bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chapter 4: Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) and neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO)
Authors: Nambiar Arjun , Lucas Malcolm
Published: July 2014

This chapter focuses on the position of botulinum toxin type A in the treatment pathway for overactive bladder (OAB) and neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction associated with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO), and the recommendations of the major international guideline groups. Recommendations of different guideline groups may vary, especially when evidence is weak, often because of differences in methodology and panel composition.

Relevant guidelines from the European Association of Urology, American Urological Association, and the UK National Institute for Care and Clinical Excellence were reviewed, and the recommendations that form the basis of the treatment algorithms have been discussed. Any differences between guidelines have been highlighted and special emphasis made on the position of botulinum toxin type A in these pathways.

In all the reviewed guidelines, botulinum toxin type A is recommended, alongside sacral nerve neuromodulation, to treat OAB and NDO in patients who have failed oral therapy. The evidence base is consistent, but further evidence is required regarding optimal dosing regimens and injection technique. Neurourol. Urodynam. 33:S21–S25, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Improving Hand Functional Use in Subjects with Multiple Sclerosis Using a Musical Keyboard: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Gatti Roberto , Tettamanti Andrea , Lambiase Simone , Rossi Paolo , Comola Mauro
Published: July 2014

Background and Purpose

Playing an instrument implies neuroplasticity in different cerebral regions. This phenomenon has been described in subjects with stroke, suggesting that it could play a role in hand rehabilitation. The aim of this study is to analyse the effectiveness of playing a musical keyboard in improving hand function in subjects with multiple sclerosis.

Methods

Nineteen hospitalized subjects were randomized in two groups: nine played a turned‐on musical keyboard by sequences of fingers movements (audio feedback present) and 10 performed the same exercises on a turned‐off musical keyboard (audio feedback absent). Training duration was half an hour per day for 15 days. Primary outcome was the perceived hand functional use measured by ABILHAND Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes were hand dexterity, measured by Nine‐Hole Peg Test, and hand strength, measured by Jamar and Pinch dynamometers. Two‐way analysis of variance was used for data analysis.

Results

The interaction time × group was significant (p = 0.003) for ABILHAND Questionnaire in favour of experimental group (mean between‐group difference 0.99 logit [IC95%: 0.44; 1.54]). The two groups showed a significant time effect for all outcomes except for Jamar measure.

Discussion

Playing a musical keyboard seems a valid method to train the functional use of hands in subjects with multiple sclerosis. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A DFT study of reactions of methyldiazonium ion with DNA/RNA nucleosides: Investigating effect of sugar moiety on methylation pattern of bases
Authors: Bhattacharjee Kanika , Shukla Pradeep Kumar
Published: July 2014

Methyldiazonium ion (
) is an ultimate carcinogen that can methylate multiple sites in DNA/RNA. In present contribution, density functional theory calculations using the B3LYP and M06‐2X functionals and the 6‐31G(d,p) and aug‐cc‐pVDZ basis sets are carried out to study methylation reactions of
at the different nucleophilic sites of DNA/RNA bases and their nucleosides. Total 12 nucleophilic sites, that is, the N2, N3, N7, and O6 sites of guanine; the N1, N3, N6, and N7 sites of adenine; O2 and N3 sites of cytosine and the O2 and O4 sites of thymine and uracil have been considered for study. Thus, a total of 30 reactions have been studied here. The polarizable continuum model is used for solvation calculations. The N7 site of guanine, N7(G), is found to be most reactive in all the reactions studied here, which is in agreement with experiment. However, the calculated reactivity of
toward the N7(G) site in aqueous media follows the order: guanine > deoxyguanosine > guanosine. The reactivities of many other sites including the O6(G), O2(C), and N3(A) sites are also modified in going from DNA/RNA bases to their nucleosides and from DNA to RNA nucleosides. Thus, we note that the presence of sugar moiety significantly modifies the methylation pattern of bases caused by
. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Multivariate correlation analysis and geometric linear similarity for real‐time intrusion detection systems
Authors: Derhab Abdelouahid , Bouras Abdelghani
Published: July 2014

In this paper, we propose an intrusion detection system (IDS) based on four approaches: (i) statistical‐based IDS to reduce detection time; (ii) intertwining data acquisition phase and data preprocessing phase to ensure real‐time detection; (iii) geometric linear similarity measure that improves detection accuracy compared with existing measures; and (iv) multivariate correlation analysis that extracts a subset of strongly correlated features to construct a normal behavioral graph. Based on this graph, we derive the normal profile composed of high‐level features. We use NSL‐KDD dataset to analyze and evaluate the efficiency of the proposed IDS at detecting denial‐of‐service (DOS) attacks. Experimental results show that the proposed IDS can achieve good results in terms of detection rate and false positive rate. For some DOS attacks, 100% detection rate is achieved with 1.55% false positive. We also use KDD99 dataset to compare the proposed IDS with two statistical‐based methods and some data mining and machine learning‐based methods. Comparison study shows that the proposed IDS achieves the best tradeoff between detection rate (99.76%) and false positive rate (0.6%). It also requires just a few microseconds to classify the connection as normal or attack with low CPU usage and low memory consumption. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
DBER and STEM education reform: Are we up to the challenge?
Authors: Talanquer Vicente
Published: July 2014

The extent and quality of Discipline‐Based Education Research (DBER) at the post‐secondary level have grown substantially in recent years. Associated research findings are central to current reform efforts to transform science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education in colleges and universities across the United States. The increased visibility of DBER efforts creates opportunities and challenges that should be carefully analyzed. In this contribution, I reflect on critical issues that need to be considered and addressed in advancing the fields of DBER, using the articles included in this Special Issue of the Journal of Research in Science Teaching to ground the discussion. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 51: 809–819, 2014
The role of microRNA in resistance to breast cancer therapy
Authors: Robertson Neil M. , Yigit Mehmet V.
Published: July 2014

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNA molecules with big implications in cancer. The abnormal expression of specific miRNAs has been linked to development of many cancer types. Dysregulated miRNAs play a significant role in proliferation, invasion, differentiation, apoptosis, and resistance of various cancer cells, and considered as oncogenes or tumor‐suppressor genes. Findings have shown abnormal expression of specific miRNAs in breast tumors is a strong indication about the resistance to conventional cancer therapy methods. Acquired cancer resistance is a complex, multifactorial occurrence that requires various mechanisms and processes, however, recent studies have suggested that resistance may be linked to treatment‐induced dysregulation of miRNAs. This dysregulation of miRNAs can affect the protein expression in cells, the ability for anti‐cancer drugs to reach their targets within cells, and the apoptotic pathways. Controlling the expression of these miRNAs alters the resistant phenotype of breast cancer to a nonresistant one. This review focuses on the role of dysregulated miRNAs in breast cancer that are linked to resistance against chemo‐, radiation, hormone, and targeted therapies. Finally, the role of miRNAs in breast cancer metastasis is briefly discussed. WIREs RNA 2014, 5:823–833. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1248

This article is categorized under:

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease
A systematic review of bone mineral density and fractures in phenylketonuria
Authors: Hansen Karen E. , Ney Denise
Published: July 2014

Introduction

Our objective was to systematically review and analyze published data on bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture rates in patients with phenylketonuria (PKU), and relationships between BMD and phenylalanine levels.

Methodology

We searched PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases from January 1966 to November 2013 for studies of spine BMD or fracture in PKU and control subjects. We excluded studies assessing skeletal health by ultrasound or peripheral quantitative computer tomography. Both authors reviewed abstracts for inclusion, and read full text papers to extract data.

Results

Sixteen studies met eligibility criteria. Meta‐analysis of three studies found that spine BMD was 0.100 g/cm2 lower (95% CI, ‐0.110, ‐0.090 g/cm2) in 67 subjects with PKU, compared to 161 controls. Among six studies, 20% (53 of 263) of PKU subjects experienced clinical fractures. In the single study with controls, the fracture rate was 2.6 fold higher (95% CI, 1.1‐6.1) after age 8 in PKU subjects, compared to healthy sibling controls. When considering a total of 12 studies in 412 subjects, nine or 75% of studies representing 71% of studied subjects reported no association between phenylalanine levels and BMD.

Spine BMD is lower in PKU than control subjects, but only one study controlled for smaller body size. Existing studies suggest a clinical fracture rate of 20% among PKU subjects, but fracture rates in controls are lacking. Finally, existing data shows no consistent relationship between phenylalanine levels and BMD. Future studies are needed to clarify the etiology and health consequences of low BMD in PKU.
Verbesserter Schutz vor blutübertragbaren Erregern – Umsetzung der europäischen Nadelstichrichtlinie in deutsches Recht abgeschlossen
Authors: Wittmann Andreas
Published: July 2014

Einleitung

Nadelstichverletzungen gehören zu den häufigsten Unfällen im Gesundheitswesen. Mit der europäischen Nadelstichrichtline 32/2010/EU wurden alle Mitgliedsstaaten der EU zur Konkretisierung und Verschärfung ihrer bestehenden Schutzvorschriften aufgefordert. Mit der Verabschiedung der Neufassung der TRBA 250 im März 2014, die die Ausführungen der bereits im Jahr 2013 geänderten Biostoffverordnung konkretisiert ist die Implementierung der europäischen Vorgaben auch in Deutschland abgeschlossen. Dadurch wird die Verwendung geeigneter Sicherheitsgeräte zur Vermeidung von Stich- und Schnittverletzungen für nahezu alle Arbeitsbereiche verbindlich, der Schutz der Mitarbeiter dadurch entscheidend verbessert.
Some practical treatment methods of dealing with pain disabilities in rural Ghana
Authors: Ayim-Aboagye Desmond , Gordh T.
Published: July 2014

Background and aims

The investigation was conducted among six practitioners and twenty-two patients in rural Ghana, where both practitioners and patients, were asked to unveil effective methods of treating pain and pain disabilities.

Methods

The investigation utilised strictly observational methods in acquiring data from two communities. Both patients and practitioners were later interviewed in a manner that elicited certain information needed to provide accurate understanding concerning these treatments methods they give to patients. These participant observations yielded important data, which enlightened us on appropriate techniques that serve the need and expectations of rural dwellers in their management and coping with pain disabilities.

Results

Careful treatment methods include the use of various herbal medicinal plants in order to supplement the official drugs administered by doctors. Those methods consist of incisions, oral, nasal drops, anal insertions, bandaging with use of strong pepper and ginger, and rubbing of medicines in a lotion form on the pain affected skin or areas. Treatments serve as “first aid” where pain disabilities are treated to many troubled patients with anxiety, confusion, and shock. Doctors in highly equipped hospitals are aware of these pain treatments in the less populated regions, but they are at variance as to whether patients receive maximum help.

Conclusion

In regard to pain treatments, earlier treatments received from centres where non-scientific practitioners operate, do not reveal harm done to patients; they do provide support and serve as “First aid” upon which biomedical practitioners perform their own specialist treatments.
Ionic mechanisms of post spike excitability changes during high-frequency firing rates
Authors: Fransén Erik A. , Ahlström Peter J.
Published: July 2014

Aims

Axonal hyperexcitability in peripheral nerves has been observed in patients with neuropathic pain [1]. The use-dependent propagation of double pulses, recovery cycles, was found to be different in patients relative to healthy controls.

Methods

We study the mechanisms underlying the recovery cycle phenomenon using a biophysical model of a C-fiber [2]. The model represents the spatial extent of the axon including its passive properties as well as ion channels of Hodgkin-Huxley type. In vitro voltage clamp recordings from dissociated small DRG somata from rat were performed to assess model predictions.

Results

The model was able to replicate the transitions in excitability from subnormal to supernormal observed experimentally. For the model, supernormality depended on the degree of conduction slowing which in turn depends upon the frequency of stimulation, in accordance with experimental findings. In particular, we show that activity dependent conduction slowing is produced by the accumulation of intraaxonal sodium. We further show that the supernormal phase results from a reduced potassium current Kdr as a result of accumulation of periaxonal potassium in concert with a reduced influx of sodium through Nav1.7 relative to Nav1.8 current. This theoretical prediction of a relative shift in the sodium currents was supported by data from an in vitro preparation of small rat DRG somata showing a relative reduction in the magnitude of TTX-sensitive to TTX-resistant whole cell currents.

Conclusions

By providing mechanistic explanations of axonal excitability in terms of changes in ion channel activity, we suggest these channel changes can subsequently be used to discuss mechanisms of neuropathic pain.
Proteins with potential role in analgesic effect of spinal cord stimulation on neuropathic pain
Authors: Lind A. , Emami P. , Sjödin M. , Katila L. , Wetterhall M. , Kultima K. , Gordh T.
Published: July 2014

Aims

We aimed to find proteins of relevance to the prolonged analgesic effect of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for patients with neuropathic pain.

Methods

The proteomes of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 14 neuropathic pain patients using spinal cord stimulation (SCS) was compared to the CSF proteomes of the same patients when not using the stimulator. Samples were analyzed by dimethyl label and label free shotgun proteomics approach. Samples were prepared by immunoaffinity fractionation and then separated by reversed phase nanoliquid chromatography coupled to an electrospray ionization source and analyzed by high resolution tandem mass spectrometry. The proteins were comparatively quantified on the peptide level and ranked based on numbers of regulated peptides. Then the dimethyl and label free analysis results were combined. In order to group proteins by function and interactions, a functional enrichment network analysis was performed using the String (Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins) database on all significantly differentially expressed proteins.

Results

We found 87 differentially expressed proteins. Network analysis showed a high level of enrichment in interactions between the proteins involved in platelet degranulation and wound healing with p-values 2.48E−11 and 4.58E−08. We also recognized two additional clusters related to complement and coagulation cascades and neuropeptides. None of these proteins have been implicated in SCS mechanism previously.

Conclusions

Up- and down-regulations of immunological proteins and neuropeptides may explain the prolonged relief of neuropathic pain obtained after SCS. These findings contribute a new basis for understanding of SCS analgesic mechanism in human neuropathic pain. Further verification studies of these initial findings are needed.
Placebo responses in patients with peripheral neuropathic pain
Authors: Lund Karen , Demant Dyveke T. , Vase Lene , Sindrup Søren H. , Jensen Troels S. , Finnerup Nanna B.
Published: July 2014

Background and aim

Treatment responses during placebo periods in randomized clinical trials (RCTs) are quite often substantial and may impede a positive outcome of the trial. It would therefore be beneficial to gain more knowledge on factors contributing to large placebo responses in RCTs. The aim of the current study was to identify predictors of placebo responses in patients with peripheral neuropathic pain.

Hypotheses

We hypothesized that a high baseline pain intensity and variability will be predictive of large responses during placebo treatment. Furthermore, we hypothesized that expectation for pain relief, few prior treatments and side effects, low scores of pain catastrophizing, anxiety, depression and the personality trait neuroticism and high levels of positive emotions will be predictors of placebo responses.

Methods

This study is part of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study with the anticonvulsant oxcarbazepine. Pain intensity was registered at baseline and during treatment periods on a numerical rating scale (NRS, 0–10) along with expectation for pain relief (NRS), psychological measures (scores for anxiety, depression, catastrophizing, neuroticism, and positive emotions), prior treatments, and side effects.

Results

Multiple regression analysis with pain reduction during placebo treatment as the dependent variable and baseline pain, age, gender, and pain duration as explanatory variables was highly significant (R-squared = 0.53, p < 0.001), while other explanatory variables did not reach statistical significance. Further analyses will be carried out.

Conclusions

Age and gender were not significant predictors of placebo responses in this study. Further results will be presented at the congress.

Acknowledgements

This study is part of the Innovative Medicines Initiative project EUROPAIN, www.imi.europa.eu.
Evaluation of spinal interventions in a single doctor private practice in Sweden
Authors: Måwe Leif. , Thorén Lena , Persson Jan
Published: July 2014

Aims

To evaluate the effect of spinal interventions following ISIS guidelines [1].

Methods

Data from all patients from April 2012 until February 2014 have been registered and followed up after 4–6 months. Patients were mainly referred from surgeons at the regional hospitals. Employment status, medication, VAS, EQ-5D-5L, EQ-VAS and pain reduction were gathered before and at the follow-up. Only patients receiving any kind of treatment were included.

Results

So far 419/823 patients have been followed-up. Here we present levels of medication and total pain reduction for all patients and, separately, for patients treated with radio frequency facet joint medial branch neurotomy (n = 76).

Opioids were reduced from 33% to 26% and no use of analgesics increased from 15% to 31% (p < 0.0159). Opioids in the RF group fell from 31% to 21%, and no use went from 2% to 31%. Of all the patients, 46% had pain reduction >50% and 9% were pain free. In the RF group the figures were 57% and 11%, respectively. No one in the RF group got worse.

Conclusion

It is important to follow-up your results, even if complete scientific RCT rigour cannot be upheld Our stringent, long-term follow-up can presumably deliver reasonably reliable effect information, a majority of our patients have reduced their medication significantly (p < 0.001) and more than 50% experience a greater than 50% pain reduction, indicating a significant effect.
The interleukin-1α gene C>T polymorphism rs1800587 is associated with increased pain intensity and decreased pressure pain thresholds in patients with lumbar radicular pain
Authors: Schistad Elina Iordanova , Jacobsen Line Melå , Røe Cecilie , Gjerstad Johannes
Published: July 2014

Aims

Previous studies have suggested that many inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1α, may be associated with lumbar radicular pain after disc herniation. In the present study, we examined how variability of the IL-1α gene affects pain intensity and the pressure pain threshold (PPT) in patients with symptomatic disc herniation.

Methods

A total of 121 patients with lumbar radicular pain due to disc herniation were recruited from Oslo University Hospital, Norway, and followed up at 6 weeks and 12 months. The primary outcome measures were pain intensity scores for the lower back and legs using a visual analog pain scale (VAS) and PPT for the gluteal muscles. Genotyping was carried out using a predesigned TaqMan assay for IL-1α rs1800587. The effect of the IL-1α genotype on the VAS and PPT was analyzed by repeated measure analyses of variance.

Results

The IL-1α gene C>T polymorphism rs1800587 affected VAS and PPT scores in patients with symptomatic disc herniation. Patients with the CT/TT genotype reported a higher VAS leg pain intensity (p = 0.002) and also a lower PPT in the gluteal muscles (left p = 0.016; right p = 0.016) compared to patients with the CC genotype during 1 year of follow-up.

Conclusions

The present data show that the IL-1α CT/TT genotype rs1800587 may be associated with increased pain intensity, and corresponding reduced PPT during the first year after disc herniation.
Levels of N-acylethanolamines in the interstitium of trapezius muscle during the tissue trauma: A microdialysis study on women with chronic widespread pain
Authors: Stensson N. , Ghafouri N. , Gerdle B. , Ghafouri B.
Published: July 2014

Aims

Since the insertion of MD probes causes an acute tissue trauma, analyses of microdialysates during this period has previously been disregarded in favour of waiting until stable baselines are achieved. The aim of this study is to compare the levels of NAEs in women with chronic widespread pain (CWP) to the healthy controls (CON) during the tissue trauma period.

Methods

18 women with CWP were included in this study. Inclusion criteria were female sex, age range 20–65 years, and widespread pain according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification. 20 CON were recruited. Inclusion criteria were female sex age range 20–65 years, and pain-free. All participants were examined by a standard and validated clinical examination of the upper extremities. MD was conducted in trapezius muscle and dialysate were sampled every 20 min, and the samples of interest in this study were collected in the two first hour after catheter insertion. CMA 63 (catheter: membrane 30 mm length, 0.5 mm diameter, 20 kDa cut-off, flow rate: 5 μl/min) was used. The levels of NAEs were analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS).

Results

Oleoylethanolamine (OEA) and Palmitoylethanolamine (PEA) levels were significantly higher in CWP compered to CON during tissue trauma period (Mann–Whitney U-test: P > 0.001 for OEA and P ≤ 0.05 for PEA).

Conclusions

Previous biochemical studies of patients with CWP have often focused on sensitizing substances. Here we investigated the levels of lipid signaling molecules, with anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, during acute tissue trauma. The results demonstrate that the levels of OEA and PEA differ significantly between CWP and CON. A better understanding of the interplay between these lipids and peripheral pain signaling might provide new therapeutic opportunities for patients with CWP.
The value of non echo planar, diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging for the detection of residual or recurrent middle-ear cholesteatoma
Authors: Velthuis S , van Everdingen K J , Quak J J , Colnot D R
Published: July 2014

Objective:

To determine the value of non echo planar, diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging for detection of residual and recurrent middle-ear cholesteatoma after combined-approach tympanoplasty.

Method:

The magnetic resonance imaging findings after primary surgery for cholesteatoma were compared with intra-operative findings at ‘second-look’ surgery or with clinical follow-up findings.

Results:

Forty-eight magnetic resonance imaging studies were performed in 38 patients. Second-look surgery was performed 21 times in 18 patients. The remaining patients were followed up at the out-patient clinic. There were no false-positive findings with non echo planar, diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging; however, there were four false-negative findings. The mean maximum diameter of recurrent cholesteatoma, as assessed using magnetic resonance imaging, was 11.7 mm (range, 4.4–25.3 mm). The sensitivity of non echo planar, diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging for detecting cholesteatoma prior to second-look surgery was 0.76, with a specificity of 1.00. When clinical follow up of the non-operated ears was included in the analysis, sensitivity was 0.81 and specificity was 1.00.

Conclusion:

Recurrent cholesteatoma can be accurately detected using non echo planar, diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Our study, however, also showed some false-negative results. Therefore, strict out-patient follow up is mandatory for those considering using this technique instead of standard second-look surgery.
New species and interesting records ofArthonialesfrom the Amazon, Rondônia, Brazil
Authors: CÁCERES Marcela Eugenia da Silva , APTROOT André , ERTZ Damien
Published: July 2014

The following new species ofArthonialesare described from Rondônia:Alyxoria fuscosporawith 3-septate clavate ascospores of 20–23×4·5–5·5 µm having a gelatinous layer soon appearing evenly brown (also known from other tropical countries).Chiodecton complexumwith discrete soralia, immersed apothecia in branched lines and 3-septate ascospores (26–)33–40×2·5–3·5 µm.Coniarthonia rosea,similar toC. pulcherrimabut with the apothecia pink and more irregular in outline and the ascospores 13–16×5·5–6·5 µm.Cresponea flavosorediatawith yellow-olive soralia, apothecia with yellow pruina and 7–9-septate ascospores, 26–38(–50)×5·0–6·5 µm.Cresponea lichenicola, lichenicolous on aPyrenula, with 0·1–0·3 mm wide apothecia with yellow pruina.Eremothecella helicellawith helicoid curvedc.17–29-septate conidiac.70–95×2 µm long if uncoiled, with septa 3–6 µm apart. TheArthonialesare a speciose component of the lowland rainforest of Rondônia. A key is provided to the corticolous species of most groups ofArthonialesfound in Rondônia. The foliicolous species found so far are listed. Most are new records for Rondônia.Chrysothrix occidentalisis new to the Neotropics.
SUM THEOREMS FOR MAXIMALLY MONOTONE OPERATORS OF TYPE (FPV)
Authors: BORWEIN JONATHAN M. , YAO LIANGJIN
Published: July 2014

The most important open problem in monotone operator theory concerns the maximal monotonicity of the sum of two maximally monotone operators provided that the classical Rockafellar’s constraint qualification holds. In this paper, we establish the maximal monotonicity of $\def \xmlpi #1{}\def \mathsfbi #1{\boldsymbol {\mathsf {#1}}}\let \le =\leqslant \let \leq =\leqslant \let \ge =\geqslant \let \geq =\geqslant \def \Pr {\mathit {Pr}}\def \Fr {\mathit {Fr}}\def \Rey {\mathit {Re}}A+B$ provided that $A$ and $B$ are maximally monotone operators such that ${\rm star}({\rm dom}\ A)\cap {\rm int}\, {\rm dom}\, B\neq \varnothing $, and $A$ is of type (FPV). We show that when also ${\rm dom}\ A$ is convex, the sum operator $A+B$ is also of type (FPV). Our result generalizes and unifies several recent sum theorems.
What constitutes quality of family experience at the end of life? Perspectives from family members of patients who died in the hospital
Authors: Steinhauser Karen E. , Voils Corrine I. , Bosworth Hayden , Tulsky James A.
Published: July 2014

Objective:

Most palliative care efforts focus on assessing and improving the quality of life and quality of care for patients. Palliative care views the family as the unit of care; therefore, excellent comprehensive palliative care should also address the needs of the family and the caregiver(s). While the recent literature has offered detailed descriptions of caregiving needs in the home setting, it is crucial to describe the needs of family members who provide care for patients with advanced illness in an inpatient setting, where family members serve as the key intermediaries and decision makers. Therefore, we sought to define the relevant aspects of quality of experience for families of hospitalized patients.

Method:

We convened a series of focus groups to identify the domains important for the quality of experience of dying patients' family members. Participants included bereaved family members of patients who had died at a Veterans Administration (VA) or private academic medical center. We conducted four in-depth follow-up interviews to probe for additional details and validate our interpretation of the focus group findings.

Results:

Participants (n = 14) ranged in age from 46 to 83, with a mean of 62. All were female; 64% were Caucasian, 21% African American, and 14% did not report their ethnicity. Content analysis yielded 64 attributes of quality of family experience constituting eight domains: completion, symptom impact, decision making, preparation, relationship with healthcare providers, affirmation of the whole person, post-death care, and supportive services.

Significance of results:

Our data have implications for clinical guidance in assisting family members in the inpatient palliative setting, which often includes patient incapacity for communication and decision making. They suggest the importance of developing corresponding methods to assist families with the tasks involved with life completion, being prepared for a crisis and imminent death, and post-death care. Provider communications and relationships are central to the processes of meeting the clinical needs of family members. Our findings should inform the development of measures to assess family experience.
Übereinstimmung von Mutter-Kind-Aussagen und deren Einflussfaktoren am Beispiel des Kinder-DIPS in der Diagnostik psychischer Störungen im Jugendalter
Authors: Propp Olga , Schilder Anna , Hahlweg Kurt , Hannighofer Jasmin , Schulz Wolfgang
Published: July 2014

Theoretischer Hintergrund: In der Diagnostik psychischer Störungen im Jugendalter wird der Einbezug unterschiedlicher Urteilerperspektiven empfohlen. Die Aussagen unterschiedlicher Urteiler korrelieren jedoch nur gering. Fragestellung: Die Ziele dieser Arbeit bestehen in der Darstellung der Prävalenzen, der Übereinstimmung von Mutter-Kind-Aussagen sowie der Identifikation potentieller Prädiktoren von Nichtübereinstimmung hinsichtlich psychischer Störungen im Jugendalter. Methode: Die Stichprobe stammt aus dem DFG-Projekt „Zukunft Familie III” der Technischen Universität Braunschweig. Es wurden 234 Mütter (Alter: M = 46.4 Jahre, SD = 4.7) und deren Kinder im Alter zwischen 11 und 17 Jahren mit Hilfe des Diagnostischen Interviews bei psychischen Störungen im Kindes- und Jugendalter (Kinder-DIPS) und weiteren Verfahren befragt. Ergebnisse: Insgesamt liegen geringe Prävalenzen psychischer Störungen vor. Die Aussagen von Müttern und Jugendlichen weisen eine geringe bis mäßige Übereinstimmung auf (durchschnittliches κ = .26). Die Mütter berichten mehr externalisierende Störungen. Für internalisierende Störungen wurde kein signifikanter Unterschied zwischen Müttern und Jugendlichen gefunden. Die Jugendlichen berichten mehr Essstörungen und tendenziell mehr Schlafstörungen. Die psychische Belastung der Mutter, Konflikte innerhalb der Mutter-Kind-Beziehung und das Alter des Jugendlichen sind signifikante Prädiktoren für die Nichtübereinstimmung der Mutter-Kind-Aussagen. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Ergebnisse verdeutlichen die Notwendigkeit, sowohl das Urteil der Mutter als auch das Urteil des Kindes in der Diagnostik psychischer Störungen im Jugendalter zu beachten. Praktische Implikationen werden abgeleitet.
Sonic hedgehog-expressing cells in the developing limb measure time by an intrinsic cell cycle clock
Authors: Chinnaiya Kavitha , Tickle Cheryll , Towers Matthew
Published: July 2014

How time is measured is an enduring issue in developmental biology. Classical models of somitogenesis and limb development implicated intrinsic cell cycle clocks, but their existence remains controversial. Here we show that an intrinsic cell cycle clock in polarizing region cells of the chick limb bud times the duration of Sonic hedgehog (Shh) expression, which encodes the morphogen specifying digit pattern across the antero-posterior axis (thumb to little finger). Timing by this clock starts when polarizing region cells fall out of range of retinoic acid signalling. We found that timing of Shh transcription by the cell cycle clock can be reset, thus revealing an embryonic form of self-renewal. In contrast, antero-posterior positional values cannot be reset, suggesting that this may be an important constraint on digit regeneration. Our findings provide the first evidence for an intrinsic cell cycle timer controlling duration and patterning activity of a major embryonic signalling centre.
Novel Hydrogen Hydrate Structures under Pressure
Authors: Qian Guang-Rui , Lyakhov Andriy O. , Zhu Qiang , Oganov Artem R. , Dong Xiao
Published: July 2014

Gas hydrates are systems of prime importance. In particular, hydrogen hydrates are potential materials of icy satellites and comets and may be used for hydrogen storage. We explore the H2O–H2system at pressures in the range 0–100 GPa withab initiovariable-composition evolutionary simulations. According to our calculation and previous experiments, the H2O–H2system undergoes a series of transformations with pressure and adopts the known open-network clathrate structures (sII, C0), dense “filled ice” structures (C1, C2) and two novel hydrate phases. One of these is based on the hexagonal ice framework and has the same H2O:H2ratio (2:1) as the C0phase at low pressures and similar enthalpy (we name this phaseIh-C0). The other newly predicted hydrate phase has a 1:2 H2O:H2ratio and structure based on cubic ice. This phase (which we name C3) is predicted to be thermodynamically stable above 38 GPa when including van der Waals interactions and zero-point vibrational energy and explains previously mysterious experimental X-ray diffraction and Raman measurements. This is the hydrogen-richest hydrate and this phase has a remarkable gravimetric density (18 wt.%) of easily extractable hydrogen.
A metal-free dyotropic-like rearrangement of 2-oxa allylic alcohols in the presence of organoboronic acids
Authors: Ye Weimin , Li Wenbo , Zhang Junliang
Published: July 2014

An unprecedented dyotropic-like rearrangement of 2-oxa allylic alcohols in the presence of catalytic amounts of Selectfluor and DABCO was reported.
Evidence of two-state reactivity in alkane hydroxylation by Lewis-acid bound copper–nitrene complexes
Authors: Abram Sarah-Luise , Monte-Pérez Inés , Pfaff Florian Felix , Farquhar Erik R. , Ray Kallol
Published: July 2014

Two state reactivity hypothesis, well established for iron-oxo cores, can also be extended to the copper–nitrenes.
Mechanochemical lithiation of layered polysilane
Authors: Ohashi Masataka , Nakano Hideyuki , Morishita Tetsuya , Spencer Michelle J. S. , Ikemoto Yuka , Yogi Chihiro , Ohta Toshiaki
Published: July 2014

Lithiated polysilane was synthesized by the mechanochemical reaction of layered polysilane with metallic lithium. The resulting dark green powder formed a Si–Li bond on the surface and demonstrated electroconductivity.
Implication of microstructure on the mechanical behaviour of an aspirin–paracetamol eutectic mixture
Authors: Jain Hemant , Khomane Kailas S. , Bansal Arvind K.
Published: July 2014

The present work investigates the mechanical behaviour of an aspirin–paracetamol (ASP–PCM) eutectic mixture (EM).
2-Photon tandem device for water splitting: comparing photocathode first versus photoanode first designs
Authors: Seger Brian , Castelli Ivano E. , Vesborg Peter C. K. , Jacobsen Karsten W. , Hansen Ole , Chorkendorff Ib
Published: July 2014

This work analyzes the differences between a ‘photoanode first’ and a ‘photocathode first’ 2-photon water splitting device.
Collective motion of cells: from experiments to models
Authors: Méhes Előd , Vicsek Tamás
Published: July 2014

Swarming or collective motion of living entities is one of the most common and spectacular manifestations of living systems that have been extensively studied in recent years.
Size-controlled SnO2 hollow spheres via a template free approach as anodes for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Bhaskar Akkisetty , Deepa Melepurath , Rao Tata Narasinga
Published: July 2014

Excellent control over SnO2 hollow sphere size leads to outstanding capacity performance and retention with cycling.
Controlled polymerization of histidine and synthesis of well-defined stimuli responsive polymers. Elucidation of the structure–aggregation relationship of this highly multifunctional material
Authors: Mavrogiorgis Dimitrios , Bilalis Panayiotis , Karatzas Anastasis , Skoulas Dimitrios , Fotinogiannopoulou Georgia , Iatrou Hermis
Published: July 2014

Synthesis of multifunctional poly(l-histidine) containing polypeptides and hybrid polymers for controlled drug delivery applications.
Quasi-2D dynamic jamming in cornstarch suspensions: visualization and force measurements
Authors: Peters Ivo R. , Jaeger Heinrich M.
Published: July 2014

We visualize the dynamic jamming front in a floating layer of cornstarch suspension and compare velocimetry analysis with force measurements.
Preparation of Co3O4 electrode materials with different microstructures via pseudomorphic conversion of Co-based metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Lee Kyung Joo , Kim Tae-Hee , Kim Tae Kyung , Lee Jae Hwa , Song Hyun-Kon , Moon Hoi Ri
Published: July 2014

The pseudomorphic conversion of MOFs resulted in the controlled preparation of Co3O4 nanoparticles with different microstructures, which showed different electrochemical properties.
Versatile fabrication and applications of dense, orderly arrays of polymeric nanostructures over large areas
Authors: Lai Chang Quan , Cheng H.
Published: July 2014

Study of CF4/O2plasma chemistry's influence on polymeric nanostructure formation and application to superhydrophobic surfaces, nanoimprinting moulds and neuro-direct substrates.
Small‐swing domino logic based on twist‐connected transistors
Authors: Ahn Sang‐Yun , Cho Kyoungrok
Published: July 2014

A new small‐swing domino logic that reduces the signal amplitude by adding twist‐connected PMOS and NMOS transistors in the conventional domino logic is presented. The circuit lowers the voltage level of a logic ‘1’ and increases the voltage level of a logic ‘0’ while maintaining the logic threshold at half of the supply voltage. The output swing range of the proposed circuit can be modulated by varying the size of the twist‐connected transistors and the load capacitance. The 32‐bit ripple carry adders designed with the proposed circuit technique reduce power consumption by 37% and the power‐delay product (PDP) performance by 43%, as compared with the power consumption and PDP performance of the domino CMOS logic. Thus, the proposed circuit effectively reduces power consumption with the use of the new small‐swing domino logic.
Precision analysis of single‐element ultrasound sensor for kinematic analysis of knee joints
Authors: Masum M.A. , Pickering M.R. , Lambert A.J. , Scarvell J.N. , Smith P.N.
Published: July 2014

Measuring the relative motion of the femur and tibia in a knee joint currently requires tantalum beads to be implanted into the bones. These beads appear as high‐intensity features in radiographs and can be used for precise kinematic measurements. This procedure imposes a strong coupling between accuracy and invasiveness. Advances in ultrasound (US) sensor technology and the availability of micro‐drives mean that it is now possible to construct a small and lightweight US sensor which can be placed on the skin above the tibia and femur. Such a sensor could determine the relative movement of the underlying bone with respect to the sensor. This would then allow the position of the femur and tibia to be measured more accurately than with an optical tracking system that does not take into account the movement of the marker with respect to the bone. For satisfactory performance, the precision of the US sensor should be in the order of 1 mm or less. The experimental results prove that this sub‐millimetre precision is achievable.
Metamaterial absorber‐based sensor embedded into X‐band waveguide
Authors: Sabah C. , Turkmen‐Kucuksari O. , Turhan‐Sayan G.
Published: July 2014

A novel metamaterial sensor, integrated with an X‐band waveguide, is proposed for high‐resolution measurements of variations in the dielectric constant and/or the thickness of a superstrate layer that covers a pair of absorber unit cells. Variations in superstrate parameters are potentially caused by physical, chemical or biological factors, and can be detected by measuring the corresponding shifts in the resonance frequency of the metamaterial sensor. It is estimated by simulation results that resolution levels as good as 1.1 μm change in thickness or 0.023 absolute change in relative permittivity of the sensing layer are feasible for a 10 MHz measurable shift in resonance frequency. Simulation results obtained for the fabricated prototype are verified experimentally with good agreement.
Differential grid array antenna to radiate pencil beam at 24 GHz for radar and sensor applications
Authors: Zhang Lin , Zhang Yue Ping
Published: July 2014

A new differential grid array antenna that radiates a pencil beam is reported. The difference between the half‐power beam widths of the E‐ and H‐planes is used to assess the pencil beam quality. Also, a novel differential feeding scheme that eases the testing and improves the pencil beam quality, impedance matching and gain bandwidth is proposed. The prototype was designed and fabricated on RT/duroid 5880 substrate with the size of 40 × 50 × 0.787 mm3 and the number of 16 radiating elements. Measured results show that the differential grid array antenna achieved 4.37% impedance bandwidth and 17 dBi gain at 24.25 GHz.
SiGe process integrated full‐360° microelectromechanical systems‐based active phase shifter for W‐band automotive radar
Authors: Öztürk Efe , Nemati Mohammad Hossein , Kaynak Mehmet , Tillack Bernd , Tekin İbrahim
Published: July 2014

This study presents the implementation of a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)‐based active phase shifter (APS) by using vector sum method. The proposed phase shifter comprises of two variable gain amplifiers (VGAs), a Wilkinson power divider with 90° phase shift lines, a Wilkinson power combiner and two 1‐bit (0°/180°) MEMS phase shifters. First, all the components were designed and fabricated individually to check for their proper functionality, then they were brought together in a novel vector sum topology to work as a full‐360° span phase shifter. Fabricated VGAs function properly at designed frequency (77 GHz) with gain variation from 0 to 14 dB with the tuned base voltages from 1.8 to 2.3 V. The VGAs not only serve for providing the weighted amplitudes but also compensate 4.3 dB loss from 1‐bit MEMS phase shifter and 0.8 dB loss from each power divider and combiner. Active/passive components and MEMS switches are all integrated at one single chip of 3.74 mm2 and manufactured with IHP 0.25 µm SiGe BiCMOS technology. As to the author's knowledge, this is the first demonstration of an APS using integrated active components and MEMS technology. Presented phase shifting mechanism can be used at automotive radar system for beam steering purpose.
A detailed experimental study on the benefits of electrically grounding glass mounted global positioning system antennas to the vehicle roof
Authors: Aloi Daniel N. , Steffes Ashley , Ghafari Elias , Sharawi Mohammad S.
Published: July 2014

The placement of global positioning system (GPS) patch antennas on vehicles is important as its location directly affects navigation system performance. GPS antennas mounted on the front glass window has been adopted by several vehicle manufacturers around the world. In this work, we present a detailed experimental study on the effect of antenna mounting parameters as well as shorting it to the roof of the vehicle on its performance characteristics. Specifically, we investigate the effect of the glass tilt angle, the distance of the antenna from the rooftop of the vehicle in addition to grounding it to the rooftop versus not‐grounding to the rooftop of a vehicular platform.
Rapid electromagnetic‐based microwave design optimisation exploiting shape‐preserving response prediction and adjoint sensitivities
Authors: Koziel Slawomir , Ogurtsov Stanislav , Cheng Qingsha S. , Bandler John W.
Published: July 2014

A new development of the shape‐preserving response prediction (SPRP) technique for microwave design optimisation is presented here. The original SPRP method is enhanced by employing low‐cost derivative information obtained through adjoint sensitivities. The authors propose using operator notation to simplify the SPRP surrogate description. The enhancement through sensitivity data is twofold: to ensure first‐order consistency between the SPRP surrogate and the high‐fidelity electromagnetic (EM) model under optimisation and to speed up the surrogate optimisation process. Fast surrogate optimisation allows us to use coarse‐discretisation EM simulations as an underlying low‐fidelity model and, therefore, efficiently apply SPRP to cases where reliable circuit models are not available (e.g. design of antenna structures). The proposed approach is demonstrated using a dielectric resonator filter and an ultra‐wideband monopole antenna. Comparison with three benchmark techniques, including the original SPRP methods, space mapping with sensitivity and direct optimisation of the high‐fidelity model, is also provided.
Design and characterisation of a 200 GHz tunable lens‐coupled annular‐slot antenna with a 50 GHz tuning range
Authors: Jiang Zhenguo , Rahman Syed M. , Hesler Jeffrey L. , Fay Patrick , Liu Lei
Published: July 2014

A frequency‐tunable lens‐coupled annular‐slot antenna (ASA) with a nearly 50 GHz tuning range has been designed, fabricated and characterised at the G‐band (140–220 GHz). Initial numerical electromagnetic simulation results show that the resonant frequency of the antenna can be tuned effectively, with a tunability of ∼2.5 GHz/fF associated with the capacitive loading from the varactor. In addition, simulated far‐field antenna patterns have demonstrated that the addition of the varactor used to implement the capacitive loading does not strongly affect the antenna's radiation properties. This design has been demonstrated experimentally, using a Schottky varactor diode with a zero‐bias junction capacitance of ∼16 fF mounted on a 200 GHz ASA fabricated on a semi‐insulating silicon wafer. Measurement at G‐band shows a frequency tuning range of nearly 50 GHz by varying the voltage bias of the Schottky varactor diode from −5 to 1 V. The measurement results agree well with simulations based on an equivalent circuit model for the Schottky diode and the antenna. Measured far‐field radiation patterns of the lens‐coupled tunable ASA at 203 GHz show good agreement with calculations based on the ray‐tracing technique, verifying that the diode mounting does not affect the antenna radiation properties significantly. This type of tunable ASA is very promising for realising reconfigurable detectors and focal‐plane arrays at terahertz (THz) frequencies, and may find applications in future adaptive submillimetre‐wave/THz communication systems.