bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of telephone-delivered lifestyle support on the development of diabetes in participants at high risk of type 2 diabetes: J-DOIT1, a pragmatic cluster randomised trial
Authors: Sakane Naoki , Kotani Kazuhiko , Takahashi Kaoru , Sano Yoshiko , Tsuzaki Kokoro , Okazaki Kentaro , Sato Juichi , Suzuki Sadao , Morita Satoshi , Oshima Yoshitake , Izumi Kazuo , Kato Masayuki , Ishizuka Naoki , Noda Mitsuhiko , Kuzuya Hideshi
Published: August 2015

Objectives

To examine the effects of telephone-delivered lifestyle coaching on preventing the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in participants with impaired fasting glucose (IFG).

Design

Cluster randomised trial.

Setting

40 groups from 17 healthcare divisions in Japan: companies (31), communities (6) and mixed settings (3).

Participants

Participants aged 20–65 years with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) of 5.6–6.9 mmol/L were invited from the 17 healthcare divisions.

Randomisation

The groups were then randomly assigned to an intervention or a control arm by independent statisticians according to a computer-generated list.

Intervention

The intervention arm received a 1-year telephone-delivered intervention provided by three private lifestyle support centres (at different frequencies: low-frequency (3 times), middle-frequency (6 times) and high-frequency (10 times) support calls). The intervention and control arms both received self-help devices such as a weight scale and pedometer.

Outcomes

Participants were followed up using data from annual health check-ups and a questionnaire regarding lifestyle. The primary outcome was the development of T2DM defined as FPG ≥7.0 mmol/L, the diagnosis of diabetes, or use of an antidiabetic drug, confirmed by referring to medical cards.

Results

Of 14 473 screened individuals, participants were enrolled in either the intervention (n=1240) arm or control (n=1367) arm. Overall, the HR for the development of T2DM in the intervention arm during 5.5 years was 1.00 (95% CI 0.74 to 1.34). In the subanalysis, the HR was 0.59 (95% CI 0.42 to 0.83) in the subgroup that received phone calls the most frequently, compared with the control arm. A limitation of the study includes a lack of blinding.

Conclusions

High-frequency telephone-delivered lifestyle support could effectively prevent T2DM in participants with IFG in a primary healthcare setting, although low-frequency and middle-frequency phone calls did not.

Trial registration number

This trial has been registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN000000662).
Perceived current needs, psychological distress and functional impairment in a war-affected setting: a cross-sectional study in South Sudan
Authors: Ayazi Touraj , Swartz Leslie , Eide Arne H , Lien Lars , Hauff Edvard
Published: August 2015

Objectives

To examine the current perceived needs of the general population in a war-affected setting, and to study the influence of perceived needs on the participants’ mental health status and functional impairment across genders.

Methods

A cross-sectional community survey (n=464) was conducted in war-affected South Sudan. Three regression models were analysed. Perceived needs were assessed with the Humanitarian Emergency Settings Perceived Needs Scale. Psychological distress was measured with the General Health Questionnaire and level of functioning by the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12).

Results

The most frequently expressed needs were related to drinking water, alcohol and drug use in the community and access to sanitation facilities. No gender differences were found regarding the level of perceived needs or the number of traumatic events. Higher level of perceived needs significantly predicted psychological distress and lower level of functioning even when numbers of experienced trauma events were taken into account.

Conclusions

The associations of higher level of needs and trauma experiences, on the one hand, and negative health outcomes on the other, necessitate a greater integration of interventions directed towards the population's perceived needs and mental health, particularly for those who have been exposed to trauma.
Development of an algorithm to provide awareness in choosing study designs for inclusion in systematic reviews of healthcare interventions: a method study
Authors: Peinemann Frank , Kleijnen Jos
Published: August 2015

Objectives

To develop an algorithm that aims to provide guidance and awareness for choosing multiple study designs in systematic reviews of healthcare interventions.

Design

Method study: (1) To summarise the literature base on the topic. (2) To apply the integration of various study types in systematic reviews. (3) To devise decision points and outline a pragmatic decision tree. (4) To check the plausibility of the algorithm by backtracking its pathways in four systematic reviews.

Results

(1) The results of our systematic review of the published literature have already been published. (2) We recaptured the experience from our four previously conducted systematic reviews that required the integration of various study types. (3) We chose length of follow-up (long, short), frequency of events (rare, frequent) and types of outcome as decision points (death, disease, discomfort, disability, dissatisfaction) and aligned the study design labels according to the Cochrane Handbook. We also considered practical or ethical concerns, and the problem of unavailable high-quality evidence. While applying the algorithm, disease-specific circumstances and aims of interventions should be considered. (4) We confirmed the plausibility of the pathways of the algorithm.

Conclusions

We propose that the algorithm can assist to bring seminal features of a systematic review with multiple study designs to the attention of anyone who is planning to conduct a systematic review. It aims to increase awareness and we think that it may reduce the time burden on review authors and may contribute to the production of a higher quality review.
The impact of road traffic injury in North India: a mixed-methods study protocol
Authors: Jagnoor Jagnoor , Prinja Shankar , Lakshmi P V M , Aggarwal Sameer , Gabbe Belinda , Ivers Rebecca Q
Published: August 2015

Background

Road traffic injuries are a large and growing public health burden, especially in low and middle income countries where 90% of the world's deaths due to road traffic injuries are estimated to occur. India is one of the fastest growing economies, with rapid motorisation and increasing road traffic burden. However, there are limited data addressing the problem of non-fatal road traffic injuries, with existing data being of poor quality, non-representative and difficult to access, and encompassing a limited number of relevant variables. This study aims to determine the outcomes of road traffic injuries on function and health-related quality of life, to assess their social impact and to weigh the economic cost of road traffic crashes in an urban setting in India.

Methods and analysis

This prospective observational study will recruit approximately 1500 participants injured in road traffic crashes, who are admitted to hospital for >24 h at any of three participating hospitals in Chandigarh, India. Face-to-face baseline interviews will be conducted by telephone at 1, 2, 4 and 12 months postinjury. Standardised tools will be used to collect data on health and social outcomes, and on the economic impact of road traffic crashes. Descriptive analysis and multivariate models will be used to report outcome data and associations. The qualitative in-depth interviews will be analysed thematically using content analysis. This study will provide the first comprehensive estimates on outcomes of serious road traffic injury in India, including economic and social costs, and the impact on individuals and families.

Ethics and dissemination

Primary ethics approval was received from the Postgraduate Institute for Medical Education and Research, institute’s ethics committee, Chandigarh, India. Results will be disseminated via the usual scientific forums including peer-reviewed publications and presentations at international conferences.
Improving documentation of physical health investigations in an adolescent mental health inpatient unit
Authors: Horton David
Published: August 2015

Physical health investigations, such as blood tests, ECGs, and appropriate radiological tests, are essential in the assessment and management of many patients in inpatient mental health settings. This project took place in a 12-bed adolescent mental health unit in Swindon, UK, where on average at least two-thirds of patients have a diagnosed eating disorder. Multidisciplinary ward rounds provide an appropriate setting for discussion and documentation of physical investigations. Over a two-week period, 22 electronic ward round entries were audited for any documentation of five common investigations - blood tests, ECG, MRI head, DEXA, and ovarian ultrasound. Blood tests were documented in 2/22 (9.1%), ECG, MRI head, DEXA, and ovarian ultrasound were documented in 0/22 (0%). Modifications were made to an electronic ward round template, to include headings for each of these investigations, with free-text boxes as well as drop-down boxes for the radiological tests. Following this, re-audit of 22 ward round entries over a two-week period showed documentation had hugely improved - blood tests were documented in 21/22 (95.5%), with ECG, MRI head, DEXA, and pelvis US all documented in 22/22 (100%). A further audit a month later showed these results were largely sustained. In conclusion, use of a simple, structured ward round template can hugely improve documentation of important physical investigations within mental health settings.
Development and evaluation of a community respiratory physiotherapy service for children with severe neurodisability
Authors: Wolff Antonia , Griffin Hayley , Flanigan Moira , Everest Sarah , Thomas David , Whitehouse William
Published: August 2015

Children with severe disability often have difficulties with secretion clearance leading to recurrent lower respiratory tract infections and prolonged hospital admissions. A community respiratory physiotherapy service was developed for this client group, including a rapid response for acute respiratory illness, and an evaluation was undertaken, comparing admissions and bed-days in hospital for respiratory tract infections, emergency admissions to hospital for any cause, and admission costs for each child for the 12 months before to the 12 months with the service.

Thirty-four children aged 1 to 19 years (median 5) were eligible for the “before and after” evaluation at 28 months; most had severe cerebral palsy 22 (65%), and there were also eight (23%) children with neurodegenerative and four (12%) with neuromuscular conditions. Admissions for respiratory tract infection fell from 43 to 25 (p<0.05), respiratory admission bed-days fell from 383 to 236 (p<0.01), total non-elective admissions fell from 64 to 40 (p<0.01), with admission cost savings of GBP 78,155 (52%) per annum.

This small study suggests that a community respiratory physiotherapy service can reduce hospital admissions and bed days for disabled children. The admissions cost savings have enabled the service to "pay for itself".
Hypokalaemia: Improving the investigation, management and therapeutic monitoring of hypokalaemic medical inpatients at a district general hospital
Authors: Jordan Mark , Caesar Jenny
Published: August 2015

Hypokalaemia is prevalent in 20% of hospitalised patients. Furthermore, inadequate management of hypokalemia was identified in 24% of these patients. Associated with significant patient morbidity and mortality, the identification, investigation, and treatment of hypokalaemia was identified as an area for improvement in the management of medical inpatients.

The project aims to measure the assessment, management, and therapeutic monitoring of medical inpatients with hypokalaemia in a district general hospital.

All medical inpatients over a one week period who met the criteria for hypokalaemia (serum potassium <3.5 mmol/L on standard biochemical sample) were included in the audit. Patient's notes were located and evaluated to identify if they had mild, moderate, or severe hypokalaemia. Further data on ECG requests, repeat U&Es, serum magnesium analysis, treatment prescribed, and medication review dates was collated. A re-audit was completed after the introduction of a set of interventions which included a hypokalaemia treatment algorithm.

Pre-intervention analysis of all medical inpatients, who met our inclusion criteria for hypokalaemia, identified 32 patients. 25 of these patients met the criteria for mild hypokalaemia (3.1-3.4 mmol/L) and 7 met the criteria for moderate hypokalaemia (2.5-3.0 mmol/L). Only 7/32 (22 %) patients were receiving adequate treatment based on trust guidelines.

Post intervention results showed marked improvement in the management of patients with hypokalaemia. A total of 30 patients were identified in this post-intervention group. There were 16/30 patients who qualified as mild hypokalaemia (3.1-3.4 mmol/L) and 14/30 with moderate hypokalaemia (2.5-3.0 mmol/L). 19/30 (63%) patients in the post-intervention group were correctly prescribed appropriate medication doses consistent with the treatment algorithm.

Following the initial success of the project, analysis at 3 months showed a positive trend for sustained improvement when compared to the pre-intervention results.
BET 2: The use of age-related D-dimers to rule out deep vein thrombosis
Authors: Taylor Catherine , Sultan (TBC) Laith
Published: August 2015

A short cut review was carried out to establish whether the use of age-adjusted D-dimer cut-offs is better than the standard, unadjusted diagnostic cut-off for excluding the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the Emergency Department. Three studies were directly relevant to the question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these papers are tabulated. The clinical bottom line is that the use of an age-adjusted D-dimer cut-off in patients aged over 50 years increases the ability to safely exclude DVT in patients with low clinical probability without the need for ultrasound scanning.
Theoretical study of product polarization of O(1D) + HCl(v = 0; j = 0) → ClO + H and its isotope exchange reaction
Authors: Ge Mei Hua , Yang Huan , Zheng Yujun
Published: August 2015

O(1D) + HCl(v = 0; j = 0) → ClO + H and its isotope exchange reaction O(1D) + DCl(v = 0; j = 0) → ClO + D are studied in the collision energy range 14.0–20.0 kcal/mol based on the potential energy surface 1[Formula: see text] state. Reaction probabilities, integral cross sections, the two angular distribution functions (concerning the initial/final velocity vector, and the product rotational momentum vector), and the product rotational alignment parameters are calculated as a function of the collision energy for the two reactions. The four generalized polarization dependent differential cross sections are presented to manifest the polarization characters. Also, the effect of the collision energy and the kinetic isotope effect are studied.
Weakening portfolio effect strength in a hatchery-supplemented Chinook salmon population complex
Authors: Satterthwaite William H. , Carlson Stephanie M.
Published: August 2015

Biocomplexity contributes to asynchronous population dynamics, buffering stock complexes in temporally variable environments, a phenomenon referred to as a “portfolio effect”. We previously revealed a weakened but persistent portfolio effect in California’s Central Valley fall-run Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), despite considerable degradation and loss of habitat. Here, we further explore the timing of changes in variability and synchrony and relate these changes to factors hypothesized to influence variability in adult abundance, including hatchery release practices and environmental variables. We found evidence for increasing synchrony among fall-run populations that coincided temporally with increased off-site hatchery releases into the estuary but not with increased North Pacific environmental variability (measured by North Pacific Gyre Oscillation), nor were common trends well explained by a suite of environmental covariates. Moreover, we did not observe a simultaneous increase in synchrony in the nearby Klamath–Trinity system, where nearly all hatchery releases are on-site. Wavelet analysis revealed that variability in production was higher and at a longer time period later in the time series, consistent with increased environmental forcing and a shift away from dynamics driven by natural spawners.
Throughfall alterations by degree of Tillandsia usneoides cover in a southeastern US Quercus virginiana forest
Authors: Gay Trent E. , Van Stan John T. , Moore L. Dean , Lewis Elliott S. , Reichard James S.
Published: August 2015

Alterations to forest canopy structure directly affect the hydrology and biogeochemistry of wooded ecosystems. Epiphytes alter canopy structure, thereby intercepting rainwater, reducing penetration of rain to the surface (as throughfall), modifying throughfall chemistry, and changing throughfall responses to storm conditions. These processes are well established for epiphyte presence versus absence; yet, it is unknown how epiphyte–throughfall interactions change across an epiphyte cover continuum (important information for prediction of ecological changes with epiphyte establishment or decline from disturbance). To fill this gap, we monitored throughfall water and dissolved ions (Na+, NH4+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Cl–, NO3–, PO43–, SO42–) beneath a common epiphyte (Tillandsia usneoides L.) across cover percentages (0%–20%, 21%–40%, 41%–60%, 61%–80%, 81%–100%) for 47 storms. Throughfall amount inversely responded to epiphyte cover while increasing salt wash-off and intracellular leaching. Greater epiphyte cover released NH4+ and decreased NO3– from throughfall. Storm conditions (high vapor pressure deficit, moderate wind speeds, and low intensity) strengthened throughfall responses as T. usneoides cover increased. Factorial MANOVA results revealed significant trends for throughfall ion enrichment or depletion via wash-off, leaching, and uptake. These data suggest that inclusion of epiphyte alterations to rainwater and solute inputs in ecosystem nutrient budgeting studies should consider the full continuum of epiphyte cover represented at that site.
Formation and search of large scale antimatter regions
Authors: Grobov A. V. , Rubin S. G.
Published: August 2015

In this paper, we discuss a generation of large antimatter regions with sizes exceeding the critical surviving size. In the modern epoch, domains with high antimatter density evolve to single galaxies with a peculiar content of antihelium and antideuterium.
Scale-invariant scalar spectrum from the nonminimal derivative coupling with fourth-order term
Authors: Myung Yun Soo , Moon Taeyoon
Published: August 2015

In this paper, an exactly scale-invariant spectrum of scalar perturbation generated during de Sitter spacetime is found from the gravity model of the nonminimal derivative coupling with fourth-order term. The nonminimal derivative coupling term generates a healthy (ghost-free) fourth-order derivative term, while the fourth-order term provides an unhealthy (ghost) fourth-order derivative term. The Harrison–Zel’dovich spectrum obtained from Fourier transforming the fourth-order propagator in de Sitter space is recovered by computing the power spectrum in its momentum space directly. It shows that this model provides a truly scale-invariant spectrum, in addition to the Lee–Wick scalar theory.
Instability of Combined Forced and Free Flow in an Inclined Porous Channel
Authors: Barletta Antonio , Celli Michele
Published: August 2015

The aim of this paper is to analyze the onset of convective instability in a plane porous channel inclined to the horizontal. A net upslope or downslope flow is considered, so that mixed convection takes place as caused by the uniform and symmetric heat fluxes prescribed on the impermeable bounding walls. The thermoconvective instability of the basic flow is studied versus small-amplitude wavelike perturbations. The hybrid analytical–numerical technique adopted in this paper, in order to track and illustrate the parametric changes of neutral stability curves, is Galerkin’s method of weighted residuals. Numerical values at significant points on the neutral stability curves are obtained by employing an accurate Runge–Kutta solver combined with the shooting method.
Comprehensive Investigation of Diffuser/Nozzle Element at Low Reynolds Number Aimed at Valveless Pump Design
Authors: Wang Jiaqi , Aw K. C. , McDaid Andrew , Sharma Rajnish N.
Published: August 2015

The performance of diffuser/nozzle element in valveless pumps depends upon a number of geometrical and operational parameters. In this study, the characteristics of low Reynolds number (Re < 100) flow through conical and planar diffuser/nozzle elements with varying half-angle and area ratio (AR) were investigated with simulations and experiments. The optimal half-angle, at which maximum diffuser efficiency occurs, was found to decrease with Reynolds number for both conical and planar elements. Therefore, the results provide a selection criterion for a diffuser/nozzle pair in a valveless micropump design, where no such criterion is available so far.
Active Vibration Control for a Large Annular Flexible Structure via a Macro-Fiber Composite Strain Sensor and Voice Coil Actuator
Authors: An Zengyong , Xu Minglong , Luo Yajun , Wu Chengsong
Published: August 2015

Large annular flexible structures (LAFS) are typical antenna structures for satellites. This structure can significantly increase antenna aperture and effectively improve communication accuracy with minimum addition of mass. LAFS have become mainstream for large aperture antenna structures. However, they have disadvantages, such as low natural frequencies, low damping ratio, and low stiffness. They easily suffer from low frequency, longtime and modal responses. Therefore, the vibration control of LAFS is very important. This study proposes a novel active vibration control method using macro-fiber composite (MFC) as a sensing unit, a voice coil actuator and a PD-fuzzy control algorithm. The MFC sensor can measure a minimum strain of 10-8 m/m. The voice coil actuator generates a displacement and driving force. Based on the feedback signal from the MFC sensor, the PD-fuzzy control algorithm controls the voice coil actuator. A dynamic model of LAFS was established, and its characteristics analyzed. A theoretical model for the voice coil actuator and MFC sensor were established, and the corresponding governing equations derived. An experimental system was set up. The results demonstrated that the novel active vibration control method has good performance. This active vibration control method can control vibration at ultralow frequencies and requires no additional stiffness.
On 2-absorbing primary submodules of modules over commutative ring with unity
Authors: Dubey Manish Kant , Aggarwal Pakhi
Published: August 2015

In this paper, we introduce the concept of a [Formula: see text]-absorbing primary submodule over a commutative ring with nonzero identity which is a generalization of primary submodule. Let [Formula: see text] be an [Formula: see text]-module and [Formula: see text] be a proper submodule of [Formula: see text]. Then [Formula: see text] is said to be a [Formula: see text]-absorbing primary submodule of [Formula: see text] if whenever [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text]. We have given an example and proved number of results concerning [Formula: see text]-absorbing primary submodules. We have also proved the [Formula: see text]-absorbing primary avoidance theorem for submodules.
Simplified analysis of a full Nesterov–Todd step infeasible interior-point method for symmetric optimization
Authors: Kheirfam Behrouz
Published: August 2015

We give a simplified analysis and an improved iteration bound of a full Nesterov–Todd (NT) step infeasible interior-point method for solving symmetric optimization. This method shares the features as, it (i) requires strictly feasible iterates on the central path of a perturbed problem, (ii) uses the feasibility steps to find strictly feasible iterates for the next perturbed problem, (iii) uses the centering steps to obtain a strictly feasible iterate close enough to the central path of the new perturbed problem, and (iv) reduces the size of the residual vectors with the same speed as the duality gap. Furthermore, the complexity bound coincides with the currently best-known iteration bound for full NT step infeasible interior-point methods.
On some results and open problems concerning Armendariz rings
Authors: Kuzmina A. S. , Maltsev Yu. N.
Published: August 2015

In this paper, we tell about some results and open problems concerning Armendariz rings.
Some semigroup classes and congruences on Bruck-Reilly and generalized Bruck-Reilly ∗-extensions of monoids
Authors: Oğuz Seda , Karpuz Eylem G.
Published: August 2015

In this paper, we determine necessary and sufficient conditions for Bruck–Reilly and generalized Bruck–Reilly ∗-extensions of monoids to be unit regular, completely regular and orthodox. In addition, we characterize the congruences on generalized Bruck–Reilly ∗-extension of a monoid.
Idempotent and regular in monoid of generalized cohypersubstitutions of type τ = (3)
Authors: Saengsura K. , Butkote R.
Published: August 2015

A mapping [Formula: see text] from [Formula: see text], the set of all co-operation symbols of type [Formula: see text], into [Formula: see text], the set of all coterms of type [Formula: see text], is said to be a generalized cohypersubstitution of type [Formula: see text]. Every generalized cohypersubstition [Formula: see text] of type [Formula: see text] induces a mapping [Formula: see text] on the set of all coterms of type [Formula: see text]. The set of all generalized cohypersubstitutions of type [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], under the binary operation [Formula: see text], which is defined by [Formula: see text] for all [Formula: see text], forms a monoid which is called the monoid of generalized cohypersubstitution of type [Formula: see text]. In this research, we characterize all idempotent and regular elements of [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text].
Recursion formulas for multivariable hypergeometric functions
Authors: Sahai Vivek , Verma Ashish
Published: August 2015

Recently, Opps, Saad and Srivastava [Recursion formulas for Appell’s hypergeometric function [Formula: see text] with some applications to radiation field problems, Appl. Math. Comput. 207 (2009) 545–558] presented the recursion formulas for Appell’s function [Formula: see text] and also gave its applications to radiation field problems. Then Wang [Recursion formulas for Appell functions, Integral Transforms Spec. Funct. 23(6) (2012) 421–433] obtained the recursion formulas for Appell functions [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. In our investigation here, we derive the recursion formulas for 14 three-variable Lauricella functions, three Srivastava’s triple hypergeometric functions and four [Formula: see text]-variable Lauricella functions.
Gorenstein σ[T]-injectivity on T-coherent rings
Authors: Shaveisi F. , Amini M. , Bijanzadeh M. H.
Published: August 2015

Let [Formula: see text] be a tilting module. In this paper, Gorenstein [Formula: see text]-injective modules are introduced and some of their basic properties are studied. Moreover, some characterizations of rings over which all modules are Gorenstein [Formula: see text]-injective are given. For instance, we show that every [Formula: see text]-module is Gorenstein [Formula: see text]-injective if and only if every flat [Formula: see text]-module is Gorenstein [Formula: see text]-injective if and only if [Formula: see text] is a [Formula: see text]-injective module on itself.
Wilcox posets and parallelism in posets
Authors: Shewale R. S. , Kharat Vilas
Published: August 2015

In this paper, we have shown that any complemented modular poset of finite length can be reduced to a weakly modular [Formula: see text]-symmetric poset called Wilcox poset. The concept of parallelism has been generalized to posets. The properties of singular elements, modularity and parallelism are studied in a Wilcox poset.
Trioids
Authors: Zhuchok Anatolii V.
Published: August 2015

Jean-Louis Loday and María O. Ronco introduced the notion of a trioid and constructed a free trioid of rank 1. In this paper, we give a survey of results on trioids. Different examples of trioids and new trioid theoretical constructions are given, combinatorial properties of operations on trioids are studied and some congruences on trioids are characterized. We also introduce the notion of a triband of subtrioids and in terms of tribands of subtrioids describe the structure of trioids. Moreover, we describe a free trioid of an arbitrary rank and for this trioid give an isomorphic construction. In addition, we introduce and study the notion of a semiretraction of a trioid and give some applications of semiretractions to the study of congruences on trioids. The main references are the papers by J.-L. Loday and M. O. Ronco as well as the author.
Siberia
Authors: Vitebsky Piers , Alekseyev Anatoly
Published: August 2015

Siberia is a vast and varied region, linked horizontally to the circumpolar Arctic and vertically to Mongolia and Central Asia. Nineteenth-century anthropological fieldwork was important abroad, particularly in America. From the 1920 to 1980s, Siberia was almost totally isolated from outside research and from comparative anthropology. However, Soviet anthropologists conducted lengthy fieldwork, producing a huge corpus of valuable material in Russian. Their questions were specific to their ideological situation, for example placing indigenous peoples in a Marxist evolutionary framework, and during the 1930s, many suffered imprisonment and execution. Topics became more sociological in the 1960s, and when the region opened to foreigners around 1990, a new wave of young researchers conducted long-term fieldwork, producing a flourishing new literature in English and shifting the emphasis from historical reconstruction to current issues. Topics in this new literature include the state, agency, modernization, shamanism, animal spirits, resource development, and empowerment. Throughout all periods, indigenous people themselves have also been involved in research.
Fallback Foods, Optimal Diets, and Nutritional Targets: Primate Responses to Varying Food Availability and Quality
Authors: Lambert Joanna E. , Rothman Jessica M.
Published: August 2015

Eating is a risky affair. All animals have to offset risks of feeding such as exposure to plant toxins, increased vulnerability to predation, or conspecific aggression with a food's energetic and nutritional return. What, when, and where an individual eats can impact fitness and, ultimately, species-level adaptations. Here, we explore the variables that influence primate feeding preference: food availability, chemical defense, and nutrient content. We present information demonstrating that consumers manipulate nutrient and energy intake, indicating that what may be a less-than-optimal food for one state of an animal's phenotype may not be for another. This evidence suggests that factors previously assumed to be constraints in Optimal Foraging Theory, Functional Response, and—recently—Fallback Food feeding models would be better categorized as variables. We conclude that “fallback” is not an intrinsic state of the food or the consumer and that this conclusion complicates the application of this concept to morphological features in the fossil record.
The Fall and Rise of Law and Social Science in China
Authors: Liu Sida , Wang Zhizhou
Published: August 2015

This article traces the three waves of law and social science studies in contemporary China and examines the current status of this rapidly differentiating interdisciplinary field. Whereas the first two waves of studies subsided without generating a nationwide law and society movement, the most recent wave is rapidly changing the landscape of Chinese legal scholarship through empirical research. Four emerging subareas of Chinese sociolegal studies are reviewed in detail: (a) law in rural society, (b) the legal profession, (c) courts and dispute resolution, and (d) criminal justice.
Adversarial Allegiance among Expert Witnesses
Authors: Murrie Daniel C. , Boccaccini Marcus T.
Published: August 2015

Can experts remain objective and accurate when one particular side in adversarial legal proceedings retains them? Despite long-standing concerns from the legal system and the general public, research has only recently explored whether experts can provide opinions unbiased by the side that retained them. This review addresses some of the factors that may cause disagreements between opposing experts. After summarizing recent field and experimental studies on mental health evaluations by forensic experts, we conclude that working for one side in an adversarial case causes some experts' opinions to drift toward the party retaining their services, even on ostensibly objective instruments and procedures. We call this process adversarial allegiance. The mechanisms that underlie adversarial allegiance among forensic experts are likely similar to the unconscious heuristics and cognitive biases that compromise judgment in a variety of other settings, but these will require further study to understand, and ultimately reduce, adversarial allegiance.
Targeting Wnt signaling in colorectal cancer. A Review in the Theme: Cell Signaling: Proteins, Pathways and Mechanisms
Authors: Novellasdemunt Laura , Antas Pedro , Li Vivian S. W.
Published: August 2015

The evolutionarily conserved Wnt signaling pathway plays essential roles during embryonic development and tissue homeostasis. Notably, comprehensive genetic studies in Drosophila and mice in the past decades have demonstrated the crucial role of Wnt signaling in intestinal stem cell maintenance by regulating proliferation, differentiation, and cell-fate decisions. Wnt signaling has also been implicated in a variety of cancers and other diseases. Loss of the Wnt pathway negative regulator adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) is the hallmark of human colorectal cancers (CRC). Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing further reveal many novel recurrent Wnt pathway mutations in addition to the well-characterized APC and β-catenin mutations in CRC. Despite attractive strategies to develop drugs for Wnt signaling, major hurdles in therapeutic intervention of the pathway persist. Here we discuss the Wnt-activating mechanisms in CRC and review the current advances and challenges in drug discovery.
An increased population of regulatory T cells improves the pathophysiology of placental ischemia in a rat model of preeclampsia
Authors: Cornelius Denise C. , Amaral Lorena M. , Harmon Ashlyn , Wallace Kedra , Thomas Alexia J. , Campbell Nathan , Scott Jeremy , Herse Florian , Haase Nadine , Moseley Janae , Wallukat Gerd , Dechend Ralf , LaMarca Babbette
Published: August 2015

The reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP) rat model of preeclampsia exhibits much of the pathology characterizing this disease, such as hypertension, inflammation, suppressed regulatory T cells (TRegs), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and autoantibodies to the ANG II type I receptor (AT1-AA) during pregnancy. The objective of this study was to determine whether supplementation of normal pregnant (NP) TRegs into RUPP rats would attenuate the pathophysiology associated with preeclampsia during pregnancy. CD4+/CD25+ T cells were isolated from spleens of NP and RUPP rats, cultured, and injected into gestation day (GD) 12 normal pregnant rats that underwent the RUPP procedure on GD 14. On GD 1, mean arterial pressure (MAP) was recorded, and blood and tissues were collected for analysis. One-way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. MAP increased from 99 ± 2 mmHg in NP ( n = 12) to 127 ± 2 mmHg in RUPP ( n = 21) but decreased to 118 ± 2 mmHg in RUPP+NP TRegs ( n = 17). Circulating IL-6 and IL-10 were not significantly changed, while circulating TNF-α and IL-17 were significantly decreased after supplementation of TRegs. Placental and renal ROS were 339 ± 58.7 and 603 ± 88.1 RLU·min−1·mg−1 in RUPP and significantly decreased to 178 ± 27.8 and 171 ± 55.6 RLU·min−1·mg−1, respectively, in RUPP+NP TRegs; AT1-AA was 17.81 ± 1.1 beats per minute (bpm) in RUPP but was attenuated to 0.50 ± 0.3 bpm with NP TRegs. This study demonstrates that NP TRegs can significantly improve inflammatory mediators, such as IL-17, TNF-α, and AT1-AA, which have been shown to increase blood pressure during pregnancy.
Peripheral chemoreflex inhibition with low-dose dopamine: New insight into mechanisms of extreme apnea
Authors: Bain Anthony R. , Dujic Zeljko , Hoiland Ryan L. , Barak Otto F. , Madden Dennis , Drvis Ivan , Stembridge Mike , MacLeod David B. , MacLeod Douglas M. , Ainslie Philip N.
Published: August 2015

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of peripheral chemoreflex inhibition with low-dose dopamine on maximal apnea time, and the related hemodynamic and cerebrovascular responses in elite apnea divers. In a randomized order, participants performed a maximal apnea while receiving either intravenous 2 μg·kg−1·min−1 dopamine or volume-matched saline (placebo). The chemoreflex and hemodynamic response to dopamine was also assessed during hypoxia [arterial O2 tension, (PaO2) ∼35 mmHg] and mild hypercapnia [arterial CO2 tension (PaCO2) ∼46 mmHg] that mimicked the latter parts of apnea. Outcome measures included apnea duration, arterial blood gases (radial), heart rate (HR, ECG), mean arterial pressure (MAP, intra-arterial), middle (MCAv) and posterior (PCAv) cerebral artery blood velocity (transcranial ultrasound), internal carotid (ICA) and vertebral (VA) artery blood flow (ultrasound), and the chemoreflex responses. Although dopamine depressed the ventilatory response by 27 ± 41% (vs. placebo; P = 0.01), the maximal apnea duration was increased by only 5 ± 8% ( P = 0.02). The PaCO2 and PaO2 at apnea breakpoint were similar ( P > 0.05). When compared with placebo, dopamine increased HR and decreased MAP during both apnea and chemoreflex test ( P all <0.05). At rest, dopamine compared with placebo dilated the ICA (3.0 ± 4.1%, P = 0.05) and VA (6.6 ± 5.0%, P < 0.01). During apnea and chemoreflex test, conductance of the cerebral vessels (ICA, VA, MCAv, PCAv) was increased with dopamine; however, flow (ICA and VA) was similar. At least in elite apnea divers, the small increase in apnea time and similar PaO2 at breakpoint (∼31 mmHg) suggest the apnea breakpoint is more related to PaO2, rather than peripheral chemoreflex drive to breathe.
Point-of-care cardiac troponin test accurately predicts heat stroke severity in rats
Authors: Audet Gerald N. , Quinn Carrie M. , Leon Lisa R.
Published: August 2015

Heat stroke (HS) remains a significant public health concern. Despite the substantial threat posed by HS, there is still no field or clinical test of HS severity. We suggested previously that circulating cardiac troponin (cTnI) could serve as a robust biomarker of HS severity after heating. In the present study, we hypothesized that (cTnI) point-of-care test (ctPOC) could be used to predict severity and organ damage at the onset of HS. Conscious male Fischer 344 rats ( n = 16) continuously monitored for heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), and core temperature (Tc) (radiotelemetry) were heated to maximum Tc (Tc,Max) of 41.9 ± 0.1°C and recovered undisturbed for 24 h at an ambient temperature of 20°C. Blood samples were taken at Tc,Max and 24 h after heat via submandibular bleed and analyzed on ctPOC test. POC cTnI band intensity was ranked using a simple four-point scale via two blinded observers and compared with cTnI levels measured by a clinical blood analyzer. Blood was also analyzed for biomarkers of systemic organ damage. HS severity, as previously defined using HR, BP, and recovery Tc profile during heat exposure, correlated strongly with cTnI ( R2 = 0.69) at Tc,Max. POC cTnI band intensity ranking accurately predicted cTnI levels ( R2 = 0.64) and HS severity ( R2 = 0.83). Five markers of systemic organ damage also correlated with ctPOC score (albumin, alanine aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, cholesterol, and total bilirubin; R2 > 0.4). This suggests that cTnI POC tests can accurately determine HS severity and could serve as simple, portable, cost-effective HS field tests.
Acute reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent effects of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 on the glomerular filtration barrier (GFB) in vivo
Authors: Sverrisson Kristinn , Axelsson Josefin , Rippe Anna , Asgeirsson Daniel , Rippe Bengt
Published: August 2015

This study was performed to investigate the immediate actions of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 on the permeability of the glomerular filtration barrier (GFB) in rats and to test whether these actions are dependent upon the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In anesthetized rats, blood access was achieved and the left ureter was cannulated for urine collection. Rats were continuously infused intravenously with either IL-1β (0.4 and 2 μg·kg−1·h−1), TNF-α (0.4 and 2 μg·kg−1·h−1), or IL-6 (4 and 8 μg·kg−1·h−1), together with polydisperse FITC-Ficoll-70/400 and inulin for 1 h. Plasma and urine samples were analyzed by high performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) for determination of glomerular sieving coefficients (θ). The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was also assessed (51Cr-EDTA). In separate experiments, the superoxide scavenger tempol (30 mg·kg−1·h−1) was given before and during cytokine infusions. IL-1β and TNF-α caused rapid, partly reversible increases in glomerular permeability to large molecules (Ficoll50–80Å), peaking at 5–30 min, while IL-6 caused a more gradual increase in permeability, leveling off at 60 min. Tempol almost completely abrogated the glomerular permeability effects of the cytokines infused. In conclusion IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6, when infused systemically, caused immediate and partly reversible increases in glomerular permeability, which could be inhibited by the superoxide scavenger tempol, suggesting an important role of ROS in acute cytokine-induced permeability changes in the GFB.
Thresholds of cutaneous afferents related to perceptual threshold across the human foot sole
Authors: Strzalkowski Nicholas D. J. , Mildren Robyn L. , Bent Leah R.
Published: August 2015

Perceptual thresholds are known to vary across the foot sole, despite a reported even distribution in cutaneous afferents. Skin mechanical properties have been proposed to account for these differences; however, a direct relationship between foot sole afferent firing, perceptual threshold, and skin mechanical properties has not been previously investigated. Using the technique of microneurography, we recorded the monofilament firing thresholds of cutaneous afferents and associated perceptual thresholds across the foot sole. In addition, receptive field hardness measurements were taken to investigate the influence of skin hardness on these threshold measures. Afferents were identified as fast adapting [FAI ( n = 48) or FAII ( n = 13)] or slowly adapting [SAI ( n = 21) or SAII ( n = 20)], and were grouped based on receptive field location (heel, arch, metatarsals, toes). Overall, perceptual thresholds were found to most closely align with firing thresholds of FA afferents. In contrast, SAI and SAII afferent firing thresholds were found to be significantly higher than perceptual thresholds and are not thought to mediate monofilament perceptual threshold across the foot sole. Perceptual thresholds and FAI afferent firing thresholds were significantly lower in the arch compared with other regions, and skin hardness was found to positively correlate with both FAI and FAII afferent firing and perceptual thresholds. These data support a perceptual influence of skin hardness, which is likely the result of elevated FA afferent firing threshold at harder foot sole sites. The close coupling between FA afferent firing and perceptual threshold across foot sole indicates that small changes in FA afferent firing can influence perceptual thresholds.
Spirulina platensisLacks Antitumor Effect against Solid Ehrlich Carcinoma in Female Mice
Authors: Barakat Waleed , Elshazly Shimaa M. , Mahmoud Amr A. A.
Published: August 2015

Spirulina is a blue-green alga used as a dietary supplement. It has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective properties. This study was designed to evaluate the antitumor effect of spirulina (200 and 800 mg/kg) against a murine model of solid Ehrlich carcinoma compared to a standard chemotherapeutic drug, 5-fluorouracil (20 mg/kg). Untreated mice developed a palpable solid tumor after 13 days. Unlike fluorouracil, spirulina at the investigated two dose levels failed to exert any protective effect. In addition, spirulina did not potentiate the antitumor effect of fluorouracil when they were administered concurrently. Interestingly, their combined administration resulted in a dose-dependent increase in mortality. The present study demonstrates that spirulina lacks antitumor effect against this model of solid Ehrlich carcinoma and increased mortality when combined with fluorouracil. However, the implicated mechanism is still elusive.
Dynamic Assessment of Vibration of Tooth Modification Gearbox Using Grey Bootstrap Method
Authors: Wang Hui-liang , Deng Xiao-zhong , Li Ju-bo , Yang Jian-jun
Published: August 2015

The correlation analysis between gear modification and vibration characteristics of transmission system was difficult to quantify; a novel small sample vibration of gearbox prediction method based on grey system theory and bootstrap theory was presented. The method characterized vibration base feature of tooth modification gearbox by developing dynamic uncertainty, estimated true value, and systematic error measure, and these parameters could indirectly dynamically evaluate the effect of tooth modification. The method can evaluate the vibration signal of gearbox with installation of no tooth modification gear and topological modification gear, respectively, considering that 100% reliability is the constraints condition and minimum average uncertainty is the target value. Computer simulation and experiment results showed that vibration amplitude of gearbox was decreased partly due to topological tooth modification, and each value of average dynamic uncertainty, mean true value, and systematic error measure was smaller than the no tooth modification value. The study provided an important guide for tooth modification, dynamic performance optimization.