bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do guidelines offer implementation advice to target users? A systematic review of guideline applicability
Authors: Gagliardi Anna R , Brouwers Melissa C
Published: February 2015

Objective

Providers and patients are most likely to use and benefit from guidelines accompanied by implementation support. Guidelines published in 2007 and earlier assessed with the Appraisal of Guidelines, Research and Evaluation (AGREE) instrument scored poorly for applicability, which reflects the inclusion of implementation instructions or tools. The purpose of this study was to examine the applicability of guidelines published in 2008 or later and identify factors associated with applicability.

Design

Systematic review of studies that used AGREE to assess guidelines published in 2008 or later.

Data sources

MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched from 2008 to July 2014, and the reference lists of eligible items. Two individuals independently screened results for English language studies that reviewed guidelines using AGREE and reported all domain scores, and extracted data. Descriptive statistics were calculated across all domains. Multilevel regression analysis with a mixed effects model identified factors associated with applicability.

Results

Of 245 search results, 53 were retrieved as potentially relevant and 20 studies were eligible for review. The mean and median domain scores for applicability across 137 guidelines published in 2008 or later were 43.6% and 42.0% (IQR 21.8–63.0%), respectively. Applicability scored lower than all other domains, and did not markedly improve compared with guidelines published in 2007 or earlier. Country (UK) and type of developer (disease-specific foundation, non-profit healthcare system) appeared to be associated with applicability when assessed with AGREE II (not original AGREE).

Conclusions

Despite increasing recognition of the need for implementation tools, guidelines continue to lack such resources. To improve healthcare delivery and associated outcomes, further research is needed to establish the type of implementation tools needed and desired by healthcare providers and consumers, and methods for developing high-quality tools.
National survey of physicians to determine the effect of unconditional incentives on response rates of physician postal surveys
Authors: Abdulaziz Kasim , Brehaut Jamie , Taljaard Monica , Émond Marcel , Sirois Marie-Josée , Lee Jacques S , Wilding Laura , Perry Jeffrey J
Published: February 2015

Objectives

Physicians are a commonly targeted group in health research surveys, but their response rates are often relatively low. The goal of this paper was to evaluate the effect of unconditional incentives in the form of a coffee card on physician postal survey response rates.

Design

Following 13 key informant interviews and eight cognitive interviews a survey questionnaire was developed.

Participants

A random sample of 534 physicians, stratified by physician group (geriatricians, family physicians, emergency physicians) was selected from a national medical directory.

Setting

Using computer generated random numbers; half of the physicians in each stratum were allocated to receive a coffee card to a popular national coffee chain together with the first survey mailout.

Interventions

The intervention was a $10 Tim Hortons gift card given to half of the physicians who were randomly allocated to receive the incentive.

Results

265 (57.0%) physicians completed the survey. The response rate was significantly higher in the group allocated to receive the incentive (62.7% vs 51.3% in the control group; p=0.01).

Conclusions

Our results indicate that an unconditional incentive in the form of a coffee gift card can substantially improve physician response rates. Future research can look at the effect of varying amounts of cash on the gift cards on response rates.
A geospatial analysis of the relationship between neighbourhood socioeconomic status and adult severe injury in Greater Vancouver
Authors: Lawson Fiona , Schuurman Nadine , Amram Ofer , Nathens Avery B
Published: February 2015

Background

Every year, injuries cost the Canadian healthcare system billions of dollars and result in thousands of emergency room visits, hospitalisations and deaths. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between neighbourhood socioeconomic status (NSES) and the rates of all-cause, unintentional and intentional severe injury in Greater Vancouver adults. A second objective was to determine whether the identified associations were spatially consistent or non-stationary.

Methods

Severe injury cases occurring between 2001 and 2006 were identified using the British Columbia's Coroner's Service records and the British Columbia Trauma Registry, and mapped by census dissemination areas using a geographical information system. Descriptive statistics and exploratory spatial data analysis methods were used to gain a better understanding of the data sets and to explore the relationship between the rates of severe injury and two measures of NSES (social and material deprivation). Ordinary least squares and geographically weighted regression were used to model these relationships at the global and local levels.

Results

Inverse relationships were identified between both measures of NSES and the rates of severe injury with the strongest associations located in Greater Vancouver's most socioeconomically deprived neighbourhoods. Social deprivation was found to have a slightly stronger relationship with the rates of severe injury than material deprivation.

Conclusions

Results of this study suggest that policies and programmes aimed at reducing the burden of severe injury in Greater Vancouver should take into account social and material deprivation, and should target the most socioeconomically deprived neighbourhoods in Greater Vancouver.
A prospective study of the 1-year incidence of fibromyalgia after acute whiplash injury
Authors: Ferrari Robert
Published: February 2015

Objective

To measure the 1-year incidence of fibromyalgia in a cohort of acute whiplash-injured participants.

Methods

Consecutive acute patients with whiplash were assessed via the 2010 Modified American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for fibromyalgia at 3 months, 6 months and 1 year postinjury. At each of these follow-up points, participants were also examined for recovery from whiplash injury.

Results

Of an initial 268 participants, data on recovery was available for 264 participants during the 1-year follow-up period. At the 3-month follow-up, 62% (167/268) of participants reported recovery from their whiplash injuries. At 6 months, 76% (203/268) reported recovery, and at 1 year 82% (216/264) reported recovery. At 3 and 6 months follow-up none of the participants met the 2010 Modified ACR Criteria for fibromyalgia, but fibromyalgia criteria were met for 2 (of 264) seen at the 1-year follow-up, yielding a 1-year incidence of 0.8% (95% CI 0.1% to 3.0%).

Conclusions

In the primary care setting, a significant proportion of patients with whiplash recover from whiplash injury at 1 year, and the incidence of fibromyalgia after acute whiplash injury is very low. The impression that fibromyalgia is common after whiplash injury may be due to the failure to exclude precollision fibromyalgia cases or due to referral bias of non-recovered patients.
For patients with rheumatic disease and hepatitis C infection: the end of interferon
Authors: Calabrese Leonard H , Cacoub Patrice P
Published: February 2015

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global pathogen and is the cause of rare but complex rheumatic complications but more commonly exists as a challenging comorbidity for patients with existing rheumatic diseases. Until recently, the standard of care of HCV has been the use of interferon-based regimens, which not only have limited effectiveness in curing the underlying viral illness but are poorly tolerated and in patients with rheumatic diseases especially problematic given their association with a wide variety of autoimmune toxicities. Numerous and other more effective and better tolerated regimens are rapidly emerging incorporating direct acting antiviral agents that do not require the use of interferon, that is, interferon free. The potential of interferon free treatment of HCV makes screening for this comorbidity more important than ever. Rheumatologists need to be knowledgeable about these therapeutic advances and partner with hepatologists to craft the most efficacious and toxicity-free regimes possible.
Patient-reported improvements in health are maintained 2 years after completing a short course of cognitive behaviour therapy, exercise or both treatments for chronic widespread pain: long-term results from the MUSICIAN randomised controlled trial
Authors: Beasley Marcus , Prescott Gordon J , Scotland Graham , McBeth John , Lovell Karina , Keeley Phil , Hannaford Philip C , Symmons Deborah P M , MacDonald Ross I R , Woby Steve , Macfarlane Gary J
Published: February 2015

Objectives

The MUSICIAN study has previously shown short-term benefit but only marginal cost-effectiveness for two non-pharmacological interventions for chronic widespread pain (CWP). We wished to determine their long-term effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.

Methods

A 2×2 factorial randomised controlled trial based in primary care in the UK. People were eligible if they were aged ≥25 years with CWP for which they had consulted their general practitioner. The interventions were a 6-month telephone cognitive behaviour therapy (tCBT) and/or a tailored exercise programme, in comparison to usual care. The primary outcome was patient-reported change in health.

Results

884 persons were eligible, 442 were randomised and 81.7% were followed up 24 months post-treatment. In comparison to usual care (positive outcome 12.8%), tCBT (35.4%; OR 3.7 95% CI (1.8 to 8.0)), exercise (29.3%; OR 2.8 95% CI (1.3 to 6.0)) and both interventions (31.2%; OR 3.1 95% CI (1.3 to 6.0)) were significantly more effective. There was only a small decrease in effectiveness over time for individual and combined treatments. Those with more intense/disabling pain, higher distress and those who exhibited passive coping at baseline were more likely to have a positive outcome with tCBT than persons without these characteristics. tCBT was associated with the greatest increase in quality of life and lowest costs. Cost per quality adjusted life year was £3957–£5917 depending on method of analysis.

Conclusions

A short course of tCBT for people with CWP was effective long-term and was highly cost-effective. Exercise was also effective but delivered positive outcome for fewer patients at greater cost, and there was no advantage for patients receiving both interventions.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN67013851.
Seasonal cambial activity and wood formation in trees and lianas of Leguminosae growing in the Atlantic Forest: a comparative study
Authors: Brandes Arno Fritz das Neves , Lisi Claudio Sergio , da Silva Leonardo Davi S.A.B. , Rajput Kishore S. , Barros Cláudia Franca
Published: February 2015

Cambial activity and the formation of secondary xylem were investigated in the main stem of three arboreal leguminous species and one liana. To compare the seasonal vascular cambium behavior of these species, two methods were concurrently applied: induction of injury in the vascular cambium and anatomical analysis of the vascular cambium and adjacent zones (differentiation zone). One tree species, Pseudopiptadenia contorta (DC.) G.P.Lewis & M.P.Lima, was sampled in three forest formations: alluvial, submontane, and montane. Two more tree species, Apuleia leiocarpa (Vogel) J.F.Macbr. and Pseudopiptadenia leptostachya (Benth.) Rauschert, were sampled in submontane and montane forest, respectively. Dalbergia frutescens (Vell.) Britton var. frutescens, a liana, was sampled in montane forest. All species investigated showed distinctive formation of annual growth rings. Reactivation of the vascular cambium was observed at the end of spring, and it remained active during the summer. Thereafter, cambial activity either ceased or declined dramatically at the end of autumn. Similar to the tree species studied, cambial activity in D. frutescens var. frutescens showed similar seasonal cambial activity throughout the year. Based on both direct and indirect methods, our results showed that cambial activity and wood formation only occurred during the rainy season, suggesting the potential of these species for use in dendrochronological studies.
Effects ofDidymosphenia geminatablooms on benthic diatom assemblages in the Restigouche River Watershed, eastern Canada
Authors: Sivarajah Branaavan , Kurek Joshua , Rühland Kathleen M. , Smol John P.
Published: February 2015

Nuisance Didymosphenia geminata (Lyngbye) M. Schmidt (didymo) blooms were first reported in 2006 from the Restigouche River Watershed (RRW), eastern Canada. Although government agencies and recreational users are concerned about these blooms, little is known about the impact on biota and (or) the structure and function of the relatively pristine riverine systems of the RRW. Here, we assess whether didymo blooms affect overall benthic diatom assemblage composition by examining epilithic samples from middle stretches of the Patapedia and Upsalquitch rivers. Significant (albeit minor) differences (P < 0.05) in diatom assemblage composition between sites, with and without didymo blooms, were only observed from the Patapedia River. Rarefied diatom species diversity (Hill’s N2) and rarefied richness did not differ significantly among sites, regardless of the presence or absence of blooms. Our data show that didymo blooms have minimal effect on benthic diatom assemblage composition in the RRW.
Road users’ perception of roughness and the corresponding IRI threshold values
Authors: Tehrani Saleh Sharif , Falls Lynne Cowe , Mesher Darel
Published: February 2015

One of the primary objectives of highway agencies in Canada is providing a safe and reliable road network with a good level of service. In the Province of Alberta specific International Roughness Index (IRI) threshold values classify pavements into good, fair, and poor condition categories to manage and schedule rehabilitation and maintenance programs. This research investigated the significant factors that affect the perception of road roughness and established IRI threshold values for good, fair, and poor road condition based on public perception. A questionnaire was designed to investigate the road users’ perception and included questions covering gender, age, familiarity with the road, type and model of car, and perception of road roughness. In addition, psychometric scaling analysis was used to develop a set of IRI threshold values for classifying road condition based on public perception in the Province of Alberta. According to the results of the survey, Alberta Transportation threshold values of IRI do not agree with the road users’ opinion and an alternate set of threshold values was developed. The analysis of the survey results identified that trip purpose, driving experience, dry surface, and familiarity with the road are the most significant factors that influence the perception of road roughness.
Investigation of hydraulic parameters and cavitation in Kheir Abad flood release structure
Authors: Mohammadpour Zalaki Sajjad , Fathian Hosein , Zalaghi Ebrahim , Hormozi Farhad Kalantar
Published: February 2015

The simulation of flow behaviors before the construction of spillways using physical model and simulating packages is a crucial task. This paper investigates the flow behaviors in Kheir Abad flood release structure on Ab Shirin River, Iran by using Flow3D software and the results were compared with those of the physical model. First, by setting up a virtual model of spillway, the software performance was verified and calibrated. Then, by entering different flow discharge values, the two-dimensional flow hydraulics through the spillway was simulated by the software and flow depths, velocities and pressure were obtained for different flow discharges along the spillway. The cavitation was calculated based on the hydraulic parameters. The results show that Flow3D software is capable of simulating two-dimensional hydraulic flow over spillways. The results also indicate that the Kheir Abad flood release structure performs well during flood events considering cavitation.
Modeling and control of a quadrotor with variable geometry arms
Authors: Barbaraci Gabriele
Published: February 2015

The goal of this paper is to study the dynamics of a quadcopter using a variable geometry structure and discuss the advantages of using the geometry variation. A mathematical model has been described using simulation to show quadcopter dynamics. Based on the different geometric configurations of arms it is shown how the arms’ angles affect longitudinal and lateral dynamics. The design's assumptions refer to hovering and rotation with Euler angles. Simulation results show that both controllers stabilize the quadrotor and the amplitude of the vibrations is significantly decreased, compared to the vibration of a common quadcopter with fixed arms, by varying the arm's angle. The quadcopter remains stable and all Euler rotations are perfectly controlled.
Unmanned aerial systems: collaborative innovation to support emergency response
Authors: Terwilliger Brent , Vincenzi Dennis , Ison David
Published: February 2015

The utility and function of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) have continued to evolve in recent years, stimulated by conception of commercial (i.e., civil) opportunities. The onset of large-scale disaster events (e.g., wild fires, accidents, weather events, and nuclear, biological, chemical) contamination), can result in significant loss of life, damage to property and critical infrastructure, and disruption of service. The increasing effectiveness of UAS establishes a compelling case for providing expedited, economical, and flexible response to gain improved awareness of an emergency event and its effects. To reach the full potential of this technology, stakeholders from across the industry will need to make a concerted effort to collaboratively address potential concerns and issues.
The seismic risk perception questionnaire
Authors: Crescimbene M. , La Longa F. , Camassi R. , Pino N. A.
Published: February 2015

The communication of natural hazards and their consequences is one of the more relevant ethical issues faced by scientists. In the last few years, social studies have provided evidence that risk communication is strongly influenced by the risk perception of the public. A theory that offers an integrative approach to understanding and explaining risk perception is still missing. To explain risk perception, it is necessary to consider several perspectives: social, psychological and cultural perspectives and their interactions. In our opinion, the semantic differential method is one of the most suitable methods to understand all these aspects. A questionnaire on the perception of seismic risk has been constructed using this method. The questionnaire consists of an informative part and seven sections, respectively, dedicated to the following: hazard, vulnerability (home and workplace), exposure, institutions and community, earthquake phenomena, risk information and their sources and a comparison between seismic risk and other natural hazards. The questionnaire allows one to obtain a perception score for each factor: hazard, exposure, vulnerability, institutions and community and earthquake phenomena. In January 2013, the first survey was conducted in Italy; preliminary data are discussed. Improving our knowledge about the perception of seismic risk would allow us to plan activities in advance for the mitigation of seismic risk and for more effective strategies for risk communication.
Unlocking stranded resources in naturally fractured reservoirs using a novel approach to structural reconstructions and palaeostress field modelling: an example from the Hoton field, southern North Sea, UKCS
Authors: Bergbauer Stephan , Maerten Laurent
Published: February 2015

Remaining resources in mature basins, such as the southern North Sea (SNS), are often associated with complex or unconventional reservoirs. Unlocking the value of these resources requires non-conventional approaches to the description and the development of the reservoir. Originally developed as a conventional reservoir, the Hoton field in the SNS delivers economic rates from a tight and fractured Lower Leman Sandstone. The northern part of the field is developed via a trilateral producer, but the field's southern half, which appraisal drilling showed to consist of poor-quality rock, was deemed too tight for development. Roughly 40% of the field's resource of dry gas lies within the southern part of the field with no plans to develop it. A reassessment of the southern area's potential using geomechanical tools suggests that it also could deliver commercial well rates, similar to those experienced in the northern area of the field. A combination of structural restorations using Dynel2D and forward deformation modelling using Poly3D produces palaeostress predictions, which are used to constrain a discrete fracture network model. From these, well profiles are generated that suggest that a development well into the southern part of the field can recover about half of the currently stranded resource.
Vinpocetine modulates metabolic activity and function during retinal ischemia
Authors: Nivison-Smith Lisa , O'Brien Brendan J. , Truong Mai , Guo Cindy X. , Kalloniatis Michael , Acosta Monica L.
Published: February 2015

Vinpocetine protects against a range of degenerative conditions and insults of the central nervous system via multiple modes of action. Little is known, however, of its effects on metabolism. This may be highly relevant, as vinpocetine is highly protective against ischemia, a process that inhibits normal metabolic function. This study uses the ischemic retina as a model to characterize vinpocetine's effects on metabolism. Vinpocetine reduced the metabolic demand of the retina following ex vivo hypoxia and ischemia to normal levels based on lactate dehydrogenase activity. Vinpocetine delivered similar effects in an in vivo model of retinal ischemia-reperfusion, possibly through increasing glucose availability. Vinpocetine's effects on glucose also appeared to improve glutamate homeostasis in ischemic Müller cells. Other actions of vinpocetine following ischemia-reperfusion, such as reduced cell death and improved retinal function, were possibly a combination of the drug's actions on metabolism and other retinal pathways. Vinpocetine's metabolic effects appeared independent of its other known actions in ischemia, as it recovered retinal function in a separate metabolic model where the glutamate-to-glutamine metabolic pathway was inhibited in Müller cells. The results of this study indicate that vinpocetine mediates ischemic damage partly through altered metabolism and has potential beneficial effects as a treatment for ischemia of neuronal tissues.
High-altitude ancestry and hypoxia acclimation have distinct effects on exercise capacity and muscle phenotype in deer mice
Authors: Lui Mikaela A. , Mahalingam Sajeni , Patel Paras , Connaty Alex D. , Ivy Catherine M. , Cheviron Zachary A. , Storz Jay F. , McClelland Grant B. , Scott Graham R.
Published: February 2015

The hypoxic and cold environment at high altitudes requires that small mammals sustain high rates of O2transport for exercise and thermogenesis while facing a diminished O2availability. We used laboratory-born and -raised deer mice ( Peromyscus maniculatus) from highland and lowland populations to determine the interactive effects of ancestry and hypoxia acclimation on exercise performance. Maximal O2consumption (V̇o2max) during exercise in hypoxia increased after hypoxia acclimation (equivalent to the hypoxia at ∼4,300 m elevation for 6–8 wk) and was consistently greater in highlanders than in lowlanders. V̇o2maxduring exercise in normoxia was not affected by ancestry or acclimation. Highlanders also had consistently greater capillarity, oxidative fiber density, and maximal activities of oxidative enzymes (cytochrome c oxidase and citrate synthase) in the gastrocnemius muscle, lower lactate dehydrogenase activity in the gastrocnemius, and greater cytochrome c oxidase activity in the diaphragm. Hypoxia acclimation did not affect any of these muscle traits. The unique gastrocnemius phenotype of highlanders was associated with higher mRNA and protein abundances of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFA) transcript abundance was lower in highlanders, and hypoxia acclimation reduced the expression of numerous genes that regulate angiogenesis and energy metabolism, in contrast to the observed population differences in muscle phenotype. Lowlanders exhibited greater increases in blood hemoglobin content, hematocrit, and wet lung mass (but not dry lung mass) than highlanders after hypoxia acclimation. Genotypic adaptation to high altitude, therefore, improves exercise performance in hypoxia by mechanisms that are at least partially distinct from those underlying hypoxia acclimation.
A mathematical model of rat proximal tubule and loop of Henle
Authors: Weinstein Alan M.
Published: February 2015

Proximal tubule and loop of Henle function are coupled, with proximal transport determining loop fluid composition, and loop transport modulating glomerular filtration via tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF). To examine this interaction, we begin with published models of the superficial rat proximal convoluted tubule (PCT; including flow-dependent transport in a compliant tubule), and the rat thick ascending Henle limb (AHL). Transport parameters for this PCT are scaled down to represent the proximal straight tubule (PST), which is connected to the thick AHL via a short descending limb. Transport parameters for superficial PCT and PST are scaled up for a juxtamedullary nephron, and connected to AHL via outer and inner medullary descending limbs, and inner medullary thin AHL. Medullary interstitial solute concentrations are specified. End-AHL hydrostatic pressure is determined by distal nephron flow resistance, and the TGF signal is represented as a linear function of end-AHL cytosolic Cl concentration. These two distal conditions required iterative solution of the model. Model calculations capture inner medullary countercurrent flux of urea, and also suggest the presence of an outer medullary countercurrent flux of ammonia, with reabsorption in AHL and secretion in PST. For a realistically strong TGF signal, there is the expected homeostatic impact on distal flows, and in addition, a homeostatic effect on proximal tubule pressure. The model glycosuria threshold is compatible with rat data, and predicted glucose excretion with selective 1Na+:1glucose cotransporter (SGLT2) inhibition comports with observations in the mouse. Model calculations suggest that enhanced proximal tubule Na+reabsorption during hyperglycemia is sufficient to activate TGF and contribute to diabetic hyperfiltration.
Spinal stimulation of the upper lumbar spinal cord modulates urethral sphincter activity in rats after spinal cord injury
Authors: Abud Edsel M. , Ichiyama Ronaldo M. , Havton Leif A. , Chang Huiyi H.
Published: February 2015

After spinal cord injury (SCI), the neurogenic bladder is observed to develop asynchronous bladder and external urethral sphincter (EUS) contractions in a condition known as detrusor-sphincter dyssnergia (DSD). Activation of the EUS spinal controlling center located at the upper lumbar spinal cord may contribute to reduce EUS dyssynergic contractions and decrease urethral resistance during voiding. However, this mechanism has not been well studied. This study aimed at evaluating the effects of epidural stimulation (EpS) over the spinal EUS controlling center (L3) in combination with a serotonergic receptor agonist on EUS relaxation in naive rats and chronic (6–8 wk) T8 SCI rats. Cystometrogram and EUS electromyography (EMG) were obtained before and after the intravenous administration of 5HT-1A receptor agonist and antagonist. The latency, duration, frequency, amplitude, and area under curve of EpS-evoked EUS EMG responses were analyzed. EpS on L3 evoked an inhibition of EUS tonic contraction and an excitation of EUS intermittent bursting/relaxation correlating with urine expulsion in intact rats. Combined with a 5HT-1A receptor agonist, EpS on L3 evoked a similar effect in chronic T8 SCI rats to reduce urethral contraction (resistance). This study examined the effect of facilitating the EUS spinal controlling center to switch between urine storage and voiding phases by using EpS and a serotonergic receptor agonist. This novel approach of applying EpS on the EUS controlling center modulates EUS contraction and relaxation as well as reduces urethral resistance during voiding in chronic SCI rats with DSD.
Neural basis of decision making guided by emotional outcomes
Authors: Katahira Kentaro , Matsuda Yoshi-Taka , Fujimura Tomomi , Ueno Kenichi , Asamizuya Takeshi , Suzuki Chisato , Cheng Kang , Okanoya Kazuo , Okada Masato
Published: February 2015

Emotional events resulting from a choice influence an individual's subsequent decision making. Although the relationship between emotion and decision making has been widely discussed, previous studies have mainly investigated decision outcomes that can easily be mapped to reward and punishment, including monetary gain/loss, gustatory stimuli, and pain. These studies regard emotion as a modulator of decision making that can be made rationally in the absence of emotions. In our daily lives, however, we often encounter various emotional events that affect decisions by themselves, and mapping the events to a reward or punishment is often not straightforward. In this study, we investigated the neural substrates of how such emotional decision outcomes affect subsequent decision making. By using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we measured brain activities of humans during a stochastic decision-making task in which various emotional pictures were presented as decision outcomes. We found that pleasant pictures differentially activated the midbrain, fusiform gyrus, and parahippocampal gyrus, whereas unpleasant pictures differentially activated the ventral striatum, compared with neutral pictures. We assumed that the emotional decision outcomes affect the subsequent decision by updating the value of the options, a process modeled by reinforcement learning models, and that the brain regions representing the prediction error that drives the reinforcement learning are involved in guiding subsequent decisions. We found that some regions of the striatum and the insula were separately correlated with the prediction error for either pleasant pictures or unpleasant pictures, whereas the precuneus was correlated with prediction errors for both pleasant and unpleasant pictures.
Diverse cortical codes for scene segmentation in primate auditory cortex
Authors: Malone Brian J. , Scott Brian H. , Semple Malcolm N.
Published: February 2015

The temporal coherence of amplitude fluctuations is a critical cue for segmentation of complex auditory scenes. The auditory system must accurately demarcate the onsets and offsets of acoustic signals. We explored how and how well the timing of onsets and offsets of gated tones are encoded by auditory cortical neurons in awake rhesus macaques. Temporal features of this representation were isolated by presenting otherwise identical pure tones of differing durations. Cortical response patterns were diverse, including selective encoding of onset and offset transients, tonic firing, and sustained suppression. Spike train classification methods revealed that many neurons robustly encoded tone duration despite substantial diversity in the encoding process. Excellent discrimination performance was achieved by neurons whose responses were primarily phasic at tone offset and by those that responded robustly while the tone persisted. Although diverse cortical response patterns converged on effective duration discrimination, this diversity significantly constrained the utility of decoding models referenced to a spiking pattern averaged across all responses or averaged within the same response category. Using maximum likelihood-based decoding models, we demonstrated that the spike train recorded in a single trial could support direct estimation of stimulus onset and offset. Comparisons between different decoding models established the substantial contribution of bursts of activity at sound onset and offset to demarcating the temporal boundaries of gated tones. Our results indicate that relatively few neurons suffice to provide temporally precise estimates of such auditory “edges,” particularly for models that assume and exploit the heterogeneity of neural responses in awake cortex.
Isoflurane abolishes spontaneous firing of serotonin neurons and masks their pH/CO2chemosensitivity
Authors: Massey Cory A. , Iceman Kimberly E. , Johansen Sara L. , Wu Yuanming , Harris Michael B. , Richerson George B.
Published: February 2015

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) neurons from the mouse and rat rostral medulla are stimulated by increased CO2when studied in culture or brain slices. However, the response of 5-HT neurons has been variable when animals are exposed to hypercapnia in vivo. Here we examined whether halogenated inhalational anesthetics, which activate TWIK-related acid-sensitive K+(TASK) channels, could mask an effect of CO2on 5-HT neurons. During in vivo plethysmography in mice, isoflurane (1%) markedly reduced the hypercapnic ventilatory response (HCVR) by 78–96% depending upon mouse strain and ambient temperature. In a perfused rat brain stem preparation, isoflurane (1%) reduced or silenced spontaneous firing of medullary 5-HT neurons in situ and abolished their responses to elevated perfusate Pco2. In dissociated cell cultures, isoflurane (1%) hyperpolarized 5-HT neurons by 6.52 ± 3.94 mV and inhibited spontaneous firing. A subsequent decrease in pH from 7.4 to 7.2 depolarized neurons by 4.07 ± 2.10 mV, but that was insufficient to reach threshold for firing. Depolarizing current restored baseline firing and the firing frequency response to acidosis, indicating that isoflurane did not block the underlying mechanisms mediating chemosensitivity. These results demonstrate that isoflurane masks 5-HT neuron chemosensitivity in vitro and in situ and markedly decreases the HCVR in vivo. The use of this class of anesthetic has a particularly potent inhibitory effect on chemosensitivity of 5-HT neurons.
The Clinical Efficacy and Safety of the Sahastara Remedy versus Diclofenac in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Double-Blind, Randomized, and Controlled Trial
Authors: Pinsornsak Piya , Kanokkangsadal Puritat , Itharat Arunporn
Published: February 2015

Introduction. The Sahastara (SHT) remedy is a Thai traditional medicine that has been acknowledged in the Thai National List of Essential Medicine and has been used as an alternative medicine to treat knee osteoarthritis. Although SHT remedies have been used in Thai traditional medical practices for a long period of time, there are few reports on their clinical trials.Aim of the Study. To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of the SHT remedy in treating OA of the knee when compared to diclofenac.Methods. A phase 2, double-blind, randomized, and controlled trial study with a purpose to determine the clinical efficacy and safety of SHT in comparison with diclofenac for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Sixty-six patients, ages between 45 and 80 years of age, were randomly allocated into 2 groups. The SHT group received 1,000 mg of SHT powdered capsules 3 times per day, orally before meals, while another group received 25 mg of diclofenac sodium capsules 3 times a day, orally after meals for 28 days. All patients were followed up at 14 and 28 days for the evaluation of the efficacy and safety by using clinical examinations, blood tests, a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, and the 100-meter walktime test. Improvement on the quality of life was also assessed by the WOMAC index.Results. There were 31 and 30 patients in SHT and diclofenac groups, respectively, who had completed the study. Both medications have shown to significantly reduce the VAS for pain, and significantly improve the 100-meter walktime test and the WOMAC index score. However, there were no differences in the efficacy between the two groups. The blood chemistry showed no toxicity on renal and/or liver functions after taking SHT for 28 days but the patients who took diclofenac showed significant increases in their AST, ALT, and ALP. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure slightly increased in the diclofenac group but the SHT group did not effect on blood pressure.Conclusions. The SHT remedy is similar to diclofenac in all evaluating symptoms of OA knee. However, the SHT remedy has shown to be a good alternative treatment for OA knee with less systemic side effects when it was compared with diclofenac.
Hyperplastic Cardiac Sarcoma Recurrence
Authors: Shariff Masood A. , Abreu Juan A. , Durrani Farida , Daniele Eddie , Bowman Kimberly C. , Sadel Scott , Asgarian Kourosh T. , McGinn Joseph T. , Nabagiez John P.
Published: February 2015

Primary cardiac sarcomas are rare tumors with a median survival of 6–12 months. Data suggest that an aggressive multidisciplinary approach may improve patient outcome. We present the case of a male who underwent resection of cardiac sarcoma three times from the age of 32 to 34. This report discusses the malignant nature of cardiac sarcoma and the importance of postoperative multidisciplinary care.
Growth of BiFeO3 Microcylinders under a Hydrothermal Condition
Authors: Di L. J. , Yang H. , Xian T. , Ma J. Y. , Zhang H. M. , Jiang J. L. , Wei Z. Q. , Feng W. J.
Published: February 2015

BiFeO3 microcylinders were synthesized via a hydrothermal condition. SEM observation reveals that with increasing the hydrothermal reaction time from 6 to 15 h, the microcylinders grow from ~0.7 to ~4.1 μm in height, whereas their diameter remains to be 3.7‐3.8 μm with a minor change. The microcylinders are mainly made up of sphere‐like grains of 100–150 nm in size. A possible growth mechanism of the BiFeO3 microcylinders is proposed. The photocatalytic activity of the as‐prepared BiFeO3 samples was evaluated by the degradation of acid orange 7 under simulated sunlight irradiation, revealing that they possess an appreciable photocatalytic activity. Magnetic hysteresis loop measurement shows that the BiFeO3 microcylinders exhibit a typical antiferromagnetic behavior at room temperature.
Ameliorative Effect of Allopurinol on Vascular Complications of Insulin Resistance
Authors: El-Bassossy Hany M. , Elberry Ahmed A. , Azhar Ahmad , Ghareib Salah A. , Alahdal Abdulrahman M.
Published: February 2015

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the possible protective effect of allopurinol (Allo) on experimentally induced insulin resistance (IR) and vascular complications. Rats were divided into four groups: control, IR, allopurinol-treated IR (IR-Allo), and allopurinol-treated control (Allo). IR was induced by adding fructose and high fat, high salt diet for 12 weeks. The results showed that Allo has alleviated the increased level of TNF-αand the systolic, diastolic, mean, and notch pressure observed in IR with no change in pulse pressure. In addition, Allo decreased the heart rate in the treated group compared to IR rats. On the other hand, it has no effect on increased levels of insulin, glucose, fructosamine, or body weight gain compared to IR group, while it increased significantly the insulin level and body weight without hyperglycemia in the control group. Moreover, Allo treatment ameliorated increased level of 4HNE, Ang II, and Ang R1. In conclusion, the results of the current study show that Allo has a protective effect on vascular complications of IR which may be attributed to the effect of Allo on decreasing the TNF-α, 4HNE, Ang II, and Ang R1 as well as increasing the level of insulin secretion.
Estimating the Attack Rate of Pregnancy-Associated Listeriosis during a Large Outbreak
Authors: Imanishi Maho , Routh Janell A. , Klaber Marigny , Gu Weidong , Vanselow Michelle S. , Jackson Kelly A. , Sullivan-Chang Loretta , Heinrichs Gretchen , Jain Neena , Albanese Bernadette , Callaghan William M. , Mahon Barbara E. , Silk Benjamin J.
Published: February 2015

Background. In 2011, a multistate outbreak of listeriosis linked to contaminated cantaloupes raised concerns that many pregnant women might have been exposed toListeria monocytogenes. Listeriosis during pregnancy can cause fetal death, premature delivery, and neonatal sepsis and meningitis. Little information is available to guide healthcare providers who care for asymptomatic pregnant women with suspectedL. monocytogenesexposure.Methods. We tracked pregnancy-associated listeriosis cases using reportable diseases surveillance and enhanced surveillance for fetal death using vital records and inpatient fetal deaths data in Colorado. We surveyed 1,060 pregnant women about symptoms and exposures. We developed three methods to estimate how many pregnant women in Colorado ate the implicated cantaloupes, and we calculated attack rates.Results. One laboratory-confirmed case of listeriosis was associated with pregnancy. The fetal death rate did not increase significantly compared to preoutbreak periods. Approximately 6,500–12,000 pregnant women in Colorado might have eaten the contaminated cantaloupes, an attack rate of ~1 per 10,000 exposed pregnant women.Conclusions. Despite many exposures, the risk of pregnancy-associated listeriosis was low. Our methods for estimating attack rates may help during future outbreaks and product recalls. Our findings offer relevant considerations for management of asymptomatic pregnant women with possibleL. monocytogenesexposure.
An Appraisal of Power-Minimizing Control Algorithms for Active Magnetic Bearings
Authors: Yoo Seong-yeol , Noh Myounggyu D.
Published: February 2015

Active magnetic bearings consume much less power than conventional passive bearings, especially when power-minimizing controllers are employed. Several power-minimizing controllers have been proposed, such as variable bias controllers and switching controllers. In this paper, we present an appraisal of the power-minimizing control algorithms for active magnetic bearings in an attempt to provide an objective guideline on the merits of the control algorithms. In order for the appraisal, we develop an unified and consistent model of active magnetic bearing systems. The performances of the power-minimizing controllers are assessed through this model. The results show that the power-minimizing controllers indeed save considerable power when the machine state is relatively steady. However, a simple proportional-derivative type controller is on a par with the much more complex power-minimizing controllers in terms of power consumption when the machine is experiencing transient loads.
Stability-Indicating Photochemical Method for the Assay of Riboflavin: Lumichrome Method
Authors: Ahmad Iqbal , Abbas Syed Haider , Anwar Zubair , Sheraz Muhammad Ali , Ahmed Sofia , Arsalan Adeel , Bano Raheela
Published: February 2015

A stability-indicating photochemical method for the assay of riboflavin (RF) in photodegraded samples and aged vitamin preparations has been developed. It is based on photochemical conversion of RF to lumichrome (LC) in alkaline solution under controlled conditions of light intensity, temperature, pH, time of exposure, and distance. Under these conditions about two-thirds of RF is converted to LC and on the basis of the RF : LC ratio the concentration of RF can be determined in degraded solutions. The method involves the extraction of photolyzed solutions of RF (pH 2.0) with chloroform and determination of LC along with lumiflavin (LF) by a two-component spectrometric method at 356 and 445 nm. The method has been validated and the results of the assay of RF in photodegraded solutions compare well with those of the standard USP fluorimetric method. The recovery of the method is 99–101% and the precision is within 2%. The method is stability-indicating and can be applied to the assay of RF in photodegraded solutions and aged vitamin preparations. The method is specific compared to that of the USP fluorimetric method in which the degraded LC may interfere with the fluorescence emission of RF.
A Bayesian Inferential Approach to Quantify the Transmission Intensity of Disease Outbreak
Authors: Kadi Adiveppa S. , Avaradi Shivakumari R.
Published: February 2015

Background. Emergence of infectious diseases like influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009 has become great concern, which posed new challenges to the health authorities worldwide. To control these diseases various studies have been developed in the field of mathematical modelling, which is useful tool for understanding the epidemiological dynamics and their dependence on social mixing patterns.Method. We have used Bayesian approach to quantify the disease outbreak through key epidemiological parameter basic reproduction number (R0), using effective contacts, defined as sum of the product of incidence cases and probability of generation time distribution. We have estimatedR0from daily case incidence data for pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 in India, for the initial phase.Result. The estimatedR0with 95% credible interval is consistent with several other studies on the same strain. Through sensitivity analysis our study indicates that infectiousness affects the estimate ofR0.Conclusion. Basic reproduction numberR0provides the useful information to the public health system to do some effort in controlling the disease by using mitigation strategies like vaccination, quarantine, and so forth.
Specimen Test of Large-Heat-Input Fusion Welding Method for Use of SM570TMCP
Authors: Lee Dongkyu , Shin Soomi
Published: February 2015

In this research, the large-heat-input welding conditions optimized to use the rear plate and the high-performance steel of SM570TMCP, a new kind of steel suitable for the requirements of prospective customers, are proposed. The goal of this research is to contribute to securing the welding fabrication optimized to use the high-strength steel and rear steel plates in the field of construction industry in the future. This research is judged to contribute to securing the welding fabrication optimized to use the high-strength steel and rear steel plates in the field of construction industry in the future.
Antithyroid Antibodies and Thyroid Function in Pediatric Patients with Celiac Disease
Authors: Kalyoncu Derya , Urganci Nafiye
Published: February 2015

Objective. Aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease, persistence of antithyroid antibodies, effect of gluten-free diet, and long-term outcome of thyroid function in pediatric patients with celiac disease (CD).Methods. 67 patients with CD aged from 1 year to 16 years were screened for thyroid antithyroperoxidase, antithyroglobulin and anti-TSH receptor antibodies, serum free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) at diagnosis and during follow-up.Results. None of the patients had antithyroid antibodies at diagnosis. Antithyroid antibodies became positive in 16.4% of the patients (11/67) 2 to 3 years after the diagnosis of CD. Clinical hypothyroidism was observed only in 3 of 11 CD patients with positive antithyroid antibodies (27.2%). The antithyroid antibodies positive and negative patients did not differ significantly according to compliance to GFD (P>0.05). A statistically significant difference was observed only in age, in which the patients with positive antithyroid antibodies were younger than the patients with negative antithyroid antibodies (P=0.004). None of the patients had any change in their thyroid function and antibody profile during their follow-up.Conclusion. Antithyroid antibodies were detected in younger pediatric patients with CD and the prevalence of antithyroid antibodies did not correlate with the duration of gluten intake.