (version 2.3). Knowledge about this species is extremely limited. CurrentlyP. splendensis only found in two small and isolated populations, which are thought to be remaining populations of an originally large metapopulation. However, there is no evidence to support this hypothesis, limiting our ability to gauge the real current conservation status of this species. In this study we combine niche modelling, land-use information, and genetic techniques to test the metapopulation hypothesis and reassess the conservation status ofP. splendensusing the IUCN criteria. We also evaluated the potential effects of climate change in the species distribution. Our results support the hypothesis of a large metapopulation that was recently fragmented. Future climate could increase the range ofP. splendens; however the high level of fragmentation would preclude colonization processes. We recommend reclassifyingP. splendensas Endangered (EN) and developing strategies to protect the remaining populations. Similar approaches like the presented here could be used to reclassify other species with limited ecological knowledge.
The Effects of Nonuniform Illumination on the Electrical Performance of a Single Conventional Photovoltaic Cell
Authors: Paul Damasen Ikwaba , Smyth Mervyn , Zacharopoulos Aggelos , Mondol Jayanta
Published: November 2015

Photovoltaic (PV) concentrators are a promising approach for lowering PV electricity costs in the near future. However, most of the concentrators that are currently used for PV applications yield nonuniform flux profiles on the surface of a PV module which in turn reduces its electrical performance if the cells are serially connected. One way of overcoming this effect is the use of PV modules with isolated cells so that each cell generates current that is proportional to the energy flux absorbed. However, there are some cases where nonuniform illumination also exists in a single cell in an isolated cells PV module. This paper systematically studied the effect of nonuniform illumination on various cell performance parameters of a single monocrystalline standard PV cell at low and medium energy concentration ratios. Furthermore, the effect of orientation, size, and geometrical shapes of nonuniform illumination was also investigated. It was found that the effect of nonuniform illumination on various PV cell performance parameters of a single standard PV cell becomes noticeable at medium energy flux concentration whilst the location, size, and geometrical shape of nonuniform illumination have no effect on the performance parameters of the cell.
Aggressive FLC Escape in a Patient with IgD Myeloma
Authors: Farges Cédric , Roussel Murielle , Huynh Anne , Blancher Antoine , Puissant-Lubrano Bénédicte
Published: November 2015

Background. Some patients who are stable or in remission from a myeloma secreting intact monoclonal immunoglobulin (+/− associated free light-chains (FLCs)) relapse with production of FLC. This FLC escape is one of the illustrations of the intraclonal heterogeneity of multiple myeloma.Results. We report FLC escape in a patient with IgD myeloma characterized by a severe outcome. We discuss parameters that negatively impacted prognosis in this patient, including bone lesions, biochemical parameters, and genomic abnormalities.Conclusion. This case illustrates the selective pressure exerted by therapeutic drugs and the variable sensitivity of subclones to these drugs; it also highlights the importance of FLC monitoring in treated MM patients.
Performance Evaluation of Multimodal Multifeature Authentication System Using KNN Classification
Authors: Rajagopal Gayathri , Palaniswamy Ramamoorthy
Published: November 2015

This research proposes a multimodal multifeature biometric system for human recognition using two traits, that is, palmprint and iris. The purpose of this research is to analyse integration of multimodal and multifeature biometric system using feature level fusion to achieve better performance. The main aim of the proposed system is to increase the recognition accuracy using feature level fusion. The features at the feature level fusion are raw biometric data which contains rich information when compared to decision and matching score level fusion. Hence information fused at the feature level is expected to obtain improved recognition accuracy. However, information fused at feature level has the problem of curse in dimensionality; here PCA (principal component analysis) is used to diminish the dimensionality of the feature sets as they are high dimensional. The proposed multimodal results were compared with other multimodal and monomodal approaches. Out of these comparisons, the multimodal multifeature palmprint iris fusion offers significant improvements in the accuracy of the suggested multimodal biometric system. The proposed algorithm is tested using created virtual multimodal database using UPOL iris database and PolyU palmprint database.