bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improvement of CRB-65 as a prognostic tool in adult patients with community-acquired pneumonia
Authors: Dwyer Richard , Hedlund Jonas , Henriques-Normark Birgitta , Kalin Mats
Published: July 2014

Background

Patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) often require hospitalisation. CRB-65 is a simple and useful scoring system to predict mortality. However, prognostic factors such as underlying disease and blood oxygenation are not included despite their potential to increase the performance of CRB-65.

Methods

The study included 1172 consecutive patients (830 inpatients, 342 outpatients) with CAP. Mortality, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve with 95% CI were calculated. Prognostic accuracy was evaluated after adding coexisting illnesses according to the Pneumonia Severity Index (malignancy, heart failure, hepatic, renal and cerebrovascular disease) and pulse oximetry (SpO2).

Results

Mean age was 65 years, 30-day mortality 7% (inpatients 9%, outpatients 1%). Addition of one point for the presence of ≥1 coexisting condition and one point for SpO2<90% increased the area under the ROC curve of CRB-65 from 0.82 (95% CI 0.77 to 0.85) to 0.87 (95% CI 0.84 to 0.90; p<0.0001).

Conclusions

Modification of CRB-65 by including hypoxaemia and presence of specified underlying diseases increased the scoring system’s prognostic accuracy while retaining its independence of laboratory tests. DS CRB-65 may have the potential to further facilitate site of care decision for patients with CAP.
Feasibility and need for violence risk screening at triage: an exploration of clinical processes and public perceptions in one Australian emergency department
Authors: Daniel Catherine , Gerdtz Marie , Elsom Stephen , Knott Jonathan , Prematunga Roshani , Virtue Elizabeth
Published: July 2014

Background

Research on patient aggression in hospital emergency departments supports the development of a systematic process for identifying individuals at risk of becoming violent. The feasibility and community acceptance of this approach is unknown. In this study, we determine the feasibility and explore the need for a violence risk screening process in one Australian emergency department.

Method

We used a descriptive exploratory design that involved semistructured interviews and observations of practice. The setting was an adult tertiary referral hospital and major trauma centre located in Melbourne, Australia. A convenience sample of nine triage nurses were observed assessing patients to explore how risk screening was undertaken in practice. Semistructured interviews were conducted with emergency department (ED) service users (N=19) to explore community perspectives on the process of violence risk screening.

Results

Observations of practice revealed that nurses used observed and reported information to screen for potential risk of violence rather than employing a direct questioning approach. Interviews with community members in the emergency department waiting room highlighted a public expectation that nurses screen and accurately identify patients at risk of violence on arrival to the ED.

Conclusions

Consistent with local prevalence data, public expectations of emergency care supported the need to adopt a uniform approach to identifying people at risk of becoming violent on arrival to hospital. Observations of triage nurses interactions with patients revealed that the existing violence risk screening approach was not being consistently used by triage nurses. An integrated approach to determining violence risk during triage assessment is recommended.
Interobserver variability in assessing dysplasia and architecture in colorectal adenomas: a multicentre Canadian study
Authors: Osmond Allison , Li-Chang Hector , Kirsch Richard , Divaris Dimitrios , Falck Vincent , Liu Dong Feng , Marginean Celia , Newell Ken , Parfitt Jeremy , Rudrick Brian , Sapp Heidi , Smith Sharyn , Walsh Joanna , Wasty Fasahat , Driman David K
Published: July 2014

Aims

Following the introduction of colorectal cancer screening programmes throughout Canada, it became necessary to standardise the diagnosis of colorectal adenomas. Canadian guidelines for standardised reporting of adenomas were developed in 2011. The aims of the present study were (a) to assess interobserver variability in the classification of dysplasia and architecture in adenomas and (b) to determine if interobserver variability could be improved by the adoption of criteria specified in the national guidelines.

Methods

An a priori power analysis was used to determine an adequate number of cases and participants. Twelve pathologists independently classified 40 whole-slide images of adenomas according to architecture and dysplasia grade. Following a wash-out period, participants were provided with the national guidelines and asked to reclassify the study set.

Results

At baseline, there was moderate interobserver agreement for architecture (K=0.4700; 95% CI 0.4427 to 0.4972) and dysplasia grade (K=0.5680; 95% CI 0.5299 to 0.6062). Following distribution of the guidelines, there was improved interobserver agreement in assessing architecture (K=0.5403; 95% CI 0.5133 to 0.5674)). For dysplasia grade, overall interobserver agreement remained moderate but decreased significantly (K=0.4833; 95% CI 0.4452 to 0.5215). Half of the cases contained high-grade dysplasia (HGD). Two pathologists diagnosed HGD in ≥75% of cases.

Conclusions

The improvement in interobserver agreement in classifying adenoma architecture suggests that national guidelines can be useful in disseminating knowledge, however, the variability in the diagnosis of HGD, even following guideline review suggests the need for ongoing knowledge-transfer exercises.
Using interactive theatre to help fertility providers better understand sexual and gender minority patients
Authors: Tarasoff Lesley A , Epstein Rachel , Green Datejie C , Anderson Scott , Ross Lori E
Published: July 2014

Objective

To determine the effectiveness of interactive theatre as a knowledge translation and exchange (KTE) method to educate assisted human reproduction (AHR) service providers about lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBTQ) patients.

Design

We transformed data from the ‘Creating Our Families’ study, a qualitative, community-based study of LGBTQ peoples’ experiences accessing AHR services, into a script for an interactive theatre workshop for AHR service providers. Based on forum theatre principles, our workshop included five scenes illustrating LGBTQ people interacting with service providers, followed by audience interventions to these scenes. Before and after the workshop, service providers completed surveys to assess their knowledge and comfort concerning LGBTQ patients, as well as the modality of the interactive theatre workshop as a KTE strategy. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to determine changes in preworkshop and postworkshop knowledge and comfort scores.

Results

Thirty AHR service providers attended the workshop. Twenty-three service providers (76.7%) fully completed the preworkshop and postworkshop evaluation forms. Service providers’ knowledge scores significantly improved after the workshop, while their comfort scores minimally decreased. Most agreed that the interactive workshop was an effective KTE method.

Conclusions

In comparison with traditional forms of KTE, interactive theatre may be particularly effective in engaging service providers and addressing their attitudes towards marginalised patient populations. Although the evaluation results of our interactive workshop were mostly positive, the long-term impact of the workshop is unknown. Long-term evaluations are needed to determine the effectiveness of arts-based KTE efforts. Other considerations for developing effective arts-based KTE strategies include adequate funding, institutional support, attention to power dynamics and thoughtful collaboration with forum theatre experts.
Pyrazinyl- and pyrimidinylketenes, bisketenes, and ylides: direct observation and nucleophilic reactivity
Authors: Allen Annette D. , Fedorov Andrei V. , Fu Nanyan , Kobayashi Shinjiro , Tidwell Thomas T. , Vukovic Sinisa , Badal Md. Mizanur Rahman , Mishima Masaaki
Published: July 2014

Pyrazinylketene (9) and 4-pyrimidinylketene (11), identified by their IR absorption at 2128 and 2130 cm−1, respectively, are formed in CH3CN as transient intermediates by photolysis of the corresponding diazoketones. The corresponding ylides 10 and 12 are formed concurrently as longer-lived intermediates identified by their distinctive IR and UV absorption. Reactions of 2-pyridylketene and of 9 and 11 with diethylamine form initial amide enol intermediates leading to dihydroheteroarene intermediates and then to amides, whereas amide enols are not observed in reactions with n-butylamine. Reactions with water give observable dihydroheteroarenes. 2,5-Bis(ketenyl)pyrazine (33) is formed by photolysis of 2,5-bis(diazoacetyl)pyrazine (32) together with the corresponding bis(ylide) 35. The latter is calculated to have two geometrically isomeric structures (bond-stretch isomers) with similar energies, one with a central six-membered aromatic ring and another with a 10-pi electron aromatic system.
Paleobotanical evidence for the post-Miocene uplift of the Cascade Range
Authors: Mustoe George E. , Leopold Estella B.
Published: July 2014

Five Neogene floras in southern Washington and northwest Oregon indicate that the uplift of the Cascade Range occurred after ∼8–6 Ma. Miocene floras west of the range (Wilkes and Faraday floras) resemble paleofloras of correlative age to the east (Rattlesnake Hills, Palouse Falls, and lower Ringold). The statistical similarity of Miocene floras east and west of the Cascade Range axis demonstrates that a similar mesic, warm climate across the Pacific Northwest existed during the Middle and Late Miocene. These floras represent mixed hardwood–conifer forests that commonly contained Taxodium (bald cypress) and other mesophytic taxa. Based on Jaccard similarity coefficients calibrated with climatic data from modern plant communities, these paleofloras indicate a climate that was summer–wet, unlike that of the Pacific Northwest today. The annual precipitation was >100 cm, and the estimated mean annual temperatures of the fossil sites were 12–13 °C. The Miocene floras indicate that the development of a Cascade rain shadow in eastern Washington did not develop until after the deposition of the lower Ringold Formation in eastern Washington. That conclusion is reinforced by a well-documented climate and sediment sequence in the Snake River Valley, Idaho. There, well-dated pollen sections record a sharp decrease (by ∼30%–50%) in the annual precipitation regime after the Late Miocene Banbury Basalt and Poison Creek formations and before ∼3.4 Ma. The existence of extensive late Ringold sediments uplifted on the north side of Saddle Mountain indicates that the structural lifting of the Cascade Range had begun by 3.1 Ma (Pliocene). These data all suggest that the lifting of the Cascades occurred after Miocene time, and that the Cascade rain shadow developed during the Pliocene.
An integrated technique for delineating groundwater contaminated zones using geophysical and remote sensing techniques: a case study of Al-Quway’iyah, central Saudi Arabia
Authors: Moustafa Sayed S.R. , Alarifi Nassir , Naeem Muhammad , Jafri Muhammad Kamran
Published: July 2014

Geophysical and remote sensing techniques were carried out to raise the groundwater quality and delineate expected contaminated zones near an open-waste disposal site in Al-Quway’iyah, central Saudi Arabia. An extracted digital elevation model (DEM) from very high resolution (VHR) satellite images was used to define the surface lineaments and prevailing flow path directions present in the study area. Remote sensing results indicated that groundwater in the Al-Quway’iyah metropolitan area flows through a complex network of interconnected fractures, which are controlled by the regional geological and structural settings of the area. Seismic refraction profiling was applied to delineate the depth to the groundwater table and bedrocks, and to locate those faults that may provide pathways to contaminants associated with the open-waste disposal site in the survey area. The results showed that possible subsurface groundwater contamination zones are mainly associated with weaker–fractured zones underlying the surface lineaments. This survey suggests that adequate integration of remote sensing and seismic refraction data can be applied to map spatial distribution of contaminants efficiently. It can facilitate future studies to be conducted for environment and human health hazard appraisal.
Benefits and costs of artificial nighttime lighting of the environment
Authors: Gaston Kevin J. , Gaston Sian , Bennie Jonathan , Hopkins John
Published: July 2014

Artificial lighting has transformed the outdoor nighttime environment over large areas, modifying natural cycles of light in terms of timing, wavelength, and distribution. This has had widespread benefits and costs to humankind, impacting on health and wellbeing, vehicle accidents, crime, energy consumption and carbon emissions, aesthetics, and wildlife and ecosystems. Here, we review these effects, particularly in the context of ongoing developments in the extent of artificial lighting and in the prevalent technologies being employed. The key issue that emerges is how best to maximize the benefits of artificial nighttime lighting whilst limiting the costs. To do so, three main strategies are required. First, important knowledge gaps need to be filled. Second, there is an urgent need to connect the research being conducted in different disciplines, which to date has been very disjointed. Third, it is imperative that much firmer and well-developed links are made between research, policy, and practice.
Baicalein Inhibits HMGB1 Release and MMP-2/-9 Expression in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy
Authors: Chen Huai-Min , Liou Shu-Fen , Hsu Jong-Hau , Chen Tsan-Ju , Cheng Tsung-Lin , Chiu Chaw-Chi , Yeh Jwu-Lai
Published: July 2014

Myocardial dysfunction, a common complication after sepsis, significantly contributes to the death of patients with septic shock. In the search for potentially effective drugs to decrease mortality from sepsis, we investigated the cardioprotective effects of baicalein, a flavonoid present in the root of Scutellaria baicalensis, on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine production and matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 (MMP-2/-9) expression. We found that baicalein significantly attenuated LPS-induced cardiac hypertrophy and counteracted reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. In addition, pretreatment with baicalein inhibited LPS-induced early (e.g., tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6) and late (e.g., high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) pro-inflammatory cytokine release, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and NO production. Finally, baicalein also significantly down-regulated the expression of MMP-2/-9 and attenuated HMGB1 translocation from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. These results suggest that baicalein can protect cardiomyocytes from LPS-induced cardiac injury via the inhibition of ROS and inflammatory cytokine production. These cardioprotective effects are possibly mediated through the inhibition of the HMGB1 and MMP-2/-9 signaling pathways.
Notoginsenoside R1 Attenuates Hypoxia and Hypercapnia-Induced Vasoconstriction in Isolated Rat Pulmonary Arterial Rings by Reducing the Expression of ERK
Authors: Xu Yixiao , Lin Lina , Tang Lanlan , Zheng Mengxiao , Ma Yingchun , Huang Linjing , Meng Wei , Wang Wantie
Published: July 2014

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a disease of the small pulmonary arteries characterized by increased vascular resistance. Pulmonary vasoconstriction has been proven to play a pivotal role in PAH. We have previously hypothesized that Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) might attenuate hypoxia–hypercapnia-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction. The specific objective of the present study was to investigate the role of notoginsenoside R1, a main ingredient of PNS, in this process and the possible underlying mechanism. The third order pulmonary rings from the Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with different concentrations of notoginsenoside R1 (8, 40, and 100 mg/L, respectively) both before and during the conditions of hypercapnia and hypoxia. Contractile force changes in the rings were detected and the optimal concentration (8 mg/L) was selected. Furthermore, an ERK inhibitor, U0126, was applied to the rings. In addition, pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) were cultured under hypoxic and hypercapnic conditions, and notoginsenoside R1 was administered to detect the changes induced by ERK1/2. The results revealed biphasic vasoconstriction in rings under hypoxic and hypercapnic conditions. It is hypothesized that the observed attenuation of vasoconstriction and the production of vasodilation could have been induced by notoginsenoside R1. This effect was found to be significantly reinforced by U0126 (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). ERK expression in the PASMCs under hypoxic and hypercapnic conditions was significantly activated (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01) and the observed activation was attenuated by notoginsenoside R1 (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). Our findings strongly support the significant role of notoginsenoside R1 in the inhibition of hypoxia–hypercapnia-induced vasoconstriction by the ERK pathway.
Humulus scandensExhibits Immunosuppressive Effectsin Vitroandin Vivoby Suppressing CD4+T Cell Activation
Authors: Feng Jinjin , Wu Yingchun , Yang Yang , Jiang Weiqi , Hu Shaoping , Li Yiming , Yang Yifu
Published: July 2014

Humulus scandens, rich in flavonoids, is a traditional Chinese medicine. It is widely used in China to treat tuberculosis, dysentery and chronic colitis. In this study, the major active faction of Humulus scandens (H.S) was prepared. Then, its immunosuppressive effects and underlying mechanisms on T cell activation were investigated in vitro and in vivo. Results showed that H.S significantly inhibited the proliferation of splenocytes induced by concanavalin A, lipopolysaccharides, and mixed-lymphocyte reaction in vitro. Additionally, H.S could dramatically suppress the proliferation and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production from T cells stimulated by anti-CD3 and anti-CD28. Flow cytometric results confirmed that H.S could suppress the differentiation of IFN-γ-producing type 1 helper T cells (Th1). Furthermore, using ovalbumin immunization-induced T cell reaction and CD4+T-cell-mediated delayed type hypersensitivity reaction, H.S the immunosuppressive effects of H.S was also demonstrated in vivo. Western blot results showed that H.S could impede the activation of both Erk1/2 and P38 in primary T cells triggered by anti-CD3/28. Collectively, the active fraction of H.S showed promising immunosuppressive activities both in vitro and in vivo.
Salvia plebeia Suppresses Atopic Dermatitis-Like Skin Lesions
Authors: Choi Jin Kyeong , Oh Hyun-Mee , Lee Soyoung , Kwon Taeg Kyu , Shin Tae-Yong , Rho Mun-Chual , Kim Sang-Hyun
Published: July 2014

Salvia plebeia R. Br. (Lamiaceae) has been used for folk medicines in Asian countries, including Korea and China, to treat skin inflammatory diseases and asthma. In this study, we investigated the effects of S. plebeia extract (SPE) on atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin lesions and defined underlying mechanisms of action. We established an AD model in BALB/c mice by repeated local exposure of house dust mite extract (Dermatophagoides farinae extract, DFE) and 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) to the ears. Repeated alternative treatment of DFE/DNCB caused AD-like skin lesions. The oral administration of SPE decreased AD symptoms based on ear thickness and histopathological analysis, in addition to serum IgE and IgG2a levels. SPE suppressed mast cell infiltration into the ear and serum histamine level. SPE inhibited Th1/Th2/Th17 phenotype CD4+ T lymphocytes expansion in the lymph node and the expression of Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines in the ear tissue. To define the underlying mechanisms of action, the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon (IFN)-γ activated human keratinocytes (HaCaT) model was used. SPE significantly suppressed the expression of cytokines and chemokines through the down-regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases, nuclear factor-κB, and STAT1 in HaCaT cells. Taken together, our results suggest that SPE might be a candidate for the treatment of AD.
Chinese Prescription Kangen-karyu and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Improve Age-Related Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Response through the PI3K/Akt or MAPK Pathways
Authors: Park Chan Hum , Kim Dae Hyun , Park Min Hi , Kim Mi Kyung , Kim Nam Deuk , Kim Cheol Min , Tanaka Takashi , Yokozawa Takako , Chung Hae Young , Moon Hyung Ryong
Published: July 2014

This study examined whether Kangen-karyu and its crude drug, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix, have a reno-protective effect on the age-related oxidative stress and inflammatory response through the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt or mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways in aged rats. Kangen-karyu or Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix (20 mg/kg body weight/day) was administered orally to old groups of rats for 16 days, and their effects were compared with the vehicle-treated old and young rats. The administration of Kangen-karyu caused a slight decrease in the serum glucose level and a significant decrease in the serum insulin level in the old rats. The increased levels of serum renal functional parameter (urea-nitrogen) and oxidative parameter were significantly reduced by both Kangen-karyu and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix. The old rats exhibited a dysregulation of the protein expression related to insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and inflammation in the kidneys, but Kangen-karyu administration significantly reduced the expression of the inflammatory proteins through the PI3K/Akt pathway. On the other hand, the Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix-treated old rats showed a decrease in the inflammatory cytokines through the MAPK pathway. These results provide important evidence that Kangen-karyu and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix have a pleiotropic effect on the PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathways, showing renoprotective effects against the development of inflammation in old rats. This study provides scientific evidence that Kangen-karyu and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix improve the inflammatory responses via the PI3K/Akt or MAPK pathways in the kidney of old rats.
Gastrodia elata Shows Neuroprotective Effects via Activation of PI3K Signaling against Oxidative Glutamate Toxicity in HT22 Cells
Authors: Han Ye Jin , Je Ju Hui , Kim So Hyoung , Ahn Sung Min , Kim Ha Neui , Kim Yu Ri , Choi Young Whan , Shin Hwa Kyoung , Choi Byung Tae
Published: July 2014

Dried roots of Gastrodia elata have traditionally been used in Korean medicine for the treatment of neurological disorders such as scotodinia, paralysis, and epilepsy. In our study, we attempted to investigate the neuroprotective effects of methanol extract from G. elata (MEGE) against glutamate-mediated oxidative stress and to explore underlying neuroprotective mechanisms. Analyses for cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), flow cytometry, Western blot, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were performed in HT22 hippocampal cells. Pretreatment with MEGE resulted in a potent neuroprotective effect against oxidative glutamate toxicity and these effects were exerted mainly by the abrogation of glutamate-induced apoptotic death. Treatment with glutamate resulted in a significant expression of both phosphorylated p38 and dephosphorylated phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K). However, pretreatment with MEGE resulted in the inhibition of these expressions. In the inhibitor studies, treatment with PI3K inhibitor LY294002 resulted in the abrogation of the neuroprotective effect of MEGE. In addition, pretreatment with MEGE also resulted in the suppression of the glutamate-induced production of ROS. Treatment with MEGE and anti-oxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) resulted in the enhanced phosphorylation of both PI3K and cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB), and, in particular, treatment with MEGE resulted in significantly enhanced expression of mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). These results suggest that the extract from G. elata mainly exerted neuroprotective effects through the up-regulation of the PI3K signaling pathway in association with BDNF and may be a useful therapeutic agent for treatment of oxidative neuronal death.
Angelica sinensis Induces Hair Regrowth via the Inhibition of Apoptosis Signaling
Authors: Kim Mi Hye , Choi You Yeon , Cho Ik-Hyun , Hong Jongki , Kim Sung-Hoon , Yang Woong Mo
Published: July 2014

Hair loss is accompanied by keratinocyte apoptosis-regression during catagen and prolonged telogen. Angelica sinensis was reported to promote hair growth in vitro. Based on previous studies, we explored the hair growth effect and the mechanism of A. sinensis related to keratinocyte apoptosis-regression during catagen in mice. The 70% Ethanol extract of A. sinensis was applied topically at doses of 1 and 100 mg/mL to the dorsa of C57BL/6 mice for 2 weeks. The A. sinensis-treated group showed noticeable hair regrowth. Treatment with A. sinensis restored the lengths of hair shafts and size of hair follicles. In addition, mice treated with A. sinensis showed notably decreased apoptotic cells, along with a significant change in the expression of cleaved caspase-3 and the ratio of a pair of apoptosis-associated proteins: Bcl-2 and Bax. Also, A. sinensis inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κB, the phosphorylation of IκB-α, the phosphorylation of three mitogen-activated protein MAP kinases, and the activation of c-Jun with decreased TNF-α. These findings reveal a role of A. sinensis as an alternative treatment for hair loss that acts through hair cycle pathways associated with apoptosis regression during catagen.
Dark matter in cosmology
Authors: Luković Vladimir , Cabella Paolo , Vittorio Nicola
Published: July 2014

In this paper we review the main theoretical and experimental achievements in the field of dark matter from the cosmological and astrophysical point of view. We revisit it from the very first surveys of local astrophysical matter, up to the stringent constraints on matter properties, coming from the last release of data on cosmological scales. To bring closer and justify the idea of dark matter, we will go across methods and tools for measuring dark matter characteristics, and in some cases a combination of methods that provide one of the greatest direct proofs for dark matter, such as Bullet cluster.
Deviations from tribimaximal neutrino mixing using a model with Δ(27) symmetry
Authors: Harrison P. F. , Krishnan R. , Scott W. G.
Published: July 2014

We present a model of neutrino mixing based on the flavor group Δ(27) in order to account for the observation of a nonzero reactor mixing angle (θ13). The model provides a common flavor structure for the charged-lepton and the neutrino sectors, giving their mass matrices a "circulant-plus-diagonal" form. Mass matrices of this form readily lead to mixing patterns with realistic deviations from tribimaximal mixing, including nonzero θ13. With the parameters constrained by existing measurements, our model predicts an inverted neutrino mass hierarchy. We obtain two distinct sets of solutions in which the atmospheric mixing angle lies in the first and the second octants. The first (second) octant solution predicts the lightest neutrino mass, m3~29 meV (m3~65 meV ) and the CP phase, [Formula: see text], offering the possibility of large observable CP violating effects in future experiments.
Structural, optical and magnetic properties of Co-doped ZnO nanoparticles prepared via a wet chemical route
Authors: Iqbal Javed , Janjua Raheel Ahmed , Jan Tariq
Published: July 2014

In this paper, ZnO nanoparticles doped with varying amount of Co content (i.e., 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 at.%) have been prepared by wet chemical route. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results reveal the successful substitution of Co 2+ ions on to sites of Zn 2+ ions without forming any secondary phase. Furthermore, a linear increase in d-spacing of the ZnO lattice is found with the increase in Co content. SEM images demonstrate the formation of homogeneously distributed spherical nanoparticles with average size of 50–70 nm. It is observed from optical investigations that band gap energy of ZnO nanoparticles significantly decreased with the increase in Co doping level. Interestingly, it is found that the high Co dopant concentration can lead to room temperature ferromagnetism in ZnO nanoparticles.
Emergence of quantum mechanics from a sub-quantum statistical mechanics
Authors: Grössing Gerhard
Published: July 2014

A research program within the scope of theories on "Emergent Quantum Mechanics" is presented, which has gained some momentum in recent years. Via the modeling of a quantum system as a non-equilibrium steady-state maintained by a permanent throughput of energy from the zero-point vacuum, the quantum is considered as an emergent system. We implement a specific "bouncer-walker" model in the context of an assumed sub-quantum statistical physics, in analogy to the results of experiments by Couder and Fort on a classical wave-particle duality. We can thus give an explanation of various quantum mechanical features and results on the basis of a "21st century classical physics", such as the appearance of Planck's constant, the Schrödinger equation, etc. An essential result is given by the proof that averaged particle trajectories' behaviors correspond to a specific type of anomalous diffusion termed "ballistic" diffusion on a sub-quantum level. It is further demonstrated both analytically and with the aid of computer simulations that our model provides explanations for various quantum effects such as double-slit or n-slit interference. We show the averaged trajectories emerging from our model to be identical to Bohmian trajectories, albeit without the need to invoke complex wavefunctions or any other quantum mechanical tool. Finally, the model provides new insights into the origins of entanglement, and, in particular, into the phenomenon of a "systemic" non-locality.
APPROXIMATE BREGMAN NEAR NEIGHBORS IN SUBLINEAR TIME: BEYOND THE TRIANGLE INEQUALITY
Authors: ABDULLAH AMIRALI , MOELLER JOHN , VENKATASUBRAMANIAN SURESH
Published: July 2014

Bregman divergences are important distance measures that are used extensively in data-driven applications such as computer vision, text mining, and speech processing, and are a key focus of interest in machine learning. Answering nearest neighbor (NN) queries under these measures is very important in these applications and has been the subject of extensive study, but is problematic because these distance measures lack metric properties like symmetry and the triangle inequality. In this paper, we present the first provably approximate nearest-neighbor (ANN) algorithms for a broad sub-class of Bregman divergences under some assumptions. Specifically, we examine Bregman divergences which can be decomposed along each dimension and our bounds also depend on restricting the size of our allowed domain. We obtain bounds for both the regular asymmetric Bregman divergences as well as their symmetrized versions. To do so, we develop two geometric properties vital to our analysis: a reverse triangle inequality (RTI) and a relaxed triangle inequality called μ-defectiveness where μ is a domain-dependent value. Bregman divergences satisfy the RTI but not μ-defectiveness. However, we show that the square root of a Bregman divergence does satisfy μ-defectiveness. This allows us to then utilize both properties in an efficient search data structure that follows the general two-stage paradigm of a ring-tree decomposition followed by a quad tree search used in previous near-neighbor algorithms for Euclidean space and spaces of bounded doubling dimension.

Our first algorithm resolves a query for a d-dimensional (1 + ε)-ANN in [Formula: see text] time and O(n log d-1 n) space and holds for generic μ-defective distance measures satisfying a RTI. Our second algorithm is more specific in analysis to the Bregman divergences and uses a further structural parameter, the maximum ratio of second derivatives over each dimension of our allowed domain (c0). This allows us to locate a (1 + ε)-ANN in O( log n) time and O(n) space, where there is a further (c0)d factor in the big-Oh for the query time.
FINDING THE LARGEST EMPTY DISK CONTAINING A QUERY POINT
Authors: KAPLAN HAIM , SHARIR MICHA
Published: July 2014

Let P be a set of n points in the plane. We present an efficient algorithm for preprocessing P, so that, for a given query point q, we can quickly report the largest disk that contains q but its interior is disjoint from P. The storage required by the data structure is O(n log n), the preprocessing cost is O(n log 2 n), and a query takes O( log 2 n) time. We also present an alternative solution with an improved query cost and with slightly worse storage and preprocessing requirements.
AN ORACLE-BASED, OUTPUT-SENSITIVE ALGORITHM FOR PROJECTIONS OF RESULTANT POLYTOPES
Authors: EMIRIS IOANNIS Z. , FISIKOPOULOS VISSARION , KONAXIS CHRISTOS , PEÑARANDA LUIS
Published: July 2014

We design an algorithm to compute the Newton polytope of the resultant, known as resultant polytope, or its orthogonal projection along a given direction. The resultant is fundamental in algebraic elimination, optimization, and geometric modeling. Our algorithm exactly computes vertex- and halfspace-representations of the polytope using an oracle producing resultant vertices in a given direction, thus avoiding walking on the polytope whose dimension is α - n - 1, where the input consists of α points in ℤn. Our approach is output-sensitive as it makes one oracle call per vertex and per facet. It extends to any polytope whose oracle-based definition is advantageous, such as the secondary and discriminant polytopes. Our publicly available implementation uses the experimental CGAL package triangulation. Our method computes 5-, 6- and 7- dimensional polytopes with 35K, 23K and 500 vertices, respectively, within 2hrs, and the Newton polytopes of many important surface equations encountered in geometric modeling in < 1sec, whereas the corresponding secondary polytopes are intractable. It is faster than tropical geometry software up to dimension 5 or 6. Hashing determinantal predicates accelerates execution up to 100 times. One variant computes inner and outer approximations with, respectively, 90% and 105% of the true volume, up to 25 times faster.
Wreath products by a leavitt path algebra and affinizations
Authors: Alahmadi Adel , Alsulami Hamed
Published: July 2014

We introduce ring theoretic constructions that are similar to the construction of wreath product of groups [M. Kargapolov and Y. Merzlyakov, Fundamentals of the Theory of Groups (Springer-Verlag, New York, 1979)]. In particular, for a given graph Γ = (V, E) and an associate algebra A, we construct an algebra B = A wr L(Γ) with the following property: B has an ideal I, which consists of (possibly infinite) matrices over A, B/I ≅ L(Γ), the Leavitt path algebra of the graph Γ. Let W ⊂ V be a hereditary saturated subset of the set of vertices [G. Abrams and G. Aranda Pino, The Leavitt path algebra of a graph, J. Algebra 293(2) (2005) 319–334], Γ(W) = (W, E(W, W)) is the restriction of the graph Γ to W, Γ/W is the quotient graph [G. Abrams and G. Aranda Pino, The Leavitt path algebra of a graph, J. Algebra 293(2) (2005) 319–334]. Then L(Γ) ≅ L(W) wr L(Γ/W). As an application we use wreath products to construct new examples of (i) affine algebras with non-nil Jacobson radicals, (ii) affine algebras with non-nilpotent locally nilpotent radicals.
Equilateral stick number of knots
Authors: Kim Hyoungjun , No Sungjong , Oh Seungsang
Published: July 2014

An equilateral stick number s=(K) of a knot K is defined to be the minimal number of sticks required to construct a polygonal knot of K which consists of equal length sticks. Rawdon and Scharein [Upper bounds for equilateral stick numbers, in Physical Knots: Knotting, Linking, and Folding Geometric Objects in ℝ3, Contemporary Mathematics, Vol. 304 (American Mathematical Society, Providence, RI, 2002), pp. 55–76] found upper bounds for the equilateral stick numbers of all prime knots through 10 crossings by using algorithms in the software KnotPlot. In this paper, we find an upper bound on the equilateral stick number of a non-trivial knot K in terms of the minimal crossing number c(K) which is s=(K) ≤ 2c(K) + 2. Moreover if K is a non-alternating prime knot, then s=(K) ≤ 2c(K) - 2. Furthermore we find another upper bound on the equilateral stick number for composite knots which is s=(K1♯K2) ≤ 2c(K1) + 2c(K2).
VACANCY GENERATION AND ADSORPTION OF Cu ATOM AT Ag(1 1 1) SURFACE DURING DIFFUSION OF Cu-TRIMER
Authors: SHAH ZULFIQAR ALI , HAYAT SARDAR SIKANDAR , REHMAN Z. , RAHMAN SARDAR SIDDIQUE , BOUAFIA FARIDA
Published: July 2014

In this paper, the vacancy generation at (1 1 1) surface of silver ( Ag ) and the adsorption of copper ( Cu ) atom in the vacant site at Ag (1 1 1) surface has been studied using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation technique. The run of micro-canonical constant energy (NVE) ensemble results the generation of vacancy at 700 K in the presence of Cu -trimer, and its migration is observed toward the island as a result of self-diffusion of the surface layer atom. The energy of vacancy generation at Ag surface is found to be Ev = 1.078 eV , in the presence of Cu -trimer. The popped-up Ag adatom combines with Cu -trimer, making a mixed-tetramer ( Cu 3– Ag island). The adsorption energy of the Cu -atom among the mixed-tetramer island into the substitutional site is Es = ~ -0.813 eV , leaving a mixed-trimer ( Cu 2– Ag island) at Ag (1 1 1). Moreover, the presence of the island creates some anharmonic effects like dislocations and fissures at the surface. These dislocations and fissures show a trend of attraction to each other and also migrate toward the island, during the time evolution of the system.
THE INFLUENCE OF HEMODYNAMICS ON THE ULCERATION PLAQUES OF CAROTID ARTERY STENOSIS
Authors: FU YULIN , QIAO AIKE , JIN LONG
Published: July 2014

The further rupture of atherosclerotic ulceration plaque is one of the main triggers of the carotid ischemic stroke. However, the abnormal hemodynamics is not well addressed yet. A lesion-based computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis is proposed to investigate the complex hemodynamic change of the ulceration plaque that prevails in patients. The 3D models including eight groups of ulcerations (six groups with single ulceration and two groups with two consecutive ulcerations), were reconstructed based on the computer tomography (CT) images, and the tetrahedral grid was taken to mesh the models with the appropriate numbers. After setting the boundary conditions, numerical simulation was carried out to analyze the pulsatile blood flow in the models. The complex flow in the vicinity of the ulcerations directly leads to a significant effect on the distribution of the wall shear stress (WSS). WSS is respectively from 3.29 to 35.41 Pa at the upstream, from 11.90 to 41.85 Pa at the downstream ulceration, and 18.60 and 30.60 Pa in the area between the two consecutive ulcerations. The rupture from these regions could cause the further rupture of ulceration plaques, particularly at the downstream ulceration and the area between the two consecutive ulcerations. The twisting and the curling of the flow at the ulcerations can lead to thrombosis which may break free later and go through the downstream stenosis by the effect of the flow. The different degrees of WSS in downstream and upstream ulcerations will damage the ulceration on the plaque because of pulling and stretching forces at the ulcerations. Furthermore, high wall shear stress gradient (WSSG) also increases the risk of the further rupture. Our study gives a better understanding in the further rupture mechanism of ulceration plaques and provides the information of the location of thrombosis after aggravated rupturing, which can be referred by surgeons to improve the surgical planning.
HALAL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES IN THE ITALIAN TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY: BRIEF CASE STUDIES OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION
Authors: HALKIAS DAPHNE , PIZZURNO EMANUELE , DE MASSIS ALFREDO , FRAGOUDAKIS MIRKA
Published: July 2014

Increasing tourism by Muslims to non-Muslim countries highlights a need to examine the capacity and willingness of such destinations to fully cater to Muslim needs and ways of life. This paper explores the case of Italy, where a gradual move is being made to offer halal products and even accommodation and facilities that cover the basic tenets of Muslim faith.
Contrasting Perspectives Regarding Climate Risks and Adaptation Strategies in the New York Metropolitan Area after Superstorm Sandy
Authors: Miller Stephanie , Kidd Griffin , Montalto Franco , Gurian Patrick , Worrall Cortney , Lewis Roland
Published: July 2014

The purpose of this study was to examine stakeholder perceptions of climate change and local adaptation strategies in the New York City area. A side-by-side comparison of expert and resident opinions provided a clear picture of the region's climate change attitude in the year following Superstorm Sandy. Semi-structured interviews with regional environmental experts provided material for a structured survey, which was then distributed to 100 experts and 250 residents in coastal NY and northern NJ counties. In the survey both stakeholder groups were asked to choose the top three climate threats to the NYC region and rate adaptation and mitigation strategies on a 1–5 Likert scale regarding their ability to protect the region and their cost-effectiveness. Results show that experts and residents agree that sea level rise, coastal flooding and storm surge, and an increased frequency and intensity of extreme events pose the greatest threats to NYC over the next 25 years. While both groups showed a preference for long-term planning over immediate action, experts and residents could not agree on which specific strategies would best serve the region. The aftermath of Superstorm Sandy had a strong impact on both the expert and resident opinions and efforts to monitor stakeholder opinions continue.
AKAP150 mobilizes cPKC-dependent cardiac glucotoxicity
Authors: Zeng Chao , Wang Jinyi , Li Na , Shen Mingzhi , Wang Dongjuan , Yu Qiujun , Wang Haichang
Published: July 2014

Activation of conventional PKCs (cPKC) is a key signaling that directs the cardiac toxicity of hyperglycemia. AKAP150, a scaffold protein of the A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs) family, is less defined regarding its capability to anchor and regulate cardiac cPKC signaling. This study was designed to investigate the role of AKAP150 in cPKC-mediated cardiac glucotoxicity. In cardiac tissues from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and high-glucose-treated neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, both mRNA and protein levels of AKAP150 increased significantly, and marked elevations were observed in cPKC activity and both expression and phosphorylation levels of p65 NF-κB and p47phox. AKAP150 knockdown was established via intramyocardial injection in vivo and transfection in vitro of adenovirus carrying AKAP150-targeted shRNA. Downregulation of AKAP150 reversed diabetes-induced diastolic dysfunction as manifested by decreased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and early/late mitral diastolic wave ratio. AKAP150 inhibition also abrogated high-glucose-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis (TUNEL staining and annexin V/propidium iodide flow cytometry) and oxidative stress (ROS production, NADPH oxidase activity, and lipid peroxidation). More importantly, reduced AKAP150 expression significantly inhibited high-glucose-induced membrane translocation and activation of cPKC and suppressed the increases in the phosphorylation of p65 NF-κB and p47phox. Immunofluorescent coexpression and immunoprecipitation indicated enhanced anchoring of AKAP150 with cPKC within the plasma membrane under hyperglycemia, and AKAP150 preferentially colocalized and functionally bound with PKCα and -β isoforms. These results suggest that cardiac AKAP150 positively responds to hyperglycemia and enhances the efficiency of glucotoxicity signaling through a cPKC/p47phox/ROS pathway that induces myocardial dysfunction, cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and oxidative stress.
G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 mediates relaxation of coronary arteries via cAMP/PKA-dependent activation of MLCP
Authors: Yu Xuan , Li Fen , Klussmann Enno , Stallone John N. , Han Guichun
Published: July 2014

Activation of GPER exerts a protective effect in hypertension and ischemia-reperfusion models and relaxes arteries in vitro. However, our understanding of the mechanisms of GPER-mediated vascular regulation is far from complete. In the current study, we tested the hypothesis that GPER-induced relaxation of porcine coronary arteries is mediated via cAMP/PKA signaling. Our findings revealed that vascular relaxation to the selective GPER agonist G-1 (0.3–3 μM) was associated with increased cAMP production in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, inhibition of adenylyl cyclase (AC) with SQ-22536 (100 μM) or of PKA activity with either Rp-8-CPT-cAMPS (5 μM) or PKI (5 μM) attenuated G-1-induced relaxation of coronary arteries preconstricted with PGF2α (1 μM). G-1 also increased PKA activity in cultured coronary artery smooth muscle cells (SMCs). To determine downstream signals of the cAMP/PKA cascade, we measured RhoA activity in cultured human and porcine coronary SMCs and myosin-light chain phosphatase (MLCP) activity in these artery rings by immunoblot analysis of phosphorylation of myosin-targeting subunit protein-1 (p-MYPT-1; the MLCP regulatory subunit). G-1 decreased PGF2α-induced p-MYPT-1, whereas Rp-8-CPT-cAMPS prevented this inhibitory effect of G-1. Similarly, G-1 inhibited PGF2α-induced phosphorylation of MLC in coronary SMCs, and this inhibitory effect was also reversed by Rp-8-CPT-cAMPS. RhoA activity was downregulated by G-1, whereas G36 (GPER antagonist) restored RhoA activity. Finally, FMP-API-1 (100 μM), an inhibitor of the interaction between PKA and A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs), attenuated the effect of G-1 on coronary artery relaxation and p-MYPT-1. These findings demonstrate that localized cAMP/PKA signaling is involved in GPER-mediated coronary vasodilation by activating MLCP via inhibition of RhoA pathway.
Performance Tuning of Coordinated Active Traffic Control Algorithm: Simultaneously Improving Corridor Safety and Mobility Performances
Authors: Fang Jie
Published: July 2014

Proactive traffic control based on macroscopic traffic flow model is an innovative approach to active traffic management. An online, model predictive control (MPC) based active traffic control algorithm, DynaTAM, is proposed to implement integrated control through ramp metering (RM) and variable speed limit (VSL). DynaTAM predicts traffic states to anticipate incoming traffic congestion and to provide control plan recommendations for optimizing the network traffic conditions. However, as with other sophisticated prediction‐based control algorithms, a system fine‐tuning procedure is required for DynaTAM. In this study, two aspects will be addressed to further improve system performance. First, the control algorithm is evaluated to find the correlations between the prediction horizon length and the controlled system performance to suggest the most efficient prediction horizon length for the control algorithm. Second, safety considerations are quantitatively incorporated into the control algorithm. The control algorithm optimizes the traffic network targeting the cost reductions achieved by both improved mobility and reduced crash risk. A field‐data‐based simulation study is conducted to evaluate the system performance within various parameters and to determine the most suitable algorithm parameters. Optimized by the refined DynaTAM algorithm, the targeted area shows significant improvements in terms of both traffic safety and mobility.