bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk Assessment of Development of Hepatic Decompensation in Histologically Proven Hepatitis B Viral Cirrhosis Using Liver Stiffness Measurement
Authors: Kim Beom Kyung , Park Young Nyun , Kim Do Young , Park Jun Yong , Chon Chae Yoon , Han Kwang-Hyub , Ahn Sang Hoon
Published: March 2012

Background/Aims: There are few studies regarding the predictive value of liver stiffness measurement (LSM) for development of hepatic decompensation. We assessed the risk of hepatic decompensations in B-viral compensated cirrhosis, using an LSM and LSM-based model (LSM-spleen diameter to platelet ratio score, LSPS = LSM × spleen diameter/platelet count) in a prospective, longitudinal study. Methods: We analyzed 217 patients with histologically proven B-viral cirrhosis, well-preserved liver function, and no history of decompensation. The Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression method were used to examine the major endpoint, time to the first decompensation event, defined as development of ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, variceal hemorrhage, and deterioration of liver function to Child-Pugh class B/C. Results: During follow-up, 26 patients experienced hepatic decompensation, ascites (n = 22), hepatic encephalopathy (n = 11), variceal hemorrhage (n = 9), and deterioration of liver function (n = 20). For risk stratification, patients were grouped as LSM <13, 13–18, and ≥18 kPa, and from multivariate analysis, patients with LSM 13–18 kPa [hazard ratio (HR) 4.547/ p = 0.044] and ≥18 kPa (HR 12.446/p < 0.001) retained independently higher risks than patients with LSM <13 kPa. Similarly, when patients were grouped as LSPS <1.1, 1.1–2.5, and ≥2.5, those with LSPS 1.1–2.5 (HR 5.796/p = 0.004) and ≥2.5 (HR 13.618/p < 0.001) retained independently higher risks than those with LSPS <1.1. Conclusion: LSM and LSPS are useful in risk assessment of hepatic decompensation among complication-naive B-viral cirrhotic patients.
Associations between Polymorphisms in Genes Involved in Fatty Acid Metabolism and Dietary Fat Intakes
Authors: Bouchard-Mercier Annie , Paradis Ann-Marie , Pérusse Louis , Vohl Marie-Claude
Published: March 2012

Background: Obesity prevalence is growing in our population. Twin studies have estimated the heritability of dietary intakes to about 30%. The objective of this study was to verify whether polymorphisms in genes involved in fatty acid metabolism are associated with dietary fat intakes. Methods: Seven hundred participants were recruited. A validated food frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary intakes. PCR-RFLP and TAQMAN methodology were used to genotype PPARα Leu162Val, PPARγ Pro12Ala, PPARδ –87T>C, PPARGC1α Gly482Ser, FASN Val1483Ile and SREBF1 c.*619C>G. Statistical analyses were executed with SAS statistical package. Results: Carriers of the Ala12 allele of PPARγ Pro12Ala polymorphism had higher intakes of total fat (p = 0.04). For FASN Val1483Ile polymorphism, significant gene-sex interaction effects were found for total fat and saturated fat intakes (p = 0.02 and p = 0.002, respectively). No significant difference in fat intakes was observed for PPARα Leu162Val, PPARδ –87T>C, PPARGC1α Gly482Ser and SREBF1 c.*619C>G polymorphisms. Conclusions: Polymorphisms in PPARγ and FASN seem to be associated with dietary fat intakes. Genetic variants are important to take into account when studying dietary intakes.
Impact of Race on Predialysis Discussions and Kidney Transplant Preemptive Wait-Listing
Authors: Kutner Nancy G. , Zhang Rebecca , Huang Yijian , Johansen Kirsten L.
Published: March 2012

Background/Aims: US registry data have consistently shown that blacks are less likely than whites to be wait-listed before beginning dialysis. Methods: The Comprehensive Dialysis Study (CDS) was a special study conducted by the US Renal Data System (USRDS) in which a national cohort of patients who began maintenance dialysis therapy in 2005–2007 were asked whether kidney transplantation (KT) had been discussed with them before they started dialysis. Using responses from black and white CDS participants and information from the USRDS, we investigated preemptive wait-listing as a function of patient-reported predialysis KT discussion. Results: Among those reporting early KT discussion, 31.0% of patients preemptively wait-listed were black, compared to 27.5% of those not preemptively wait-listed. Two thirds of preemptively wait-listed patients had received nephrology care more than 12 months before starting dialysis and reported that KT was discussed with them 12 months or more before dialysis. Early KT discussion and higher serum albumin and hemoglobin levels remained significant predictors of preemptive wait-listing in an adjusted logistic regression analysis. Among those preemptively wait-listed, 33% of blacks and 60% of whites had received a transplant by September 30, 2009 (study end date). Conclusion: Early KT discussion appeared to reduce barriers to black patients’ waiting list placement before the start of dialysis, which in turn may facilitate earlier access to a deceased donor organ transplant.
A Simple and Rapid Quantitative Sweat Test Based on Cobalt Chloride Color Change
Authors: Moser J. , Kriehuber E. , Trautinger F.
Published: March 2012

Background: Existing sweat tests are either cumbersome, require dedicated technical equipment and/or do not give reliable quantitative results. The present study was performed to develop and describe a rapid and simple test for a practical and quantitative evaluation of sweating. Methods: Cobalt chloride patches were used to collect sweat during exercise and after application of aluminum hydrochloride. Color change from blue to red was recorded and quantified, and the amount of sweat was calculated from a standard curve. Results: Cobalt-chloride-containing patches evaluated with standard office equipment provide a rapid, simple and highly sensitive method for the quantitative measurement of sweating. Conclusions: Possible applications that need to be evaluated in further studies are the diagnosis and monitoring of diseases associated with disordered sweat production and the evaluation of antiperspirants.
A combined pharmacometric analysis of dabigatran etexilate in healthy volunteers and patients with atrial fibrillation or undergoing orthopaedic surgery
Authors: Lehr Thorsten , Liesenfeld Karl-Heinz , Haertter Sebastian , Staab Alexander , Dansirikul Chantaratsamon
Published: March 2012

Dabigatran etexilate is the orally bioavailable pro-drug of dabigatran, a direct thrombin inhibitor. Using data from eight clinical studies in healthy volunteers and patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) or undergoing orthopaedic surgery (OS), population pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) models were developed to investigate whether the PK and PD of dabigatran differ across different populations. In both healthy volunteers (n=80) and patients (n=1,965), the PK of dabigatran was best described by a two-compartment disposition model with first-order absorption and elimination. Renal function was the only covariate shown to have a clinically relevant impact on dabig-atran exposure. The patient PK model was successfully applied in predicting exposure observed in the RE-LY trial evaluating dabigatran treatment in patients with non-valvular AF. The relationship between dabigatran plasma concentrations and activated partial thromboplastin time in healthy volunteers and patients (n=762) was best described with a combination of a linear model and a maximum effect (Emax) model, consistent with previous reports. PK/PD relationships were robust across the various populations tested and were not affected by any of the covariates examined. In summary, the PK of dabigatran is sufficiently consistent to allow extrapolation of data generated in healthy volunteers to patients with AF or undergoing OS.
Molecular analysis and genotype-phenotype correlation in patients with antithrombin deficiency from Southern Italy
Authors: Castaldo Giuseppe , Cerbone Anna , Guida Anna , Tandurella Igor , Ingino Rosaria , Ceglia Carlo , Di Minno Matteo Nicola , Ruocco Anna , Tufano Antonella , Di Minno Giovanni
Published: March 2012

We sequenced the SERPINC1 gene in 26 patients (11 males) with antithrombin (AT) deficiency (22 type I, 4 type II), belonging to 18 unrelated families from Southern Italy. Heterozygous mutations were identified in 15/18 (83.3%) families. Of them, eight were novel mutations, each being identified in one family. Seven clearly cause impaired protein synthesis (four frameshift, one non-stop, one splicing and one 21bp deletion). One, present in a single patient, is a missense mutation thought to be causative because: a) it is absent in 100 chromosomes from controls; b) it involves a highly conserved amino acid, whose change is predicted to impair AT activity; c) no other mutation is present in the propositus. Severe mutations (i.e. nonsense, frameshift, deletions) were invariably identified in type I patients. In type II patients, 3/4 were missense mutations; the fourth leads to a 19 nucleotides shift in the stop codon. In addition to the type of mutation, the co-existence of other predisposing factors in most patients helps explain the severity of the present type I cases (age at first event, recurrence during prophylaxis). In the five families in which there was more than one member affected, the same genotype and a concordant clinical expression of the disease were found. We conclude that the molecular bases of AT deficiency in Southern Italy are different as compared to other geographic areas, and that molecular analysis and the study of the effect of the mutation may help predict the clinical expression of the disease.
Oral anticoagulation use by patients with atrial fibrillation in Germany
Authors: Wilke Thomas , Groth Antje , Mueller Sabrina , Pfannkuche Matthias , Verheyen Frank , Linder Roland , Maywald Ulf , Kohlmann Thomas , Feng You-Shan , Breithardt Günter , Bauersachs Rupert
Published: March 2012

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common significant cardiac rhythm disorder. Oral anticoagulation (OAC) is recommended by guidelines in the presence of a moderate to high risk of stroke. Based on an analysis of claims-based data, the aim of this contribution is to quantify the stroke-risk dependent OAC utilisation profile of German AF patients as well as the possible causes and the associated clinical outcomes of OAC under-use. Our data set was derived from two large mandatory German medical insurance funds. Risk stratification of patients was based on the CHADS2-score and the CHA2DS2-VASc-score. Two different scenarios were constructed to deal with factors potentially disfavouring OAC use. Causes of OAC under-use and its clinical consequences were analysed using multivariate analysis. Observation year was 2008. A total of 183,448 AF patients met the inclusion criteria. This represents an AF prevalence of 2.21%. The average CHADS2-score was 2.8 (CHA2DS2-VASc-score: 4.3). On between 40.5 and 48.7% of the observed patient-days, there was no antithrombotic protection by OAC, other anticoagulants or aspirin. Older female patients with a high number of comorbidities had a higher risk of OAC under-use. Patients who had already experienced a thromboembolic event had a lower risk of OAC under-use. In the observation year, 3,367 patients experienced a stroke (incidence rate 1.8%). In our multi-level Poisson random effects estimate, OAC use decreases the stroke rate by almost 80% (IRR 0.236). In conclusion, OAC under-use is widespread in the German market. It is associated with severe clinical consequences.
The Impact of Size Sorting on the Polarimetric Radar Variables
Authors: Kumjian Matthew R. , Ryzhkov Alexander V.
Published: March 2012

Differential sedimentation of precipitation occurs because heavier hydrometeors fall faster than lighter ones. Updrafts and vertical wind shear can maintain this otherwise transient size sorting, resulting in prolonged regions of ongoing particle sorting in storms. This study quantifies the impact of size sorting on the S-band polarimetric radar variables (radar reflectivity factor at horizontal polarization ZH, differential reflectivity ZDR, specific differential phase KDP, and the copolar cross-correlation coefficient ρhv). These variables are calculated from output of two idealized bin models: a one-dimensional model of pure raindrop fallout and a two-dimensional rain shaft encountering vertical wind shear. Additionally, errors in the radar variables as simulated by single-, double-, and triple-moment bulk microphysics parameterizations are quantified for the same size sorting scenarios.

Size sorting produces regions of sparsely concentrated large drops with a lack of smaller drops, causing ZDR enhancements as large as 1 dB in areas of decreased ZH, often along a ZH gradient. Such areas of enhanced ZDR are offset from those of high ZH and KDP. Illustrative examples of polarimetric radar observations in a variety of precipitation regimes demonstrate the widespread occurrence of size sorting and are consistent with the bin model simulations. Single-moment schemes are incapable of size sorting, leading to large underestimations in ZDR (>2 dB) compared to the bin model solution. Double-moment schemes with a fixed spectral shape parameter produce excessive size sorting by incorrectly increasing the number of large raindrops, overestimating ZDR by 2–3 dB. Three-moment schemes with variable shape parameters better capture the narrowing drop size distribution resulting from size sorting but can underestimate ZDR and overestimate KDP by as much as 20%. Implications for polarimetric radar data assimilation into storm-scale numerical weather prediction models are discussed.
Observational Evidences of Double Cropping Impacts on the Climate in the Northern China Plains
Authors: Ho C.-H. , Park S.-J. , Jeong S.-J. , Kim J. , Jhun J.-G.
Published: March 2012

The impacts of harvested cropland in the double cropping region (DCR) of the northern China plains (NCP) on the regional climate are examined using surface meteorological data and the satellite-derived normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and land surface temperature (LST). The NDVI data are used to distinguish the DCR from the single cropping region (SCR) in the NCP. Notable increases in LST in the period May–June are found in the area identified as the DCR on the basis of the NDVI data. The difference between the mean daily maximum temperature averaged over the DCR and SCR stations peaks at 1.27°C in June. The specific humidity in the DCR is significantly smaller than in the SCR. These results suggest that the enhanced agricultural production by multiple cropping may amplify regional warming and aridity to further modify the regional climate in addition to the global climate change. Results in this study may also be used as a quantitative observed reference state of the crop/vegetation effects for future climate modeling studies.
Asymmetric Modulation of Western North Pacific Cyclogenesis by the Madden–Julian Oscillation under ENSO Conditions
Authors: Li Richard C. Y. , Zhou Wen , Chan Johnny C. L. , Huang P.
Published: March 2012

The present study investigates the modulation by the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) and the impact of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on tropical cyclone (TC) genesis in the western North Pacific (WNP) during the period 1975–2010. Results reveal a stronger modulation of cyclogenesis by the MJO during El Niño years, while the modulations in neutral and La Niña years are comparable to each other.

The asymmetric background modification by ENSO is found to greatly affect the extent of MJO modulation under different ENSO conditions. First, MJO activity is intensified and extends farther eastward during El Niño years, instead of being confined west of 150°E as in neutral and La Niña periods. Thus, the influence of MJO is stronger and more zonally widespread in El Niño years, causing significant differences in cyclogenesis parameters in most parts of the WNP. In El Niño years, cyclogenesis is further enhanced in the active phase due to synchronization of MJO signals with favorable background ENSO conditions. While in the inactive phase, the dominance of the strong MJO signals leads to further suppression in TC formation. This leads to overall enhancement of the MJO–TC relationship during El Niño years. On the other hand, the MJO signals confined to the western region west of 150°E in neutral and La Niña years lead to changes in TC-related parameters mainly in the western region, which contribute to the comparatively weaker TC modulations. It can thus be concluded that the MJO has an asymmetric modulation on cyclogenesis in the WNP under different ENSO conditions.
Testing the Role of Radiation in Determining Tropical Cloud-Top Temperature
Authors: Harrop Bryce E. , Hartmann Dennis L.
Published: March 2012

A cloud-resolving model is used to test the hypothesis that radiative cooling by water vapor emission is the primary control on the temperature of tropical anvil clouds. The temperature of ice clouds in the simulation can be increased or decreased by changing only the emissivity of water vapor in the upper troposphere. The effect of the model’s fixed ozone profile on stability creates a pressure-dependent inhibition of convection, leading to a small warming in cloud-top temperature as SST is increased. Increasing stratospheric water vapor also warms the cloud-top temperature slightly. Changing the latent heat of fusion reduces the cloud fraction at high altitudes, but does not significantly change temperature at which cloud fraction peaks in the upper troposphere. The relationship between radiatively driven horizontal mass convergence and cloud fraction that causes cloud temperature to be insensitive to surface temperature is preserved when a large model domain is used so that convection aggregates in a small part of the model domain.
Visualizing Model Data Using a Fast Approximation of a Radiative Transfer Model
Authors: Lakshmanan Valliappa , Rabin Robert , Otkin Jason , Kain John S. , Dembek Scott
Published: March 2012

Visualizing model forecasts using simulated satellite imagery has proven very useful because the depiction of forecasts using cloud imagery can provide inferences about meteorological scenarios and physical processes that are not characterized well by depictions of those forecasts using radar reflectivity. A forward radiative transfer model is capable of providing such a visible-channel depiction of numerical weather prediction model output, but present-day forward models are too slow to run routinely on operational model forecasts.

It is demonstrated that it is possible to approximate the radiative transfer model using a universal approximator whose parameters can be determined by fitting the output of the forward model to inputs derived from the raw output from the prediction model. The resulting approximation is very close to the result derived from the complex radiative transfer model and has the advantage that it can be computed in a small fraction of the time required by the forward model. This approximation is carried out on model forecasts to demonstrate its utility as a visualization and forecasting tool.
Impacts of Convectively Coupled Kelvin Waves on Environmental Conditions for Atlantic Tropical Cyclogenesis
Authors: Ventrice Michael J. , Thorncroft Christopher D. , Schreck Carl J.
Published: March 2012

High-amplitude convectively coupled equatorial atmospheric Kelvin waves (CCKWs) are explored over the tropical Atlantic during the boreal summer (1989–2009). Focus is given to the atmospheric environmental conditions that are important for tropical cyclogenesis.

CCKWs are characterized by deep westerly vertical wind shear to the east of its convectively active phase and easterly vertical wind shear to the west of it. This dynamical signature increases vertical wind shear over the western tropical Atlantic ahead of the convectively active phase, and reduces vertical wind shear after its passage. The opposite is true over the eastern tropical Atlantic where the climatological vertical wind shear is easterly.

Positive total column water vapor (TCWV) anomalies progress eastward with the convectively active phase of the CCKW, whereas negative TCWV anomalies progress eastward with the convectively suppressed phase. During the passage of the convectively active phase of the CCKW, a zonally oriented strip of low-level cyclonic relative vorticity is generated over the tropical Atlantic. Two days later, this strip becomes more wavelike and moves back toward the west. This signature resembles a train of westward-moving easterly waves and suggests CCKWs may influence such events.

Strong CCKWs over the tropical Atlantic tend to occur during the decay of the active convection associated with the Madden–Julian oscillation over the Pacific. This relationship could be used to provide better long-range forecasts of tropical convective patterns and Atlantic tropical cyclogenesis.
The analysis of acoustical characteristics and sound absorption coefficient of woven fabrics
Authors: Soltani Parham , Zerrebini Mohammad
Published: March 2012

The amount of research conducted on sound absorption properties of woven fabrics in comparison to nonwoven and spacer textile fabrics is very limited. The main aim of this research is to study acoustical and sound absorption properties of woven fabrics. Normal incident sound absorption coefficient was determined via the impedance tube method. To achieve the objective of the research, general acoustical properties of textiles together with existing standards were thoroughly studied. Samples of woven fabrics having varying structural elements, such as weave type, weft yarn linear density, thickness created by layering of test fabrics, yarn spinning system and depth of air space at the back of samples were tested. Results showed that, for most samples while the maximum value of the sound absorption coefficient occurred at a frequency of 1000 Hz, the minimum value was observed at frequencies of 250 and 2000 Hz. Results showed that, the sound absorption coefficient of woven fabrics is influenced by both density and porosity of fabrics. It was found that, plain fabric absorbed sound wave more than the other weave types. Results also indicated that, for a given weft density, fabrics produced with weft yarn linear density of 24.5 tex has a higher absorption than fabrics woven with weft yarns of other counts. It was found that, finer weft yarn and higher thickness of fabric causes the noise reduction coefficient or NRC of the fabric to be increased. It was established that, fabrics woven using rotor-spun yarns exhibited the highest absorption in comparison to samples woven using ring-spun or compact yarns.
Low velocity impact characteristics of 3D integrated core sandwich composites
Authors: Karahan Mehmet , Gül Hakan , Ivens Jan , Karahan Nevin
Published: March 2012

In this paper, the low velocity impact characteristics and impact damage of sandwich composites, produced at four different core thicknesses from 3-dimensional (3D) integrated sandwich fabrics, with and without foam filling, have been examined. The 3D sandwich fabrics have been produced using the same yarn and weaving densities. Thus, the impact characteristics are only affected by the core thickness and whether foam filling is used or not. Low velocity impact tests have been conducted at 32 and 48 J energy levels. The impact behavior has been determined as a function of the peak load, the energy to peak load, the time to peak load and the absorbed energy. The impact damage and the change in the compressive strength after impact have been analyzed. The findings obtained indicate that core-skin delamination on 3D sandwich composites has been fully prevented. Impact tests carried out on integrated 3D sandwich structures have shown that impact damage is limited to the vicinity of the point of impact and does not affect the integrity of the structure. This indicates that such damage can be easily repaired and the service life of the product can be sustained.
Sensory evaluation and instrumental measurements to determine tactile properties of wool fabrics
Authors: Bacci Laura , Camilli Francesca , Drago Serena , Magli Massimiliano , Vagnoni Enrico , Mauro Antonio , Predieri Stefano
Published: March 2012

Fabrics manufactured in Italy with 100% Sardinian sheep breed wool, traditionally named ‘Orbace’, and with local Tuscan wool from 50% Sardinian and 50% Comisana sheep breeds wool (Tuscan Cloth), were subjected to sensory evaluation, through descriptive analysis performed by a trained panel, and to an instrumental evaluation method, through FAST – Fabric Assurance by Simple Testing. The correlation between instrumental data and sensory attributes was investigated. Sensory evaluation indicated that Orbace fabrics, originated from 100% Sardinian wool, had higher grittiness, stiffness, force of compression and hand friction and lower softness and tensile stretch, as compared to the fabrics obtained from mixed wool. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated a high correlation for grittiness, stiffness and force of compression in one direction, tensile stretch, softness, warmth and fullness in the opposite, clearly discriminating in this dimension Orbaces from Tuscan fabrics. This discrimination appears to be an effect of the wool used for the different fabrics. Differences in key sensory traits were also recorded among fabrics derived from the same raw material, but differing in weave. Thickness, as the key attribute of the second PCA dimension, provided discriminations within groups and is reasonably perceived as an effect of different weaves. Canonical Correlation Analysis indicated that measurements performed with FAST were correlated with a number of basic touch traits, including softness, stiffness, force of compression and tensile stretch. Orbace and Tuscan Cloth handle definition, on the basis of sensory and instrumental measures, will be of use to describe and protect original products.
Biomimetics of branching structure in warp knitted fabrics to improve water transport properties for comfort
Authors: Chen Qing , Fan Jin Tu , Sarkar Manas Kumar
Published: March 2012

Biomimetics of a plant branching structure in textiles can enhance the water transport property, being beneficial to wear comfort. In this work, a unique two-layered structure was developed, on a double-needle bed warp knitting machine. In this structure, two yarns are combined together in the inner layer to form loops and are separated into individual yarns to form two loops in the outer layer. Using different combinations of methods of transferring the yarns from the inner layer to the outer, four types of branching-structured fabrics were developed and the water transport properties of these structures were compared against those of the standard interchanging fabrics. The systematic measurements of various water transport properties, in terms of wicking rate and wetting area, demonstrated that warp knitted fabrics with branching structure absorbed water faster than the corresponding interchanged plain knitted fabrics. The plant-structured knitted fabrics also have lower values of air resistance, which is beneficial to summer wear. It is believed that the new developed fabrics have advantages for sportswear and summer casual wear.
Biological effects of melt spinning fabrics composed of 1% bioceramic material
Authors: Leung Ting-Kai , Lin Jian-Min , Chien Huan-Sheng , Day Tzy-Chin
Published: March 2012

This study evaluated the usefulness of bioceramic materials (ceramic materials that emit high-performance far-infrared (FIR) rays), processed into fabrics using a traditional manufacturing melt spinning method. Numerous measurements were designed to test the biological functions of 1% bioceramic fabrics. These included physical induction of intracellular nitric oxide (NO) in NIH 3T3 cells (mouse fibroblasts), the effects on cell viability in osteoblastic cells (MC3T3-E1) under hydrogen peroxide-mediated oxidative stress, and the effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in a chondrosarcoma (SW1353) cell line. When compared to the control group, the bioceramic fabrics were capable of inducing further intracellular NO production using NIH 3T3 cells, and maintaining increased viability and against cell intoxication of osteoblastic cells by suppressing cell release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) under oxidative stress. In addition, it was found to suppress LPS-induced COX-2 production more significantly in a SW1353 cell line. These processes represent the biomolecular changes occurring during promotion of decline in aging, prevention of osteoporosis, and prevention of inflammatory processes within the human body. Therefore, these bioceramic fabrics are likely to fulfill their claims of having health-promoting benefits.
Fiber trapping comparison of embeddable and locatable spinning with sirofil and siro core-spinning with flute pipe air suction
Authors: Xia Zhigang , Wang Xin , Ye Wenxiang , Eltahir Hafiz A , Xu Weilin
Published: March 2012

In this study, we compared fiber trapping of embeddable and locatable spinning (ELS) with that of sirofil and siro core-spinning with flute pipe air suction. Online pictorial analysis showed that the 3rd ELS was free of the visual fiber loss during the 1st ELS, 2nd ELS, sirofil, and siro core-spinning. This indicated the 3rd ELS possessed high ability of trapping staple fibers. Weight loss of different yarns proved that the 3rd ELS had a statistically higher fiber trapping capacity than 1st ELS, sirofil and siro core-spinning. Yarn visual appearance results showed that filaments failed to be entirely buried in the siro core-spun yarn body due to the staple fiber loss and imperfect filament tension adjustment. Poor trapping and filament fasting of staple fibers might be the reasons for more hairy siro core-spun yarn than other composite yarns. Sirofil and siro core-spun yarn had higher value of coefficient of mass variation per unit yarn length and yarn imperfections than the 3rd ELS yarn which might be probably due to their irregular fiber loss during the sirofil and siro core-spinning. The fiber loss would result in a decrease in yarn cross-section fiber utilization; therefore, sirofil, siro core-spun and the 1st ELS yarn had a statistically lower tensile tenacity than the 3rd ELS composite yarn.
Outgroup Helping as a Tool to Communicate Ingroup Warmth
Authors: van Leeuwen Esther , Täuber Susanne
Published: March 2012

The authors extend previous research on the effects of metastereotype activation on outgroup helping by examining in more detail the role of group impression management motives and by studying direct helping (i.e., helping the outgroup believed to hold a negative view of the ingroup). Data from three experiments provided full support for the communicative nature of direct outgroup helping by demonstrating that outgroup helping in response to a negative metastereotype was predicted by participants’ concern for the image of their ingroup, but not by their self-image concerns. Moreover, group image concerns predicted outgroup helping but not ingroup helping and predicted outgroup helping only when a negative metastereotype was activated, compared with a positive metastereotype, or a (negative or positive) autostereotype. The results also ruled out an alternative explanation in terms of denying the self-relevance of the metastereotype.
Patterns and Predictive Factors of Lateral Lymph Node Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma
Authors: Kim Yon Seon
Published: March 2012

Objective

To determine the incidence and patterns of and to evaluate the predictive factors for lateral cervical lymph node metastasis (LNM) in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC).

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Academic university hospital

Subjects and Methods

From March 2007 to September 2010, a retrospective review was performed of 490 patients with PTMC who underwent total thyroidectomy and central lymph node dissection with or without lateral cervical lymph node dissection. The clinicopathologic results were reviewed, and the incidence and patterns of lateral cervical lymph node metastasis were analyzed.

Results

The overall frequency of central and lateral LNM was 39.6% and 3.0%, respectively. The incidence of lateral lymph node metastasis in level IIa, III, IV, Vb, IIb, and Va was 46.7%, 53.3%, 73.3%, 6.7%, 6.7%, and 20.0%, respectively. Lateral LNM without central LNM was observed in 3 (0.6%) cases of PTMC. A multivariate analysis revealed that the predictive factors for the presence of lateral lymph node metastasis are male sex, increased tumor size, T4 stage, and pathologic central lymph node metastasis.

Conclusion

Although lateral LNM was rare, the surgeon should perform thorough preoperative studies to look for lateral LNM in cases of PTMC if the patient is male, has a relatively larger tumor size, and has aggressive mass and also to look for the possibility of skip metastasis. Lymph node metastasis involving the spinal accessory chain (IIb) was not that rare, and careful level IIb lymph node dissection should be considered for patients who will undergo a modified radical neck dissection for lateral LNM.
Laryngeal Nerve Monitoring
Authors: Singer Michael C. , Rosenfeld Richard M. , Sundaram Krishnamurthi
Published: March 2012

Objective

There is continued debate over the value of laryngeal nerve monitoring (LNM) during thyroidectomy. Previous studies have suggested that utilization of electromyographic endotracheal tubes for neuromonitoring is limited. We queried head and neck surgeons regarding their attitudes toward LNM.

Study Design

Voluntary survey.

Setting

Internet based.

Subjects and Methods

An anonymous survey of the members of the American Head and Neck Society was performed. Information was collected on participants’ training history, practice setting, years of experience, and annual volume of thyroid and parathyroid surgeries. Participants’ use of LNM and their beliefs regarding possible benefits were assessed.

Results

One hundred seventy surveys were completed (18% response rate). Of respondents, 65% use LNM in at least some thyroid and parathyroid cases, 37% always and 28% sometimes. The most commonly cited reasons for LNM use were “medical‐legal protection” and “increased confidence.” Comparing otolaryngologists to general surgeons, 43% versus 17% (P =. 016) always use LNM, 27% versus 36% sometimes use monitoring, and 30% versus 47% never use monitoring. Younger surgeons were more likely to use LNM.

Conclusion

Currently, no consensus exists regarding the use of LNM during thyroid and parathyroid surgery. Our results suggest that LNM use has become more widespread. Irrespective of the reasons surgeons are adopting LNM, if this trend continues, LNM may eventually become routine practice among head and neck surgeons.
Risk Factors for Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Neuropraxia Postthyroidectomy
Authors: Sheahan Patrick , O’Connor Ann , Murphy Matthew S.
Published: March 2012

Objective

Despite preservation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN), transient vocal cord paralysis (VCP) occurs after 1.2% to 10.9% of thyroidectomies. The objective of this study was to study risk factors for transient VCP after thyroidectomy.

Study Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Academic teaching hospital.

Subjects and Methods

Two hundred fifteen consecutive thyroid surgeries performed by a single surgeon. All patients underwent preoperative and postoperative laryngoscopy. Patients with preexisting VCP or without postoperative laryngoscopy were excluded. Clinical and operative data were recorded prospectively at the time of thyroid surgery. The association between possible risk factors and occurrence of postoperative transient VCP was studied.

Results

Six patients were excluded (2 with preexisting VCP and 4 without postoperative laryngoscopy). There was 1 intentional sacrifice of an RLN and 1 unintentional RLN transection. Of the remaining 322 RLNs at risk, 15 (4.7%) had postoperative VCP. Operative findings of cancer invading the RLN requiring sharp dissection to separate the nerve (P =. 006) and operative findings of RLN extensively draped along the thyroid or intimately associated with the thyroid parenchyma at Berry’s ligament (P =. 03) were significantly associated with VCP. Revision surgery (P =. 06) trended toward significance. Malignancy, central compartment neck dissection, extralaryngeal RLN branching, hyperthyroidism, and retrosternal extension were not significant. Of cases with follow‐up laryngoscopic documentation of vocal function, 85% (11/13) showed full resolution of VCP, with 1 further case showing partial recovery.

Conclusion

Invasive cancer and variants in the anatomic course of the RLN are risk factors for transient VCP after thyroidectomy.
Robust 3D visual tracking using particle filtering on the special Euclidean group: A combined approach of keypoint and edge features
Authors: Choi Changhyun , Christensen Henrik I
Published: March 2012

We present a 3D model-based visual tracking approach using edge and keypoint features in a particle filtering framework. Recently, particle-filtering-based approaches have been proposed to integrate multiple pose hypotheses and have shown good performance, but most of the work has made an assumption that an initial pose is given. To ameliorate this limitation, we employ keypoint features for initialization of the filter. Given 2D–3D keypoint correspondences, we randomly choose a set of minimum correspondences to calculate a set of possible pose hypotheses. Based on the inlier ratio of correspondences, the set of poses are drawn to initialize particles. After the initialization, edge points are employed to estimate inter-frame motions. While we follow a standard edge-based tracking, we perform a refinement process to improve the edge correspondences between sampled model edge points and image edge points. For better tracking performance, we employ a first-order autoregressive state dynamics, which propagates particles more effectively than Gaussian random walk models. The proposed system re-initializes particles by itself when the tracked object goes out of the field of view or is occluded. The robustness and accuracy of our approach is demonstrated using comparative experiments on synthetic and real image sequences.
Efficient data collection from wireless nodes under the two-ring communication model
Authors: Tekdas Onur , Bhadauria Deepak , Isler Volkan
Published: March 2012

We introduce a new geometric robot-routing problem which arises in data-muling applications where a mobile robot is charged with collecting data from stationary sensors. The objective is to compute the robot’s trajectory and download sequence so as to minimize the time to collect data from all of the sensors. The total data collection time has two components:the robot’s travel time and the download time. The time to download data from a sensor s is a function of the location of the robot and s: if the robot is a distance r in away from s, it can download the sensor’s data in T in units of time. If the distance is greater than r in but less than r out, the download time is T out > T in. Otherwise, the robot can not download the data from s. Here, r in, r out, T in and T out are input parameters. We refer to this model, which is based on recently developed experimental models for sensor network deployments, as the two-ring model, and the problem of downloading data from a given set of sensors in minimum amount of time under this model as the two-ring tour (TRT) problem.

We present approximation algorithms for the general case which uses solutions to the traveling salesperson with neighborhoods (TSPN) Problem as subroutines. We also present effcient solutions to special, but practically important versions of the problem such as grid-based and sparse deployments. The approach is validated in outdoor experiments.
Do Coworkers Make the Service Customer? A Field Study in the Public Sector
Authors: Paillé Pascal
Published: March 2012

This article examines whether relationships among colleagues are related to commitment to the customer and intention to leave the employer. Using a sample ( N = 228) of public employees in contact with citizens (customers), the data showed that exchange process among colleagues enhances commitment to the customer and diminishes intention to leave through intention to help colleagues. Results are discussed.
Clinical Significance of Baseline Platelet Reactivity in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Sedky Hebatallah A. , El-Sewefy Dahlia A. , Saad Abeer A. , Ahmed Mohamed I. , El-Maraghy Heba M. A.
Published: March 2012

The aim of this study was to assess the baseline platelet hyperactivity in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and correlate it with the disease severity and clinical outcome.

Participants and Methods:

This study was conducted on 60 patients with the first attack of non-ST-segment elevation ACS and 30 healthy controls. Patients were subdivided into 2 groups: group I: 40 patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and group II: 20 patients with unstable angina. All the studied patients were subjected to baseline platelet function analysis using platelet function analyzer 100 (PFA-100).

Results:

Group I patients showed significantly lower PFA-100 closure time (CT) than group II ( P = .04) and control group ( P = .03). The occurrence of complications in NSTEMI patients was associated with older age, hypertension, and shorter baseline collagen adenosine diphosphate PFA-100 CT ( P < .05).

Conclusion:

NSTEMI patients proved to have enhanced platelet function that can be used as a predictor of the outcome.
Threshold Measurements by Self-Fitting Hearing Aids
Authors: Keidser Gitte , Dillon Harvey , Zhou Dan , Carter Lyndal
Published: March 2012

A self-fitting, self-contained hearing aid is a device that can be managed entirely by the user, without assistance from a hearing health care professional or the need for special equipment. A key component of such a device is an automated audiometer that will enable the user to self-administer measurements of in situ thresholds, which the hearing aid will use to prescribe a baseline setting for the wearer. The success of the device therefore depends on the validity and reliability of in situ threshold measurements and automatically measured thresholds. To produce a complete and self-contained device, the self-fitting hearing aid will also enable identification of audiograms that are contraindicative of hearing aid usage. The feasibility and challenges of achieving these characteristics are explored and discussed. While the overall concept seems feasible, several challenges were identified that need thorough investigation and/or development. These include the use of instructions to self-manage hearing aid insertion and in situ threshold measurements, selection of an appropriate transducer and instant-fit tip that will allow measurements of a wide range of threshold levels, control of ambient noise during threshold measurements, and self-manageable procedures that enable identification of such audiogram characteristics as asymmetry and conductive hearing loss.
Tribological behaviors of three novel imidazoline-type thiadiazole derivatives as multifunctional lubricant additives in biodegradable lithium grease
Authors: Chen Huan , Li Jing , Ren Tianhui , Zheng Lei , Zhao Yidong
Published: March 2012

Three novel imidazoline-type thiadiazole derivatives are prepared and used as antiwear and extreme-pressure additives in biodegradable lithium grease, and their tribological performances are evaluated using a four-ball tester. Tribological tests show that all derivatives are effective in reducing wear, especially at lower additive concentrations. Oleic acid-imidazoline-type thiadiazole derivative is a preferred additive to reduce wear. For the friction-reducing property of base grease, improvements after using these derivatives are not remarkable. On the other hand, these derivatives are also effective extreme-pressure additives. In order to understand the friction process further, chemical composition of tribofilms under antiwear/extreme-pressure regime is analyzed by X-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy, and thermal films are also considered for comparison. Thermal films formed by these imidazoline-type thiadiazole derivatives consist of adsorbed organic sulfide and ferrous sulfide. Sulfur presents several chemical valences in the antiwear regime, and tribofilms generated by stearic acid and lauric acid-imidazoline-type thiadiazole derivatives at 1.0 wt% are composed of ferrous disulfide, ferrous sulfide and ferrous sulfate. The appearance of disulfide suggests that the interfacial temperature between the upper ball and three lower balls under antiwear conditions is considerably low. Composition of extreme-pressure films generated by oleic acid and lauric acid-imidazoline-type thiadiazole derivatives is only ferrous sulfide, and the extreme-pressure film for stearic acid imidazoline-type thiadiazole derivative is a mixture of ferrous sulfide, ferrous sulfate, and adsorbed organic sulfide.
Planning surface texturing for reduced friction in lubricated sliding using surface roughness parameters skewness and kurtosis
Authors: Sedlaček M , Podgornik B , Vižintin J
Published: March 2012

The aim of this research was to confirm skewness and kurtosis parameters as two main roughness parameters which describe tribological properties of contact surfaces, especially pointing out their application in surface texturing. Based on our previous virtual texturing findings, steel samples were laser textured in a manner to achieve micro-channels with different spacing and width of the channels. Lubricated tests under different contact conditions were done to evaluate their influence on friction. It was confirmed that higher Sku and more negative Ssk can be used for planning surface texturing.
Party members as an electoral linking mechanism
Authors: Hooghe Marc , Dassonneville Ruth
Published: March 2012

While party membership figures are clearly in decline in several Western countries, different interpretations have been offered on the likely consequences of this trend. Some authors stress that members have lost most of their importance for political parties that increasingly rely on professionalized campaign techniques. Other scholars have expressed concern about the decline of party membership. They emphasize the fact that party members continue to function as an important linkage mechanism providing a structural alignment between the party and society (and thus also to potential voters). By means of an election forecasting model for Belgium, we test whether party membership figures can still be related to election results. Results show that party membership has a strong effect on election results and, furthermore, that this relation does not weaken during the period under investigation (1981–2010). The analysis also demonstrates that forecasting models can also be used in a complex multiparty system like that of Belgium.