bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adjustable versus non‐adjustable male sling for post‐prostatectomy urinary incontinence: A prospective clinical trial comparing patient choice, clinical outcomes and satisfaction rate with a minimum follow up of 24 months
Authors: Chung Eric , Smith Philip , Malone Gregory , Cartmill Ross
Published: February 2015

Aims

To review the patient choice, clinical outcomes and satisfaction rate between adjustable and non‐adjustable male sling (MS) with a minimum follow up of 24 months.

Methods

A prospective review of clinical parameters in all male patients who underwent MS surgery between January 2009 and December 2011 was undertaken. Validated instruments were utilized in the follow‐up survey.

Results

A total of 44 MS were inserted with 25 men choosing adjustable Argus (Promedon, Cordoba, Argentina) and 19 men received non‐adjustable AdVance (American Medical Systems, Minnetonka, MN) MS. The mean age and follow‐up for men in the Argus group were 65.4 years and 36.2 months, and in AdVance group were 63.8 years and 33.1 months. Revision surgery was performed in six Argus MS for recurrent urinary incontinence. Social continence (defined as 0 to 1 urinary pad use) was achieved in 23 patients (92%) with Argus MS and 16 patients (84%) with AdVance MS (P = 0.45). The overall satisfaction rate on a 5‐point scale was 4.5 in Argus and 4.3 in AdVance patients, and there was no significant difference in the PGI‐I score between the two groups (P = 0.36). Kaplan–Meier analysis of urinary continence and patient satisfaction rates were not statistically significant between Argus and AdVance slings (P = 0.76 and P = 0.38).

Conclusions

Given the choice between the two types of MS, more men chose adjustable Argus over non‐adjustable AdVance sling. There was no significant difference in the clinical outcome, social continence and overall patient satisfaction rates between the two types of MS in the short term. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:482–486, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Optimal service‐capacity allocation in a loss system
Authors: Hassin Refael , Shaki Yair Y. , Yovel Uri
Published: February 2015

We consider a loss system with a fixed budget for servers. The system owner's problem is choosing the price, and selecting the number and quality of the servers, in order to maximize profits, subject to a budget constraint. We solve the problem with identical and different service rates as well as with preemptive and nonpreemptive policies. In addition, when the policy is preemptive, we prove the following conservation law: the distribution of the total service time for a customer entering the slowest server is hyperexponential with expectation equal to the average service rate independent of the allocation of the capacity. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 62: 81–97, 2015
A high order accurate numerical method for solving two‐dimensional dual‐phase‐lagging equation with temperature jump boundary condition in nanoheat conduction
Authors: Sun Hong , Du Rui , Dai Weizhong , Sun Zhi‐zhong
Published: February 2015

Dual‐phase‐lagging (DPL) equation with temperature jump boundary condition (Robin's boundary condition) shows promising for analyzing nanoheat conduction. For solving it, development of higher‐order accurate and unconditionally stable (no restriction on the mesh ratio) numerical schemes is important. Because the grid size may be very small at nanoscale, using a higher‐order accurate scheme will allow us to choose a relative coarse grid and obtain a reasonable solution. For this purpose, recently we have presented a higher‐order accurate and unconditionally stable compact finite difference scheme for solving one‐dimensional DPL equation with temperature jump boundary condition. In this article, we extend our study to a two‐dimensional case and develop a fourth‐order accurate compact finite difference method in space coupled with the Crank–Nicolson method in time, where the Robin's boundary condition is approximated using a third‐order accurate compact method. The overall scheme is proved to be unconditionally stable and convergent with the convergence rate of fourth‐order in space and second‐order in time. Numerical errors and convergence rates of the solution are tested by two examples. Numerical results coincide with the theoretical analysis. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 31: 1742–1768, 2015
Sensors for Terahertz Spectroscopy and Quantum Cascade Lasers
Authors: Dröscher Susanne , Gonnert Manfred
Published: February 2015

High‐precision laser power measurement plays a crucial role in many laser applications, be it in the lab or in industrial settings. Only if the power of a laser can be measured precisely, the laser can be used correctly. The precise measurement of infrared lasers, for example quantum cascade lasers, and terahertz radiation used to be challenging because of a lack of adequate measurement tools. A novel measurement solution developed by Thorlabs GmbH now closes this gap. In collaboration with greenTEG AG, an ETH Zurich spin‐off, Thorlabs developed a measurement head, which detects the power in the low μW‐range independently of the wavelength of the laser. A low rise time of less than a second guarantees fast measurement results.
What Bit Depth for my Camera?
Authors: Holst Gerhard
Published: February 2015

We live in an 8‐bit world. Printers and computer screens, and also the human eye, are set to eight bits, i.e., 256 shades of brightness. For many applications however, it is recommendable to work with a wider dynamic range in order to gain more information from an image. But sometimes people complain at camera manufacturers' fair stands because they are not used to processing image data with higher dynamic range. Quite often in such cases, there is no problem with image quality but rather with the necessary know how to use the image data correctly.
Darkfield Microscopy with High­Power LED Illumination
Authors: Haus Jörg
Published: February 2015

In traditional wide‐field microscopy, specimens are often stained to make certain object details visible. There are, however, circumstances under which such a procedure is either impossible or not desired. This is where more sophisticated contrasting techniques enter the scene. Probably the oldest of these is darkfield microscopy.
Digital Revolution in Laser Control
Authors: Lang Marion , Neuhaus Rudolf , Stuhler Jürgen
Published: February 2015

With a newly‐developed generation of control electronics for diode lasers, modern concepts such as intuitive multi‐touch operation or computersupported remote control are conquering laser laboratories worldwide. Simultaneously, the reduction of laser noise and drift has reached new records.
Optical 3D Surface Measuring Technology
Authors: Hamann Gernot
Published: February 2015

For surface inspections that are indispensable in many of today's industries, the trend is heading toward smaller and smaller structures that must be reproduced or resolved accurately at nanometer level. Optical measurement processes as contact‐free and destruction‐free analysis and test methods are chosen for many applications because they can be applied to almost all materials and are also suitable for sensitive samples. Highly precise, confocal reproduction principles can present the sample topography and roughness structures not only qualitatively, but also correspondingly quantitatively using matching tactile measurement methods that are described in many industry standards. Piezo‐based positioning systems are making considerable contributions in this field.
Preparation and properties of successive alkali treated completely biodegradable short jute fiber reinforced PLA composites
Authors: Gunti Rajesh , Ratna Prasad A.V. , Gupta A.V.S.S.K.S.
Published: February 2015

The natural fiber reinforced biodegradable polymer composites were prepared with short jute fiber as reinforcement in PLA (Poly lactic acid) matrix. The short jute fiber is successively treated with NaOH at various concentrations (5%, 10%, and 15%) and H2O2. The composites were prepared with untreated and treated short jute fibers at different weight proportions (up to 25%) in PLA and investigated for mechanical properties. The results showed that the composite with successive alkali treated jute fiber at 10% NaOH and H2O2 with 20% fiber loading has shown 18% higher flexural strength than neat PLA and untreated jute/PLA composite. The flexural modulus of the composite at 25% fiber loading was 125% and 110% higher than that of composites with untreated fibers and neat PLA, respectively. The impact strength of composite with untreated fibers at higher fiber weight fraction was 23% high as compared to neat PLA and 26% high compared to composite with treated fibers. The water absorption was more for untreated jute/PLA composite at 25% fiber loading than all other composites. The composite with untreated fibers has high thermal degradation compared with treated fibers but lower than that of pure PLA matrix. The enzymatic environment has increased the rate of degradation of composites as compared to soil burial. Surface morphology of biodegraded surfaces of the composites were studied using SEM method. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:2160–2170, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Molecular design strategies for voltage modulation in highly efficient polymer solar cells
Authors: Zhang Hao , Ye Long , Hou Jianhui
Published: February 2015

Open‐circuit voltage (Voc) is one of the key parameters in determining the photovoltaic performance of polymer solar cells (PSCs). Although significant advances in materials and device physics of PSCs have been achieved in the past decade, the low Voc values still hamper the enhancement of power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of PSCs based on the widely known polymers like polythiophenes (PTs) and poly(benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene‐co‐thieno[3,4‐b]thiophene) (PBDTTT) polymers. In order to pursue high PCE, more efforts should be directed towards improving Voc through molecular design of conjugated polymers, i.e. to reduce the highest occupied molecular orbital levels without sacrificing optical absorption properties. In this mini‐review, some feasible and effective strategies, such as inserting conjugated side groups with various electron‐withdrawing effects, manipulating alkyl chains and introducing functional substituents, to improve Voc of PSCs based on some highly efficient photovoltaic polymers, especially PTs and PBDTTT polymers, are summarized and discussed. Owing to these strategies, PCEs of PSCs based on PTs and PBDTTT polymers can be further boosted to ca 7% and ca 10%, respectively. Apparently, these strategies offer opportunities for achieving new breakthroughs in other π‐conjugated photovoltaic materials. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Health Survey for England 2013: the use of prescribed medicines
Authors: Chaplin Steve
Published: February 2015

In 2013, for the first time, the annual Health Survey for England sought information on medicines use within the community. Here we examine the results.
Advances in the diagnosis and management of dyslipidaemia
Authors: Teoh Yee Ping
Published: February 2015

Tackling the early stages of dyslipidaemia can help in the reduction of the risk of CVD. Our drug review outlines primary and secondary prevention measures and the need for patient‐centred care which includes individual assessment of overall cardiovascular risk, followed by an analysis of the prescription data
A profile of the various forms of urticaria and how to treat them
Authors: Sabroe Ruth A
Published: February 2015

There are various types of urticaria and, while generally easy to diagnose, it can be confusing. It is also important to recognise when to refer to secondary care.
Scaling of Lennard–Jones liquid elastic moduli, viscoelasticity and other properties along fluid–solid coexistence
Authors: Heyes D. M. , Dini D. , Brańka A. C.
Published: February 2015

Static and dynamical properties of the Lennard–Jones (LJ) fluid along the fluid–solid coexistence line are determined by molecular dynamics simulation. A number of properties, such as the radial distribution function, Einstein frequency, mean force, root mean square force, and normalised time correlation functions are shown to be essentially invariant or structurally isomorphic along this line when scaled by so‐called macroscopic variables (MRU). Other quantities subject to MRU such as the potential energy, pressure and infinite frequency compressional modulus are not constant along this line of states but can be reproduced using simple formulae of the form for Roskilde fluids. The elastic moduli fall within the domain of isomorphism theory. A generalised Cauchy relationship in which the infinite frequency longitudinal modulus is proportional to the longitudinal modulus of the fluid was found to be obeyed very well for the LJ fluid phase along this coexistence line.
Efficient Perovskite Hybrid Solar Cells Through a Homogeneous High‐Quality Organolead Iodide Layer
Authors: Wang Kai , Liu Chang , Du Pengcheng , Zhang Hao‐Li , Gong Xiong
Published: February 2015

Fabricating homogeneous and high‐quality perovskite thin films via low‐temperature solution processing is a challenge to realizing high‐efficiency perovskite hybrid solar cells (pero‐HSCs). Here, an approach is reported to realize smooth surface morphology of methylammonium lead iodide (CH3NH3PbI3) perovskite thin films via using strong‐polar ethanol solution rather than less‐polar isopropanol solution, which was previously used as the solvent for preparing perovskite thin films. In comparison with the pero‐HSCs processed from isopropanol solution, more than 40% enhanced efficiency is observed from pero‐HSCs processed from ethanol solution. The enhanced efficiency is attributed to a homogeneous high‐quality perovskite thin film with dramatically low root‐mean‐square roughness and completely conversion of lead (II) iodide (PbI2) to CH3NH3PbI3. The findings provide a simple way to realize high‐efficiency high‐reproducible pero‐HSCs.
Ultrafast Tracking of a Single Live Virion During the Invagination of a Cell Membrane
Authors: Pan Yangang , Wang Shaowen , Shan Yuping , Zhang Dinglin , Gao Jing , Zhang Min , Liu Shuheng , Cai Mingjun , Xu Haijiao , Li Guohui , Qin Qiwei , Wang Hongda
Published: February 2015

The first step in most viral infections is the penetration of the cell membrane via endocytosis. However, the underlying mechanism of this important process has not been quantitatively characterized; for example, the velocity and force of a single virion during invagination remain unknown. Here, the endocytosis of a single live virion (Singapore grouper iridovirus, SGIV) through the apical membranes of a host cell is monitored by developing and using a novel ultrafast (at the microsecond level) tracking technique: force tracing. For the first time, these results unambiguously reveal that the maximum velocity during the cell entry of a single SGIV by membrane invagination is approximately 200 nm s−1, the endocytic force is approximately 60.8 ± 18.5 pN, and the binding energy density increases with the engulfment depth. This report utilizing high temporospatial resolution (subnanometer and microsecond levels) approaches provides new insight into the dynamic process of viral infection via endocytosis and the mechanism of membrane invagination at the single‐particle level.
New information on the morphology and stratigraphic range of the mid‐Permian gorgonopsian Eriphostoma microdon Broom, 1911
Authors: Kammerer Christian F. , Smith Roger M. H. , Day Michael O. , Rubidge Bruce S.
Published: February 2015

New specimens of the oldest gorgonopsian taxon Eriphostoma microdon from the Pristerognathus Assemblage Zone (AZ) of South Africa significantly improve our understanding of the anatomy of this taxon. The new specimens consist of nearly complete skulls and lower jaws and allow for a more complete diagnosis of Eriphostoma than was possible based on the poorly preserved holotype. In addition to the characteristic palatal dentition and delta‐shaped palatine bosses previously recognized for Eriphostoma, this taxon can be diagnosed by the presence of three close‐packed upper postcanines occupying an indented margin of the maxilla, a large, tetragonal‐to‐rounded preparietal bone, and large, paired interorbital depressions expanding outwards in front of the pineal boss. The revised diagnosis permits Eoarctops vanderbyli, Galesuchus gracilis, and Scylacognathus parvus to be synonymized with Eriphostoma microdon, as previously suspected. Among gorgonopsians, Eriphostoma is most similar to Aelurosaurus and Gorgonops, although these similarities are likely plesiomorphic for Gorgonopsia. Eriphostoma ranges from the Tapinocephalus AZ (where it is the only valid gorgonopsian known from the Karoo Basin) through the Pristerognathus AZ (where it co‐occurs with Gorgonops).
Manufacture of Gradient Microstructures of Magnesium Alloys Using Two‐Stage Extrusion Dies
Authors: Hwang Yeong‐Maw , Huang Tze‐Hui , Alexandrov Sergei
Published: February 2015

This paper aims to manufacture magnesium alloy metals with gradient microstructures using hot extrusion process. The extrusion die was designed to have a straight channel part combined with a conical part. Materials pushed through this specially designed die generate a non‐uniform velocity distribution at cross‐sections inside the die and result in different strain and strain rate distributions. Accordingly, a gradient microstructure product can be obtained. Using the finite element analysis, the forming temperature, effective strain, and effective strain rate distributions at the die exit were firstly discussed for various inclination angles in the conical die. Hot extrusion experiments with a two‐stage die were also conducted to obtain magnesium alloy products with gradient microstructures. The effects of the inclination angle on the grain size distribution and hardness distribution at cross‐sections of the products were discussed. Using a die of an inclination angle of 15°, gradient microstructures of grain sizes decreasing gradually from 17 μm at the center to 4 μm at the edge of the product were achieved.
Review of Value and Lean in Complex Product Development
Authors: Siyam Ghadir I. , Wynn David C. , Clarkson P. John
Published: February 2015

Approaches are being developed to improve complex product development from the perspective of value generation. However, the ideas and their relationships are still not fully articulated. We provide a structured literature review, with a primary but not exclusive focus on value ideas relating to lean in complex system product development. A framework organizes the concepts, methods, and their relationships. It clarifies the value delivery mechanism and could help to understand and thus improve value systems. Areas deserving further research attention are identified.
Incorporating water isoscapes in hydrological and water resource investigations
Authors: Bowen Gabriel J. , Good Stephen P.
Published: February 2015

Water cycle science is confronted with the critical challenge of understanding sources, pathways, and processes that govern the availability of water and its interaction with biogeochemical cycles across a range of Earth systems. These problems are inherently spatial in nature, and require observational tools that can establish connectivity within the water cycle, quantify processes affecting water cycling across scales, and provide robust tests of hydrological models. Spatial analysis of water H and O isotope data has recently emerged as a valuable approach to such problems. Isotope distributions in hydrological systems are associated with variation in water sources, upstream processes that fractionate isotopes along transport trajectories, and local conditions that govern partitioning of water among pools and fluxes. Data products and models that represent spatiotemporal isotope distributions (isoscapes) provide a basis for using isotopes in quantitative spatial hydrology research. The potential of this work, as well as current limitations, is reflected in recent case studies focused on atmospheric, land surface, groundwater, and managed systems. Many of limitations, stemming from challenges associated with data availability and spatiotemporal resolution, should be reduced in the future as new sample networks, improved instrumentation, more sophisticated data analysis approaches, and enhanced data sharing emerge. These advances will increase the accessibility of isoscape applications and their relevance to a wide range of hydrological and water resource problems. WIREs Water 2015, 2:107–119. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1069

This article is categorized under:

Science of Water > Hydrological Processes

Science of Water > Water Quality
Pseudoachalasia caused by a cholangiocarcinoma in the liver
Authors: Cheng Ken‐Sheng , Yu Cheng‐Ju , Chou Jen‐Wei
Published: February 2015

Pseudoachalasia, or secondary achalasia, caused by neoplasms is a rare entity. We describe a case of pseudoachalasia in an 80‐year‐old woman who presented with a 2‐month history of progressive dysphagia and postprandial vomiting. An esophagogram demonstrated a markedly dilated esophagus with a typical “bird‐beak” appearance of the gastroesophageal junction, indicative of achalasia. However, esophageal manometric study disclosed normal peristalsis of the esophagus, not suggestive of a typical feature of achalasia. Abdominal computed tomography scan demonstrated a hypovascular tumor in the left lobe of the liver, extending to the gastroesophageal junction and proximal lesser curve of the stomach. The patient underwent a palliative gastrostomy with a liver biopsy. Finally, cholangiocarcinoma was diagnosed based on the pathological findings. Despite its rarity, clinicians should be aware of this finding as a potential cause of dysphagia in elderly patients.
Site‐directed mutagenesis around the CuA site of a polyphenol oxidase from Coreopsis grandiflora (cgAUS1)
Authors: Kaintz Cornelia , Mayer Rupert L. , Jirsa Franz , Halbwirth Heidi , Rompel Annette
Published: February 2015

Aurone synthase from Coreopsis grandiflora (cgAUS1), catalyzing conversion of butein to sulfuretin in a type‐3 copper center, is a rare example of a polyphenol oxidase involved in anabolism. Site‐directed mutagenesis around the CuA site of AUS1 was performed, and recombinant enzymes were analyzed by mass spectrometry. Replacement of the coordinating CuA histidines with alanine resulted in the presence of a single copper and loss of diphenolase activity. The thioether bridge‐building cysteine and a phenylalanine over the CuA site, exchanged to alanine, have no influence on copper content but appear to play an important role in substrate binding.
Effectiveness of A Clinical Protocol Implemented To Standardize Snakebite Management In Iran: Initial Evaluation
Authors: Monzavi Seyed Mostafa , Salarian Amir Ahmad , Khoshdel Ali Reza , Dadpour Bita , Afshari Reza
Published: February 2015

Objective

This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a new protocol implemented to standardize snakebite management in Iran.

Methods

In this study, 27 patients treated according to the new protocol in 2012 (P+) were compared with 22 patients treated according to the previous modality in the year before implementation of the protocol (P–) in Mashhad Medical Toxicology Centre (MTC). Demographic characteristics and treatment details of all patients were recorded prospectively. Envenomation severity of each victim was assessed according to snakebite severity score (SSS).

Results

After implementation of the protocol, a smaller percentage of patients received antivenom (AV) therapy (78% vs 95%; P = .079). In spite of no significant difference in baseline severity of envenomation between the 2 groups (SSS [mean ± SD], 34.8 ± 18.1 vs 35.5 ± 17.4; P = .801), the P+ group received significantly fewer AV vials (8.4 ± 6.8 vs 12.1 ± 5.6 vials; P = .042) and had a significantly shorter length of hospital stay (2.2 ± 1.5 vs 3.2 ± 1.8 days; P = .027). Moreover, smaller proportion of P+ patients experienced recurrence of venom-induced effects; however, the difference was not significant (18.5% vs 36%; P = .159). The reduction in use of antiallergy treatments to prevent or treat acute hypersensitivity reactions approached statistical significance (41% vs 68%; P = .051). These findings denote a reduction in AV use of approximately 4 vials and a reduction in hospital stay of 1 day for each patient, which translates to approximately $196/patient in healthcare cost savings.

Conclusions

Implementation of a snakebite management protocol at MTC reduced overall antivenom usage, use of antiallergy interventions, and length of hospital stay.
Fine needle aspiration cytology versus frozen section in branchial cleft cysts
Authors: Begbie F , Visvanathan V , Clark L J
Published: February 2015

Background:

Branchial cleft cysts occur because of a failure of involution of the second branchial cleft. However, as well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma can mimic branchial cleft cysts, there is a lack of consensus on the appropriate management of cystic neck lumps.

Objective:

To report our experience of fine needle aspiration cytology and frozen section examination in the management of cystic neck lumps.

Method:

Retrospective case note review of patients managed in the Southern General Hospital, Scotland, UK.

Results:

The sensitivity of fine needle aspiration cytology and frozen section for detecting branchial cleft cysts was 75 per cent and 100 per cent respectively. Two patients who did not undergo intra-operative frozen section examination were either over- or under-treated, which is discussed.

Conclusion:

Adult patients subjected to surgical excision of a suspected branchial cyst should undergo intra-operative frozen section analysis regardless of clinical suspicion for malignancy. This part of management is critical to ensure patients are offered appropriate treatment.
USEOF EXPERT KNOWLEDGE ELICITATION TO ESTIMATE PARAMETERS IN HEALTH ECONOMIC DECISION MODELS
Authors: Hadorn David , Kvizhinadze Giorgi , Collinson Lucie , Blakely Tony
Published: February 2015

Objectives:The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and methods of expert knowledge elicitation (EKE) for specifying input parameters in health economic decision models (HEDM).

Methods:We created two samples using the National Health System Economic Evaluations Database: (1) 100 randomly selected HEDM studies to determine prevalence of EKE and (2) sixty studies using a formal EKE process to determine methods used.

Results:Fifty-seven (57 percent) of the random sample included at least one EKE-derived parameter. Of these, six (10 percent) used a formal expert process. Thirty-four studies from our second sample of sixty studies (57 percent) described at least one aspect of the process (e.g., elicitation method) with reasonable clarity. In approximately two-thirds of studies the external experts estimated parameters de novo; the remainder confirmed or modified initial estimates provided by authors, or the method was unclear. The majority of elicitations obtained point estimates only, although a few studies asked experts to estimate ranges of parameter values.

Conclusions:The use of EKE for parameter estimation is common in HEDMs, although there is room for improvement in the methods used.
On cycle integrals of weakly holomorphic modular forms
Authors: BRINGMANN KATHRIN , GUERZHOY PAVEL , KANE BEN
Published: February 2015

In this paper, we investigate cycle integrals of weakly holomorphic modular forms. We show that these integrals coincide with the cycle integrals of classical cusp forms. We use these results to define a Shintani lift from integral weight weakly holomorphic modular forms to half-integral weight holomorphic modular forms.
Rapid spread of Clostridium difficile NAP1/027/ST1 in Chile confirms the emergence of the epidemic strain in Latin America
Authors: AGUAYO C. , FLORES R. , LÉVESQUE S. , ARAYA P. , ULLOA S. , LAGOS J. , HORMAZABAL J. C. , TOGNARELLI J. , IBÁÑEZ D. , PIDAL P. , DUERY O. , OLIVARES B. , FERNÁNDEZ J.
Published: February 2015

Clostridium difficile infection has gained importance in recent years as a result of the rapid spread of epidemic strains, including hypervirulent strains. This study reports the molecular epidemiology of C. difficile obtained from hospitalized patients in Chile. Seven hundred and nineteen isolates of toxigenic C. difficile from 45 hospitals across the country were characterized through toxin profile, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and sequencing of the tcdC gene. In addition, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) ribotyping and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) were performed on a subset of selected strains. PFGE typing of 719 isolates of C. difficile produced 60 PFGE patterns (subtypes). Subtype 1 was predominant (79% of isolates) and related to the hypervirulent strain (NAP1). Subtype 1 showed 73% relatedness with nine other subtypes, which had a similar tcdC deletion. Subtype 1 corresponded to ribotype 027 and ST1. This report shows the wide dissemination of the hypervirulent strain NAP1/027/ST1 in Chile.
Weak symmetry breaking and abstract simplex paths
Authors: KOZLOV DMITRY N.
Published: February 2015

Motivated by questions in theoretical distributed computing, we develop the combinatorial theory of abstract simplex path subdivisions. Our main application is a short and structural proof of a theorem of Castañeda and Rajsbaum. This theorem in turn implies the solvability of the weak symmetry breaking task in the immediate snapshot wait-free model in the case when the number of processes is not a power of a prime number.
Deinstitutionalization and the rise of violence
Authors: Fuller Torrey E.
Published: February 2015

The deinstitutionalization of individuals with serious mental illness was driven by 4 factors: public revelations regarding the state of public mental hospitals, the introduction of antipsychotic medications, the introduction of federal programs to fund patients who had been discharged, and civil libertarian lawyers. The result is approximately 3.2 million individuals with untreated serious mental illness living in the community. Beginning in the 1970s in the United States, there began to be reported increasing incidents of violent behavior, including homicides, committed by these untreated individuals. Such incidents became more numerous in the 1980s and 1990s, and have further increased since the turn of the century. Existing studies suggest that individuals with untreated severe mental illness are responsible for at least 10% of all homicides and approximately half of all mass killings. Studies have also shown that when these individuals are treated, the incidence of violent behavior decreases significantly. Examples of treatment mechanisms that have proven effective include assisted outpatient treatment (AOT), conditional release, and mental health courts.
Sports and energy drink consumption are linked to health-risk behaviours among young adults
Authors: Larson Nicole , Laska Melissa N , Story Mary , Neumark-Sztainer Dianne
Published: February 2015

Objective

National data for the USA show increases in sports and energy drink consumption over the past decade with the largest increases among young adults aged 20–34 years. The present study aimed to identify sociodemographic factors and health-risk behaviours associated with sports and energy drink consumption among young adults.

Design

Cross-sectional analysis of survey data from the third wave of a cohort study (Project EAT-III: Eating and Activity in Teens and Young Adults). Regression models stratified on gender and adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics were used to examine associations of sports and energy drink consumption with eating behaviours, physical activity, media use, weight-control behaviours, sleep patterns and substance use.

Setting

Participants completed baseline surveys in 1998–1999 as students at public secondary schools in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, USA and the EAT-III surveys online or by mail in 2008–2009.

Subjects

The sample consisted of 2287 participants (55 % female, mean age 25·3 years).

Results

Results showed 31·0 % of young adults consumed sports drinks and 18·8 % consumed energy drinks at least weekly. Among men and women, sports drink consumption was associated with higher sugar-sweetened soda and fruit juice intake, video game use and use of muscle-enhancing substances like creatine (P≤0·01). Energy drink consumption was associated with lower breakfast frequency and higher sugar-sweetened soda intake, video game use, use of unhealthy weight-control behaviours, trouble sleeping and substance use among men and women (P<0·05).

Conclusions

Health professionals should consider the clustering of sports and energy drink consumption with other unhealthy behaviours in the design of programmes and services for young adults.
Modelling the liquidity premium on corporate bonds
Authors: van Loon Paul R.F. , Cairns Andrew J.G. , McNeil Alexander J. , Veys Alex
Published: February 2015

The liquidity premium on corporate bonds has been high on the agenda of Solvency regulators owing to its potential relationship to an additional discount factor on long-dated insurance liabilities. We analyse components of the credit spread as a function of standard bond characteristics during 2003–2014 on a daily basis by regression analyses, after introducing a new liquidity proxy. We derive daily distributions of illiquidity contributions to the credit spread at the individual bond level and find that liquidity premia were close to zero just before the financial crisis. We observe the time-varying nature of liquidity premia as well as a widening in the daily distribution in the years after the credit crunch. We find evidence to support higher liquidity premia, on average, on bonds of lower credit quality. The evolution of model parameters is economically intuitive and brings additional insight into investors’ behaviour. The frequent and bond-level estimation of liquidity premia, combined with few data restrictions makes the approach suitable for ALM modelling, especially when future work is directed towards arriving at forward-looking estimates at both the aggregate and bond-specific level.
Politiker könnten Deutschland auf Weltniveau der Tabakentwöhnung bringen
Authors: Petersen Kay Uwe , Batra Anil
Published: February 2015

Die Weltgesundheitsorganisation bedauerte 2013, dass der Zugang zu kostenloser Behandlung der Tabakabhängigkeit in nur 21 Staaten der Welt eingerichtet wurde. Deutschland wird durch seine Gesetzgebung daran gehindert, zu den erfolgreichsten Staaten im Umgang mit der Tabakabhängigkeit aufzusteigen, da die Tabakabhängigkeit nicht als behandelbare und zu behandelnde Krankheit wahrgenommen, sondern die Tabakentwöhnung als Präventionsmaßnahme zur Erhöhung der Lebensqualität angesehen wird. In Deutschland rauchen gegenwärtig 29.7% der erwachsenen Bevölkerung, von denen etwa die Hälfte die ICD-10-Kriterien einer Tabakabhängigkeit erfüllen dürften. Ihr Anspruch auf eine kostenfreie – auch medikamentöse – Behandlung kann auf der Basis der derzeitigen Gesetzeslage nicht erfüllt werden, obwohl effektive Behandlungsoptionen existieren und die Behandlungen aufgrund ihrer Kosteneffektivität die zu erwartenden Krankheitskosten in Deutschland senken würden. Wenn sich Deutschland nicht dem Vorwurf einer Diskriminierung einer bedeutsamen Gruppe kranker Menschen aussetzen will, besteht dringender legislativer Handlungsbedarf.
Diverse fungi associated with partial irregular heartwood of Dalbergia odorifera
Authors: Sun Sisheng , Zeng Xu , Zhang Dawei , Guo Shunxing
Published: February 2015

Dalbergia odorifera T. Chen is a medium-sized evergreen tree that produces purple-brown heartwood called JiangXiang in traditional Chinese medicine, the formation process of which takes several decades. In this study, a standard culture method was used to isolate fungi from the wounded and normal stems of D. odorifera aiming to investigate the difference between the two types of wood. To characterize the spatial colonisation of endophytic fungi, an anatomical study was undertaken using the two different types of wood of D. odorifera. A total of 320 wood segments were placed on PDA plates and 87 fungal isolates were obtained. Only two fungi were isolated from the healthy white wood tissue, whereas 85 fungi were found in the purple-brown wounded-wood tissues. The two isolates from 160 white healthy wood tissues were assigned to Bionectriaceae sp. and the rest in wounded wood tissues were analyzed to 12 fungal species, indicating both a high fungal diversity and colonization rate in the purple-brown wounded wood. There was a difference in fungal species composition between coloured and white wood samples collected from the same tree. Eutypa sp. was the most commonly isolated species in the purple-brown wounded wood.
Neurokinin B Administration Induces Hot Flushes in Women
Authors: Jayasena Channa N. , Comninos Alexander N. , Stefanopoulou Evgenia , Buckley Adam , Narayanaswamy Shakunthala , Izzi-Engbeaya Chioma , Abbara Ali , Ratnasabapathy Risheka , Mogford Julianne , Ng Noel , Sarang Zubair , Ghatei Mohammad A. , Bloom Stephen R. , Hunter Myra S. , Dhillo Waljit S.
Published: February 2015

Neurokinin B (NKB) is a hypothalamic neuropeptide binding preferentially to the neurokinin 3 receptor. Expression of the gene encoding NKB is elevated in postmenopausal women. Furthermore, rodent studies suggest that NKB signalling may mediate menopausal hot flushes. However, the effects of NKB administration on hot flushes have not been investigated in humans. To address this, we performed a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, 2-way cross-over study. Ten healthy women were admitted to a temperature and humidity-controlled research unit. Participants received 30 minute intravenous infusions of NKB and vehicle in random order. Symptoms, heart rate, blood pressure, sweating and skin temperature were compared between NKB and vehicle in a double-blinded manner. Eight of ten participants experienced flushing during NKB infusion with none experiencing flushing during vehicle infusion (P = 0.0007). Significant elevations in heart rate (P = 0.0106 vs. pre-symptoms) and skin temperature measured using skin probe (P = 0.0258 vs. pre-symptoms) and thermal imaging (P = 0.0491 vs. pre-symptoms) characteristic of menopausal flushing were observed during hot flush episodes. Our findings provide evidence that NKB administration can cause hot flushes in women. Further studies are required to determine if pharmacological blockade of NKB signalling could inhibit hot flushes during the menopause and during treatment for sex-steroid dependent cancers.
Double minute amplification of mutant PDGF receptor α in a mouse glioma model
Authors: Zou Hongyan , Feng Rui , Huang Yong , Tripodi Joseph , Najfeld Vesna , Tsankova Nadejda M. , Jahanshahi Maryam , Olson Lorin E. , Soriano Philippe , Friedel Roland H.
Published: February 2015

In primary brain tumors, oncogenes are frequently amplified and maintained on extrachromosomal DNA as double minutes (DM), but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. We have generated a mouse model of malignant glioma based on knock-in of a mutant PDGF receptor α (PDGFRα) that is expressed in oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) after activation by a Cre recombinase. In the tumor suppressor INK4/Arf−/− background, mutant animals frequently developed brain tumors resembling anaplastic human gliomas (WHO grade III). Besides brain tumors, most animals also developed aggressive fibrosarcomas, likely triggered by Cre activation of mutant PDGFRα in fibroblastic cell lineages. Importantly, in the brain tumors and cell lines derived from brain tumor tissues, we identified a high prevalence of DM Pdgfra gene amplification, suggesting its occurrence as an early mutational event contributing to the malignant transformation of OPCs. Amplicons extended beyond the Pdgfra locus and included in some cases neighboring genes Kit and Kdr. Our genetically defined mouse brain tumor model therefore supports OPC as a cell of origin for malignant glioma and offers an example of a defined temporal sequence of mutational events, thus providing an entry point for a mechanistic understanding of DM gene amplification and its functionality in gliomagenesis.
Computational Electromagnetic Analysis of Deformed Nanowires Using the Multilevel Fast Multipole Algorithm
Authors: Yılmaz Akif , Karaosmanoğlu Barışcan , Ergül Özgür
Published: February 2015

We consider computational analysis of deformed nanowires and their arrays using a full-wave simulation environment based on integral-equation formulations and the multilevel fast multipole algorithm (MLFMA). Without requiring any periodicity assumptions, MLFMA allows for fast and accurate simulations of complex nanowire structures with three-dimensional geometries and random deformations. We present the results of hundreds of simulations, where deformed nanowires are considered as isolated, as well as in array configurations and their scattering characteristics are compared to those of non-deformed ones. Based on the simulation results, we rigorously investigate common effects of deformations on scattering properties of nanowires and identify strong field enhancements in forward-scattering directions.
ZnO Nanocomposites Modified by Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Silanes with Dramatically Enhanced Tunable Fluorescence and Aqueous Ultrastability toward Biological Imaging Applications
Authors: Li Shuying , Sun Zongzhao , Li Rui , Dong Minmin , Zhang Liyan , Qi Wei , Zhang Xuelin , Wang Hua
Published: February 2015

Multicolor ZnO quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized and further modified with hydrophobic hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDS) and then hydrophilic aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS) bilayers, resulting in amine-functionalized ZnO@HDS@APS nanocomposites with tunable fluorescence from blue to green yellow. Systematic investigations verify that the resulting ZnO@HDS@APS could display extremely high stability in aqueous media and unexpectedly, dramatically-enhanced fluorescence intensities, which are about 10-fold higher than those of bare ZnO QDs. The feasibility of the as-prepared ZnO nanocomposites for blood, cell and tissue imaging was preliminarily demonstrated, promising the wide bio-applications for cell or tissue imaging, proteome analysis, drug delivery and molecular labeling.
Effects of subconscious and conscious emotions on human cue–reward association learning
Authors: Watanabe Noriya , Haruno Masahiko
Published: February 2015

Life demands that we adapt our behaviour continuously in situations in which much of our incoming information is emotional and unrelated to our immediate behavioural goals. Such information is often processed without our consciousness. This poses an intriguing question of whether subconscious exposure to irrelevant emotional information (e.g. the surrounding social atmosphere) affects the way we learn. Here, we addressed this issue by examining whether the learning of cue-reward associations changes when an emotional facial expression is shown subconsciously or consciously prior to the presentation of a reward-predicting cue. We found that both subconscious (0.027 s and 0.033 s) and conscious (0.047 s) emotional signals increased the rate of learning and this increase was smallest at the border of conscious duration (0.040 s). These data suggest not only that the subconscious and conscious processing of emotional signals enhances value-updating in cue–reward association learning, but also that the computational processes underlying the subconscious enhancement is at least partially dissociable from its conscious counterpart.
Impact of an elastic sphere with an elastic half space revisited: Numerical analysis based on the method of dimensionality reduction
Authors: Lyashenko I. A. , Popov V. L.
Published: February 2015

An impact of an elastic sphere with an elastic half space under no-slip conditions (infinitely large coefficient of friction) is studied numerically using the method of dimensionality reduction. It is shown that the rebound velocity and angular velocity, written as proper dimensionless variables, are determined by a function of only the ratio of tangential and normal stiffness ("Mindlin-ratio"). The obtained numerical results can be approximated by a simple analytical expression.
Organic Fluorescent Dyes Supported on Activated Boron Nitride: A Promising Blue Light Excited Phosphors for High-Performance White Light-Emitting Diodes
Authors: Li Jie , Lin Jing , Huang Yang , Xu Xuewen , Liu Zhenya , Xue Yanming , Ding Xiaoxia , Luo Han , Jin Peng , Zhang Jun , Zou Jin , Tang Chengchun
Published: February 2015

We report an effective and rare-earth free light conversion material synthesized via a facile fabrication route, in which organic fluorescent dyes, i.e. Rhodamine B (RhB) and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) are embedded into activated boron nitride (αBN) to form a composite phosphor. The composite phosphor shows highly efficient Förster resonance energy transfer and greatly improved thermal stability and can emit at broad visible wavelengths of 500–650 nm under the 466 nm blue-light excitation. By packaging of the composite phosphors and a blue light-emitting diode (LED) chip with transparent epoxy resin, white LED with excellent thermal conductivity, current stability and optical performance can be realized, i.e. a thermal conductivity of 0.36 W/mk, a Commission Internationale de 1'Eclairage color coordinates of (0.32, 0.34) and a luminous efficiency of 21.6 lm·W−1. Our research opens the door toward to the practical long-life organic fluorescent dyes-based white LEDs.
A Novel Protocol for Model Calibration in Biological Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Zhu Ao , Guo Jianhua , Ni Bing-Jie , Wang Shuying , Yang Qing , Peng Yongzhen
Published: February 2015

Activated sludge models (ASMs) have been widely used for process design, operation and optimization in wastewater treatment plants. However, it is still a challenge to achieve an efficient calibration for reliable application by using the conventional approaches. Hereby, we propose a novel calibration protocol, i.e. Numerical Optimal Approaching Procedure (NOAP), for the systematic calibration of ASMs. The NOAP consists of three key steps in an iterative scheme flow: i) global factors sensitivity analysis for factors fixing; ii) pseudo-global parameter correlation analysis for non-identifiable factors detection; and iii) formation of a parameter subset through an estimation by using genetic algorithm. The validity and applicability are confirmed using experimental data obtained from two independent wastewater treatment systems, including a sequencing batch reactor and a continuous stirred-tank reactor. The results indicate that the NOAP can effectively determine the optimal parameter subset and successfully perform model calibration and validation for these two different systems. The proposed NOAP is expected to use for automatic calibration of ASMs and be applied potentially to other ordinary differential equations models.